St. Monica Affiliated Restaurants & Businesses
A sense of community, connectedness, and solidarity are all vital to supporting each other through these challenging times. We offer the following list of restaurants and businesses owned by parishioners, parents, alumni and friends that are open and continue to serve.
St. Monica Catholic High School alumni family, Primo’s Donuts in West LA shared their sadness and shock about the closing of Stan’s Donuts after 55 years of business in the wake of COVID-19. "...to see [Stan’s] American story of opportunity and success come to an end in this difficult time is truly tragic.” We cannot let these historical and cultural landmarks of our community become victims of this pandemic. Our prayers go out to the many professionals, businesses, and employees that continue to work and provide essential services during this unprecedented time. Stay healthy, stay safe—we’re all in this together. #StillStMonica
Make sure to check their website and call ahead in case of any changes - list updated 4/28/20.
Gloria's Cake and Candy Supplies
John White Plumbing and Rooter Connection
If we've missed a restaurant or business, email us.
Pope Grants Extraordinary Blessing
There are two annual occasions that the Pope gives the Urbi et Orbi blessing, in addition to the day he is elected Pope. This extraordinary blessing signifies the seriousness with which the Holy Father sees this public health crisis and the need for the power of Christ and the Cross to help us overcome the Coronavirus.
The blessing comes with the granting of a Plenary Indulgence to all who participate in the blessing by any means -- in person, by television, by internet, by radio. In fact, the Holy Father will be giving this blessing in St. Peter's Square which will be empty as the entire country of Italy is also confined to their homes.
The simple invitation (at Right) indicates the conditions and requirements for receiving the Indulgence, which is a help in our journey and our return to the Father.
You will notice that participating in a devotion such as Stations of the Cross is one of the suggested devotions and we invite you to join us this evening at 7:30 PST as well as we stream the Stations by our Camino Pilgrims.
You can join us tonight via St. Monica Livestream or on FACEBOOK LIVE.
The blessing is explained in more detail in this Angelus Article: Pope announces extraordinary 'urbi et orbi' blessing March 27
The Archdiocese will broadcast the prayer and blessing on their website at 10:00 a.m PST: lacatholics.org
Dale Sieverding, Director of Worship
#SingWhereYouAre
Music Ministry when you're "Safer @ Home"
I would never have imagined that we would be giving up how we are used to encountering God for Lent. I’m reminded of a mission trip I once made to coastal villages in Honduras, where the main goal was to bring medicine and the mass to small villages only reachable by boat. These were the kindest and happiest people that I had ever met, and they seemed most grateful to have an opportunity to join in song and celebrate the eucharist, a rarity for them. The gift given to me on that trip was the lesson of how to get by with so little—and the joy that simplicity can bring.
For our 9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. livestream Masses:
- Students from the music production class are working on tracking the music
- Students of our high school singing in video to help gather us together for mass
- All are encouraged to sing along—at Mass...assembly is required.
The word “Lent” is sometimes traced back to the old English, “lencten,” which means “spring” - new life, new beginnings, and perhaps original ways to encounter the divine. Join us this Sunday as we begin to explore new ways to come together and celebrate the glory of God. Our gathering song is “Into the Desert,” written by Curtis Stephan. Church documents on music in mass discourage us from using pre-recorded music at Liturgy. That’s the letter of the “law,” but the spirit of the law is that Liturgy is a living and breathing ritual that calls for maximal participation, not just pressing play. And so, in keeping with the spirit of the Liturgy, we have put together a video with students from our High School to lead us in song.
Rest assurred, this is just the beginning. It's the first weekend and we hope to open these opportunities up, expand them, and extend invitations to everyone to collaborate. Blessings to all, and hope to see you online at Mass.
Jeffrey Bonilla, Director of Music
ADLA Suspends Masses (3/16)
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
This week—to say the least—has been a challenge to our faith and spirit. However, #WeAreStMo—and just as we embody and live by the maxim of #AllAreWelcome, so too, we meet all the faithful wherever they are. I thank you for your perserverence and composure.
We must share with you that as of today (Mar. 16) the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has suspended all Masses amid the current health threat due to COVID-19. You can read the full statement HERE. We affirm Archbishop Gomez: this decision "was not made lightly" and "in consultation with the Archdiocese's auxiliary bishops, Council of Priests, lay advisors, and government and public health officials."
At the same time, St. Monica is committed to serving the spiritual, emotional, and liturgical needs of our faithful—while still abiding by the guidelines set forth. For as long as we can sustain, we will continue:
- livestream of 12:10 p.m. daily Mass - livestream.com/stmonica90403
- livestream of Sunday Masses at 9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.
- livestream of our Parish Mission with Fr. Ron Rolheiser, March 16–18
confession by appointment(updated 3/24)- baptism preparation online
- faith formation online
- outreach and pastoral care ministries serving those in vulnerable categories like the elderly and homebound
We are currently evaluating the feasibility of expanded online content such as Stations of the Cross, Lenten Small Groups, Taizé prayer, music events, Lenten retreats, RCIA rites, Palm Sunday, Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil), and of course Easter.
Our Called to Renew efforts have been paused throughout the Archdiocese and will be extended once we resume.
