serra club essay

2023 Serra Club John D. Kelley Vocations Essay Contest Announced

The Serra Club of Indianapol is is sponsoring its 2023 annual vocations essay contest.  It is open to any Catholic student in grades 7 through 12 in parochial, public or homeschool systems in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The theme for this year’s contest is:  In one way or another, all the saints had a great devotion to the Eucharist.  Moreover, only with the help of the Eucharist did any saint fulfill his or her vocation.  Pick a particular saint and describe their relationship with the Eucharist.  How did your saint’s devotion to the Eucharist enable them to fulfill their vocation?  How does this saint’s love of the Eucharist inspire you? For more details and an essay submission form, contact your school religion teacher, REP instructor, or parish catechist/youth minister.  Information is also available from Serra Club member, Dick Cannon . Submitted essays must be postmarked no later than Friday, March 17, 2023.

The Criterion

June 17, 2022, serra club vocations essay, adoration, communion helps people to know their vocation.

(Editor’s note: The Indianapolis Serra Club’s annual John D. Kelley Vocations Essay Contest ordinarily awards prizes each spring to winning essayists in grades 7-12 in the archdiocese. This week, we continue with the winning entry in the eighth grade. Please note this year there were no entries from the 11th grade.)  

By Talia Sicuso (Special to The Criterion )

As St. Maximilian Kolbe once stated, “You come to me and unite yourself intimately to me under the form of nourishment. Your blood now runs in mine, your soul, incarnate God, compenetrates mine, giving courage and support. What miracles! Who would have ever imagined such!”  

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The Serra Club opens its annual vocation essay and poster contest

The annual Vocation Essay and Poster Contest, sponsored by the Serra Club of Louisville and the Archdiocese of Louisville Vocation Office, is now open. The theme is “Bringing Christ to Others.”

The essay contest is open to all students in seventh and eighth-grades in the Archdiocese of Louisville, including those participating in parish religious education or youth ministry programs.

Participants may choose one of two questions as the essay topic:

• “How can we hear the whisper of God’s call in our loud, modern, American culture?”
• “What is the importance of family life in fostering a good religious vocation?”

Students are also “strongly encouraged” to interview a priest or religious brother or sister to help answer the questions.

Essays should be between 200 and 300 words, typed in a standard black typeface and double spaced. Each student may submit one essay.

The theme of the poster contest is “How would God call a young person to consider a religious vocation or the priesthood?”

The contest is open to students in fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grades who attend school in the archdiocese, including those participating in parish religious education or youth ministry programs.

Posters should be submitted on an 8.5- by 11-inch white sheet of paper or card stock. Cutouts or pasted pictures are not allowed. The contest will end Jan. 10. The winners will be announced in February.

First-place winners will receive $100, second-place winners will receive $75 and the third-place winners will receive $50. Essays and posters may be mailed to:

Vocation Essay and Poster Contest, Archdiocese of Louisville Vocation Office, 1200 S. Shelby St., Louisville, Ky., 40203 or submitted to [email protected].

Science in the Bluegrass — Clocks, Jupiter and Genesis

The USA Council of Serra International

Find a serra club.

Use the interactive map below to find a Serra Club in your state, or scroll below to find a Serra Club in your diocese or archdiocese!

Southeast Region, District 86-

For more information Contact the USA Council Office in Chicago USA Council of Serra International 333 W Wacker Dr Suite 500 Chicago IL 60606 Toll-free: 888-777-6681 [email protected]

Rocky Mountain Region District 81-

Serra Club of PHOENIX AZ Serra Club Meeting #1: Phoenix Diocesan Pastoral Center, 400 E. Monroe Rd Room 104, Phoenix, AZ 85004-2336 Time: 1st Tuesday, 12:10 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Phoenix Diocesan Pastoral Center, 400 E. Monroe Rd Room 104, Phoenix, AZ 85004-2336 Time: 3rd Tuesday, 12:10 PM

Serra Club of EAST VALLEY, AZ Serra Club Meeting #1: La Famiglia Pizza & Pasta, 1859 W. Guadalupe Rd. Mesa AZ 85202 Time: 2nd Tuesday 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: La Famiglia Pizza & Pasta, 1859 W. Guadalupe Rd. Mesa AZ 85202 Time: 4th Tuesday 6:30-7:45pm

Serra Club of WEST VALLEY, AZ Serra Club Meeting #1: Our Lady of Guadalupe Time: 1st Tuesday, 12 Noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Our Lady of Guadalupe Time: 3rd Tuesday, 12 Noon

Little Rock

Central Region District 18-

Serra Club of LITTLE ROCK AR Serra Club Meeting: Diocese of Little Rock – Morris Hall Chapel – Due to Covid Time: 1st Friday, 7:00 a.m. (Mass) and program

Pacific Region  District 34-

Serra Club of FRESNO CA Serra Club Meeting #1: St. Paul Newman Center in Fresno Time: 3rd Thursday of every month 11:30 AM Mass – Followed by Meeting/Lunch at Noon

Serra Club of KINGS/TULARE DEANERY, CA Serra Club Meeting #1: Serra Center, Visalia, CA Time: 2nd Monday, 6:00 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Serra Center, Visalia, CA Time: 4th Monday, 6:00 PM

Los Angeles (and surrounding area)

Serra Club of LOS ANGELES CA Serra Club Meeting #1: Taix French Restaurant Time: 4th Wednesday Serra Club of PASADENA CA Serra Club Meeting #1: Brookside Country Club Time: First Monday, 12 noon (Mass) Serra Club Meeting #2: Brookside Country club Time: Third Monday, 12 noon

Serra Club of WESTSIDE/LOS ANGELES Serra Club Meeting #1: St. Monica’s Church – Time: Tuesday 6:30 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: – Santa Monica, CA Time:

Serra Club of SOUTH BAY CA Serra Club Meeting #1: Buggy Whip Restaurant Time: 2nd Thursday, 6:30 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Buggy Whip Restaurant Time: 4th Thursday, 6:30 PM

