Programs

To further its mission of promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life, the Serra Club of Madison participates in a number of programs. They are briefly featured below:

College Connections

College Connections is a program developed by the USA Council of Serra International; its goal is to help young adults who graduate from high school and go to college to stay connected to their faith.

Each year between March and May, Serrans contact the pastors and DREs at parishes throughout the Diocese of Madison to obtain the contact information of graduating high school seniors from the parish. This information is then passed on to the USA Council, which distributed it to Catholic campus ministries at universities and colleges all over the country.

The Serra Club also holds a summer gathering for these young men and women there they are encouraged to keep the faith, and are given a package of useful items such as a rosary, crucifix, and spiritual books.

» More information about College Connections

Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations

One of the most important things we can do for vocations is to pray for them! The Serra Club of Madison organizes Eucharistic Adoration for vocations every weekday from 9am to 11:45am in the chapel at the Bishop O’Connor Center on Madison’s West side.

Please feel free to drop by or contact Lorie Ballweg to schedule an hour every week.

Traveling Chalice Program

A great way to increase vocations to the priesthood and religious life is to make people aware of them! The Traveling Chalice program is an effort of the Serra Club and the Office of Vocations where a chalice, used in the sacrifice of the Mass, is sent home with families from parishes around the diocese. Having the chalice at home for a few days is a reminder for the children in the family to pray and think about their own vocation.

If you would like the Traveling Chalice to visit your parish, please contact Lorie Ballweg.

Seminarian Baseball Game

Each summer the Serra Club sponsors a baseball game for seminarians. This is a time for club members to get to know our seminarians and vocations office staff. We usually tailgate before the game, enjoy some brats, burgers, and refreshments, followed by fellowship and an all-American ballgame! More info on this program coming soon…

Seminarian/Priest Book Fund

The Serra Club provides spiritual reading for our priests and seminarians. Each year at both the Christmas Seminarian Dinner and the Summer Presbyteral Retreat, we distribute a number of titles (from Church Fathers, theologians and other sources) for their enjoyment. More info on this program coming soon…