Tall and handsome, Gregg Gibson was four months shy of his 21st birthday when he was killed in a random act of violence on Nov. 16, 2002 while driving onto the 405 Freeway with his best friend.
On June 3, Gregg's mother Judy, of St. James Church in Redondo Beach lit a candle for her son, Gregg, in front of a picture of the two of them together. Other family members and friends who lost loved ones to violence did likewise at the Liturgy of Remembrance and Healing celebrated at St Victor Church in West Hollywood.
San Gabriel Region Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala presided, with Father George Horan, director of the Office of Restorative Justice, concelebrating. The Victims' Ministry, coordinated by Elo Carrillo and under the auspices of the archdiocesan Office of Restorative Justice, sponsored the annual Mass, now in its sixth year.
"For me, the Mass is extremely important," said Judy Gibson. "We want our children to be in God's prayers. And one of the things that is extremely important to the parents is that they are not forgotten."
At the Liturgy of Remembrance, family members serve as lectors, present the gifts and help prepare the reception following Mass. During the entrance procession, family members carry candles used to light one of a group of candles on a stand in front of the sanctuary in remembrance of their family member.
On tables fronting the sanctuary, along with candles, were photos of eight people. Upon one table was a book of remembrance containing the names of 8,000 people, 6,000 of them submitted by Women Against Gun Violence.
"When one of the body of Christ is hurting, we all hurt," said Bishop Zavala, chaplain of the Office of Restorative Justice, in his homily. "Too often we grieve alone. We have to remember we are a family. We are the body of Christ. If one person grieves, we all grieve."
Rosalio and Rosa Peralta, members of Sacred Heart Church in Los Angeles, and their daughter, Raquel Garcia, attended the Mass in memory of their son, Jaime Peralta, who 39 when he was murdered on Dec. 9, 2005.
"This is helping us in keeping his memory alive and to know that there are programs for victims and their families," Rosa said.
Ruett and Rhonda Foster's 7-year-old son Evan was killed in a car at Darby Park in Inglewood on Dec. 8, 1997, by members of a gang. Active in scholastics, music and athletics Evan was there with Rhonda to pick up his soccer trophy and to sign up for basketball. Ruett and Rhonda's son Alec, 9, suffered injuries to his left eye in the shooting.
Since Evan's death, the Fosters --- members of the Community Bible Church in Culver City --- devote their time to serving incarcerated youth and telling their story to groups and schools. Ruett Foster said although he had forgotten to bring a photo of Evan to the Mass, it gave him a chance to focus on the photos of other victims --- some the children of people he knew and some he had not yet met.
"I began to reflect on who these beautiful individuals might have been and I felt a sense of remorse and pain. And I indirectly experienced what they went through, knowing that I have been going through it myself," he said. "The Mass is a time for the victims to come together and support one another as well. There is consolation in us coming together and meeting."
The reception in the parish hall following the Mass was complete with tablecloths, candles, flowers, music, food and refreshments. Gibson called the personal touches "all of the little creature comforts that make people feel special. That makes all the difference."
Despite her grief and pain, Gibson also works with different groups to eradicate gun and gang violence. She has attended all of the events sponsored by the Victims' Ministry, including seminars on healing and forgiveness.
"This ministry is very central and I don't really think a lot of people know the importance," Gibson said. "It is certainly a way for us to be one step closer to healing." For more information on the Victim's Ministry of the archdiocesan Office of Restorative Justice, contact Elo Carrillo at (213) 637-7637.
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