By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
Banner produced by St. Augustine Church and Student Center, Coral Gables, part of Priesthood Sunday promoted by Serra Club of Miami.
Facebook post by the archdiocesan Vocations Office, as part of Priesthood Sunday promoted by Serra Club of Miami.
Facebook post by Serra Club of Miami, as part of its Priesthood Sunday.
Instagram post by Serra Club of Miami, as part of its Priesthood Sunday.
Ad in the bulletin at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, part of Priesthood Sunday promoted by Serra Club of Miami.
Photography: COURTESY
MIAMI | Serra Club of Miami observed its annual Priesthood Sunday with a blend of thank-you cards and media messages, all designed to support and encourage clergy.
Events for the observance, which fell on Sept. 25 this year, included cards of appreciation for all 120 parish priests in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. The Serrans also produced social media posts, raising awareness of the day and asking for prayers for priests.
Individual parishes and schools took part in Priesthood Sunday as well.
At Sts. Peter and Paul School in Miami, students wrote personalized cards of thanks to their priests. The church also posted a message of appreciation in its bulletin.
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Photographer: Peter Jude
Deacon Felipe Gomez blesses Father Nicholas Toledo at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Miami, as part of Priesthood Sunday promoted by Serra Club of Miami.
In Coral Gables, members of St. Augustine Church and Catholic Student Center made a banner for the day. They also sent virtual bouquets – cards of notifications of Masses, rosaries and hours of adoration – dedicated to particular priests.
At St. John Neumann parish in Miami, Deacon Felipe Gomez gave a special blessing for the parish priests in front of the community.
In Lourdes, France, Deacon Jorge Matamala from Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Miami blessed four priests on the annual archdiocesan pilgrimage there.
Founded in Seattle in 1935, Serra Club works with bishops and other diocesan officials to promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life, as well as to support existing clergy. The organization now has 12,500 members worldwide, including 7,478 in the United States.
The organization chose as its patron Father Junipero Serra, the Franciscan founder of missions in 18th century California. Serrans not only challenge laymen to consider the priesthood but encourage one another to lead lives of holiness.
The Miami chapter nearly doubled in size, from 49 to 96 members, over 12 months ending June 30. It now has 115 members, from 16 to 96 years old.
On Nov. 5, the Miami Serrans will ask parishioners around the archdiocese to give an hour of prayer for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. The prayers will be meant as preparation for Vocational Awareness Week, Nov. 6-11.
The group meets monthly at Saint John Vianney College Seminary. Members are also encouraged to “adopt” individual seminarians, keeping in touch through prayers, texts, dinners and other meetings.
For more information, visit https://serraclubmiami.org/.
