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4/18/2026 Recognizing JesusDear friends on the journey, The thread woven through today’s readings is the transformative power of encountering the risen Jesus. The gospel tells the story of two of Jesus’ disciples traveling the road to Emmaus when they’re joined by a “stranger.” Their conversation is all about the unforgettable events that had just taken place in Jerusalem. While they do not recognize Jesus on the road, we know that later their eyes were opened when Jesus broke and blessed the bread. I’ve always wondered how the disciples did not recognize Jesus. Wouldn’t you immediately distinguish your dear amazing friend Jesus from a stranger?! Upon deeper reflection, their recognition would have been way too easy, and we would not be able to identify with them. Filled with great heaviness, the disciples contend with their confusion and disappointment. I suspect their grief clouded their ability to see anything and anyone clearly. Couldn’t this be said for us too? It has certainly been my case. Fear, worry, anxiety and grief can have a powerful chokehold on reality. They become the lens through which we see and experience life and this only perpetuates the problems we face. Finding goodness is almost impossible. We cannot see a way out of the darkness. We feel great despair, not only in the present but for the future, which then opens the door to hopelessness. It becomes a vicious cycle in which we cannot see or feel Jesus’ presence, and we question where God is in the mess of our lives. But their story does not end there. I think this “stranger” in their midst must have been a good listener, helping them feel safe enough to express their tidal wave of negative emotions. (Well, of course...he was Jesus after all.) We know they eventually come to recognize Jesus. Talking with him had transformed their hearts and minds, turning their grief into hope, courage, and confidence, compelling them to share their encounter with Jesus. Their story is our story and our invitation to trust that Jesus is right with us the difficult times of our lives. He is always walking with us gently, quietly, and patiently, inviting us to see him, trust him and open our very selves to him. Jesus never abandons us. Meeting the risen Jesus changes everything. The disciples were moved from sorrow to joy, from doubt to trust and fear to witness. We can be moved too. Each time we go to Mass we encounter Jesus very obviously in scripture and the bread and wine. The real work is to be ready to encounter Jesus between Sundays, in the everyday walk of our lives, to recognize Jesus in the people we meet, in the situations that arise, especially the difficult ones.  Today we are invited to ask ourselves whether we have truly recognized Jesus in our lives. Have I experienced his transforming power? Am I willing to share this good news with others? How can I be more open to Jesus and the hope, faith and trust only he can bring?
Siempre Adelante, Teresa Runyon Pastoral Associate 4/11/2026 Happy Easter!Happy Easter! The first reading for this Sunday is so interesting. It almost reads like a narrator in a nature documentary. It feels like an astute observation of Easter people and their mission to bring people to the God who loves them. So, what exactly happens in this reading from the Acts of the Apostles? Simply put, the Catholic Church is happening. There is liturgy, community and almsgiving practiced with these disciples. Notice also, that at the end, the number of Christians increases through the activities of the disciples. Please notice that the acts of their Christian devotion are very direct. It’s through Church teaching, community life and prayer (especially mass), that disciples show their dedication. It’s obvious that the Acts of Apostles was written a long time ago. But even with such a historic text, I would argue that the blueprint to being disciples and bringing people to God’s Church is the same today. It is through our Church and her communities, that we naturally become good disciples. This is especially true when it comes to the mass, and the celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist, which feels like a cornerstone of discipleship, even back then. The blueprint of the Church that Christ instituted is clear in this passage, and the cornerstone of discipleship hasn’t changed one bit. So what do great, modern disciples do today? The answer still lays in it’s foundation; The breaking of the bread and the prayers.  As we continue to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord, my prayer is that we continue to find strength and meaning in the same way the Apostles did. I pray that through our participation in the liturgy, we continue to awe the world with our faith.
God Bless, Brett Youth and Young Adult Minister 4/4/2026 Easter BlessingsThe rain came early this year, and in such abundance, that I have found a sweet pleasure in viewing our green hills and mountains, filled with wildflowers and life. Knowing the golden hillside hues to come I try to make the most of these beautiful months of late winter and spring. The lush push of nature is a foretaste of the promises of Easter, reminding us of the renewal of life, not so much in our hills, as in our hearts. All that the Lord’s rains have done to the world around us, His grace can do within us. Each of us bears our own set of struggles to this moment, our own crosses carried to our unique Golgotha, bound, beaten, and weary. Perhaps, we are responsible for these Calvaries, but even when we have done all things well and good, the world and its politics, our companions and their struggles, can darken our optimism. For the Christian, though, there is hope. Resurrection is the basis of our faith, and the horizon toward which we journey. It has happened for our Lord Jesus. He would also have it for us, and there is no better time than now. If you have brought any sorrow or heaviness to this Easter Day, I invite you to confidently lay it at the foot of Jesus’ cross. Jesus died while we were yet sinners, because He sees what He needs to heal in us, the Godlikeness that remains in us to redeem, and that which is our truest self for Him to love. Can you, this Easter, simply bathe in your Lord’s tender devotion to you? If we could, we would be like our beautiful Ventura County countryside, brought back to verdancy through the deep and satisfying rain of God’s grace into our arid hearts. If, by blessed chance, you come with joy in your heart, I encourage you to celebrate with full voice and heart.  Whatever circumstances bring you to Padre Serra Parish today, you are most welcome, you are most wanted, and for as long as you are here, you are at home in this vineyard of the Lord.
