The Los Angeles wildfires have killed at least two dozen people, destroyed thousands of homes and numerous churches and schools, but has also inspired a groundswell of Catholic support for Southern California’s dispossessed. Source: NCR Online.
As a parish in Pacific Palisades copes with the destruction of its church and many parishioners’ homes, Catholics across the region were adjusting to being suddenly homeless and many Catholics stepped up to offer aid.
More than 100 diocesan schools were listed as closed on January 9 because of the wildfires, according to the archdiocese’s news site.
Other houses of worship were destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires, including a century-old synagogue in Pasadena, a mosque in Altadena and a number of Protestant churches.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles established a donation portal to assist parishes, schools and communities affected by the fires while Catholic Charities USA is accepting donations for relief to families from the wildfires fuelled by powerful Santa Ana winds whipping through the region in drought conditions.
Loyola High School, a Jesuit boys school in Los Angeles which draws students from throughout Southern California, including Pacific Palisades and Pasadena, opened its Caruso Hall to offer aid, such as food, showers and resources, while also taking donations of nonperishable food, clothes, hygiene products, blankets and supplies.
American Martyrs School in Manhattan Beach informed parents that it was working with parents of students who lost their homes and schools in the fire and to see if the school could arrange with teachers to place homeless students into the appropriate classes.
In Los Angeles, Sisters Servants of Mary evacuated 13 nuns to its motherhouse in Oxnard, in Ventura County, as a precaution, Sr. Mercedes Escamilla said.
On January 9, as fires remained uncontained, dozens of Corpus Christi parishioners attended a special Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
The celebrant, Archbishop José Gomez, said there were no “easy answers” and that God calls each person “to be instruments that show his compassion and care to those who are suffering.”
“Love is what is asked from us in this challenging moment,” Archbishop Gomez said.
FULL STORY
LA fires inspire groundswell of Catholic aid (By Timothy J Burger, NCR Online)
