When a member of Christ’s body dies, the faithful are called to a ministry of bereavement for those who have suffered the loss of a loved one. Christian consolation is rooted in the hope that comes from our faith in the saving death and resurrection of Jesus.

The ministry’s goal is that the bereaved feel and understand our parish’s authentic concern and receive our genuine support. Our role is not to “heal” or to help someone “get over” their loss but rather to accompany them on their journey of grief, to help them mourn, and most importantly, to listen.

We do this through several contact points by phone call or cards from a Bereavement Minister: at the time of the funeral, 1-2 months after the death, and other times in the first year of grief.

A Bereavement Minister is a good listener, confidential, non-judgmental, compassionate, patient, and has a genuine concern for others.

To learn more about this ministry, contact:
Marlyee Hrabovsky, mlhrabovsky@verizon.net
Betty Bright Martinez, bbright41@verizon.net

We have a God who knows how to weep, who weeps with us; he is also a Father who waits to console us, because he knows our suffering and has prepared for us a different future. – Pope Francis

See also: Bereavement Support Group, Funerals, Funerals & Memorials

Come join us every week for an hour of prayer and devotion to our Mother Mary. 

The first Wednesday of the month, stay after for fellowship.

Contact: 
Madel Mercado

Also visit:  Groups, Prayer, Filipino Ministry

Give the gift of life. Donate blood! 

​Also visit: Outreach

Registration is still open. Reserve your spot today!
$400 per couple / $100 deposit required at registration.
Visit the parish office or contact Christine Olsen christine@padreserra.org

To see the beautiful retreat center visit: www.materdolorosa.org

All couples are encouraged to participate in this opportunity to enrich and strengthen your marriage, sacrament and relationship with one another and God. 

The Catechism teaches that "Christ’s grace in the Sacrament of Marriage protects the essential purposes of marriage: the good of the couple and the generation and education of children. These purposes are protected and fostered by the permanence of the marriage bond and the mutual fidelity of spouses”  (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, 283).

Resources:

• United States Catholic Conference of Bishops
• For Your Marriage
• Natural Family Planning
• Marriage Encounter
• Local Marriage Encounter Weekends

​Follow Us:
​www.facebook.com/padreserracouplesretreat

Over 85 presentations connecting faith with real life in areas such as current events, contemporary moral issues, evangelization, faith and science, marriage and family, church history, scripture, and prayer will be offered in 13 parishes around the county.

Catalogs in the church lobby or parish office.
Learn more about all the sessions offered and sign up at ventura.theuniversityseries.org/classes

Offers support to those who are caring for an aging parent, relative, or spouse.
Contact:
Patricia Sentianin
sentclan@gmail.com
​
​Resources:

• A Catholic Guide to Caring for Your Aging Parent, Monica Dodd
• Christian Caregiving: A Way of Life, Kenneth C. Haugk

​Also visit: Care

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”
– Matthew 5:4

Offers loving, caring support to those who have lost a loved one.
​Contact:
Betty Bright-Martinez
​(805) 482·0156
bbright41@verizon.net

A fellowship and service ministry where all skill levels are welcome. No experience? That’s alright; we’ll show you. Come and learn or inspire others!

​The group's projects are donated to several groups and individuals throughout the year. 
​
Contact:
​Donna Lovato
(805) 383·0074
healthysneaker7@gmail.com

Earthen Vessels Ministry believes that all Catholics/Christians impacted by divorce remain welcome!  So we are joining as a family-of-sorts to journey together, sharing collective lessons learned and resources available, holding each other up in prayer, and serving our community.

Earthen Vessels offers a welcoming environment for people dealing with divorce whether they are in the earliest (often most painful) stages of grief, the initial stages of coping with difficult changes (making necessary life adjustments), or whether they are through the worst of it and now looking to move forward, grow, and serve.

Our mission is:

• To be instruments through which God can embrace Catholics/Christians who have experienced divorce, by offering acceptance, comfort, encouragement, reconciliation and healing
• To be instruments through which divorced Catholics/Christians are encouraged to listen to the Word of God, attend mass, persevere in prayer, contribute to works of charity and to community efforts for justice, bring up their children in the Christian faith, and cultivate the spirit and practice of reconciliation and thus implore, day by day, God’s grace.

