Christmas Gift Giving
Sunday, December 8

Help a child or senior adult have a special Christmas morning!
​Pick up a tag from the Christmas trees in the church, purchase at least one of the items listed, and attach the Angel Tag firmly to the outside of the package. Return to the tree no later than 9:00 am on Sunday, December 8.  Once sorted and packed, the gifts leave immediately for their respective locations.

This year, we are collecting gifts for RAIN, OASIS, Mary's Closet (Oxnard), St. Francis Parish (Fillmore), the San Salvador Mission (Piru), Immaculate Conception Parish (New Cuyama), and Ventura County Jails.
 
Geralyn Moody
(805) 551 · 4410
[email protected]
Thank you from Catholic Chaplain Maria Santana at Ventura Youth Correctional Facility
January 2023

Thanks to the Padre Serra Parish community for the very generous response to the Advent Angel Gift Tree benefitting the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility. This past December 2022, the total value of gift cards we received was $2,435!

With the gift cards, I was able to purchase deodorants and chocolate/candy for the 145 goody bags we distributed for Christmas. There were a few Visa gift cards as well that allowed me to purchase fresh tamales to distribute after Christmas masses. The remaining gift cards will cover food and supplies for ongoing events with the youth until the facility closure on June 30, 2023.

These drawings from two different youths symbolize their gratitude for being remembered and cared for by the community. One of the young men recognized that he had received his fair share of goody bags over the last three years and wanted to say “thank you” to everyone who made such a gift possible. He says, “I truly appreciate not being forgotten.”

Over the years, the Padre Serra community has been an extraordinary source of support to the youth ministry at VYCF. Thank you for this one last Advent Angel gift and for making it possible to remind our youth that they, indeed, are not forgotten.
A note of gratitude from the Chaplain Maria de la Luz “Lulu” Santana for Padre Serra’s support at Christmas
​​January 2022
 
Dear Padre Serra community,
 
On behalf of the youth and staff at the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility, I offer our gratitude to you for once again responding with such generosity to support the Catholic Chapel’s ministry. This past December’s Advent Angel program resulted in $3,890 in Target gift cards!  We will be able to use the cards all year long for a variety of outreach and programs.
 
We were able to immediately use a number of the gift cards to purchase items for a Christmas Eve treat bag that each youth received the morning of December 24. The gift bag was an ecumenical effort from various Ventura County church communities and Catholic schools, including decorated bags by students at St. Anthony’s School, Oxnard.
 
Given the continued impact of COVID related protocols that restrict in-person volunteer visits, the gift bags were a visible sign to our youth and staff that our church communities continue to care and find ways to support our youth who are incarcerated. Indeed, some of the words of appreciation that youth asked me to convey to those who made donations include:
  • “Thank you for not forgetting us!”
  • “Thanks for everything you do for us. It’s truly appreciated.”
  • “Thank you for your kindness. God bless you.”
  • “Thank you for all the love you show us.”
  • “Thank you for the clutch holiday stuff!”
  • “We appreciate you. Thank you.”
 
I am moved and inspired by Padre Serra’s support.
 
With gratitude,
Lulu
Thank You from Angel Tags 2021
Sincere gratitude to everyone who helped make our Christmas gift share a success. Over a thousand kids & adults received gifts this year. This included gifts cards for the youth facility and 100 cards for seniors at OASIS. The communities of Fillmore, Piru, and Rain are so grateful for everyone who gave their time and resources to selflessly provide gifts to these kids & adults who wouldn't have a Christmas without your help. We also extend appreciation to all the Confirmation candidates and volunteers who helped sort & bag the gifts.