Serra Club hosts dinner to support diocesan seminarians

Posted

PROVIDENCE — In August, more than 100 people gathered at the annual Seminarian and Parent Celebration Dinner, sponsored by the Serra Club of the Diocese of Providence. The evening honored the Diocese of Providence’s newly ordained priest, Father Mark Gadoury, and the 16 seminarians discerning and studying for priesthood in the diocese, including five currently studying in Rome. The Serra Club’s Providence chapter is part of the national organization whose mission it is to pray for, foster and promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the Catholic Church under the patronage of Saint Junipero Serra.
Auxiliary Bishop Robert C. Evans addressed those in attendance acknowledging the counter-cultural decision to give one’s life in service of Christ and his Church, trusting that the Holy Spirit guides “one moment at a time.”
The Seminarians were also encouraged by Keith and Lisa Kline, Serra Club presidents, as they recounted the missionary life of Saint Junipero Serra, who evangelized across hundreds of miles to bring faith to a faithless people, sharing that “never has it been so important to do the same in our world today.”
The joyous event was marked with a prayer for vocations on each table, care packages for the seminarians, including sacramentals, prayer journals, handmade prayer chaplets, fun surprises and meaningful gifts. The parents of each seminarian were also gifted with handmade prayer chaplets, and a card indicating that a Holy Hour and Holy Mass has been offered by the Serra Club for their personal intentions.
Father Brian Morris, Serra Club chaplain, and Father Christopher Murphy, rector of Our Lady of Providence Seminary, were also in attendance along with Seminary faculty, fellow priests and guests. All offered thanks to God for this prayerful and vibrant community event and encourage all to continue to pray for vocations within our Diocese. For more information on Serra Club membership and events, contact Keith and Lisa Kline at leeleejack@aol.com.