“Peace is more the product of our day-to-day living than of a spectacular program intermittently executed.”

— Dwight D. Eisenhower

The Serra Club of Greater Chattanooga celebrated its 50th anniversary during a service at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and a banquet at Chattanooga Golf and Country Club.

The club is an organization of laypersons of the Catholic faith who strive to promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life, said event spokeswoman Sharon King.

“These efforts include anniversary, birthday and cards of recognition to all priests, deacons, brothers and nuns in our area; support of seminarians from the Knoxville Diocese through gifts, personal visits and financial assistance; providing meals and other support to Catholic students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga working with the Catholic Center on campus; establishing and maintaining vocations awareness and promotions in all of the Catholic parishes in the Chattanooga area; and support of the pastors and their assistants in all of our local parishes,” she said.

Main celebrant for the Mass was the Rev. David R. Choby, bishop of Nashville. Concelebrants were the Rev. Al Humbrecht, diocesan administrator, Diocese of Knoxville; the Rev. George Schmidt, Serra Club chaplain and pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church; and pastors Peter Iorio, Edward Steiner, Herbert Prescott, Jim Vick, Gilbert Diez and Bertin Glennon.

Honored during the event were priests, deacons and brothers in attendance and past presidents of the Serra Club. Receiving a special presentation was Frank Varallo, the only surviving charter member of the club, Ms. King said.

Officials from Serra International and Serra Clubs in the Southeast also were present and made special presentations to the Chattanooga club, she said. Guests included Lloyd Crockett, representing Serra International; Robert Rudman, Franklin, Tenn.; Ken Wondra, Memphis; and Dick Sweeney, Birmingham, Ala.

Nearly 100 people attended the event, Ms. King said “We enjoyed fine food, drink and fellowship, and the events proved to be a joyous birthday party for our club.”

For more information about the Serra Club of Greater Chattanooga, visit serrachatta.org.