PAX Christi
Third Thursday of the month
7:00 - 8:30 pm
San Fernando room

How are climate and racial justice connected? Join in our monthly gathering focusing on environmental justice. "Justice is a foundation of all religions. If the religious, environmental movement focuses too much on energy conservation in our houses of worship, we will miss a big opportunity to affect change on a societal level. We've got to reclaim justice as a primary focus of the religious environmental movement."
- Rev. Fletcher Harper, GreenFaith.

Contact:
​Deacon Luc (805) 444·1563, lucpapillon@gmail.com or
​Gary Freeberg gfreeberg@gmail.com

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About
​Grounded in the gospel and Catholic social teaching, our PAX Christi ministry seeks to model the peace of Christ in our witness to the nonviolence of the cross through prayer, study and action rooted in justice for the common good of all God's children.

Strive for peace with all, and for that holiness without which no one can see God. Hebrews 12:14

Faith and Society
Commander Eric Tennessen, Rev. Julie Morris, Fr. Patrick Mullen
​November 16, 2020
A Conversation with Camarillo Police Commander Eric Tennessen.
Communities are stronger and safer when residents and law enforcement professionals can relate as ordinary people with shared values, hopes, and dreams.​
The communities of Mt. Cross and Padre Serra are invited to a conversation with Camarillo Police Chief Eric Tennessen, Rev. Julie Morris, and Fr. Patrick Mullen to find ways to work together around our many commonalities, to build bridges and break down biases, and to foster awareness and understanding of training, tactics and goals of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.

How to Vote Like a Catholic
Dr. Janice Daurio
September 29, 2020

We are Republicans and Democrats, Independents and unaffiliated. But our most intimate identity is our membership in the Body of Christ. Why do Catholics vote and how do we vote as Catholics? Learn how you can vote conscientiously as a person of faith.

​Catholics Care, Catholics Vote

"We vote because we are citizens. But we vote conscientiously because we are people of faith. Our consciences are formed through studying Scripture and the teachings of the Church, examination of the facts, and prayerful reflection." ​- Faithful Citizenship

We are called as Catholics to exercise our civic duty to vote with an informed conscience and with gospel values. Prayer and study should be our guide as we make decisions. In this election year, our duty and responsibility is to educate ourselves about the issues and candidates.

Here are several helpful resources:

Catholic Social Teachings and the Signs of Times
Sr. Lisa Megaffin, SND
September 15, 2020

The phrase “these are unprecedented times” has become very trite in recent months.  Nevertheless, these unprecedented times also provide an invitation to study the Catholic Social Teachings. This presentation examines the traditional Catholic Social Teachings, their Scriptural roots, and personal applications. Although many of these topics can lead to partisan disagreements, this talk will focus on personal application rather than political platforms.

Sr. Lisa has ministered primarily as a secondary educator including La Reina High School and is currently Director of Mission Advancement for the Sisters of Notre Dame. Within the civic community, Sr. Lisa has served on various non-profit boards, including Many Mansions, a non-profit organization that provides affordable housing with life-enriching services.

Our Truths
Nirmala Bheemisetty
Martita Martinez-Bravo
​Cynthia Jones-Campbell
August 11, 2020

A Panel Discussion“The Catholic community stands with all people who struggle for an end to racism and violence, in our families, in our places of worship, in our communities and in our world. We must continue to build bridges and we must confront racism and violence with a commitment to life, a vision of hope, and a call to action,” Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, President of the U.S. Bishops Conference, June 19, 2015.

With this call to action, we can no longer stay silent or idle to the persistence of racism embedded in our institutions and public policies and how it impacts us personally.  It is time we begin the healing process by listening to the experiences of our faith communities of color. May we be present with our compassionate hearts to listen to their voices and truths.

The Spiritual Work of Racial Justice:
​A Month of Mediations with Ignatius of Loyola
Patrick Saint-Jean, S.J.
Thursday, August 12
​7:00 pm, via Zoom

Using the Ignatian retreat format, this book of meditations offers an opportunity to continue pursuing racial justice as a necessary component of faith.

Each meditation is grounded in spiritual practices and history to heal our battered souls and bereaved hearts, using reflection, journaling, and reading in openness, humility, and prayer to lead us to concrete acts of love for our neighbors.

​Come to meet Patrick Saint-Jean, listen to his experiences, and see how his new book might serve you.

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Patrick Saint-Jean, S.J., PsyD, currently teaches psychology at Creighton University, where he is also a psychotherapist. He enjoys jazz, traveling, learning new languages, and playing the guitar, harmonica, and drums.

Racial Justice

This page is to assist Catholics and people of good will in reflecting on the evil and harm of racism by providing resources for education, awareness, prayer and reflection.

Action:
Church & Bishops Statements and Documents

Open Wide Our Hearts
U.S. Bishops’ Pastoral Letter Against Racism

​Websites:
Books & Articles:
Videos:  
USCCB Educational Resources (all ages)
 
For Children
Everyone Belongs, a book for children 5-12 

Parish Opportunities
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Prayers
Good and gracious God,
Who loves and delights in all people,
we stand in awe before You,
knowing that the spark of life within each person on earth is the spark of your divine life.
Differences among cultures and races are multicolored manifestations of Your Light.
May our hearts and minds be open to celebrate similarities and differences among our sisters and brothers.
We place our hopes for racial harmony in our committed action and in Your Presence in our Neighbor.
May all peoples live in Peace.
Amen. - Sisters of Mercy

Other Resources
Contact:
Teresa Runyon 
teresa@padreserra.org
(805) 482 · 6417
About Catholic Social Teaching
It's what Jesus said!
Seven themes of our Catholic Social Teaching:
  • Life & Dignity of the Human Person
  • Call to Family, Community and Participation
  • Rights & Responsibilities 
  • Option for the Poor & Vulnerable
  • Solidarity
  • Care for God's Creation
For further reading and understanding of these themes, click here for a link to the US Bishops website.

LAUDATO SI: ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME
​Read Pope Francis' encyclical.