Category: Faith Formation

Advent Awakenings: Take the Time

11/8/2020

A four week small faith sharing group opportunity to renew your experience of Advent.

Through scripture, reflection, sharing and prayer, we will journey through the season together, preparing our hearts and minds for Christmas.

You are invited to join in one of the following virtual groups; all groups will meet via Zoom.

Tuesday Morning
December 22
9:00 - 10:30 am

Tuesday Evening
December 22
7:00 - 8:30 pm

Wednesday Evening
December 23
7:00 - 8:30 pm

Advent is a season of waiting and looking ahead. We look ahead during these four weeks to celebrate the Incarnation, the birth of Jesus - the miraculous event in which God came into the world in the form of a child. But oftentimes December can be cluttered with preparations and distract us from the meaning of the season. Perhaps the pandemic will alter our experience of Christmas and maybe things will be less hectic. Maybe we might just have more time to renew our Advent experience.

Questions: Teresa Runyon teresa@padreserra.org

Becoming Catholic

10/28/2020

Tuesdays
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Via Zoom

Are you longing for a closer relationship with Jesus and a church to call your own? 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.

We have a group that meets 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

Fr. Patrick, Marcia Galles, Catherine Shadduck.
Photo by Julius Acero

Peer Leaders

10/18/2020

During our current crisis, we are moving our regular gatherings to video gatherings via zoom. Ask Brett to add you to our GroupMe to keep you updated.

Tuesdays
7:30 - 9:00 pm

Everyone confirmed, 14 to 39ish is welcome!
Dates are subject to change, ask Brett to add you to our GroupMe to keep you updated.

Peer leaders help engage our confirmation candidates by acting as mentors and facilitators during our weekly confirmation sessions, our annual retreats, and at 4:12 youth nights.

If you are confirmed and are interested in joining our team, or if you have any questions, contact youth@padreserra.org

Visit also: Youth and Young Adults

Hope Never Fails · Junior High Youth Day

10/1/2020

Saturday, November 14
11:45 am to 2:00 pm
Digital doors open at 11:45 am with worship music.
Youth Day officially begins at noon.

Here is the link to join

We are so excited to participate in the Junior High Youth Day!
During our two hours together we will enjoy our keynote speaker Mike Patin, worship music with the Chavez Family band, our Emcee Howard Durand (Padre Serra Parishioner) and a great opportunity for fun and Junior High fellowship from all over the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Reminders about Zoom webinar:

You will see and hear the speakers and musicians.
Your camera and microphone will not be seen and heard.
You will be able to reach the tech crew by sending a message in the chat.
Private chat will not be used.
yes you may share this link with other middle schoolers in your life.

Any questions, please contact tere@padreserra.org

JustFaith

9/6/2020

Registrations for the Faith & Racial Healing series is now closed. Mark your calendars now for the next racial justice series which will begin in February.

JustFaith is a series that invites participants to look at contemporary issues through the lens of Christian faith by engaging in reading, prayer, thought-provoking dialogue, encounter, and by building lasting relationships with a small group.

Faith & Racial Healing:
Embracing Truth, Justice and Restoration

Select the day the session that works for you:
Tuesday evenings
September 15 – November 17, 6:00 - 8:15 pm

Wednesday mornings
September 16 – November 18, 10:00 am - 12:15 pm

Cost: No fee other than the purchase of required reading materials

This ten-week racial justice formation journey guides participants in learning about the history of racism in the United States, so that we might work toward true reconciliation with God and restoration with one another. Faith and Racial Healing will address through education, prayer and discussion, the difficult but necessary conversation about the historical roots of racial injustice.

