Like the Magi, "All of us are seekers and searchers" Msgr. Jarlath Cunane told his 9:30 a.m. congregation at St. Thomas the Apostle Church on the feast of the Epiphany. Like the Magi, he said, there is "a restless part in of all our lives as we follow the star and become dreamers of impossible dreams."
That is why, Msgr. Cunane said, he believes that the Magi are the patron saints of immigrants, models for those searching for Jesus. And that description well applies to St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, located in the heart of Los Angeles' Pico-Union district --- a parish filled with immigrants (beginning with its Irish-born pastor), filled with those seeking the Lord in their lives.
That certainly accounts for the incessant activity at St. Thomas the Apostle, a complex parish of 8,500 registered families with eight of its nine Sunday Masses celebrated in Spanish or bilingually. Parishioners hail from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and the Philippines.
"It's a small world here," adds business manager Julie Chinchilla. "People come from many countries. St. Thomas is like a home for all these people."
Many have lived in the parish for years. All have found a home here. And most are actively involved. "It never stops," laughs parish secretary Mary Murillo.
Every other Tuesday night, approximately 200 come to the parish for Bible study. In addition to adult education there are evening programs for young people, formation programs for those interested in ministering to other parishioners, door-to-door evangelization, group support for married couples, prayer groups, Barrios por El Cristo (an anti-gang program), Guardians of the Family (a ministry for men), and more.
The parish school (a past National Blue Ribbon recipient) is at near capacity and 1,200 children are enrolled in religious education classes. Says Msgr. Cunane: "Parishioners at St. Thomas are very filled with faith and eager to share it. There is a strong focus on evangelization."
"They love to serve," notes Juan Bautista Cantillo, director of parish liturgy and ministries, of his fellow parishioners. "We have retreats, a congress, and ministers have a retreat in the mountains. People want to know more. We have 110 people in leadership alone."
Every evening of the week finds multiple groups meeting at St. Thomas. A faith formation program begun over 20 years ago, El Sembrador (The Sower), develops ministerial leaders. On Friday evenings the church is filled with those who pray, sing and learn about their faith --- "to hear the word of God and put it into practice," says Cantillo. The sessions are broadcast on Radio Catolica (1670 AM) and on television on KRCA (Channel 62). The present theme is developing family life.
Cantillo and his fellow ministers know that many in their community are simply searching and need their help. "Our commitment this year," says Cantillo, "is to a new evangelization --- to preach the Gospel and reach people who never come to the church and through media to teach them." |