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25 May 2003
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‘Good morning ... welcome to Crossroads’
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Editorial: Without fear or favour
Letters: Depth of understanding
Conversation: Molly Griffiths - retiree and Compeer volunteer - Sunday outings, music ... that’s what friends are for
A call for volunteers
What the single life can teach us
Serra clubs ‘foster spiritual growth’
Obituary: Trangie’s priest was ordained ‘to serve all God’s people’
Celebrating 200 years of Mass appeal
The Rosary - ‘a treasure to be rediscovered’
Scalabrinians choose new leaders
Media studies ‘can play a major role’
Serra clubs ‘foster spiritual growth’
By Damir Govorcin
“Being a member of a Serra club allows you to continue your religious education,” says American Sue Cicherski (pictured), president of Serra International.
“We foster our spiritual growth by prayer and spiritual readings.
“We also work closely with our bishops and directors of vocations.”
Sue says the main goal for Serra International in the coming years is to form Serra clubs in all countries with a Catholic presence.
“In the US, not all cities have Serra clubs, so there’s still a lot of work to do in our own backyard,” she says.
“We would like to continue to grow in countries such as France and Hungary, and we are also gaining a foothold in Africa.”
Serra International is a Catholic organisation concerned with the need to foster, promote and sustain vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Its members also strive to further Catholicism by encouraging one another, in fellowship and through education, to fulfil their Christian vocation to service.
The movement is named after Bl Junipero Serra, an 18th century Franciscan friar who established missions in California and Mexico. He was beatified in 1988.
Serra International, founded in the US in 1935, has more than 20,000 members in 37 countries, including Australia, Canada, Chile, Croatia, India, Italy, New Zealand, Russia and Spain.
As Serra’s first woman president, Sue, who lives in Dallas, Texas, says the adverse publicity emanating from clergy sexual abuse has made the recruitment of men and women into religious life difficult.
“I don’t believe there’s a town or country who hasn’t had some bad apples among priests and sisters,” she says.
“The bad apples are such a small minority of the good priests and sisters who have served us, but the good ones don’t get the publicity.
“As international president this year I have stressed to Serrans to give affirmation to those priests and sisters who have dedicated their lives and been good servants of God.”
“Australia, like the US, has had its share of problems in that area,” she said.
“Surprisingly, we have talked to a number of seminarians and young priests who say the bad publicity has given them the strength, determination and fortitude to do better in their vocation. The challenge is ahead of them, but we are excited that they will serve God to the best of their ability.
“Vocations are down around the world, and it’s hard for a parent to encourage their child to enter a religious life.
“With everything that has been going on in the Church, they don’t want their child subjected to it.
“A young person sees dollar signs and when you have a vocation to serve God there aren’t dollar signs there. The heart has to grow and glow, not in a monetary sense.
“If we have a priest or sister who has a charisma about them, then they are the best advertisement.”
Sue has visited Serra clubs in NSW and Victoria, offering support and encouraging members to develop their own knowledge and understanding of their faith.
In her first year as president, she has also visited Brazil, Spain, Italy, Thailand and India (its first Serra club is in the city of Bangalore).
“It was a fascinating experience visiting India and I expect more Serra clubs to be formed throughout that country in the near future,” she says.
Sue’s husband of 47 years, Bill, has been a Serran since the mid 1970s, and also had a stint as world president.
Women weren’t allowed to join a Serra club before 1986; Sue formed a club in Dallas two years later.
“It’s still hard for me to comprehend that I am inter-national president, but I realise there’s a lot of hard work ahead of me,” she says.
“Growing up, I volunteered for Church work in my parish, and it opened my eyes to the good work priests and sisters do.
“Having a Catholic education has also given me a solid grounding in life.
“My faith is the centre, and I have been blessed with having five children and a loving husband.”
The basic unit of Serra International is the Serra club, which, says Sue, is a place for spiritual growth and fellowship. Retreats, prayer at meetings and regular liturgies nurture the spiritual life of each individual and help members grow together as a Christian community.
Serra clubs usually meet at least once a month for about 90 minutes. Programs for club meetings include guest speakers, panel discussions, films and group discussions on subjects which challenge Catholics to bring about a social renaissance.
The 2003 Serra Inter-national Convention will be held in Chicago from July 3-6.