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3/7/2026 If you can find a better offer.Dear Friends, Near the end of this weekend’s gospel account of the Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus at Jacob’s well, John the evangelist writes: “Many of the Samaritansof that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman. . .” This passage strikes me as encouraging. Let me try to explain. For a long time, and with greater intensity since the election of Pope Francis and now, Pope Leo, we have been hearing that the Church’s mission — our mission! — is to evangelize. In other words, we are all called, required, commanded to share with others the Good News of Jesus Christ. No one is exempt. It’s not just the job of Pope Leo, nor of the bishops, nor the clergy, nor lay people like me employed by the Church. We are all expected to do this; in fact, it has to be done for the Church to continue. I don’t know about you, but I find that a little intimidating. Knowing my faults and weaknesses so well, I question how I can possibly be an effective evangelizer. I guess the reason I find the passage about the Samaritan woman’s success in leading people to belief in Jesus encouraging is because, let’s face it – she had her issues. Never mind her domestic history (Jesus points out that she’s had five husbands – and Fr. Patrick has explained to us that it’s entirely possible she was quite innocent). She also seems a bit obtuse. When Jesus offers her living water she responds with a protest about his lack of a bucket. When he repeats his offer, she again narrows the focus to plain old H2O: “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” It was only then that Jesus broached the subject of her personal history and interestingly it was that—sharing her experience of Jesus in her own brokenness—that brought her community to him: “’Come and see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Christ?’ Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified ‘He told me everything I have done.’” So let’s all take courage. If the Lord can use the Samaritan woman, the Lord can use us. Let’s share our experiences of Jesus. They may be hidden where we least expect—in the most broken parts of our lives. And let’s not worry about looking foolish. Moses in the first reading might have looked foolish striking a rock with a stick. But it was the Lord who caused water to flow from it for the people to drink. He will bless our good faith yet imperfect efforts to trust him too, we can be assured.  Fr. Eugene Walsh, SS put it this way: “Jesus promises you two things: your life has meaning and you’re going to live forever. If you can find a better offer, take it.”
Siempre Adelante, Dominic MacAller Director of Liturgy & Music 3/4/2026 Robert De la Torre1938 - 2026Funeral Liturgy
Thursday, March 12 10:00 am Ivy Lawn, Camarillo Mortuary Ivy Lawn 2/28/2026 Lent and RetreatThis weekend, over 70 retreatants and around 40 leaders are in Ojai, participating in our annual Year 2 Confirmation retreat. While the weekend is lots of fun, full of comradery, worship and good times, I would be lying if I didn’t say there wasn’t a lot of sacrifice involved. The leaders have given up months in training for this retreat, meeting multiple times a week. Although it is a joyous time as we are training, our leaders have sacrificed quite a bit. The retreatants are also sacrificing their time, but they are also sacrificing their phones and the comfort of home for a mysterious weekend. Although the benefits of the retreat will shine, sacrifice is a definite theme going into the weekend. I bring this up because this reminds me of Lent. There are obvious joys when we get to the end. We celebrate our God conquering death and opening the gates of heaven. The interesting thing about Lent though, is that our sacrifice somehow makes that celebration even more vivid. It’s through our fasting, almsgiving and prayer that our souls become attuned to the goodness of God. We understand God’s sacrifice for us, and it becomes abundantly clear. Please pray for everyone involved in this weekend’s retreat. With their open hearts, I am confident to say that there will be encounters with God. Whether it’s through Adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament, Receiving Reconciliation or the fellowship that leads all of us to God’s grace, it will happen if their hearts are open (even if it’s just a little bit). Lent is essentially a retreat. To get away from the world’s distractions tosee God and His role in your life. All these things that the teens are experiencing this weekend can also be beneficial for you! You don’t have to go to a fancy retreat center to go to Adoration, receive Reconciliation and immerse yourself in deep prayer.  Please continue to have a blessed Lenten season. As a Confirmation team, we don’t demand perfection at the retreat. God also doesn’t demand perfection from you this Lent, he just wants you to try. If you fall, pick yourself up. Remember that God conquered death, he can also conquer your weaknesses.
