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12/13/2024

If Every Day Was Like Christmas

Dear friends on the journey,

These last eight weeks have been exceptionally challenging for so many in our community. So much loss of life, health, property, security, and stability has affected me here at Padre Serra and personally. Grief and stress have taken a toll on my body, mind and soul. I know I’m not alone in the experience as I’ve sat with many others going through something of their own. And in the late, dark hours, I have felt God’s assurance that he is with me in the storm.

So, the sights and sounds of Christmas have been a welcome lift to my spirits (even two weeks before Thanksgiving)! Decorated houses bring so much joy and light to the longer nights. And Christmas would not be complete without music, especially Elvis’ holiday albums. I’ve been listening to Elvis all my life but the other day I was struck deeply by his song If Every Day Was Like Christmas.

Oh why can’t every day be like Christmas, Why can’t that feeling go on endlessly For if every day could be just like Christmas, What a wonderful world this would be

Haven’t we all wondered that too? What is it about this time of year that seems to change us for the better? Everyone’s mood and spirit are lighter. Generosity increases. More compassion and kindness are extended. Reconciliation in relationships becomes important. Calls for peace and goodwill are shouted a little louder.

So yes, why can’t every day of the year be like Christmas? Why can’t we experience all this in spring and summer too? In March, how can we shout for the same joy, O daughter Zion? In May, why can’t we cry out with the joy and gladness for our savior preached by Isaiah in today’s Responsorial Psalm? In July, how can we rejoice, like we are today on Gaudete Sunday? In September, why can’t truly work on bringing about the peace that God promises in the second reading?

I think we can find answers in our gospel. John the Baptist tells us to share our goods and food with someone who has nothing, to be satisfied with what we have, to live our baptism in Christ, and to receive and preach the Good News always, not just seasonally. The Good News is our faith and belief that brokenness, suffering and death do not have the final word, that resurrection, new life, healing and love will always come. Jesus gave his life to make this promise known to us. Shouldn’t we lean on that more? It is this Good News that helps my heart, spirit and body heal after so much loss.

As we approach Christmas, let us resolve to carry Christmas spirit, generosity, gladness, joy, light, and peace into the new year to make every day like Christmas.

Happy Advent and Merry Christmas,

Teresa Runyon
Pastoral Associate

12/7/2024

God is Faithful to His Promises

Friends,

In our Gospel today, we are introduced to the prophetic message of John the Baptist, who calls for repentance and the preparation of hearts for the coming of the Messiah. The passage, with its vivid imagery of valleys being filled, mountains made low, and crooked paths straightened, presents a powerful message of renewal and hope.

It begins by naming the political rulers of the time - Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod, and others - who represent the power structures of the world. These rulers represent a world marred by sin, injustice, and suffering. Regrettably, not much has changed in our day. In both the historical and present day context, God’s voice breaks through. In the face of the political and social turmoil of their and our time, this was and still is a message of profound hope.

We live in very difficult times. Social and political division are pervasive and persistent themes in our news, social media and conversations. It is easy (and our human tendency) to let this occupy an inordinate amount of space in our minds and hearts. When we are in the midst of this, we can easily feel distant from God’s loving presence.

John’s role as a prophet was to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah by urging them to repent and make their hearts ready. His call to repentance is not just about turning away from sin, but also about making space for God’s transformative work in their lives. It is an invitation to clear away the obstacles that hinder the right relationship with God. When we open ourselves to His forgiveness and renewal, we make room for God to enter our lives with His grace and mercy.

This is a message of hope for those of us who feel burdened, oppressed, or discouraged. It reminds us that no matter how difficult or painful life may seem, God’s salvation is at hand. We can look to the simple ways God has and will continue to bring us hope. The evidence is all around us.

No matter what happens in our lives, morning comes, the sun shines or rain falls which brings life and light to the world. Rain will clean and refresh the world around us. The sun will surely come and nourish the plants and our souls with light and warmth. Night comes for our rest and restoration of our body and soul.

Take these cues that God provides each of us every day to: pause, be thankful and notice His work of renewal amidst our world, and create the space for God to share His particular hope and renewal for us.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we are reminded that God is faithful to His promises and that He is working to bring about the fullness of His kingdom, where hope and peace will reign forever.

Wishing you and your family and Happy and Blessed Advent!
Deacon Joe Torti

Deacon Joe and Kim Torti

11/29/2024

In Joyful Anticipation

Hello Friends,

Advent is a time of preparation for the Lord’s coming. The season is intended to spiritually orient us to His second coming and prepare us for the joyful anniversary of His first coming, 2,024 years ago.

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear Jesus tell his disciples, “Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.” When passages like this shake me to attention, my mind is directed to the call for constant conversion, “The first work of the Holy Spirit is conversion... Moved by grace, man turns towards God and away from sin, thus accepting forgiveness and righteousness from on high.” (CCC, 1989). The apocalyptic tone of today’s Gospel can be jarring, but whether it is at the end of time or our particular moment of judgment, the Christian life is a preparation for that meeting. We have faith that our earthly pilgrimage with Christ will end with eternal life with Him.

