Origins and Mission

Serra Club International is a lay apostolate of the Catholic Church that aims to promote vocations and foster a culture of vocation awareness. Named after Saint Junípero Serra, the Spanish missionary who founded several missions in California during the 18th century, Serra clubs worldwide embody his spirit of evangelization and service by encouraging and affirming those considering a life dedicated to God through priesthood or religious orders. We club members, known as Serrans, collaborate with local parishes, schools, and the archdiocese to plant seeds of faith, offer prayerful support, and create opportunities for discernment.

Programs and Activities

The Serra Club of Cincinnati supports seminarians and those in formation, offering moral support, financial assistance, and personal encouragement, in part through programs and events we hold. We offer monthly Holy Hours devoted to priests and seminarians, held on the First Friday, in multiple archdiocesan parishes.

We also host vocation awareness weeks, priest appreciation dinners, and receptions for newly ordained men, their families, and friends. These initiatives bring together clergy, religious, and laypeople in a spirit of gratitude and celebration. We also send handwritten cards to priests and consecrated religious men and women, letting them know we appreciate all they do.

Serrans are also involved in youth outreach, partnering with Catholic schools and religious education programs, to share the beauty and relevance of religious vocations. Through school visits and more we invite young people to consider how God may be calling them to service.

Community and Spiritual Life

At its heart, the Serra Club of Cincinnati is a community bound by faith and purpose. Our members unite in regular prayer especially for an increase in vocations and for the perseverance of those already answering God’s call. The club encourages a practice of daily prayer, participation in the sacraments, and spiritual development through study and reflection.

And fellowship is an essential element of our culture! We build friendships through shared mission and mutual support, creating a welcoming environment that draws members from varied backgrounds. Our activities are designed to both promote vocations and deepen members’ own spiritual lives.

Impact and Legacy

Beyond our personal benefit, the Serra Club has measurably impacted the local Church over the years, with numerous priests and religious citing the club’s encouragement and support as pivotal in their discernment and formation. Its ongoing relationship with the archdiocese helps ensure that vocation promotion remains a priority in the greater Cincinnati area.

Representing both a legacy and a living movement within the local Church, Serra Club of Cincinnati’s dedication to fostering vocations, nurturing community, and living the Gospel is a model for lay engagement, ensuring that the call to serve is heard, answered, and celebrated for generations to come.

Membership and How to Get Involved

The Serra Club is open to Catholic men and women who feel called to support the Church’s mission of vocation promotion while advancing their own faith journey. Attending a meeting is an excellent way to learn more and meet us! Meetings are held at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains on Monday evenings after the 5:30 p.m. Mass or on Zoom. For more information, contact me, Cheryl Bredestege, at [email protected] or Martha Stegbauer at [email protected]. ✣

Cheryl Bredestege is the Vice President of Membership for the Serra Club of Cincinnati.

This article appeared in the November 2025 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.