May every Easter blessing be yours, Fr. Patrick Mullen Pastor 3/28/2026 Holy Week A Journey with JesusDear friends on the journey, Here we are...Holy Week. For the last five weeks of Lent, we have been on a pilgrimage, a spiritual journey of conversion of the heart as we seek to follow Jesus more faithfully. But we’re not there yet. As a matter of fact, with Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem today hailed with palms and hosannas, we too are entering the most sacred and holy part of the pilgrimage: his passion, death and resurrection. If you’ve struggled with your Lenten promises, if you’re feeling like you missed the mark this season, and/ or you’re desiring to experience Holy Week in a rich meaningful way, this is your opportunity. I invite you to journey with Jesus this week by going deeper into what each day means, moving from routine observance to a more personal, reflective, and transformative experience. Here are meaningful ways to do that: Slow Down Intentionally Holy Week loses depth when it’s rushed. • Set aside quiet time daily (even 10–15 minutes) • Reduce distractions (social media, unnecessary busyness) • Let the week feel different from normal life Pray with Purpose Each Day Match your prayer to the meaning of the day: • Palm Sunday: Surrender and welcome • Midweek: Repentance and honesty • Holy Thursday: Gratitude and humility • Good Friday: Silence and sorrow • Holy Saturday: Waiting and trust Offering a simple prayer like “Lord, help me understand your love more deeply today” can be powerful. Stay with the Hard Parts Many people rush past Good Friday to get to Easter. Instead sit in the tomb: • Hold the weight of the crucifixion • Reflect on suffering, injustice, and sacrifice • Allow yourself to feel grief and gratitude • This makes Easter joy real, not superficial. Enter the Story (not just read it) Instead of just reading scripture, place yourself in it: • Imagine being in the crowd on Palm Sunday • Sitting at the table during the Last Supper • Standing at the cross on Good Friday Asking yourself: What would I feel? Where would I be? How would I respond to Jesus? Practice Real Sacrifice & Service Holy Week is about love that costs something. • Forgive someone you’ve been holding onto • Help someone quietly without recognition • Give up something meaningful (not just convenient) The deeper the sacrifice, the more meaningful the week becomes. Let Easter Be Earned Joy If Holy Week is deep, Easter becomes powerful. • Celebrate intentionally (not just casually) • Reflect on what has changed in you during the week • Carry something forward (a habit, insight, or commitment  May this Holy Week draw you closer to the heart of Jesus. May his sacrifice renew your spirit, his love fill your heart, and his peace guide your days.
Siempre Adelante, Teresa Runyon Pastoral Associate Dear parish family, In the most recent weeks, many of my encounters with others, people have shared with me, how lately the struggles of daily life seem to be even harder to manage. So many are dealing with health issues, financial worries, or feeling unsafe with everything that is happening in our world. We can feel overwhelmed, fearful and unseen; perhaps we even feel like our prayers go unheard. When we feel this way, consider that a “no” or a “wait” from God is often an invitation to trust a plan we cannot yet see, just like Mary and Martha in our Gospel today. Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was very ill, but Jesus did not immediately go to them. The fact that he did not immediately go to them, was not out of a lack of love, that kept Jesus away. St. John clearly tells us in the Gospel, “Jesus loved Martha, her sister and Lazarus.” Jesus tells his disciples, his delay “is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Jesus knows what is to come, it is the glorifying miracle, so that others will see, hear and believe. During these struggles and difficult moments of our lives, we are called to trust in the darkness. Both Martha and Mary each freely grieve and share their hearts with Jesus. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Martha adds, “But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus reminds them, “I am the Resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live.” Martha makes a confession of faith, “Yes, Lord, I believe.” Just like Martha we are called to trust and have faith, even before we see the miracle or the resolution to our problems. For in our darkest moments, our Lord’s heart aches with those that are hurting. He hears our prayers. As we say in our Palms today, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; LORD, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication.” We are not alone in our pain, as members of Christ’s body, we are called to accompany, support and help one another. As we all know, Jesus’ death was an act of immense and pure love. I  t was the result of him choosing to join with humanity to the utmost degree; entering into taking on all the kinds of our suffering. To believe in Him is to already possess eternal life that death cannot touch. If we believe, we will see the glory of God.
Siempre Adelante, Tere Delgado Faith Formation Minister 3/14/2026 Empty, Fill, UseDear friends on the journey, Well, here we are on the fourth Sunday of Lent, just over the halfway point of this solemn season. Today is known as Laetare Sunday, a momentary pause for joy and encouragement on our journey to Easter. It’s a good time to renew ourselves in the remaining weeks of Lent and to reflect on the hope and promise of new life through Jesus’ resurrection. Today, at the 9:00 am Mass, we also celebrate the second of three Scrutiny rites for the Elect, the ten children and teens and three adults preparing to receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist at the Easter vigil. Dating back to the early Church, these rites take place in the period of Lent called Purification and Enlightenment, an intense exercise of self-examination, repentance and spiritual renewal. The rites celebrated at Mass lead the Elect to uncover and heal what is broken or sinful while strengthening what is good, strong and holy in their lives. Though they are meant for the Elect, the Scrutinies can help all of us seeking continued conversion to examine our own areas in need of God’s mercy and healing and to celebrate and give thanks for the goodness and holiness of our lives. The Scrutinies are rooted in scripture, with gospel stories of people’s profound encounters with Jesus. The First Scrutiny (last week) is Jesus encountering the Samaritan woman at the well – where he offers himself as the Living Water, symbolizing conversion and our thirst for love and belonging. Today we hear about Jesus healing the man born blind – where he gives himself as Light of the World, representing our call to move from darkness into the light. Next week Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead – where he reveals himself as the Resurrection and the Life, signifying freedom from sin and death. Each story of conversion can be a catalyst for our own conversion which involves a certain emptying of ourselves, a turning away from sin, and surrendering ourselves to God’s transformative healing and mercy. These Scrutinies remind me of a simple but powerful prayer offered by Mother Olga as shared in the Hallow app’s Lenten Challenge: Lord, empty me. Fill me. Use me.  