We are continuing to think creatively: how can we continue to remain linked to connect, serve, worship, and grow? If you have ideas—we welcome them! Email and our pastoral staff will respond to every suggestion.
St. Monica remains dedicated to the spiritual and emotional well-being of our parishioners. Your care and support ensure we can continue during these challenging times. Make your offertory gift online: stmonica.net/give. We are so grateful for your generosity, which is so vital to our mission. Thank you!
My most profound prayer of gratitude, health, and conviction in these tumultuous times. May God bless you abundantly with the fortitude to continue to live the gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
With all God's grace and glory,
Msgr. Lloyd Torgerson
Pastor, St. Monica Catholic Community
Coronavirus (3/13/20)
A Message from Msgr. Torgerson Regarding Coronavirus Developments
March 13, 2020, 5:00 p.m.
Dear Sisters & Brothers,
Pope Francis, in a recent Mass, expressed to the faithful gathered: We ask the Lord today for the grace of not falling into indifference, the grace that all the information we have about human suffering might penetrate our hearts and move us to do something for others.
St. Monica is a community that must stay open as best we can to care and support the spiritual and emotional well-being of the faithful. I cannot help but be reminded of the 1994 Northridge earthquake. We were challenged then, on how to respond and care for our community. We prayed we would overcome and be stronger for it—and we were. I am hopeful that this too will be a challenge that will only make our community stronger.
Based on statements from Archbishop Gomez and the Dept of Catholic Schools,
the following outlines how our community is implementing their guidelines.
We are asking everyone to examine every aspect of our parish life, think creatively, and find ways to:
Modify · Accommodate · Postpone · (and if necessary or mandated) Suspend (M.A.P.S.)
Each of our ministry directors will inform teams, volunteers, and parishioners regarding their specific events and activities.
- If you’re sick or may have been exposed, seek medical attention—you do not need to attend Mass. Abp. Gomez has given dispensation to ALL Catholic faithful from obligation of attending Sunday Mass for the weekends of March 14–15, March 21–22, and March 28–29.
- St Monica is adding in an additional Livestream of the Sunday 9:30 a.m. Mass. This, along with the regular Sunday 5:30 p.m. will be available on-demand to watch at any time. Digital worship aids are available at stmonica.net/worshipaid
- Mass will still take place this weekend, following the guidelines of “social distancing,”
- capacity in the church will be limited to allow six (6) feet between all households.
- Grand Pavilion will have a live feed of the Mass -OR-
an additional Priest celebrating Mass, to accommodate more attendees. Thank you, clergy! - Liturgical guidelines already in place—chalice, Lord’s Prayer, Rite of Peace—will continue.
- Your continued financial support offers invaluable services to our parish community and is vital.
Give online at stmonica.net/give
- We are adding three (3) additional Masses to the Sunday schedule, to accommodate these smaller gathering:
6:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 3:00 p.m.
We hope this encourages you to continue your sacramental— knowing you can “pray where you are."
The Department of Catholic schools has given instruction that after today, students are to remain off-campus through March 31. Teachers will continue to teach. Students will continue to learn, utilizing all resources available for continued instruction. Both St. Monica Catholic High School and St. Monica Catholic Elementary School are committed to maintaining educational continuity and shifting to online learning platforms. Our President of the Schools, Kevin McCardle along with our Principals, James Spellman and Dr. Neil Quinly, are the best source of information regarding further developments. They have sent a statement to all school families (click here to read).
Coronavirus (3/12/20)
St. Monica Catholic Community is committed to the health and safety of our entire community.
As a church—like any faith-based organization—we are also committed to the spiritual and emotional well-being of those who need and seek it, especially in times of stress and anxiety.
At this time, there are no cancellation of Masses and no school closures.
In general, St. Monica remains open and operational to continue to serve the parishioners and ministries in our community. Parish staff will maintain daily work schedules and duties unless otherwise mandated by civic or parochial jurisdiction. The focus of our efforts is to provide accommodation and continuity of services to the sacramental life of the faithful. For example:
- We are adding a Livestream broadcast of the Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Mass CLICK HERE
- We have already implemented temporary liturgical modifications to help prevent transmission.
(e.g. Lord's Prayer, Rite of Peace, reception of Communion) - We are working individually with those preparing the sacraments of Baptism, Initiation, and Matrimony to ensure they can continue in formation as best as possible.
- We are making decisions to modify, postpone, or suspend specific activities based on the demographic and size of the attendees.
- We are preparing additional accommodations and modifications to gathered sessions, such as online conference platforms and expanded livestream broadcasts and programming.
Concurrently, we invite all our parishioners to make decisions in the best interest of their households, families, and common-sense guidelines. Archbishop José H. Gomez has dispensed those in vulnerable categories such as the elderly and those with pre-conditions from the obligation to attend Mass. (Mar 11)
Our parish continues to be diligent in implementing all guidelines and precautions, especially:
- enhanced cleaning and disinfection
- adequate supplies for good hygiene and hand-washing:
soap, paper towels, and alcohol‐based hand sanitizer
We are closely monitoring the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and will take necessarily action as directed by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, as well as municipal agencies like the LA County Public Health Department, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Weekly Sunday 930am & 530pm Mass Livestream
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.
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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