12/7/2017 Make Straight His Paths!![]() Dear Parish Family, Happy and Blessed Advent. One of our family traditions is to get together and decorate the Christmas tree and house. We want the house to be festive, perfect to celebrate Christmas. One of the most important rules when doing this with a group of people is always leave a clear path so that others can get through. When we forget to do this, it never fails that someone will trip over the boxes, ending with a decoration casualty. It made me think of our readings this Sunday. We are told, “Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end. 1 A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’ 2 The Lord does not delay his promise ... the day of the Lord will come.” 3 Like John the Baptist, we are messengers in service to one who is greater than we are. Our Baptism commissions us to call others to life as disciples of Jesus. Christmas is not just the celebration of his birth but a reminder his second coming is near. I ask myself, am I clearing the path for myself as well as for others to receive our Lord? What clutter do I have in the way, which can trip my step or impairs my vision to see Christ in others? How do I help others to have an encounter with Christ? How am I making this Christmas Christ-centered? How will I help others have a Holier Christmas? I am setting new goals for this Advent season to keep my focus on our Lord; will you join me? Participate in faith-growing opportunities and bring a friend. Invite at least one person to join me for Christmas Mass, and to our home. Gifts that will last all year long, gifts of presence, encouragement, support, understanding, patience and unconditional love. Put faith into action, get involved or support a charity. Be a reflection of God’s Love to others. May your Advent season be Holy. Siempre Adelante, Tere Delgado Faith Formation Minister 1 Is 40-15 2 Mk1: 3 3 2 Pt 3: 9 December 10 12/1/2017 No Anxiety Needed![]() Dear Friends, Happy New Year! Our liturgical year of 2018 starts today, with the beginning of the season of Advent. Advent is a time of preparation for 1. the Second Coming of Jesus Christ at the Last Judgement and 2. the commemoration of his first coming in history at Bethlehem. The focus really shifts to preparing for Christmas only from December 17th on. Until then, the Church calls us to prepare for the Lord’s return. Several phrases from today’s Scriptures speak of this. In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah, speaking on our behalf prays “Would that you might meet us doing right, that we were mindful of you in our ways!” I love the longing implicit in that prayer. But sometimes it seems like a tall order, since it seems so much easier not to be mindful of the Lord, and not to be always doing what is right. Murphy’s Law says that’s when the Lord will come, will meet us, so what hope do we have? Responding to the first reading, we sing with the psalmist “Lord, make us turn to you, show us your face, and we shall be saved.” Make us? What happened to free will? Our friends who work 12-step programs may have something useful here. They advocate praying for willingness when it seems beyond our capacity to do right, to be mindful of the Lord in our ways. And honoring the sometimes incremental nature of surrender to God’s will, one can even pray for the willingness to be willing, or to become willing. While he will never force us, God can work with the tiniest crack in our defenses! In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus exhorts us “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.” Just last week, we heard the Gospel story of the Last Judgement where Jesus separates the sheep from the goats – those who cared for him (by caring for one another) from those who did not. It is as clear a declaration as any that what we do matters – that God cares how we treat one another. So when we choose generosity over grasping, compassion over violence, we are in fact becoming Jesus’ disciples, and truly preparing to be met doing right, and mindful of the Lord in our ways. In the second reading, St. Paul assures the community at Corinth (and us) “…you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.” So, it seems, anxiety is not needed – just faith in God’s grace to help us be ready when Jesus comes again, when we can say, and mean: “Maranatha! Lord Jesus come!” Siempre Adelante, Dominic MacAller Worship and Music Minister December 3 11/24/2017 A Kingdom of Actions and Deeds![]() I remember as a child arguing with my siblings and cousins about who got to sit next to Grandma. We loved her so much and just wanted to snuggle up close and feel her love. Fortunately, Grandma had two sides and a lap so at least three of us could be lucky at any given time! In today’s gospel Jesus explains that God has two sides as well. This gospel is about the final judgment when God will separate us as a shepherd does with the good and bad animals of his flock. The good are identified as the sheep and the bad as goats. The sheep and goats represent all the nations, all peoples who will be called together for this judgment. The point of the sheep and goat image is that all of us, you and me, will be judged by God on the basis of loving the least, how well we care for the weak and disadvantaged. Caring for the least of our sisters and brothers is our highest calling! We’ve been hearing this theme of judgment in recent Sundays, as we always do at the end of the liturgical year. Today’s very direct and demanding gospel bridges us to the theme of preparedness in the coming weeks of Advent. So today, we are given the opportunity to reflect and evaluate how we’re doing, what are we really doing for the least then act. The kingdom of here and now is one of action and deeds and the season of Advent lends itself to simple, easy ways, or entry points, to care for the weak and disadvantaged in our midst:
