7/21/2017 The Good, the Bad and the Heavenly![]() My Dear Parish Family, In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that the kingdom is like the good seed and the bad seed. This reminds me of my Catholic high school religion class when we learned about the ancient Chinese concept of yin and yang. Black and white. Sun and shade. The idea I remember is that without darkness, we cannot know light. Without sadness, we cannot know joy. Without bad, we cannot know good. These seeming opposites are actually complimentary and necessary. Two halves that together complete wholeness. Interestingly, newborns literally see only black and white. Toddlers learn basic concepts in opposites, up and down, in and out. Young children study patterns to learn basic math concepts. Square, circle, square, circle, square …. Children see moral issues clearly as black or white until about midtolate middle school when they begin to see that life presents gray areas. If all we had was wheat, we would stop noticing it. It is precisely because of the weeds that we can distinguish the wheat and therefore appreciate it, treasure it, care for it. Our impulse to discard the bad is natural. Jesus said to let them grow together. Presumably, to see one, find favor with one, reject one, choose one, discard one. With yin and yang, as one part decreases, the other part increases to maintain the overall balance of the whole. I think of the wheat and the weeds in my own life. What can I do to increase the wheat and reduce the weeds? It definitely takes work and intent and patience then more work like a real garden. I wonder if Jesus gave us another yin and yang in Reconciliation and Holy Communion. One removes the bad, kills the weeds and one feeds, nourishes and strengthens us for life in the garden. God is merciful because we need mercy. God is love because we are lovable. So let’s love. It is all about Jesus’ great love for us. How do we live that love? How do we show that love to all we meet? The kingdom is like … sharing an ice cream with a grandchild, lingering in conversation at the dinner table, road trips, giggles, smiles shared, picnics, helping and being needed, cool water and warm sand, freshcut flowers, comfy cushions, sending and receiving caring messages, movies and music, a crackling fire on a chilly evening, candlelight … being connected with the people that God has put in our lives and being connected with God. With hearts on fire for God and Jesus by our side, every day is heavenly. Siempre adelante, Eve Collier Parish Life Minister July 23, 2017 ![]() Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Today Jesus offers these words of comfort and understanding of whatever causes us pain, struggle, fear, suffering, and unrest. Jesus is most assuredly the place we can find peace, consolation and God’s compassionate love. In addition to the spiritual connection, often times we need the human interaction as well. We want Jesus with skin. Here at Padre Serra our support and care ministries are Jesus with skin. It is my great honor to sing in praise and gratitude of these quiet heroes.
If you know someone who may need one of our ministries, please share our informative brochure with them. They’re available in the church lobby, office and website. If you see a need that is not currently being addressed, please, come talk with me. Many of these ministries began because one person had a need, saw that others did too and wanted to make a difference, to be Jesus with skin. God is good! Siempre adelante, Teresa Runyon Faith Life Minister July 9, 2017 6/5/2017 Together in Mission Update![]() Together in Mission is a campaign unique to the Los Angeles Archdiocese to support schools and parishes who cannot otherwise financially survive. This campaign for the past quarter of a century has kept schools and parish doors open in our diocese while other diocese in the United States have closed down parishes and schools at an alarming rate. The Los Angeles Archdiocese’s Together in Mission Campaign supports 80 parishes and 63 schools currently. Many of us know and appreciate the value of a Catholic education and thanks to Together in Mission 12,200 students are enrolled in our schools solely because of Together in Mission. Next weekend, we will be honored with a guest speaker, not from a far distance, but from within our own parish who can speak firsthand of the benefits of Together in Mission. At all masses we will hear from Melissa Weyek Ronan. Melissa was raised most of her life in Camarillo. She and her husband, Mike, moved their family back to Camarillo this past summer along with their sons, Aidan and Patrick. Her parents and her brother and family also reside in Camarillo. Mike is well known to many of us because he serves as the principal of St. Mary Magdalen School here in Camarillo. The Ronans are parishioners of Padre Serra Parish. Melissa will share with us next weekend her firsthand knowledge of Together in Mission having worked for ten years as a principal at Mother of Sorrows School and St. Vincent School in Los Angeles. These parishes are both beneficiaries of Together in Mission. Melissa directly witnessed every day the impact of Together in Mission support. She will share with us firsthand her assessment of what these schools would be like if it were not for the Together in Mission support their parish receives. Melissa is a passionate supporter of Catholic education and making sure all students are able to experience academic success while also growing in their faith. You may know, the Archdiocese assigns a goal to each parish for its share of support to Together in Mission. Padre Serra’s goal for 2017 is $107,600. As of now we have paid 67.8% of the amount requested of us. This means to meet our goal as we have every year, we need to raise another $34,667.44. So far in 2017, 370 families have contributed. This number is down from the prior two years when we had over 500 families participating each year. We are hoping that every household in our parish will give to this beautiful cause, helping people right here in our own archdiocese. Next weekend will provide each of us a wonderful opportunity to hear more about Together in Mission from a fellow parishioner who can truthfully attest to the wonderful life changing benefits the fund provides to the designated parishes and schools. Please help extend a warm welcome next weekend to Melissa Ronan and seriously consider joining in with Together in Mission in 2017. Wishing you all a blessed summer. Siempre adelante, Alan Lien Business Manager |
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