Together in Mission 2018
Our annual Together in Mission appeal kicks off in February, and this year’s theme is “Let Us Love,” derived from Pope Francis’ declaration of the first World Day of the Poor. Francis challenges all faith communities to be a greater sign of God’s charity and demonstrate love and care for those in-need.
There are 4 million Catholics living in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. And as part of this community, we at St. Monica have the opportunity to make a substantial impact in the areas of the Archdiocese that need it the most.
Archbishop Gomez invites all of us to make a yearly commitment to the Together in Mission appeal—celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Your support ensures that the doors remain open at parishes and schools throughout the Archdiocese. Your gifts continue the mission and ministry of our sister parishes and schools in most need and shines the light of Christ for others.
Ms. Ellie Hidalgo from Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights will join us on Feb. 11 to share how this annual appeal has made a difference in her community and for communities throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles who require for financial assistance.
Make your pledge or one-time gift today:
Click Here to Give
Be sure to designate “St. Monica Parish” from the drop-down menu.
God bless you and thank you for your support of Together in Mission!
“It is not enough to say we are Christians. We must live the faith not only with our words but with our actions.”
- Pope Francis
Sutherland Springs, TX
Dear brothers and sisters,
It is with heavy hearts that we receive the news of another violent tragedy, this time while our brothers and sisters in Christ were gathered to worship our Lord at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, TX. As they were gathered to lift their prayers like incense to God, I encourage us to do likewise. In our prayers, let's ask our Lord to have mercy on them and draw them into His loving presence. Ask Him also to transform our hearts that we might become vessels of His transformational love in a world in much need of healing. May God grant a peaceful repose to those who lost their lives and comfort to those who mourn their loss.
Our pastoral care and faith formation teams offer the following resources to help families navigate questions amidst crisis our young people if our lives may have.
Conversation Guide - HIGH SCHOOL
Conversation Guide - MIDDLE SCHOOL
Conversation Guide - ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Conversation Guide - PRESCHOOL
If you need emotional or spiritual support, please reach out so we can respond: (310) 566-1500.
God bless,
Fr Matt
Living in Gratitude: Parishioner Stories
At last weekend’s masses, we heard personal stories of gratitude from St. Monica parishioners whose lives have been changed by the outreach and ministries at St. Monica. These individuals shared their testimony and how they live and give back IN GRATITUDE for the blessings they received from St. Monica. Their stories are a testament to the power of your generosity.
Watch them share their powerful stories here.
Jimmy Valdez
Steve Bayliss
Vicky & Lorenzo Landin
Art of Living Meditation Course: Oct. 20–23
Are you looking to deepen your prayer life, enrich your relationships, and find new sources of energy and resilience? Consider the upcoming Art of Living Meditation Course: October 20-23.
Learn about breathing techniques that can calm the mind, heal the body and enliven the spirit.
The benefits of meditation are abundant and well-documented, and a regular meditation practice can lower the stress-related hormone cortisol, increase mental acuity, and improve judgment.
Schedule
Attendance at all sessions is required.
Friday, Oct. 20: 7–10 p.m. Trepp Learning Commons
Saturday, Oct. 21: 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Trepp Learning Commons
Sunday, Oct. 22: 1–5 p.m. Trepp Learning Commons
Monday, Oct. 23: 7–10 p.m. Trepp Learning Commons
Course fee
$75 suggested donation
Register online no later than November 3 or at the door.
Learn more by coming to a free introductory session on Wednesday, October 10, at 7 pm in Trepp Learning Commons.
Contact Dianne Dexter at or (310) 617-1705 for more information.
Pastoral Statement: Las Vegas Shooting
This morning, we awoke to yet another unimaginable mass shooting in Las Vegas. I am filled with sadness and despair for our world where violence continues to increase in frequency and intensity, which is counter to our Christian call and promise of peace. How did we get here?
In unity, we join our prayers of mourning and love for the victims of this tragedy, the city of Las Vegas, and all those who work to comfort, heal and support those who are suffering. Now is the time when our posture and response must be gentle and filled with compassion. Let us reach out to those we know and love to offer solace and unity. I echo our Bishops in their response: “In the end, the only response is to do good – for no matter what the darkness, it will never overcome the light.”
Msgr. Lloyd Torgerson
Pastor
With the recent tragic event in Las Vegas, let us join our hearts and voices in prayer for those who lost their lives and those whose lives have been changed forever, both those in attendance at the concert and their loved ones at home. May the Lord grant a peaceful repose to the souls of the faithful departed and console those who mourn their loss. May He grant courage and perseverance to those faced with a long recovery from their injuries. It is with even more earnestness that we commit ourselves to a life of prayer as a Christian community that hearts would be set aflame with the love of Christ, especially the members of society who feel isolated and estranged. Let us bring the loving embrace of Christ to everyone we encounter and bring healing, that comes only through Christ, to a broken and divided world.
Fr. Matt Murphy
Associate Pastor
Natural Disaster Relief
Thank you for your generous support of the victims of hurricane Harvey. However, as other hurricanes battered our country and many Caribbean islands and a major earthquake struck Mexico, the Bishops of our nation have asked us to take a combined collection during the month of October for all the victims of these natural disasters.
