11/18/2022 Christ the King on the CrossWe Americans have very happily lived for over two centuries without a King. We don’t kneel to any person. We have no majesties, highnesses, lords or nobles. When the president of our country enters the room, we don’t kneel. We stand! Few positions here are inherited. People are not elite or special because of their parentage. We happily dumped those elements of rule, and our successful changes were so appealing that most of the world followed our example. Now, most humans are no longer subjects, but citizens. We, in these United States, still celebrate that we are free. Among our freedoms is our ability to find a path that answers our human longings for meaning, to have a purpose, to live a worthy and good life. Our answer to those goals, is the life and death of Jesus and the content of his teaching. We don’t choose him because he acted like human rulers. In fact, he lived a life very contrary to theirs. He didn’t lead armies, although military leaders have chosen his cross over the centuries to cover their banners. He didn’t form political parties, although zealots, even in his own day were sure he supported their positions. He didn’t seek the overthrow of the Romans, even though revolutionary efforts throughout history since have tried to coopt his message. When thousands attended to his words, he didn’t speak about his achievements, but challenged them to avoid judgment, to be faithful, and to love (see Sermon on the Mount, Matt 5:1-7:29). He spent little time with the powerful, rather traveling among the peasants of Galilee and Judea. He never lived in a mansion, let alone a palace. And yet, we freedom loving, American flag waving Catholics call Jesus “King.” It’s precisely because he wasn’t anything like prior human rulers that we dare to do so. He doesn’t subjugate; he leads by example. He doesn’t claim privileges or prerogatives; he lived in simplicity. He was honest about who he was, the Son of God, the Lamb of God, the eternal Word, the just Judge, but didn’t express entitlement. The moment of his greatest glory was, in fact, his act of utter self-giving on the cross – hence today’s Gospel. And we love him for this ... for toppling our misunderstanding of God. The Father is not like the fickle, self-absorbed, fragile and jealous gods of the Greeks and Romans, not like the child immolating gods of the Phoenicians or the human-heart devouring gods of the Aztecs, but building on the Jewish understanding of a God who broke into history, over-and-over, to save them, a God who is love. Un-subjugated, we choose to follow Jesus. Un-dominated, we model our life after his because we recognize the rightness of his example. Without coercion we study his teachings because they answer our hearts’ deepest desires. At times failing in our efforts and acknowledging his rights to judge, we yet confidently rely on his mercy. ![]() I join with the Catholic people of Mexico, who when suffering from their own government, cried out, “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” or “Long live Christ the King!” Long may we live in his Kingdom. ¡Siempre adelante! Fr. Patrick Pastor 11/11/2022 Altar Servers ... a Long TraditionDear Friends, Reflecting on the past and looking to the future. Nine years ago my wife Catherine and I visited Turkey. We spent several days in an area called Cappadocia which has one of the most surreal and strange landscapes on earth, formed by thousands of years of erosion. This area has more than six hundred so-called “cave churches,” hollowed out from the volcanic rock formations. We had the privilege to celebrate a liturgy in one of these very small churches that date back to the second century. While sitting around the small stone altar, I wondered what it would have been like to serve Mass in the early church. In the very early church, Christians gathered to celebrate the Supper of the Lord in the larger homes of the towns and villages. With flickering oil lamps and a few wooden benches, the altar was a table normally used for the daily meals. What was an ordinary dining table became the altar of the Lord. The altar servers, girls and boys, helped the deacon to prepare the altar with fine linens and the sacred vessels. These young Christians understood table etiquette and would have been very helpful in many different roles: washing hands, lighting oil lamps, preparing the bread, and placing the sacred vessels. When it was time for the readings, they would have helped keep the scrolls from rolling up thus providing a firm platform for proclaiming the word. At the Last Supper, someone had to set the table and prepare the meal. Servers are not mentioned in the gospels, but unquestionably, the very first Eucharist would have relied on servers, both girls and boys. Today, the altar servers can influence the atmosphere of prayer by their presence in the assembly around the altar of Our Lord. Rest assured that the assembly definitely admires the altar servers. As trained young ministers, they come to the altar of God to be close to our public prayer life. As I mentioned above, this ministry goes all the way back to the early church. Serving is a privilege and with a privilege comes responsibility. Our altar servers have been called to serve during our liturgies. Padre Serra Parish is grateful that they have responded to this call with a real sense of dedication. They help the entire community celebrate the Eucharist by their humble service. They help the assembly thank God, and in doing so they show their love ![]() At Padre Serra, we have 65 dedicated young ministers, ranging in age from 10 to 20. Half are high school students and there is an equal mix of girls and boys. It is my hope that our altar servers will spend a lifetime serving the Church in many other ways and remember this ministry as a time when God gave joy to their youth. In Christ, Bob Shadduck Altar Server Ministry Director ****************************************************************************************** Come to the 9:00 am Mass on Sunday, November 20, for our annual Altar Server Installation! 