Region 11 District 82-

Serra Club of SAN FERNANDO VALLEY CA Serra Club Meeting #1: Sportsman’s Hotel Time: 2nd Tuesday, 6:30 pm

Orange County

Serra Club of ORANGE COUNTY CA Serra Club Meeting: St. Norbert’s Church Time: 1st Thursday, 12:15 pm

San Bernardino

Serra Club of SAN BERNARDINO CA Serra Club Meeting #1: Our Lady of the Rosary or a Time: Thursdays Breakfast meeting (1) Serra Club Meeting #2: local restaurant Time: Thursdays dinner meeting (1)

Serra Club of RIVERSIDE CA Serra Club Meeting #1: St Francis de Sales Parish Time: 1st Friday, 7:00 AM Serra Club Meeting #2: St Francis de Sales Parish Time: 3rd Friday, 7:00 AM

Serra Club of PALM SPRINGS VICARIATE CA Serra Club Meeting #1: Monterey Country Club Time: 2nd Wednesday, 12:00 noon. Serra Club Meeting #2: Palm Desert, CA Time: 4th Wednesday morning Mass Rotating Parishes

San Francisco

Serra Club of SAN FRANCISCO CA Serra Club Meeting #1: Italian American Club Time: 2nd Thursday 12:15 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: The Olympic Club Time: 4th Thursday 12:15 PM

Region 11 District 31-

Serra Club of SAN JOSE CA Serra Club Meeting #1: Santa Teresa Parish Time: 1st Friday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Santa Teresa Parish Time: 3rd Wednesday, 6 PM

Serra Club of STOCKTON CA Serra Club Meeting #1: Papapavlo’s Restaurant Time: 1st Monday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Papapavlo’s Restaurant Time: 3rd Monday, 12 noon

Colorado Springs

Denver (and surrounding area).

Rocky Mountain Region, District 06-

Serra Club of DENVER CO Serra Club Meeting #1: Patsy’s Italian Restaurant Time: 2nd Thursday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Patsy’s Italian Restaurant Time: 4th Thursday, 12 noon

Serra Club of SOUTHEAST DENVER CO Serra Club Meeting #1: Piccolo, 3563 S Monaco Pkwy, Denver, CO 80237 Time: 2nd Thursday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Piccolo, 3563 S Monaco Pkwy, Denver, CO 80237 Time: 4th Thursday, 12 noon

Serra Club of SOUTHWEST DENVER CO Serra Club Meeting #1: Holy Name Parish Hall Time: 1st Friday, 7:15 Serra Club Meeting #2: Holy Name Parish Hall Time: 3rd Friday, 7:15

Serra Club of NORTHWEST METRO DENVER CO Serra Club Meeting #1: Shrine of St. Anne Time: 1st Tuesday, 7:15 AM Serra Club Meeting #2: Shrine of St. Anne Time: 3rd Tuesday, 7:15 AM

Serra Club of BOULDER COUNTY, CO Serra Club Meeting #1: Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 14th & Mapleton, Boulder, CO Time: 1st Friday, 7:00AM Mass, followed by Breakfast, Speaker & Meeting Serra Club Meeting #2: Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 14th & Mapleton, Boulder, CO Time: 3rd Friday, 7:00AM Mass, followed by Breakfast, Speaker & Meeting

Serra Club of AURORA, CO Serra Club Meeting #1: Queen of Peace Church Time: 1st Thursday, 7:00 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Queen of Peace Church Time: 3rd Thursday, 7:00 PM

Serra Club of NORTHERN COLORADO Serra Club Meeting #1: St Elizabeth Ann Seton Time: 1st Saturday, 8:00 AM

Serra Club of PUEBLO CO Serra Club Meeting #1: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Time: 1st Saturday, 9:00 AM Serra Club Meeting #2: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Time: 3rd Saturday, 9:00 AM

Connecticut

Wilmington, de.

Northeast Region, District 43-

District of Columbia

Serra Club of WASHINGTON, DC Serra Club Meeting #1: Basilica/National Shrine Time: 1st Saturday, 9:00 AM Serra Club Meeting #2: Holy Redeemer Time: 3rd Monday, 7:00 PM

Serra Club of DOWNTOWN WASHINGTON, DC Serra Club Meeting #1: St. Patrick’s Time: 1st Friday, 7:30 AM Serra Club Meeting #2: Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle Time: 3rd Thursday, 7:00 AM Mass 7:30 AM Meeting

Southeast Region,  District 30-

Serra Club of MIAMI FL Serra Club Meeting #1:  St. John Vianney College Seminary & Graduate School Time: 7 PM on the 3 rd Monday of the month during the school year

Serra Club of BROWARD COUNTY FL Serra Club Meeting #1: St Gabriel Parish Rectory Time: 2nd Monday, 11 AM

Serra Club of PALM BEACH COUNTY FL Serra Club Meeting #1: Mary Immaculate Church Time: 1st Monday, 6:15 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Mary Immaculate Church Time: 3rd Monday, 6:15 PM

Serra Club of INDIAN RIVER AREA Serra Club Meeting #1: St Helen Catholic Church Time: 2nd Tues. 8:30am, Mass & Breakfast Serra Club Meeting #2: Holy Cross Hall, Vero Beach Time: 4th Tues. 6pm, Mass & Dinner

Serra Club of SOUTH PALM BE ACH FL

Pensacola/Tallahassee

St. augustine, st. petersburg, springfield, fort wayne/south bend.

Great Lakes Region, District 37-

Serra Club of NORTHWEST INDIANA Location: St. Bridget Parish – 107 Main Street, Hobart, Indiana. Time: Third Monday of the Month – 6:00 p.m. – Holy Hour, School Chapel. Followed by Regular Business Meeting, School Gym. Board Meetings – dates, times, locations will be announced.

