A two-way Christmas gift

By Emily Chaffins -

MIAMI |Anyone passing by the refectory of St. John Vianney College Seminary Dec. 8, 2024, could have heard the sound of Christmas carols in at least five different languages.

The reason for this outburst of song? The legendary Christmas Dinner for Religious, hosted annually by the Serra Club of Miami for the religious sisters, brothers, and priests of South Florida.

Sister Casimir Nwadiukwo of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy, a chaplain at Mercy Hospital, has been attending for three years and looks forward to the liturgy, the socialization, the food, the caroling and, of course, getting to share Nigerian Christmas songs with the other religious communities and Serra Club volunteers.

The Serra Club of Miami, which organizes the event each year, is a chapter of the worldwide Serra International organization. This Vatican-recognized lay organization educates Catholics on vocations to priesthood and religious life and supports those living out that call. Kimberly Rocha of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, president of the Serra Club Miami chapter, said the dinner offers the chance to “serve the people who serve us year-round.”

“It’s something that Serra can do to give back. It’s an honor,” she said.

Peter Jude of Epiphany Parish, treasurer and past president of the Serra Club of Miami, said the tradition began more than three decades ago.

“The Serra Club decided they wanted to recognize religious orders and give back to them for the holidays,” he said. “Serving a home-cooked Christmas meal was a way to come together with all the religious communities. The Serra Club thought that could be their Christmas gift to the religious.”

Jude, whose father became a Serra Club member in 1986, and whose mother joined in 1990, recalled when the dinner was held at St. Martha Parish in Miami Shores. About five years ago, when the Archdiocese of Miami initiated the Advent Day of Reflection for religious at St. John Vianney, the Serra Club decided to “piggyback and provide dinner afterward.”

Thanks to the exponential growth of the Serra Club over the past few years, more volunteers are available. In 2020, the Serra Club had nearly 20 members. This year, they have over 150 members, and about 30 volunteers from parishes across South Florida  volunteered to serve a dinner of turkey, lechón, mashed potatoes, punch and desserts, most of which were homemade.

For Peggy Chen of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Miami, volunteering is a chance to say thank you. Before she came to the United States in 1979, she attended an all-girls Catholic school in Jamaica, where the Sisters of Mercy were her teachers.

“We had so much respect for our nuns and teachers,” Chen said. “Many of my classmates entered the convent; they were inspired by the sisters. I have the fondest school memories. I can’t thank them enough.”

“The religious are all so busy – and we are, too. Sometimes, we don’t have the time to enjoy the joy the Lord gives us,” added Victor Rocha, Kimberly’s husband and vice president of membership for the Serra Club of Miami. “That’s what makes this event so important.”

One of the favorite features of the evening is the annual Christmas caroling. Nearly every order contributes a tune, accompanied by Albert Harum on the keyboard. The carols are tied to the unique perspectives and cultures of each religious community. Some of this year’s selections included the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy’s rendition of “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” sung in the Niger-Congo language Igbo; the Sisters of St. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo’s “Tu scendi dalle stelle” in Italian; and the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles’ “Vamos, Pastores,Vamos,” which harkens back to the order’s Mexican roots. The brothers and priests of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts; Jesuit Father Javier Lopez, of Gesu Parish; and Father Milton Martinez, archdiocesan vocations director, teamed up to sing “Silent Night” in English, German, and Spanish.

Sister Catherine Marie Adams, of the Carmelite Sisters, cherishes this time of sharing good food and good song. “I love being together with all the sisters and brothers, which renews our fervor for why we follow the Lord in this way.”

 

TO LEARN MORE

Those interested in learning more or volunteering with the Serra Club of Miami can reach out via email at [email protected] or can visit their website at serraclubmiami.org.

Photographer: EMILY CHAFFINS | FC

The Daughters of St. Paul sing “Bambino Divino,” an Italian Christmas song, during the Serra Club of Miami’s Christmas Dinner for Religious on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at St. John Vianney College Seminary. The annual event, hosted by the Serra Club lay organization for vocations, celebrates local religious from around South Florida.