Our Motto is F.R.O.G. Fully Rely On God
Contact: Jett Clyne jettclyne@gmail.com 

Also visit: Groups, Care

Prayer support anytime, all year.
Bette Church: (805) 482 · 0067
Shirley (805) 482 · 2617 

Also visit: Prayer

Friends offer smiles, greetings and help in the gazebo every Sunday morning.
Everyone can welcome! Sign up for one mass per month: Laurie laurieannnichols@gmail.com 
​
Also visit: Weekend Experience

Laurie Nichols, Jackie Perrin and Sheila Montgomery
​Photo by Julius Acero

The Marthas and Matthews ministry lovingly cares for our church and chapel. The group meets every Wednesday morning to clean these sacred spaces. If you are interested in lending a hand, please contact Karen at barranca5@hotmail.com

Also visit: Volunteer, Giving

Do you know someone who is wondering if the Catholic Church is the place for them? It could be your neighbor, your coworker, or someone in your family.

​At Padre Serra, we have a group which meets on Tuesday evenings, year-round, to explore what it means to be a disciple of Jesus in the Catholic tradition. The atmosphere is informal, open and free of any pressure. Those attending are invited to ask any questions they may have followed by a discussion on various topics regarding our faith.

If you know someone who might be interested, invite them to accompany you to one of the meetings. We serve great refreshments, too!

For information please contact:
​Catherine Shadduck
catherine@padreserra.org 
(805) 482·6417 x331

​Also visit: RCIA

This is a fairly new ministry at Padre Serra, but one that will inevitably grow and deepen.

We are looking for people to help “mix” sound at Mass and at some Serra Center events, but this will likely expand to other responsibilities sooner rather than later. Training will be provided.

If you’re interested, please contact Bill Giles at audiovisual@padreserra.org who is coordinating this exciting ministry.

Also visit: Giving, Music

The PSP Filipino Ministry shares the vision of the Filipino Ministry-Archdiocese of Los Angeles: One Filipino-American community united in love and in service to those in need.
​
Isang sambayanang Pilipino-Amerikano na nagkaka-isa sa pagmamahalan at paglilingkod sa mga nangangailangan.
Contact: filipinoministry@padreserra.org

A fellowship ministry where LGBTQ brothers, sisters, and their families and friends in Christ are welcome in a safe harbor to explore spirituality and share experiences, strength, and hope.

Contact: Sue Powers (805) 390-2824 or openheartspadreserra@gmail.com

Sue Powers and Margaret Vesprini
Photo By Julius Acero

Helps the unemployed and underemployed focus their job search, improve resume and interview skills, network.
Contact:
Steve Loeffler
careertransitions@padreserra.org

We work to maintain this part of our church grounds and pray for each person who walks through the garden that they may find God's peace there. We prune, weed, and maintain the garden, as we share our appreciation for the beauty of God's creation.
All gardeners welcome, and you can bring your children! Come for an hour or more as you are able. If you like to be outside and do not garden, we always have small jobs to do.
Bring a hat, clippers and a bucket. You can show up, but a phone call may be useful in case of a schedule change.
​
Contact: Winifred Jordan (805) 603·0412

Also visit: Ministries A to Z, Spiritual

Our parish Lazarus Ministry is essential and needed. More importantly, it’s a ministry of loving people into God’s hands after death, escorting them with our prayers and supporting their family and friends.

Many non-Catholics and non-practicing Catholics who don’t know the liturgy, nor the responses, attend our funerals. As a member of the Lazarus Ministry, you simply attend the funerals, as your schedule allows, to pray and sing the responses.

Your presence and participating alone support the grieving family and friends as they celebrate the life of the deceased, whether you know them personally or not. No special skills are required. No time commitment beyond the one-hour funeral liturgy. Just your loving presence and participation.

​When a funeral is scheduled, you will receive an email with details from Jane Riggio.

Questions and to sign up:
Teresa Runyon teresa@padreserra.org

Also visit: Ministries A to Z, Care

​Contact:
Gwen Ripplinger (805) 797·6864
Denise Ginty (805) 444·6871
goodsamaritan@padreserra.org