Indianapolis

Serra Club of LAFAYETTE IN Serra Club Meeting #1: MCL Cafeteria Time: 2nd Thursday, 5:45 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: MCL Cafeteria Time: 4th Thursday, 5:45 PM

Central Region, District 9-E

St. Serra Club of DES MOINES IA Serra Club Meeting #1: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, WDM Time: 6:30am Rosary, 7:15am Mass, followed by Social Serra Club Meeting #2: See Club website dmserra.com for upcoming meetings/events

Serra Club of COUNCIL BLUFFS IA Serra Club Meeting #1: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Time: 2nd Wednesday, 6:00 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Time: 1st Saturday, 8:30 AM Mass

Serra Club of SIOUXLAND, IA Serra Club Meeting #1: Marian Health Center Time: First Tuesday –  5:15 PM  with Rosary, Mass, dinner, and  6:30 PM  Meeting Serra Club Meeting #2: Trinity Heights Chapel and Center Time: Third Saturday –  8:00 AM  Adoration followed by a short program at  9:00 AM

Kansas City

Central Region,  District 12-2C

Serra Club of KANSAS CITY KS Serra Club Meeting #1: Painted Hills Golf Course, Kansas City, KS Time: 2nd Wednesday , 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Painted Hills Golf Course, Kansas City, KS Time: 4th Wednesday , 12 noon

Serra Club of TOPEKA KS Serra Club Meeting #1: 7 Parish Churches of Topeka Time: 1st Monday, 7:00 PM Mass Serra Club Meeting #2: Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish Time: 3rd Monday, 7:00 PM Mass

Serra Club of JOHNSON COUNTY, KS

Serra Club of Atchison Region KS Serra Club Meeting #1:  St. Joseph Church (Atchison, KS) Time:  1st Monday Contact club secretary Megan Fassero  for meeting details.

Central Region, District 12-2s

Serra Club of WICHITA KS Serra Club Meeting #1:  Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Time: 1st Wednesday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Time: 3rd Wednesday, 12 noon

Serra Club of WICHITA-METRO KS Serra Club Meeting #1: Spiritual Life Center Time: 1st Tuesday, 6:30 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Spiritual Life Center Time: 3rd Tuesday, 6:30 PM

Serra Club of RENO COUNTY, KS Serra Club Meeting #1: Our Lady of the Snows Time: 1st Friday, 8:00am mass followed by meeting Serra Club Meeting #2: Mario’s Portofino Time: 3rd Friday, 12 noon

Serra Club of ALEXANDRIA LA

Baton Rouge

Houma/thibodaux.

Serra Club of LAFAYETTE LA Serra Club Meeting #1: Cathedral Center Time: 1st Wednesday, 5:15 PM

Lake Charles

Serra Club of LAKE CHARLES LA Serra Club Meeting #1: Pioneer Club Time: 1st Friday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Mass & Board Meeting Time: 3rd Tuesday

New Orleans

South Central Region, District 11-

Serra Club of NEW ORLEANS LA Serra Club Meeting #1: Pan American Life Conference Center Time: 2nd Friday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Notre Dame Seminary Time: 4th Friday, 6:45 AM

Serra Club of EAST JEFFERSON LA Serra Club Meeting #1: St. Mary Magdalene Time: 2nd Wednesday, 7:00 AM Serra Club Meeting #2: Holiday Inn Time: 4th Wednesday, 11:30 AM

Serra Club of EAST ST. TAMMANY PARISH Serra Club Meeting: Various locations, 4th Tuesday of every month (except June, July and August), 6 pm Email for more information

Serra Club of BALTIMORE MD Serra Club Meeting #1:   Trinitarian Monastery in Pikesville, Md. Time: 2nd Thursday, 12 noon

(Mass is celebrated before one meeting a month.)

Massachusetts

Northeast Region, District 24-

Serra Club of WORCESTER NORTH MA Serra Club Meeting #1: Four Points Sheraton, Fitchburg MA Time: 3rd Wednesday, 5:30 PM

Serra Club of WORCESTER SOUTH MA Serra Club Meeting #1: Please contact Roland Malboeuf at 508-612-0251 for times and places of the next meeting.

Grand Rapids

Great Lakes Region,  District 15-

Serra Club of GRAND RAPIDS MI Serra Club Meeting #1: Catholic Information Center Time: 2nd Monday, 12:00 Noon, Lunch/Guest Speaker Serra Club Meeting #2: Catholic Information Center Time: 4th Monday, 12:00 Noon, Lunch/Guest Speaker

Serra Club of MUSKEGON MI Serra Club Meeting #1: House of Chan Time: 1st Thursday, 12:00 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Various churches Time: 3rd Thursday, 6:00 PM

Serra Club of DULUTH MN Serra Club Meeting #1: Black Woods Restaurant Time: 1st Monday, 11:45 AM Serra Club Meeting #2: Black Woods Restaurant Time: 3rd Monday, 11:45 AM

Serra Club of THE GOOD SHEPHERD OF THE DIOCESE OF NEW ULM, MN Serra Club Meeting #1: 702 3rd Ave NW, Sleepy Eye, MN Time: 1st Thursday, 7:00 PM

St. Paul / Minneapolis

Serra Club of MINNEAPOLIS MN Inactive

Serra Club of ST. PAUL MN Serra Club Meeting #1: For meeting #1 information, please email [email protected] Serra Club Meeting #2: St Paul Seminary / Time: 3rd Monday, 11:30 AM

Serra Club of NORTH – MINNEAPOLIS MN Serra Club Meeting #1: Immaculate Conception Church, Columbia Heights Time: 2nd Tuesday, 12:15 pm Serra Club Meeting #2: Immaculate Conception Church, Columbia Heights Time: 4th Tuesday, 11:30 Mass followed by meeting at 12:15 pm

Serra Club of NORTHWEST HENNEPIN, MN Serra Club Meeting #1: Holy Name of Jesus, Medina MN Time: 2nd Friday, 6:45 AM Mass Serra Club Meeting #2: Holy Name of Jesus, Medina MN Time: 4th Friday, 6:45 AM Mass

