Sept. 23, 2026 | Issue 305

Serra at the National Conference of Diocesan
Vocation Directors Convention

From September 14-16, members of the USA Council Board hosted a table and breakfast at the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors convention in Huntington, NY. Pictured above, Serra US Programs VP Gino DiMattia, President-elect Candice Tyrrell and Treasurer Ed Tyrrell take a selfie with Fr. Shawn Polman from New Ulm, MN. Gino and the Tyrrells handed out important information about Serra, especially Serra SPARK, to the vocation directors attending. God willing, their efforts to raise awareness about our mission and our role as potential helpers for vocation directors will bear much fruit.

Priesthood Sunday is THIS SUNDAY! You've got three days to do something special for your priest. A few last-minute ideas:

Gift cards are your friend. Does he like going to the movies? Or perhaps he favors a particular restaurant? A thoughtfully chosen gift card, nothing extravagant, can make a nice gift, along with a heartfelt message in a card.
Let him choose a favor: Give your priest a card with a couple of strips of paper inside saying, "This ticket entitles (insert Father's name) to (insert task or favor)." Figure out what he needs, what would make his day a little easier, where you can be most helpful. Weeding around the church grounds? Changing lightbulbs? Going on a coffee run for the next parish council meeting? Get creative.
Plan to extend a special blessing to priests at the end of Mass on Sept. 27.
Sing a special hymn to priests at Mass on that day.

Check out all the Priesthood Sunday Resources on Serra SPARK

Welcome, Apostolado San Junipero Serra

Centro Norte Colorado!

ABOVE: Bishop Jorge Rodríguez (third from left) and Father Shaun Galvin, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Lafayette (third from right), hold plaques from Serra International during the chartering ceremony for the new Hispanic Serra Club in the Archdiocese of Denver. At the far left is club Treasurer Alexia Martinez and President Lourdes Keefner. At far right is Deacon David Orozco. (Photo by Christina Antus/Denver Catholic)

On August 28, 2026, Apostolado San Junipero Serra Centro Norte Colorado was chartered with Mass and installation ceremony at Immaculate Conception Church in Lafayette, Colorado. At 120 founding members, it is the largest charter group for a club in Serra's history. The driving force of this amazing group is club President Lourdes Keefner. Read about the club's charter ceremony here. You can visit the club's webpage here.

Serra International Foundation Grant Applications Due Sept. 30

Do you or does someone you know need support for a vocations project? Applications for grants from the Serra International Foundation are due on Sept. 30. Click below to download the grant application and to find out more about the process.

Grant application and information

Upcoming Serra Events

Sept. 26 - Serra's Global Rosary for Vocations , 8am CT
Sept. 27 - Priesthood Sunday
Oct. 19 - Serra Meets Fr. Kyle Ratuiste, Vocations Director for the Diocese of Spokane, WA, 7pm CT by Zoom.

Serra's USA Council | www.serraus.org