Required Reading:

40 Days of Prayer: For the Liberation of American Descendants of Slavery (Simmons)
The Color of Compromise (Jemar Tisby)
Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Injury and Healing (Dr. Joy Degruy)
JustFaith Participant Journal (Free and PDF is accessible online. Printing is optional.)
Estimated Cost of Books:
- $47 Amazon www.amazon.com
- $53 Barnes & Noble www.barnesandnoble.com
- $52 JustFaith Ministries justfaith.org/product-category/faith-and-racial-healing
- $69 Eso Won Bookstore www.esowonbookstore.com
  (a black owned independent bookstore in Los Angeles)

Participation Commitment

Open mind and heart
Time - plan 5 - 6 hours per week for session and reading during the 10 weeks
Reading the three books and Participant Packet
Access to a quiet, prayerful place without interruptions during session
Access to computer or tablet with internet
Zoom app (account is not needed)

Overview of Sessions

Questions: Michelle Paschen mcpaschens@gmail.com

Also visit: Groups, www.justfaith.org

Kinship: Pandemic, BLM, and Elections

8/5/2020

St. Camillus Center for Pastoral Care’s Urban Interfaith Chaplaincy Program in Los Angeles invites all to a gathering with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J. who will address the current pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement, and upcoming elections.

Contact St. Camillus Center for Pastoral Care
(323) 225·4461 x111
info@stcamilluscenter.org

Faith Formation for Children and Teens at Padre Serra!

7/31/2020

Live a Life of Faith, Understanding and Love...

Registration begins June 1!

Online Registration

Questions contact:
Tere Delgado
tere@padreserra.org
(805) 482·6417 x347

Our Truths

7/29/2020

A Panel Discussion

“The Catholic community stands with all people who struggle for an end to racism and violence, in our families, in our places of worship, in our communities and in our world. We must continue to build bridges and we must confront racism and violence with a commitment to life, a vision of hope, and a call to action,” Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, President of the U.S. Bishops Conference, June 19, 2015.

With this call to action, we can no longer stay silent or idle to the persistence of racism embedded in our institutions and public policies and how it impacts us personally. It is time we begin the healing process by listening to the experiences of our faith communities of color. May we be present with our compassionate hearts to listen to their voices and truths.

Panelists include: Nirmala Bheemisetty, Martita Martinez-Bravo, and Cynthia Jones-Campbell

Adult Faith Formation Meeting

7/5/2020

Second Monday of the month
1:00 pm, via Zoom

Visit our monthly team meeting to see how we dream, plan, and present adult formation opportunities for our parish.

Contact teresa@padreserra.org

Also visit: Ministries A to Z, Adults

Photography by Julius Acero

Landings

7/1/2020

A Caring Ministry for Returning Catholics

If you are an inactive Catholic you may want to consider Landings.

We are a group of Catholics who, for any number of reasons, were away from the church and came back to regular attendance and active participation.

We share our faith journeys and want to hear your stories. We also discuss contemporary Catholic themes and have resources available for questions about the Catholic Faith and the Church.

Landings is a 10-week series that offers a safe place to tell one’s story, discern a place in the Church, and find a way home. Join us; we welcome you.

Information:
Dave landings@padreserra.org
or call Teresa Runyon
(805) 482 · 6417 x322

Also visit: Adults Faith Formation

Gwen Ripplinger, Denise Ginty.
Photo by Julius Acero

Orthodox Faith in a Complicated World

5/29/2020

Fr. Gary Kyriacou

From our shared beginnings, millennia ago, Eastern Christian spirituality and theology has always been a leaven for us Catholics. Hear the best of Orthodox faith, especially as it addresses the modern world's questions and conditions. Fr. Gary will offer spiritual tools to help navigate this complicated life.

Ordained to the priesthood on September 9, 2001, Fr. Gary has been pastor of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church here in Camarillo since August 1, 2004. He's been married to Christina since 1997, and they have three children.

Unseen Warfare Slide Show - Fr. Gary Kyriacou
File Size:	11574 kb
File Type:	ppsx

Download File

Spark! at Home

4/25/2020

This page has been moved. Please visit Spark! at Home

Also visit: Children

The Elect 2020

4/8/2020

The Elect are those who are very near to being initiated into the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The current social distancing due to COVID-19 has prevented them from being initiated at the usual time during the Easter Vigil. Please pray for our 16 Elect, and for all the Elect of the world, as they patiently await the day when they will join us fully as members of the Body of Christ.

