Rel Ed Congress "Embrace Trust"
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 23
Congress opens on Thursday with a day-long event for high school youth to come together and share in Liturgy, workshops, entertainment and to experience the energy of 7000 other teens as they gather for the arena general session.
Congress Days - February 24–26
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.
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 24
5:00–8:00 p.m. - Wine and Cheese Social
Saturday, February 25
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. - Sponsored Lunch
1:30–6:30 p.m. - Open for Hospitality
We also hope you'll join us to break bread together with dinner at 6:30 p.m.
An entree and sides will be available buffet-style for $20 per person.
St. Monica Hospitality Suite:
Anaheim Marriott, Ste 1917
Main Tower
700 West Convention Way
Anaheim, CA 92802
(714) 750-8000
Register Now for Faith Odyssey 2017
"Lift Up the Word"
After an especially contentious 2016, the world needs hope and positivity—and our community is no excepton. Join as we come together to lift up our spirits, lift up the word of the Lord, express and exercise love, compassion, unity, and solidarity even as we experience divisiveness and negativity in the country and around the world. Join us on January 28.
Event Schedule
| 8–8:45 am | Registration & Continental Breakfast in Grand Pavilion |
| 9–9:30 am | Welcome/Morning Prayer |
| 9:45 am | Session 1 Workshops |
| 11:15 am | Session 2 Workshops |
| 12:30 pm | Lunch |
| 1:30 pm | Session 3 Workshops |
| 3:00 pm | Keynote Speaker |
| 4:30 pm | Liturgy |
Registration
Online registration is now closed, but please join us!
We will accept registrations at the door.
If you have any questions, contact Sr. Catherine Ryan at or Patricia Garcia at
WORKSHOP W1
Msgr. Lloyd Torgerson & Claire Henning
The Parish: The Heartbeat of the Church
If we, as church, hope to witness to the truth of the Gospel in the global climate in which we live today, then we, as church, must learn to live within our own parish communities as diverse peoples holding all of our differences as we remain connected by our shared purpose.
Rev. Msgr. Lloyd Torgerson was born in East Los Angeles in 1939 and was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest in May, 1965. He was sent to complete his graduate degree in Religious Education at Fordham University in New York in 1970 and came back to serve as Director of Youth Ministry followed by Director of Religious Education for the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Msgr. Torgerson has been in residence at St. Monica Catholic Community for over thirty years and has joyfully served as our pastor for the last twenty-eight years.
Claire Henning, D.Min.; Executive Director, Parish Catalyst, is a product of 25 years of Catholic education and 20 years experience working as a lay ecclesial minister in her home parish, St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Community, Los Angeles, California. In 2012, Dr. Henning left parish ministry to become the Executive Director of Parish Catalyst: a nonprofit organization designed to accelerate original thinking and innovation in parish ministry. Dr. Henning received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Immaculate Heart College, Los Angeles, a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Theology from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Catholic University of American in Washington, D.C. Dr. Henning is a commissioned Pastoral Associate in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as well as a member of the Catholic Theological Society of America.
WORKSHOP W2
Dominic Gnirs
Chasing After the Wind? Ecclesiastes' Key a Happy Life
You are working on your career, you marry and try to be a good person and have fun. Whatever you achieved, there could still be a feeling of something missing or of regret for other options you did not take. Talking about the book of Ecclesiastes, we will find that these are not 21st century problems. Come and discover a deeper sense of living through the eyes of Ecclesiastes, the Teacher and what he really meant between the lines.
Dominik Gnirs is the Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation at the Office of Religious Education in Los Angeles. He holds a magister in Theology from the University of Vienna, Austria. He has been in Youth Ministry for 15 years and directed youth retreats. Dominik worked for the Kardinal Konig Haus Adult educations Center in Vienna. He is a parishioner of St. Monica and lives with his wife in Central Los Angeles.
WORKSHOP W3
Clare Frazier-Yzaguirre
Boost Your Communication to Enjoy Each Other More!
“Too often we aren’t enjoying each other as much as we could in our relationships & ministries. In this workshop, Claire shares how to boost the joy and love in your relationships, both personally and in your work and ministry lives, with greater communication skills that will get you looking forward to being together more!”
