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BY ERIKA ANDERSON
Staff Writer
ATLANTA--Now those exploring a vocation to the priesthood or
Religious life can further discern their call with the help of modern
technology.
The Serra Club of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, an organization
dedicated to increasing vocations, has a web page designed to assist those who
may be called to the priesthood or Religious life.
Located at www.serraatlanta.org, the website greets visitors with
the instrumental version of the song “How Beautiful.”
Various links on the website provide visitors with information
about different vocations, along with contact information about Religious
orders. It also includes an expanded area on the diaconate. One can learn more
about the Serra Club and its mission and there is also a direct e-mail link to
Father David Talley, archdiocesan director of vocations.
Kevin McGrath, the vice president for programs for the North Metro
Serra Club, has served as the site’s “webservant” since it began
last November. Though most websites on the Internet have a webmaster, McGrath
is quick to point out that “in the spirit of Christian living, we are
called to be servants. There is only one master.” McGrath said that the
idea for the website began as a way to reach more people and increase
vocations.
“We were discussing how to reach people for vocations who are
25 to 35 years old,” he said. “The truth of the matter is that these
days if you’re not on-line, you are handicapped.”
Mary Elkins, outgoing president of the North Metro Serra Club,
said that the website was one of the main things she wanted to accomplish in
her two years as president.
“I prayed that God would send someone who could do this web
page,” she said. “It all began to fall into place ... It was
wonderful.”
McGrath said that it was important that the website truly serve as
a “clearinghouse for information about vocations for a man or woman who
might feel a calling.”
“The whole reason for this site is not to become another
electronic newsletter for the Serrans,” he said.
McGrath said that the site is receiving almost 4,000 hits a
month.
“We’ve even received a few hits from the Vatican,”
he said. “We also have received hits from England, Ireland, Brazil,
Croatia and Poland. People from all over the world are visiting.”
McGrath believes that the website can help those who may not be
comfortable with a possible vocation.
“Our prayer is to reach out and to nurture and encourage that
call from the Holy Spirit and sometimes people who feel that call don’t
want to talk about it with anyone,” he said. “This is a way that they
can do it anonymously and it’s really just part of today’s culture.
If we’re not out there (on the Internet) then we’re really not
answering the great commission of spreading the Good News.”
For those who are not sure about their vocation, the website
provides a quiz that may help the discernment process. There are also links to
other archdiocesan groups and some of the parishes in the archdiocese that have
websites as well.
“The listings of the priests and deacons and sisters are
really the heart of the site,” McGrath said.
Elkins also believes that a strength of the website is the
information and links to various Religious orders and said it is important to
know that the site is “not just diocesan.”
“We were so adamant that we were going to have every avenue
open, especially to women,” she said. “We’re trying to reach
everyone.”
Elkins added that the website is also useful to seminarians
because they can use the website to find out what is happening in the
archdiocese while they are away at the seminary.
In addition to raising vocation awareness, the Serra Club also
seeks to deepen the faith of its members. The website offers links to various
Catholic organizations, including the National Conference of Catholic Bishops,
where one can take a catechism quiz or find the daily Mass readings.
McGrath and Elkins both said they also hope the site increases the
membership in three Serra Clubs. There is a Metro Club, a North Metro Club and
a Greater Northeast Club in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
“The young adults have really tapped into it,” Elkins
said. “It’s causing Serra to really grow amongst young people.”
Above all, though, Elkins wants to help those who do not know
where to find information to further discern their call.
“My hope and prayer is that if someone feels a possible call
to a vocation and they don’t know where to turn, that they can find this
website and that it will help lead them to the ministry they are called
to,” Elkins said. “I am just so thankful that the Lord sent us Kevin
and all the others who were instrumental in getting this started.”
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