HOBART – The Serra Club of Northwest Indiana may be the best kept secret in the Diocese of Gary, which is something members would definitely like to change.
“There are many people that don’t even know we exist, and others that don’t know what we are all about, so we have been trying to increase awareness and attract more members,” said V. Susan Gryfakis, club president. “We welcome all ages of men and women, but especially want to encourage young people to join us to keep the club going and bring new ideas.”
“Serrans are Catholic lay men and women who vigorously respond to the call to promote and support vocations to the ministerial priesthood and consecrated life in the Catholic Church” is the mission statement of Serra International, and members of the Serra Club of Northwest Indiana (formerly Gary) take that pledge seriously.
To become members, practicing Catholics simply have to commit to praying and supporting Serra Club activities, including attending business meetings and vocation events.
Dues cover the cost of annual events without additional fundraising. There is also no charge for guests at any Serran event.
The annual Christmas Party for Seminarians will be held on Dec. 30 at St. Bridget in Hobart, beginning with a Mass at 5:30 p.m. that is open to everyone. The addition of parents and priests from the seminarians’ home parishes have made the dinner a success in recent years.
Assisting the Diocese of Gary Office of Vocations with prayers, financial support and attendance at fundraisers is the main focus of the Serra Club. A newer progam embraced by the club is the traveling vocation cross ministry, wherein one or more wooden crosses are distributed to each parish for one family to take home for one week to offer prayers for diocesan seminarians, whose photos are affixed to the crosses.
As with many groups, the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed in-person Serra Club events in 2020, but the club has resumed meetings on the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the school gym at St. Bridget. All are welcome.
The most recent meeting drew 20 members for prayer, light refreshments, a 50/50 drawing and a guest talk by Bishop Robert J. McClory, who opened with a prayer “asking the Lord to strengthen (the Serra Club), increase their numbers and guide our conversation.”
The bishop shared his own vocation story, explaining that he was “raised in a very Catholic Home” in Detroit and Royal Oak, Mich., felt his faith “growing stronger and stronger” when he was as young as five years old, and became very active in a Catholic youth group while in high school.
“My father said that he prayed for all of his (four) children, that we would know our vocation,” added Bishop McClory, who went on to earn his bachelor’s degree at Oakland University, graduate school at Columbia University in New York City, and return to earn a law degree at the University of Michigan.
It was not until he was a practicing attorney at age 27 “that I first mentioned to my parents … that the Lord may be calling me to the priesthood,” said the bishop. He began “an intense period of reflection, visited several religious communities” and finally entered Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit at age 30.
“My experience was wonderful and I entered a real band of brothers,” heading to Rome, Italy to continue studying philosophy a year later. “I didn’t have substantial doubts after I entered seminary; who I am was lined up with what I was doing,” added the bishop.
Ordained to the priesthood in May 1999, his mother asked him to celebrate a Mass at the motherhouse of the religious order where she had pursued a religious vocation but did not proceed to final vows. The nuns had been praying for him while he was in the seminary at her request. September 7 was the date selected for the Mass from among a list of three available, “and I was able to bless my parents on their anniversary as they honored my priesthood. Talk about coming full circle,” said Bishop McClory with a smile.
“It was a wonderful story, amazing,” said Serra Club secretary Jane Licheniak of the bishop’s journey to the priesthood.
The bishop and club members briefly discussed ways to encourage vocations and expose young people to religious life as he answered questions from the audience. He called the “good foundation” he received from his parents a key to the growth of his own faith, and encouraged club members to continue their spiritual and financial support, as well as their presence at vocation events.
“If you see vibrant Catholic living (in a parish or a family), remind them to incorporate vocations in their ministry,” Bishop McClory added.
Agnes Zellers, outreach minister for the Serra Club, said she first heard of the group when they sponsored an essay contest at her school, St. Mary in Crown Point, and remembers being invited to a Serra Club Christmas Party where she met Father Jordan Fetcko, then a diocesan seminarian. She and the St. Mary Altar and Rosary Society ‘adopted’ him, sent him prayer cards, care packages and monetary aid, precluding her involvement in the Serra Club.
“Four of our members attended the Serra International Convention in October in Chicago, and brought back much needed information. Our hope has been to let the diocese know whowe are and what we do,” Zellers added.
Zellers also praised the leadership of the club’s spiritual advisor, senior priest Father Dominic Bertino. “He is always there for us and his knowledge is unbelievable. His guidance is a God-send.”
BY MARLENE A. ZLOZA
Northwest Indiana Catholic