Claire Frazier-Yzaguirre, MFT, M.Div, is a licensed marriage and family therapist, an ordained minister and joyful convert of many years to the Catholic Church—author, speaker, wife and mom. Each year, together with her husband, Dr. John Yzaguirre, they train thousands in the `dynamics of unity` to live united, resilient and joyful lives and marriages in their Irvine Counseling practice; and through teaching their “Thriving Marriages/Families” program in 50+ cities. Claire has 30 years experience in ministry and counseling and has received two Masters from Fuller Theological Seminary Graduate Schools of Theology & Psychology, in Pasadena, CA.
WORKSHOP W4
Dr. Jim Finley
Following The Call That Echoes in The Words Of The Christian Mystics
In this session James Finley will help us turn to the Christian mystics, whose words guide us toward a habitual, underlying experience of God’s presence in our lives. Simple guidelines for practicing contemplative prayer and other practical matters will be included in this prayerful inquiry.
James Finley leads retreats and workshops throughout the United States and Canada, attracting men and women from all religious traditions who seek to live a contemplative way of life in the midst of today's busy world. He is also a clinical psychologist in private practice with his wife in Santa Monica. He is the author of: Merton's "Palace of Nowhere, The Contemplative Heart" and "Christian Meditation: Experiencing the Presence of God."
WORKSHOP W5
Rabbi Michael Lotker
What Really Happened in the Garden of Eden—A Jewish Perspective
The Garden of Eden story is well known and central to many religious traditions. Rabbi Lotker will present a Jewish reading of the text focusing on a close reading of the text itself as amplified by Hebrew and scholarly insights. The result will surprise you.
Rabbi Lotker, a Phi Beta Kappa/Magna Cum Laude physicist, spent the bulk of his first career in the alternative energy business, working in wind power, solar, and geothermal energy. Ordained as a Rabbi at Hebrew Union College where he also received his Master of Hebrew Letters degree, he is presently Rabbi of Temple Ner Ami in Camarillo.
WORKSHOP W6
Joan Doyle
Do I Really Want To Let Go Of My Grudges? They’re So Comfortable!
Forgiveness means that we let go of grudges and thoughts of revenge, which empowers us to be free from negative and destructive emotions. For people of faith, it also means opening ourselves to God’s grace in order to accept forgiveness for our own transgressions as well as extend mercy to those that have offended us. With insights from both contemporary films and the published wisdom of experts, this session will explore ways to live out this invitation to be like Jesus.
Joan Doyle, a nationally certified Lay Ecclesial Minister, has held a variety of positions in her parish, St. Paul the
Apostle. She has a B.A. in English and a M.A. in Religious Education along with a California teaching credential. Joan serves annually as a judge for the HUMANITAS prize, rewarding quality scripts for film and TV, and has written study guides for several Catholic media projects.
WORKSHOP W7
Ann Pettit
Experience God’s Love & Mercy through the Creation of Rituals
Rituals help us take a look at our lives in an authentic manner. This workshop will provide multiple practical examples of how to create rituals that can free us, transform us, deepen and heal our relationships—thus experiencing god’s love and Mercy.
Ann Pettit is a practicing Spiritual Director, certificated through two different programs. She has done extensive work on how to enrich lives by weaving in the use of rituals in beautiful ways. She is a wife and mother and a high
school Athletic Director/Teacher.
WORKSHOP W8
John Flaherty
Living, Being & Becoming the
“Word Within the Word”—”The Body Within the Body.”
We are reminded to be mindful of the words and songs we place in people’s mouths for what they take into their bodies, they become. An in-depth mini-retreat to reflect on how what we sing, say and give voice to defines who we are—for better or worse—at worship and in our daily lives. Will include music, scripture, poetry and images in art. Poetry and art is the language of the heart., and also of the heart of Catholic Worship.
John Flaherty is an educator and university administrator with 36 years of experience teaching at all levels. He serves as the Associate Director of Campus Ministry and Director of the Pastoral Liturgy and Pastoral Music Certification Programs in the Center for Religion & Spirituality at Loyola Marymount University. John is a published composer and has won awards for his work scoring for film and television. His proudest accomplishments are his family and the many former students who now pursue their own careers in music and
ministry.
Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith
Lift Up the Word—Grace In An Ecumenical and Interreligious Environment
Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith was born and raised in the Hyde Park area of Los Angeles, CA, and attended local Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools. His undergraduate studies at the University of Southern California were in the field of International Relations. Father Alexei worked for several years in private industry prior to his entering Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston, MA, in 1983. Awarded a Master of Divinity Degree, with High Distinction, in 1987, he was ordained a Greek Catholic Priest of the Eparchy of Newton, MA, that same year, and assigned as Pastor of Saint Andrew Russian Greek Catholic Church in El Segundo, CA, and also Administrator of Saint Paul Melkite Greek Catholic Mission in the same city.
Architects of Change LIVE | with Maria Shriver
On Thursday, December 8 at 6:30 p.m. St. Monica hosted an event with our friend and parishioner Maria Shriver for her Architects of Change Live series featuring Mark K. Shriver for a conversation about his book, Pilgrimage: My Search for the Real Pope Francis.
This amazing book is available in our Holy Grounds bookstore or by clicking here.
In Pilgrimage: My search for the Real Pope Francis, Mark Shriver retraces Francis’s personal journey, revealing the origins of his open, unpretentious style and explaining how it revitalized Shriver’s own faith and renewed his commitment to the Church. To help us understand how Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis, Shriver travels to Bergoglio’s native Argentina to meet with the people who knew him as a child, as a young Jesuit priest, and as a reformist bishop. Shriver visits the confessional where Bergoglio first felt called to a faith-based life and takes us to the humble parish where the future pontiff’s pastoral career began: in a church created from a converted vegetable shed in an area just outside the city of Buenos Aires. In these impoverished surroundings, Bergoglio answered Christ’s call to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless, following the example set by his papal namesake, St. Francis of Assisi.
In this deeply reported yet highly personal book, Mark K. Shriver explores how Francis's commitment has struck a chord in the hearts of millions who long to make faith, love, humility, and mercy part of their lives as they go out into the world to serve and learn from the most marginalized.
St. Monica University - Advent Small Group Faith-Sharing
Advent 2016 - Small Group Faith-Sharing
One of the important outcomes and goals of the St. Monica Strategic Vision 2020 is the commitment to education and formation opportunities for adults. Once we cross the sacramental milestones in our lives like Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Marriage—how does our faith journey continue?
St. Monica University is our new ministry platform to accomplish our goals and we are excited to launch its first program this Advent: a four-week series* of small faith-sharing groups of 8–10 people. Groups are provided with “Mercy from the Manger”, a collection of quotes and reflections by Pope Francis and a weekly workbook participants may use at home. Each week they are guided by a moderator to journey through this beautiful season of reconciliation, comfort and joy.
Gift yourself with a deeper faith and meaningful conversation as together we uncover how "hope is dawning."
- There are four options to fit your schedule:
Mondays, Wednesdays*, Saturday mornings and Saturday evenings. - The same small groups will remain with each other throughout the series and meet on the same day for four weeks.
- The first week, sessions will begin 30 mins earlier to allow for introductions and orientation.
- An offering of $20 is requested to cover the cost of the booklet and other resources.
- *Wednesday series is only three weeks and times vary–see below.
- All groups are invited to come together as a large group on Sunday, December 18 at 3:45–5:15 p.m. for closing celebration and discussion.
Register now or email Suzette Sornborger for more information.
Support St. Monica by donating a used vehicle!
Help support St. Monica by donating your used car, truck, boat or motorcycle!
It's easy! Just click on the car to make a donation and a representative will contact you to schedule a time to pick up your vehicle. It does not need to be running!
You can also call 855-500-RIDE (855-500-7433) to make your donation. Be sure when you call to let them know it's for St. Monica Catholic Church! You will receive a tax benefit from the total sale and St. Monica will receive a percentage of the proceeds. It's a win-win situation!
If you have any questions, contact Merrick Siebenaler at or (310) 566-1514.
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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