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Refocus: Why we do what we do
(myth busting 101 . . .)
New Year? New Resolutions? Big Deal?
Answers to such questions, especially at times like the New Year, depend on one’s perspective. Refocus, being intentional about periodic self-assessment, is essential in the spiritual journey.
Myth: the spiritual journey doesn’t matter.
Is not the spiritual journey the most important of journeys we will make in our lifetime? Proverbs tells us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Prov 3:5-6) In speaking to the Pharisees, Jesus said, “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24) What more needs to be said?
Pondering why we do what we do – especially in the spiritual life – is wasted energy. Ideally the exercise moves us forward with better vision. But what does this have to do with Serra and vocations?
Glad you asked!
Myth: Serra isn’t relevant. It doesn’t matter.
The Mission of Serra is threefold: to promote and support vocations to the priesthood of the Catholic Church; to promote and support vocations to religious and consecrated life in the Church; and to assist one another in a personal response to God’s call to holiness.
Foundational to the Serra mission is the personal call to holiness, a call that we each received in Baptism. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us Baptism is a sacrament of faith. “But faith needs the community of believers. It is only within the faith of the Church that each of the faithful can believe.” (CCC 1253) Living holiness in 2022, a worthy New Year resolution, will be met with challenges. We will need each other more than ever. Holiness, as I was reminded in a recent retreat experience, grows in the little things. Begin each day by saying “Good morning!” to Jesus. Invite Him into your day. Offer Him the day’s joys, works and sufferings. This is holy work – the work of the Church, my work and yours.
I am reminded of a comment made at a recent Serra Club meeting by Dale Romme, President-elect of the Serra Club of Johnson County. He said, “I am so inspired by the people I meet at these meetings. The experience makes me want to be more holy!”
At the time of Serra’s formation in 1935, the two great needs for the Church were for dedicated priests and religious and for informed Catholic lay leaders who understood and lived their own Christian vocations to service. These needs have not changed. In fact, it is hard not to recognize that these needs have actually increased in the last decade, certainly.
My wife and I have been Serra members since May 2021. Serra has brought opportunity to meet wonderful folks who share a commitment to support one another in the quest for holiness, while supporting the work of the Church through prayer for, and support of vocations, priestly and religious. We have learned about the importance of praying for our Church, for vocations – not only priestly and religious vocations, but for each other in the personal vocation, the call to holiness. We have also learned about the importance of being members. Young people considering priestly or religious vocations need our prayers. Young people considering marriage vocations need our prayers. They need us. They need to experience Catholic Christians living out their vocations. They need to understand what the Lord may want to reveal to them about their vocational call through relationship with us.
Myth: Serra is for old people
The very work of Serra is focused on prayer for young people discerning vocations. While many Serrans are experienced in life, the work of the Church is not relegated to people above, say, age 40. Serra is an ideal vehicle for connecting lay adults of all ages in a unifying mission of prayer and mutual support in holiness.
Why be a Serra Club member? Paul’s letter to the Hebrews gives us a reason: “We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Heb 10:24-25). In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul speaks of “one body” and “many parts.” He applies the concept to Christ’s body, the Church, with a final word of encouragement to “Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.” (1 Cor 12:12-31) Being a Serra Club member provides a tangible means of knowing community, experiencing the support of another, encouraging each other in the holiness journey.
John Weber, President of the Serra Club of Johnson County, reflected on the significance of the personal encounter as it relates to Serra. “Walking the path to personal holiness and doing the work of the Church is effectively accomplished in community, and it begins with personal invitation. As Serrans, we rededicate ourselves to personal outreach, inviting others to the Serra way of life in 2022.”
Serra demonstrates the importance of relationship with other, like-minded people, each working daily to live out God’s call in their lives. Being a Serra Club member shows me that “holiness” is attainable and not something reserved for people, generally deceased, whose first names are “Saint.” In Serra, one sees holiness in action. And it’s fun!
Myth: I can’t be a Serran. I don’t have a club near me.
In this day of virtual connectivity, the ability to be part of a group extends beyond physical boundaries. Membership in a Serra Club is not bound by any geographic area. It never was. Prior to the virtual age, membership was naturally limited by geography because the opportunity to engage was limited by distance. No longer the case, membership in a Serra Club is open to anyone with the desire to participate.
“The other reality,” observed John Caton, founding member of the Serra Club of Johnson County and current Vice President of Programs, “is that a Serra Club in proximity to its membership provides participation opportunities different from the virtual world. A new Serra Club can be developed wherever the need may occur.” He added, “Serrans are eager to support new club development where it happens. In fact, we are working in such an endeavor right now.”
If you are not a Serra Club member and have a question about becoming a member and/or starting a Serra Club in your area, Contact Us.
Becoming a member is as easy as clicking on “Join Us” on the club’s website, Serra Club of Johnson County (jocoserra.org) and completing the Membership Application.
The New Year is a time to refocus and rededicate. If already a Serra member but perhaps not as engaged as you might want to be, consider taking in the next regular monthly meeting, Thursday, January 6, 2022. General Membership meetings happen the first Thursday of every month at 6:30 PM Central Time at Curé of Ars Church in Leawood, KS. If not a member, consider a New Year resolution to join us in the work of the Church. Be our guest at a regular monthly meeting. You won’t regret it.