Be sure to select Needy Fund from the designation dropdown
and please write "Disaster" in the comments box.
Contributions will be forwarded to the USCCB for distribution designated to those areas in most of need.
Thank you for your support and let us keep all those who are impacted by these disasters and all relief workers in our prayers.
St. Monica Stands with DACA Youth
Today’s announcement regarding the policy known as “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” (DACA), places us in a difficult position. Regardless of political affiliation, we need not turn away from the gospel: "Whoever welcomes one of these children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." (Mark 9:37)
I offer the following excerts from a statement by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and I urge our community to come together in prayer and concern for the 780,000 DACA youth.
Msgr. Torgerson
"The cancellation of the DACA program is reprehensible. It causes unnecessary fear for DACA youth and their families. These youth entered the U.S. as minors and often know America as their only home. The Catholic Church has long watched with pride and admiration as DACA youth live out their daily lives with hope and a determination to flourish and contribute to society: continuing to work and provide for their families, continuing to serve in the military, and continuing to receive an education. Now, after months of anxiety and fear about their futures, these brave young people face deportation. This decision is unacceptable and does not reflect who we are as Americans."
"We strongly urge Congress to act and immediately resume work toward a legislative solution. We pledge our support to work on finding an expeditious means of protection for DACA youth."
Hurricane Harvey Flood Relief
St. Monica stands in prayer and solidarity with all those affected by the recent devastation in Houston, Texas.
Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles guides us, "Our hearts and prayers go out to the families that have lost loved ones and to all who have lost homes and businesses along with their sense of peace and normalcy. We also stand with our brother bishops in the region who have the difficult task of providing pastoral care in these most trying times while managing their own losses. Our prayerful and financial support is urgently needed."
This weekend at all Masses, a special collection will be held to support the victims and to provide pastoral and rebuilding support to impacted dioceses.
Msgr. Torgerson also encourages you to make individual donations to any of these qualified organizations:
- American Red Cross: www.redcross.org/donate/hurricane-harvey
You can also text HARVEY to 90999 to donate $10. - Catholic Charities: www.catholiccharities.org/donate-now-and-help-our-neighbors-recover-from-disaster
- Salvation Army: www.distaster.salvationarmyusa.org or 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
You can also text STORM to 51555.
Please continue to pray for the victims and for all those involved in the rescue efforts.
Hear and practice the new 7:30 Mass parts!
Pope Francis calls us to minister to those on the peripheries and the margins. For many faithful, the rhythm of their daily and weekly prayer life doesn't fit the schedule of Masses currently offer at St. Monica. They have fallen into the periphery and as a community we are committed to meeting them where they are.
The new 7:30 p.m. Sunday evening Mass hopes to extend our reach and invite new faces around the table of the Lord. Help us spread the word about this great new opportunity to receive the Eucharist!
Director of Music, Jeffrey Bonilla along with music minister Drew Wilson have composed a fantastic new Mass setting especially for this new 7:30 p.m. Mass.
Whether to practice and enter fully into the sung prayer—or simply to enjoy the gifts of music at St. Monica, enjoy these videos:
Habitat Casino Night: Aug. 19
Invite a friend and help us raise funds to build a home with Habitat for Humanity!
Saturday, August 19
7 to 10:30 pm in the Grand Pavilion
Our previous parties have been a blast, and we know this one will be too! Come play the tables, enjoy delicious food & beverages, dance the evening away, and win fabulous raffle prizes...all for a great cause!
Hosted by the Habitat Ministry at St. Monica. Learn more about our ministry at stmonica.net/habitat
If you have questions or would like to volunteer to help with the party, contact Christine Gerety at or (310) 566-1531.
TICKET COST:
Early Bird: $25 per person; $40 for two by August 4
After August 4 & at the door: $30 per person; $50 for two
Net proceeds will benefit the ongoing efforts of the Habitat LA Catholic Coalition, a partnership of over 30 Catholic parishes, schools, and organizations who raise funds and provide volunteers for Habitat for Humanity in the greater Los Angeles area. Consider supporting the Habitat LA Catholic Coalition and help us reach our goal of raising $150,000, the cost to build one home for a hardworking, low-income Habitat family. Go to http://tinyurl.com/habitatcoalition for more information.
The Samaritan Woman: Tri-Parish Spring Workshop
Sr. Catherine Ryan I I (310) 566-1540
The Tri-Parish Adult Faith Formation Committee
presents our spring workshop:
The Samaritan Woman:
A Woman, Six Husbands and Jesus
Forgiveness in Our Daily Lives
A multimedia presentation by Joan Doyle
Saturday, March 18, 2017
8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Grand Pavilion I St Monica Catholic Community
8:30 a.m. Onsite Registration $15, and refreshments
9:00 a.m. Pray together for God’s blessing on our day
9:30 a.m. First workshop session
10:45 a.m. Refreshment break
11:00 a.m. Second worship session
12:15 p.m. Closing prayer and sending forth
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
Saint Monica
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