Category: Liturgy

A message from your priest, Fr. Patrick

3/26/2020

Dear Parishioners,

This is a long one, but I have a number of important items to pass on to you. The first is that I am praying for you, for your patience, for your confidence and fearlessness, for your generosity of spirit, and for your health and safety.

The second is that I and the parish pastoral team and staff are fine. The seniors have all gone home to work from a safe place, and most of the staff do as much from home as possible, which is quite a lot. We had some confusion as our first round of responses, limiting exposure, have all been undone by subsequent instructions, eliminating exposure. Sigh.

Dominic MacAller and I are working on next week’s liturgy. Be there at 10:00 am on Sunday.

Brett Becker, our youth minister, is doing amazing things online in Zoom meetings and the like with the teens. If you have a lonely teenager twiddling her thumbs, suggest she look in on Brett’s online gatherings (brett@padreserra.org). Guys too!

Tere Delgado is working with her lovely team to get lessons home to all the children in faith formation, to do with their parents. This will be a team effort, parents. Do your best!

Among Teresa’s goals at this time is to keep people in ministry connected to each other. If you belong to a parish ministry that needs to meet, please contact her (teresa@padreserra.org) and ask how we can help set up a Zoom meeting. It’s fairly easy, even for this 60 year old who never attended a Zoom meeting until this last week.

Among the parish ministries that deserve particular praise is St. Vincent de Paul and members of the Young Adult Ministry, who are working very creatively to take care of households in financial crisis. Now would be a very good time to consider a donation to St. Vincent de Paul!

On that point, the parish collection this last weekend was under 1/5th of what we would normally receive. I know that many people have financial stresses. If you can contribute to your parish, now would be a very good time. Checks can be mailed or online offerings can be made at: www.osvonlinegiving.com/4191
Appointments with me:

I will be accepting online appointments with Zoom, Skype, or by phone.
They don’t need to be emergencies. They just need to be important to you.
Please, contact my assistant, Barbara at (babara@padreserra.org)
She is working from home, so be patient

Parish Seniors

If you are homebound with no family or friend support and need help with grocery shopping, please contact Teresa at (805) 482·6417 x322 or by email at teresa@padreserra.org

Moral concerns:

You may wonder if there are any moral consequences to getting sick. Not in general, but if you get sick because you have been careless, in a time when the disease is deadly…then yes, there can be moral responsibility. This is because
your own life is of value (and even the young have gotten very ill or died from this coronavirus);
you may infect others;
your caregivers are also put at risk;
your sickness stresses an already overwhelmed healthcare system, taking sparse medical resources away from others.
- The moral implications are that we should do our very best to avoid getting sick, and that we are to follow the advice of the experts: stay home, maintain at least 6 feet, wash your hands, don’t touch your face, etc.
Regarding hording, we are as important as others. However, we aren’t more important. Don’t let irrational fear drive you, especially when it may leave others at a disadvantage.
- The moral implications are that we should obtain, in as safe a way as possible, what we need, but that we should not horde.
We have to treat every stranger as someone at risk. You don’t know when the person you see, who looks young and healthy, is actually compromised because of
- their smoking,
- a genetic disability, of which they might not even be aware,
- their health history, which you simply cannot know.
  - The moral implication is that we are maintaining all of the recommendations given by the health community because our faith instructs us to have a general concern for everyone, including those who look healthy, but aren’t.

The sacrament of reconciliation / confession:

The archbishop has suspended all confessions except for people in extreme danger.
I cannot hear your confession over the phone or computer; priest and penitent must be physically present to each other. The archbishop told us specifically not to do drive by confessions.
In the absence of the opportunity to go to the sacrament, please do as Pope Francis has instructed:
- make your confession directly to God,
- trust in God’s mercy,
- and make use of the first opportunity you have when the crisis passes, to make a sacramental confession with a priest.

