| Traveling Chalice Program |
| On Sunday, October 1, 2000, the Richmond Serra Club began sponsoring the "Traveling Vocation Chalice" program.
The program, initiated at Epiphany Catholic church, involves parish households in praying for vocations. Each weekend
at mass, a household is presented with the Chalice. The Chalice is taken home and placed in a place of honor where each day for a week,
the household prays designated prayers for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, religious life and professional lay ministry in the
Church. The Chalice used in the program at Epiphany was a gift to the church from John Thomas. When John was in Rome on March 26, 1984,
he had the privilege of attending a weekday Mass of Pope John Paul II in his private chapel. The Chalice is the one used that
day by the Pope. |
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Msgr. Shreve at Epiphany Catholic Church presents Paula and Mike Schnurman
with the Chalice. |
| Gerard Mullen, President of the Richmond Serra Club, is very excited about this vocation-awareness
project. The Traveling Chalice Program has been initiated at other parishes in the Richmond Diocese;
St. Michael's parish on November 11th 2000, St. Gabriel's parish on December 20th, 2000,
and at St. John Neuman's parish in January 2001. It is the goal of the Richmond Serra Club that other parishes in the Richmond Diocese will want
to initiate this program and recognize the importance of involving families in nurturing of vocations
among the community. Because a vocation is a gift from God, praying for vocations is one of the most powerful
ways to support vocations. |
| If you would like to learn more about initiating the Traveling Chalice program in your parish,
contact Gerard Mullen at (804)379-3931. Serra International has over 22,400 members in 732 clubs in 35
countries and over 10,000 members in the United States. |
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| In His Steps Program |
| Leaders of the United States Council of Serra International gathered in Kansas city in June
to develop further the implementation of the Coucil's Recommitment Plan, called "In His Steps".
This program calls for the involvement of lay people in the effort to identify and encourage vocations
to the priesthood and religious life. |
| The Recommitment program addresses the current challenge to increase vocations to the
consecrated life. It also includes a campaign to increase Serra's membership in the U.S.
by 20 percent over the next two year. |
| The current effort is a revitalized approach to the dual objectives of Serra International -
fostering vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and furthering Catholicism by
encouraging its members to fulfill their christian vocation to service. |
| On September 11, 2000 the Richmond Serra Club began the "In His Steps" program.
The members pledged an increase of their prayer life, time, energy, and resources in
carrying out programs that promote the fostering of vocations to the priesthood and
religious life within the Diocese of Richmond. They also signed a petition that will
be presented to Pope John Paul II at the time of the Serra Millennium Pilgrimage to
Rome, December 6-8, 2000. The petition asks the Holy Father to consider hastening the
canonization process of Blessed Junipero Serra, the 18th century Franciscan Father
who pioneered the West Coast and established missions in California and Mexico. |
| Gerard Mullen, President of the Richmond Serra Club, asks all Catholics within
the Diocese to keep religious vocations in their thoughts and prayers. If you are
interested in joining the local club, or would like to learn more about the Richmond
Chapter of the Serra Club, contact Gerard Mullen at (804)379-3931. |
| Web Page Awards Night |
| On Monday April 8, 2002, the Richmond Serra Club honored the winners of the
Fourth
Annual Vocation Web Page contest. Each year, the club works with the office of the Superintendent
of Schools for the Diocese of Richmond to plan the event. Religious Educators within the diocese
were encouraged to take part in this year's event and include it as part of their Religion
Curriculum emphasizing the importance of inspiring young men and women to consider exploring
Priestly or Religious Life. A tremendous response was generated. |
| The awards presentation ceremony was held during the club's monthly meeting.
Winning entries were selected based on creativity, breath of information, style and ability
to communicate an effective message. Each winning team member received a
Savings Bond and
the school received a beautiful plaque from the Serra Club of Richmond. The winning
entries were two
teams; Gabby and Brittany enrolled at St. Mary Star of The Sea School in
Hampton and Emily and Lauren enrolled at St. Gertrude High School in Richmond. Members of the Serra Club were pleased with this year's
results, as the contest raised considerable interest in vocations in all of the schools
that participated in the contest. |
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| Emily and Lauren |
Gabby and Brittany |
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(Click on the images
above to view the winner's web pages) |
| The Serra Club is anticipating an even larger number of entries for their fifth
annual Vocational Web Page Contest next year. If you are interested in learning more about
this event, or are interested in joining the local Serra Club, contact
Gerard Mullen at (804)379-3931. |
