Gratitude & Unity in Tragedy

Dear friends on the journey,

The morning of November 6 was like no other. Americans woke up either feeling happy and relieved or angry and dismayed, or somewhere in between. Residents of central Ventura County quickly turned their attention to the news of a fire near Balcom Canyon. Our business manager Manuel Leon got the call, one for which we signed up yet would take us all by surprise. Ventura County Emergency Services needed the Serra Center as the Mountain Fire evacuation center. Manuel paved the way for the mid-morning arrival of county personnel, followed soon by the on-call trained Red Cross volunteers and then the first evacuees. Space was designated for registration, dining, sleeping, and medical care. All necessary equipment and supplies arrived — computers, air purifiers, food, water, first aid, cots and blankets.

If we had to choose a week for this to happen, November 6 - 10 was ideal. By the grace of God, we had no funerals, weddings, rentals, or events. It was a “light” week. Classes and some meetings were cancelled without trouble. No one seemed to mind. There were bigger things to worry about in Camarillo.

Santa Ana winds fueled the fire and transported it faster and farther each hour, threatening more homes and families in west and north Camarillo. On one side of the campus, more evacuees arrived to await news of their house. Besides opening the doors, retired firefighter Deacon Neil Kingsley opened the heart of Padre Serra to welcome and care for 100+ people, including Padre Serra parishioners, who found refuge in their own spiritual home. I can only imagine the comfort that must have brought to them.

On the other side of campus, the parish office phone began to ring, and ring, and ring. Parish business seemed to just stop, opening the lines for questions like, Do you need volunteers? Do you need food, water, toys, money, pet supplies, volunteers? Concerned citizens and businesses from all over called to offer help. The media wanted to know the stories. For every call that Sr. Lana answered, three messages came in and all were returned, all done so with Sr. Lana’s friendly, calming voice, extending sincere appreciation for their call and giving gentle direction for helping. As more and better information became available, the messaging changed but Sr. Lana’s demeanor never did. I estimate over the five days our parish office and staff received upwards of 300 calls, emails and texts. Fr. Patrick has been watching and praying from a distance, calling those parishioners who lost homes.

The gospel of November 3, the Sunday before the Mountain Fire, was Jesus’ reminder to us of the two greatest commandments, to love God and to love one’s neighbor. No greater example of living these commandments could be seen than by the generosity and care of the Camarillo community demonstrated that week. Today, looking back on those days, I don’t remember exactly what I was doing, but I do know that I had a front row seat to the generosity only a disaster can bring. With Thanksgiving approaching, I am holding both the devastation for so many families with my gratitude for witnessing human kindness, goodness and generosity. 

The Mountain Fire tragedy on November 6 was a reminder that, in the big picture of life, election results and opposing views do not matter. Today, as we celebrate Christ the King, we are reminded of the most important kingdom, a kingdom where people come together for one purpose, to love our neighbor.


With abundant gratitude,

Teresa Runyon
​ Pastoral Associate 

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