Diocesan Serrans attend regional convention

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
November 3, 2005

Serrans from Sioux City and Carroll attended the 2005 Region IX Serra Convention at the Marriot Hotel and Ballroom in Omaha the weekend of Oct. 21-23. The theme of the convention was "The Eucharist - The Source and Summit of Our Faith."

"It was a dynamic program all the way through," said Dr. Francis McCabe, president of the Serra Club in Carroll. "There was a wide group of presenters and religious celebrants. The program was well put together."

There were three bishops present including Archbishop Elden Curtiss of the Archdiocese of Omaha, Bishop Blaze Cupich of Rapid City, S.D. and Bishop William Dendinger of the Grand Island Diocese in Nebraska. There were about 200 Serrans in attendance primarily from Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.

"I attended my first convention as I wanted to learn as much as I could about Serra Club and to experience the other members of Serra," said Cleo Harder, secretary for Serra of Siouxland. "Also I wanted to hear the many speakers and their message. I feel it is so important to listen, talk and learn from other members of Serra and convention speakers. We are not an isolated people."

Other attendees from the diocese included Ruth McCabe, Twila Hoffman and Kay Simons from Carroll.

During the weekend, there was Mass offered each day and speakers in the ballroom at the Marriott Hotel.

"The keynote sessions addressed the importance of the Eucharist in our lives. The Eucharist binds us together from the past to the future," said Harder. "The sign value is important - the visual effect of bread and wine, the tying of this to the earth and reminding us to care for each other and also to care for the earth. Jesus uses us to save others. Our lives show others what is important."

McCabe pointed out that Bishop Cupich presented a talk on the importance of Eucharist in people's lives and the real presence of the Eucharist.

"Being a member of Serra is an ongoing educational process. By attending the meetings you not only further understand what Serra's mission is, but you feel more capable in relaying information gained to fellow Serrans and fellow Catholics," said McCabe.

Another session was presented by a panel of three seminary rectors that talked about priestly formation. Those on the panel included Father Benedict Neenan, rector of Conception Seminary in Conception, Mo.; Msgr. Ted Wojcicki, rector at Kenrich Glennon Seminary in St Louis, Mo.; and Father Richard Paperini, rector at Mount Angels Seminary in St. Benedict, Ore.

"The session involving three rectors of seminaries was very informing. They spoke about the challenge our seminarians face," said Harder. "Each one expressed the importance of prayer from all Serrans - the statistics show that Eucharistic Adoration produces vocations."

McCabe noted that there were also workshops regarding the daily working of Serra Clubs.

"Bishop Dendinger talked about praying for vocations before eucharistic adoration and the strong need of vocations in his diocese in western Nebraska," said McCabe.

Harder commented that she met some interesting members from the region. One woman she met was the first woman to join the Serra Club of Omaha. Another person stated that they wore their Serra nametag to all church functions to start the conversation on what is Serra.

There was a banquet on Oct. 22. During the banquet, Archbishop Curtiss talked to the Serrans about strengthening seminary formation and the priesthood.

On Oct. 23, the national director of Serra talked about Serra facing the 21st century.

"They want to keep growing. They feel that it is a strong institute. It gives seminarians in addition to priests support especially in prayer life," said McCabe.

The international president of Serra was also present at the convention.

"He stressed the universality of Serra," said McCabe. "He stressed that Serrans should think globally and be unified in their approach to vocations and prayer of vocations."