The Serra Club of Honolulu is promoting two upcoming events in keeping with its support of religious vocations.
For Priesthood Sunday, Oct. 26, the organization is urging lay parish leaders to join parishes throughout the United States in honoring their priests.
On Nov. 6, Serra will host its 22nd annual appreciation dinner for consecrated religious brothers and sisters at 6 p.m. in the Blessed Sacrament Church parish hall in Pauoa.
Regarding Priesthood Sunday, Serra Club of Honolulu president Jack Kampfer said, “We hope every parish does something to express the appreciation of their faith community for the devoted priests who serve them.”
The Sunday event is sponsored nationwide by the USA Council of Serra International, which has created the website www.priestsunday.org as a resource for liturgies or activities. The site contains priests’ reflections, graphics, guides and posters. While the last Sunday of October is designated Priesthood Sunday, parishes may choose any day to celebrate their priests.
“A celebration is especially relevant in light of the small number of priests that serve our diocese,” he said. “Also, those contemplating a vocation will be encouraged by the esteem shown our priests. This is an opportunity for each parish to reaffirm the priesthood as central to the life of our church.”
The Nov. 6 appreciation dinner is free for religious. Dress is casual.
“The gathering is a small way of honoring the vowed religious who have given so much to our diocese and our Church,” Kampfer said.
Reservations for the dinner are required by Oct. 23. For reservations or for more information, call Kampfer at 621-0852 or Mark Pillori at 721-1810.
Founded in 1970, the Serra Club of Honolulu is part of Serra International, a lay organization dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and vowed religious life. For further information about Serra or Priesthood Sunday, call Chuck Furr at 263-8670.