God Bless, Brett Becker Youth and Young Adult Minister 2/23/2026 Nellouise August
2/22/2026 Jacob & Judy Burckhard
2/21/2026 The Stations of the Cross at Padre SerraHello Friends, When I first arrived at Padre Serra Parish, I was taken by the beauty of the entire campus. I was especially drawn to the Stations of the Cross garden. One afternoon, I was admiring the garden when Neil told me that during Lent, he would occasionally encounter pilgrims from all over Southern California who made a day trip to pray in our Stations of the Cross garden. We have a truly unique and beautiful place to pray the Stations of the Cross. I can see why people who have discovered our garden might tell their friends and make it a destination during Lent. On this first Sunday of Lent, I am happy to report that the Stations of the Cross garden will remain open during the construction of the Youth Center. This was not always going to be the case. The original underground utility plan was designed to cut through the garden. The plan also included full restoration, but the garden would be off limits for a period of time. Fortunately, our construction contractor, Anderson Construction, figured out a way to install the utilities without disrupting the garden. You will see remnants of the trenching near the Serra Center, but the garden and pathway are intact and ready for visitors and parishioners to pray the Stations of the Cross during this season of Lent. I invite you to set aside time during this Lent to rediscover our beautiful garden and pray the Stations of the Cross. There will be no construction activity over the weekends. On weekdays, after construction shuts down at 4 pm, the stillness returns, allowing you to prayerfully walk along the Stations of the Cross.  On the construction front, as I write this, we are preparing to pour the first phase of the foundation. Rain is expected in a few days, and construction will halt during the rain. Once the rain stops, we should be a few weeks away from framing. Barring extended rain delays, we can expect the skeleton of the new building to take shape in March.
Seimpre Adelante! Manuel Leon Business Manager 2/21/2026 Thomas Rene Angeles
2/14/2026 Moving Beyond the Minimum RequirementDear friends on the journey, At the heart of today’s readings is a powerful truth: God desires not only our obedience, but our hearts. They serve as a reminder us that following God is about more than outward observance—it is about the transformation of the heart. Jesus tells us that righteousness is not limited to avoiding wrongdoing, but calls us to reconciliation, integrity, and love in our daily lives. We are invited to move beyond a “minimum requirement” approach to faith and into a deeper, more loving relationship with God. In the first reading from Sirach, we are reminded that God has given us genuine freedom. Life and death, good and evil, are placed before us—not as a threat, but as an invitation. God does not force virtue upon us; instead, God calls us to choose wisely. True wisdom comes from recognizing that our choices shape who we become and how closely we walk with God. Psalm 119 echoes this wisdom by praising those who walk in the law of the Lord. Far from being restrictive, God’s commandments are presented as a path to joy and integrity. When we live according to God’s ways, our lives become more whole, more ordered, and ultimately more free. The second reading from Paul speaks of a wisdom not of this world—a wisdom revealed by the Spirit, the divine wisdom that cannot be grasped by rules alone or by our human devices or cleverness. It is known only by those who open themselves to God’s Spirit, allowing their hearts to be formed by Jesus. Faith, then, is not simply about knowing what to do, but about becoming the kind of people who naturally desire what is good. Matthew brings us to the heart of Jesus’ teaching. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus does not abolish the law; rather he fulfills it by deepening its meaning. He challenges his listeners—and us—to look beyond outward actions and examine the intentions of the heart. Avoiding murder is not enough if we harbor anger. Refraining from adultery is incomplete if our thoughts objectify others. Jesus calls for an interior righteousness rooted in love, reconciliation, and fidelity. This teaching can feel demanding, even uncomfortable. Yet Jesus is not raising the bar to discourage us; he is revealing what life in the Kingdom of God truly looks like. Holiness is not about perfectionism or fear of failure— it is about allowing God’s grace to transform us from the inside out.  As we stand on the doorstep of Lent, perhaps today’s readings could be a source of inspiration for our Lent journey. Let’s ask ourselves: Where is God calling me to go deeper this Lent? Not merely to follow the rules, but to love more fully, forgive more freely, and live more intentionally as Jesus’ disciple.
Siempre Adelante, Teresa Runyon Pastoral Associate Hello Friends, In today’s Gospel, Jesus says to His disciples: “You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world.” He does not say we might be or we should try to be. He says we are. It is important to reflect on what these words mean to our families, and how the home itself is meant to be a place where salt seasons and light shines—the domestic church, if you will. Salt works quietly. It preserves. It brings out flavor. Light, too, does not draw attention to itself; it simply illuminates. The first place where faith is preserved, seasoned, and illuminated is not our church or faith formation classroom; it is the home. The Church teaches that the family is the “domestic church” because it is where faith is first lived, taught, and witnessed through daily life. Jesus says: “Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” Children, especially, learn the faith less from what we say in words and more from what they see us do. They notice how we speak about our faith and Church. They notice how we handle disagreements and conflict. They notice when we help our extended family and neighbors. A home becomes a domestic church not because it is perfect, but because Christ is allowed to be present—in the mess, the noise, the routines, and the struggles. A family that prays together, forgives each other, and keeps Christ at the center becomes a quiet but powerful witness for the world. Homes filled with peace, generosity, and love shine the brilliant light of Christ’s love for the world. If your home feels far from holy at times, take heart. Jesus did not say, “You are the light only when you get it right.” He says, “You are the light of the world.” The domestic church is built one small act at a time: one prayer before bed, one conversation about God, and one act of mercy.  Grace works through consistency, not perfection. May we ask the Lord for the grace to let our homes be places where faith is spoken, love is practiced, and forgiveness is normal.
