ENTER DATE AND TITLETDAATR NTEE LTE AND TIT EENTER DATE AND TITLETDAATR NTEE LTE AND TIT EDECEMBER 18, 2016 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Fr. Patrick Mullen, Pastor5205 Upland Road, Camarillo, CA 93012(805) 482-6417 • FAX (805) 987-8100After Hours Emergency (805) 512-3208e-mail parish@padreserra.orgwww.padreserra.org

LiturgiesMonday - Friday 8:00amSaturday 5:00pmSunday 7:30am, 9:00am, 11:00am

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)Saturday 3:45 - 4:45pm

Blessed Sacrament Chapel HoursSunday - Friday 8:00am - 9:00pmSaturday 3:00pm - 9:00pmFirst Friday Adoration 2:00pm - 7:00pm

Office HoursMonday - Thursday 8:00am - 7:00pmFriday 8:00am - 5:00pmSaturday 1:15pm - 6:15pmSunday 8:00am - 1:00pm

Serra Center Rental(805) 843-5420 serracenter@padreserra.org

St. Mary Magdalen School, TK-82534 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo, 93010(805) 482-2611 www.smmschool.net

Contact Us

Please know our parish staff is available via email using theirfirstname@padreserra.org

We want to answer your questions about:

Baptism JaneSunday Pre-School TereSunday Toddler Room EveFirst Communion TereChildren TereMiddle School TereHigh School TereYoung Adults BrettBecoming Catholic CatherineMarriage & Weddings TeresaMinistries Teresa, EveSeniors TeresaLiturgy and Music DominicFunerals Jane

Ask Jane, Anne, EveHelp Jane, TeresaJoin Anne, EveGive Pam, Alan

Our Writers Group shared their anthologies and storieswith Veterans on December 5 (see page 4). Thank youfor making this possible!

Page 2 www.padreserra.org December 18, 2016

Mark Your Calendar: Padre Serra Events

Pot Luck New Year’s Eve Party ~ December 31Ring in the New Year! Bring a favorite dish to share,decorate your table, and fill the Serra Center withfamily and friends. There will be music, dancing, a no-host bar and a room full of good cheer! What could bebetter than a FREE, Family Friendly, Pot Luck NewYear’s Eve Party at Padre Serra with the entire ParishCommunity. Festivities begin at 7:00pm. Watch the balldrop at 9:00pm (N.Y. time zone) and again at midnight.See you there! Information: alan@padreserra.org, 482-6417 Ext 348.

Bob Hurd & the Anawim Concert ~ January 7Enjoy this special concert benefitting Fr. Chris Ponnetand Chaplain Ministry at downtown hospitals forpeople in need. Ministering to patients, their familiesand to hospital staff. Serra Center, 7:30pm.

St. Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance ~ February 11Bring your special someone to this wonderful evening!!Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus!!

St. Patrick’s Day Golf Tournament ~ March 13Save the date! Invite your friends!! Golfers and non-golfers!! A great day and evening at Las Posas CountryClub.

Los Angeles Congress in AnaheimFebruary 24-26, 2017 Three days of inspiring talks by world renownedCatholic speakers, unique liturgies,concerts, gatherings, and shopping! Ifyou’ve never been, treat yourself to oneday or all three days. It’s a spiritual shot inthe arm. And there’s nothing like learningand worshipping with hundreds of otherCatholics enlivened with the Holy Spirit.All for only $70 before January 13 or $80 after.

Check out the speakers, workshops and liturgies:http://www.recongress.org/2017/guidebook.htm

Fr. Patrick is offering two workshops: Take Nothing forthe Journey: Pilgrimage in the Bible and And She Ministeredto Them: Women in Mark’s Gospel.

We are happy to host again a hospitality suite at theHilton, centrally located in the Congress experience.This gathering space gives our parishioners theopportunity to connect, share experiences, eat andrelax. If you’d like to help with this, contactteresa@padreserra.org.