Pastoral care of the sick
(Please read even if no one in the household is sick yet)

Apart from emergencies, the situation does not permit me to make communion or confession visits, though I will certainly speak to the sick over the phone. Please, arrange this by emailing my assistant, Barbara (barbara@padreserra.org), who is working from home.
If the sick have a severe case of the coronavirus, you need to tell me that before I come. I will not be able to touch them or stand close to their head. This means, to give them the sacrament of the sick, I will need:
- to wear a mask, goggles and gloves (I will bring them);
- to stand at their feet, one of which will need to be uncovered;
- to anoint them with a Q-tip or some other distancing mechanism.
If there is a realistic fear of death from any disease or age related weakness, please call the parish emergency number, (805) 512·3208, and I will do my best to come.
- Please don’t wait to the very last moment, as it’s always better to care for the conscious, who may well desire to go to confession if they can.
- If you can call in daylight hours, please do so. In an emergency do what you need to do.
- Please hear this: In my experience, the dying most often know that they are dying (dementia aside), and though they may not want to make you uncomfortable by talking about it, they often will be very free to have a comforting conversation with me, discussing their fears and hopes – because they often have both. Don’t deny them that chance by waiting till they are unconscious.

Sunday and weekday Mass

The current restrictions against saying Mass with a community present extend through April 18, the Sunday after Easter. This is following the request of the governor of California and the archbishop of Los Angeles.
My guess is, having observed the crisis in other places, that this shut down will probably be extended, rather than shortened. Whatever the governor says, I believe the archbishop will follow.
We will continue to livestream Mass. We will always maintain a link on the home page of the parish. So you will be able to find our livestream at
- www.padreserra.org
- The actual page will be www.padreserra.org/mass
- The best streaming experience can be found at www.youtube.com/psptv/live
- We will try to have a worship aid, if possible. I received some pictures in which people watched the Mass on their TV, while following the worship aid on their iPad. If you have to choose one or the other, I recommend the Mass livestream.

Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross Garden is available for those who agree to maintain a 6 foot distance from others. If you come as a family, please respect the 6 foot distance others need and allow them to pass.
Please do not use the plastic sheets containing the text of the stations. We have no one to sterilize them at this point and they could become a source of contagion.
Instead, use the online versions, found at www.padreserra.org/stations. They work really well with your smartphone.

Holy Week and Easter

We will be trying to observe a simplified, yet prayerful Holy Week / Triduum. This will include:
- the Chrism Mass, where the oils used in anointing the sick, baptism, confirmation and ordination are blessed;
  - this will be streamed by the archdiocese, not the parish, and probably at lacatholics.org/tag/liturgy -- the actual URL has not been released yet.
- the Mass of the Lord’s Supper,
- the Good Friday service,
- the Easter Vigil,
- the 10:00 am Easter morning Mass.
  - The parish will stream them on the same channels as the Sunday Mass, above.

Baptisms, weddings and funerals

Baptisms, apart from danger of death, and baptismal classes are postponed indefinitely.
Weddings are permitted with restrictions.
- The couple must have obtained a marriage license.
- With priest or deacon presiding, the couple may only have 7 guests, who must observe the 6 foot distancing.
- Only the brief wedding ceremony may be done, without the Mass and without instrumentalists or cantor, unless they are included among the 7 guests.
Funeral Masses are replaced by the simple rites at the grave with a maximum of 10 attending, including the priest or deacon.

If you have general questions, email the parish (parish@padreserra.org) or call the parish number (805) 482·6417 and Jane will direct your question to the right person.

In everything, we have to keep seeking those ways in which we can experience Jesus, even in a more constrained environment, and be His disciples in these troubled times.

Love from your priest,
Fr. Patrick

Padre Serra/COVID-19 Updates

Mass Schedule

3/24/2020

We will have an online liturgy on Sunday at 10:00 am. You can also watch the Mass through YouTube. Please subscribe.

Watch Sunday Mass

With the deepest regret, but hoping to preserve our parishioners’ health, at the recommendation of the civil and health authorities, Archbishop Jose Gomez has asked all parish churches and chapels to close and remain locked.

