Category: Holiday messages

Happy Holidays 2025!

Holiday messages

Dear Friend,

Soon after Pope Francis announced in early 2015 that Bl. Junípero Serra would be canonized, I began a journey of discovery leading to writing four books (two of which received Catholic Media Association Book Awards), many articles, public speaking engagements, and walking the 800-mile California Missions Trail. 

This past year marked the 10th anniversary of St. Junípero Serra’s canonization and was full of opportunities to speak and write about him. 

Hands down, the highlight was visiting Mallorca, Spain, home to St. Junípero Serra for the first 36 years of his life. It was so special. I gave a talk just feet from the baptismal font where he was baptized! My host was the wonderful Catalina Font, President of the Casa Serra Foundation, whom I also saw during her recent visit to San Francisco (read about it here). Also noteworthy was my breaking news story regarding the removal of the statue of Junípero Serra in Hillsborough, California.

Below is a recap of what I did since my last holiday letter. 

  • I was interviewed by . . .

Brandon & Raul of the JP2 Morning Crew on St. JP2 Catholic Radio in San Diego

José Luis López-Linares of Madrid, director and producer of WE THE HISPANOS @ Lópezli Films

Guillermo Bauzá at Ràdio Petra, Petra, Mallorca, Spain

James Day for Columbia, the magazine of the Knights of Columbus

Nick Patrick of The Friar, the student newspaper of Junipero Serra High School

  • I wrote in . . . 

Busted Halo

Angelus News

Independent Catholic News (London)

Articles in the National Catholic Register

  1. From Indianapolis to LA: National Eucharistic Pilgrimage Sets Off on the Drexel Route
  2. 5 Reasons to Make a Pilgrimage on the California Missions Trail
  3. 10 Years a Saint: The Enduring Witness of Junípero Serra
  4. Where Is St. Junípero Serra? Mystery Over Missing Freeway Landmark
  • I was a guest speaker at the following . . .

El Carmelo School, 4th grade, Palo Alto, CA

Camino de California, St. Phillip the Apostle Church, Pasadena, CA

Convent of Sant Bernardí in Petra, Mallorca, Spain

Camino Serra, Mission Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CA

  • Special Notes

“Catholics in the New World”, that I was interviewed for the summer of 2024, was released by the Diocese of Savannah.

The petition to nominate Pablo Tac for the cause of canonization is close to 700 signatures!

I have been on the ground floor of an exciting project on the California Missions Trail. Expect news about it in February on socials @Missions1769. #Buencamino 

Thank you for your continued support!

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 #CaliforniaMissionsTrail

—

Christian Clifford
Missions1769.com
Author/ Educator/ Freelance Writer / Speaker

PABLO TAC PETITION /FB/Twitter/IG/TikTok/Linkedin/Goodreads/Amazon/flickr/Quoura

Happy Holidays 2024!

Holiday messages

Dear Friend,

Soon after Pope Francis announced in early 2015 that Bl. Junípero Serra would be canonized, I began a journey of discovery leading to 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. It was exciting to see that the name chosen for the western route of the Eucharistic Pilgrimage from San Francisco to Indianapolis was named after St. Junípero Serra! So apropos.

Last summer, I had the pleasure of speaking to participants of the Camino Serra. A thank you letter from them captures the essence of why I do what I do.

As a first time pilgrim, it was comforting to hear about the Camino from a pro! We all loved the introduction on St. Junipero Serra and the adoration reflection was beautiful. As a teacher, I am excited to order the children’s book for my classroom so all my students can learn about this beautiful saint. 

2025 should be a year full of many opportunities to speak and write about St. Junípero Serra. It marks the 10th anniversary of his canonization and the 10th anniversary of my little apostolate. 

I am so grateful for your continued support. Thank you.

Below is a recap of what I did in 2024. 

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 / X / IG / TikTok / Linkedin / Goodreads / Amazon / flickr / Quoura

California mission history doesn’t need to be puzzling. Learn more with books by Christian Clifford @ Missions1769.com.

Happy Holidays 2023!

Holiday messages

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

Happy Holidays 2022!

Holiday messages

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 this year), writing articles, presenting to groups, and walking the 800-mile California Missions Trail. I have met so many interesting people along the way. I hope that I have been able to help you to speak the truth about St. Junipero Serra and the purpose of the California missions.

In addition to receiving CMA Book Awards, other highlights in 2022 included the release of the Knights of Columbus video about me for Season 3 of “Everyday Heroes” and having an article about Pablo Tac published in Boletín, the award-winning journal of The California Missions Foundation.

Thank you for your continued support. Special thanks to my family; His Eminence Robert Cardinal McElroy, Bishop of San Diego (pictured below); Catalina Font Gomila, President of the Friends of Junípero Serra Association in Petra, Spain; Greg Schwietz, President of Serra International; and Knights of Columbus California State Council SD Rene Trevino.

I hope that you continue calling on St. Junipero Serra and Pablo Tac. I will never tire of sharing their stories. Here is a recap of how I did so in 2022.

  • I was interviewed by . . .

California State Parks
Meaningful Journeys Podcast
North Coast Catholic (p. 15)

  • Articles by me appeared in . . .

California Catholic Daily on May 23 and October 10
ICN (Independent Catholic News)

  • I was a guest speaker . . .

Camino Serra Pilgrimage Group at Mission Santa Clara
Benedict XVI Institute
4th graders at Holy Angels School in Colma

  • The petition to nominate Pablo Tac for the cause of canonization is nearing 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 /YouTube

In September, my family was honored to visit with His Eminence Robert Cardinal McElroy, Bishop of San Diego! In 2016, he was kind enough to write the foreword to my award-winning book Who Was Saint Junipero Serra? Also pictured are my wife and son, to whom the book is dedicated.