Come and be replenished deep in your spirit and bechallenged to live the Gospel.

Fourth Sunday of Advent Page 3

Love AllMy Dear Parish Family,

Most mornings during this Advent season, I have been reading the Little Blue Book, which offers short daily reflections on theInfancy Narrative of Luke. The ‘little’ in the title is literal. The book is not much bigger than an index card. I read just twopages a day. The left page is a variety of fun facts or interesting stories or biographies and the right page is a few lines fromLuke’s Gospel and a short reflection. It takes just a minute or so to read. Then I spend a couple of minutes in silence in thecompany of Jesus. I am so happy that I chose to do this. It is not only the simplicity of the exercise and the beauty of the wordson the pages; it is the joy I feel, literally poured into me.

I recall different moments of joy in my life … learning to tie my shoes, bringing baby brother home from the hospital, earningthe special holy card with the lace edges at the second grade spelling bee, getting my driver’s license, graduating college,expecting a child …. It is a whole different level of palpable joy when a beloved child does any of these things. Joy flows inthe form of tears at graduations, weddings and births, and in special moments with dear friends. All of these are glimpses intohow Jesus feels about us; joyful to the point of tears.

St. Luke is known as the ‘joyful evangelist’ and the Little Book people decided to make ‘joy’ the theme this year. The bookbegins with a quote from Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium (“The Joy of the Gospel”) in which he invites all Christians to arenewed personal encounter with Jesus, “or at least an openness to letting him encounter” us.

“Openness” … in other words, not my agenda. “Letting Jesus” … in other words, me not in control. “Encounter me” … inother words … I am encounter­worthy ...? Two of the three are about self­discipline, I can work on that. But that third one isdifferent. What in me is rich enough for Jesus to want? Our faith tells us, everything, our joys, sorrows, concerns, works,words, thoughts, fears, triumphs and inadequacies.

I was thinking about this after the penance service. Jesus forgives me, now I have to forgive myself. It took a few days but Ifinally had an ‘aha’ moment when I remembered that nothing I do or don’t do, none of my sins, are bigger than Jesus’ love forme. Jesus’ great love for all of us, symbolized in every sunset and breathtaking landscape, and every beautiful smile and warmhug, and most importantly in the Eucharist and the cross, overpowers all. Jesus loves all and loves us greatly!

I feel like I spend time searching, seeking, desiring, reaching for Jesus. If I would be still one moment, perhaps I wouldunderstand that Jesus is reaching for me too. He always has been. Jesus, please help me to live my life with my hand in yours.

Mary and Joseph said yes to God’s plan. What is God’s plan for me? What do I have to do or change to say ‘yes’? God gavethe world a Savior in the form of “a baby boy that they would name Emmanuel which means God is with us.” (Matt 1:23) Itake note that Emmanuel does not mean God was with us. God is with us. How can I be Jesus’ constant companion? OurSavior came into a broken world to bring healing. How can I bring healing in my circles? In what concrete ways can I love all— truly all: family, friends, neighbors, co­workers, bank tellers, grocery store clerks, strangers, people whose stories I mayhear but do not know — in my life?

Advent means a “coming.” Let’s celebrate the coming of Jesus to Mary and Joseph inBethlehem, and Jesus coming into our lives every day and to our world every time we extendan act of love.

Joyfully Siempre Adelante,

Eve CollierFaith Formation Minister

Page 4 www.padreserra.org December 18, 2016

Children

Stay and Play!! ~ Resumes January 8Miss Nicole will honor Christmas and New Year’s holidays, no Stayand Play, all tots come to church!

Little Church ~ December 18Sunday preschool and kindergarten during the 9:00am and 11:00ammasses. Register your child as soon as they turn age 3. MerryChristmas! See you January 8.

One Week Countdown! ~ Reflect JesusChildren! Work with your grown­ups to bake cookies or make hotchocolate and take it to your friends and neighbors. Help yourparents pick up the house, decorate the tree, vacuum your mom’s car,fold laundry! Parents need lots of help this time of year. May all thepresents under your tree remind you of how much you are loved!!!… by your family and even more so by the most important "Gift" atChristmas … Jesus!