Serra Club of TWIN CITIES AIRPORT MN Serra Club Meeting #1: St Bonaventure Ch, Bloomington Time: 1st Friday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: St Bonaventure Ch, Bloomington Time: 3rd Friday, 12 noon

Serra Club of WRIGHT COUNTY, MN Serra Club Meeting #1: Christ the King Retreat Center Time: 2nd Thursday, 6:30 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Dunn’s Coffee Time: 1st Monday, 8:00 AM

Serra Club of SW METRO TWIN CITIES MN Serra Club Meeting #1: Our Lady of Grace Time: 2nd Friday, 11:30 AM

North Central Region, District 7-S

Serra Club of WINONA MN Serra Club Meeting #1: St. Casmir Church Time: 1st Monday, 5:15 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: St. Casmir Church Time: 3rd Monday, 5:15 PM

Serra Club of MANKATO MN Serra Club Meeting #1: Our Lady of Good Counsel Time: 1st Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. Mass for Vocations, 12 noon:  Lunch and Fellowship Serra Club Meeting #2: Our Lady of Good Counsel Time: 3 rd Tuesday:  5:30 p.m. Dinner/Program

Serra Club of ROCHESTER MN Serra Club Meeting #1: Church of the Resurrection Time: 1st Friday, 8:10 AM Rosary, 8:30 AM Mass

Serra Club of OWATONNA AREA, MN Serra Club Meeting #1: St Joseph Catholic Church Time: 2nd Monday, 6:15 PM Liturgy of the Hours, 6:30 PM Meal, 7:00 PM General Membership Meeting Board of Trustees Meeting #2: Time: 4th Monday, 7:00 PM

Serra Club of Wabasha County, MN Serra Club Meeting #1: Wabasha Time: 4th Sunday, 4:00 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Lake City Time: 4th Thursday, 3:30 PM

Mississippi

Jefferson city, kansas city, mo. / st. joseph.

Serra Club of KANSAS CITY MO Serra Club Meeting #1: Our Lady of Sorrows Church Time: 1st Wednesday, 12:00 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Our Lady of Sorrows Church Time: 3rd Wednesday, 12:00 noon

Serra Club of SOUTHEAST KANSAS CITY MO Serra Club Meeting #1: Coronation of Our Lady Church Time: 2nd Tuesday, 6:30 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Coronation of Our Lady Church Time: 4th Tuesday, 6:30 PM

Springfield / Cape Girardeau

Serra Club of ST. LOUIS MO Serra Club Meeting #1: Westborough Country Club Time: 2nd Wednesday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Westborough Country Club Time: 4th Wednesday, 12 noon

Great Falls / Billings

Grand island.

Serra Club of NORTH PLATTE AREA, NE

Serra Club of LINCOLN, NE

The Serra Club of Omaha, NE or ( Click here for our facebook page )

Serra Club Meeting : Garden Café, Rockbrook Village, 108th & Center Time: The 2nd & 4th Monday of each month 11:45 am to Noon ~ Socialize/Network Noon to 1:00 pm ~ Luncheon/Meeting/Speaker 4th Monday of each month ~ Mass Starts promptly at 11:15 am

Serra Club of WEST OMAHA, NE

Serra Club Meeting #1: Rockbrook Garden Cafe Time: 1st Monday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Rockbrook Garden Cafe Time: 3rd Monday, 12 noon

Serra Club of NORFOLK AREA, NE

New Hampshire

Northeast Region, District 80-1

Serra Club of WARREN COUNTY NJ Serra Club Meeting #1: Flynn’s Catering, Phillipsburg Time: 1st Tuesday, 6:00 PM Mass Serra Club Meeting #2: Flynn’s Catering, Phillipsburg Time: 3rd Tuesday, 6:00 PM Holy Hour

Serra Club of HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ Serra Club Meeting #1: 585 Sergeantsville Rd, Flemington, NJ 08822 Time: 2nd Monday, 6:00 PM Serra Club Meeting #2:  585 Sergeantsville Rd, Flemington, NJ 08822 Time: 4th Monday, 6:00 PM

Rockville Centre

North carolina, north dakota.

Serra Club of CINCINNATI OH Serra Club Meeting #1: St. Peter in Chains Cathedral. Time: 2nd Tuesday, 12 NOON Serra Club Meeting #2: St. Peter in Chains Cathedral. Time: 4th Tuesday, 12 NOON

Serra Club of DAYTON OH Serra Club Meeting #1: Immaculate Conception Time: 1st Monday, 6:15 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Immaculate Conception Time: 3rd Monday, 6:15 PM

Serra Club of CLEVELAND DOWNTOWN OH Serra Club Meeting #1: City Club of Cleveland Time: 2nd Friday, 12:15 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Citizen Building. 850 Euclid Av Time: 4th Friday, 12:15 PM

Serra Club of AKRON OH Serra Club Meeting #1: Akron Family Restaurant, 250 W. Market St, Akron, OH Time: 1st Tuesday of August-January; March-May at 12:00 Noon – Lunch & Speaker Serra Club Meeting #2: A.O.H. Hall, 2000 Brown St., Akron Time: 3rd Tuesday or Wednesday of August-January; March-May at 6:00 pm Social time / 6:30 pm Dinner and speaker

Serra Club of CLEVELAND EAST OH Serra Club Meeting #1: Ursuline College Time: 2nd Monday, 6:00 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Ursuline College Time: 4th Monday, 6:00 PM

Serra Club of CLEVELAND WEST OH Serra Club Meeting #1: The Rockcliff Restaurant Time: 1st Monday, 6:30 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: The Rockcliff Restaurant Time: 3rd Monday, 6:30 PM

Serra Club of LAKE & GEAUGA COUNTIES OH Serra Club Meeting #1: St. Anthony Catholic Church Time: 1st Friday, 11:45 AM Rosary – 12:15 PM Mass Serra Club Meeting #2: Helreigel’s Restaurant Time: 3rd Wednesday 6:00 PM Mass

Serra Club of COLUMBUS OH Serra Club Meeting #1: Cavello Center, St Charles H.S. Time: 2nd Friday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Cavello Center, St Charles H.S. Time: 4th Friday, 12 noon

