Each weekday morning before daily Mass, Catholics in Cudahy can be seen walking to a small former Methodist church on Clara Street. On Sunday mornings even larger groups make that walk, gathering behind the building on a concrete foundation without walls and only a metal roof overhang above them.

It is the temporary worship space for the parish of Sagrado Corazon y Santa Maria de Guadalupe.

At each of their six Sunday Masses approximately 450 Cudahy parishioners huddle under the overhang --- on breezy days, warm days and cats-and-dogs rainy days. They kneel on the concrete foundation and sit on both wooden pews and metal folding chairs. Many clutch one another to stay warm, their frosty breath penetrating the cold as they sing and pray their responses at Mass. These are the faithful Cudahy parishioners who reflect the heart of the greater church of Los Angeles.

Started 50 years ago as a mission to St. Gertrude Church in Huntington Park and later as a parish, Sagrado Corazon counts more than 1,500 registered families. During the past year the metal roof overhang was expanded, yet parishioners still do not all fit under the canopy.

"We continue to expand, reflecting the growth of Southern California and we must plan to grow with it," says Missionary of the Sacred Heart Father Antonio Garnica, pastor. "We need to build not only to meet our worship needs today, but also to plan responsibly for future generations."

Because of the lack of space at Sagrado Corazon, many Cudahy parishioners attend Mass at already-packed St. Gertrude (Bell), St. Matthias and St. Martha (Huntington Park), St. Rose of Lima (Maywood) and St. Helen (South Gate). Without a permanent church building, parishioners have raised funds by preparing evening and morning meals for sale. About a year and a half ago the parish hired a consulting firm to assist in a building campaign and parishioners have been asked for pledges of money over the next three years.

Always positive, Father Garnica says, "We are living for 50 years in this situation not because we want to, but it is a way to build the community. We emphasize the need to build a community first instead of building a material church. We need to build the hearts of the people."

Having raised close to $300,000 (with a target of $600,000) from parishioner pledges, Sagrado Corazon y Santa Maria de Guadalupe has been selected as the recipient of funds raised from the 2006 Cardinal's Award Dinner. These funds, combined with parishioner pledges, the assistance of other parishes in the San Pedro Region, and the many meals of tamales, pozole and other food sold in the parish, will secure the $1 million needed to begin building a church for the people of Cudahy.

Ultimately says Father Garnica, $3 million will build the church and parish hall that is so badly needed for his people, whose generosity, faithfulness and hard work he praises.

"We give from our need, not from our surplus," he points out. "We give back to God something He has given us." He often says that his parish is right in the center of Los Angeles; therefore, his slogan has been, "Let's keep alive the heart in the heart of the city."