Founded: Dec. 16, 1945
Location: 5011 White Oak Avenue, Encino
San Fernando Region: Deanery 5
This parish in Encino has certainly been "graced" in many ways --- from the beginning when the Discalced Carmelite Fathers established the parish, through the pastorates of three renowned priests to the present pastor from Ireland.
It was appropriate for the Carmelites to be involved in its 1945 founding. A Tidings article at the time noted, "The first Mass ever said on California soil was offered by a Carmelite priest, Father Andrew." In 1602 he had accompanied the Spanish explorer, Don Sebastian Vizcaíno, as they landed in a cove near what is known as Point Loma and sailed up the coast. (The striking resemblance of the area to Mount Carmel in Palestine led the Fathers to name the little community they founded, Carmel.)
Carmelite history, of course, extends back to the 13th century when a group of hermits gathered on Mount Carmel, believed to be the site of the prophet Elijah, and started a community of prayer, asceticism and devotion to the Blessed Mother, the first order to honor Mary. In the 16th century, St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross reformed the order that became the Discalced Carmelites.
Following the tradition of devotion to Mary, the Carmelites in Encino named the new parish "Our Lady of Grace." With the blessing and approval of Archbishop John Cantwell, the Carmelite Fathers planned a church, grade school, convent and a monastery to be located at White Oak Avenue and Ventura Boulevard.
Carmelite Father Patrick Collins, the first pastor, celebrated Mass at the Canoga Farms Dairy through the generosity of a Presbyterian neighbor, Frank Flowers. By 1946 liturgies took place in the nearby Encino Women's Club House on Sundays and in the rectory chapel during the week. The following year the school opened and in the following 58 years has been staffed by Sisters of St. Joseph of Cleveland, Immaculate Heart Sisters, Sisters of St. Louis and Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.
The Discalced Carmelites left the parish in August 1958, having "graciously and efficiently served these many years," in the words of Cardinal James Francis McIntyre. He appointed as pastor Msgr. Thomas J. McCarthy --- a former editor of The Tidings for seven years, the first director of the National Catholic Welfare Conference, and Chancellor of the Military Ordinariate of all U.S. military services. A popular radio personality and college instructor, Msgr. McCarthy died in 1978 after 41 years serving the church.
In 1958, Msgr. Francis M. Osborne began a 26-year pastorate, heading the parish during a period of enormous growth and change. Before his assignment to Encino, the Pasadena native served at Holy Spirit, St. Anselm and St. Brendan. During World War II he volunteered as a Navy chaplain, serving with Navy fliers and in submarines, and achieving the rank Lieutenant Commander.
During his long pastorate at Our Lady of Grace, Msgr. Osborne developed several parish societies and directed the building of the new brick church that was completed in 1962 on the parish site that was formerly an orange grove. He was also involved in archdiocesan duties. In 1966 he was named a consultor and appointed director of the Holy Name Society, a position he held for more than 20 years. He retired in 1985 as pastor emeritus and died in 2004 at age 91, having served in the archdiocese for 66 years.
The next pastor was Father, then Monsignor and now Bishop Gerald Wilkerson, a native of Long Beach, graduate of St. Anthony High School and member of St. John's class of 1965. Initially parish administrator, he was appointed pastor in 1985 and headed the parish for 12 years, spending much of the last 18 months as Episcopal Vicar for the San Fernando Region. In 1997 Pope John Paul II appointed him as an auxiliary bishop for the archdiocese.
In accepting that appointment, Bishop Wilkerson noted that "the parish life has taught me the importance of knowing people, listening to and understanding their needs and responding accordingly." His episcopal ordination was celebrated at Our Lady of Grace in January 1998.
That year, Father Austin Doran was named pastor after eight years teaching at St. John's Seminary. A native of Dublin, Ireland, he has a degree in theology from the Gregorian University in Rome and is a member of St. John's class of 1978. |