St. Monica Blood Drive
A BIG thank you to all who participated in Health Ministry's Blood Drive on Sunday, January 14. The St. Monica community donated 61 pints!! That's enough blood to save up to 183 lives!
Stay tuned for more opportunities with the Health Ministry - check out the Weekly Witness and stmonica.net/health for updates!
Farewell Sister Edith!
On Saturday, January 6, we gathered to celebrate and honor the legacy of Sister Edith Prendergast with mass and a wonderful reception that followed. Sister Edith is returning to Ireland soon!
The Epiphany mass was celebrated by Archbishop Gomez and Monsignor gave a homily reflecting on Sister Edith and her work. After mass, the Grand Pavilion was packed for a dinner, speakers, and some words of wisdom from Sister Edith herself!
Thank you Sister Edith for all you've done for us, the Archdiocese, and the world!
Christmas at St. Monica 2024
Christmas Eve Masses: Dec. 24
| 4 p.m. | ☆ | Church, Outdoors, & Livestream* |
| 6 p.m. | ☆ | Church |
| 8 p.m. | ☆ | Church |
| 10 p.m. | ☆ | Church & Livestream |
| Midnight | ☆ | Church & Livestream |
*Additional parking available 2–6 p.m. at SGI-USA Buddhist Center: 1212 7th St.
Christmas Day Masses: Dec. 25
| 7:30 a.m. | ☆ | Church |
| 9:30 a.m. | ☆ | Church & Livestream* |
| 11:30 a.m. | ☆ | Church & Livestream |
Additional information on presiders and Mass descriptions can found at the bottom of this page.
Christmas Offertory Gift
Christmas Livestream
Christmas Eve Masses
4:00 p.m. Outdoor
Theme: Festive & Family-Friendly!
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Outdoors
Celebrant: Fr. David Guffey
Music: Classic Christmas songs with a band, featuring Helena Buscema and fourth-grader Ellie W.
Description: Perfect for families with kids—Santa even makes a special appearance!
4:00 p.m. in the Church
Theme: Joyful & Contemporary!
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Church
Celebrant: Monsignor
Music: Contemporary versions of beloved Christmas songs with a choir
Description: Arrive early! This popular Mass offers all the Christmas favorites you know and love, presented in a fresh, uplifting style.
6:00 p.m. in the Church
Theme: Upbeat & Reflective!
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Church
Celebrant: Fr. Vince
Homily by: Deacon McCardle
Music: Contemporary carols with a small vocal ensemble
Description: A vibrant yet prayerful celebration, blending energy with meaningful reflection.
8:00 p.m. in the Church
Theme: Peaceful & Prayerful!
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Church
Music: Traditional Christmas carols with a small vocal ensemble
Description: A calm, contemplative experience that gently ushers in the beauty of the season.
10:00 p.m. in the Church (Solemn Candle Mass)
Theme: Solemn & Rich in Tradition!
Time: 10:00 p.m.
Location: Church
Music: Traditional, chanted prayers and hymns with a small vocal ensemble
Description: Immerse yourself in the timeless richness of our Catholic heritage by candlelight.
Midnight Mass (High Mass)
Theme: Majestic & Regal!
Time: Midnight
Location: Church
Music: Full choir with classic, traditional hymns
Description: An epic, grand celebration embodying the depth and grandeur of Christmas Night.
Christmas Day Masses
7:30 a.m. in the Church
Theme: Quiet & Intimate!
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Church
Music: Single cantor and piano
Description: A gentle, simple start to your Christmas Day, ideal for those seeking peaceful reflection.
9:30 a.m. in the Church
Theme: Warm & Uplifting!
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Church
Celebrant: Fr. David Guffey
Music: Contemporary ensemble with choir
Description: A joyful, energetic way to celebrate Christmas morning, featuring familiar songs presented in a fresh contemporary style.
11:30 a.m. in the Church
Theme: Warm & Uplifting!
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: Church
Celebrant: Monsignor Torgerson
Music: Contemporary ensemble with choir
Description: Another opportunity to experience a vibrant and uplifting Christmas Day liturgy, filled with beloved songs sung joyfully.
Month of Remembrance
Here are all the ways you commemorate your loved one throughout the month of November.
All Souls Novena
Join us for a sacred journey of remembrance and prayer as we honor our dearly departed during the All Souls Novena. Starting on November 2, our nine-day novena provides a special time for reflection and intercession. Each day, we'll come together in faith, offering prayers for the souls of our loved ones who have passed on, asking God's mercy and grace for them.
If you would like to make an All Souls offering, please visit stmonica.net/souls
Homeless Memorial Service
Wednesday, Nov. 6
10 a.m.
On Nov. 8, join us for our Homeless Memorial Service, a solemn occasion to remember and honor those in our community who have experienced homelessness and, in many cases, tragically lost their lives. Through prayer, reflection, and solidarity, we come together to advocate for compassion, understanding, and support for our homeless neighbors. More information here.
Scrolls of Remembrance
Scrolls of Remembrance commemorate those whom we have buried here at St. Monica in the past twelve months. Each name etched here is a tribute to lives embraced by faith. Join us in honoring and praying for these beloved souls, as their memory lives on in our hearts and in this sacred scroll. As these are drawn from our sacramental records, we do not accept submissions for inclusion on the scrolls—please feel free to inscribe your loved one in the book of the dead.
