Sister Maria Serra Garcia, FSE

Sister Maria Serra’s tenacity also comes through in her apostolic work in finance. For years she served two dioceses as an outreach of the diocesan finance department. She visited parishes to review financial records, systems of accountability and compliance, and trained bookkeepers in best practices. She approached her work as a ministry, not as an inspector but as a collaborator in the mission of the local Church. Many parish finance employees welcomed her presence as she helped them better achieve the goals for which they were hired. As the coordinator of service and justice ministries for the Archdiocese of Vancouver she worked with elderly and was involved in Hispanic ministry projects. In 2025 Sister Maria Serra was assigned from the Vancouver, BC center to Bridal Veil, Oregon, where she assumed the mission of business manager of Franciscan Montessori Earth School in Portland. She oversees all finance-related activities.

Music has always been an inherent part of Sister Maria Serra’s life. She attributes her love of music to the Spanish dance lessons she and her brother Mark enjoyed as children. Her singing voice ranges from high soprano to alto. Frequently she is asked to sing at special liturgies which enhances the reverential tone of the ceremonies. She has successfully composed hymns for the Community; one of the Sisters’ favorites is “O Wonderful Loftiness.” Sister Maria Serra set to music the words of Saint Francis to his Brothers, praising the miraculous wonder of the Body and Blood of Christ under the appearance of “an ordinary piece of bread.” The hymn resonates with the soul of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist.

Sister generously shares her Hispanic heritage as she prepares delicious recipes from her family. Having lived in the famous Hatch Valley, New Mexico, Sister enjoys working with hatch chiles and any other peppers that add heat and unique flavor to common foods. Sister Maria Serra and Mark worked in their parents’ Mexican restaurant, El Matador, in Titusville, Florida, which inspired her love of cooking. The restaurant was just across the Indian River from the Cape Canaveral launch pad so they had a perfect view of the Apollo launches from the restaurant roof. Her father, a contracted electrical engineer worked at NASA during the day and waited on tables in the evening. Mrs. Garcia was the chef. Sister remembers her parents hosting or catering parties for NASA and for Mr. Garcia’s co-workers, as well as for their children’s birthday parties to which their entire school classes were invited.

Another one of Sister Maria Serra’s multi-talents is her meticulous sewing ability. She has taken on the challenge of veil-maker on the Franciscan Sisters’ sewing committee. Headed by Sister Mary Roberta Connors, the team holds an annual sewing marathon for a week or more to try to meet the habit and veil needs of the Community. To sew the tiniest of hems around the curved edge of the sheer veil fabric is not for beginners. Sister Maria Serra’s focus and drive for perfection shine out in this specialty task.

Sister Maria Serra became accustomed to moving to new locations as a child and as a young adult. Before entering the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist in 2002, she had lived in two countries, 11 states, 22 cities, and had moved more than 40 times. Sister Maria Serra holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Southern Connecticut University and a Post-Master Certificate in Dogmatic Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary.

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