Serra Club
What is The Vocation Awareness Program (VAP)?

The Vocation Awareness Program is an annual effort to increase the number of vocations supporting the Dallas and Fort Worth dioceses. The program is held over a weekend at the University of Dallas in Irving, located adjacent to Holy Trinity Seminary. This year, the program will be held June 7 through June 9, 2019. It is for men and women between the ages of 18 and 40 where they will have the chance to determine if a religious vocation may be appropriate for them. They have the opportunity to find answers about life as a priest, sister, brother, or consecrated lay woman. It includes presentations, panel discussions, question-and-answer periods, and one-on-one conferences with staff of diocesan and order priests, sisters, and brothers.
There is no cost for attendees. Attendees are provided accommodations and meals. No one pressures anyone to make a commitment. The weekend concludes with attendees, staff and Serrans attending Sunday Mass followed by a brunch.

People are made aware of the program through parish bulletins, and other notices in their parishes, through advertisements in the Texas Catholic newspaper, and through conversations between parish priests with those who have already expressed a possible vocation interest. Applications are available by visiting the VAP website http:vapinfo.org, or in Dallas by contacting Fr. Edwin Leonard at the Dallas Diocese Vocations Office: 214-379-2860, or via [email protected].
Information cards and flyers about with this event are posted in the parish office.

What is The Cost, and How Is It Paid For?

The program costs approximately $24,000 for the entire weekend. This estimate covers accommodations, meals, and travel expenses for speakers. The money is raised by raffle ticket sales conducted by the local Serra Clubs in the diocesan parishes. The local Serra Club for St. Edward is the Serra Club of Dallas.
The raffle sale begins early- to mid-February and tickets are available at the church office. Raffle tickets are $5 each or $25 for six. Prizes include domestic airline round-trip tickets for 2, $500 Visa Gift card, Canyon Creek CC golf outing for 4, Texas Rangers baseball tickets for 2 plus parking. This year’s Serra Vocation Programs drawing is June 1, 2019 – need not be present to win. Donations are also accepted. Checks should be made payable to Serra Club (please note Serra Club of Dallas on the check’s memo line). Please support this effort to help foster and promote church vocations for the priesthood and religious life in our area.
To learn more about the Serra Club, please ask Fany Aguilar for our business card.