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