A PARISH AT FIFTY YEAR
In October of 1978 (the same week the universal Church greeted a new pope, John Paul II) welcomed its sixth pastor, Joseph Sartoris. A native Angeleno, Father Sartoris’ priestly ministry was almost entirely dedicated to parish life. Already a priest for twenty-five years, Father Joe, as he preferred to be called, brought to the parish a wealth of knowledge and experience in the formation of parish life and quickly went to work soon after his arrival.
In 1980, Father Joe led the renovation of the church building. Now nearly thirty years old, the worship space was given a bright color scheme accentuated with new dark wood furnishings. The main altar was reinforced and stained. Sixteen stained glass windows depicting the life of Christ, each donated by a family in the parish, were installed. A new lighting and microphone system replaced the original fixtures.
During this time the parish’s liturgical life flourished. Liturgy and Music Directors were added to the growing parish staff so that appropriate resources could be offered. Hundreds of parishioners participated in various liturgical ministries, and new ways to serve were established: greeters, decorators, children’s liturgy of the word team members and sacristans. Several cantors and choirs were trained. A new organ was purchased and installed in the choir loft. All levels of sacramental preparation was enhanced with trained lay leadership, classes and programs. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) was instituted in 1982. In the first years of the program, hundreds of people joined our church as converts to the faith. Worship was at the center of the parish’s life as its source and summit.
Parish spiritual formation during the 1980's and early 1990's centered on the Parish Renewal Weekend. Established by Father Joe early in his pastorate, parishioners were invited to experience a three-day renewal process. The heart of the weekend renewals was the intimate and open sharing by Father Joe and his lay leadership team, who responded to a series of questions regarding life as a Catholic. In turn, renewal participants shared their responses to the same questions in small group and large group opportunities. This process, mixed with powerful moments of prayer, formed the outline of the weekend. In the course of twelve years, over 60 renewal weekends were held and hundreds of parishioners participated. While the pastor led the experience, the active and honest involvement of the people is what made the weekend powerful and memorable. Lives were literally changed as a result and the long-range impacts of these experiences are still felt today.
In 1980, Father Joe led the renovation of the church building. Now nearly thirty years old, the worship space was given a bright color scheme accentuated with new dark wood furnishings. The main altar was reinforced and stained. Sixteen stained glass windows depicting the life of Christ, each donated by a family in the parish, were installed. A new lighting and microphone system replaced the original fixtures.
During this time the parish’s liturgical life flourished. Liturgy and Music Directors were added to the growing parish staff so that appropriate resources could be offered. Hundreds of parishioners participated in various liturgical ministries, and new ways to serve were established: greeters, decorators, children’s liturgy of the word team members and sacristans. Several cantors and choirs were trained. A new organ was purchased and installed in the choir loft. All levels of sacramental preparation was enhanced with trained lay leadership, classes and programs. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) was instituted in 1982. In the first years of the program, hundreds of people joined our church as converts to the faith. Worship was at the center of the parish’s life as its source and summit.
Parish spiritual formation during the 1980's and early 1990's centered on the Parish Renewal Weekend. Established by Father Joe early in his pastorate, parishioners were invited to experience a three-day renewal process. The heart of the weekend renewals was the intimate and open sharing by Father Joe and his lay leadership team, who responded to a series of questions regarding life as a Catholic. In turn, renewal participants shared their responses to the same questions in small group and large group opportunities. This process, mixed with powerful moments of prayer, formed the outline of the weekend. In the course of twelve years, over 60 renewal weekends were held and hundreds of parishioners participated. While the pastor led the experience, the active and honest involvement of the people is what made the weekend powerful and memorable. Lives were literally changed as a result and the long-range impacts of these experiences are still felt today.
Socially, Father Joe empowered a small and dedicated group of parishioners to begin another important weekend, the annual Lomita Fair. Begun in 1982, the Lomita Fair primarily was a fundraising event for the parish and the school. It beckoned to the early years of the parish when bazaars, barbecues and dances were part of the community’s life. Like those early days, the need to raise funds served as the catalyst for community growth and life-long bonding. The Lomita Fair gathered, like today, nearly two thousand parishioner volunteers. In a parish nearing 3,000 families, opportunities like the Fair provided community members to meet each other. Yes, funds were raised, but more importantly friendships were formed.
The life of the parish community soon began to outgrow its facilities. In 1983 and again in 1987, new meetings spaces were constructed. The Saint Joseph Center, with its large meeting room, youth center, storage area and three offices, was built. The convent was completely remodeled and re-established as the Parish Center, moving the parish office out of the rectory. During each construction project, Father Joe consulted with the parish finance committee and the maintenance committee, organizations he founded which continued the tradition of active collaboration between clergy and laity in the physical growth of the parish plant.
In 1986, the Salesian Sisters left the school after more than 35 years of dedicated service. While they would no longer serve the students of St. Margaret Mary School, their impact is still felt to this day. The school’s administration was transferred to a lay staff and faculty.
In 1987, the parish community celebrated its golden anniversary, under the motto “Fifty Years of Faith and Friendship.” The highlight of the year-long celebration was a two week pilgrimage to Europe. One hundred parishioners participated in this memorable journey to Paray-le-Monial, the birthplace of our patroness Margaret Mary Alacoque. Other destinations included Rome and an opportunity to participate in an audience with Pope John Paul II. The fiftieth anniversary invited the community to truly celebrate faith and friendship, extending far beyond the official events marking the year. Above all, the community recognized its parish pioneers, many of whom actively participated in the jubilee celebrations. After decades of growth, the heart of the parish was most evident - that the real pilgrimage was found in the journey of a people joined in Christ, not on a bus through the highways of Europe, but in the hearts of a community connected though a half- century of faith.
Michael Molina
May 14, 2007
The life of the parish community soon began to outgrow its facilities. In 1983 and again in 1987, new meetings spaces were constructed. The Saint Joseph Center, with its large meeting room, youth center, storage area and three offices, was built. The convent was completely remodeled and re-established as the Parish Center, moving the parish office out of the rectory. During each construction project, Father Joe consulted with the parish finance committee and the maintenance committee, organizations he founded which continued the tradition of active collaboration between clergy and laity in the physical growth of the parish plant.
In 1986, the Salesian Sisters left the school after more than 35 years of dedicated service. While they would no longer serve the students of St. Margaret Mary School, their impact is still felt to this day. The school’s administration was transferred to a lay staff and faculty.
In 1987, the parish community celebrated its golden anniversary, under the motto “Fifty Years of Faith and Friendship.” The highlight of the year-long celebration was a two week pilgrimage to Europe. One hundred parishioners participated in this memorable journey to Paray-le-Monial, the birthplace of our patroness Margaret Mary Alacoque. Other destinations included Rome and an opportunity to participate in an audience with Pope John Paul II. The fiftieth anniversary invited the community to truly celebrate faith and friendship, extending far beyond the official events marking the year. Above all, the community recognized its parish pioneers, many of whom actively participated in the jubilee celebrations. After decades of growth, the heart of the parish was most evident - that the real pilgrimage was found in the journey of a people joined in Christ, not on a bus through the highways of Europe, but in the hearts of a community connected though a half- century of faith.
Michael Molina
May 14, 2007
