By Mary Frances McCarthy
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 1/29/04)

"We hear it from the pulpit, but we don’t always go out and do what we as Catholics should do," said Herb Harmon, president of the Serra Club of Arlington, a lay movement formed to foster and support vocations.

A group of about 25 lay members of the diocese interested in joining the Serra Club joined Harmon at the Crystal City Hyatt last week for a kick-off luncheon for the recently re-formed Arlington group. The group gathered at the rooftop café overlooking Reagan National Airport, Washington and Arlington. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception stood out in the skyline directly behind the speakers’ podium.

Father Robert Rippy, Serra chaplain and diocesan chancellor, said he was once told, "Every priest is a little, mini vocations director." However, he said, "You touch more people than we can." He urged the lay people present to help their pastors to recognize people who might be called to a vocation, and to encourage discernment among young people.

Serra members support vocations by working in parishes, encouraging young people to consider the call to religious life and alerting their pastors to any young people who might be good candidates. They help support seminarians once they are discerning their call, and priests, so that they may persevere in their vocation. While they receive spiritual direction from a chaplain and work in conjunction with the bishop and promoter of vocations, the club is run by lay people committed to promoting and supporting vocations. While there are discernment groups available for those considering a vocation, Father Brian Bashista, diocesan director of vocations, said, "now we need some help — prayer, of course, and foot soldiers."

Msgr. Peter Vaghi, pastor of St. Patrick Church in Washington and supporter of the Serra Club for 15 years, delivered the keynote address.

"Work closely with your bishop, chaplain and vocations director," he said. "Find out what your bishop wants you to do as outreach. We’re here to help the bishop, that’s fundamental."

The Serra Club first came to Washington in 1989 under the direction of Cardinal James Hickey and has since grown to 74 members.

The Serra Club meets twice a month, traditionally over breakfast or lunch. The meetings will include a talk on a topic of spirituality.

The goal of Serrans is to "deepen ones faith and in doing that see the integral role of the priesthood," Msgr. Vaghi said.

The first Serra Club was formed in 1934 in Seattle, Wash. Four laymen went to their bishop seeking to form a group to foster Catholic fellowship. They saw groups like the Kiwanis, the Rotary and Lions Clubs meeting for fellowship and social service. They wanted to do the same for their Church while deepening their faith. Soon after, the club expanded to include fostering vocations. The men chose Blessed Junipero Serra, a Franciscan missionary who worked along the west coast, as their role model.

Today there are more than 800 clubs in 36 countries including to more than 20,000 members. There are currently four clubs operating in the Archdiocese of Washington.

Msgr. Vaghi said the Serra Club offers members "a great opportunity to develop their faith, the opportunity to work with and encourage seminarians."

Each year in Washington, members of the Serra Club minister to seminarians on topics not covered in seminaries — healthcare, law, things they admire in a priest. The Project Andrew Dinner reaches out to those who are interested in pursuing a vocation.

Harmon served as president of the Downtown Serra Club. He is a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Alexandria and is a lawyer practicing in Washington.

In his closing remarks Bishop Loverde said, "I echo my gratitude to each and every one of you. A bishop can’t do everything by himself. I look to you to assist me in the pastoral work of vocations."

For more information call Herb Harmon at 202/783-9100 or the Office of Vocations at 703/841-2514.