Reconciliation
The archbishop has suspended all confessions except for people in extreme danger.
Fr. Patrick cannot hear your confession over the phone or computer; priest and penitent must be physically present to each other. The archbishop told us specifically not to do drive by confessions.
In the absence of the opportunity to go to the sacrament, please do as Pope Francis has instructed:

make your confession directly to God,
trust in God’s mercy,
and make use of the first opportunity you have when the crisis passes, to make a sacramental confession with a priest.

Parish Office is Closed.
For both security and sanitation, the restrooms will remain locked.

Padre Serra/COVID-19 Updates

Making a Spiritual Communion

3/23/2020

Dear Parishioners,
Some of you have asked how to enter the moment of Communion, when our current circumstances make it impossible for you to receive. The centuries-long practice of making a spiritual, rather than physical, communion while sick certainly applies here. The essence of it, as St. Thomas Aquinas puts it, is to express “an ardent desire to receive Jesus in communion at Mass, and to lovingly embrace him as if we had actually received him” I have a few options for you to consider. The first, which allows you a lot of freedom to say what you need to the Lord, is good for those whose words come easy to them. Some more traditional versions give a tried and true approach for those for whom that’s helpful. Be free to do what you want here…so long as you do something at that moment.

Four worthy steps for a deep spiritual communion, to do in your own words:

Consciously state to the Lord your belief about his presence in the Eucharist.
Speak of your gratitude and love for the Lord.
Acknowledge your need and hunger for him in your life.
Invite him, with a humble heart, to come to you.

A traditional spiritual communion suggested by Pope Francis (only slightly altered by me):
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire you with all my heart. Since I cannot receive you now sacramentally, I ask you to come into my heart spiritually. I embrace you as if you were already in my heart, and unite myself to you completely. Please do not ever let me be far from you. (St. Alphonse Liguori, (1696-1787)

A spiritual communion suggested by Archbishop Gomez:
I wish, my Lord, to receive you with the purity, humility, and devotion with which your most holy Mother received you, with the spirit and fervor of the saints.

The prayer (taken from Matt 8:6) in the Mass just before Communion can be enough:
“Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”

A final suggestion from me is to pray Psalm 63, vv. 2-9:
O God, you are my God — it is you I seek!
For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts,
In a land parched, lifeless, and without water.
I look to you in the sanctuary to see your power and glory.
For your love is better than life, my lips shall ever praise you!
I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands, calling on your name.
My soul shall be sated, as with choice food, with joyous lips my mouth shall praise you!
I think of you upon my bed, I remember you through the watches of the night
You indeed are my savior and, in the shadow of your wings, I shout for joy.
My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me.

I hope you find this helpful! You are always in my prayers.

Love from your priest,
Fr. Patrick

A personal message from Fr. Patrick

3/20/2020

So...I’m certainly having a different Lent than the one I set my mind to those days before Lent. You too? The governor’s announcement has thrown my plans for keeping the parish open into complete disarray. I accept what Gov. Newsom is hoping to accomplish (flattening that curve of infections / not overwhelming the medical personnel and facilities).

As we move into this odd Lent of restrictions on our movements, and our current inability to work and support ourselves, I remember the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Ash Wednesday: “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you” (Matt 6:16-17).

That has a renewed meaning for us as we deal with enforced enclosure, boredom, difficulties in shopping, loneliness etc., that we are to do it with good will, with calmness, and with a supportive attitude to others who will be having a harder time than we are.

Regarding the parish:

It looks like we will have a simple, heartfelt, online Mass on Sunday at 10:00 am. The archbishop limited the attendees to me and two others – for us, that will be a sacristan and a musician. Do not come to the church at that time, as the doors will have to be locked from 9:00 till 11:15 am or so. You can also watch them through YouTube.

The parish offices have closed to comply with the directives from the state of California and the city of Ventura. Staff will come only rarely and briefly to accomplish essential tasks.