Then let us take caring to the next level. The New Year is a good time to renew our commitment and challenge ourselves to move out of our comfort zone to care for others. If our judgment is based on what we do for “the least,” what side do we want to be on? Will you be on the left with the goats, or will you be with the sheep on the right side, enjoying the splendor and abundant love of God’s heavenly kingdom? Siempre Adelante, Teresa Runyon Faith Life Minister November 26 11/21/2017 What are you thankful for?![]() Dear Faith Family, Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! It has officially been 18 days since the Los Angeles Dodgers have broken my heart, so I think it’s time for me to get over it and talk about what it means to be thankful. I say that jokingly (kinda), but there does seem to be a funny stereotype around Thanksgiving. In every movie and TV show that revolves around the theme of this holiday, the same thing happens. The scene starts off wonderfully; family members arriving, enjoying each other’s company, but inevitably, usually during the dinner scene, something is said and BAM! the drama begins. The good news is, by the end of the film, someone advocated for peace and harmony during this holiday, and the family comes to their senses and expresses all that they are thankful for. Sometimes to be thankful is an easy task when something great has happened in our lives. This is indeed the proper response to any great news or life event, God has given us the ability to feel this way. Sometimes I am in awe about the way our God has created us in such a unique way. Sometimes also, in our busy lives, especially during this busy holiday season, we need to take a step back and allow ourselves to be thankful. Allow the ability to take a break from business to reflect on the good in our lives to be the protagonist in the holiday film, helping us to understand that we have a lot to be grateful for. So, what am I grateful for? A beautiful wife, a wonderful daughter, great family and friends and a great parish family. I’m especially grateful to all the leaders that dedicate so much time to youth and young adult ministry. I can’t remember how many times I’ve ever stated my gratitude for them previously, but I know that I haven’t stated it enough. That’s my growing list of the things I’m currently thankful for. And I know this is the thanksgiving holiday bulletin letter, but I must make sure to express my gratitude to God for these things as well, because through Him, I have all these things and I’m able to understand what love truly is. So, with all that said, what are you thankful for? Before you prep up that wonderful Thanksgiving speech this Thursday, why don’t you give a practice speech to God in your nightly prayer? I’m sure he would love to hear it as well. Even if you’re still trying to get over the World Series. Brett Becker Youth and Young Adult Minister November 19, 2017 11/9/2017 ready, set, go![]() My Dear Parish Family, Advent is only three weeks away! If Advent is the time to prepare for Christmas, this must be the time to prepare for Advent! What needs to be done? Today’s Gospel spells it out for us in two action items. First, be present. How can we receive an invitation if we are not there or not reachable or not known? “Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.” Here I am Lord, pick me, use me. I am yours. Be present. Second, be ready. This is not idle time, waiting, this is active time, living a Christian life every single day. “Those who were ready went into the feast.” Beyond get ready, be ready. Here is the ‘lineup’ at Padre Serra for things that will help us be known to Jesus and be ready for his invitation: Little Books – one of my favorite things – will be available beginning next weekend in the narthex (church lobby). These little blue books offer a short, rich reading and reflection for each day of Advent. The perfect accompaniment to that first cup of coffee or tea in the morning and a great way to be known and present to Jesus in prayer and have hearts that are ready for his invitation. Additionally, next weekend please find opportunities to support Life Centers and St. Vincent de Paul through poinsettia plants and See’s candies and help people in need at home and in third world counties through the Angel Tags on the trees in church and Concern America crafts in the courtyard. Give the gift of life through blood donation right here on campus next Sunday. In recent weeks, I have been enjoying watching reruns of the Andy Griffith Show from the 1960’s. Invariably, the characters end up on the front porch, usually after ‘supper’ singing songs, or reminiscing, or recapping their day. It is peaceful presence they have together, a gentle connectedness found among family and friends. Let’s identify the ‘porch moments’ in our lives … coffee in the courtyard on Sunday mornings, hospitality after the penance service, dinner and a concert, finding Jesus at every turn. Let’s set our focus on Jesus. Enjoy our family over the Thanksgiving holiday, seeing Jesus in each person gathered. Taking the opportunity to be attentive and focus on relationships. Let’s talk about our bucket lists and what in our life has given us great satisfaction. I think a lot of living well and being ready has to do with having our priorities in order. Articulate them. The church gave us the whole season of Advent! An entire season to prepare, to make ready, to be about Jesus. Hallmark and the retail industry want us to think it is Christmas before Halloween. I am going with the wisdom of the Church. In the bigger life view, Advent is the time that helps us prepare to see God someday. I want to spend my Advent being present to the people around me, helping in small and big ways every day and with my heart set on Jesus in all I think, do and say. On that eventual day when the Bridegroom comes, it is a matter of ready, set, go. Siempre Adelante, Eve Collier Parish Life Minister November 12 |
Blessed Sacrament Chapel HoursSunday - Friday, 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
Saturday, 2:00 - 9:00 pm Office HoursMonday through Thursday 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Saturday 3:00 pm - 6:15 pm Sunday 8:00 am - 1:00 pm Vertical Divider
|
Telephone(805) 482 · 6417
(805) 987 · 8100 FAX For emergencies requiring
|
For eNews you can trust.
Staff Login
|