Dear friends on the journey,

I’ve always been taken with the line in the Lord’s Prayer, “give us this day our daily bread.” In my Synoptic Gospels class at St. John’s Seminary, an exegesis paper was the ideal opportunity to dive into this particular line in scripture from Matthew 6:11. This project was a critical explanation or interpretation of the text and to do so required much research of other scripture passages and commentaries, including Proverbs 30:8 that says “give me neither poverty nor riches; provide me only with the food I need” and today’s first reading from Exodus. 

The Israelites have followed Moses into the desert and are once again grumbling and worrying about food and comfort. But once again God makes a promise, the promise of a daily portion of meat and manna. However, they are instructed to only collect their daily portion, no more and no less. God’s instruction is a test. Do they trust God enough to rely on his daily provision of food? 

For the Israelites the manna from heaven was for their physical nourishment but in today’s gospel from John, Jesus describes another type of bread from heaven. He instructs his disciples not to seek “food that perishes” but rather “for the food that endures for eternal life.” Jesus is describing himself as the new bread of life for the disciples then and for us today. This new bread is our spiritual nourishment, food that never leaves us hungry or thirsty. By receiving this bread of life we are entering into and accepting a friendship with Jesus, through whom we our “nourished, fed, strengthened and become more alive.”1  

​Sometimes we can be like the grumbling Israelites. So today is a good time to reflect on our attitude and orientation. Are we grumbling? Do we turn to perishable material things that might taste better or feel better? Do we gather up more than we need for fear of later poverty or can we be content with just the daily necessities? Do we trust that God will provide all that we need, physically and spiritually, exactly when we need it? Are we willing to sacrifice secular or popular ways and our own ego to follow Jesus? Do we really trust this new bread of life is enough? 

Rosary
Saturday, August 21, 2021
10:00 am
Padre Serra Parish

Rosary
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
6:15 pm
Padre Serra Parish

Funeral Mass
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
7:00 pm
Padre Serra Parish

Funeral Liturgy
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
11:00 am
Padre Serra Parish

Our Writers Group celebrated member Dave Flood’s 90th birthday. Also present were four members of his family who brought ice cream and cake. The writers shared poems they had written in honor of Dave who was born on the Fourth of July.

​Also visit: Adults, Groups

This is an opportunity for deep intimacy and greater connection with Jesus. During your time, you can pray, be silent or engage in spiritual reading. This devotional prayer practice allows us to praise and adore Jesus, and also for our gracious Lord to reach out and adore us.

Come for quiet prayer before our Lord Jesus for 10, 20, 30 minutes. To commit to one hour, contact 
teresa@padreserra.org

Catholic News Agency article:
24 Reasons for Spending a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament 
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Also visit: Prayer, Lent

About
Life Centers help women make healthy and informed decisions. Your generous support provides free testing, ultrasounds,  counseling, resources, referrals, education and baby supplies for women and men who are facing an unplanned pregnancy. They provide emotional support and practical needs free of charge in a completely confidential setting  for those in crisis pregnancies.

Also visit: Outreach, Giving, Respect Life

​​Also visit: Knights of Columbus

Also visit: 

• The Bible and the Church Fathers
• A Retreat with Mark's Gospel
• St. Joseph from the Sacred Scriptures, ​Deep Dive into Matthew
• Praying the Psalms

​Contact teresa@padreserra.org​

“When I was recovering from surgery, I thought my husband could just take care of our meals. But once I got home little did we realize how much time and energy he would need to care for me and attend to my needs. We made a call to Denise and Gwen and are so grateful to Good Samaritans for providing delicious meals which allowed me to focus on recovery and freed my husband to focus on caregiving.” – Diane R

​Also visit: Care, Ministries A to Z

This ministry is coordinated by Pam Kingsley and Deacon Neil Kingsley and is always open to new members.
Environment ministers make our worship space beautiful and conducive to prayer and worship. The creative use of plants, fabrics, candles and other items establishes a sense of the season. 

Available in the parish office with our Faith Life Minister, Teresa Runyon, who will listen, help to discern your needs, and provide referrals to our many support ministries, clergy or other resources.
(805) 482·6417, teresa@padreserra.org
Find more information and the list of support ministries that are open and offered right here at the parish at Care & Support Ministries.

SVDP is open to both men and women who wish to grow in their faith by serving God and their neighbor.  Members are united in their efforts to conduct their ministry with compassion and confidentiality, while promoting human dignity and respect.  To learn more about volunteering, contact: Terri Korell korellhome@verizon.net
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From a current member of the ministry: 
"Being a volunteer is a blessing. It makes me aware of the blessings in my own life. Viewing the world through the eyes of the less fortunate keeps me grounded and more aware of the people around me. Our parish conference very special. The love and support we receive from our fellow Vincentians is wonderful and the service itself keeps faith in front of everything you do. Come and join us and count your blessings."

SVDP relies on donations to support their efforts. Ongoing simple fundraising opportunities include:

•  eScrip
  Simply follow this link to www.escrip.com and use Group Code 136559191
• Amazon Smile
  Shop Amazon like normal and Amazon will donate 0.5% to our St. Vincent De Paul.  Simply follow this link to smile.amazon.com/ch/27-1002110
• iGive
  Follow this link and shop your favorite stores!
• Ralphs Community
  Follow this link to register your Ralphs card

​The donation truck is onsite twice a year to accept your donations of gently used clothing, books, games, DVD/CDs, sports gear, toys, and small household items such as lamps, small appliances, frames, etc.

Every Monday food is bagged and distributed to families in need. Remember our friends and neighbors in Camarillo served by our food pantry. All the items you place in the boxes in church are taken over to our centralized storage at St. Mary’s Chapel on Sunday afternoon.