Archdiocese of Los Angeles considers us a marginal Church community. We may be considered marginal as a community but the majority of our community members are hard-working lower and middle class families striving to sustain their lives while wanting to advance them in the midst the second largest metropolitan area in the United States, where constant economic, urban and political challenges often deter them but never defeat them.
The St. Agnes community finds its voice and strength in their faith and in their community when it gathers. Together they have a rich history of working for justice within its neighborhood. Many of our parishioners are catechists and leaders in our faith community. We have a parochial school where 235 students are served. Every Sunday in the midst of the 7 masses we celebrate we can see up to 2500 persons. We have a well-developed religious education program which centers around the sacraments. And many parish groups have formed to address the needs of our youth and adults, young and old.
I have been privileged and honored to be included within the massive circle of this community. It can appear at first to be overwhelming, but what stabilizes me is the people’ s lived faith and the constant invitation to be in relationship with them everyday. At times it seems to never stop— from the very beginning of the day.
Shortly after I arrived, I noticed that a community of street people would pitch their tents every night on one side of the Church building. Eventually they moved to the entrance of the Church and slept there overnight. Parishioners would demand that I get rid of the“ vermin that have infested our Church.” I was shocked by their words— but I also secretly identified with them! I would respond to them while challenging my own thoughts,“ Aren’ t these the people of God?”“ Aren’ t we suppose to see the face of Christ in the poor?” I used this moment not to call the police, but as an opportunity to show how developing a relationship with the street people can actually be more effective than ridding our church of this“ vermin.”
wake them up to get them to move on. At first they complained because I was new, but what resulted was a relationship— especially with two of them, Grecos and Kenneth. During weekly and Sunday Masses, I would often refer to our guests through homilies. At first I did not speak favorably of them, but as time developed our relationships, my thoughts and my interactions with them changed the quality of the relationship with me and with the community. They became friends, and even more so, community members who protected the Church from vandals. About a month ago, however, they disappeared. To this day, I don’ t know what happened to them or where they went. I only know that two brothers of our community are no longer around and they are missed.
There are so many more stories that have yet to be relayed and so many needs that have yet to be addressed here on this corner in Los Angeles. We, the Missionaries of the Precious Blood are here, and have been for 40 years. As for myself, Timothy Gutheridge and Dien Troung, we will be here for a while longer ministering to the diverse group of people who make up St. Agnes. I love being a member in the midst of this massive group we call the People of God and I’ m grateful that our charism of reaching out to the poor and being inclusive are realized here.
This has been but a brush stroke of our parish here at St. Agnes and only one moment of a beginning of a day in the life of a missionary of the Precious Blood. I hope you can now imagine another impression of a day in the life of the people of God in Los Angeles. W
Palm Sunday at St. Agnes Parish
I developed a routine. Upon returning from the gym at 6:30 a. m., I would walk around the Church and
October 2016 • The New Wine Press • 11