Happy Holidays 2021!

Holiday messages

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 writing four books and so much more. It has been a blessing “keeping the Mission Spirit alive”, as a fan put what I do.

I am especially thankful for your continued support. I began my journey with the sole intent of helping inform the mind and soul. I now add informing the body with my latest book, Pilgrimage: In Search of the Real California Missions. I hope that I have been able to inform and inspire you in some way. 

As we returned to some semblance of normalcy in 2021, I hope that you continued to call on St. Junipero Serra and Pablo Tac. They teach us how to overcome adversity with the joy of the Gospel. I will never tire of sharing their stories. Here is a recap of how I did so in 2021.

  • I was interviewed by . . .

CNA Newsroom
Sacred Steps Podcast
Carmel Pine Cone

  • I continued writing in . . .

Aleteia English
Angelus News
Catholic Exchange
Catholic News Agency
San Diego Reader

  • Articles about my work appeared in . . .

King City Rustler
OsideNews
Santa Barbara Independent

  • I was a guest speaker at . . .

St. Bart’s Book Club, San Mateo, CA
Kansas City (MO) Serra Club and Catholic Lawyers Guild

  • The petition to nominate Pablo Tac for the cause of canonization is nearing 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!

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

Happy Holidays 2020!

Holiday messages

Dear Friend,

Soon after Pope Francis announced in January 2015 that Junípero Serra would be canonized, I began a journey of discovery. Readers of my first book know the impetus. I am grateful for the following in 2020 in, what a colleague and friend of mine called, my apostolate.

I am very grateful to all others who have supported me along the way. I began this enterprise to help people understand that California mission history can help inform the mind and soul. Since May 2018, I have also learned that it can impact the physical, or body (more on that below). I hope that I have been able to inform you in some way. 

The year 2020 has been a challenge for all of us. I hope that you have called on St. Junipero Serra. He can help teach us how to overcome adversity. He continues to inspire me to share his story with others. Here is a recap of how I did so in 2020.

  • Hard copies of my books have sold in 9 countries, including all 50 U.S. states + D.C. My first book was made available in braille through Xavier Society for the Blind.
  • I was interviewed by the following:

Aleteia
Catholic News Agency
BenitoLink
Knightline

I had a wonderful time sharing the story of my 800-mile pilgrimage on the California Missions Trail with the people at Spirit Juice Studios, the production company for the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council. I look forward to sharing the video with the world. Stay tuned!

  • I continued writing in the following:

Catholic Exchange
Angelus News

  • I finished my pilgrimage of the 800+ mile California Missions Trail (the subject of my forthcoming book, Pilgrimage: In Search of the REAL California Missions). I raised over $2000. on Facebook’s Support Nonprofit and GoFundMe for my cause, Mission San Antonio de Padua.
  •  The petition to nominate Pablo Tac for the cause of canonization is nearing 400 signatures!
  • I was a guest speaker at the following:

Serra Club of Bridgeport (CT).
LA (Lower Alabama) Catholic Morning Show with Michelle and Todd, WNGL 1410 AM, Mobile. AL.
Youtube channel podcast Sensus Fidelium with Steve Cunningham.
St. Gregory Church, San Mateo, CA, 3rd grade Religious Education class, Distance Learning.

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


—
Christian Clifford

www.Missions1769.com

Author/ Educator/ Freelance Writer / Speaker
PABLO TAC PETITION / FB / Twitter / Linkedin / Goodreads / Amazon / flickr / Quoura

Happy Holidays 2019!

Holiday messages

Soon after Pope Francis announced in January 2015 that Junípero Serra would be canonized, I began a journey of discovery. Readers of my first book know the impetus. On the fifth anniversary of the start of my journey, I’d like to reflect on what a colleague and friend of mine called an apostolate.

First, a special thanks goes to my wife and son. It is not easy juggling home, work, and one’s passion. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Next, I am very grateful to all others who have supported me along the way. I began this enterprise to help people understand that California mission history can help inform the mind and soul. Since May 2018, I have also learned that it can impact the physical, or body (more on that below). I hope that I have been able to inform you in some way. 

Last, though I have had some obstacles along the way (haters), since the journey started I have had some amazing experiences.

  • one book about California mission history has led to three books in a three year span (countries where physical have sold — U.S.A., Philippines, Japan, Canada, Italy, U.K. — and in 30 states + D.C. )
  • have gone beyond the goal of having my books in the nine missions founded by St.  Junípero Serra gifts shops
  • was interviewed on a national radio show and a podcast
  • started social media platforms (FB Followers Top 5
    1. U.S.A. 2. Philippines 3. Mexico 4. Spain 5. Canada & Twitter Followers Top 5
    1. U.S.A. 2. Mexico 3. Spain 4. U.K. 5. Italy)

     

    • Top FB post — 1/28/2018 about my son’s Mission Project reached 9,000+
    • Top Tweet impressions — 7/2019 — 11.1K
    • Most views for www.Missions1769.com — 7/2/2019; top clicks on image of missions at right (see below)
  • started a website for educators
  • was interviewed for a national Catholic newspaper and many California newspapers (Catholic and secular)
  • spoke to many groups throughout California and in Nevada and Ohio (one led to a job teaching a course at a seminary)
  • wrote articles for ten publications
  • started a pilgrimage of the 800+ mile California Missions Trail (possible subject for a fourth book?)
  • started a petition to nominate Pablo Tac for the cause of canonization
  • met many wonderful, open-minded people who have given me so much hope in moving forward

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!
Christian Clifford
www.Missions1769.com
Author/ Educator/ Freelance Writer / Speaker

 

 

Juanita Cooke Trail, Fullerton