Our community is excited to participate alongside all parishes, missions and Catholic centers in the Archdiocese to strengthen and renew our Church for the future. Please continue reading to learn how this campaign will benefit us.
Picture colorful banners and balloons decorating our church, and the Virgin Mary statue well adorned. Children play games and dance to music. Parishioners prepare meals and beverages to share with one another. Our religious sisters, liturgical ministers, and choir eagerly await the celebration of a holy Mass with Archbishop José H. Gomez. This is how we envision the joyful celebration of Mother of Sorrows’ 100th anniversary in 2023.
Many of our parish’s founding families made sacrificial offerings to build our hall and rectory in 1923, and the church in 1926. In 1948, the school opened to provide our children with academic opportunities and Catholic values.
We must give thanks to our loving and merciful Father for His many blessings and graces over the past 100 years. Without His care and love, our community would not be what it is today. But how can we make our life more acceptable in the eyes of God as we prepare for our centennial?
Along with every parish in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Mother of Sorrows is participating in a special stewardship effort. Called to Renew is our opportunity to give back to God in thanks for what we have received from Him through our parish’s founding members. This is our turn to hand over this wonderful community of love and faith to our children. Essentially, we are “Building for our Family, our Parish, our Future.”
I am grateful for all our parishioners do for this community. Today, I humbly ask you to share your talents and treasures with your spiritual house and earthly symbol of our eternal home. Our goal is $300,000 over five years, of which at least $180,000, or 60%, will remain at our parish for needs detailed on the following page.
I encourage every parish family to participate. As your pastor, I, too, am a member of this wonderful community and will make a sacrificial pledge. Let us prayerfully discern how to share our generosity with this family we belong to.
Pledged over 5 years for the Called to Renew Campaign.
Our Parish Receives
$180,000
To renew our parish and strengthen ministries.
Parish Needs
Church Renovations
The beautiful church we inherited is in need of serious renovations. To ensure parishioners are comfortable during Mass and able to focus on the message of the Word, we will install a new heating and air conditioning system and replace the pews and kneelers.
Campus Renovations
Our parish campus hosts a variety of ministries and activities for worship and evangelization. To better support these programs, we will replace two trailers that serve as meeting rooms, renovate the kitchen in the hall, and repair the parking lot to create a safer and more welcoming environment.
Strengthening Ministries
Our parish is committed to providing faith formation to all of our parishioners, regardless of their age or abilities. In order to answer Pope Francis’ call to enhance youth ministry opportunities, we will establish an after-school program where children can receive help with homework and be supervised in a safe location. We will also invest in training and programs for various ministries.
A Bold Plan of Renewal
We — the Catholic faithful — are the agents of renewal for Church and society. I am grateful for this opportunity to walk alongside clergy and parishioners in strengthening our parishes and ministries, the heart of our Archdiocese.