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On May 2, 2024, the Serra Club of Johnson County in Kansas celebrated the 25th  anniversary of its charter. The club was chartered on Monday, April 26, 1999.

The celebratory evening began with 6:00 PM Mass at Curé of Ars, attended by 49 Serrans, celebrated by chaplain, Fr. Scott Wallisch, and concelebrated by past chaplain, Fr. Gary Pennings, and charter chaplain, Fr. Bill Porter. On this Memorial of St. Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, the message of Fr. Scott's homily resonated the necessity of faith in the humanity and the divinity of Jesus as the foundation of the work of Serra in promoting vocations to the priesthood, the consecrated religious life, and to marriage. Wallish expressed his gratitude to Serra Club members for their faithful support of vocations in the archdiocese for the past 25 years and his appreciation of Serrans and the prayers of Serrans in support of his own vocation. 

After the homily, the 2024-25 club officers were installed in a ceremony conducted by Fr. Wallisch. The club's officers, called to the sanctuary by Dale Romme, President, include Richard and Carolyn Cofer, Co-Presidents Elect; Secretary, Judy Rielley; Treasurer, Chuck Lillis; Vice President Membership, Joane Wilkerson; Co-Vice Presidents Vocations, Thomas and Nicole Skoch; Vice President Programs, Larry Ryan; Vice President Communications, Michael Skoch; Trustees Doug Leibbrandt, Rob Tinker, Jr., and Steve Kitts; and Immediate Past President, John Weber. The ceremony concluded with a Serra rededication to the mission of Serra, using words based on a 1985 letter to Serrans by Saint John Paul II:

In virtue of my baptism and confirmation, I take my place among the People of God. I pledge to fulfill the responsibilities which correspond to my state in life and to practice the virtues of faith, hope, and charity.

I pleade to use the grace of my personal gifts, guided by the light of the Gospel and the mind of the Church to carry out my mission in the world. 

I accept the Serran responsibility to promote vocations to the Ordained Ministries and the Religious Life, and to offer support and encouragement ot those who have answered the call to these vocations.

Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us. Saint Junipero Serra, pray for us.

Mass then continued.

Liturgy assistants included Doug Leibbrandt, lector and altar server; John Weber, who read the Universal Prayers of the Faithful, and Mike and Ginny Skoch, musicians.

Upon conclusion of the Mass, the group moved to O'Neill's Restaurant and Bar, where Dale Romme, President, led the group in The Serran Prayer for Vocations and invited Fr. Scott Wallisch to bless the gathering and the meal. In short order, all enjoyed a delicious buffet of O'Neill's famous Irish pot roast, lettuce salad, mashed potatoes, and cheesecake for dessert. 

The evening's program, managed by Master of Ceremonies, Dale Romme, included the reading of a list of past presidents of the Serra Club. Twelve of 22 past presidents were in attendance, along with a very special guest, Doreen Haughton, (pictured left with Past President, Len Chmelka) wife of 2009 President, Mike Haughton, who passed on January 11, 2024.

Other special guests, traveling some distance to attend, were Dee (Herbert) and Wayne Green. Dee was the Charter Secretary, and the 2002 Past President of the club.

Charter President, Mark Ledom, (photo right) encapsulated "The Beginning" of the JOCO Serra Club in opening remarks of the evening. Mark, who was a member of the Serra Club of Kansas City in Kansas - the youngest member by, arguably, 25 - 30 years at the time, he said - spoke of the personal invitation he received by then-archbishop James Keleher, to lead an effort to begin a Serra club in Johnson County, open to men and women. He set one the evening's themes with an opening comment, "It's great to be Catholic!" Mark's engaging remarks reflected not only the challenges and the blessings of the early years, but also the mission of Serra and the responsibility Serrans bear in praying for and promoting vocations. Ledom recalled that the membership goal at the point of getting the club chartered was "99 members in '99."

"And we made it!" he boasted, exhibiting enthusiasm that undoubtedly pervaded the club's early membership accomplishment.

Mark and his wife, Lisa, were recognized as key figures in the early success of the club.

Ledom's address was followed by "The Serra Experience," a reflection on what it means to be a Serran, delivered by Nancy Gibson. Gibson (photo left) served as the JOCO Serra club president in 2011, and has held district and national titles in Serra, including past two-time District Governor; Past Vice President Membership, Serra USA; and Past Vice President Communications, Serra USA. She, too, spoke of the importance of praying for and supporting vocations, and her optimism about the future of vocations given the enthusiam in Serra around the world. Gibson shared her experience of having been in Thailand for the 2023 Serra International Convention, and invited attendees to consider registering for the 2024 International Serra Convention to be held in August, in New Orleans. 

On a related note, Gibson, who is a member of the organizing committee for the 2025 Serra International Convention, announced that the Serra International Convention is coming to Kansas City in June 26-29, 2025. She indicated she is getting assistance from Joane Wilkerson and Dale Romme, and enthusiastically challenged all in the room to "get involved." 

"I will be calling you," she said as she winked.

Charter Chaplain, Fr. Bill Porter, (photo right) delivered closing remarks, among them his deep appreciation for the role Serra and, specifically, the Serra Club of Johnson County, has played in the archdiocese over the past 25 years. He spoke of his privilege of working with the early leaders of the JOCO Serra Club in getting the club organized and functioning, and the great blessings he has witnessed in the vocations of many priests of the archdiocese because of Serra. Fr. Porter gave a final blessing to the crowd before the evening's dismissal. 

There were multiple positive comments from many in attendance about the event and the shared appreciation of what it means to be a Serran.