Middle School! You guys … be leaders in your families! Help outwith younger siblings, peel potatoes, hang up wet towels, match andfold socks, write and say a special grace for dinner time, thank yourparents.

Teens, you know your parents better than anybody. What would be awelcome surprise for them this week? Make the morning coffee,pick up the groceries, fix dinner …

Adults

Veterans Thank YouPadre Serra Writers delivered fifty copies of their Anthology to theVeterans Hospital in Los Angeles — the largest such facility in theworld. The veterans, who served in World War II, Korea, and VietNam, enjoyed hearing readings from the Anthology and chattingwith the authors. They appreciated the generosity of the parishionerswho donated to make this gift possible. The Writers are consideringexpanding this ministry with future visits. You may still contributeby leaving your donation at the parish office.

Women’s Retreat ~ January 6­8Give the gift of a retreat to that special woman in your life! Space isstill available for this weekend experience in Malibu. $215/person.Registration forms in the parish office or teresa@padreserra.org.

Advent Conspiracy ~ Love AllIt all boils down to love. Love from a savior. Love to a neighbor inneed. By spending just a little less on gifts we free up our resourcesto love as Jesus loves by giving to those who really need help. It’snot that there’s something wrong with the shopping mall — it’s thatthe better story is about loving all. Whatever it is, wherever it is youcan be Jesus’ disciple by being Jesus for others.

Bereavement Support Group offers support to those who have lost aloved one. Meets 1st & 3rd Thursday, 9:00am. Betty Bright­Martinez,bbright41@verizon.net, 482­0156.

Cancer Support Group Embracing Your Journey provides hope,empowerment, love and prayer in a comforting atmosphere ofencouragement. It is a safe environment for people touched by cancerto connect with others in a productive and spiritual way. Meets 4thTuesday, 7:00pm. Lou Ann 551­8014.

Caregivers Support Caritas offers support to those who are caring fora spouse, relative or aging parent. Meets 4th Tuesday, 7:00pm. Nextmeeting is January 24. Patricia Sentianin sentclan@gmail.com.

Open Hearts (LGBT) is a fellowship ministry where LGBT brothers,sisters, and their families and friends in Christ are welcome and a safeharbor to explore spirituality and share experiences, strength, and hope.Meets 2nd Tuesday evening. Resumes January 10, 7:00pm.

Career Transition Ministry helps the unemployed andunderemployed focus their job search, improve resume and interviewskills, network. Meets 2nd Monday 7:00­8:00pm. Steven Loefflercareertransitions@padreserra.org.

Good Samaritans offers assistance with meals to those who arerecovering from illness, accidents, injuries, and surgeries. GwenRipplinger 797­6864 or Denise Ginty 388­3897.

Many Meals of Camarillo provides hot meals, food, and other lifeessentials for those struggling to make ends meet. Meals are servedtwice a week 5:00­6:15pm on Mondays at St. Mary Magdalen Churchand Thursdays at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Pat Yost 388­8742.

Special Families provides community and spiritual support fortransitioning special needs teens and young adults (16+), their familiesand friends. Meets 2nd Wednesday, 7:00pm. Monica Spooner 484­8379, monicaspooner@twc.com.

St. Vincent de Paul offers tangible assistance to those in need on aperson­to­person basis. Aid may take the form of intervention,consultation, or often through direct dollar or in­kind service. Those inneed of assistance should call 504­4753.

Stephen Ministry provides confidential, one­on­one support to thosehurting or in need of support. Don’t take the journey alone, a trainedminister is waiting to help you. 482­6417 x363.

Spiritual Direction Local directors available. Referrals:teresa@padreserra.org.

Pastoral Care is available in the parish office with Teresa Runyon,Faith Life Minister. Teresa will help to discern your needs and providereferrals to our many support ministries, clergy or other resources. 482­6417, teresa@padreserra.org.

