You Belong

Dear friends on the journey, 

This weekend we celebrate the feast day of our patron, St. Junipero Serra, a Franciscan priest from Spain who desired to step foot into a new world, spreading the Good News far and wide. We also celebrate the anniversary of this great parish. In 1988, under the leadership of Fr. Liam Kidney, a small group of believers set foot on a new path to grow the Camarillo faith community in a newly formed parish, Blessed Junipero Serra parish, aka Padre Serra Parish.


From 1988 to 1995, the faith community gathered for worship at St. John’s Seminary, had office space on Flynn Road then the old rectory, and met in people’s homes, all the while raising monies for a permanent campus. With only one priest, the parish’s success and growth was dependent on the laity to move it forward, to do the work, form the ministries, plan the worship, and teach the children, teens and adults.
The temporary and borrowed spaces were not an impediment for the infant parish; rather it was the impetus to create a community based solely on relationship with one another and the Holy Spirit. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). It did not matter where they gathered, just that they did. No matter when and where they gathered, the Padre Serra spirit of welcome was evident. Over the years, spiritual and social friendships formed. No one was excluded. Everyone was welcome.


The spirit of welcome has not only grown the size of the parish since 1988, but more importantly it has created and sustained a physical and spiritual space where people have come to faith for the first time, where people have grown in their personal relationship with God, where people encounter Jesus, and where people are empowered in their discipleship. The welcoming spirit has also created an environment where people who are broken, lost, suffering, or on the peripheries can be cared for, listened to, and loved up. No one is excluded. Everyone is welcome. Everyone belongs. You belong.
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What better time than summer to experience the Padre Serra welcoming spirit and meet new people, reconnect with old friends, relax, and enjoy the fruits of God’s bounty. There is something for everyone this summer. These events are great opportunities to share your parish with a neighbor, a coworker, family members, anyone you feel needs some companionship, fun, and that spirit of welcome. 

• Summer camps for kids in elementary and middle school
• Weekly activities for teens
• Friday in the Backyard
• Movie nights in July & August and The Chosen season two
• Many ministries like Bible study, faith sharing, knitting, writing, and prayer continue 

As Fr. Patrick says every Sunday,
be at home as long as you are here and extend that welcome to others.


Siempre Adelante,


Teresa Runyon
​Pastoral Associate 

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