Stuebenville

Serra Club of TOLEDO OH Serra Club Meeting #1: Toledo Club Time: 1st Friday, 11:45 AM Serra Club Meeting #2: Toledo Club Time: 3rd Friday, 11:45 AM

Serra Club of TIFFIN OH Serra Club Meeting #1: St Joseph Upper Room Time: 1st Tuesday, 6:00 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: St Joseph Upper Room Time: 3rd Tuesday, 6:00 PM

Oklahoma City

Serra Club of PORTLAND OR Serra Club Meeting #1: St. Patrick Church, 1623 NW 19th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 Time: 1st Wednesday, 12 Noon Serra Club Meeting #2: St. Patrick Church, 1623 NW 19th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 Time: 3rd Wednesday, 12 Noon

Serra Club of Salem/Keizer Contact this club Serra Club Meeting #1: St. Edward’s Church 5303 River Rd N, Keizer, OR 97303 Time: 2nd Wednesday of each month, 6:00 P.M. for Mass followed by speaker and light supper Serra Club Meeting #2: Queen of Peace Church 4227 Lone Oak Rd SE, Salem, OR 97302 Time: 4th Saturday of each month, 9:00 A.M. for Mass followed by board meeting and light breakfast

Pennsylvania

Serra Club of READING PA Serra Club Meeting #1: Riveredge Inn Time: 2nd Thursday, 6:00 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Riveredge Inn Time: 4th Thursday, 6:00 PM

Serra Club of ALLENTOWN PA Serra Club Meeting #1: Rodeway Inn Conference Center Time: 1st Wednesday, 6:00 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: St Thomas More Time: 3rd Wednesday, 7:00 PM

Serra Club of BETHLEHEM PA Serra Club Meeting #1: Monocacy Manor Time: 2nd Tuesday, 6:30 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Barnabite Spiritual Center Time: 4th Tuesday, 1:00 PM

Altoona/Johnstown

Serra Club of GREENSBURG PA Serra Club Meeting #1: Rizzo’s Malabar Inn Time: 2nd Wednesday, 6:00 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Rizzo’s Malabar Inn Time: 4th Wednesday, 6:00 PM

Serra Club of HARRISBURG PA Serra Club Meeting #1: Cardinal Keeler Center Harrisburg Time: Wednesday, 6:00 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Cardinal Keeler Center Harrisburg Time: Wednesday, 6:00 PM

Philadelphia

Serra Club of PHILADELPHIA PA Serra Club Meeting #1: 222 N. 17th Street Time: 1st Tuesday Serra Club Meeting #2: 222 N. 17th Street Time: 3rd Tuesday

Serra Club of DEL-CHESTER PA Serra Club Meeting #1: Our Lady of Charity Church Time: 1st Saturday, 8:00 AM Serra Club Meeting #2: Our Lady of Charity Church Time: 3rd Tuesday, 7:00 PM

Serra Club of CENTRAL DELAWARE PA Serra Club Meeting #1: Anthony’s Restaurant Time: 2nd Monday, 7:00 PM

Serra Club of PITTSBURGH PA – Club #20 Serra Club Dinner Meeting St. Paul Seminary, Cardinal Great Room Time: 2nd Wednesday, 6:30 pm

Serra Club of MONONGAHELA VALLEY PA Serra Club Meeting #1: Jem Lounge Time: 2nd Tuesday, 6:30 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Jem Lounge Time: 4th Tuesday, 6:30 PM

Pittsburgh-Byzantine Metropolitan Archeparchy

Rhode island, south carolina, south dakota, sioux falls.

Serra Club of SIOUX FALLS SD Serra Club Meeting #1: St. Lambert Parish Time: 2nd Saturday, 9:00 AM Serra Club Meeting #2: St. St Lambert Parish Time: 4th Saturday, 9:00 AM

Serra Club of NASHVILLE TN Serra Club Meeting #1: Father Ryan High School Time: 2nd Tuesday, 7:30 AM Serra Club Meeting #2: Christ the King Church Time: 4th Tuesday, 6:00 PM

South Central Region, District 10-

Serra Club of PORT ARTHUR TX Serra Club Meeting #1: St Joseph’s Catholic Church Time: 2nd Tuesday, 6:30 PM

Serra Club of BEAUMONT TX Serra Club Meeting #1: St. Anne Catholic Church Time: 1st Friday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: St. Anne Catholic Church Time: 3rd Thursday, 5:45 PM

Brownsville

Serra Club of BROWNSVILLE TX Serra Club Meeting #1: Shoney’s Time: 2nd Monday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Shoney’s Time: 4th Monday, 12 noon

Serra Club of MCALLEN TX Serra Club Meeting #1: Annex/Our Lady of Sorrows Time: 2nd Saturday, 7:00 AM Serra Club Meeting #2: Annex/Our Lady of Sorrows Time: 4th Wednesday, 7:00 PM

Serra Club of RIO GRANDE CITY Serra Club Meeting #1: Sacred Heart Los Garcias Time: every first Sunday Serra Club Meeting #2: Church Time: of the month

Corpus Christi

Serra Club of DALLAS TX Serra Club Meeting #1: City Club Time: 3rd Friday, 12 noon

Serra Club of METROPOLITAN DALLAS TX Serra Club Meeting #1: St. Monica Church Time: 1st Friday, 6:45 AM Mass Serra Club Meeting #2: Park City Club Time: 3rd Friday, 11:45 AM

Serra Club of NORTH CENTRAL DALLAS TX Serra Club Meeting #1: St. Mark the Evangelist, Plano Time: 1st Friday, 6:30 AM Serra Club Meeting #2: Canyon Creek Country Club Time: 3rd Monday, 6:30 PM

Serra Club of UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS TX Serra Club Meeting #1: University of Dallas Time: 1st Friday, 7:00 AM Serra Club Meeting #2: University of Dallas Time: 3rd Friday, 7:00 AM