Also visit: Holy Week, Mass Livestream

Youth Prayer Service

3/30/2020

4:12 Zoom meeting

All high school teens, meet Brett and the Young Adults for a special Holy Week Reflection and Guided Meditation.
youth@padreserra.org

Also visit: Youth, Lent

Children & High School Faith Formation at home

3/24/2020

Dear Families,

We are working on creating lesson plans for families to do at home; please make sure we have your most updated email address on file. Please contact me if your child(ren) is in Faith Formation, and you have not yet received an email from us this week, tere@padreserra.org

Please make sure to mark as a VIP email so that they won’t accidentally end up in your junk folder.

For Spark! Grades 1-2
jennifer@padreserra.org
For Spark! Grades 3-5
christine@padreserra.org
For Three:Sixteen Middle School and Youth High School Ministries
youth@padreserra.org
For First Reconciliation,
First Communion and sacrament prep
mary@padreserra.org
For Baptism for School-Age Children Grades 1 through 8
catherine@padreserra.org

Also visit: Padre Serra / COVID-19, Spark! at Home

Mardi Gras

2/25/2020

Mardi Gras or "Fat Tuesday," is celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday. In the past, people would clean out their cupboards, removing all the sugar, fat, and lard to prepare for the forty days of fasting ahead. Here at Padre Serra, we share a delicious dinner or dessert and talk about what we will do as a family to draw closer to Jesus this Lent.

Also visit: Children, Lent

The (Scandalous) Mission of the Messiah in the Gospel of Luke

2/5/2020

It is commonly known that, in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus the Messiah appears above all as a compassionate and gentle savior who socializes with tax collectors and sinners, dines with the Pharisees, and proposes parables that highlight mercy and compassion. In his presentation, Fr. Slawomir show that this image of Jesus is not just very comforting but also deeply scandalous and disturbing. It is not just Jesus’ opponents that fail to understand him. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus’s ministry poses a challenge to everyone around, including John the Baptist, Jesus’ disciples and even his Mother, Mary.

Fr. Slawomir Szkredka

Ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 2002, Fr. Slawomir Szkredka, S.S.D., a native of Poland, served as Associate Pastor at Saint Genevieve Parish in Panorama City (2002-2006) and at John the Baptist Parish in Baldwin Park (2006-2008). From 2008 to 2015 he resided in Rome pursuing biblical studies at the Pontifical Biblical Institute. He is now assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at St. John's Seminary.

Sponsored by the Adult Faith Formation Team.

Little Church

2/4/2020

Sunday preschool
9:00 am and 11:00 am Mass
Age 3 through Kindergarten

Sign up your little one for a fun time at church during Mass.
Children learn so much! From the Sign of the Cross to bible stories, songs and more.
Super fun to make friends and be at church on Sundays!! Parents love it too.
Register your child as soon as they turn 3.
soraya@padreserra.org

Stations of the Cross Family Craft

2/1/2020

Our Lenten Stations of the Cross Family Craft gathering has been cancelled. Kits will be available after Mass on Sunday for you to take home and work on this beautiful and prayerful project.

Come and join us in making a meaningful Lent project with your whole family!
This project will entail painting and decoupaging peg people. Once completed, this set has the characters you need to act out the Passion of Jesus, including everyone you need for the 14 Stations of the Cross.
Set this up in your home to remind everyone of Jesus' sacrifice for us and his triumphant resurrection.
Donation: $10 per family.
Contact: christine@padreserra.org

Scripture’s FAQ

1/13/2020

Fr. Patrick Mullen
Monday, January 13
7:00 - 8:30 pm
St. Peter Claver
West hall of the parish center
at 2380 Stow St., Simi Valley, 93063

The adult faith formation committee of St. Peter Claver parish invites you for an informative, uplifting, and interactive question and answer session with Fr. Patrick who will address the many challenging and interesting questions about our sacred scripture.
Refreshments will served.
Free will offering appreciated.
Questions:
Office of Faith Formation (805) 526·0680
adultfaithformation@saintpeterclaver.org

33 Days to Morning Glory

1/4/2020

Encounter Jesus through Mary.
Written by Fr. Michael Gaitley, 33 Days to Morning Glory is a six-week small group journey to draw closer to Jesus through his mother, culminating in consecration to him through Mary. We'll learn what the Church and four great saints - Louis de Montfort, Maximilian Kolbe, Mother Teresa, John Paul II - have to teach us about the power and influence Mary and then how to live as better disciples. Whether you are brand new to the concept of Marian Consecration, or you wish to renew your consecration, you are invited.

Questions: Grace Martinez grace@padreserra.org

La Posada

12/10/2019

Tuesday, December 10
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Begins in the church
Fiesta to follow in the Serra Center

Let us come together for a fun, interactive, and enriching Advent celebration to prepare our hearts for Jesus' coming!
Come and learn how to enjoy this cheerful faith tradition with your family and friends. Everyone is welcome!

The Posadas is a Christmas tradition celebrated throughout Mexico for over 400 years that commemorates Mary and Joseph's long, arduous journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a warm place to stay, and for Jesus to be born. The word Posada is Spanish for "lodging" or "accommodation."

This Advent custom re-enacts the gospel story told in Luke 2:1-7 with prayer and song. Traditionally, a Posada starts with the recitation of the Holy Rosary, a reflection of the Gospel of Luke, and the re-enactment procession of singing requests for lodging. The celebration continues with a piñata; the seven corners of the piñata represent the seven deadly sins, and the beating of the piñata symbolizes overcoming the sins. The candy within each piñata characterizes the sweetness of God's grace to us through the birth of Jesus.

A Posada teaches us that by welcoming the poor and needy, we are embracing Jesus in our midst. Typically the Posadas begin on December 16 and end nine days later, on December 24 and midnight Mass. Each night, one family agrees to house the pilgrims.

Come early to enjoy Taco Tuesday at 5:30 pm! Tamales and Champurrado will also be available for purchase (cash only) before and afterward. Piñatas for the kids and goodies for the adults!

Also visit: Children, Advent

Visio Divina

12/1/2019

Noticing God during Lent through the images in my life.
Dr. Michael Cunningham
Monday, February 3
7:00 pm
Serra Center
Doors open at 6:30 for refreshments

Visio Divina is an ancient prayer form, often referred to as praying with icons. However, it is so much more…Dr. Cunningham will lead us through a prayerful experience of Visio Divina and how we can use it in our everyday lives to deepen our relationship with God.

By the end of the session, you will be able to use this ancient and contemplative prayer form with your cell phone and use photography to reflect on the glory and meaning which surrounds our everyday lives.

The Lenten period gives us the reason to dedicate some special time for reflection and contemplation in this simple but powerful prayer form.

Michael Cunningham OFS is a Secular Franciscan and Retreat Center Director at Mater Dolorosa in the Sierra Madre.

No cost.

Sponsored by the Adult Faith Formation Team

Family Dinner & Reconciliation Service

11/12/2019

This event is for children enrolled in the parish faith formation program grades 1 - 5, moms, dads, brothers, sisters, grandparents...your whole family!

Tuesday, November 12
5:45 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Prayer Service
Serra Center and Church

Celebrate Food, Friends and Forgiveness!
Let's be thankful for all our many blessings. Have some dinner with your family, relax and slow down. Be blessed with the gift and healing of Reconciliation (Confession).

This is an important faith learning experience for the children in which they witness their grown-ups participating at church in prayer and going to talk with a priest. By your example, you teach.

Come to our gathering and enjoy:

Yummy food provided!
Great family fellowship with a spiritual connection...and craft!
Holy peace, prayers and priests available to give blessings.

This is not First Reconciliation! Children enrolled in grades 1 to 5 who have not yet made their First Reconciliation will go to a breakout session that is sacrament preparation focused.

Children preparing for First Communion next May, will make their First Reconciliation on March, 14 2020.

This is our Faith Formation gathering the week of November 12. Regular Centers resume the week of November 18.

