About
Serra International is formally recognized by the Holy See as the global lay apostolate for vocations in the Catholic Church. Serra is a voluntary association of some 20,000 Catholic laymen and laywomen worldwide. There are 11,000 Serrans in over 300 Serra Clubs in the United States.
Our Mission
Serra clubs are known worldwide for their efforts to foster and affirm Catholic vocations to the ministerial priesthood and vowed religious life. Serrans value not only their work, but also the sense of community they receive from knowing that they are not alone in their dedication to the men and women who have dedicated their life in ministry and service to our Church.
Our History
The first Serra club was founded in 1935 in Seattle, Washington, in response to the local bishop’s plea for help to increase the small number of priests in the diocese. Serra’s stated objectives include:
- To foster and promote vocations to the ministerial priesthood in the Catholic Church as a particular vocation to service, and to support priests in their sacred ministry.
- To encourage and affirm vocations to consecrated religious life in the Catholic Church.
- To assist its members to recognize and respond in their own lives to God’s call to holiness in Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit.
The Serra club of Madison was chartered March 25, 1952. It was the fourth Serra club chartered in Wisconsin, and initially had 39 members. Since then, the club has worked consistently to support vocations in the Diocese of Madison.
Our Patron
Junípero Serra was a Franciscan friar born in 1713 in Spain. After studying philosophy and theology and being ordained a priest, Father Serra journeyed to Mexico in 1749. From 1749 until his death in 1784, Father Serra traveled extensively in Mexico and modern-day California, establishing missions, converting, baptizing, and confirming as he went.
Junípero Serra was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 25, 1988; hence his proper title Blessed Junípero Serra. The founders of the Serra club chose Junípero Serra as its patron because of his tireless work evangelizing and promoting the faith. Like his missions, Serra clubs are established around the world to help promote the mission of promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Video Overview of the Serra Club
Club Officers
Mary Wackwitz - President
Mary and her husband Don recently moved to Madison from Green Bay, where they were active in the local Serra Club. As President of the Serra club, she organizes and leads our bi-weekly meetings, as well as overseeing general club operations.Fr. Paul Arinze - Chaplain
Fr. Paul is the Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Madison. As the Chaplain, he leads the Serra club in prayer and helps to coordinate joint Serra Club-Vocations Office efforts. In his spare time, Fr. Paul enjoys tennis.Grant Emmel - VP of Programs
Grant works as assistant to the Office of the Vicar General for the Diocese of Madison. As Vice President of Programs, he organizes speakers for our bi-weekly meetings and other events.Mary Uhler - VP of Membership
Mary is the Editor of the Catholic Herald, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Madison. As Vice President of Membership, she works to recruit new members to the Serra Club.Chris Reitz - VP of Vocations
Chris works at the University of Wisconsin - Madison doing engine research. As Vice President of Vocations, he helps to develop programs that foster vocations in the Diocese. In his spare time, Chris enjoys Jeeping.
