In the spirit of Fr. Junipero Serra for whom the Serra Clubs across the globe are named, Dr. John Hittinger shared his passion for Pope John Paul II at the July meeting of the Serra Club of Southwest Houston.

As the keynote speaker, Hittinger took the opportunity to explain his admiration for the Pope and to explore issues of concern facing the Catholic Church today. Among the Church issues, Hittinger cited a culture inhospitable to priesthood, rampant consumerism and a split in the Church between liberals and conservatives. His talk concluded with a call for a new evangelization that brings the rich heritage of the Church to modern culture and recognizes the complementary role of lay people and priests in growing towards holiness.

Serra was an 18th century priest whose fortitude, virtues and zeal serve as inspiration for Serra members. The purpose of the Serra Clubs is to foster vocations to the ordained priesthood and vowed religious life in the United States, and through this ministry affirm the members common Catholic faith.