Membership

Our Mission

As Serra International is the lay vocation arm of the church, our mission is to foster and affirm vocations to the ministerial priesthood and vowed religious life in the United States and through this ministry further our members’ common Catholic faith.

Membership Information

• Why become a member of Serra?  The need for Catholic religious vocations is great.  Serra provides a means to foster vocations.  It also provides a means to strengthen your own faith.
  
  

• How much does it cost?
  
  
  

General Information for all Members

As a rule, luncheons are on the second Thursday of each month at the Lake Ridge Country Club at 8802 Vicksburg Avenue (between Quaker and Slide) south of 82^nd Street .  An excellent buffet lunch is served from 12:00 a.m to 12:30 P.M. The program usually begins about 12:30 P.M. and concludes by 1:00 P.M. Spouses and guests are charged $15.

Also, as a rule, the monthly evening program is every last Friday at Hanley Hall, St. Elizabeth's University Parish, 2305 Main Street, Lubbock (Map and directions). Cocktail hour is 6:30 P.M. The meal usually begins about 7:00 and the program is over between 8:00 and 9:00 P.M.. Spouses and guests are charged $15.

All members’ meals are paid in their dues. The monthly evening dinner includes a cash bar: $1 for beer, $2 for wine, and $3 for mixed drinks.

When a priest or nun gives a program, a $2 donation is requested at the door where the members’ badges are picked up. From this donation a $50 honorarium is presented to the speaker.

There are exceptions to the above schedules. For example, as a rule there is no evening program in November because of Thanksgiving. Likewise, in December there is only one meal, a Christmas dinner, and it is most likely to be scheduled a week or two before Christmas.

Also, a luncheon may be replaced with a dinner meal, as we have done early in September with the Sisters Appreciation Night held at Lakeside Covenant Hospital . This is a gala event to honor all the nuns of the Lubbock diocese. Each member is asked to bring a gift which will be deposited on a large table. The sisters take turns removing gifts from the table.

At the Christmas Dinner, the Annual Installation of Officers in May, and the Sisters Appreciation Night the cost of the meal for spouse or guest is $20, with an open bar.

A First Friday Rosary and Mass for Vocations is offered each month at Christ the King Cathedral or at an otherwise designated church starting at 6:35 a.m.

A Holy Hour for Vocations is conducted the second Thursday of each month at Christ the King Cathedral or an otherwise designated church starting at 7 p.m.

Members are encouraged to participate in the 31 Club. This can be done by signing up with the Vice President of Vocations to attend a monthly Mass offered for vocations to the priesthood and the religious life. The Vice President of Vocations also makes available Serra vests for $30 to be worn on special occasions.

Serra International bylaws require members to attend a majority of meetings in any six-month period of membership. Attendance at the First Friday Mass is equivalent to attendance at a regular meeting. Absence from meetings may be excused at the local club’s discretion.

The Serra Board meets on the evening of the second Tuesday of each month.

The Serra Club of Lubbock web site is:  http://serralubbock.org/index.htm   There is a treasury of information, including past and current newsletters and upcoming programs and meeting schedules for members and officers. If you are not on the Internet and need to know the subject of a forthcoming program, you may call the Vice President of Programs.

Volunteer for a Comittee!

No Serra Club can survive and prosper without active members. Accordingly, all members are urged and expected to belong to at least one of the following committees

Executive. The Executive Committee will meet as called by the President to advise the President on matters on which there is no established policy; to approve expenditures as provided by Board policies; to periodically review the progress of the USA Council between Board meetings and to make recommendations to the Board. The President shall be responsible for this committee.

Vocations. The Vocations Committee shall study ways and means to foster, promote and affirm vocations to the ministerial priesthood and religious life of the Catholic Church and shall make recommendations to the Board toward this goal. The Vice President of Vocations shall be responsible for this committee.  

Programs. The Programs Committee shall study and recommend ways and means to promote the University of Christian Principles and further Catholicism by encouraging members of Serra through fellowship and education. The Vice President of Programs shall be responsible for this committee.

Membership. The Membership Committee shall study ways and means to retain and increase Serra membership and accordingly shall make recommendations to the Board. The Vice President of Membership shall be responsible for this committee.

Communications. The Communications Committee shall study, formulate plans and make recommendations to the Board for the improvement of its internal and external communications and public relations. The Vice President of Communications shall be responsible for this committee.

Constitution and Bylaws. The Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall advise the Board on the interpretation of the Serra Constitution and Bylaws, review proposed amendments and make recommendations to the Board on issues relating to the Constitution and Bylaws. The Secretary of the Board shall be responsible for this committee.

Finance and Budget. The Finance and Budget Committee shall study the cost of operating Serra, prepare an annual budget and make recommendations to the Board on financial matters. The Treasurer of the Board shall be responsible for this committee during his or her tenure of office. The members of the Executive Committee shall also be members of the Finance and Budget Committee.

Click here for a list of Current Club Members.