Saint Julie Billiart

Del Pastor

Dear Friends in Christ,

St. Julie Billiart is participating in Called to Renew, a capital campaign to strengthen the parishes and elevate the ministries of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles — including ours. We join with our faithful brothers and sisters across the Archdiocese who are also being called to pledge their commitment to ensure our local Church is strong and vibrant for future generations.

Our parish exists because of your generosity. I am amazed at how parishioners have worked together to meet needs that arise. We continuously demonstrate our mission statement: “To enrich a faith community that grows spiritually through worship, lifelong education, fellowship and service.” Together, we continue to create an inspiring community here at St. Julie Billiart, a beacon of Christ’s love.

Called to Renew gives us a tremendous opportunity to once again come together as a family — not only as a parish, but as an Archdiocese. We form a community of faith with more than 5 million Catholic across Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, and we share in meeting the needs of our local Church. This is an extraordinary opportunity to live out our call to serve as His disciple!

Next year, we will celebrate our parish’s golden anniversary! Under the patronage of St. Julie Billiart, the Catholic community of Newbury Park has been a vibrant and visible presence of the Lord for half a century! We are blessed to be the recipients of a rich and lasting inheritance given to us by men and women of vision. Though the passage of time has seen much change and many different faces representing the Body of Christ, the present is only a reflection of the love of those who have served us so well.

Looking now to the future, the goal and legacy project for our anniversary is to complete our church renovation. This will include a much-needed and updated HVAC system for the church and a new vestibule with an adjoining plaza. Creating this outdoor gathering space and seating area will require relocating the large trash receptacles and electrical boxes. A children’s play yard and adult bocce ball court will complete the plaza.

Please take a moment to review the impact Called to Renew will have both in our parish and across the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. This campaign has my full support; as your pastor, I hope you will embrace this opportunity for our parish.

Peace in Christ,

Fr. Paul J. Hruby, Pastor