Serra Club of Toronto Downtown - Serra Canada

Serra Club of Toronto Downtown

Diocese and Bishop

Archdiocese of Toronto - Archbishop Thomas Collins

Newsletters

Upcoming Events

Meeting Times and Location

Club meetings are held at Brennan Hall, University of Toronto (Bay and St. Joseph Street). Meetings are held the first and third Wednesdays each month and start with mass in the chapel of St. Basil's Church at 12:05 pm and then proceed to a buffet lunch and presentation in Brennan Hall, immediately adjacent to the Church.

Our featured guest speakers inform us on topics of interest or concern to Catholics. Speakers range from Bishops, Priests, Seminarians, representatives of the Catholic School System, Catholic Youth Organizations etc. The presentations have the objective of encouraging and affirming vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life as well as inspiring members to respond to God's call in their own lives.

Visitors welcome. For reservations contact Anne at 416-964-8694.

The Board of Trustees meet every second month.

Members

Single men, women and couples - Total 25. New members welcome

Annual Dues

Annual club dues $300 payable semi-annually. This includes the cost of meals at all regular Club meetings and membership fees of Serra Canada Council and Serra International.

Club Activities

Altar Server Award – This is an annual event where we invite pastors in Toronto to identify altar servers who have performed their duties in an exemplary fashion. We recognize these young people at a special mass where medals are bestowed by Bishop McGrattan of Central Region. We distribute prayer cards and provide a light reception after. In 2010 some 130 altar servers were recognized at St. Paul’s Basilica.

Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations – A Eucharistic Adoration for Vocation service is conducted at St. Patrick’s Church on a bimonthly monthly basis and monthly St. Basil’s parish. A traveling chalice program has been undertaken at St. Boniface Church whereby a family that chooses to undertake a prayer vigil for vocations can take the chalice to their home.

Youth Vocation Assistance – In 2011 our club sponsored the attendance of several high school youths and their chaplains at the annual Ordinandi Dinner where seminarians who were about to be ordained shared their vocation story. Some1900 people attended this event.

Essay Contest – In 2009 we had an essay contest available to high school students who wrote in response to the question “Would you consider becoming a priest or sister in today’s society?” A monetary prize was offered to the top 3 winners.

Vocations Fair – This is an event initiated by the Serra Club of Toronto Downtown in 2007 and held annually. Various Religious Orders, and lay communities are invited to set up information booths at the host parish and be available after Saturday and Sunday masses to explain their particular chrism. Invited speakers give vocation related homilies. Parishioners and high school students in the area are invited to attend. The 2011 Vocations fair will be at St. Rose of Lima Parish on September 24-25.

Priest Portrait Program – This program encourages young people to consider a priestly vocation by providing a portrait of a newly ordained priest to his former high school. If possible the newly ordained priest celebrates mass for the students. In 2010 Fr. Luis Caleja was honored at St. Patrick’s High School.

Youth Vocation Discernment – This is a new Serra sponsored program designed for young men or women (18-35) where 5 facilitated sessions are held from Sept. to June to help these young people discern their vocation. The current program is being directed by Fr. Len Altilia SJ at Scarboro Missions.

Rosary for Priest’s intentions – Every Thursday at noon hour mass at St. Basil’s Parish a special recitation of the rosary is conducted for priest intentions. This program was started in the fall of 2010.

Serra Post – This is an internal communication vehicle used to inform our members of upcoming events and seek their support for vocation related activities. It is distributed monthly except in the summer to members and Bishops of the Archdiocese.

Recent News

May 3
Vocations Awareness Day at York Catholic District School Board
Read more...

Vocations Poster


Download this poster

List of Officers