Support Ministries

Reflection questions for every gathering around any table.Matthew 1:18­24 ~ Emmanuel ~ God is with usGod speaks to us in our intuitions and imagination, as he did toJoseph in this dream. What is my experience of hearing God speak inthis way? What is God asking of me today? Do I trust God likeJoseph did?

Faith Sharing

Other Notes

Staff Takes a Holiday!! ~ Two four­day weekends!Please note the parish office will be closed on December 23. Pleasecome by and see us Monday through Thursday that week. We will beback on Tuesday, December 27. We are out again on December 30and return Tuesday, January 3. Prayers and Blessings!!

In the Community

Pray for Our SickSonia Allan, Kathy Berger, Gloria Dickie, Alison Drenning, NickFolino, Robert Henson, Tina Herford, Kevin Hernandez, JulioLimon, Dr. Horace Lopez, Linda Lynch, Mary Lyon, Bambi Moya,Ailish McAlorum, Margaret Pegg, James Purcell, Benita Ramirez,Michael Ann Rockenstein, Juan Sanchez, Arceli Sarino, DorothySimmons, Ellen Tyree & Connie Williams. (Names are refreshedmonthly.)

Remember Our DeadPrayers and sympathy to family and friends of those who have diedrecently:David Connelly, RIPBeloved brother of Marty & Lynn Connelly

Yolande Schmidt, RIPAugustine Vargas, RIPBeloved father of Debbie Borsos

Dorothy Webster, RIPMay they enjoy peace in their life with Christ Jesus.

Prayer OpportunitiesDaily Readings: www.usccb.orgMorning Prayer: Monday – Friday 7:45am, ChurchRosary: Monday – Friday 8:30am, ChurchOur Lady of Perpetual Help: Wednesdays 6:30pm, ChurchCentering Prayer: Wednesdays 6:45pm, Brides RoomAdoration: First Fridays 2:00pm­7:00pm, ChapelPrayer Chain: prayers anytimeBette 482­0067 bette.church@hotmail.comShirley 482­2617 brownshehorn@gmail.com

Mass Intentions: Monthly schedules are available in theparish office, and www.padreserra.org and the QR code.

Our Prayer Life

Fourth Sunday of Advent Page 5

Married to a Catholic?Have you been attending church with your spouse, even raised yourchildren Catholic, but never took that step to inquire about becomingCatholic yourself? Perhaps you just want to learn more about yourspouse’s faith. We have a casual group for people in your situation.Contact Catherine Shadduck: catherine@padreserra.org or (805)482­6417ext 331.

Becoming Catholic ~ RCIA

Our Giving —Time, Talent and Treasure

One Can Make a DifferenceRemember our friends and neighbors served by our food pantry. Allthe items you place in the boxes in church are taken over to ourcentralized storage at St. Mary’s Chapel on Sunday afternoon. EveryMonday food is bagged and distributed to families in need.

Memorial & HonorariumGifts for Building Fund

Memorial & Honorarium ~ Gifts for Building FundMake a donation of any amount to this program, now in its sixthyear, to honor your loved ones, living and deceased. We send thefamily a card acknowledging the donor. No amounts are everdisclosed. Donations remain at Padre Serra. For more information,please call Georgene Boyd at 484­9831.

St. Julie’s Bocce Ball Club ~ Begins next yearNever tried it? No problem, we’ll teach you how to play; you’re sureto make new friends along the way. Ages 25 and up are invited tojoin. Contact Marcie Sauer 498­0883, marcellesauer228@msn.com.

BBBMember

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DR. MICHAEL BUFFOFamily Camarillo Optometrist

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© World Library Publications • www.wlpmusic.com

Fourth Sunday of AdventJoseph had a dream.

In his dream an angel told him thatMary would have a baby—God's own son!

Look at both of the angels below.Circle five things that make Angel #1

different from Angel #2.