We are answering messages left on the phone. So if you have a need, please call! But then be patient with us, as the staff are monitoring everything from their homes, and will be checking in occasionally, rather than being constantly at their desks. Non-emergency requests to meet will need to wait till after the crisis has passed.

Because walks have been deemed correct, but gathering of any kind incorrect, the church building will be open till 9:00 at night. Still, only ten people may occupy it at any given time, sitting only in the designated chairs that will be set at safe distances from each other, and sanitized nightly.

The Blessed Sacrament chapel will likewise remain open, but only two people may enter at any time.

Reconciliation / Confessions will be held outside in the courtyard, on Saturday from 3:00 pm till 5:00 pm (or until after the last person after that time has made their confession). Chairs will be set out at over 6 feet from one another. I must ask that everyone maintain safe distances, even from close friends. There will be no penance service this lent.

Parents of children making their first reconciliation! As we cannot pass anything from child to child, please bring the Act of Contrition with your children, and explain that the circumstances are unusual, but will work just fine.

At the archbishop’s directions, I will be visiting only the very sick, following the most stringent guidelines (mask and gloves). Call the emergency line for this, but please do not wait until the last minute. It is so much better to talk with someone who is conscious, who can make their confession if they want to, and who can pray along.

For both security and sanitation, the restrooms will remain locked all day.

I will leave you these words that have been attributed to Pope Francis:

“Tonight before falling asleep, think about when we will return to the street.
When we hug again, when all the shopping together will seem like a party.
Let’s think about when the coffees will return to the bar, the small talk, the photos close to each other.
We think about when it will be all a memory, but normalcy will seem an unexpected and beautiful gift.
We will love everything that has so far seemed futile to us.
Every second will be precious.
Swims at the sea, the sun until late, sunsets, toasts, laughter.
We will go back to laughing together.
Strength and courage.
See you soon!”

Love from your priest,

Fr. Patrick

Sunday Mass

Padre Serra/COVID-19 Updates

Message from Fr. Patrick

3/16/2020

Dear Parishioners,

What challenging times!

As I hope you already know, Archbishop Gomez has waived the responsibility to attend Mass for the next three weeks, through the end of March. There may well be extensions of this decision.
I am the last person to suggest we take our liturgical obligations to God and each other lightly, but these are exceptional circumstance. We will continue to have Mass, but I ask you to consider the following concerns.

If you are over 60, you are considered particularly at risk to suffer very serious consequences if you contract covid-19 / the coronavirus.
To make a conscientious decision about coming to church these next weeks, you also need to consider who will be put at risk, if you get sick, because they will need to care for you. Please consider both family members and health care givers.
Please don’t consider this a weekend off from the Lord…with whom I hope you are growing closer year by year. Be determined, if you make the considered decision to bypass Saturday evening or Sunday morning Mass, to keep a holy hour at home:
- We haven’t set up live streaming at Padre Serra, though we may do so in the very near future. In the meantime, consider watching the 10 am Mass at the cathedral in Los Angeles at lacatholics.org/mass-for-the-homebound
- That may not work for you. So, either alone, if you are single, or as a family, read the weekend readings: www.usccb.org/bible/readings
- Pray for the country, the church, our parish, your family, those in the military and first responders, friends and neighbors, certainly the sick, our brave medical caregivers, and for the deceased.
- Give praise and thanks to God for every blessing, beginning with your health if you have that!
Keep in your heart the connections that we have with one another as fellow parishioners of Padre Serra. You are not alone! We belong to one another, even if the circumstances create barriers.
Can we say it enough? – Be overzealous about washing your hands after touching door knobs, railings on stairs, phones, etc. And, though I am finding this challenging too, do not touch your face, where we are particularly susceptible to infection.
Physical isolation is desirable, and for some, necessary, and if we all do this right, temporary. So it will be bearable. Choose to be of good will. Phone someone. Skype or chat with friends and family online. If your phone permits, use FaceTime.

Using every precaution possible, I will be continuing to visit the sick using the very best precautions asked from the medical profession.

