HUNTERSVILLE — St. Mark Church hosted the March 9 installation Mass of the newest chapter of the Serra Club, welcoming 25 members to the global lay apostolate that encourages vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
This chapter marks the 190th Serra Club in the United States. Serra International was started in 1935 by four men who wanted to promote vocations. The group now numbers 13,000 Serrans in 48 countries, all committed to praying for seminarians, consecrated religious and clergy.
Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., celebrated the Mass and induction ceremony with Father Brian Becker, director of formation for St. Joseph College Seminary and the chapter’s new chaplain; Father John Eckert, vocations director; Deacon William Schreiber, director of the permanent diaconate; and Father John Putnam, pastor of St. Mark Parish.
In Bishop Martin’s homily, he drew from the first reading, 1 Sam. 3:1-10, urging the new Serrans to support others in discerning God’s call, just as Eli did when guiding Samuel.
“In the work of God, there were always helpers. There was always a specific call to people to assist in making sure that God’s plan, that God’s mission, gets carried out,” the bishop said. “God has always used people that oftentimes go unnamed … and yet the work that they do enables others to do the work they do, and that work brings about the Kingdom of God.”
Bishop Martin said he is a living example of this – following his calling to be a Franciscan priest not only based on his discernment, but also because the people in his life enabled him to hear God’s voice.
After his homily, the candle symbolizing Jesus, the light of the world, and its fire, the transforming energy of the Holy Spirit, was lit, officially marking the start of the ministry. Members stood and pledged their prayer and support to those in religious vocations.
“One year from now you will not know, but the Holy Spirit will know, how many men and women, influenced by your example, prayers and programs, heard the invitation of the Holy Spirit to ‘Come and See,’” said Dr. Anne Roat, president of Serra USA Council, who flew in from Lafayette, Indiana, for the event.
The diocese has 44 seminarians, 141 active and retired priests, and 143 deacons. There are 82 sisters representing 17 orders and 12 brothers, mostly from the Missionaries of the Poor and the Franciscan community, and 14 active Benedictine monks at Belmont Abbey.
They serve an active diocese, which includes 93 parishes and 565,000 Catholics. There has been a 19% increase from 69,000 registered households a decade ago to 82,000 in 2025. By 2030, the diocese projects close to 100,000 registered households.
“As we know, as they are serving their vocation, they are being pulled in all different directions,” said Al Jarvis, president of the new chapter. Jarvis said reports of burnout, loneliness and a lack of fraternity are on the rise, and global trends are indicating that some priests are falling away from their vocations.
“Pope Francis says that a true Serran is a friend to the priests and the religious. That is truly what this is about,” David Spaedy, St. Mark parishioner and the chapter’s vice president of programs, said, referring to comments Pope Francis made at the 75th Convention of Serra International in 2017 in Rome.
Serran members meet monthly to pray and listen to a local priest or religious speak about their vocation journey.
Between meetings, Serrans pray daily for vocations, write letters of support, visit seminaries and convents and encourage those feeling the tug toward religious life.
The new chapter was initiated by Spaedy, who underwent a 13-year pursuit of organizing, planning, but mostly waiting, to start the local ministry.
His father, now 90, has been a Serran for 62 years. In Spaedy’s hometown of Bismarck, North Dakota, the club is thriving.
“You could see that these were like-minded Catholics that knew their mission,” Spaedy said. “It just felt like we were part of something bigger than ourselves. It was just wonderful.”
When Spaedy moved to Huntersville in 2013, he was surprised there was not a local chapter.
“I wanted to start a Serra Club and met with Bishop (Emeritus Peter) Jugis, but it was not the right time,” Spaedy said. “We got our new bishop, and the Spirit started stirring up thoughts in me to take another swing at the plate. We met last February, and the bishop said, ‘Give me a couple of months to think about it.’ A week later, he emailed me and said, ‘Let’s go.’”
With the bishop’s nod, Spaedy and others visited St. Dorothy Parish in Lincolnton, St. Ann and St. Thomas Aquinas parishes in Charlotte, and Sacred Heart Parish in Salisbury, recruiting potential members.
“I didn’t hear about the club until David was given the opportunity to speak at a weekend here at St. Mark,” Jarvis said. “I felt called to be a part of this.”
Seminarians Patrick Martin and John Yellico, who both attended the event at St. Mark, welcome all prayer warriors.
Yellico says prayers make a huge difference in his journey, noting that a warm meal, a word of encouragement or a letter of support can go a long way.
As he said, “We need prayers and for people to be visible when we need support. Just being there. Because it does get rough at times. It is like discernment through whispers.”
— Lisa M. Geraci. Photos by Troy C. Hull
