Serra Club hosts luncheon

By JULIE KEANE, Globe staff reporter
April 1, 2004

Sisters from across the Diocese of Sioux City were invited to Kahill's Steak-Fish and Chophouse in South Sioux City, Neb., this past Saturday for a luncheon hosted by the Serra Club.

"The Serra Club feels it's important to recognize those sisters that serve the church and the Diocese of Sioux City," said Jolene Billings, Serra Club member. "This is just a small way that the Serra Club can show its appreciation."

The Serra Club is a Catholic organization of lay persons who are concerned with promoting vocations to priesthood and religious life. They have hosted this meal for the past five years to honor women serving in religious life.

Lynne Paulsen, Serra Club president, opened the appreciation luncheon with welcoming the 21 sisters to the Fifth Annual Appreciation Luncheon for Women Religious. Once the guests ate lunch and finished their ice cream dessert, Paulsen gave an appreciation speech honoring the sisters.

Guests also received an audio, video or CD rosary that was wrapped and given to them as they signed in. The luncheon concluded with door prizes. Each sister that attended the luncheon received a door prize that was donated by Mercy Medical Center.

"Some of the things donated were sweatshirts, canvas tote bags, coffee mugs, four different plants and gift cards to Barnes and Nobel's," Billings said.

A gift was also given to the sister that traveled the farthest to attend the luncheon.

"There were two sisters, one from Cherokee and Hospers," Billings said. "Neither one of them could decide which one drove the farthest, in fact they drove together, so we gave them the plant and told them they could figure it out."

The Serra Club also provided a meal for the Carmelite Sisters in February. Billings said that she called and the sisters said that they would like to have a dinner on Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent.

"On Fat Tuesday, they wanted to have fish sandwiches and french fries," Billings said. "My husband and I went to McDonalds and bought fish sandwiches, and one sister was able to have a hamburger. We purchased nine fish sandwiches and one hamburger and french fries and sundaes."

Billings said that both dinners were a success and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

"We look forward to doing this each year," Billings said. "The sisters really like this. They like to get together amongst themselves and visit with each in a social setting that we are able to provide for them."