WHAT IS SERRA?
Founded by lay Catholics, Serra is an international apostolate dedicated to fostering and sustaining vocations to the priesthood and religious life – as well as fostering life-long friendships and spiritual growth among our members.
Locally, our Serra Club works in close collaboration with the Diocese of Lexington to:
- Pray regularly for vocations
- Encourage seminarians and religious
- Support priests and sisters through visible appreciation and spiritual friendship
- Promote a culture of vocations in parishes and families
- Share the story of Saint Junípero Serra (link to: https://serrainternational.org/our-patron/)
No prior experience is required — just a desire to support the Church through prayer and service.
Saint Junipero Serra
(1713-1784)
Spanish Missionary in
Mexico and California
Patron of Vocations
WHY JOIN THE SERRA CLUB?
- A meaningful way to serve the Church
Serra offers a concrete, joyful way for lay Catholics to support vocations.
- A welcoming community of fellow Catholics
Members gather monthly for prayer, fellowship, and shared purpose – forging strong bonds of friendship with those who share our faith.
- Personal connection
You’ll meet seminarians, priests, sisters and fellow Catholics committed to strengthening the future of the Church.
- Flexible involvement
Many members begin simply by attending a meeting or joining in prayer — involvement grows naturally over time.
“Serra gives me a way to actively support vocations while deepening my own faith.” — Serra member
Serra Club of Lexington
SERRA CLUB OF THE DIOCESE OF LEXINGTON
Ordinary Catholics with a Passion for Vocations
The Serra Club of the Diocese of Lexington is a community of Catholic men and women who pray for, encourage, and support vocations to the priesthood and religious life — here in our diocese and beyond.
Interested in learning more? You’re warmly invited to visit a meeting or speak with a member.
OFFICERS FOR THE 2024-2025 YEAR, SERRA CLUB OF THE DIOCESE OF LEXINGTON:
- President: Debbie Wagner
- President-elect: Jeff Schriefer
- Immediate Past President: Fred Payne
- Secretary: Bob Kuhn / Mary Duke (co-secretaries)
- Treasurer: Ed Maley
- Vice President for Communications: Dwayne Buckles
- Vice President for Vocations: Mark Wilden
- Vice President for Membership: Dwayne Edwards
- Vice President for Internal/External Programs: John Wagner
- Chaplain: Fr. Marc Bentley
WHAT DOES THE SERRA CLUB OF LEXINGTON DO?
WHAT WE DO LOCALLY
The Serra Club of the Diocese of Lexington typically participates in:
- Monthly meetings with prayer and fellowship
- Holy hours and rosaries for vocations
- Appreciation events for seminarians, priests, sisters and altar servers
- Vocation awareness programs
- Retreats and diocesan vocation celebrations
Participation varies — members contribute according to their availability and gifts.
UPCOMING EVENTS
New Member Open House
- Monday, April 13
- Christ the King Cathedral, 299 Colony Blvd, Lexington, KY 40502
- 5:05 pm – Rosary, CTK Cathedral
- 5:30 pm – Mass, CTK Cathedral
- 6:25 pm – Pre-meeting social with food and drinks, Hehman Hall, CTK Cathedral
- 6:40 pm – Serra Club meeting, Hehman Hall, CTK Cathedral
- A special meeting of the Serra Club to introduce the organization to prospective new members
Altar Servers Appreciation Ceremony
- Sunday, May 17, 5:00 pm
- Christ the King Cathedral, 299 Colony Blvd, Lexington, KY 40502
- Altar servers from throughout the diocese will be recognized for their service during the 5:00 pm mass at Christ the King Cathedral, followed by a reception in Hehman Hall at the Cathedral, where servers will be personally thanked for their service by Bishop John Stowe and presented with a certificate and religious memento.
- This event is open to both Serra members and non-members alike.
Priest Appreciation Picnic
- Thursday, May 21, Time TBD
- Home of Serra Club member Louis Hillenmeyer
- Our annual gathering of Serra Club members and diocesan priests to thank them for their service to the diocese.
WHO CAN JOIN?
- Catholic men and women
- Married or single
- Retirees, professionals, parish leaders, and parishioners
- Anyone who wants to support vocations through prayer and encouragement
You do not need to be invited, nominated, or have prior Serra experience.
READY TO LEARN MORE?
We’d love to hear from you.
Contact:
Dwayne Edwards, Membership Chair
dwayneaedwards1z@gmail.com
SERRA INTERNATIONAL
Serra is a global organization formed in 1935 when a small group of lay people in Seattle decided to form an organization to promote and foster vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life. As a result, they chose Father Junipero Serra, the great missionary, as their patron and named the organization Serra Club of Seattle.
Today, there are more than 500 Serra Clubs around the world in 30 countries, comprised of thousands of lay Catholics. We are men and women of all ages and from all walks of life. We have a variety of professional backgrounds. Many of us are retired, though we have many younger members as well. All of us have one thing in common: we love our Catholic faith, and we are dedicated to promoting and fostering vocations.
Serra International is the only lay organization aggregated to a primary pontifical work. This extraordinary status was conferred in 1951. Our special relationship with the Holy Father was renewed again at the 2017 Serra International in Rome, during which more than 600 Serrans gathered with the Holy Father to focus on our work of promoting vocations throughout the global Church.