April 10, 2009
Serra International convention to be held in Omaha
Serra International, founded in 1935 in Seattle, has a mission of fostering and affirming vo-cations to the priesthood and religious life.
This year will mark the first time the organization’s international convention will be held in Omaha, at the Qwest Center. The theme of this convention is: “Pastores Dabo Vobis — The Role of Christ’s Lay Faithful.”
John Woodward, executive director of Serra International, is a native of Australia and past president of Serra International, said the location is ideal. Tim and Sally O’Neill of the Serra Club of Omaha are co-chairs of the convention executive planning committee.
Tim O’Neill, a past president of the Omaha club, said the community and region are elated with the international board’s selection of our city for the historic, annual convention. O’Neill said, “This event attracts Serrans and their families from across the nation and around the world.”
Serra International is composed of more than 700 clubs in the United States and in more than 40 countries.
It was established in 1935 by four Catholic businessmen in Seattle. They chose the mission of the new organization and selected Blessed Junipero Serra as its patron. Serra is the legendary Franciscan missionary who founded a number of the famed California missions and converted thousands of Native Americans to the Catholic faith.
August 28, 2009, marks the 225th anniversary of the Blessed Serra’s death at Mission San Carlos, Carmel, California. This historic occasion will be sol-emnly celebrated during the annual convention; attendees will also have the privilege of honoring a first-class relic of Father Serra at the event.
Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss, a former Episcopal Adviser of Serra International, said he is looking forward to welcoming as many Serrans as possible at the opening Mass at Saint Cecilia Cathedral at 6 p.m. on August 27. Following the liturgy, a welcome reception will be held at the Qwest Center.
Among the featured speakers at the convention are Arch-bishop Timothy Dolan of New York, the current Episcopal Adviser for Serra International; Bishop Blase J. Cupich, of Rapid City, South Dakota, and current Episcopal Adviser of the USA Council of Serra Inter-national; Archbishop Emilio Berlié of Yucatán, México, and Deacon James Keating, director of theological formation at the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha.