This year, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is not a holy day of obligation.

​Celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary who, by the grace of God, was born free of original sin, and kept free from sin her whole life. She was the first and most perfect disciple of Jesus, and is a model for all of us! Ora pro nobis, Maria!

The Church highly reveres Mary and we honor her throughout the year with several feast days, among them the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  This holy day celebrates our belief that Mary was preserved by God from "original sin" from the moment of her conception.  This privilege was given to her in anticipation of her role as the mother of Jesus, the bearer of God.

What does this mean for her and for us?

We must remember that Mary was fully human, vulnerable to human weakness, but from the first moment of her existence, God filled her with grace so that she could live her life completely open to the Holy Spirit and to God's will.

This teaching gives us hope that we too, are destined to be free from sin and bearers of the divine. It is at our baptism that we are made new creations filled with God's grace. Everything that was possible for Mary is possible for us!

Visit also: Prayer

All are invited to this celebration of preparing our hearts, minds and lives to welcome and receive Jesus at Christmas.

Simbang Gabi signifies nine days of Christmas Novena Masses traditionally held at dawn in the Philippines. During these celebrations, churches in the Philippines are filled out the doors, and many Filipinos believe that petitions brought to the baby Jesus during these masses are likely to be answered.

After mass, people partake of traditional sweets and snacks at the town or church plaza and enjoy a sense of camaraderie and festiveness with fellow mass goers.

At Padre Serra, we celebrate this beloved tradition with a cultural Mass during Advent, after which we serve a sumptuous meal to the parish community.

Begin the New Year celebrating Mass. It is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, the World Day of Peace, and the first day of New Year's resolutions!

Why do Catholics call Mary “the Mother of God”?
The Catholic Church dedicates the first day of our secular year, January 1, to Mary under her title “Mother of God.” This title was officially affirmed by the Council of Ephesus in 431 C.E. although Mary had been called “Theotokos” (The Bearer of God) since the very early days of the Church.

​As with all Marian dogmas, “Mother of God” says more about Jesus than about Mary. It reinforces our belief that Jesus is, truly and fully, both human and divine. Mary always points us to her Son and our relationship with him.

What does this mean for us? We hold Mary as our model. She is the first person who received Jesus into herself and birthed him into the world. She encourages us also to be bearers of Jesus to our world…to our families, neighborhoods, workplaces and beyond. As disciples of Mary’s Son we are called to bring God’s love, compassion, mercy and healing to others. We ask Mary to pray for us that we may be given the grace to do this each and every day.

Padre Serra Parish Altar Servers served the 37th Annual Red Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles on October 15, 2019.  This was the seventh time that our servers were requested and have served the Red Mass liturgy. 

​The Shepherd’s Gate, or sheep gate, is a reference to Jesus Christ, the Shepherd of His flock, who welcomes all. The gate is the main point of entry for those entering the complex from the street.

On the south wall of the Plaza that borders Temple Street is the Carillon Wall. It contains 36 stationary bells programmed as a musical instrument to ring beautiful hymns throughout the course of the day and to call people to worship services.

There are 35 bells from St. Monica's Church in Santa Monica. When Monsignor Nicholas Connelly announced plans to build the Church in 1925, Johanna Shanahan, an elderly Irish-born parishioner who had spent most of her life in the employ of Senator John P. Jones, founder of Santa Monica, offered to give her life savings of $11,000 if the pastor would allow a carillon to be built and installed in the bell tower of the envisioned church. Monsignor Connelly immediately instructed his architect to make whatever modifications would be necessary to accommodate the carillon. The bells were manufactured during several years in the late 1920s by Felix Van Aerschodt of Louvain, Belgium, partnered with Marcel Michiels of Tournai, Belgium. The bourdon-bell, weighing half a ton, is the largest of the group and was engineered to strike the hours, while a second large bell counted off the half hours. Unfortunately, Mrs. Shanahan died in October of 1931, and was unable to see the bells operational.

The carillon was used only rarely after its dedication in December of 1931, mostly because of its operational complexity. On at least one occasion, it went off accidentally during the night and upset the entire neighborhood before being shut off. Connelly's dream became "Connelly's folly." During the devastating earthquake of 1971, the bell tower at St. Monica's Church suffered structural damage and was judged unsafe to support the massive weight of the carillon. The bells were taken down and placed in storage at the San Fernando Mission.

The 36th bell, the largest of the set, comes from St. Timothy's Church in Los Angeles. It was originally one of a set of 48 commissioned by William Randolph Hearst in 1926 for the bell towers at San Simeon. It was cast in 1929 by Marcel Michiels Jr. Chimes Manufacturer in Tournai, Belgium and delivered to the Castle by 1932. At the time, however, it was discovered that only 36 bells could be installed, so the bell was warehoused at San Simeon until the mid-1950s.

