When a member of Christ’s body dies, the faithful are called to a ministry of bereavement for those who have suffered the loss of a loved one. Christian consolation is rooted in the hope that comes from our faith in the saving death and resurrection of Jesus.

The ministry’s goal is that the bereaved feel and understand our parish’s authentic concern and receive our genuine support. Our role is not to “heal” or to help someone “get over” their loss but rather to accompany them on their journey of grief, to help them mourn, and most importantly, to listen.

We do this through several contact points by phone call or cards from a Bereavement Minister: at the time of the funeral, 1-2 months after the death, and other times in the first year of grief.

A Bereavement Minister is a good listener, confidential, non-judgmental, compassionate, patient, and has a genuine concern for others.

To learn more about this ministry, contact:
Marlyee Hrabovsky, mlhrabovsky@verizon.net
Betty Bright Martinez, bbright41@verizon.net

We have a God who knows how to weep, who weeps with us; he is also a Father who waits to console us, because he knows our suffering and has prepared for us a different future. – Pope Francis

See also: Bereavement Support Group, Funerals, Funerals & Memorials

We provide community and spiritual support for transitioning special needs teens and young adults (16+), their families and friends. 

Upcoming sessions:
November - Drum Circle with Cathy (in the San Juan 
​                           Capistrano room)
January - Folk dancing with Luke

​Contact:
Monica Spooner
(805) 484·8379
monicaspooner@twc.com

Offers support to those who are caring for an aging parent, relative, or spouse.
Contact:
Patricia Sentianin
sentclan@gmail.com
​
​Resources:

• A Catholic Guide to Caring for Your Aging Parent, Monica Dodd
• Christian Caregiving: A Way of Life, Kenneth C. Haugk

​Also visit: Care

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”
– Matthew 5:4

Offers loving, caring support to those who have lost a loved one.
​Contact:
Betty Bright-Martinez
​(805) 482·0156
bbright41@verizon.net

Camarillo Catholic Moms presents Legacy, a monthly gathering of mothers to provide community, belonging, and support in our vocation as mothers as we pass on our faith to the new generation.

• Information/registration: Anna Spooner
• Information about other Camarillo Catholic Moms activities:  Melissa Ronan

Also visit: Women's Ministry, Groups

All Catholics/Christians impacted by divorce are welcome and we join as a family-of-sorts to journey together, sharing collective lessons learned and resources available, holding each other up in prayer, and serving our community.

We offer a welcoming environment for people dealing with divorce whether they are in the earliest (often most painful) stages of grief, the initial stages of coping with difficult changes (making necessary life adjustments), or whether they are through the worst of it and now looking to move forward, grow, and serve.

Our mission is:

• To be instruments through which God can embrace Catholics/Christians who have experienced divorce, by offering acceptance, comfort, encouragement, reconciliation and healing
• To be instruments through which divorced Catholics/Christians are encouraged to listen to the Word of God, attend mass, persevere in prayer, contribute to works of charity and to community efforts for justice, bring up their children in the Christian faith, and cultivate the spirit and practice of reconciliation and thus implore, day by day, God’s grace.

Our Motto is F.R.O.G. Fully Rely On God
Contact: Jett Clyne jettclyne@gmail.com 

Also visit: Groups, Care

Prayer support anytime, all year.
Bette Church: (805) 482 · 0067
Shirley (805) 482 · 2617 

Also visit: Prayer

A fellowship ministry where LGBTQ brothers, sisters, and their families and friends in Christ are welcome in a safe harbor to explore spirituality and share experiences, strength, and hope.

Contact: Sue Powers (805) 390-2824 or openheartspadreserra@gmail.com

Sue Powers and Margaret Vesprini
Photo By Julius Acero

Helps the unemployed and underemployed focus their job search, improve resume and interview skills, network.
Contact:
Steve Loeffler
careertransitions@padreserra.org

Our parish Lazarus Ministry is essential and needed. More importantly, it’s a ministry of loving people into God’s hands after death, escorting them with our prayers and supporting their family and friends.

Many non-Catholics and non-practicing Catholics who don’t know the liturgy, nor the responses, attend our funerals. As a member of the Lazarus Ministry, you simply attend the funerals, as your schedule allows, to pray and sing the responses.

Your presence and participating alone support the grieving family and friends as they celebrate the life of the deceased, whether you know them personally or not. No special skills are required. No time commitment beyond the one-hour funeral liturgy. Just your loving presence and participation.

​When a funeral is scheduled, you will receive an email with details from Jane Riggio.

Questions and to sign up:
Teresa Runyon teresa@padreserra.org

Also visit: Ministries A to Z, Care

​Contact:
Gwen Ripplinger (805) 797·6864
Denise Ginty (805) 444·6871
goodsamaritan@padreserra.org

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mk 12:31

St. Vincent De Paul is our parish’s outreach ministry to the poor, hungry, homeless, struggling and needy in our midst. Our parish conference is one of many in Ventura County, joining with nearly 400 volunteers who all combined have helped 14,000 people this past year.

Every day our on-call ministers talk and meet with individuals and families who need financial assistance and resources to have a meal or safe shelter, to pay a utility bill, rent, medical bill, or for gas. ​This wonderful work would not have been possible without God’s help, your generous contributions and the volunteer efforts of our Vincentians.

If you would like to learn more about making a difference in someone’s life, consider giving your time, talent or treasure to SVdP please contact Terri Korell korellhome@verizon.net

​Those in need should call (805) 504 · 4753.  A member is on call Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm.

We accompany active duty members, reserve military members and your families for as long as you’re here. Our ministers will welcome you, help you connect with the parish and ministries, discern any particular needs, support your family while you’re here or deployed, and be of assistance in any way possible.
 
If you’re an active or reserve member of any branch of the military, we’d love to meet you and your family.

Contact Dave Gutierrez at militaryministry@padreserra.org

Also visit: Adults

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

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

We are a group of Catholics who, for any number of reasons, were away from the church and came back to regular attendance and active participation.
​
We share our faith journeys and want to hear your stories. We also discuss contemporary Catholic themes and have resources available for questions about the Catholic Faith and the Church.

Landings offer a safe place to tell one’s story, discern a place in the Church, and find a way home.
Join us, we welcome you.

Information:
landings@padreserra.org
​or call Teresa Runyon
(805) 482 · 6417
​
Also visit: Adults Faith Formation

Gwen Ripplinger, Denise Ginty.
Photo by Julius Acero