South Central Region, District 46-

Serra Club of FORT WORTH TX Serra Club Meeting #1: Holy Hour at Holy Family Catholic Church https://www.holyfamilyfw.org/ Time: 1st Thursday, 5:00 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Shady Oaks Country Club Time: 3rd Wednesday, 12:00 PM

Serra Club of ARLINGTON METRO TX Serra Club Meeting #1: St Maria Center Time: 2nd Wednesday, 6:30 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: St Joseph Catholic Church Time: Last Saturday, 8:30 AM

Serra Club of GRAPEVINE / NE FORT WORTH, TX Serra Club Meeting #1: Time:

Galveston / Houston

Serra Club of HOUSTON TX Serra Club Meeting #1: Holy Rosary Time: 1st Friday, 12 noon Mass Serra Club Meeting #2: Hess Club Time: 3rd Friday, 12 noon

Serra Club of GALVESTON TX Serra Club Meeting #1: Golden Corral Time: 2nd Friday, 11:45 AM Serra Club Meeting #2: Golden Corral Time: 4th Friday, 11:45 AM

Serra Club of EAST HARRIS COUNTY TX Serra Club Meeting #1: St. John the Evangelist Time: 2nd Thursday, 6:30 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: St. Joseph Time: 4th Thursday, 6:30 PM

Serra Club of NORTHWEST HOUSTON TX Serra Club Meeting #1: Holy Name Retreat Center Time: 2nd Wednesday, 6:30 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Holy Name Retreat Center Time: 4th Wednesday, 6:30 PM

Serra Club of NORTHEAST OF HOUSTON TX Serra Club Meeting #1: Italiano’s Restaurant, 217 FM 1960 Bypass, Humble, TX Time: 4th Monday  – Social Hour 6:30PM – Dinner 7:00 PM

Serra Club of BAY AREA TX Serra Club Meeting #1: Mary Queen Parish Time: 2nd Thursday, 7:00 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: Mary Queen Parish Time: 4th Thursday, 7:00 PM

Serra Club of SOUTHWEST HOUSTON TX Serra Club Meeting #1: St Thomas More Donovan’s Den Time: 1st Tuesday, 6:30 PM Serra Club Meeting #2: St Thomas More Donovan’s Den Time: 3rd Tuesday, 6:30 PM

SERRA CLUB OF LAREDO, TX

San Antonio

Serra Club of VICTORIA TX Serra Club Meeting #1: Colony Creek CC, Victoria, TX Time: 1st Friday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Colony Creek CC, Victoria, TX Time: 3rd Friday, 12 noon

Salt Lake City

Pacific Northwest Region, District 01-N

Serra Club of SEATTLE WA Serra Club Meeting #1: Various Time:

Serra Club of EVERETT WA Serra Club Meeting #1: St. Mary Magdalen School Library Time: 2nd Saturday, 8:15 AM

Serra Club of EASTSIDE KING COUNTY, WA Serra Club Meeting #1: St Madeline Sophie Time: Saturday Serra Club Meeting #2: Various parishes Time: Sunday

Serra Club of EDMONDS, WA Serra Club Meeting #1: Holy Rosary Parish Hall Time: 2nd Saturday, 8:30 AM Serra Club Meeting #2: St Thomas More Parish Hall Time: 4th Wednesday, 6:00 PM

Serra Club of CASCADE, WA Serra Club Meeting #1: St Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Time: 3rd Thursday, 5:30 PM

Hispanic Serra Club of RENTON, WA Serra Club Meeting #1: St Anthony Parish Time: 1st Saturday

Region 12 District 1-S

Serra Club of COLUMBIA RIVER AREA , VANCOUVER, WA Serra Club Business Meeting: Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Vancouver, WA. Day/Time: 2nd Saturday each Month, begins with 7:30 AM Benediction, 7:40 AM Rosary, Mass at 8:00 AM Serra Club Social Meeting: Various parishes or restaurants in the southern deanery Day/Time: Thursday, 6:00 PM

Serra Club of SPOKANE WA Serra Club Meeting #1: Knights of Columbus Time: 2nd Friday, 11:45 AM Serra Club Meeting #2: Bishop White Seminary Time: 4th Saturday, 8:00 AM

West Virginia

Wheeling / charleston.

Northeast Region, District 19-

Serra Club of WHEELING WV Serra Club Meeting #1: Catholic Charity Center, 2000 Main Street, Wheeling Time: 1st Monday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Catholic Charity Center Time: 3rd Monday, 12 noon

Serra Club of CHARLESTON WV Serra Club Meeting #1: Blessed John XXIII Pastoral Center Time: 2nd Friday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Blessed John XXIII Pastoral Center Time: 4th Friday, 12 noon

Serra Club of CLARKSBURG WV Serra Club Meeting #1: Minard’s Restaurant Time: 1st Tuesday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Minard’s Restaurant Time: 3rd Tuesday, 12 noon

North Central Region, District 08-

Serra Club of GREEN BAY WI Serra Club Meeting #1: Village Grille , 1390 Bellevue Street Time: 1st Friday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Village Grille , 1390 Bellevue Street Time: 3rd Friday, 12 noon

Serra Club of MANITOWOC COUNTY WI Serra Club Meeting #1: Holy Family/Memorial Med Center Time: 2nd Friday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Holy Family/Memorial Med Center Time: 4th Friday, 12 noon

Serra Club of WEST GREEN BAY Serra Club Meeting #1: St. Agnes Church Green Bay Time: Second Friday 6:45 AM Serra Club Meeting #2: St. Agnes Church Green Bay Time: Fourth Thursday 6:45 AM

Serra Club of LA CROSSE WI Serra Club Meeting #1: Franciscan Spirituality Center Time: 2nd Friday, 12 noon Serra Club Meeting #2: Franciscan Spirituality Center Time: 4th Friday, 12 noon

Serra Club of MILWAUKEE WI Serra Club Meeting: Milwaukee Catholic Home Time: 2nd Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Serra Club of St. Louis

We are an organization of Catholic men and women who, through the intercession of St. Junipero Serra, promotes and supports vocations to the Catholic Priesthood and Religious Life…and encourages spiritual growth of it’s members

The Serra Club of St. Louis:

Promotes Vocations

Affirms Existing Vocations

Commits to Praying for Vocations and Member’s Spiritual Growth

Supports Our Seminarians

Supports Kenrick-Glennon Seminary

Special Events

13 May 2024

St. Louis Serra Club Golf Tournament

The annual golf tournament and dinner auction began in 1986 as a golf outing for priests and Serrans.  It was formerly known as the “Beat the Bishop” tournament.  Archbishop May was a vey good golfer and it became a challenge to best his score on the course.

