About

What is Serra International?

Serra International is a voluntary organization of Serra Clubs, duly organized and chartered in accordance with the provisions of its constitution and Bylaws. Serra is international in scope, Catholic in emphasis, and democratic in practice. In 2003, there were 825 clubs with 19,828 members in 36 countries. In the United States there are 329 clubs with 12,000 members. Serra is named after Blessed Junipero Serra, the noted Spanish Franciscan missionary priest who played a leading part in early missionary work in Mexico and the Western United States.

Serrans, Catholic lay men and women and permanent deacons, join together in clubs to promote the objectives of Serra which have remained fundamentally the same since its founding in 1935.

Mission Statement

The USA Council of Serra International is a group of Catholic Christian men and women who foster and affirm vocations to the ministerial priesthood and vowed religious life in the United States, and through this ministry further our members' common Catholic faith and spirituality.

Its goals are:

1. To be an effective lay vocation arm of the Church.
2. To invite all men and women to discern and follow their baptismal call.
3. To affirm priesthood and religious life as a positive lifestyle.
4. To collaborate with the local ordinaries, vocation directors, priests, religious and other vocation organizations in vocation work.
5. To educate and inform our members, collaborators, and the Catholic community of our commitment to promote and affirm priesthood and religious life.
6. To inspire and call forth a well trained and dedicated corps of leaders at all levels of Serra by spiritual and practical formation.
7. To be open and flexible in carrying out the goals and mission of the Serra International United States Council.

The Five Elements of Serra

Spiritual Growth
Serra is concerned with the Spiritual growth of each Serran. In Serra we strive to help each member grow in their personal and communal relationship with the Lord. We do this through strong supportive Christian friendships, educational programs, prayer, club retreats , evenings of recollection, and regular spiritual messages from our chaplain.

Encouraging Church Vocations
Serra is founded on a belief that every baptized Christian is called to be a witness to Christ in the world. The Church was established to help God’s people to be stronger witnesses to the Lord. Serrans believe in the Church and its need for full-time Church ministers. We recognized our need for these ministers, and their need for our support. Therefore, we promote and encourage church vocations in order to help the Church as a whole become a better witness to the world.

Religious Education for the Laity
The major reason clubs meet twice a month is because of Serra’s belief in continuing adult religious education. We cannot grow as committed Christians if we rely solely on our grade school, high school, or even college classroom religious training. We must continue to learn, and continue to study. This is why Serra needs to be seen as a University of Christian Principles. Serrans study the implications of their faith commitment, and then implement them in their personal and professional lives.

Responsive Lay Leadership
Serrans believe that by Baptism they are called to service. As leaders in the community, we Serrans must bring Christ into the marketplace. The layman must bring the love of Christ into the family, the community and the business world. This is our call, our vocation. Serra constantly reminds and challenges the Serran to respond to His call.

Association in Christian Fellowship
A Serra Club is a community of believers. It is a source of growth, education and support. Serra is like a religious community in that we Serrans have found great comfort and support by being part of a community of Christians who share the same faith. For many, Serra has become a way of life. Serra is a truly rewarding personal experience.

Visit Serra International U.S.A. for additional information.

History of the Serra Club of Chattanooga

The Chattanooga Serra Club was founded on December 10, 1958, by a group of prominent businessmen including William Otto Hubbuch as the founding president, and Monsignor George J. Flanigen as the first Chaplain. The Nashville Serra Club was instrumental in assisting the formation of the Chattanooga club. The other officers were Edward F. Steiner, first vice-president; Joseph V. McLaughlin, second vice-president; Frank A. Walsh, secretary; and Harry R. White, treasurer. Trustees were John L. Lenihan, Robert A. McGinnis, and John B. Crimmins, Sr. Other charter members of the Club include James R. Chamberlain, Ervin J. Christnacht, Pat J. Crowe, Emil S. Davis, William P. Delaney, James M. Dolan, Herbert J. Haile Sr., James R. Hedges, William O. Hubbuch Jr., Frank R. Kollmansperger, Joe V. Lavecchia, William T. Mahoney, Anthony W. McMahon, Earl J. Platt, Patrick W. St. Charles Sr., J. Michael Strahle, John Terrell, and Frank J. B. Varallo.

At first the Club held meetings at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Council 610, on East Eighth Street, directly across the street from Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. The Club later moved its meeting location to the Read House, and then again moved to the Loft Restaurant in North Chattanooga. In 2004 the Club moved its location again, and today meets at the Chattanooga Choo Choo on Market Street. Frank Varallo was president of the Club in 1962 when the president of Serra International came for a visit.

After the Diocese of Knoxville was formed, and while Jim Eberle was president of the Club, Bishop Anthony J. O'Connell would not appoint a priest to be Chaplain of the Club until the by-laws and rules were changed to allow women members. There were some strenuous discussions about this issue, and by one vote, the Club voted to allow women members, whereupon Bishop O'Connell appointed Father George E. Schmidt Jr., to be our Chaplain.

Membership in the Club constantly stayed in the 20 to 30 membership range until the early 1980's, when a major expansion of membership to 80 members took place under the leadership of Jim Eberle. The Club continued to grow and expand its influence in the Tennessee-Arkansas district, and helped establish a club in Knoxville, Tennessee in the early 1990's.

In addition to the original Chaplain for the Club, Monsignor Flanigen, Chaplains for the Club have included Monsingor Francis P. Pack, Father Vincent Hines, and Father George E. Schmidt Jr.

Web Contact: Richard Buhrman
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