It’s a prayer of trust. A prayer of letting go. A prayer that invites the Living Water to quench our deepest thirst, the Light of the World to illuminate our blindness, and the Resurrection and the Life to raise whatever is dead within us. Perhaps, in these last weeks of Lent, this can become our prayer too. Siempre Adelante, Teresa Runyon Pastoral Associate 3/7/2026 If you can find a better offer.Dear Friends, Near the end of this weekend’s gospel account of the Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus at Jacob’s well, John the evangelist writes: “Many of the Samaritansof that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman. . .” This passage strikes me as encouraging. Let me try to explain. For a long time, and with greater intensity since the election of Pope Francis and now, Pope Leo, we have been hearing that the Church’s mission — our mission! — is to evangelize. In other words, we are all called, required, commanded to share with others the Good News of Jesus Christ. No one is exempt. It’s not just the job of Pope Leo, nor of the bishops, nor the clergy, nor lay people like me employed by the Church. We are all expected to do this; in fact, it has to be done for the Church to continue. I don’t know about you, but I find that a little intimidating. Knowing my faults and weaknesses so well, I question how I can possibly be an effective evangelizer. I guess the reason I find the passage about the Samaritan woman’s success in leading people to belief in Jesus encouraging is because, let’s face it – she had her issues. Never mind her domestic history (Jesus points out that she’s had five husbands – and Fr. Patrick has explained to us that it’s entirely possible she was quite innocent). She also seems a bit obtuse. When Jesus offers her living water she responds with a protest about his lack of a bucket. When he repeats his offer, she again narrows the focus to plain old H2O: “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” It was only then that Jesus broached the subject of her personal history and interestingly it was that—sharing her experience of Jesus in her own brokenness—that brought her community to him: “’Come and see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Christ?’ Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified ‘He told me everything I have done.’” So let’s all take courage. If the Lord can use the Samaritan woman, the Lord can use us. Let’s share our experiences of Jesus. They may be hidden where we least expect—in the most broken parts of our lives. And let’s not worry about looking foolish. Moses in the first reading might have looked foolish striking a rock with a stick. But it was the Lord who caused water to flow from it for the people to drink. He will bless our good faith yet imperfect efforts to trust him too, we can be assured.  Fr. Eugene Walsh, SS put it this way: “Jesus promises you two things: your life has meaning and you’re going to live forever. If you can find a better offer, take it.”
Siempre Adelante, Dominic MacAller Director of Liturgy & Music 2/28/2026 Lent and RetreatThis weekend, over 70 retreatants and around 40 leaders are in Ojai, participating in our annual Year 2 Confirmation retreat. While the weekend is lots of fun, full of comradery, worship and good times, I would be lying if I didn’t say there wasn’t a lot of sacrifice involved. The leaders have given up months in training for this retreat, meeting multiple times a week. Although it is a joyous time as we are training, our leaders have sacrificed quite a bit. The retreatants are also sacrificing their time, but they are also sacrificing their phones and the comfort of home for a mysterious weekend. Although the benefits of the retreat will shine, sacrifice is a definite theme going into the weekend. I bring this up because this reminds me of Lent. There are obvious joys when we get to the end. We celebrate our God conquering death and opening the gates of heaven. The interesting thing about Lent though, is that our sacrifice somehow makes that celebration even more vivid. It’s through our fasting, almsgiving and prayer that our souls become attuned to the goodness of God. We understand God’s sacrifice for us, and it becomes abundantly clear. Please pray for everyone involved in this weekend’s retreat. With their open hearts, I am confident to say that there will be encounters with God. Whether it’s through Adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament, Receiving Reconciliation or the fellowship that leads all of us to God’s grace, it will happen if their hearts are open (even if it’s just a little bit). Lent is essentially a retreat. To get away from the world’s distractions tosee God and His role in your life. All these things that the teens are experiencing this weekend can also be beneficial for you! You don’t have to go to a fancy retreat center to go to Adoration, receive Reconciliation and immerse yourself in deep prayer. Please continue to have a blessed Lenten season. As a Confirmation team, we don’t demand perfection at the retreat. God also doesn’t demand perfection from you this Lent, he just wants you to try. If you fall, pick yourself up. Remember that God conquered death, he can also conquer your weaknesses.
God Bless, Brett Becker Youth and Young Adult Minister 2/21/2026 The Stations of the Cross at Padre SerraHello Friends, When I first arrived at Padre Serra Parish, I was taken by the beauty of the entire campus. I was especially drawn to the Stations of the Cross garden. One afternoon, I was admiring the garden when Neil told me that during Lent, he would occasionally encounter pilgrims from all over Southern California who made a day trip to pray in our Stations of the Cross garden. We have a truly unique and beautiful place to pray the Stations of the Cross. I can see why people who have discovered our garden might tell their friends and make it a destination during Lent. On this first Sunday of Lent, I am happy to report that the Stations of the Cross garden will remain open during the construction of the Youth Center. This was not always going to be the case. The original underground utility plan was designed to cut through the garden. The plan also included full restoration, but the garden would be off limits for a period of time. Fortunately, our construction contractor, Anderson Construction, figured out a way to install the utilities without disrupting the garden. You will see remnants of the trenching near the Serra Center, but the garden and pathway are intact and ready for visitors and parishioners to pray the Stations of the Cross during this season of Lent. I invite you to set aside time during this Lent to rediscover our beautiful garden and pray the Stations of the Cross. There will be no construction activity over the weekends. On weekdays, after construction shuts down at 4 pm, the stillness returns, allowing you to prayerfully walk along the Stations of the Cross.  On the construction front, as I write this, we are preparing to pour the first phase of the foundation. Rain is expected in a few days, and construction will halt during the rain. Once the rain stops, we should be a few weeks away from framing. Barring extended rain delays, we can expect the skeleton of the new building to take shape in March.
