On Dec. 15, 2010, the Toronto Central Serra Club sponsored a luncheon at Holy Martyrs of Japan Parish in Bradford for those attending the annual Clergy Advent Day of Recollection. Thanks to the culinary expertise of Ralph Chiodo, a luncheon was prepared for approximately one hundred people which included not only the clergy from the Northern Pastoral Region but approximately twenty five Serrans as well. This event has now become an annual undertaking on the part of our club.

As part of the Toronto Central Serra Club mandate we provide transportation for the retired priests in the archdiocese for a monthly luncheon organized by Marisa Rogucki which is usually held at Blessed Sacrament Parish. Pictured are Santa's helpers.

25 years passes quickly! …… During the past year, the Toronto Central Serra Club marked its silver anniversary as a chartered member of Serra International with all the rights and privileges that come with being part of the worldwide Serra movement. The occasion was marked on October 17, 2010 with a Charter Anniversary Dinner and induction ceremony at the Riviera Parque banquet facility in Vaughan with many special guests including His Excellency, Bishop Peter J. Hundt who welcomed all present and made very moving opening remarks regarding Serra and the very important role that Serra plays in the life of the church in promoting, supporting and encouraging vocations. Approximately 75 persons were welcomed by the evening Master of Ceremonies, George Longo, who was one of the initial charter members and signatories. The 25th Anniversary Address was delivered by Mario Biscardi, the Founding President of the Toronto Central Serra Club and more recently District Governor for Ontario. Mario remains actively involved in all aspects of the Toronto Central Serra Club, including his role as prime organizer and facilitator of the Ordinandi Dinner. Mario provided a nostalgic and historical perspective on the 25 years that have passed since inception for the Toronto Central Serra Club. He also brought some photos and a video of the original charter evening, which brought back memories to some of the founding members present. Past President, Celeste Iacobelli, passed the President’s Pin to our current President, Jerry Hayes, who then gave the President’s Address outlining his expectations and aspirations for our club and the opportunities still to be realized. The evening’s highlight came with the formal induction of those members not yet formally inducted. The following “new” Serrans were formally inducted by His Excellency, Bishop Hundt and new Governor Vince Primucci, in a rich and prayerful invocation ceremony. These Serrans were then recognized and provided with their induction kit and certificates:

Almerigo Borgo
Sean Gennaro
Tony Cairo
William Maramieri
Antonio Campagna
Antonella Nardulli-Nigro
Kevin Daudlin
Tony Nigro
Jim Smith
Dan Wright
David Frattaroli

The evening concluded with our chaplain, Fr. Donatello Iocco, leading us in closing prayer with the Serra Prayer for Vocations. All in all, a wonderful tribute to 25 years.

In Sept. 2010, the guest speakers at the Toronto Central Serra Club luncheon meeting were the Sisters of Life. They spoke to us of the tireless work that they do regarding protecting the rights of the unborn.

The Sisters of Life is a contemplative / active religious community of women founded in 1991 by John Cardinal O'Connor for the protection and enhancement of the sacredness of every human life. Like all religious communities, we take the three traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. We also are consecrated under a special, fourth vow to protect and enhance the sacredness of human life.

Our missions are carried out with the heart of the Church and with the hope of revealing to those we serve the inherent goodness and beauty of their own lives, so that each person may see and experience the truth that they are an unrepeatable creation of the Master.

www.sistersoflife.org

VISITATION MISSION IN TORONTO
St. Augustine Convent
2661 Kingston Road
Scarborough, ON
M1M 1M3 Canada
(416) 261-7207 ext. 266 Tel
(416) 261-0923 Fax

St. Catherine of Siena
1099 Danforth Ave.
Toronto, ON
M4J 1M5 Canada
(416) 463-2722 Tel
(877) 543-3380 toll free
(416) 463-1687 Fax

Photos: Archdiocese of Toronto