January 17…+JMJ Another year has begun and already so much has happened…we are joining in praying for Haiti as the world watches and listens to the news of the destruction, death and suffering of so many.
In the midst of what is happening in the world, we continue to serve our Lord while going forth in vocation outreach as well as preparing for those whom the Lord will bring to join us. Our CONSTRUCTION architectural plan took longer than we were first told, so construction did not begin in September, nor in October, nor in November. Truly all is in the Lord’s plans and timing! Plans were re-submitted and finally approved by the City in November just before Thanksgiving weekend. Meetings with different contractors began in December and a decision to postpone building until May due to the predicted El Nino weather pattern of a lot of rain! We went on our annual 9 day silent retreat December 26th-January 3rd with bids from contractors in order to pray and come to a final decision of selecting the contractor. Thus, our new year of 2010 has begun with discernment and selection of a contractor!
We have had further meetings with our contractor. His recommendation was that we proceed with construction so we can complete the addition by the end of the summer. Final fees were paid to the City of Ventura and permits were pulled January 14, 2010 and construction will begin February 2nd, Feast of the Presentation of our Lord…Truly we will join in presenting all to our Lord. We will also need to find temporary housing for the next 6-9 months while construction begins on that day. Please join us through prayer in this new year in this endeavor for the honor and glory of God. We will keep you posted! United in love and prayers…
+JMJ Click here to read our Christmas card-letter_2009.
October 28, 2009…Praise be Jesus Christ!…Now and forever! Thank you for all who were praying for our Confirmation Year I Youth Retreat this month, Oct 16-17th…We had 98 participates, 82 of which were high school youth and 16 adults and young adults serving as group leaders and kitchen staff. The young people reconnected with Christ Jesus our Lord through Confession on Friday and seemed to have enjoyed themselves! They all returned to our Confirmation session last Sunday enthusiastic and attentive!
This month of October, we always dedicate to our Lady of the Rosary in all our catechetical efforts, since we ourselves pray daily the Mystical Rosary (refer to our prayers webpage), 20 decades of the Rosary, reflecting on the mysteries of life of Jesus Christ in Sacred Scripture. Try it! It is means of knowing Christ more and growing in a love relationship with Him!
November begins next Sunday with the Solemnity of All Saints, followed by All Souls Day on Monday. We dedicate November to pray with the Church for all those who have gone on before us: “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord and let Perpetual Light shine upon them. May they rest in peace… Dales, Senor el descanso eterno y luzca para ellos la Luz Perpetua. Descansen en paz. Asi sea.” (The prayer in Spanish as we seek to be a bilingual Community, English-Spanish!)
We will keep all of your deceased loved ones in our prayers and invite you to join us in remembering all those who have died and gone on before us, entrusting them to the mercy of God. We hold all of you in prayer… Sister Mary Rose +JMJ
September 2009…Dear Friends and Family, we have sent all of you our most current email address and a link to this website. Thank you to all who have visited our website and emailed us back to give your comments. Please be sure to pass on to others our web address, especially to young women who may be discerning a vocation to the Religious Life… we need your help for vocation outreach!
Sister Mary Joseph has been out to different places for vocation outreach and catechesis with evangelization in all the situations the Lord gives to her! Sister Mary Rose has begun another year of Religious Education at San Buenaventura Mission… August 18th for the adults in RCIA, August 30th for the high school youth preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation and September 12th for the children!
There will be the high school Confirmation process Year I retreat October 16-17, 2009… Please keep 80 youth in your prayers, that they may experience a personal encounter with Christ Jesus our Lord!
Thank you to all who have commented on the photo and vocation outreach published on the back cover of the Knights of Columbus Columbia magazine September 2009 issue. Pray that others may be inspired to respond to our Lord’s invitation to follow Him in Consecrated Life! Can you guess who my roommate was who’s father was a Knight?
Visit us again or email us to keep in touch! Let us remain united in prayer and in heart… Sister Mary Rose +JMJ
UPDATE! Revised beginning of construction: Architectural plans were submitted to the city for review September 4th, First Friday! The city said it will be 6-8 weeks before we will know if the plan will be accepted or returned for revision, so the beginning of construction is delayed… for an undetermined period of time. Truly all is in the hands of God! Please keep praying… God’s Will be done!
Our first session for High School youth returning to their 2nd year of preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation from 10 AM including the 12 Noon Mass to 1 PM.
High School youth beginning their 1st year of preparation begin with the 12 Noon Mass and gather immediately afterwards until 3 PM.
COME HOLY SPIRIT!
By admin | August 18, 2009
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults has resumed after a summer break, meeting on Tuesdays in the Religious Education Office. Any adult interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith are invited to come… For more information contact Sister Mary Rose Chinn +JMJ 805-643-4318
Another year at San Buenaventura Mission parish in Religious Education is beginning with registrations for the Children’s Program, High School Confirmation Process and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. For more information call: Sister Mary Rose Chinn +JMJ 805-643-4318
Yes, we are preparing our formation place, so when candidates come, there will be a living space for them… we are adding a second floor to our present convent-home.
Please join us in prayer as the plans are drawn up, a contractor chosen and all is submitted for approval by the city. Tentative date for beginning construction is August 2009 with hoped for completion in six months, February 2010. May all be for the glory of the Blessed Trinity!
May 2009 … We have recently launched this new web page with the Handmaidsjmj.org domain. Thank you to the techy Brothers,the Oblates of St. Joseph. May the Lord bless them for the hours they spent to help us get to this point.
Now its in our hands to keep posting new photos and news of what our Lord is doing within our lives… We wish to invite ALL and anyone interested in growing closer to our Beloved Lord Jesus to contact us. We are called to unity… intimate union with the Blessed Triune God, others and self… as reflected in the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph… so stay connected… United in Heart and prayer, Sister Mary Rose+JMJ
