Blog Archives

10/28/2022

Excellence in Catechetical Service Award

On Saturday, October 15, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles presented Mrs. Catherine Shadduck with the Excellence in Catechetical Service Award for the Santa Barbara Region. Rev. Leon Hutton, Episcopal Vicar for the Santa Barbara Region and Pastor of Our Lady of Assumption Church, presented the award. This award recognizes catechists in the various deaneries who have served their parishes with marked excellence, dedication, and passion for their ministry. Individuals whose service and teaching have left an indelible imprint on the spiritual life of the religious education program and parish at large.

One of my favorite moments was to see the excitement of the children and their families greeting her on Sundays during their dismissal sessions. More than just teaching about the faith, she has the unique gift to make others feel welcomed and be met where they are in their faith journey — patiently encouraging and accompanying them, helping them receive their sacraments, and come into full communion with the Catholic Church — encouraging families to become involved in parish life and ministries. She is a fountain of information and is always willing to share her knowledge with all of us.

We are all so proud of Catherine, who is so deserving of this award in recognition of over 28 years of her service in Catechetical Ministries. During her time at Padre Serra, she has held many positions within the religious education program; Children’s Catechist, First Communion Coordinator, and Director of Religious Education.

She recently retired as the Coordinator of Initiation for Children and Adults and the Adult Confirmation Coordinator. In this capacity, she directed the processes through which school-age children, teens, and adults are baptized, adults become Catholic, and adults receive Confirmation. This work has given her much happiness and fulfillment. Catherine plans to continue to be actively involved in the parish; she asks the Holy Spirit to direct her where she can best serve the Body of Christ.

Our motto at Padre Serra is “Encounter Jesus, Be Disciples.” I truly believe she embodies it, and it is evident in the fruit of her labor. Those of us who have had the honor to be mentored and ministered alongside her have seen her in action. Seeing her joy and tirelessly giving her time and talent. It is inspiring
to witness the connections she has made with those who have come through the Initiation and Adult Confirmation programs.

Congratulations Catherine! May God continue to pour out his blessings on you. Siempre Adelante,

Tere Delgado
Faith Formation Minister

10/22/2022

A Place of Grace

My journey to serving in Catholic schools began 35 years ago under the watchful eye of my first- grade teacher. Miss Vera Flynn – all five feet and five inches of her with fiery red hair and Irish brogue – she taught forty-two six-year-olds how to read, write, and do arithmetic, but much more than that, she taught us to know and love Jesus. She taught each one of us that we had value because we were made in the image and likeness of God. Her classroom was a place of grace.

As principal and also a parent at St. Mary Magdalen School, I now continue to be blessed with the opportunity to witness more places of grace. Both of my sons started their St. Mary Magdalen journeys in our transitional kindergarten program. Our teacher, Ms. Schuberg, creates an environment where students can flourish and grow. She guides them in coming to know and love God even more deeply while also teaching little minds how to explore the worlds of numbers and words. And every time a student (or principal) leaves the room, they depart to a chorus of little voices saying “God bless you”! This is most certainly a place of grace.

These are scenes that are replicated on a daily basis throughout our campus home. Whether it be a second grader joyfully learning about their upcoming sacraments or an eighth grader deepening their faith life through an off-campus retreat. It may look like a fourth grader talking to her teacher about how to navigate the everchanging landscape of fourth grade friendships or a seventh grader walking past a poster of Catholic scientists on their way to enjoy a hands on lab in their advanced science class. It most certainly looks like the entire campus – students, teachers, parent volunteers, and visitors – pausing wherever they are and whatever they are doing to pray the Angelus immediately following lunch.

The list goes on, but one thing is abundantly clear to me – when our students step on campus at St. Mary Magdalen School, they are able to enter into a different space – “a new environment, one illuminated by the light of faith...an environment permeated with the Gospel spirit of love and freedom.” It truly is a place of grace.

I invite you to come and visit our place of grace for our Open House on Sunday, November 6 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, and if you have a school-aged child, to prayerfully consider giving them the gift of a Catholic education at St. Mary Magdalen School.
Siempre Adelante,

Michael Ronan
Principal
St. Mary Magdalen School

10/14/2022

A Season of Giving and Receiving

Dear friends on the journey,
Being a parish staff member collaborating with our formation and liturgical staff for yearly calendaring and working with over 65 ministries and activities, I have a bird’s eye view of all that our parish has to offer to encounter Jesus and be disciples.

We now embark on a season of holidays, festivities, and family but can also agitate wounds, magnify grief, and complicate relationships. This season is a good time to retreat inward on our personal relationship with Jesus, to heal, and make amends. Conversely, these coming weeks can be a time to turn our attention outward to the needs of others. In the coming months, consider how these events and activities might draw you into a deeper communion with God and community:

For Giving
Adopt-A-Family for Christmas
Bundle Sunday
October 23
LifeCenters Poinsettias
November 6, 13
Keep Christ in Christmas cards
November 6, 13
Concern America Crafts
November 13
Angel Tags for Christmas
November 19-December 11
Thanksgiving Day Mass November 24
Blood Drive
December 11

For Receiving
Adult Formation with Dr. Ford
October 18, 25
All Saints Day – Holy Day
November 1
Mass of Remembrance
November 1
Adult Formation with Sr. Carol on Advent, November 9
Women’s Fall Retreat
November 18-19
Family Dinner & Reconciliation Service,
November 29
Immaculate Conception Holy Day
December 8
Advent Reconciliation Service
December 14
St. Vincent De Paul See’s Candy
December 17-18

For Community
Cana in the Courtyard
October 21
Trunk or Treat
October 28
Fall Concert
November 19
Las Posada
December 5
The Chosen Christmas
December 9
Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 12
Seniors Christmas Luncheon
December 14
Christmas Concert & Dinner
December 16
Simbang Gabi Mass & Reception
December 17

Advent begins Sunday, November 27. Make this your best Advent yet with the help of our daily devotionals, Little Blue Books, and Advent Calendar. Follow the bulletin, website, and our social media for details on all these opportunities to welcome Jesus again into our hearts and homes.

Siempre Adelante,

Teresa Runyon
Pastoral Associate