17 Sep 2024

Serra Night at the Ballpark

Thanks to the Serra Club of St. Louis, Cardinals baseball tickets will be given to priests, seminarians and staff, nuns, deacons and spouses of the St. Louis Archdiocese for the game against the Pirates.

Our Leadership

All the good that we do is dependent on willing leaders and volunteers. we are grateful for their service, james miller, president elect, maureen ahrens, vp programs, mary alice helmsing, vp vocations, vp communications, adam wright, vp membership, barb hussey, joseph racher jr., robert ahrens, ann mersmann, john gorman, past president trustees of the club and hoflich fund, suzanne smith, paul goldak, district governor, marvin winkeler, newsletter editor, reservations.

St. Junipero Serra

Our patron saint.

St. Serra’s devotion to God, preaching the gospel, as well as his zeal for evangelization, is what defined his sainthood and makes him the ideal patron Saint for priests and religious.

We are officially recognized by the Holy See

The Vatican recognizes Serra International as the only global lay apostolate for vocations in the Catholic Church.  Serra Club of St. Louis is an affiliate of Serra International.

Discover God’s plan for your life.

When you pray, you’re not just saying words. You’re also learning how to listen to the Lord’s voice.  When we seek a relationship with God, we’re learning to desire His will.

Read Our Latest Newsletter

Serra Club presents winners of this year’s essay contest

by Joe Bollig [email protected]

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — If there’s one thing we can learn from the Serra Club of Kansas City in Kansas’ annual essay contest, it’s this: The kids are all right.

The Serra Club, which exists to promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life, solicited essays from sixth grade students attending Catholic schools in Johnson, Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties.

The topic was: “Why are priests, Brothers, Sisters and deacons necessary for the mission of the Catholic Church?”

Fourteen schools responded, submitting a total of 28 entries. The Serrans honored the school principals, teachers, parents, other family members and, most importantly, the student winners at its March 22 lunch meeting at St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee.

“I think what impressed me the most is that these are sincere students who gave some thought to their essays,” said Daniel Meara, a member of St. Patrick Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, and this year’s contest chairman.

“[The essays] are quite eloquent. I would say they are above and beyond what you might expect from a sixth grader. They are extremely well-         written. It is our hope that this contest will, perhaps, generate interest among the youth in vocations.”

The schools were asked to send their best girls’ and best boys’ entries. First-place boy and girl winners won $150 and a certificate; second-place boy and girl winners won $75 and a certificate.

The schools attended by the students received $100 for having first-place winners, and $50 for having second-place winners.

The girl division winners were Adelaide Sloey, from Good Shepherd School in Shawnee, first place; and Kathryn Wiedel, Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Shawnee, second place.

The boy division winners were Aidan Bowles, St. Paul School in Olathe, first place; and Jai Shum of Good Shepherd School in Shawnee, second place.

The four winners read their winning essays at the lunch meeting.

The essays were judged on material organization, vocabulary and style, grammar, punctuation and spelling, and neatness.

As always, the Serrans were impressed by the students and, by extension, their schools.

“I have learned to have greater and greater admiration for our Catholic school system that produces some fine students,” said Meara. “I have every respect for our archdiocesan schools.”

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About the author.

Joe has been with The Leaven since 1993. He has a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in journalism. Before entering print journalism he worked in commercial radio. He has worked for the St. Joseph (Mo.) News-Press and Sun Publications in Overland Park. During his journalistic career he has covered beats including police, fire, business, features, general assignment and religion. While at The Leaven he has been a writer, photographer and videographer. He has won or shared several Catholic Press Association awards, as well as Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara awards for mission coverage. He graduated with a certification in catechesis from a two-year distance learning program offered by the Maryvale Institute for Catechesis, Theology, Philosophy and Religious Education at Old Oscott, Great Barr, in Birmingham, England.

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Serra Club Essay Winners

The eighth grade participated in the Diocesan-wide Serra Club Essay contest. They had to reflect what being “holy” means in the context of their teenage lives and beyond into adulthood. The essays were thoughtful and well written. Congratulations to Alisa and Ethan who placed in the top ten in the Diocese of San Diego. Through their actions and words, these students are settings a positive example for the other students at St. Pats. Continue to “BE the LIGHT!” Pictured L-R: Alisa Schneeweiss, Aisling Archdeacon, Ethan Van Natter, and David Tran.

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November 17

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Mia Lato ’25, Serra Club Essay Winner

By   Leah Folk

November 17, 2022

During the fall semester, sophomores in Mrs. Stinehart’s Scriptures class are invited to participate in the Serra Club of St. Louis ’ annual Vocation Essay Contest. This year’s topic was “How can you bring others closer to God and the Eucharist like Blessed Carlo Acutis did?” As part of Mrs. Stinehart’s class, the students read and discussed the short life of Blessed Carlo Acutis and the girls each wrote a 150 – 300 word essay to be submitted. Students from all over St. Louis also participated and sent in essays about Blessed Carlo Acutis, and we are thrilled to share that Mia Lato ’25 was selected as the second place winner for this year!

In her essay, Mia wrote, “Trying to be Carlo is just impossible, but following his example and teaching others about God in a completely new way than what we are used to, is totally different in a good way without trying to be exactly like him. Bringing others together, sharing thoughts and ideas about Christ and giving valuable advice to someone who is confused or is losing faith is a way I can follow in Carlo’s footsteps.”

