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.
I am writing to appeal to you as a devoted parishioner of St. Peter Chanel as you are aware of the many blessings we all have to be grateful for in our parish. Your family has likely celebrated the sacraments of initiation here – Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation. You may have fallen in line to receive the Lord’s forgiveness in the sacrament of reconciliation offered daily. You may have exchanged wedding vows in our church at one time or bid farewell to a loved one at another. You may have attended the many retreats and been nourished by the Spiritual Exercises given by our OMV priests. The list goes on. Truly, our parish has changed our lives toward greater holiness.
Allow me then to announce the launch of our parish’s Called to Renew campaign and invite you to consider God’s many blessings in your life, our parish, and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Each parish has been given a goal for the campaign. Our goal is $795,000, of which 50 percent will remain at our parish. We will also retain 100 percent of the funds we collect over our goal. If our campaign is successful, we will receive a minimum of $397,500 to address our own needs.
Please take a moment to read the following page and see how Called to Renew will benefit St. Peter Chanel, and how we will use our share of campaign funds. I then ask you to prayerfully consider a five-year pledge to the campaign, which will allow us the best opportunity to reach our goal.
I realize this request is significant but trust your commitment to our parish, the Hawaiian Gardens-Cerritos-Lakewood-Long Beach community and beyond, 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 hope you will join me in supporting this historic campaign.
May God continue the work he has begun in you toward holiness.
Pledged over 5 years for the Called to Renew Campaign.
Our Parish Receives
$397,500
To renew our parish and strengthen ministries.
Parish Needs
Painting the Church
It has been 20 years since the exterior of the Church was last painted. We will paint the exterior of the Church, as well as some of the other buildings for the sake of uniformity and aesthetics.
Renovation in the Old Church
The old church is dark and gloomy. We will replace the windows and security grills on the western side to make the church brighter. Walls and ceiling will be skim coated and old wood panels will be refurbished.
Church Pews & Kneelers
The pews in the Church get used a lot and are beginning to show their age. We will refurbish the pews and replace all the kneelers to provide a more comfortable worship space for all.
Parking Lot
The parking lot needs resurfacing. The asphalt is beginning to crack and is thinning in some places. We need to resurface the parking lot to prevent further damage.
Acoustic Treatment & Sound System Enhancement
During Mass we celebrate the Liturgy of the Word, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Sometimes it is difficult to hear either part due to poor acoustics in the Church. We will improve the acoustics and update the sound system by replacing microphones and repairing/installing speakers.
Modular Offices for Spiritual Direction
Our OMV ministry in the Spiritual Exercises has been very successful. We currently have 35-40 certified Spiritual Directors and about 350 spiritual directees. We simply do not have the space to accommodate all of the one-on-one meetings which take place each week. We will provide six modular office spaces.
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.