THE SERRA CLUB sponsored a “Lenten Morning of Reflection,” on Saturday, March 1, at St. Cecilia parish in Tustin. The event began with a Mass in the Msgr. Sammon Center, which was an apropos location because Msgr. Sammon was closely involved with the Serra Club as chaplain and pastor at St. Cecilia.
ANGIE BRAZEAL (LEFT) AND BEVERLY TRUZZOLINO, BOTH SERRA CLUB MEMBERS, PREPARE TO WELCOME GUESTS FOR THE MORNING LENTEN REFLECTION. BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Fr. Christopher Smith, Rector Emeritus at Christ Cathedral, celebrated Mass and was the featured speaker at the event. Fr. Christopher spoke on “The What and the How of Hope.” This topic was a timely introduction for the Lenten season, and the concept of hope, which is at the cornerstone of Serra Club values.
The Serra Club offers hope to many groups, but none more in need than the diocesan seminarians. The club’s members offer hope by “adopting” a seminarian and being part of their journey with prayers, correspondence, gifts and/or financial support.
Beverly Truzzolino, president of the Serra Club City of Orange, stated, “Area parishioners are also involved in the mission of hope, praying one day a month for priests, seminarians and vocations. Each day of the month someone is praying.”
For this event, approximately 100 parishioners from various local parishes were in attendance. A continental breakfast fortified their hunger and Fr. Christopher strengthened their minds, souls and spirits. The event included a three-part presentation by Fr. Christopher and opportunities for attendees to ask questions and share their thoughts.
FR. CHRISTOPHER SMITH (FRONT LEFT) WITH MEMBERS OF THE SERRA CLUB AT ST. CECILIA PARISH IN TUSTIN.
Pope Francis has declared 2025 “The Jubilee Year of Hope.” This call to action by Pope Francis will engage all Catholics in this special year of reflection, prayer and hope. Fr. Christopher used this call to action to formulate his insightful presentation. He began with a simple reminder to those in attendance. He urged the group to “take time to reflect, especially as Lent approaches, on turning down the heat and letting things simmer in our life.”
If we do this,” said Fr. Christopher, “the Lord will speak to us.”
He also asked the group to share their hopes for the coming Lenten Season.
“Don’t overcomplicate Lent,” he cautioned.
Fr. Christopher set the tone for his presentation with a quote from Romans 8:24: “For in hope we were saved.”
He added, “As disciples, we are asked to live our lives with hope, with the sense that there is a way out of difficulty.”
Fr. Christopher used baptism as a focal point in the development of hope.
“As people baptized in the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are called to be people of hope,” he shared.
Fr. Christopher also highlighted ways to build a foundation of hope in our lives, which he called “A Formula for Hope.”
Included in this formula are reminders to:
■ Remember that God is with us by remembering when God was with us.
■ Live our Christian lives rooted in remembrance, because remembrance nourishes hope.
■ Look for and acknowledge signs of hope around us.
Fr. Christopher left the group with a simple question,” Who and what are signs of hope for you at this time in your life?”