Oscars...anyone?
This year, the Film Club is all about Oscars! Our Art of Cinema series in January focused on set decoration with a very special guest: Oscar-winning set decorator, Rick Simpson. On February 6, it’s the club’s annual Oscar Night—when our guests will select their choice for Best Picture of the Year!
Looking back to January, our screening featured the hilarious comedy, City Slickers—one of the dozens of films on which Rick Simpson worked including Dick Tracy (he won an Oscar for it), Armageddon, Rules of Engagement and The Pelican Brief. Our guest brought along his Oscar and other memorabilia to the delight of our audience. Father David Guffey, CSC, Director, Family Theater Productions, did the interview—and had a chance to hold the Oscar. (He gave it back…reluctantly.)
Moving to this month—Thursday, Feb. 6 is our annual Oscar Night. Check in the Grand Pavilion at 6:30 p.m. and grab some refreshments. The presentation, led by Father David, begins at 7 p.m. and will feature clips from the films nominated for Best Picture. Before the evening ends, we’ll share our views on the films and cast our personal ballots! (Who needs the Academy when we have the Film Club?) The evening will end when “our” winner is announced. No surprise, the Film Club’s movie lovers have an admirable track record in picking the film that will walk away with the Oscar. And, by the way, hear this, even if you haven’t seen the nominated movies, the evening is always a blast for everyone. Join in! Event entry is $10 or $5 for seniors and students.
Tolton Tickets on Sale
Event Details: This February, St. Monica is observing Black History month by hosting Tolton: From Slave to Priest, a powerful live production about Fr. Augustus Tolton, the first recognizable African American priest. From his dramatic escape from slavery to his courageous struggle in the face of prejudice, Fr.Tolton’s inspiring life centers around his message of reconciliation and hope. This riveting drama is filled with all the elements of professional theater, runs 75 minutes, and is suitable for ages 10 and up. Our JustFaith Ministry community is particularly excited to see how the themes and the witness of Fr. Tolton’s life reflect the material they have been exploring in their Civil Rights module. JustFaith leader Dennis Hardwick noted, “I can’t wait to see this play—I have heard only great things about Fr. Tolton, and the courage he had to live out Christ’s call to create a more just world.” Christine Gerety, Associate Director of Outreach & Pastoral Care, shared: “Fr. Tolton is on the road to canonization; who better to learn about justice from than a future saint!” So come join us on Saturday, February 15, at 7 p.m. in the St. Monica Cantwell Auditorium. Admission is $20/ ticket in advance and $25 at the door. To purchase tickets, click the ticket above, or go to stmonica.net/tolton .
About JustFaith: JustFaith is an intensive and successful model of justice education and spiritual formation that consists of weekly meetings, and employs books, videos, speakers, discussion, prayer, retreats, and hands-on experiences. In the second course, which St. Monica JustFaith Ministry is currently reflecting on, the content awakens participants to the realities of racial and economic inequalities in the U.S., with the ultimate goal of introducing new and creative choices for a more just and faith-filled life as individuals and a community of faith. Through its focus on the U.S. criminal justice system and income inequality, it challenges participants to revisit how our faith informs our responsibility to each other.
About Father Tolton: To characterize Fr. Augustus Tolton’s life as remarkable is an understatement. He was born a slave on a Missouri farm in 1854, and his mother risked everything to reach freedom in Illinois with her three small children. After settling in the town of Quincy, Illinois, the family continued to experience hardships and prejudice. In spite of this, he persevered in his deep desire to become a Catholic priest. When every seminary in the United States rejected him, Augustus did not give up, and he was finally ordained in Rome. Upon his return to Illinois, Fr. Tolton worked tirelessly to serve people of all races, especially the former slaves who flocked to Chicago. Fr. Tolton saw the Catholic Church as the antidote to the discrimination and rejection that he experienced in his own life. “It was the priests of the Church who taught me to pray and to forgive my persecutors,” he said. “We should welcome all people into the Church, not send them away.” At the young age of 43, Fr. Tolton died after collapsing from heat exhaustion in Chicago. Now his cause for sainthood is moving forward, as more and more people are beginning to recognize the humble perseverance, courage, and compassion of this extraordinary man.
