Parent Connect - September 29th
This week at Confirmation we talked about the existence of God and the implications this has on our lives. Teenagers will likely have a discussion with someone who does not believe in God or who challenges their belief in God at some during high school. This week we began to give teenagers some practical reasons why there is a Creator, and that Creator is God. We also challenged them to make an important distinction; we challenged them to ask if they just believed there was a God or they believed in God. Belief in God requires trust and self-surrender, whereas belief that there is a God doesn't necessarily require our response. Teens discussed how they lived their lives currently, and struggles they faced with living a life trusting completely in God. The question how fully we believe in god is an important one, and is worthy of further discussion after this session. Some questions you can use to continue this discussion with your candidate are:
- Have you ever been in a discussion with someone about the existence of God? What happened?
- If someone were to ask you why you believed in God, what would you tell him or her? (This is a great time to share reasons why you believe in God, and some of your faith experiences with your son or daughter).
Recent Posts
Coronavirus
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all activity at the parish has been suspended. This includes Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Public Masses, St. Patrick's Dinner Dance, Religious Education and Confirmation classes, Stations of the Cross and Soup Suppers. This pause will continue until the 29th of March...and likely longer. The thrift store has also been closed for the duration of the crisis.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will continue to be available from 3:30pm to 4:30pm on Saturdays in the Baptistry, or by appointment.
The Open Pantry will have a 'Grab & Go' on Saturday, March 21st....Read more
Ivan Matesevac
Mary Baker
Tue, Mar 17, 10:17 PM (11 hours ago)
to me
"I am home and getting better. Thank you for the prayers and cards. They helped me and my sister, Katerina, so much during my surgery and time in the hospital.
I love you, Ivan Matesevac"
Ventura County Health Officer Order of 3/17/20
The Ventura County Health Officer has issued an order directing vulnerable individuals in the County to shelter at their place of residence from 3/18 - 4/1/2020. The order also restricts certain business activities.
Click here to read the entire order.Read more
Letter to a Suffering Church
The sexual abuse scandal has gripped the Catholic Church for the past thirty years, and continues to wreak havoc even today. It's been a diabolical masterpiece, one that has compromised the work of the Church in every way and has left countless lives in ruin. Many Catholics are understandably asking, “Why should I stay? Why not abandon this sinking ship before it drags me or my children under?"
In this stirring manifesto, Bishop Robert Barron, founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, explains why this is not the time...Read more
Pastor's Message for 1/5/2020
Happy New Year to all!
I have so enjoyed journeying through Advent and now Christmas with you all, and now I find myself looking forward to the year ahead and offering you all my prayers that you may persevere in fulfilling your New Year’s resolutions…whatever they may be. (I’m promising myself to try to shed the pounds I’ve accumulated since Thanksgiving!) You may have noticed some activity around the rectory these past weeks. Soon after arriving in Ojai, I discovered that when the rectory was constructed in the early sixties it included a privacy wall enclosing the area outside...Read more
