Our Lady of Grace | Called to Renew

Letter from the Pastor

From the Pastor

Dear Friends in Christ,

Praised be Jesus Christ! Pope Francis recalled that “the parish is the presence of the Church in a given territory, an environment for hearing God’s word, for growth in the Christian life, for dialogue, proclamation, charitable outreach, worship and celebration”, and affirmed that it is “a community of communities.” Over the years you have provided for the worship, ministries and apostolic growth of Our Lady of Grace.

Through God’s grace, we have grown from a small faith community into a welcoming parish of 2,500 families. Even in the uncertainty of the pandemic we have remained a creative, vibrant, active, and dynamic place for people of all ages to grow in their faith, serve others, and share the Good News as they connect with Christ, one another, and with all those who “seek God with a sincere heart.”

It is my honor as your pastor to invite you to join us as we launch the Called to Renew campaign alongside every parish in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and ask God to bless this ambitious effort. Our campaign will allow us to address the needs of Our Lady of Grace ensuring future generations of parishioners may continue to gather, worship, and create lasting friendships.

Each parish has been given a goal for the campaign. Our goal is $1,035,000 of which 50 percent will remain at our parish. We will also retain 100 percent of the funds we collect over our goal.

I realize this request is significant but trust your commitment to our parish, the Encino community, and our Catholic faith will guide you to make a sacrificial gift. Called to Renew is essential to ensuring our church is vibrant and healthy, and our parish remains a presence in the lives of parishioners and the community for years to come.

I am asking you, and every member of our parish, to make a gift from the heart. As your pastor and fellow parishioner, I will also make a sacrificial pledge. Before you determine your pledge, please prayerfully consider the generosity God has shown you, and the importance of the mission we have been given at Our Lady of Grace. Please be assured of my prayers for you and your family as we glorify God in our mission!

Peace in Christ,

Rev. Marinello Ruel Saguin

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Campaign Details

Our Parish Goal

$1,035,000

Pledged over 5 years for the Called to Renew Campaign.

Our Parish Receives

$517,500

To renew our parish and strengthen ministries.

Parish Needs

Church Air Conditioning and Heating

Depending on the time of year, the temperature in the church can get uncomfortable. We will install an upgraded HVAC system to moderate the temperature in the church to make our worship experience more comfortable.

Church Patio Renovation

We will transform the church patio into a more accessible, more welcoming and cohesive gathering space for the parish community.

Roofing

The roof on the Church/School/Rectory and Parish Center is nearing its useful life expectancy. From time to time, we experience leaks. We will allocate resources from this campaign to ensure our rooves are maintained in the most effective, economical way.

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.

Archbishop José H. Gomez

Our Campaign Also Supports

$375M

Strengthening Our Parishes

Our parishes are more than buildings; they are the spiritual homes for millions in our Archdiocese. Embracing our mission to be a community of praise, worship, and witness, Called to Renew recognizes the vital role of parishes in the day-to- day life of a vibrant Church and is dedicated to meeting their needs.

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$30M

Serving the Vulnerable

As Christians, we are called to meet the spiritual and temporal needs of others. Called to Renew provides us with an extraordinary opportunity to expand and enhance our ministries to the most vulnerable among us, so we may walk with the sick and dying as well as with the victims and perpetrators of violent crimes and their families.

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$30M

Supporting Priestly Vocations

The future of our Church is strengthened when men hear and answer the Lord’s call to serve as his shepherds. The Archdiocese is committed to vocations and the formation of our seminarians and clergy, so they may minister with joyful hearts in the years ahead.

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$65M

Investing in the Faith of Future Generations

Our mission to live in greater communion with God and the Church is carried out through our parish and diocesan schools, religious education and faith formation programs, and our presence on college campuses throughout Southern California.

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