Serra Club Rev. Robert A. Matya, Chaplain and Spiritual Director 380 N. 16th Street Lincoln, NE 68508 (402) 474-7914 Douglas Vandervort, President

"To foster and promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life and to further Catholicism by encouraging its members, in fellowship, through education, to fulfill their vocations to service."

The Lincoln Serra Club has been active in the Diocese of Lincoln since its beginning in 1955. The club is associated with Serra International, an international Catholic lay organization dedicated to supporting and encouraging vocations to the priesthood and the religious life.

The first Serra club was formed in 1935 in Seattle, Washington. Then, as now, the two great needs for the church were for informed Catholic lay leaders who understand and live their own Christian vocations to service, and for dedicated priests and religious.

The founding Serrans chose as the organization's patron Father Junipero Serra. Now named, Blessed Junipero Serra by the Church, Father Serra was an 18th-century Franciscan missionary to Mexico who was so influential in creating missions there.

Members of the Lincoln Serra club are Catholic men who are active in their parish and committed to promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

The Serra Club meets on the first and third Fridays of every month. The first Friday meeting holds a Mass followed by a lunch. For the third Friday meeting members gather for lunch and a speaker who talks about some aspect of the Catholic faith. The goal of the meetings is to create an opportunity for spiritual growth and fellowship.

The Lincoln Serra Club is very active in the Catholic community, focusing on supporting new and existing vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The following are a few of the long-time programs the Serra Club has sponsored for the Diocese:

• Host the ordination receptions at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ
• Host an annual dinner for seminarians at St. Gregory the Great Seminary.
• Host the graduation and reception for graduates, families and guests at St. Gregory the Great Seminary.
• Host an annual golf outing for all Diocesan priests.
• Conduct an essay contest on vocations at all Lincoln Catholic elementary schools. The club awards a scholarship to Pius X High School to the top three essays.
• Host an annual dinner for seminarians and their parents.
• Host an annual appreciation dinner for all Diocesan religious communities.
• Host a luncheon for retired Diocesan priests.
• Host a summer outing and barbecue for seminarians.

There are 77 members of the Lincoln Serra Club and members come from all over the city of Lincoln and work in a variety of occupations. The chaplain of the club is the vocations director of the Diocese of Lincoln and the current chaplain is Father Robert Matya.

To contact the Lincoln Serra Club call the Chancery Office of the Diocese of Lincoln at 402-488-0921.