The Centennial Mass for Blessed Sacrament Church in Hollywood, celebrated Sept. 25, found two exceptionally proud parishioners in the front row of the assembly of nearly 1,500 people.
Angela Bongiovanni and her sister Yolanda Bongiovanni Reinhart have attended Mass at Blessed Sacrament since the 1920s --- Angela for 83 years and Yolanda for 78 years. Yolanda's husband Charles, a relative "newcomer," has been a parishioner since 1954.
Angela was 11 when she came to Los Angeles from Italy in 1921. Back then, Blessed Sacrament's Masses were held "in the alcove upstairs because the church wasn't built yet," she recalled. Today, her parish is also home to many who were born (or have roots) in the Philippines and Latin America. "I love America," says Angela. "And I love my parish."
Her younger sister Yolanda Reinhart was born in the parish, made her first Communion and confirmation there, and was married there. "It's a beautiful parish," she said, pleased that Blessed Sacrament has made a special effort to involve the young. "I see young people coming back."
Yolanda's husband, Charles Reinhart, Jr. is a Eucharistic minister in the parish, among the ministries featured in the procession of banners into the church as part of the Centennial Mass. Those ministries included Marriage Encounter, small group communities, disabled, Charismatic, Bible study, religious education, health ministries, social services and liturgy.
Blessed Sacrament Parish has long had a tradition of outreach to the Hollywood community, especially the poor and homeless, a fact noted by Cardinal Roger Mahony in his homily at the trilingual Mass. The Gospel of the day, the story of Lazarus, is a reminder that "we are responsible for one another," he said. "Whether we have helped the stranger at the door or provided for the needy, our participation in the kingdom of heaven is dependent on this. We have a collective responsibility to meet the needs of those around us."
And he praised the parishioners' outreach programs: "I am proud of you because you have done this well. It helps us identify with what Jesus is calling us to in today's Gospel."
Cardinal Mahony thanked Jesuit Father Michael Mandala, pastor, and the Society of Jesus for their long history of service to the parish, and also the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart, whose religious community staffed the school for many decades. The Cardinal specially made mention of the strong participation of lay leaders throughout the years in Blessed Sacrament Parish.
At the close of the liturgy pastor, Father Mandala thanked all involved in planning the celebration. He also paid tribute to Jesuit Father John Brennan, associate pastor, who is celebrating his 70th anniversary as a member of the Society of Jesus. |