About the Actor: Jim Coleman is excited and honored to be playing the role of Father Tolton. Having appeared in more than 50 national commercials, Jim is best known for his role of Roger Parker in the hit Nickelodeon show My Brother and Me. “Father Tolton’s story needs to be told,” says Coleman. “As a black man, this very important part of history is something that I want the world to hear about. I truly feel blessed to be the one to share Father Augustus Tolton with all who will listen!” Jim and his wife Robin reside in Florida; they are the proud parents of six children.
About Saint Luke Productions: For nearly 40 years, Saint Luke Productions has been creatinginspiring live dramas, films, radio programming, and more. Their productions on the Gospels and thelives of the saints, including the acclaimed feature film Thérèse, have been seen by millions of peopleworldwide. For more information about Saint Luke Productions, visit stlukeproductions.com .
RECongress 2020: "Live Mercy Be Holy"
The Los Angeles Religious Education Congress is the largest annual gathering of its kind in the world. This four‑day event is held at the Anaheim Convention Center and is sponsored by the Office of Religious Education, a division of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Begun in 1968 as an “institute,” Congress still keeps the same focus: to teach more about the Catholic faith as well as to advance personal growth. Today the event is open to people of all vocations and different faiths.
Youth Day - February 20
Youth Day is an annual event of the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, offered to all students from public and Catholic schools, grades 9 through 12. Young people will have the opportunity to experience speakers, exhibits, music, liturgy, and prayer that invite them deeper into their relationship with Christ. All teenagers from the Parish, School and Confirmation program can attend with the St. Monica group. We will take a bus to youth day, with chaperones provided. The cost for the day is $55. For more information and registration, contact Dominik Gnirs at or (310) 566-1543 .
Congress Days - February 21–23
The remaining three-day weekend is open to adults and offers more than 200 speakers presenting over 300 workshops, in addition to lunchtime entertainment, evening concerts, Liturgy in a variety of forms, the Exhibit Hall, and much more.
Free Exhibits - open to registrants only
One of the perks of Congress is the Exhibit Hall, held Friday through Sunday, showcasing over 200 companies ranging from religious art to music, and from publishing houses to educational institutions, in addition to our own represented Archdiocesan ministries.
Check out the Livestream HERE.
Go to www.recongress.org for more information and to register!
St. Monica Hospitality Suite
Don't forget to visit our St. Monica hospitality suite. It's a great place to take a break, reconvene, and meet up with other attendees from St. Monica.
Friday, February 21
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. - Sponsored Lunch
1:30–5:00 p.m. - Open for Hospitality
6:00–8:00 p.m. - Wine and Cheese Social
Saturday, February 22
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. - Sponsored Lunch
1:30–7:00 p.m. - Open for Hospitality
7:00–8:30 p.m. - Saturday Dinner
We also hope you'll join us to break bread together with dinner at 7:00 p.m.
An entree and sides will be available buffet-style for $20 per person.
St. Monica Hospitality Suite:
Anaheim Marriott, Ste 1931
700 West Convention Way
Anaheim, CA 92802
(714) 750-8000
New Year's Day: Solemnity of Mary
Join us for a Mass to welcome 2020.
On New Year's Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 31, Mass will be held at 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday, January 1 at 10:00 a.m.
It is the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord: Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God, which is a Holy Day of Obligation and the World Day of Peace.
40th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner & Boutique
Saint Monica Catholic Community looks forward to sharing the many blessings and gifts of the season with the local community for the 40th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Clothing Boutique, Wednesday, November 27, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Every classroom and grade level in the Saint Monica Elementary, Middle and High School, as well as all parish ministries, and staff are engaged in preparing, shopping, and cleaning for this great event. Make the joy of your holiday season complete by joining their efforts during the season of giving. The Saint Monica Catholic Community thanks all who have committed to help realize their vision to bring joy to those who need care in a variety of ways, especially the great need of connectedness.
This family-style dinner, with all of the trimmings, is an uplifting community event, especially for those needing a warm meal or true fellowship, this Thanksgiving. The Dinner is followed by a clothing boutique, made up of new and gently used items from the parish community, that is offered gratis to attendees, who are encouraged to take what they need. A particular in-demand item being offered are sleeping bags, as well as winter coats, clothing, sturdy shoes and bags/backpacks. The parish community also packages over 1000 toiletry kits to be distributed at the Thanksgiving event.
There are many ways to help out, whether through monetary or in-kind donations of items needed for the event. For those interested in attending, you may arrive anytime you like. We will start handing out timed tickets at 8:00 a.m. at the entrance of Cantwell Auditorium, off the corner of 7th Street and California Avenue.
