Answering a Call

  
Dear friends on the journey,
 
God put the call to the diaconate on the heart of parishioner David Gutierrez, one he would wrestle with and discern for several years. Dave answered that call by applying to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Diaconate Formation Program and, in August 2024, Dave and his wife Jennifer entered the five-year program.
 
You might recognize Dave and Jennifer as they have been in ministry here at Padre Serra for over a decade. Jennifer is on staff as Coordinator of Grades 1-2 and, together they coordinate our children’s initiation program, accompanying families as their children prepare for baptism and full initiation into our Catholic faith. Over the years Dave has been involved with returning Catholics, welcome ministry, military ministry, faith formation, gifts discernment and Eucharistic ministry.
 
Journeying in a cohort of sixteen couples from around the archdiocese, their first two years of the program, known as the aspirancy phase, have included:
 
·       Continued discernment
·       Monthly classes at the diaconate formation center in Glendale
·       Three retreats: kerygma retreat, a Ignatian Spirituality retreat and a candidacy retreat
·       Study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, moral theology, four gospels
·       Nine-month Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, known as the 19th Annotation
·       Bi-weekly spiritual direction sessions
·       Marriage workshop and evaluation at Our Lady of the Assumption, Ventura
·       Two preaching workshops
·       Learning to preside at prayer services and the Liturgy of the Hours
·       Ministry to the sick and homebound in year two
 
David became an official candidate for Holy Orders on June 21, 2026, at St. Denis in Diamond Bar with Bishop Brian Nunes.

 
They express sincere gratitude to Fr. Patrick, our deacons, staff and t to all of you for continued support.

Prayers are appreciated for Dave and Jennifer as they enter their third year of discernment, formation and ministry.
 
If you feel God is calling you to something more, whether it’s to pray more, learn more, do more, do something new, give back, whatever it is, I encourage you to notice it, pray about it, and if you like, come visit with me and we can explore it more.
 
Siempre Adelante,
 
 
Teresa Runyon
Pastoral Associate

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