I ask you to pass my thoughts on to whomever you know that might not be accessing Facebook or email.

Love from your priest,
Fr. Patrick

Also visit: Regarding COVID-19 at Padre Serra

The Great Easter Vigil in the Holy Night

3/1/2020

Holy Saturday, April 11
7:30 pm
Begins with a bonfire in the courtyard

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!

Also visit: Triduum, Easter Sunday

Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper

3/1/2020

April 9
7:00 pm

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.

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

Solemn Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday

2/29/2020

April 10
12:00 pm and 7:00 pm

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

Easter Sunday

2/29/2020

Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020
Liturgies
7:00 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am (Church)
9:15 am, 11:15 am (Serra Center)

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!

Also visit: Triduum

Ash Wednesday

2/26/2020

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent.
According to the ancient tradition, we mark ourselves with
ashes to remind ourselves that we are mortal,
and that we stand in need of God’s tender mercies.

Also visit: Catholic Lenten Practices

Graduates Blessing Mass

2/25/2020

Sunday, June 21
11:00 am Mass

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.

Brett Becker
youthministry@padreserra.org
Also visit: Youth, Young Adults

Rite of Reception 2020

2/23/2020

Congratulations to Our New Catholics!

On Sunday, February 23, James Burgoyne, Rachel Naumann, and Jim Shields were received into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church. Already one with us as baptized Christians, they made a Profession of Faith, were confirmed and received Holy Communion for the first time during a beautiful ceremony at the 11:00 am Mass.

We are grateful to God for them and the gifts they bring to our parish community!

For more information about the process of becoming Catholic, please contact Catherine Shadduck at (805) 482·6417 x331 or catherine@padreserra.org

Also visit: Becoming Catholic

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

2/17/2020

Saturday, April 4
5:00 pm

Sunday, April 5
7:30 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am

5:00 pm and 7:30 am start in the Church.
9:00 am and 11:00 am will begin in the Courtyard.

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.

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

Photos by Julius Acero

Scout Sunday

2/9/2020

Sunday, February 9
9:00 am Mass

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 1 and 2. Still $5/box and 8 delicious varieties.

Find out about joining a troop!
Boy Scout Troop #257 for boys in grades 6-12. Contact: Terry Tong
terrytong76@gmail.com

Girl Scouts are kindergarten through 12th grade.
Contact: Karen Fraser
fraserclan5@verizon.net

Also visit: Scouts

Sick & Homebound Eucharistic Ministers

2/8/2020

Take Communion to the sick, hospitalized and homebound, thereby taking Christ through faith and charity, on behalf of the whole community.

Celebrating the Eucharist is central to our faith. However, due to illness or injury, many Catholics in our parish and community cannot join in the celebration.

Our desire is to stay connected with them so we have a team of volunteers, Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick, who bring Communion to convalescent, nursing, and individual homes as well as local hospitals.

If you or a loved one are sick, hospitalized and/or homebound and would like Communion brought to you, please contact the parish office or Deacon Luc Papillon.

Coordinator:
Deacon Luc Papillon
(805) 482 · 6417 x412
deaconlucp@gmail.com

Linda Lowe and Deacon Luc Papillon.
Photo by Julius Acero

Hospitality

2/6/2020

Event Hospitality & Baking

Event Hospitality teams help serve refreshments at parish events with a welcoming smile.
Bakers provide homemade, delicious baked good for parish events.

Contact: Teresa Runyon

Funeral Hospitality

Contact: Teresa Runyon

Hospitality Ushers

Ushers welcome us as we arrive to worship, helping us find our way around the worship space and into comfortable seats, facilitating our processions (especially at Communion), and handing out worship aids and bulletins. They also help all of us be responsible stewards by taking up the collection at the liturgy. Contact: Paul Collier

Also visit: Ministries A to Z

Be a lector, volunteer!

