Few of us know much about the founding of the state of California. But many are aware of the Catholic mission churches strung out along the California coast from San Diego to just north of San Francisco. The person most responsible for founding what we now know as California and those Eighteenth Century missions was a simple Catholic priest named Junipero Serra.

Despite many physical disabilities and inhospitable terrain, Father Serra trudged up and down what is now California. He was imbued with the idea of extending Catholicity in the new world. He converted thousands of Indians to that faith. His motto speaks of his dedication: "Always to go forward; never turn back."

In 1935 a small group of Seattle, Washington, Catholic laymen realized the need for an organized effort to help recruit new men and women for Catholic religious vocations. They formed a group to do just that. They saw in Junipero Serra a model for perseverance and so named their organization the Serra Club. They also adopted his motto as their own.

Today Serra exists in 36 countries and has some 23,000 members. In all those countries Serra members dedicate themselves to encouraging men and women to commit to a career of serving God and His Church. But not only do Serrans help recruit new young Catholics, they also support seminarians, priests, deacons, and sisters.

Here are two Serra Websites that offer additional information: http://www.serraus.org and http://www.serra.org.