Dear Friend,
Soon after Pope Francis announced in early 2015 that Junípero Serra would be canonized, I began a journey of discovery. My research has led to my writing four books (two of which received Catholic Media Association Book Awards), many articles, presenting to groups, and walking the 800-mile California Missions Trail.
The highlight of my year was an icon written of Pablo, the subject of my third book. It was done by Andre Prevost, a Canadian iconographer, for the chapel at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in North Vancouver, B.C. I hope that it inspires many young people to walk with Pablo throughout their lives. Learn more about him @ change.org/InvokePabloTac.
I also surpassed my original goal of getting my books in the California missions founded by Saint Junípero Serra (he founded the first nine–my books have sold in 17 of the 21 California mission gift shops!). I never imagined how successful my work at Missions1769.com would be, especially when considering that the average book published today sells less than 300 print copies over its lifetime in the US retail channel. I owe so much of this to your support. Thank you.
Below is a recap of what I did in 2023.
- I was interviewed by . . .
The Places Where We Go podcast with Julie and Art
“The Catholic Pilgrim” blog with Amy Thomas
Catholic 4 Rednecks podcast with John Edwards
Somewhere Along “The Way” podcast with Dave Fortin
The Catholic Re.Con. podcast with Eddie Trask
Dr. Kevin Schmiesing for the Son Rise Morning Show
Bonnie Way @ The Koala Mom
- I wrote in . . .
National Catholic Register
Central Coast Catholic Life (Diocese of Fresno)
California Catholic Daily
ChurchPop
- I was a guest speaker at the following . . .
Daughters of the American Revolution, Gaspar de Portolà Chapter, Stanford, CA
Camino Serra, Mission Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CA
St. Charles School, San Carlos, CA, 4th grade
- The petition to nominate Pablo Tac for the cause of canonization is over 600 signatures!
Merry Christmas! ¡Feliz Navidad! عيد ميلاد سعيد!Maligayang Pasko! Bon Nadal! Feliz Natal! Fröhliche Weihnachten!Felicem natalem Christi!
Happy New Year! ¡Feliz año nuevo! สวัสดีปีใหม่! Maligayang bagong taon! Bon any nou! Felice anno nuovo! Bonne année!
Saint Junípero Serra and Pablo Tac, pray for us!
¡Siempre adelante y nunca para atrás! #GoGoStJunipero #PabloTacPray4Us!
—
Christian Clifford
www.Missions1769.com
Author/ Educator/ Freelance Writer / Speaker
PABLO TAC PETITION / FB / Twitter / IG / TikTok / Linkedin / Goodreads / Amazon / flickr / Quoura
CHRISTIAN CLIFFORD @ Missions1769.com 