Seimpre Adelante! Manuel Leon Business Manager Hello Friends, In today’s Gospel, Jesus says to His disciples: “You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world.” He does not say we might be or we should try to be. He says we are. It is important to reflect on what these words mean to our families, and how the home itself is meant to be a place where salt seasons and light shines—the domestic church, if you will. Salt works quietly. It preserves. It brings out flavor. Light, too, does not draw attention to itself; it simply illuminates. The first place where faith is preserved, seasoned, and illuminated is not our church or faith formation classroom; it is the home. The Church teaches that the family is the “domestic church” because it is where faith is first lived, taught, and witnessed through daily life. Jesus says: “Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” Children, especially, learn the faith less from what we say in words and more from what they see us do. They notice how we speak about our faith and Church. They notice how we handle disagreements and conflict. They notice when we help our extended family and neighbors. A home becomes a domestic church not because it is perfect, but because Christ is allowed to be present—in the mess, the noise, the routines, and the struggles. A family that prays together, forgives each other, and keeps Christ at the center becomes a quiet but powerful witness for the world. Homes filled with peace, generosity, and love shine the brilliant light of Christ’s love for the world. If your home feels far from holy at times, take heart. Jesus did not say, “You are the light only when you get it right.” He says, “You are the light of the world.” The domestic church is built one small act at a time: one prayer before bed, one conversation about God, and one act of mercy.  Grace works through consistency, not perfection. May we ask the Lord for the grace to let our homes be places where faith is spoken, love is practiced, and forgiveness is normal.
Blessings on the journey, Deacon Joe and Kim Torti 1/31/2026 BlessedDear Parish Family, Just the other day as I was greeting a good friend, her response to my “How are you?” was “I am Blessed”. This was not the typical response we usually get of “ fine, good, or even hanging in there”. Her response made me pause, because I realized she truly was blessed in her awareness of God’s presence in her life, and she was giving witness to this fact, in her response. I had to ask once again, but this time my real question was, how has God Blessed you? I need to know more, as we spoke, she shared about some of her life’s struggles, and yet she was focused and happily accepting of the will of God, which in return filled her with comfort and happiness. In our Gospel, Jesus goes to the mountain and teaches the people, saying BLESSED (happy) are those who suffer, mourn and express purity of heart and other virtues. What the world sees as tragic or empty, Jesus sees as blessed. In order to live as his disciples and love others, we must not strive for the things of this world. The world may say that we will find happiness when we have money, pleasure, comfort and power, but this is not true. Instead, we must actually seek out and cultivate what is of God. A good place to start is by prayerfully examining what things we are most attached to and discerning if those things are coming between ourselves and God. If something comes up as an obstacle, we should choose to focus on the virtue of the beatitude. For example, someone who seeks power or control in an inordinate way would want to focus on the beatitude of meekness. I think this is what my friend was doing. We will have struggles and obstacles, but when we recognize that many times these are opportunities to focus on God, and know that our reward is not here on earth, but by his side, in his kingdom. As disciples of Christ, all who live according to his way of life are – and will be – richly blessed. May our struggles be building blocks for our salvation and not stumbling blocks.
Siempre Adelante, Tere Delgado Faith Formation Minister 1/23/2026 Youth Center Under ConstructionYouth Center Under Construction We had a break in the rain just in time to kick off construction of the Youth Center. Anderson Construction kicked off the project in the first week of 2026. The construction site fencing is up, and grading will be underway shortly. The next major milestone is when City inspectors come on-site to review the grading and give us the green light to pour concrete. There are a few logistical items for parishioners to be aware of. The construction site will be fenced and off-limits to the public for the duration of the project. Monday through Friday, the east end of the parking lot will be closed. During the week, when the east end of the parking lot is closed, the north parking lot will be accessible only via the west entrance. The construction crew will open up the parking lot on Friday afternoon for the weekend so that traffic can flow normally for weekend Masses. If you are on campus during the week, please respect the barriers around the construction area for your safety and the safety of others. As heavy equipment is moved to the site, additional temporary barriers may be installed to facilitate equipment movement. Below is a snapshot of the campus. The area shown in red will be closed Monday through Friday. Thank you for your patience during this construction.  1/17/2026 Beyond FearAs we enter this New Year, many of us find ourselves reflecting on the obstacles that keep us from our true calling. While fear often serves a practical purpose in protecting us, it can also become a barrier that distances us from the life God intends for us. I believe the Fear of the Lord is a beautiful gift of the Holy Spirit. Rather than a source of anxiety, it is an invitation to be honest with ourselves. It guides us to reflect on our actions with love and encourages us to model our lives—our words, decisions, and deeds—after the life of Jesus. When fear remains unexamined, it can sometimes cloud our judgment or weigh on our hearts. These patterns of behavior are rarely random; often, they are symptoms of deeper wounds in our souls. As Pope Francis reminds us: “If I know how to use fear to understand the message it is trying to give me, then it is a help.” Perhaps second only to pride, fear can be the root of many of our failings. For instance, traits like greed or abuse often stem from financial anxiety. Narcissism can be a response to a deep-seated fear of feeling unwanted. A fear of failure can often manifest as laziness or neglect, holding us back from trying at all. When we fear scarcity, it can lead us toward envy, distrust, or resentment; similarly, a fear for our own safety, health, economy, or social standing can hinder loving our neighbors as ourselves and lead to prejudice or discrimination. Ultimately, even anger is often just a shield we use to protect our own vulnerability. St. John Paul II made “Be not afraid” a guiding principle of his 26-year pontificate, viewing fear as a tactic that prevents us from following God’s will. Several months ago, our Liturgy & Music Minister, Dominic MacAller, shared a prayer by St. Teresa of Ávila with me that has become a constant companion:
My favorite part of this poem is the phrase “Dios no se muda.” In Spanish, mudar does not refer to “alter” or “modify”; it often suggests a change of residence or moving away. To say “Dios no se muda” is a powerful reminder that when we welcome Him in the Eucharist, we receive Jesus Himself, He remains with us, and He will not “move out” or vacate our lives. He is not a guest who leaves, but our constant home. I find myself repeating this prayer constantly.  As we journey together through 2026, may we all find the peace, trust, caring, and courage that allow our faith to rise above fear. May the Lord grant us the wisdom to shape our lives around welcoming Him and be truly worthy of His dwelling within our hearts.