For more information on how to participate, donate or more ways to give back this Holiday Season, check out the Saint Monica website at stmonica.net/thanksgiving .
Msgr. Torgerson in Good Condition, Despite Fall
Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. Msgr. Torgerson suffered an upper femur fracture overnight, after tripping over an electric cord in his bedroom and falling. He is in good condition and awaiting reparative hip surgery scheduled for this early evening. He is in very good spirits and has the company of his brother priests and parish staff. He has been admitted at Providence Saint John's Health Center, but requests no visitors at this time. Following surgery, he is expected to be in recovery for at least five days. Msgr. Torgerson remains grateful for your prayers in this time of healing.
Questions or concerns may be directed to:
Felipe Sanchez, Director of Administration: (310) 566-1502,
-or-
Merrick Siebenaler, Director of Communications: (310) 566-1514,
UPDATE: Nov. 4
Msgr. Torgerson was discharged from St. John's mid-afternoon and has returned home to the rectory. His spirits are extremely high and he is receiving great care and support from many friends and brother priests. His daily activity will be modified through the recovery process. He will not likely preside at any liturgies for at least a week. Msgr. continues to express his deep thanksgiving to everyone for their continued prayer and warm wishes.
New Support for Youth Initiatives at our Sister Parish Holy Cross Dandora, Kenya
Ever since our first visit to Nairobi, Kenya in 2002, our community has been making a difference at our sister parish Holy Cross Dandora, a marginalized neighborhood in the eastern part of the country's capital. Over the many years, we have provided support to local elementary and vocational schools, helped build and sustain a maternity clinic, contributed to the building of a new church, and have been feeding the most vulnerable. Also, under the leadership of Monsignor Torgerson, nearly two hundred parishioners have visited our Sister Parish, building lasting bonds between our communities and sharing stories of faith and God's mercy in our world. This year, we are proud to add another program to our Holy Cross Africa Ministry (HCAM): Youth Formation.
Youth Formation: Empowering Young Adults
In recent years, it has become clear that our work in Nairobi has excluded a critical ministry - supporting young people in the most vital years of their lives, as they start their professional careers. In Kenya, this is challenging for different reasons, including limited access to higher education, high unemployment, and - especially in Dandora - elevated rates of crime and violence against young men and women alike.
We have been particularly impressed by the efforts of the local Young Adult Community, which has been working tirelessly to help improve their youth's professional opportunities and reduce the risks they face. Following our 2018 trip, when we met many of them, we solicited specific ideas and have received two detailed funding proposals. These have been evaluated by the HCAM Core Team and recently approved for implementation.
Two Pilot Projects
The first initiative helps improve the local Sports Program. We will be supporting improvements to the local basketball court, so that the very active Basketball Team can expand its reach and host tournaments, and will provide funding for new uniforms and sneakers to help the team reach more at-risk youth. The estimated budget for this initiative is approximately $2,357.
The second initiative supports the local Music Program. With funding for a new public address system to help the broader community, which includes new technical equipment like mixers, amplifiers, and microphones, we will allow young adults and other parish members to more effectively meet and worship. We are also going supporting the purchase of additional music instruments - guitars and an electric keyboard - to hone artistic skills among the Dandora youth and to perform at weddings and other events. The estimated budget for this initiative is approximately $5,298.
Help us build a better future
Our decision to support these programs follows a key objective: empowering our brothers and sisters in Dandora as they become leaders in their community, city, and nation. We hope that with your generosity, we can continue making a difference through our new Youth Formation ministry, as part of HCAM Education. If you would like to join us in supporting the youth of Dandora, consider donating online: stmonica.net/africaeducation or designate your offering to "HCAM Education."
We look forward to the journey ahead, and thank you for joining us!
Jakub Hlávka
HCAM Education, Youth Formation Lead
The Film Club kicks off by looking back
The Great Train Robbery (1903)—The first Western, the first “edited” film and the first with a real narrative was an evening highlight.
The Film Club launched its 2019–2020 season on Thursday, Sept. 12 with a special presentation—the History of Film—presented by Fr. David Guffey, CSC, Director of Family Theater Productions. The “full house” enjoyed silent films and insights from Fr. David about the evolution of early films and the foundation they set for the century of films that would follow.