As we look forward to celebrating the Savior’s first coming. It is heartening to see the arrival of our Lord celebrated in broader culture and how the joy of this time of year is reflected in the communities where we live. We can see the Holy Spirit at work when the season’s joy sends the good news beyond the Church. Growing up, I enjoyed watching Christmas television specials during this season with my siblings. My wife and I passed on this tradition to our children. We still round up our family during the season and set aside an evening to watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The Charlie Brown Christmas special is just about as old as I am, and over the last 59 years, millions of people have heard the good news at the end of this short story. Many warm memories are rekindled in my heart when Linus recites from Luke (2:8-14 KJV):

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”

As we journey through this Advent season, let’s focus on the coming of the highest good, Christ our Lord. May this anticipation and preparation deepen our desire to seek Jesus and grow in our love for Him.

Siempre Adelante!

Manuel Leon
Business Manager

11/22/2024

Gratitude & Unity in Tragedy

Dear friends on the journey,

The morning of November 6 was like no other. Americans woke up either feeling happy and relieved or angry and dismayed, or somewhere in between. Residents of central Ventura County quickly turned their attention to the news of a fire near Balcom Canyon. Our business manager Manuel Leon got the call, one for which we signed up yet would take us all by surprise. Ventura County Emergency Services needed the Serra Center as the Mountain Fire evacuation center. Manuel paved the way for the mid-morning arrival of county personnel, followed soon by the on-call trained Red Cross volunteers and then the first evacuees. Space was designated for registration, dining, sleeping, and medical care. All necessary equipment and supplies arrived — computers, air purifiers, food, water, first aid, cots and blankets.

If we had to choose a week for this to happen, November 6 - 10 was ideal. By the grace of God, we had no funerals, weddings, rentals, or events. It was a “light” week. Classes and some meetings were cancelled without trouble. No one seemed to mind. There were bigger things to worry about in Camarillo.

Santa Ana winds fueled the fire and transported it faster and farther each hour, threatening more homes and families in west and north Camarillo. On one side of the campus, more evacuees arrived to await news of their house. Besides opening the doors, retired firefighter Deacon Neil Kingsley opened the heart of Padre Serra to welcome and care for 100+ people, including Padre Serra parishioners, who found refuge in their own spiritual home. I can only imagine the comfort that must have brought to them.

On the other side of campus, the parish office phone began to ring, and ring, and ring. Parish business seemed to just stop, opening the lines for questions like, Do you need volunteers? Do you need food, water, toys, money, pet supplies, volunteers? Concerned citizens and businesses from all over called to offer help. The media wanted to know the stories. For every call that Sr. Lana answered, three messages came in and all were returned, all done so with Sr. Lana’s friendly, calming voice, extending sincere appreciation for their call and giving gentle direction for helping. As more and better information became available, the messaging changed but Sr. Lana’s demeanor never did. I estimate over the five days our parish office and staff received upwards of 300 calls, emails and texts. Fr. Patrick has been watching and praying from a distance, calling those parishioners who lost homes.

The gospel of November 3, the Sunday before the Mountain Fire, was Jesus’ reminder to us of the two greatest commandments, to love God and to love one’s neighbor. No greater example of living these commandments could be seen than by the generosity and care of the Camarillo community demonstrated that week. Today, looking back on those days, I don’t remember exactly what I was doing, but I do know that I had a front row seat to the generosity only a disaster can bring. With Thanksgiving approaching, I am holding both the devastation for so many families with my gratitude for witnessing human kindness, goodness and generosity.

The Mountain Fire tragedy on November 6 was a reminder that, in the big picture of life, election results and opposing views do not matter. Today, as we celebrate Christ the King, we are reminded of the most important kingdom, a kingdom where people come together for one purpose, to love our neighbor.

With abundant gratitude,

Teresa Runyon
Pastoral Associate

11/15/2024

Inheritance

Happy Sunday!

Whenever I watch shows or movies about inheritances, there is always a theme of people trying to earn it, no matter what. Whether it’s Willy Wonka, Succession or even Game of Thrones, there always seems to be a war between the greedy and powerful. In some cases, the meek and humble succeed, but the vast majority of characters are greedy and cutthroat. These stories are meant to make you feel uncomfortable.

In today’s responsorial psalm, we proclaim “You are my inheritance, O Lord!” Is this inheritance we desire different than the ones we hear in the other stories? Yes, and it’s because the pursuit of this inheritance is not filled with anxiety.

The fact that God explicitly created us to share in His inheritance makes it quite different. Everyone who has existed has/had “a piece of the pie.” If God created us to spend all eternity in His love, His whole intent is to allow us be with Him in eternal peace and happiness. In other stories, we tend to hear about the isolation and anxiety of the pursuit of great power and success; with God, He calls us to inheritance that does the opposite. His inheritance gives us eternal peace.

Even the fact that God humbled Himself and became man shows that it is different. God is willing to become man and experience death just to show us His desires for us.

While these letters generally don’t focus on the Responsorial Psalm, it hit me pretty hard as I was preparing to write. Especially because it’s something we proclaim frequently and often take for granted.

The psalm really got me thinking this week, though. The word “inheritance” is such a powerful word and it shows the immense nature of God’s love for us. Living a true Christian life means we have to understand that our inheritance isn’t earned, but rather, it is given. It also means that it’s not just intended for us, as individuals, but rather, for every single living person.

Let us live the rest of our days helping others to understand what God has given them. And let us live the rest of our days understanding the nature of our God, who yearns to be
with us for all eternity.

God Bless,

Brett Becker

Youth and Young Adult Minister