Blog Archives

5/28/2022

The Glory of God

Dear Parish Family

On this Ascension Sunday, I can’t help but wonder what it must have been like for the apostles to witness Jesus in glory ascend to heaven. What an amazing thing to see with human eyes. As I ponder this, I began to make note of recent moments where I have been blessed to see God’s glory in action. As I look back, I am filled with so much joy and gratitude. We began the month celebrating the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. The children coming to the table to receive Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time, and the Holy Spirit descending over the youth and adults as they are anointed and sealed in his spirit. I am made aware of the gift our Lord has given me to allow me to witness and celebrate these spiritual milestones with the children, teens, adults and their families.

This particular year, I was brought full circle, in my ministry as a catechist. One of the young men who was confirmed, reminded me at rehearsal that I had been his catechist for First Communion, which was almost 20 years ago! When he told me his name I remembered him immediately; his group was a special one for me because it was the first time I taught middle schoolers. Which was a bit scary for me at the time because I am so short and most of the kids in the group were taller than me. They were all so great and I think in the end I learned much more from them.

As the Children’s Faith Formation Minister, I don’t always get the opportunity to directly interact in the weekly sessions with the children. This past program year, however, I had the opportunity to lead a multi-grade Spark! Zoom session for our distance learners, and when needed, filled in for a catechist who was out sick, and a team member co-leading Three:Sixteen sessions. Many of these days I ended the afternoon physically exhausted but my spirit was on fire! I am reminded why Jesus said to enter the kingdom of God we must be like little children. They are so open to receive his love and to return it. This experience has reignited my love and vocation of catechist. I am grateful to the CFF team, all the catechists, peer leaders and volunteers who tirelessly give their time and talent. Especially during the last two years with all the challenges of the pandemic, this ministry would not be possible without you.

The more I think about it, I come to the conclusion that there are moments to stare into the sky and witness the Glory of God, yet we are not meant to stay there. We are to be sent into the world to spread the good news. Even Noah left the arc, Abraham left his tent, Moses left his nation and went into the desert, as did all the prophets.

Even those healed by Jesus were sent out too. We are not meant to merely dwell in the Glory of God, but instead to bring the Glory of God to others. “Why do you stand here staring at the sky?”
“Go out to the ends of the earth, and preach the good news.”

Siempre Adelante,

Tere Delgado
Faith Formation Minister

5/27/2022

Wayne Eusanio

1950 - 2022

Funeral Liturgy
Saturday, June 18
11:00 am
Padre Serra Parish

Burial
Following Mass

Mortuary
Conejo Mountain

5/25/2022

Eleanor “Patt” Bergman

1940 - 2022

Funeral Liturgy
Friday, June 3
11:00 am
Padre Serra Parish

5/23/2022

James Leonard Farrell

1933 - 2022

Funeral Liturgy - Cremains
Wednesday, June 8
11:00 am
Padre Serra Parish

5/20/2022

Little Tastes of Heaven

My Dear Parish Family,

During the Easter Season the Second Reading is taken from the Book of Revelation. In today’s verses we hear John describe his vision of “the holy city of [the new] Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.” Many of us have a picture of what heaven might be like. In a commentary I recently read, it was defined this way: “Heaven is being in the presence of God. Nothing else matters.” I began reflecting on moments in my life that approached this definition:

Cradling my infant granddaughter asleep in my arms, breathing in her baby scent…at that moment nothing else mattered.
Relaxing on a patio with good friends after a good meal, no need to talk as we watched the sunset over the Pacific Ocean…at that moment nothing else mattered.
Enjoying the breeze and the babbling fountain in our parish church courtyard on a quiet weekday, then noticing someone in need being kindly and gently interviewed by a member of our St. Vincent de Paul Society in that peaceful place…at that moment nothing else mattered.
Watching former RCIA seekers, now fully initiated Catholics, process forward on Sunday to receive Eucharist, one with the Body of Christ…at that moment nothing else mattered.

I believe that these simple moments are gifts from God and little foretastes of heaven. The commonality in all of them is love, peace, and hope. Such moments give us a glimpse of the love and peace that Jesus promises in today’s Gospel. They encourage us to keep our eyes set on the heavenly kingdom…and to strive to build that kingdom on earth.

Amid the injustices of the world and our own personal difficulties, we can savor our little tastes of heaven, gather strength from them and bring that love, hope and peace to our families, neighbors and those we encounter as we go about our days.
May the peace of Christ be with you always!

Blessings,
Catherine Shadduck
Initiation Coordinator