Together in Mission Update

Together in Mission is a campaign unique to the Los Angeles Archdiocese to support schools and parishes who cannot otherwise financially survive. This campaign for the past quarter of a century has kept schools and parish doors open in our diocese while other diocese in the United States have closed down parishes and schools at an alarming rate.

The Los Angeles Archdiocese’s Together in Mission Campaign supports 80 parishes and 63 schools currently. Many of us know and appreciate the value of a Catholic education and thanks to Together in Mission 12,200 students are enrolled in our schools solely because of Together in Mission.

Next weekend, we will be honored with a guest speaker, not from a far distance, but from within our own parish who can speak firsthand of the benefits of Together in Mission. At all masses we will hear from Melissa Weyek Ronan. Melissa was raised most of her life in Camarillo. She and her husband, Mike, moved their family back to Camarillo this past summer along with their sons, Aidan and Patrick. Her parents and her brother and family also reside in Camarillo. Mike is well­ known to many of us because he serves as the principal of St. Mary Magdalen School here in Camarillo. The Ronans are parishioners of Padre Serra Parish.

Melissa will share with us next weekend her firsthand knowledge of Together in Mission having worked for ten years as a principal at Mother of Sorrows School and St. Vincent School in Los Angeles. These parishes are both beneficiaries of Together in Mission. Melissa directly witnessed every day the impact of Together in Mission support. She will share with us firsthand her assessment of what these schools would be like if it were not for the Together in Mission support their parish receives.

Melissa is a passionate supporter of Catholic education and making sure all students are able to experience academic success while also growing in their faith.

You may know, the Archdiocese assigns a goal to each parish for its share of support to Together in Mission. Padre Serra’s goal for 2017 is $107,600. As of now we have paid 67.8% of the amount requested of us. This means to meet our goal as we have every year, we need to raise another $34,667.44. So far in 2017, 370 families have contributed.

This number is down from the prior two years when we had over 500 families participating each year. We are hoping that every household in our parish will give to this beautiful cause, helping people right here in our own archdiocese.

Next weekend will provide each of us a wonderful opportunity to hear more about Together in Mission from a fellow parishioner who can truthfully attest to the wonderful life­ changing benefits the fund provides to the designated parishes and schools.

Please help extend a warm welcome next weekend to Melissa Ronan and seriously
consider joining in with Together in Mission in 2017.
Wishing you all a blessed summer. 

Siempre adelante, 
​Alan Lien
​Business Manager

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