2/6/2020

Lectors proclaim the Word of God to the assembly at liturgy, voice the community’s petitions in the Prayer of the Faithful, and make announcements.
To volunteer, contact coordinator: Laurie Nichols

Also visit: Lectors, Liturgical Service

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

2/4/2020

Eucharistic Ministers serve the Body and Blood of Jesus to the community at liturgy. Coordinated by Wendy Grasso, this ministry is open to additional volunteers.

Sacristans

2/3/2020

Sacristan ministry is coordinated by Deacon Neil Kingsley.
Sacristans ensure that all the materials needed to celebrate liturgy are ready and in place for each celebration.

Environment

2/2/2020

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.

Epiphany

1/6/2020

January 6
Celebrated at all Masses January 4 and 5

The Epiphany of the Lord celebrates more than the familiar story of the magi who travel from the east bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the Christ child.

The word "epiphany" means a moment of understanding or insight. This story, found only in the Gospel of Matthew, gives us a theological insight into who Jesus is and why he was born.

Jesus is revealed to the magi, foreigners who have traveled a great distance to find and worship him, as the Lord of all nations. Jesus is the ultimate gift from God who comes with authority (gold) to heal and forgive (frankincense), and to conquer death once and for all (myrrh).

He is the ultimate sign of God's love, a love that knows no limits and includes everyone.

Epiphany Home Blessing

THE ADORATION OF THE MAGI - MATHIAS STOMER

The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

1/1/2020

New Year's Mass
Wednesday, January 1
10:00 am in the church

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.

Christmas Mass

12/24/2019

Christmas Eve Mass
Tuesday, December 24
4:00 pm, 6:30 pm, 11:00 pm in church
4:15 pm in Serra Center

Christmas Day Mass
Wednesday, December 25
10:00 am

Come and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ! Bring your family, your friends, your neighbors...All are welcome!

Also visit: New Year's Mass

Photo by Julius Acero

Simbang Gabi Celebration

12/14/2019

Saturday, December 14
5:00 pm Mass
Followed by reception at the Serra Center

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.

Contact: filipinoministry@padreserra.org
Visit also: Filipino Ministry, Groups, Advent

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

12/9/2019

Monday, December 9
8:00 am

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!

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Holy Saturday, April 117:30 pmBegins with a bonfire in the courtyard

April 97:00 pm

April 1012:00 pm and 7:00 pm

Easter Sunday​, April 12, 2020Liturgies​7:00 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am (Church)9:15 am, 11:15 am (Serra Center)

Sunday, June 21​11:00 am Mass

Congratulations to Our New Catholics!

Saturday, April 45:00 pm​Sunday, April 57:30 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am

Sunday, February 9​9:00 am Mass

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January 6Celebrated at all Masses January 4 and 5

New Year's MassWednesday, January 110:00 am in the church

Christmas Eve MassTuesday, December 244:00 pm, 6:30 pm, 11:00 pm in church4:15 pm in Serra CenterChristmas Day MassWednesday, December 2510:00 am

Saturday, December 145:00 pm MassFollowed by reception at the Serra Center

Monday, December 98:00 am

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Holy Saturday, April 11
7:30 pm
Begins with a bonfire in the courtyard

April 9
7:00 pm

April 10
12:00 pm and 7:00 pm

Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020
Liturgies
7:00 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am (Church)
9:15 am, 11:15 am (Serra Center)

Sunday, June 21
11:00 am Mass

Saturday, April 4
5:00 pm

Sunday, April 5
7:30 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am

Sunday, February 9
9:00 am Mass

January 6
Celebrated at all Masses January 4 and 5

New Year's Mass
Wednesday, January 1
10:00 am in the church

Christmas Eve Mass
Tuesday, December 24
4:00 pm, 6:30 pm, 11:00 pm in church
4:15 pm in Serra Center

Christmas Day Mass
Wednesday, December 25
10:00 am

Saturday, December 14
5:00 pm Mass
Followed by reception at the Serra Center

Monday, December 9
8:00 am

News
ARCHIVES

Reconciliation (Confession)

Church Hours

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

Address

Staff Login

Contact Communication