Serra Club of Philadelphia

The goals of Serra International are twofold. First, Serra clubs are to foster vocations and assist in the education of young men to the priesthood. Second, they are to further Catholicism through enduring friendships among Catholic men. These goals were aligned with the creation of the Pontifical Work for Priestly

Continue reading

American Federation of Catholic Societies

At the turn of the 20th century, Catholic lay groups throughout the country sought to create an umbrella organization to help coordinate activity between several overlapping societies, such as the Ancient Order of the Hibernian, the Knights of Columbus, and the Total Abstinence Union. Plans for such a national organization

Continue reading

National Council of Catholic Women

Lay women associations have a long history in the Catholic Church. One such organization is the National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW). Unlike other female groups, the NCCW was founded in 1920 as part of the National Catholic Welfare Council, a predecessor to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.[1]

Continue reading

Newman Centers

Newman Centers play a vital role in the spiritual growth of Catholics who attend non-Catholic universities  and colleges. The history of such centers is traced back to the University of Pennsylvania. In the year 1893, five students formed the first Newman Club with the purpose of giving “Catholic students at

Continue reading