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.

Questions:
Geralyn Moody
​angeltags@padreserra.org

Every year, our parish helps over 1,100 children and adults have a special Christmas morning. This year we are collecting gifts for RAIN, OASIS, Ventura County Youth Correctional Facility, St. Francis Parish in Fillmore, San Salvador Mission in Piru, and Immaculate Conception Parish in New Cuyama. 
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Also visit: Outreach, Advent

Did you know that Eucharist means thanksgiving?
Our local tradition is to bring the bread, wine or cider that will be shared at the Thanksgiving table to church. We lay them on the altar steps where they will be blessed before we take them back home to serve to those we love. This year, since we are celebrating virtually, please have the bread, wine or cider handy wherever you're watching the livestream and we will bless it as you hold it.
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​Have a blessed holiday! November 25 to 27
​The parish office will close at noon on Wednesday and reopen on Monday. In case of an emergency requiring a priest please call (805) 512·3208.

Also visit: Prayer

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

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

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

Questions: Teresa Runyon teresa@padreserra.org

About
Buy gifts with a purpose! This fair trade craft program directly supports materially impoverished artisans and their communities in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. We have an opportunity to support them by purchasing their beautiful hand-made items such as handcrafted textiles, ceramics and wood products from Bangladesh, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Mozambique. 

Our purchases provides a source of income to materially poor families while supporting community development, protecting the environment, and ensuring fair working conditions and fair prices earned for their work.

​Shop online
Learn more www.concernamerica.org

Also visit: Giving, Outreach, Seasonal

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

Also visit: Children, Lent

​Enjoy an Italian dinner hosted by Knights of Columbus, Council 5272, followed by music and dancing and a 50/50 raffle for extra fun!

Presale tickets:
$20/person
$10/child (3 - 12 years)
$50/Family (2 adults with children)

At the door tickets:
$25 per person

Contact:
Paul Collier
paul@padreserra.org
​(805) 233·2810
through February 5.

Funds raised benefit KC charities and youth program scholarships.

​Also visit: Women's Ministry, Groups

Double your giving this season!
Your See’s Candies purchase for friends, family and coworkers will benefit the good work of our St. Vincent de Paul ministry.

Also visit: SVdP,  Christmas in the Courtyard

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.

Come and hear Padre Serra’s Adult, Youth and Children’s Choirs, Instrumental Ensemble and Soloists as they bring you joyous music celebrating Advent and Christmas in the beautiful ambiance of the church.
​Enjoy a festive community meal before the concert in the Serra Center.​

Celebrate the season with friends, a festive lunch, and entertainment! Enjoy a catered holiday meal, 50/50 raffle, and entertainment by The Other Reindeer Carolers, a Dickens quartet to fill us with Christmas cheer!
 
Ticket sales are closed.

In this season of giving, please consider donating a package of new socks for the Family-to-Family ministry.

Contact: Teresa Runyon teresa@padreserra.org

Also visit: Seniors Ministry, Advent

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

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

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

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

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

Little Books are beautiful daily reflections for the Advent and Christmas seasons designed to be insightful, inspiring, simple, and easy to read. 
Suggested donation of $2 each.

Have a prayerful, peaceful Advent!
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Contact teresa@padreserra.org

Parents! Girl Scout Troop 192 wants to have fun with your children so you can shop!

Ages 3+.
​First child $20, second $15, third and more $10.
12+ years old FREE if helping. Includes breakfast, Christmas crafts, games, and more!
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Contact for reduced rates if financial hardship. 
For questions/rate/kids under 3 please contact
Karen (805) 216·2235, fraserclan5@verizon.net
To register: tammyshif@hotmail.com

Also visit: Scouts

High school teens and young adults come join Brett and the peer leaders. ​Bring your Nerf blasters and darts, snacks and drinks. Remember your eye protection (goggles or glasses).

​Follow us on Instagram and Twitter
@PSPYouth
Also Visit: Youth, Young Adults