Serra Retreat

We hope and pray that all of our Serra Friends are safe from the wildfires, the smoke and the high winds that we have been experiencing in the West recently. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Thankfully we are doing well at the retreat center. We have had some high winds that last couple of days but no damage. We pray for all of you.

Happy Sunday Serra Family! We hope you are healthy and safe as you enjoy today. We wanted to let you know about an exciting venture of First Friday Days of Recollection that the 5 Franciscan Retreat Centers are putting together virtually to help you grow spiritually as we get thru this difficult time. The first one is Friday, November 6th with Fr. Ken Laverone, OFM. The topic: To live as brothers and sisters in a world of pandemic, social upheaval, and natural disaster using Pope Francis’ new Encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, in which Pope Francis presents his vision of how humanity must respond to the needs of the 21st century. Please join us every first Friday of the month from 9am - 12 noon.

Hello Serra Family! Here's something you can do with your children or grandchildren tomorrow or join the prayer chain yourself. Children around the world are coming together Sunday to pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic, with the support of Pope Francis. This Sunday, 18 October, the Pontifical Foundation, Aid to the Church in Need, is hosting the worldwide One million children praying the Rosary. The event, which is in its 16th year, is inviting children to pray for an end to the Covid-19 pandemic. Let's all join our prayers together in this cause. https://www.vaticannews.va//children-s-rosary-initiative-p

Happy Tuesday Serra Family!!! Today is the Feast of the Archangels - St. Michael, the protector, St. Raphael, the healing angel and St. Gabriel, the messenger of good news. We could use their help in these days. Dear Archangels, please watch over us and guide us today and everyday. Amen!

Happy Weekend Serra Family!!! Our retreat center is open to small groups who love being outside on our beautiful grounds, socially distancing, wearing masks, like today's group - St. Monica Young Adults. Or you can come to Serra Retreat for a personal retreat. We would love to safely see you again. Call or email us for availability. 310-456-6631 - [email protected]

Hello Serra Family!! Only a few days left to sign up for this weekend's virtual retreat with Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM on "Lessons from St. Francis in a time of covid Pandemic". Join us for this insightful weekend on dealing with these difficult times. Email Angie today!!! - [email protected]. Peace and All Good!

Dear Serra Family, in this time when we can’t be physically together, Serra Retreat is trying to stay connected with some virtual retreat programs. In September, we have a recovery retreat with the incredible Fr. Tom Weston this coming weekend and if you want some Franciscan spirituality, the inspiring Fr. Murray Bodo will give a virtual retreat on Sept 19 & 20 to help us thru this pandemic with lessons from St. Francis of Assisi. Both should be amazing weekends. If want to a...ttend but need some financial assistance, some scholarships may be available. Check with Angie at [email protected]. For more information on the upcoming retreats, please visit serraretreat.com/retreats. Also you may have notice we are now sending out emails to you to keep you informed on our upcoming retreats. We’re trying to stay connected even though we are apart. We hope we can be together again soon. See more

Happy Sunday Serra Family!!! We hope all are well. We miss you and still have a place for you here when it's time to come back. In the meantime, we are offering 2 virtual retreats in September. Please consider attending Fr. Murray Bodo's "Lessons from St. Francis in the time of pandemic" Sept 19 & 20 or Fr. Tom Weston's Labor Day Recovery Retreat Sept 4-6. You can get more info at https://serraretreat.com/retreats. This is a good way to support Serra Retreat and our ministry during this time until we can fully open again. Thanks for your ongoing support. Have a blessed week!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FATHER WARREN!!!! Our dear Fr. Warren would have been 90 years old today - though he never wanted anyone to acknowledge his birthday. Here he is outside the Chapel on Easter Sunday, April 12th making a joke about one of the other friars being too close to him as they tried to socially distance. He is missed.

Dear Serra Family it is with a sad, heavy heart that I have to report to you that the iconic statue of Father Junipero Serra at the Point was toppled and now in pieces. The incident is being investigated. We don't know if it was a malicious, politically motivated incident or if it was a prank gone bad. Either way, it's destroyed. We hope to restore it. We'll keep you posted. In the meantime, please pray for us. Peace!!!

Good Wednesday Serra Family! This morning outside the dining room we had a nice surprise of 2 beautiful cactus flowers. What a beautiful way to start the day! Hope all of you have a great and blessed day!

Happy Sunday Serra Family!!! We pray all is well. As you might know we are open to small groups and personal retreatants. We are also trying to come up with new ways to continue our ministry in these tough times. We have 3 virtual retreats coming up soon. The first one is next weekend, Aug 7-9, a Women's 12 Step Weekend with Fr. Tom Weston. On Sept 4-6 we have Fr. Tom back for a Men & Women's 12 Step weekend. The 3rd one is with Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM, a well known Franciscan scholar who will be talking about "Lessons from St. Francis in a Time of Covid Pandemic" on Sept 18-20. Please join us for one or all of these to help us continue our ministry.

Our annual August 7 - 9 Women's 12 Step Retreat with Fr. Tom Weston is still on for this year....just virtually. Please join us for this virtual weekend retreat. Call Serra Retreat at 310-456-6631 or email [email protected] to register. The cost is only $75 for the weekend of 5 presentations with Fr. Tom. If you weren't able to attend his retreats in the past, now is your chance. Register today! https://serraretreat.com/retreats

Happy Father's Day!!! Blessings to our fathers and father figures who loved us and made us who we are.