¡Dios no se muda! Gabriela Rivera Communications & Technology 1/10/2026 To Know, Love and ServeAccording to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, God created humans to “know, love and serve Him...”. While this may be known by a lot of us already, sometimes we don’t dive into why this is a good thing. If we continue on in that same CCC excerpt (CCC 1271), it continues to say that we dothis so we can come to paradise and become partakers of God’s divine nature. God created us not just to know, love and to serve, but He created us in this way so we can desire true and eternal paradise with Him. While it may be difficult, and we may be a little too hard on ourselves at times in our lives when we consider ourselves to be acting in opposition of God’s path for you, sometimes we need to take a step back and realize that our God finds joy in us, His creation. God truly loves what He created, especially you. In this Sunday’s Gospel, after Jesus is baptized, the voice of God says to Him, “This is my beloved Son, with who I am well pleased.” This part of the gospel always strikes me because it always makes me think if I ever that please God. By this question, I don’t ponder if God is content with me, but rather, I ponder if I do things that God loves. And to be honest, I think the answer is a resounding yes. At times, it may feel bland to realize that you are created to know, love and to serve God. That is, until you realize, that God desires you and is so pleased when your free will is geared towards Him. God doesn’t send riddles, games or motives to manipulate you. He doesn’t send tests to set you up for failure. Rather, He reveals Himself to us to let us know that He is pleased and in love with us. During this New Year, I pray that we understand who our God is more fully. I pray that we understand that He pursues us and is desperately in love with us. When we have that revelation understood more fully, and when we understand that God is truly pleased with His creation, we can’t help but to pursue knowing, loving and serving Him. God Bless, Brett Becker Youth and Young Adult Minister 1/4/2026 Following the Light God Gives UsDear friends on the journey, Today, Epiphany Sunday, we hear the familiar story of the Magi, wise seekers from distant lands who are drawn toward Bethlehem by a star. God does not speak to them through the scriptures of Israel or through an angelic message, like Mary and Joseph. Instead, God meets them where they are, through the language they understand: the signs of the heavens. The star of Bethlehem reminds us that God desires to be found. The Magi werenot part of the chosen people, yet God still reveals Jesus to them. Their journey tells us that no one is outside the reach of God’s light. When they finally arrive, they do not find a powerful king, but a baby - humble, vulnerable, and poor. Still, they recognize the presence of God and respond with reverence, joy, and generous gifts. God continues to reveal Godself today, but not always in the same way to everyone. We may not see a star blazing across the sky, yet God’s presence shines in countless forms: in the scripture we hear every week that speaks to our hearts, in the sacraments that nourish us, in moments of prayer and silence, in acts of love and service, in random unsuspecting places and people, and even in times of struggle that deepen our trust. Like the Magi, we are invited to pay attention - to notice how God is already guiding us. Epiphany asks us two questions: What is the “star” God is using to draw me closer? And am I willing, like the Magi, to set out on a journey that may change me? When they left Bethlehem, the Magi returned home “by another way.” An encounter with Christ always transforms us and takes us directions we never though possible. May this Epiphany help us recognize the many ways God is present in our lives, and may we have the courage to follow the light we are given—until it leads us to Christ.  This weekend, as we begin the new year, I invite you to take our parish’s 2026 covenant. Read through it, pray with it and consider how you will respond. These suggestions are all new this year and challenge us in new ways.
May these promises be a source of light and guidance to deepen your relationship with our gracious God, encounter Jesus, and be his disciple in 2026. Siempre Adelante, Teresa Runyon Pastoral Associate Dear Parish family, As we continue to celebrate our Christmas season, The Church gives us the Feast of the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. It is a Feast that seeks to portray the Holy Family of Nazareth as the “true model of life” from which our families can draw inspiration and know where to find help and comfort. Our Lord who loves us so much, was born in a human family just like ours. Though they were holy, they were very much human and just like our families had many hardships. Our readings today help us to understand the importance of the roles of each member of the family. We have love, responsibility and a deep bond to each other. This of course goes beyond just our biological families, but to all humanity, as children of God, made in his image. St Paul tells us “Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.” Col. 3, 12-14 As I reflect on my own family, and look for the similarities to the Holy Family’s experience, I know we were a very much messier version. Our family’s struggles to leave our country in search of a better life. My parents worked in the difficult labor, low paying jobs that at times were not enough to support the family. My parents worried whether it was better to pay the rent or eat. All of us kids also had our responsibilities to contribute for the benefit of the family. Our parents keep us focused on our Faith to guide us, and trusting our Lord would help us through all our many difficult challenges. I admit I feel very blessed by my parents and siblings, none of us were close enough to the image of the Holy Family. However we did have a lot of love for each other, we often tested each other’s patience, and definitely could have shown more compassion and kindness. But in our imperfect family relationship, that to this day continues to be a work in progress. I take comfort in knowing that even the holy family too had moments of messiness and hardships. I think about St Joseph’s struggle to be the protector and provider for Mary and Jesus, as they traveled to Bethlehem to Egypt and Nazareth, a family in constant motion. He had to trust God’s messenger as he is told to; depart, arise, flee, take refuge, stay. Did he doubt his ability to be a good father and husband? I think of Mary, when they lost Jesus, did she have doubts about her ability to be a good mother? And even Jesus, did he not think how his parents would worry about him when he stayed behind? Did he not know to let them know where he would be, or to stay “where his mom could see him”. They too, lived the experiences that so many of our own families have experienced. Take comfort in the Holy Family, they lived through it too. We are all doing the best that we can, God knows! Following the model of the Holy Family, let us use this feast to recommit ourselves to one another, recognizing the responsibility that each family member has to contribute to the good of the family. Celebrate by gathering as a family and working on a project together, whether it be preparing a meal or a craft or another fun activity. Pray together that your family will continue to protect and care for one another