11/4/2022 Can we only imagine?Dear Friends, Today's Scripture readings show us that our human curiosity is nothing new. Even in Old Testament times, people were wondering if there was an afterlife, and what it was like for those in it. The seven brothers in today’s reading from 2 Maccabees were convinced that there was and that it would be good. Their trust in God’s faithfulness was strong enough that they willingly endured torture and death rather than betray God’s law — in the hope that life, limb and more would be restored to them in the Resurrection. But even for faithful Jews, the question was not yet settled in Jesus’ time. The Sadducees, those who deny that there is a Resurrection, tried to trap Jesus into making some kind of foolish statement in contradiction of settled doctrine by asking him whose wife a widow who married seven brothers in succession would be once they were all in heaven. I can imagine Jesus putting his hand to his forehead, shaking his head, sighing and thinking, “Oi vey — they just don't get it,” and going on to explain that everything is different in the Resurrection. So different, in fact, that we can’t even picture what it would be like. But Jesus assures us, and our faith tells us, that all will be well because we will be with him forever, and with those who have gone before us, in a place that he has prepared for us in his Father’s house. He further promises that we can get there through him — “I am the way, the truth and the life." Some may think that this means they’ve got a guaranteed spot in heaven, and that therefore there’s no need to do anything in this life to prepare except enjoy ourselves. I see it differently. I think that the promise of eternal life means that everything we do in this life matters greatly — that every choice we make has cosmic significance. St. Paul tells the community at Thessalonica in today’s second reading that his hope is that the Lord may “... encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.” And then there is that image in Matthew’s Gospel of Jesus the judge separating sheep and goats according to how they treated one another (and therefore treated him) on earth. It seems that what we do matters very much indeed. Still, speculating about what heaven may be like can be a beautiful prayer. You may be familiar with Bart Millard’s song, “I Can Only Imagine.” The refrain lyrics say: “Surrounded by your glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus, or in awe of you be still? Will I stand in your presence, or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing ‘Hallelujah’? Will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine, I can only imagine.” 10/28/2022 Excellence in Catechetical Service Award![]() On Saturday, October 15, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles presented Mrs. Catherine Shadduck with the Excellence in Catechetical Service Award for the Santa Barbara Region. Rev. Leon Hutton, Episcopal Vicar for the Santa Barbara Region and Pastor of Our Lady of Assumption Church, presented the award. This award recognizes catechists in the various deaneries who have served their parishes with marked excellence, dedication, and passion for their ministry. Individuals whose service and teaching have left an indelible imprint on the spiritual life of the religious education program and parish at large. One of my favorite moments was to see the excitement of the children and their families greeting her on Sundays during their dismissal sessions. More than just teaching about the faith, she has the unique gift to make others feel welcomed and be met where they are in their faith journey — patiently encouraging and accompanying them, helping them receive their sacraments, and come into full communion with the Catholic Church — encouraging families to become involved in parish life and ministries. She is a fountain of information and is always willing to share her knowledge with all of us. We are all so proud of Catherine, who is so deserving of this award in recognition of over 28 years of her service in Catechetical Ministries. During her time at Padre Serra, she has held many positions within the religious education program; Children’s Catechist, First Communion Coordinator, and Director of Religious Education. She recently retired as the Coordinator of Initiation for Children and Adults and the Adult Confirmation Coordinator. In this capacity, she directed the processes through which school-age children, teens, and adults are baptized, adults become Catholic, and adults receive Confirmation. This work has given her much happiness and fulfillment. Catherine plans to continue to be actively involved in the parish; she asks the Holy Spirit to direct her where she can best serve the Body of Christ. Our motto at Padre Serra is “Encounter Jesus, Be Disciples.” I truly believe she embodies it, and it is evident in the fruit of her labor. Those of us who have had the honor to be mentored and ministered alongside her have seen her in action. Seeing her joy and tirelessly giving her time and talent. It is inspiring to witness the connections she has made with those who have come through the Initiation and Adult Confirmation programs. ![]() Congratulations Catherine! May God continue to pour out his blessings on you. Siempre Adelante, Tere Delgado Faith Formation Minister 10/22/2022 A Place of GraceMy journey to serving in Catholic schools began 35 years ago under the watchful eye of my first- grade teacher. Miss Vera Flynn – all five feet and five inches of her with fiery red hair and Irish brogue – she taught forty-two six-year-olds how to read, write, and do arithmetic, but much more than that, she taught us to know and love Jesus. She taught each one of us that we had value because we were made in the image and likeness of God. Her classroom was a place of grace. As principal and also a parent at St. Mary Magdalen School, I now continue to be blessed with the opportunity to witness more places of grace. Both of my sons started their St. Mary Magdalen journeys in our transitional kindergarten program. Our teacher, Ms. Schuberg, creates an environment where students can flourish and grow. She guides them in coming to know and love God even more deeply while also teaching little minds how to explore the worlds of numbers and words. And every time a student (or principal) leaves the room, they depart to a chorus of little voices saying “God bless you”! This is most certainly a place of grace. These are scenes that are replicated on a daily basis throughout our campus home. Whether it be a second grader joyfully learning about their upcoming sacraments or an eighth grader deepening their faith life through an off-campus retreat. It may look like a fourth grader talking to her teacher about how to navigate the everchanging landscape of fourth grade friendships or a seventh grader walking past a poster of Catholic scientists on their way to enjoy a hands on lab in their advanced science class. It most certainly looks like the entire campus – students, teachers, parent volunteers, and visitors – pausing wherever they are and whatever they are doing to pray the Angelus immediately following lunch. The list goes on, but one thing is abundantly clear to me – when our students step on campus at St. Mary Magdalen School, they are able to enter into a different space – “a new environment, one illuminated by the light of faith...an environment permeated with the Gospel spirit of love and freedom.” It truly is a place of grace. ![]() I invite you to come and visit our place of grace for our Open House on Sunday, November 6 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, and if you have a school-aged child, to prayerfully consider giving them the gift of a Catholic education at St. Mary Magdalen School. Siempre Adelante, Michael Ronan Principal St. Mary Magdalen School |
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