Blessings on the journey, Deacon Joe and Kim Torti 2/1/2026 Helene McCormack
2/1/2026 Benita Villa Flores
1/31/2026 BlessedDear Parish Family, Just the other day as I was greeting a good friend, her response to my “How are you?” was “I am Blessed”. This was not the typical response we usually get of “ fine, good, or even hanging in there”. Her response made me pause, because I realized she truly was blessed in her awareness of God’s presence in her life, and she was giving witness to this fact, in her response. I had to ask once again, but this time my real question was, how has God Blessed you? I need to know more, as we spoke, she shared about some of her life’s struggles, and yet she was focused and happily accepting of the will of God, which in return filled her with comfort and happiness. In our Gospel, Jesus goes to the mountain and teaches the people, saying BLESSED (happy) are those who suffer, mourn and express purity of heart and other virtues. What the world sees as tragic or empty, Jesus sees as blessed. In order to live as his disciples and love others, we must not strive for the things of this world. The world may say that we will find happiness when we have money, pleasure, comfort and power, but this is not true. Instead, we must actually seek out and cultivate what is of God. A good place to start is by prayerfully examining what things we are most attached to and discerning if those things are coming between ourselves and God. If something comes up as an obstacle, we should choose to focus on the virtue of the beatitude. For example, someone who seeks power or control in an inordinate way would want to focus on the beatitude of meekness. I think this is what my friend was doing. We will have struggles and obstacles, but when we recognize that many times these are opportunities to focus on God, and know that our reward is not here on earth, but by his side, in his kingdom.  As disciples of Christ, all who live according to his way of life are – and will be – richly blessed. May our struggles be building blocks for our salvation and not stumbling blocks.
Siempre Adelante, Tere Delgado Faith Formation Minister 1/23/2026 Youth Center Under ConstructionYouth Center Under Construction We had a break in the rain just in time to kick off construction of the Youth Center. Anderson Construction kicked off the project in the first week of 2026. The construction site fencing is up, and grading will be underway shortly. The next major milestone is when City inspectors come on-site to review the grading and give us the green light to pour concrete. There are a few logistical items for parishioners to be aware of. The construction site will be fenced and off-limits to the public for the duration of the project. Monday through Friday, the east end of the parking lot will be closed. During the week, when the east end of the parking lot is closed, the north parking lot will be accessible only via the west entrance. The construction crew will open up the parking lot on Friday afternoon for the weekend so that traffic can flow normally for weekend Masses. If you are on campus during the week, please respect the barriers around the construction area for your safety and the safety of others. As heavy equipment is moved to the site, additional temporary barriers may be installed to facilitate equipment movement. Below is a snapshot of the campus. The area shown in red will be closed Monday through Friday. Thank you for your patience during this construction.  1/17/2026 Beyond FearAs we enter this New Year, many of us find ourselves reflecting on the obstacles that keep us from our true calling. While fear often serves a practical purpose in protecting us, it can also become a barrier that distances us from the life God intends for us. I believe the Fear of the Lord is a beautiful gift of the Holy Spirit. Rather than a source of anxiety, it is an invitation to be honest with ourselves. It guides us to reflect on our actions with love and encourages us to model our lives—our words, decisions, and deeds—after the life of Jesus. When fear remains unexamined, it can sometimes cloud our judgment or weigh on our hearts. These patterns of behavior are rarely random; often, they are symptoms of deeper wounds in our souls. As Pope Francis reminds us: “If I know how to use fear to understand the message it is trying to give me, then it is a help.” Perhaps second only to pride, fear can be the root of many of our failings. For instance, traits like greed or abuse often stem from financial anxiety. Narcissism can be a response to a deep-seated fear of feeling unwanted. A fear of failure can often manifest as laziness or neglect, holding us back from trying at all. When we fear scarcity, it can lead us toward envy, distrust, or resentment; similarly, a fear for our own safety, health, economy, or social standing can hinder loving our neighbors as ourselves and lead to prejudice or discrimination. Ultimately, even anger is often just a shield we use to protect our own vulnerability. St. John Paul II made “Be not afraid” a guiding principle of his 26-year pontificate, viewing fear as a tactic that prevents us from following God’s will. Several months ago, our Liturgy & Music Minister, Dominic MacAller, shared a prayer by St. Teresa of Ávila with me that has become a constant companion:
My favorite part of this poem is the phrase “Dios no se muda.” In Spanish, mudar does not refer to “alter” or “modify”; it often suggests a change of residence or moving away. To say “Dios no se muda” is a powerful reminder that when we welcome Him in the Eucharist, we receive Jesus Himself, He remains with us, and He will not “move out” or vacate our lives. He is not a guest who leaves, but our constant home. I find myself repeating this prayer constantly.  As we journey together through 2026, may we all find the peace, trust, caring, and courage that allow our faith to rise above fear. May the Lord grant us the wisdom to shape our lives around welcoming Him and be truly worthy of His dwelling within our hearts.