as Mary and Joseph protected and cared for Jesus. Siempre Adelante, Tere Delgado Faith Formation Minister 12/19/2025 Coming Soon! Hello Friends, The Christmas season at Padre Serra parish is always very special. This season, among the many other good things, I am happy to report that we are moving forward with the construction of the Youth Center. After going through the competitive bid process, we selected Anderson Construction for the project. We are now making preparations to break ground on the project. If the weather cooperates, we are preparing to break ground on January 5, 2026. The first pass on the construction schedule shows that the building should be move-in ready about this time next year. Very soon, you will see the construction activity behind the Serra Center. I will provide regular updates as we progress through the project. This project would not be possible without the generous support of the parish community. This Youth Center is a concrete example of how this parish is building the future Church. On this last Sunday of Advent, we start the week preparing to celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus into the world. The birth of our Lord brings hope and joy to the world. May we respond to God’s most precious gift with a desire to know him and love him. I wish you all a joyful Christmas. Manuel León
Business Manager eadi Join Giving Dicto 12/12/2025 Life has roads not imaginedDear friends, This is a thank-you note and a love letter. After 40+ years in Camarillo, my husband and I are moving to Los Angeles. I know this might be considered a backward move. People our age move to the quiet of this area not to the hustle and bustle of LA. However, as many of you know, life has roads not imagined, and so we move on to the next adventure. Padre Serra Parish has been the rock of my family’s life. I am writing today asking those of you who have been in the parish for years to join me in gratitude for all we have experienced. If you are new to Padre Serra, stay, hang around. It will lead you to God. If you are a visitor and live locally, join the parish. If you are a visitor, as our children are now, enjoy the spirit this parish offers. It is a gem, a jewel to be cherished. My children, now adults with their own families, were formed in part by this parish. My sons were altar servers under the guidance of Bob Shadduck. My daughters were not afforded that privilege. Thankfully, their daughters have the privilege as do the families of Padre Serra today. All of our children were confirmed here and four of the five were married around this altar. One of my daughters-in-law was welcomed into the Church around this altar. My parents were welcomed when they moved to Camarillo and buried with the love this parish offers. The next generation, our grandchildren, were baptized here, and for that I am most grateful. The milestones of our family’s life happened around this altar. Please know that you have something unique here. Back in the day, a long time ago I would visit two of my younger brothers at St John’s Seminary and declared that I would never live in a place called Pleasant Valley. God had another plan.  Embrace the good you have with the Padre Serra community. Share it. The world needs what Padre Serra has to offer.
With deep gratitude, Anne Hansen 12/5/2025 “Taking in the good”Dear Friends, Today’s first reading from Isaiah has powerful imagery that responds to what I believe are universal yearnings: Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse t together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear shall be neighbors; together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobra’s den, and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair. Julie Beck, writing in a recent issue of The Atlantic says: “There is a motif, in fiction and in life, of people having wonderful things happen to them, but still ending up unhappy.” She goes on to quote neuropsychologist Dr. Rick Hanson: “... our brains are naturally wired to focus on the negative, which can make us feel stressed and unhappy even though there are a lot of positive things in our lives.” Beck continues: Hanson’s book1 (a sort of self-help manual grounded in research on learning and brain structure) doesn’t suggest that we avoid dwelling on negative experiences altogether—that would be impossible. Instead, he advocates training our brains to appreciate positive experiences when we do have them, by taking the time to focus on them and install them in the brain. I spoke with Hanson about this practice, which he calls “taking in the good” When I read that, I thought, “Wait a minute! There is something familiar here!” Isn’t “taking in the good” just another way of expressing being thankful? Of practicing mindfulness? Dr. Paul Ford’s famous (around PSP) 10 second Lenten fast comes to mind. Dr Hanson (to Beck): “So what my book’s about is taking the extra 10, 20, 30 seconds to enable everyday experiences to convert to neural structure so that increasingly, you have these strengths with you wherever you go.” So modern science—neurological psychology!—reinforces what the Church has taught from the beginning: “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (St. Paul writing to the Colossians, 3:17) In fact, our Eucharistic celebrations each Sunday take their name from the Greek word eucharisteo, which means “to give thanks.” We are encouraged to bring all our joys and sorrows to the altar and to trust that somehow they become part of a “living sacrifice of praise”. If this is true, then maybe the matter of our lives, and how we respond, is of truly cosmic significance, and can be part of bringing about the next verse in Isaiah’s beautiful prophecy referenced above: “There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea.” Perhaps our yearnings can be satisfied—and maybe it all begins with cultivating gratefulness.