Photography by Julius Acero

Starting Again from Our Why

11/5/2019

Tuesday, November 5
7:00 pm, Serra Center
Doors open at 6:30 for refreshments
Fr. Parker Sandoval

WHY is the great question of mission. Sometimes, we can forget the WHY of the Church. A clear sense of WHY, however, changes what we do as Church and how we do it.

The WHY of the Church, in fact, is really a WHO: Jesus! Renewal in the life of the Church means starting again from our WHY. Come renew your sense of missionary discipleship.

Ordained from St. John’s Seminary in 2015, Fr. Parker is the Director of Adult Faith Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

No cost.
Sponsored by the Adult Faith Formation Team

<<Previous

A four week small faith sharing group opportunity to renew your experience of Advent.

​Tuesday MorningDecember 229:00 - 10:30 amTuesday EveningDecember 227:00 - 8:30 pmWednesday EveningDecember 237:00 - 8:30 pm

Tuesdays7:00 - 8:30 pmVia Zoom

Tuesdays7:30 - 9:00 pm​

Saturday, November 1411:45 am to 2:00 pmDigital doors open at 11:45 am with worship music.Youth Day officially begins at noon.

Live a Life of Faith, Understanding and Love...​

A Panel Discussion

Second Monday of the month1:00 pm, via Zoom

Fr. Gary Kyriacou

This page has been moved. Please visit Spark! at Home

4:12 Zoom meeting

​Fr. Slawomir Szkredka

Sunday preschool9:00 am and 11:00 am MassAge 3 through Kindergarten

Fr. Patrick MullenMonday, January 137:00 - 8:30 pmSt. Peter ClaverWest hall of the parish center​at 2380 Stow St., Simi Valley, 93063

Please RSVP

Tuesday, December 107:00 - 8:30 pm Begins in the churchFiesta to follow in the Serra Center​

Please RSVP

Noticing God during Lent through the images in my life.Dr. Michael CunninghamMonday, February 37:00 pm​Serra CenterDoors open at 6:30 for refreshments

Tuesday, November 125:45 pm Dinner7:00 pm Prayer ServiceSerra Center and Church

Please RSVP

Tuesday, November 57:00 pm, Serra CenterDoors open at 6:30 for refreshmentsFr. Parker Sandoval

NEWS CATEGORIES

Past NewsARCHIVES

Mass Schedule

​​Reconciliation (Confession)

Blessed Sacrament Chapel Hours

Telephone

For emergencies requiringa priest after hours, such as serious illness or death, ​please call:

Address​

Guest WiFi

Staff Login​​Contact Communication

Tuesday Morning
December 22
9:00 - 10:30 am

Tuesday Evening
December 22
7:00 - 8:30 pm

Wednesday Evening
December 23
7:00 - 8:30 pm

Tuesdays
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Via Zoom

Tuesdays
7:30 - 9:00 pm

Saturday, November 14
11:45 am to 2:00 pm
Digital doors open at 11:45 am with worship music.
Youth Day officially begins at noon.

Live a Life of Faith, Understanding and Love...

Second Monday of the month
1:00 pm, via Zoom

Fr. Slawomir Szkredka

Sunday preschool
9:00 am and 11:00 am Mass
Age 3 through Kindergarten

Fr. Patrick Mullen
Monday, January 13
7:00 - 8:30 pm
St. Peter Claver
West hall of the parish center
at 2380 Stow St., Simi Valley, 93063

Tuesday, December 10
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Begins in the church
Fiesta to follow in the Serra Center

Noticing God during Lent through the images in my life.
Dr. Michael Cunningham
Monday, February 3
7:00 pm
Serra Center
Doors open at 6:30 for refreshments

Tuesday, November 12
5:45 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Prayer Service
Serra Center and Church

Tuesday, November 5
7:00 pm, Serra Center
Doors open at 6:30 for refreshments
Fr. Parker Sandoval

Past News
ARCHIVES

Reconciliation (Confession)

For emergencies requiring
a priest after hours,
such as serious illness or death,
please call:

Address

Staff Login

Contact Communication