News and Events

2008 Boston Catholic Conference

Thanks to all who stopped by our booth at the recent Boston Catholic Men's and Women's conferences. We distributed information on Serra, gave away finger rosaries, served free Dunkin Donuts and munchkins, and sold the "Pray for our Priests" car magnets.

Those who missed the conference (or at least the exhibit hall) can check out photos of our booth on our Flickr set.

Next meeting: Saturday, April 26

Just a reminder that our next Serra Boston Mass and meeting will be held at St. Mary's in Waltham on Saturday, April 26th, beginning with Mass at 8:30 AM -- even though this is NOT the usual 3rd Saturday of the month (due to the Boston Catholic Men's Conference being held that day: the 19th.) In May, we will return to the regular schedule of the 3rd Saturday of the month on May 17th.

During April's meeting, Fr. Dan Hennessey will share with us his experiences of the Papal Visit and the blessing of being able to concelebrate Mass with the Holy Father at Yankee Stadium in New York. We will also discuss an annual gift from the Club to the newly ordained of the archdiocese, and a report on the initiative to get the ordination dates of all diocesan priests included in next year's Catholic Directory so that people can remember priests in some manner.

We will have to start collecting dues on a regular basis so that we can head towards obtaining a Charter for the Club -- hopefully by November !!! We will start small, with the hope that after chartering we will be able to collect the full amount of annual dues. For April, we would like to ask $5.00 from each attendee, if possible.

"Pray for Our Priests" car magnets will also be available for a $3.00 donation.

If you have any questions between now and then, don't hesitate to contact us. Meanwhile, let us unite in fervent prayer for the safety and well-being of our Holy Father as he graces our country with his presence next week !!!

Serra Boston on BCTV

Spirit of Serra isn't the only Serra video on the Internet - we're now on Boston Catholic Television as well!

BCTV recently devoted an episode of "This is the Day" to the Bicentennial Celebration of the Archdiocese of Boston. Loretta Gallagher and Fr. Dan Hennessey appeared on the episode, to discuss Serra's mission to promote and encourage vocations. During the episode they showed the Pray for Priests car magnets, as well as the Monthly Prayer Request for Priests apostolate.

Here's a photo of Cardinal Sean and Loretta Gallagher at the taping:

Fr. Robert Reed (co-host of This is the Day) helps promote the Pray for Priests car magnets:

Photos taken by George Martell, Manager of Digital Communications & New Media, Archdiocese of Boston.

If you missed this episode of "This is the Day," you can see it on the Catholic TV web site:

  1. Go to www.catholictv.org.
  2. Under "This is the Day" on the right, there's "Info" and "Episodes" - click "episodes"
  3. Click on "From April 8, 2008 - Bicentennial Episode"
  4. Let the video load a little - notice that the bar at the bottom gets darker as more of the video loads.
  5. Drag the white arrow below the long bar from left to right (about 3/5 of the way along the bar) to see the segment on Serra Boston.

Let us pray that this episode helps spread the word about Serra Boston, and provide more information on the ways people can Pray for our Priests.

Spirit of Serra online video

In collaboration with Serra USA, we have posted the Spirit of Serra video online. This video gives a history of Blessed Junipero Serra, and discusses ways that Serra International helps promote vocations.

Click on the "play" button to play the video. You can also click the "Full" icon in the lower right to view this video fullscreen.

We showed this video at the first meeting of Serra Boston, and are very excited touse the Internet to spread the word about Serra International. Special thanks to Serra USA for allowing us to post the video, and for posting this clip on the home page of www.serraus.org.

Pray for Our Priests magnets now available

We have created a number of "Pray for Our Priests" magnets with the Serra Boston web address for all those who wish to show support for priests.

These distinctive black ribbons (with the white collar) can be stuck on a car or refrigerator, and offer an easy way to publicly show support for Catholic priests and encourage others to pray. Each magnet measures 8" x 3.5" - click on the image on the left to view a larger version.

Each "Pray for Our Priests" magnet costs $3 ($3.50 if ordered via mail). To purchase one, you can either attend our monthly meeting in person, or mail $3.50 to:

Serra Boston
36 Virgina Lane
Newburyport, MA 01950
attn: Loretta Gallagher

Please e-mail information@serraboston.org if you would like any more information.

Thank you, and please Pray for Our Priests!

March 15 meeting followup

Thanks to all who braved the morning snow and rain to attend our meeting on March 15! Special thanks to Marilyn Dumas (Regional Director of Serra) and her husband George for driving down from Hartford, Connecticut to Waltham.