Siempre Adelante, and a blessed Advent, Dominic MacAller Director of Liturgy and Music 11/29/2025 Preparation for JoyIt’s that time of year again! We are finally done with skeletons and turkey and we are now preparing stockings and Christmas ornaments. It truly is the official countdown for Christmas. As a father of three kids, it is easy to embrace the Christmas spirit. As a child, it was my favorite holiday and how could it not be? There is nothing like Christmas. As Catholics, obviously, we recognize the importance of Advent. It is a countdown to the beginning of our salvation and the themes of anticipation are palpable. While it is appropriate to anticipate the holiday of Christmas, the theme of anticipation doesn’t just stop there. Every Advent, we are also called to anticipate the returnof our Savior, Jesus Christ. I’m sorry if I express it every year, but I truly believe a reminder is necessary. Advent isn’t just about the present celebration of Christmas, but it is a season to help us to be ready for Jesus coming again. Father Patrick alluded to the idea of not living in fear in his homily a couple weeks ago. He is obviously right. While on paper, it may feel like pondering on the Second Coming is a fearfilled task; in reality, with proper preparation, it actually brings peace. In today’s second reading, St. Paul tells us to awake from our sleep and our salvation is near. Notice that he doesn’t tell us to awaken, because of upcoming dread. Rather, he wants us to open our eyes, because the promises God has given are coming. Christ’s second coming has never been about fear, but rather, it’s about a reunion in paradise. As we anticipate the good and beautiful things of Christmas 2025, let us use those times to help us also anticipate the joy of our God coming again. The joys of peace and love throughout the Christmas season are effective signs of what is to come. If we experience peace and joy on earth, it is merely a glimpse of the peace and joy that God promises. Hold on to your experiences and allow God to transform them during this season. Happy Advent, everyone! My prayer is that we further recognize how beloved we are by God. Let us awake from our sleep and experience our salvation throughout this season.
God Bless, Brett Becker Youth and Young Adult Minister 11/21/2025 ¡Viva Cristo Rey! Long live Christ the King!Dear Parish Family, Today is the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Today’s Solemnity reminds us that Christ’s power is absolute. This feast was established and proclaimed by Pope Pius XI to reassert the sovereignty of Christ and the Church over All forms of government. This feast is placed as the last sunday of our liturgical year. As we conclude our liturgical year, we proclaim Jesus Christ our King! To whom we in all moments of our life, with family, friends, co-workers, and strangers express our fidelity and loyalty. For by his incarnation and death on the cross, he made us children of God and future citizens and heirs of God’s Kingdom. The earthly authorities come and go, with many times little care for the most vulnerable, but God’s power is eternal. As we follow the law of the land, we must remember that Jesus reins in every corner of life, there is no area that is immune to his saving power. Christ’s supreme authority renews our call to imitate him. He modeled for us a kingship of humility, gentleness, mercy and loving service. Especially to those on the margins, the widow, orphaned and foreigner. Let us imitate our Lord with Zeal, and when we feel this is a challenge, I encourage you to think of Blessed Miguel Pro, Sj. or Saint Jose Sanchez del Rio, for courage and inspiration. I encourage you to really celebrate this feast day. Be extra intentional about recognising Jesus as our King. In Prayer, as we say the Our Father, “Thy kingdom come” committing to our desire to be part of it. Perhaps as we gather with our family or friends, for dinner fit for a king and invite Jesus to join you at your dinner table. Talk to your children about God’s kingship and make a crown craft. So that as we begin our liturgical year and the Advent season, we are better prepared for the coming of our Lord.
Siempre Adelante, Tere Delgado Faith Formation Minister 11/14/2025 Our Mission StatementIf a mission statement is doing what it should it becomes like a heartbeat for us, getting to the core of our purpose, why we do what we do, who we are to serve, and why we exist. Knowing this guides the decisions we make. Some time has passed since the pastoral team and I worked on the parish’s mission statement, and I thought it would be good for us to spend a moment recentering ourselves Our mission is: Encounter Jesus. Be disciples. It’s all about Jesus. We are all about Jesus. Acts 4:12 says of him, “There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” For this alone, it is right that he be the center of our attention. We sing of him. We sing to him. We follow his cross in and out in processions. We place his cross as a blessing over our gathered community. We bow to the Good News, the narrations of his life. We place his altar in the center of our gathering where we recall the night before he died, when he gave us the priceless gift of himself. We receive him in that moment of communion – and if we are rightly centered, we make that moment the pinnacle moment of our week...there is no other name. Too often believers settle for knowing about Jesus. That’s a good thing – it’s just not enough. We need to push through that valuable intellectual engagement of Jesus to the matters of the heart, hoping to become his sisters and brothers (Mark 3:35), even his friends (John 15:15), and not just as a label, but as a real relationship. The Church we belong to isn’t the end. It’s the means to moving through learning about Jesus, to knowing, loving and serving him. That which is true about the Church, will be no less true about the parish. The parish is the means. Jesus is the end, the purpose, the goal and the companion on the way. The more we know him, the easier it is to love him, and to see the wisdom of his teachings and the authenticity of his life. When we seek, in sincerity, to replicate his life in our own decisions, actions and words, we become his disciples. It begins with sitting at his feet, listening attentively, sharing our concerns with him, receiving his challenges, bathing in his love. When our hearts reach that point of conviction where we begin to shape our life around our relationship with him, we become our truest selves, made in the image and likeness of God, and truly reflecting that likeness in our choices, day by day. And that is what it is to be a disciple, imitating Jesus’ life, picking up our crosses, feeding the hungry about us, comforting the grieving, strengthening the outcast, teaching the Way, laying our hands on the sick to comfort them, bringing the spiritually dead back to life, and in every gesture proclaiming the Good News of his message: There is a God who breaks into the world, not to condemn,