Book of the Dead
Available at all Masses throughout the month of November. We continue to honor the profound and timeless tradition of remembering the faithful departed with our Book of the Dead. This sacred compilation, lovingly maintained by our parish, honors the memory of those who have gone before us. Each name inscribed in this book represents a cherished soul, a beloved member of our faith community.
Mass of Remembrance
Saturday, Nov. 9
5:30 p.m.
We will unite in prayer to honor and cherish the memories of our departed loved ones. Together, we find solace in the shared experience of remembrance, seeking comfort and strength in the timeless bond of faith.
Remembrance Slideshow
Submit your loved ones to our Remembrance Slideshow, a touching tribute to the lives we hold dear. During our Mass of Remembrance, we come together to remember and celebrate those who've touched our hearts. We honor their memory through this heartfelt presentation, keeping their spirits alive in our community. Photos and names added to the slideshow will not appear in the Scrolls or Book of the Dead.
To submit a photo of a loved one for the Remembrance Slideshow, please email
Bishop Elshoff Welcome Mass
We are honored that Bishop Matthew G. Elshoff, OFM Cap., will join us at the 9:30 a.m. liturgy on Sunday, Oct. 29.
To learn more about Bishop Elshoff, visit the resources below:
Statement from Bishop Elshoff on Appointment
Bishop Elshoff Biography and Office
More Information on New Bishops of LA
Los Angeles Episcopal Ordination || Chosen by the Lord
Praying for Peace
We are called during this time to pray for peace in our world. Let us ask our Lord for grace and an end to all conflict. Let us remember Pope Francis's wisdom: "Every war is a defeat."
Prayer Service for Peace
Find additional resources below:
Pope condemns terrorism, but expresses concern for Gaza civilians
Message from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Message from Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
Message from the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center
Pope Francis Speaks on Conflict
Pope Francis' Prayer for Peace
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have been in vain.
Now, Lord, come to our aid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: "Never again war!"; "With war everything is lost". Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace.
Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness.
Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words "division", "hatred" and "war" be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be "brother", and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam!
Amen.
Blessing of the Animals 2023
On October 1, we welcomed all creatures, great and small, and their owners to join the St. Francis Pet Ministry for our annual Blessing of the Animals. Fr. Park, Fr. Kuna, and the ministry led a short service full of prayer, song, and fellowship. We also collected new donations of cans of food, leashes, harnesses, toys, and blankets that will be distributed to our pet guests at this year’s parish Thanksgiving Feast!
Thank you all for joining!!
GLO Fall Kickoff 2023
On September 24, GLO met in Caruso A & B for light bites and cool refreshments while socializing with the community! St. Monica's LQBGT+ outreach ministry reconnected with fellow parish and community members following their summer hiatus.
Looking forward to an amazing program year ahead!
Homeboy 5K 2023
On September 23, our St. Monica Team of eight joined some 5,000 walkers/runners at the 14th annual Homeboy 5K. The participants were Mary Jo Dalton, Thomas Noone, Tina Jordan, Dennis Hardwick , John Williams, Josefina McEvoy, Kathleen Lambird, and Brendan Lambird.
Mary Jo Dalton described the day:
“The course includes a formidable hill that ascends into Elysian Park and affords lovely views of the city around Chinatown. We were blessed with perfect weather and after enjoyed a much-appreciated breakfast burrito. Fr Greg sent us off with a prayer before he joined the walk himself. It was an amazing outpouring of support for Fr. Greg Boyle and Homeboy Industries, which is the largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world. We raised over $1,000 as a team.
We all enjoyed the music and drummer who drummed us up the hill in the park. There were some in the Homeboy Program who were walking and the atmosphere was one of abounding joy witnessed by seeing so many smiling and laughing faces. There were several booths offering Homeboy bakery items and other items to purchase.“
We hope to see more of our parishioners next year!
Catechetical Sunday
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Why do we celebrate Catechetical Sunday? The mission of the church reflects the mission of Jesus to teach, preach, heal, and forgive. Through these acts, Jesus shares the good news of salvation and invites all people to share in the life and love of God. The church continues this mission in all its ministries, but especially, and perhaps most importantly, through catechesis.
Catechetical Sunday is celebrated on the third Sunday of September. The task of handing on the Gospel is entrusted to the whole community, who by word and example, form young and new members in the way of the Gospel. Parish programs assist parents in teaching the basics of faith through liturgical experience, instruction, and faith formation. This ministry is essential for the parish to grow, for individuals to develop as believers, and for the ongoing spiritual formation of the whole community. It reminds the church that preaching the Gospel and growing in faith are essential to our sacramental practice and our liturgical prayer.
This year's Catechetical Sunday theme is from Matthew's Gospel: “Come to me all you who labor and are burdened.” It reminds us of the invitation we receive from Jesus to follow him and to trust that he doesn’t want to add to our burdens – he wants to lighten them. Thank you to all of those who serve as teachers and pass on faith through word and action.
Prayer for Catechists
God of our fathers and mothers,
today we mark Catechetical Sunday,
the day we recommit ourselves
to teaching and forming disciples
to continue your work in this world.
In the beginning, you created man
to please you and offer you companionship.
We turned away from you
without knowing the great love you had for us.
Help us to recapture that understanding
of your love for us and for creation.
Give us wisdom to hand on to the next generation
that love you freely give us.
We ask all that is good
to come upon our catechetical leaders
and the people whom they lead to the faith.
We ask all this in the name
of the primary teacher of the faith,
Jesus the Christ.
Amen.
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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