St Serra Apostolate – Boulder Deanery
(also called the Boulder Serra Club)
This is our History.
Serra Boulder History
Early Beginnings
On August 28th, 1989, the Boulder County Serra Club was initiated with a letter from Archbishop J. Francis Stafford to all of the pastors of parishes in the Boulder Deanery. Archbishop Stafford appointed Father Greg Ames as the Chaplain of the new club, and Father Ames subsequently invited prospective members to two orientation meetings. After this, the first regular club meeting was held on December 7th, 1989 at the Broker Inn at 6:45 a.m.
Official Charter
By September 1990, the club had grown to 25 members, enough to be a chartered club. So at the District 6 meeting the club was chartered September 29th, 1990 in Vail Colorado.
To learn more about the clubs beginnings, ask one of our Officers to share copies of our founding documents. We also have available to share some early membership rosters: September 1990, and October 1990.
Growing Strong
In September 2015, the club celebrated our 25th Year Anniversary with a commemorative dinner. There were many historic documents signed and awards presented at the dinner. These also are available from our Officers to share.
Last year was our 35th year and we enjoyed a remarkable surge in our membership numbers. We currently have over 60 members and are near the top of the list in the Denver Archdiocese for members and attendance!
Most importantly, we are continuing to gain recognition in our Boulder Deanery Parishes as we travel to many of these parishes for our monthly club meetings and raise awareness of our Serran Mission to foster and affirm vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life.
Serra USA Council History
Early Beginnings
Founded in 1935 in Seattle, Washington, the Serra Club began as a Catholic lay organization dedicated to fostering vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Named after the Franciscan missionary St. Junípero Serra, it became an international organization in 1938.
It is recognized by the Vatican with Cardinal Collins as the official Vatican Advocate Liaison and focuses on prayer, education, and support for church vocations.
Growing Strong
These are a few Key Historical Milestones in our growth to an international vocations ministry organization:
• 1934-1935: Founded by four men (Harold Haberlie, Dan Rooney, Leo Sharkey, and Richard Ward) to create a Catholic service organization.
• 1935: The first club was chartered in Seattle.
• 1938: Serra International was formed as the five existing clubs (Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Portland, San Francisco) held their first convention.
• 1943: The first club outside the U.S. was chartered in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
• 1951: The Serra International Foundation was established to support vocations.
• 1954: The Serran magazine began publication.
• 2025: Serra has over 15,000 members in nearly 1,100 clubs across 44 countries.
History of the Missions in California
The California Missions Foundation provides a video tour of all 21 Serran Mission Churches established by Sant Serra.
From San Diego to Sonoma, 21 missions create a unique trail of history across California. The red wax seals on the map bear the brands used by each of the California missions. Visit the California Missions Foundation website for video tours.