but to save, not to lord it over the masses, but to serve, whose essential command, to love, shapes everything. Siempre adelante, Fr. Patrick 11/7/2025 Deepen, Awaken, then ServeI believe I’m in good company when I affirm that for most of my life, I have been a member of the ‘brown thumb’ club. I say this because I struggle to keep most plants alive and healthy. Nonetheless, I trust there is hope for plant life despite my own shortcoming. Please allow me to explain. It was two years ago when we were gifted three succulents in a box. I took it upon myself to water and care for the one-inch-tall plants. Today, only one remains. It has been transplanted into a new vessel and has nearly doubled in size. Watering my now lonely cactus a few days ago, I paused to consider that my thumb may not be brown at all. Rather, could it be that I failed to water or feed even the heartiest of plants from time to time? Could this be why I was only partially successful? Much like the succulents Diana and I received, faith inviting each of us into service must also be cared for if it is to thrive. Doing so directs us into true friendship with the Lord in support of our role to share His love with our neighbors. This does not occur overnight. It takes intentional, continual, and lifelong spiritual nourishment to be most effective. Even so, when properly nurtured, what starts as a trickle can manifest itself into an abundance of God’s grace and mercy. While many opportunities for growth and deeds exist, I would therefore like to propose an approach to deepen our faith, awaken our call to mission, and serve with God at the forefront. Deepening our personal encounter and relationship with Christ provides a solid foundation for awakening and service. This is a time for Mass attendance, communal and personal prayer, scriptural study, and reflecting on the Lord as our friend and guide. We also strive to hone our ability to truly listen to His will by pursuing silence outside and within. This formed relationship can be further enhanced by recognizing moments of awe and gratitude. Our intimate connection with God prepares us to cultivate a compassionate awareness of the poor and needy among us. This is where we rouse our hearts and become truly awake to societal needs while allowing our innermost call to mission to flourish. We work diligently to recognize the Holy Spirit in others considering how we might openly share the Lord’s love in the world. It is through faith alive in our hearts as well as deliberate awareness that we are called to act with Christ leading the way. This further implies that the order of things matter. Placing Him first in all things provides a solid footing for a life of service from the body of Christ to the body of Christ. Our actions may seem small at times but knowing that many trickles often form rivers, we can find inner peace and strength through the words of the prophet Ezekiel:  Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish,for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh. (Ezekiel 47:9)
Endless Blessings, Deacon Luc and Diana Papillon 10/30/2025 In Hopeful RemembranceDear friends on the journey, On this sacred day, we remember with love all those who have gone before us — parents, grandparents, children, friends, neighbors, and even those whose names we do not know but who are known and loved by God. All Souls’ Day invites us into quiet reflection and prayerful hope. We call to mind faces and names, moments shared, and the ache of absence. Yet we do so with faith and hope, trusting that God’s mercy is greater than our grief. Our prayers today are not in vain; they are acts of love that reach beyond the veil of this world, helping our beloved dead draw nearer to the fullness of God’s light. To the world death seems final but to all of us believers it is a doorway into new life with Christ, an eternal life of peace and light. One of my favorite proclamations at Mass is that in death “life is changed, not ended.” This truth is at the heart of today’s commemoration. We believe that death does not end our relationships — it transforms them. The bonds of love are not broken by death. As we pray for our loved ones, we are reminded that they, too, pray for us. This exchange of love and prayer is the beautiful mystery of the communion of saints — heaven, earth, united in God’s eternal love. Today, perhaps visit a cemetery, light a candle, or simply whisper a loved one’s name in prayer. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. In doing so, we participate in God’s merciful work of healing and reunion. All Souls is an opportunity to hold both our sadness and grief in balance with our love, memories and the hope of eternal togetherness. Today I’m remembering my grandma and her gentle presence in my life, her patience and hugs, her humble generosity, her helpfulness. She died 24 years ago and I still miss her but, now that I’m a grandma, she seems even more present to me.  Who are you remembering today? What do you miss most about them? What do you admire most about them that you’d like to carry on in your life? What does that glorious reunion with them look like? Siempre Adelante, Teresa Runyon Pastoral Associate 10/24/2025 Making The Dream RealFriends, Six years ago this month, Brett wrote in this space about the parish’s vision to build a Youth Center and Music Liturgy space. The Call to Renew campaign was launched about that same time in 2019 to raise funds to bring this vision to fruition. The original concept of expanding our existing buildings (the Church and San Juan Capistrano Rooms) proved to be far more expensive than constructing a new building. We reworked the plan to fit the Choir Room within the existing San Juan Capistrano rooms and to build a new building for the Youth Center. Last month, we completed the remodel of the San Juan Capistrano rooms, fulfilling the dream of a dedicated music space. That is one objective met, but the second objective, of constructing a Youth Center, remains to be realized. After monthsof design, development, and permit processing, the Youth Center is ready for construction. The new building will be near the BBQ area east of the Serra Center. The best estimate we have, as of today, is that we will be $950,000 short of what we need to build the Youth Center. Therefore, we must come back to you, the parish family, and ask for your help in closing this funding gap. I will share more information about the campaign to close the funding gap over the next few weeks. You may recall the pledge process for the Call to Renew campaign. We will follow the same model for this latest campaign to raise the money needed to cover the shortfall. Since Brett made the first appeal in 2019, the Youth Program has continued to grow. We currently have 167 young people in our confirmation program/ youth group and 50 peer leaders. When the entire group is together, that is now over 200 people. Unfortunately, since the remodel of the San Juan Capistrano rooms, the youth program was displaced from the small gathering space they formerly occupied. Despite not having a designated meeting space, it is heartwarming to see these young people come to the parish and spend time together in fellowship wherever they can find a space to meet. Our motivation for building the Youth Center is well known. We want to create a place that will draw young people to our parish, and ultimately, we desire for them to encounter Jesus and become disciples. Please pray for young people that they may respond to the voice of God tugging on their hearts and turn to hear his voice. I ask for your financial support to help us close the funding gap so that we can build a place where many generations of youth can gather and grow as disciples. We have over 70% of the money needed to build the Youth Center, but we need your pledges to break ground on the project. Please consider pledging to help us make the Youth Center a reality. You can contact Pam Kingsley in the parish office to pledge. Pam can also be reached by email at [email protected].
Siempre Adelante, Manuel Leon Business Manager Readings Join Giving Directory |
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