Congratulations to Mia!

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Essay; Bailing Out Moscow

By William Safire

• Feb. 25, 1988

We have just been told by a well-placed informant inside the Kremlin that the Soviet Union is not the economic power our intelligence analysts have long thought it was.

Throughout the Reagan years, our experts have assumed that Soviet growth averaged slightly over 3 percent yearly. That is a vital statistic: we then put a price each year on what we know the Soviet military machine cost, and get what we hope is a clear idea of what percentage of its economy Moscow is devoting to armament.

That's just about the most important intelligence number of all. In the 70's, a ''Team B'' of outsiders was brought in by the C.I.A. to challenge the conventional wisdom, and doubled the previous estimate to 13 percent in the Soviet Union. That laid the basis for our own increased defense spending, which now amounts to 6 percent of our gross national product.

In a little-noted passage of his long speech last week to his Central Committee, Mikhail Gorbachev made a stunning revelation that kicks our estimates into a cocked hat.

He pointed out that during the Brezhnev years, economic growth had been artificially hiked by the sale of oil at high prices (the U.S.S.R. is the world's largest producer) and the accelerated sale of vodka (Soviet spending on alcohol may have reached 10 percent of total output, compared with less than 2 percent of ours).

''If we purge economic growth indicators of the influence of these factors,'' said Mr. Gorbachev, ''it turns out that, basically, for four five-year periods there was no increase in the absolute growth of the national income and, at the beginning of the 80's, it had even begun to fall. That is the real picture, comrades!''

No doubt the current Kremlin leader is trying to make the present bad economic picture look better by saying the old days under his predecessor were really much worse. But we should allow for the possibility that, concerning the 80's at least, Mr. Gorbachev may be telling the truth.

If that is the real picture, comrades, we have to do some fast reassessing of our own. During the 80's, as the price of oil has been cut in half, and the Soviet gulping of booze has been restricted, the total Soviet output is not likely to have risen much, if at all, from what Mr. Gorbachev says was its falling state in 1980.

Here is what that new assessment leads us to deduce: the Soviet economy has been stagnant (or possibly declining) for seven years - most definitely not growing steadily at the over-3-percent rate per year our analysts had been assuming. That means our assessment of total growth of about one-fourth in this decade has been egregiously mistaken. That supposedly seven-foot giant turns out to be closer to five feet tall, same as he was in the Brezhnev years.

Apply that new assessment to arms control. The way we estimate Soviet arms expenditures is by simple bean-counting, mainly from satellites, and that total is not affected. What does change is the percentage of the output devoted to arms; if it was 14 percent by the old assessment, it must be an unbearable 20 percent in the new reality Mr. Gorbachev reveals.

Thus, under pressure to reduce arms spending, he seeks treaties; forced to cut losses, he announces withdrawal from Afghanistan and may offer to reduce subsidies in Central America; faced with the prospect of having to match serious Star Wars spending, he rails at the idea of strategic defense.

Apply that no-growth, one-fourth-smaller fact to economic diplomacy. It explains why the Russians finally settled the old Czarist debt for a dime on the dollar, paving the way for a recent $77 million Soviet bond issue. That's also why the Kremlin will be seeking entry into the International Monetary Fund, GATT and the World Bank at the next meetings (in West Berlin) this fall. Soviet Communism is starving for capital.

Our European allies are rushing to lend Moscow money and to subsidize pipelines, while accommodationists here want to offer the Russians most-favored-nation status on trade. Commerce and State Department detenteniks await only vague ''economic reforms'' to end our opposition to Soviet entry into Western credit markets.

Here is a genuine issue to toss at the candidates in our election. In light of what the Soviet leader admits is ''a very serious financial problem,'' should U.S. policy seek to finance our adversary? Or should we ''stress'' Moscow now, as it surely would do to us if the roles were reversed?

Or should we use this moment of admitted Soviet economic weakness to put an irrevocable, verifiable, behavior-modifying price on every concession we confer?

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Everything you always knew about the Soviet Union is wrong. Lenin was poisoned by Stalin's order; before he died he drafted...

READ REVIEW

THE MOSCOW CLUB

by Joseph Finder ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 1990

Everything you always knew about the Soviet Union is wrong. Lenin was poisoned by Stalin's order; before he died he drafted a letter condemning the USSR as proof of communism's failure; and the obligatory KGB head who now wants to depose Gorbachev is a mole placed years before by a group of CIA adventurers--in this overblown, entertaining first novel by Kremlin-watcher Finder (Red Carpet, 1983). Soon after Charlie Stone, a patrician CIA analyst whose father did time in the McCarthy days for passing information to the Soviets, first hears about the ""Lenin Testament,"" he becomes convinced that knowing what happened to the letter in 1953 will help clear his father; so even though he's warned off by both Alfred Stone and well-connected godfather Winthrop Lehman, he lures his beautiful, brainy TV newscaster wife, Charlotte Harper, back from separation to help him rifle Lehman's secret files. The files disclose red-hot information about the trail of the letter (which would undermine the entire basis for the Soviet Union if made public) and also ignite a firestorm of murders--his father, his boss, everybody who has any knowledge of the letter's contents or existence. While Stone races from Boston to Washington to Chicago to Paris dodging the police and CIA-financed KGB assassins (touching evidence of warmer superpower relations), and while Finder works like a beaver to emphasize how important this all is (""This was it. At last, after all these decades""), that KGB head is laying a false trail of terrorist violence in Moscow in preparation for his plan to blow up both Gorbachev and a visiting US delegation headed by the President--and to blame the whole plot on the CIA. Hyperbolic and overscaled--but compulsively readable: The elaborate links between the family history of Finder's man-on-the-run and the history of Soviet Russia turn Stone into a think-tank Rambo--an irresistible figure of unbridled fantasy--and his adventures into an escapist knockout.

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1990

ISBN: 1427211728

Page Count: -

Publisher: Viking

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 1990

Categories: FICTION

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