My husband and I enjoy our Padre Serra Golf tournaments. Although my husband, Steve, isn’t Catholic, he occasionally attends Mass with me. I’ve been a member since 1989. Both of my adult children were confirmed and married in the Catholic Church. Three of my four grandchildren were baptized at Padre Serra. I’ve been Eucharistic Minister f since the early 2000s and a Vincentian here since 2008.
During the pandemic, when there was so much uncertainty and fear, I so appreciate the church's ability to offer comfort and some sense of normalcy to us all. From the pivoting to livestream Mass, to the sight of Fr. Pat giving Communion on the sidewalk in front of the church each Sunday, and then to our wonderful Mass on the Grass, it felt like the church was right there with us, trying to navigate our way through what was going on. It's so wonderful to be back, as one, in the church now, but those memories of how Padre Serra Parish stood with all of us in those difficult days, will always be something I cherish.
I think my favorite image is seeing a large number of people after Mass, sitting in the courtyard together, with all the children playing and eating doughnuts and their parents talking with friends/ It really warms my heart!
