An evening of prayer for vocations on July 1 at Star of the Sea Church in Waialae-Kahala will be the first official function of Father Peter Dumag, the diocese’s new director of vocations.

The Serra Club of Honolulu and Star of the Sea will host the event which begins at 4 p.m. with eucharistic exposition and Benediction followed by evening prayer, the rosary and Mass at 5:30 p.m.

The parish’s Blessed Sacrament Fathers will preside at the liturgy which Father Dumag will concelebrate. Also concelebrating is Father Gary Secor, the Serra Club chaplain and outgoing director of vocations.

Refreshments will be served in the social hall after Mass.

Founded in 1970, the Serra Club of Honolulu is part of a worldwide Catholic organization of lay men and women dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood and vowed religious life.

July 1 is the feast day of Franciscan Father Junipero Serra, the patron saint of Serra clubs.

“Although our diocese was blessed with the ordination of three priests on June 8, the number of vocations here has not kept pace with the need created by our growing population or the increasing number of priests reaching retirement age,” Serra president Jack Kampfer said.

“But we are not discouraged,” he said, “because we know that constant, persistent prayer will strengthen us and lead us and others to loving service of God.”

Event coordinator Lleander Jung encourages those who support vocations to come and unite in prayer for this intention. For more information, call Jung at 732-1305.