4/27/2024 God Loves UsMy mom loves her garden. For as long as I can remember and to this day you can find her in her garden clearing away weeds, removing withering or dying branches or pruning back flowers that have long since dried out. When she cannot be tending to her garden because of weather, wind, or illness she will be visibly sad. My mother has been known to water her flowers, while it is raining, in a thunderstorm. That’s my mom, always loving her garden. In this week’s gospel, I am reminded of the love that God has for us and how He gently tends to the garden of our lives. As God cleans and prunes the branches to produce more fruit, we too must consider those items in our lives that may require a good cleaning or pruning? Are there things in your life that prevent you from spending quality time loving your family? Do you spend more time on devices than in conversation with others. Maybe, we do so much that we are not producing as well as we could. Speaking from personal experience, we can sometimes resist the need for change. We want to hold tight to those things that we believe have some value or that satisfy a need we have. Our thoughts, beliefs, and human needs are not God’s and when we put our faith in Jesus, He will provide the nourishment we need to look at those areas of our lives that require change and make those hard decisions. Change can be painful, but God meets us where we are. A good place to start is in prayer. How much time do you spend in the silent presence of God? My mom sends me pictures of her flowers that have pushed through the winter’s snow marking the beginning of spring. She sends me pictures of those flowers that have grown in abundance due to her tender care or those that have returned after a long absence. My mom loves her garden and I know God feels the same way about each of us. Siempre Adelante, Dave Gutierrez Parishioner 4/19/2024 A Love Like No OtherThe first year of a baby’s life is so much about learning and adjusting. While parents are learning to distinguish their babies’ cries in order to respond accordingly, babies are learning about their new world through their senses. Studies show that the maternal voice is audible in utero so an infant will recognize mom’s voice after birth. I am witnessing this right now with my three-week-old granddaughter who knows her mother’s voice, touch, scent and responds to her very presence. The comfort and peace a parent’s presence can bring a child is beautiful. Just imagine if we bring this gentler, kinder, more compassionate love to ourselves and to all those we meet. Siempre Adelante, Teresa Runyon Pastoral Associate 4/13/2024 St. Junipero Serra Walking PilgrimageSt. Junipero Serra Walking Pilgrimage Last year, I joined a group of 300 people who celebrated our own St Junipero Serra in a big way. We walked from Mission Santa Barbara to Mission San Buenaventura along the El Camino Real. We walked, we sang, we prayed, we talked, we made new friends, all in his honor. And I want you to join me this year! I was so nervous beforehand. Could I really walk 35 miles in just two days? That is way more than 10,000 steps a day! And I’m old and a little overweight and a couch potato. But I really wanted to do this. I am a big fan of St. Junipero Serra – I wanted to honor him. I also loved the idea of the walk, getting to smell the roses and take in the details of that quick 35-minute drive we take for granted. So, I started training. I did my 10,000 steps every day (about 5 miles); wearing the shoes I planned for the pilgrimage. On weekends, I walked farther and longer until I made 10 miles a day. I felt privileged to participate in this weekend event. The St. Junipero Serra Walking Pilgrimage was expertly organized. Numerous priests, monks and sisters walked the whole route and provided spiritual leadership. We attended Mass each day and learned about St. Junipero Serra, and we even carried a relic from St. Serra himself! Volunteers saw us safely across every street crossing and ensured we stayed together and on the correct route. A trailer of “pleasant” port-a-potties was always there when you needed it. Knights of Columbus provided delicious meals. We enjoyed frequent snack breaks, with plenty of time to rest and rejuvenate. We camped overnight in the school yard at St. Joseph’s in Carpinteria. We traveled light – our camping supplies traveled on a van, ready and waiting for us in Carpinteria, and again in Ventura. Please consider joining me in this unique opportunity to honor St. Junipero Serra. We’re telling you now, early, so you have plenty of time to get out your walking shoes and start training. I look forward to seeing you on the Pilgrimage! Siempre Adelante! A fellow parishioner, Stevie Garcia Fourth Annual Saint Junipero Serra Walking Pilgrimage Save the Date: August 10 - 11, 2024 For more information and to register: www.stserrapilgrimage.org Registration opens after Easter and closes on July 4 Fun fact – St. Junipero Serra was establishing Missions during the same years George Washington was founding our country! 4/10/2024 Robert (Bob) Foster
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