¡Dios no se muda! Gabriela Rivera Communications & Technology 1/10/2026 To Know, Love and ServeAccording to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, God created humans to “know, love and serve Him...”. While this may be known by a lot of us already, sometimes we don’t dive into why this is a good thing. If we continue on in that same CCC excerpt (CCC 1271), it continues to say that we dothis so we can come to paradise and become partakers of God’s divine nature. God created us not just to know, love and to serve, but He created us in this way so we can desire true and eternal paradise with Him. While it may be difficult, and we may be a little too hard on ourselves at times in our lives when we consider ourselves to be acting in opposition of God’s path for you, sometimes we need to take a step back and realize that our God finds joy in us, His creation. God truly loves what He created, especially you. In this Sunday’s Gospel, after Jesus is baptized, the voice of God says to Him, “This is my beloved Son, with who I am well pleased.” This part of the gospel always strikes me because it always makes me think if I ever that please God. By this question, I don’t ponder if God is content with me, but rather, I ponder if I do things that God loves. And to be honest, I think the answer is a resounding yes. At times, it may feel bland to realize that you are created to know, love and to serve God. That is, until you realize, that God desires you and is so pleased when your free will is geared towards Him. God doesn’t send riddles, games or motives to manipulate you. He doesn’t send tests to set you up for failure. Rather, He reveals Himself to us to let us know that He is pleased and in love with us. During this New Year, I pray that we understand who our God is more fully. I pray that we understand that He pursues us and is desperately in love with us. When we have that revelation understood more fully, and when we understand that God is truly pleased with His creation, we can’t help but to pursue knowing, loving and serving Him. God Bless, Brett Becker Youth and Young Adult Minister 1/4/2026 Following the Light God Gives UsDear friends on the journey, Today, Epiphany Sunday, we hear the familiar story of the Magi, wise seekers from distant lands who are drawn toward Bethlehem by a star. God does not speak to them through the scriptures of Israel or through an angelic message, like Mary and Joseph. Instead, God meets them where they are, through the language they understand: the signs of the heavens. The star of Bethlehem reminds us that God desires to be found. The Magi werenot part of the chosen people, yet God still reveals Jesus to them. Their journey tells us that no one is outside the reach of God’s light. When they finally arrive, they do not find a powerful king, but a baby - humble, vulnerable, and poor. Still, they recognize the presence of God and respond with reverence, joy, and generous gifts. God continues to reveal Godself today, but not always in the same way to everyone. We may not see a star blazing across the sky, yet God’s presence shines in countless forms: in the scripture we hear every week that speaks to our hearts, in the sacraments that nourish us, in moments of prayer and silence, in acts of love and service, in random unsuspecting places and people, and even in times of struggle that deepen our trust. Like the Magi, we are invited to pay attention - to notice how God is already guiding us. Epiphany asks us two questions: What is the “star” God is using to draw me closer? And am I willing, like the Magi, to set out on a journey that may change me? When they left Bethlehem, the Magi returned home “by another way.” An encounter with Christ always transforms us and takes us directions we never though possible. May this Epiphany help us recognize the many ways God is present in our lives, and may we have the courage to follow the light we are given—until it leads us to Christ.  This weekend, as we begin the new year, I invite you to take our parish’s 2026 covenant. Read through it, pray with it and consider how you will respond. These suggestions are all new this year and challenge us in new ways.
May these promises be a source of light and guidance to deepen your relationship with our gracious God, encounter Jesus, and be his disciple in 2026. Siempre Adelante, Teresa Runyon Pastoral Associate |
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