Those who were unable to view the Vocations Monstrance at St. Mary's Parish this Saturday are invited to view it at St. Clement's Shrine this Monday, March 24. For more information, please visit the St. Clement's web site.

During the meeting we discussed several programs run by different Serra clubs, and referenced a number of documents on the Serra US web site.

As a reminder, our next meeting will be the fourth Saturday of April: Saturday, April 26. As usual, we will meet at St. Mary's Church at 133 School St., Waltham, MA.

Next meeting: Saturday, March 15

Our next meeting will be held on Saturday, March 15 at St. Mary's Church at 133 School St., Waltham, MA (click here for directions)

Here are two details about this meeting:

Vocations Monstrance

The Vocations Monstrance (blessed by Pope John Paul II, and shown at right) containing the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed during the day at St. Mary's from 10:30 AM - 7:00 PM this Saturday. You can find more information at the USCCB page about the Vocations Monstrance.

We ask that you consider staying after the Serra Boston meeting, if at all possible, to come and spend some time with Our Lord in silent prayer specifically for an increase of vocations to ordained ministry and consecrated life.

Click here to download a PDF with information on the Vocations Monstrance event:
Vocations_Monstrance_080312.pdf

If you can, please e-mail this PDF to others and publicize this event - it is a well-known phenomenon that where Eucharistic Adoration is present, Our Lord seems to honor the practice and bless the area with vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Regional Director for Serra

Marilyn Dumas, the Regional Director for Serra, is planning on joining us this Saturday. Marilyn lives in Connecticut and has been very helpful in offering advice and support to get the Boston Club started. Serrans all over the country have been contacting us via e-mail, praying for and congratulating us in bringing the Serran presence to Boston. Surely their prayers will bear much fruit!

Have a great week, and we look forward to seeing you Saturday!

Next meeting: Saturday, February 16

Our next meeting will be held on Saturday, February 16 at St. Mary's Church at 133 School St., Waltham, MA (click here for directions)

We will begin with a Mass at 8:30 AM, followed by Prayer and discussion. For more information, call (617) 746-5949 or contact us today.

We hope to see you there!!!

Inaugural Meeting a success

The inaugural meeting of the Serra Club of Boston saw a wonderful gathering of individuals from 20 different cities in the archdiocese – all very devoted to praying for and supporting the priesthood !!

We were blessed to have Serra representatives from the national, regional and local levels; already we have experienced firsthand the fraternal "Spirit of Serra" by their generosity in sharing their time, support and materials with their new brothers and sisters. Fr. Dan Hennessey celebrated a beautiful Mass for Vocations – it was a real joy to all present to be able to worship God together and beg Him "to send more laborers into the harvest." (Mt. 9:38)

All agreed there is much work to be done in the archdiocese in order to build a Culture of Vocations and that Serra Boston can be an immense help in this regard. Everyone who attended the meeting is invited to bring a friend (or two) to the next meeting on February 16th (same time, same place).

Use the gallery below to view photos from our first meeting. You can also view these photos in our new Flickr account.

Introductory Meeting on Saturday, January 19, 2008

Be part of establishing a brand new Serra Club for the Archdiocese of Boston!

Named for Blessed Junipero Serra, Serra International exists to support, celebrate and encourage vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life. Founded in 1935, there are now over 1,088 Serra clubs in 44 countries with a total membership of more than 20,000 individuals, but none in Boston – until now!!!

Serrans are committed, in a special way, to fostering vocations through prayer and a constant effort to spread an authentic “culture of vocations.” Pope John Paul II encouraged Serrans to dedicate themselves to this task in order to “ensure that the problem of vocations does not remain a concern for pastors alone, but is brought to the attention of all…”
(Pope John Paul II, Rome, Dec. 2000)

If praying for, encouraging and supporting vocations is important to you, please come to an introductory meeting about Serra on:

Saturday, January 19, 2008

St. Mary’s Church
133 School St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Google Maps directions

8:30 AM – Mass
9:00 - 10:30 AM – Serra presentation

Rev. Daniel Hennessey, Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Boston, will serve as Chaplain for the new Serra Boston Club.

For more information, call (617) 746-5949 or contact us today.

We hope to see you there !!!

Monthly meetings

Monthly meetings are held every 3rd Saturday from 8:30 – 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Church in Waltham, MA.

St. Mary’s Church
133 School St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Google Maps directions

Contact Serra Boston at:
(978) 462-1057
information@serraboston.org

Father Junipero Serra

Fr. Junipero Serra
by artist George Pollard