This season the Film Club is focusing on The Art of Cinema, meaning the films we’ll see will represent excellence in an aspect of filmmaking. October 17 will focus on the art of screenwriting as we present 1960’s The Apartment that was written and directed by the legend, Billy Wilder. His work included Witness for the Prosecution, Sunset Boulevard and Some Like It Hot. The Apartment, according to Roger Ebert, was one of the few Oscar best pictures that was actually the “best” picture of the year.
Join the Film Club on Thursday, Oct. 17 as we watch Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine and Fred MacMurray deliver Wyler’s compelling, insightful yet comic dialog in the award-winning favorite, The Apartment. See you at The Grand Pavilion. Doors open at 6:30 for refreshments; programming begins at 7 p.m. Event entry: $10 (or $5 for seniors/students).
Fr. Bob Dowd Visits St. Monica
Annually, each parish in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles participates in the Mission Co-op appeal (part of the Propagation of the Faith) which benefits missions around the world. This weekend, Fr. Bob Dowd from the University of Notre Dame and Holy Cross Mission Center joins us and will share the great work taking place at our sister parish Holy Cross, in Dandora, Kenya—specifically at Visitation Maternity Ward.
Since the grand opening of the maternity ward in 2017 (part of the Brother André Medical Center),1,250 babies have been born in clean, safe and compassionate maternity conditions, and 120 babies treated in their Special Care Newborn Unit. Last month, Msgr. and 32 travelers (25 adults and 7 high schoolers) visited the facility and witnessed the essential services offered to the women and children of the Dandora community, including pre- and post-natal care, childbirth and inpatient maternity care, outpatient referrals, and child welfare services.
Despite the poverty in Nairobi, the state-of-the-art medical center and maternity ward at Holy Cross Parish serves as an oasis of beauty and hope. This facility stands as a beacon of community and comfort, and an antidote to the many challenges of living in Dandora.
This weekend, we offer Fr. Bob a warm St. Monica welcome, and thank you in advance for supporting Visitation Maternity Ward. Make your gift in one of these ways:
- Place a special Mission Co-op envelope in the collection basket or return it to the parish office.
- Visit the Duval center after Mass to give online. We have iPads available for your convenience and Africa volunteers to assist.
- Visit Dandora.HolyCrossUSA.org to make your gift online.
David Hines: Volunteers of the Year 2019
The David Hines Award, honoring outstanding volunteers at St. Monica, was presented on Friday, June 28 at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration.
The award celebrates the memory of one of our parish’s most beloved volunteers, David Hines. He was a tireless and selfless leader, active in the church choir as a musician and a singer, the coordinator of the annual Seder dinner and was actively involved in our youth programs. David died tragically in a car accident while driving to Serra Retreat Center to assist with an 8th grade retreat.
The David Hines Award was created after his death to honor his exceptional service to St. Monica, and each year we give it to those in the community who exhibit his love and commitment to service. Hines, a professional musician and sound engineer, had a personal epiphany after meeting Msgr. Torgerson in the early 1990s, and soon after devoted himself to help others. He was a well-known and much-loved part of the St. Monica music family, and he even wrote the song “Daddy” often heard at our mass celebrations.
While his sudden death stunned our community, the church was filled for his funeral. His brother said, “he would have loved that, because Dave lived for the celebration.” In that spirit, we celebrate the outstanding work of this year’s winners of the 2019 David Hines “Volunteer of the Year” Award – congratulations!
- Felicia Bradley
- Nina Madok
- Kelly Brooks
- Paul Auer
- Mary Phan (not pictured above)
- Anna Rodrigues (not pictured above)
Announcements
Mass
Mon–Fri, 7:00 am - Church
Mon–Fri, 12:10 pm - Church & Livestream
Sat, 8:00 am - Church & Livestream
Sat, 5:30 pm - Church
Sun, 7:30 am - Church
Sun, 9:30 am - Church & Livestream
Sun, 11:30 am - Church
Sun, 5:30 pm - Church & Livestream
Outdoor seating is available at all weekend Masses.
Confession
Mon–Fri. 5:30–6 pm
Sat, 4:30–5:00 pm
There are no confessions on secular holidays or other observances when the parish is closed.
Holy Days & Holidays
Holy Days: additional Vigil and evening Masses, 6:30 p.m.
Holidays: single Mass, 9:30 am with no confessions
Eucharistic Adoration
First & Third Fridays: 7:30–8:30 a.m. & 7–8 p.m. · Church
Second & Fourth Sundays: Noon–3 p.m. · Chapel
contact us
St. Monica Catholic Community
725 California Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310-566-1500 Contact Us
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