The bell was delivered to St. Timothy's on September 1, 1956, arranged by an executive at Twentieth Century Studios. It is 38 3/4 inches, weighs 1200 lb, and is the musical note G.

There are two inscriptions on the bell, " Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be" and "Ring in the valiant man and free the larger heart, the kindlier hand."

Also visit: Altar Servers

Did you know that Eucharist means thanksgiving? 
​Start your holiday with fellow parishioners at mass. Our local tradition is to bring the bread, wine or cider that will be shared at the Thanksgiving table to church. We lay them on the altar steps where they will be blessed before we take them back home to serve to those we love.

​Have a blessed holiday! November 27 to 29
​The parish office will close at noon on Wednesday 27 and reopen on Saturday, November 30.
In case of an emergency requiring a priest please call (805) 512·3208.​

All boys and girls involved in scouting are invited to be recognized during Mass.

Cookie time! 
​Girl Scouts will be in the courtyard after all masses on February 2 and 3. Still $5/box and 8 delicious varieties.
Find out about joining a troop! Girl Scouts are kindergarten through 12th grade. Contact Karen (805) 216·2235. 

​Also visit: Scouts

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent.
​We come to Mass and receive ashes on our foreheads to remind us that as sinners we are in need of God’s love and forgiveness.

Also visit: Catholic Lenten Practices

The liturgies of Palm Sunday begin with the celebration of the Lord’s triumphal messianic entry into Jerusalem to the acclaim of crowds shouting “Hosanna!” We gather in the courtyard to hear the proclamation of the Gospel account of this event.  Palms are blessed and distributed, followed by a procession into the church.

​Palms are an ancient symbol of victory and Catholics often display the palms, received this Sunday, on a crucifix in their homes.  The Hebrew word Hosanna means “(O Lord) grant salvation” but it has become an acclamation of jubilation and welcome.
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Once inside the church, the focus shifts to Jesus’ suffering and death as we hear the proclamation of his Passion from the Gospel of Mark this year.  We celebrate the Eucharist with Jesus’ words and actions at the Last Supper still echoing in our minds and hearts.

Also visit: Lent, Triduum

The Mass of the Lord’s Supper begins with the Presentation of the Holy Oils consecrated by our archbishop, Jose Gomez, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels at the Chrism Mass the previous Monday. The Oil of the Sick will be used to anoint those who suffer illness. The Oil of the Catechumens will be used to anoint those preparing for baptism. The Sacred Chrism, oil mixed with sweet perfume, will be used to anoint the baptized who are to be sealed with the Holy Spirit in Confirmation.
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The Scripture readings at this mass take us from the Exodus story of Israel’s preparations for the flight from Egypt to the Last Supper with Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, and telling us to do the same. In obedience we wash one another’s feet (the “Mandatum”), we celebrate the Eucharist, and we process with the Body of Christ from the church to the Altar of Repose in the Serra Center where we can spend time in prayerful reflection and in adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Also visit: Triduum

Good Friday is a most solemn day for all Christians.  Catholics have a powerful liturgical service that takes us deep into the mystery of the passion and death of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

In silence the clergy process in and lie prostrate around the altar as we begin.  A beautiful and moving sung rendition of St. John’s Gospel account of the crucifixion is proclaimed followed by a solemn presentation of a wooden cross “on which hung the Savior of the world.” 

​The assembly then processes to the cross to kiss or touch it in an act of veneration. The service continues with the distribution of Holy Communion.  All depart in silence.  The cross is displayed in the church throughout the afternoon for those who wish to visit and pray.

Also visit: Triduum, Living Stations of the Cross

The Easter Vigil is celebrated at the center of the Sacred Triduum and is called the “night of nights.”  It is the heart of Christianity and of our Church. It is Easter!

​The Vigil begins in the courtyard around a bonfire representing the light of Christ from which the new Paschal Candle is lit.  Those assembled light tapers from the candle and process behind it into the darkened church where scripture selections are proclaimed to remind us of God’s great love poured out through the ages for our salvation, culminating in the Gospel account of Jesus’ rising from the dead. New members are initiated through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and first reception of Eucharist (Communion).

All this contributes to a mass you won’t soon forget. A joyful reception is held after the mass to congratulate the newly initiated and to celebrate the great feast of Easter. All are welcome and parking is plentiful!

Alleluia! Dying, Christ destroyed our death; rising, he restored our life. He will come again in glory! Alleluia!
​We celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and the promise of our own eternal life.
Come to Easter Sunday Mass ready to be renewed!
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Also visit: Triduum

Padre Serra parish celebrates the Ascension of Jesus, along with all the parishes in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, on the Sunday before Pentecost. 

According to Acts of the Apostles (1:3), after Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, he spent forty days appearing to his disciples, teaching them and eating with them. Then, as related in Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:6-12, he ascended into heaven, after commissioning his disciples to be his witnesses to the furthest ends of the earth.
 
The date of the feast moved from Thursday, the fortieth day after Easter, to the following Sunday, so that more people can celebrate it together.

Also visit: Message of the Week, Homilies

Pentecost happens 50 days after Easter and is a celebration of:

• The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Jesus’ disciples 2000 years ago, empowering them to fulfill the mission to “go, make disciples of all nations”
• The birthday of the Church – Once they were filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples did go forth and they did fulfill the mission. The evidence is clear, more than 2000 years later, we are the Catholic Church – the Body of Christ
• The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all of us – it’s not just a one-time historical event that took place, but an ongoing, always renewing gift to all the baptized, bearing the fruits of joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galations 5:22-23).

At the liturgies of Pentecost, red is a predominant color. It’s not the red of Good Friday or Palm Sunday signifying the blood of Jesus poured out. On Pentecost, it’s the red of fire, as in the first reading that day from the Acts of the Apostles:
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,  which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
 
And these tongues were not mere gibberish. Jews from all parts of the world were present in Jerusalem at the time and each of them heard the apostles in their own language speaking of the mighty acts of God. And so the mission of the Church began – and continues.

Also visit:

• 7 Things you can do to prepare for Pentecost
• Quiet Heroes on Pentecost by Fr Patrick
• Pentecost in Two Minutes Watch a brief illustration of the birthday of the Church
• Parish Calendar

Attention all new high school and college graduates! You are invited to celebrate your accomplishment with a special blessing. Please bring your mortarboard.
Parents and grandparents, please invite all of the new grads in your life.

Attention all college-bound parishioners!

You are invited to receive a special blessing from our pastor Fr. Patrick and our whole parish community as you prepare for your journey to college.

Whether you are staying in town for college or going afar, you are welcome!

​youngadults@padreserra.org
​Also visit: Young Adults

Catechetical Sunday is a day set aside to recognize the vocation and ministry of teaching and sharing the faith with others. A wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each baptized person plays in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel.

On this day catechists throughout the diocese, and country, are commissioned and dedicate themselves to their vocation of teaching the faith to the children, teens and adults of our parish community.

The catechists of our parish, wonderful men and
women who answered YES to the call to be present and walk the faith journey with the adults, youth and children of the parish, are called forth to receive a blessing and be formally commissioned to continue the beautiful labor of sharing and growing in the faith.

To all catechists in our lives, parents and grandparents, priests and deacons, religious sisters, church family, all who have been encounters of Jesus in our lives, we thank you!

Also visit: Children, Youth,  Adults, RCIA

Congratulations!
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​On Sunday, June 16 at the 9:00 am Mass Jack Berry, Carlos Sanchez, and Joyce Shreve were received into the Catholic Church. Already one with us as baptized Christians, they made a profession of faith in the Catholic Church, were confirmed and received Eucharist for the first time.

It is with great joy that we welcome them and thank God for their presence which renews and strengthens our community.

If you are interested in learning more about the process of becoming Catholic, please contact Catherine Shadduck at (805) 482·6417 x331 or catherine@padreserra.org

Also visit: Becoming Catholic

On Sunday, August 19 at the 9:00am mass, five people were received into the Catholic Church: Robyn Apodaca and the entire Pickens family. Already one with us as baptized Christians, they made a profession of faith in the Catholic Church, were confirmed and received Eucharist for the first time.
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It is with great joy that we welcome them and thank God for their presence which renews and strengthens our community.

New members are welcomed into the Catholic faith through the RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. If you are interested in learning more about the process of becoming Catholic, please contact Catherine Shadduck at (805) 482·6417 x331 or catherine@padreserra.org

Also visit: RCIA

On Saturday, June 23 at the 5:00pm mass, Jennifer Jamison and Richard Hergenreder were received into the Catholic Church.

​Already one with us as baptized Christians, they made a profession of faith in the Catholic Church, were confirmed and received Eucharist for the first time.

It is with great joy that we welcome them and thank God for their presence which renews and strengthens our community.

New members are welcomed into the Catholic faith through the RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. If you would like to know more about RCIA for adults or children, please contact Catherine Shadduck (805) 482·6417 ext. 331 or
catherine@padreserra.org