Racism is evil because it attacks the inherent dignity of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God. The persistence of racism demands our attention now. Racism emerges in the actions and inactions of individuals; and it is embedded in our institutions and public policies. Our faith calls us both to personal conversion and to transformation of our society. — U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (2020)
Our Mission & Vision
To promote dialogue and actionable change for racial justice within our parish, the Ventura County community, and beyond. We advocate to be intentionally anti-racist through study, conversation, and action to ensure diversity, racial equity, and inclusion for people of color. We envision a community that is racially just, inclusive, and equitable for all.
Contact:
Teresa Runyon 
teresa@padreserra.org
(805) 482 · 6417

Diaper Drive
March 18 - 19
In the courtyard
​One Box, Any Size

Our Racial Justice Ministry invites you to help young families in need by bringing in a new box of disposable diapers, any size, to Mass on March 18 - 19. The ministry collaborates with Friends of Fieldworkers, Inc, and Conejo Community Outreach’s Community Diaper Bank.
About Friends of the Fieldworkers
Our mission is to befriend, celebrate, and support families of farmworkers in Ventura County: friendsoffieldworkers.org
About Conejo Community Outreach
Our community diaper bank supports families in Ventura County with free monthly supplemental packages of diapers and wipes: www.conejocommunityoutreach.com

Resources

Church & Bishops Statements and Documents
Open Wide Our Hearts
U.S. Bishops’ Pastoral Letter Against Racism

​Websites:
Books & Articles:
Videos:  
USCCB Educational Resources (all ages)
 
For Children
Everyone Belongs, a book for children 5-12 

Parish Opportunities
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PrayersGood and gracious God,
Who loves and delights in all people,
we stand in awe before You,
knowing that the spark of life within each person on earth is the spark of your divine life.
Differences among cultures and races are multicolored manifestations of Your Light.
May our hearts and minds be open to celebrate similarities and differences among our sisters and brothers.
We place our hopes for racial harmony in our committed action and in Your Presence in our Neighbor.
May all peoples live in Peace.
Amen. - Sisters of Mercy

Also visit:

The Spiritual Work of Racial Justice
​A Month of Mediations with Ignatius of Loyola
Patrick Saint-Jean, S.J.

Meet Patrick Saint-Jean, listen to his experiences, and see how his new book might serve you.

​Using the Ignatian retreat format, this book of meditations offers an opportunity to continue pursuing racial justice as a necessary component of faith.

Each meditation is grounded in spiritual practices and history to heal our battered souls and bereaved hearts, using reflection, journaling, and reading in openness, humility, and prayer to lead us to concrete acts of love for our neighbors.
Patrick Saint-Jean, S.J., PsyD, currently teaches psychology at Creighton University, where he is also a psychotherapist. He enjoys jazz, traveling, learning new languages, and playing the guitar, harmonica, and drums.

Our Truths
Nirmala Bheemisetty
Martita Martinez-Bravo
​Cynthia Jones-Campbell
August 11, 2020

A Panel Discussion“The Catholic community stands with all people who struggle for an end to racism and violence, in our families, in our places of worship, in our communities and in our world. We must continue to build bridges and we must confront racism and violence with a commitment to life, a vision of hope, and a call to action,” Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, President of the U.S. Bishops Conference, June 19, 2015.

With this call to action, we can no longer stay silent or idle to the persistence of racism embedded in our institutions and public policies and how it impacts us personally.  It is time we begin the healing process by listening to the experiences of our faith communities of color. May we be present with our compassionate hearts to listen to their voices and truths.