Every home should have a fire extinguisher, and parents and older children should know how to use it. Small fires can escalate quickly.
Parents, familiarize yourself with the extinguishers in your home, and teach children where they are and how to use them safely. Use the PASS trick to help remember what to do: Pull the pin, Aim at the fire’s base, Squeeze the handle, Sweep from side to side.
To request a copy of the VIRTUS article “Fire Extinguisher Tips Everyone Should Know,” email jvienna@laarchdiocese.org.

Thank you to Bishop Gabriel Edoe Kumordji who told us about life in his diocese in Ghana last Sunday July 23.
We learned that a total of 14 priests serve the entire diocese where the people are very poor.
Gifts may be shared using the yellow Mission Coop envelopes in the church vestibule.
Please drop them in the offertory basket or the parish office.
​Thank you.

​Dear Faith Family,
​
I hope that you are all having a wonderful summer!

I hold this Sunday’s reading at such a high regard in my life.

There are a lot of passages in scripture that mention fish. (We have been called to be fishers of men, Jesus multiplies fish, etc.) It’s obvious that the symbol of fish is quite a common one in scripture. But this Sunday’s Gospel especially impacts me. 

The language of separating the good and the bad fish is something to ponder, for sure. Sure, it can be quite dreary to think of those “fish” that are thrown away and it’s no secret that we believe that there is a heaven and a hell. Every Catholic understands this notion and it is quite important. But when I read this passage, it also helps me to understand what God is calling us to do.

As we know, our parish mission is “Encounter Jesus, Be Disciples,” and as I’ve said before, the most important part of being a disciple is to share your encounter with Jesus with others to bring them to their own personal encounter. Sometimes though, I feel that we are afraid of being disciples to the “bad fish” of the sea.

To be disciples, we must be ready to encounter those that we may be afraid to encounter. To be the best disciples that Christ calls us to be, we must make sure that we are not only inviting those we are comfortable with, but we must make sure that we are investing time to invite anyone we encounter, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. 

Let it be known that our spiritual life should not be driven by fear, but rather, beauty.  At the end of this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus asks his disciples if they understand what he has just spoken about, and they said yes. Jesus didn’t simply say “good job!” or, “I’m glad to hear that you understand,” but rather, because they understood, he explained to them that they are commissioned to bring the new and the old to share the glory of paradise. This is our commission; this is our accepted role of discipleship.

God Bless,
Brett Becker
Youth and Young Adult Minister
July 30, 2017

My Dear Parish Family,

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that the kingdom is like the good seed and the bad seed. This reminds me of my Catholic high school religion class when we learned about the ancient Chinese concept of yin and yang. Black and white. Sun and shade. The idea I remember is that without darkness, we cannot know light. Without sadness, we cannot know joy. Without bad, we cannot know good. These seeming opposites are actually complimentary and necessary. Two halves that together complete wholeness.

Interestingly, newborns literally see only black and white. Toddlers learn basic concepts in opposites, up and down, in and out. Young children study patterns to learn basic math concepts. Square, circle, square, circle, square …. Children see moral issues clearly as black or white until about mid­to­late middle school when they begin to see that life presents gray areas.

If all we had was wheat, we would stop noticing it. It is precisely because of the weeds that we can distinguish the wheat and therefore appreciate it, treasure it, care for it. Our impulse to discard the bad is natural. Jesus said to let them grow together. Presumably, to see one, find favor with one, reject one, choose one, discard one.

With yin and yang, as one part decreases, the other part increases to maintain the overall balance of the whole. I think of the wheat and the weeds in my own life. What can I do to increase the wheat and reduce the weeds? It definitely takes work and intent and patience then more work like a real garden. I wonder if Jesus gave us another yin and yang in Reconciliation and Holy Communion. One removes the bad, kills the weeds and one feeds, nourishes and strengthens us for life in the garden.

God is merciful because we need mercy. God is love because we are lovable. So let’s love.

It is all about Jesus’ great love for us. How do we live that love? How do we show that love to all we meet?

The kingdom is like … sharing an ice cream with a grandchild, lingering in conversation at the dinner table, road trips, giggles, smiles shared, picnics, helping and being needed, cool water and warm sand, fresh­cut flowers, comfy cushions, sending and receiving caring messages, movies and music, a crackling fire on a chilly evening, candlelight … being connected with the people that God has put in our lives and being connected with God. With hearts on fire for God and Jesus by our side, every day is heavenly. 

Siempre adelante,
Eve Collier
​Parish Life Minister
July 23, 2017

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

Today Jesus offers these words of comfort and understanding of whatever causes us pain, struggle, fear, suffering, and unrest. Jesus is most assuredly the place we can find peace, consolation and God’s compassionate love. In addition to the spiritual connection, often times we need the human interaction as well. We want Jesus with skin. Here at Padre Serra our support and care ministries are Jesus with skin. It is my great honor to sing in praise and gratitude of these quiet heroes.

• Bereavement Support Group offers support to those who have lost a loved one.
• Cancer Support Group Embracing Your Journey provides hope, support and empowerment to those affected by cancer in a loving, prayerful environment.
• Caregivers Support Group Caritas offers support to those who are caring for a spouse, child, relative or aging parent.
• Career Transition Ministry helps the unemployed and underemployed find a new career path by updating resumes, improving interview skills and networking.
• Good Samaritans prepares and delivers meals to parishioners who are recovering from illness, accidents, injuries, and surgeries.
• Landings is a safe place for returning Catholics contemplating a return to the church to share their story, voice concerns or ask questions.
• Open Hearts is a support ministry where LGBT brothers, sisters, and their families are welcome to explore spirituality and share experiences, strength, and hope.
• Prayer Chain offers prayer support anytime, all year long.
• Pure Desire, our newest care ministry, is a group for men seeking support and healing in their journeys toward sexual integrity and wholeness. Facilitated by a therapist, this group will meet Tuesday mornings from September May.
• Sick & Homebound Eucharistic Ministers bring communion to those who are in the hospital or are temporarily or permanently homebound, thereby bringing Christ through faith and charity on behalf of the whole community.
• St. Vincent de Paul offers tangible assistance to those in need on a person to person basis. Aid may take the form of intervention, consultation, or often through direct dollar or in kind service.

If you know someone who may need one of our ministries, please share our informative brochure with them. They’re available in the church lobby, office and website. If you see a need that is not currently being addressed, please, come talk with me. Many of these ministries began because one person had a need, saw that others did too and wanted to make a difference, to be Jesus with skin. God is good!

Siempre adelante,
Teresa Runyon
Faith Life Minister
July 9, 2017