Chiseled on the marble pulpit of American Martyrs Church is this quote from St. James: "Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only." These words have taken root in nearly every aspect of this vibrant, 6,000-family parish in Manhattan Beach which places a high value on the importance of faith formation and generous outreach to those in need.
"We've got very giving, dedicated people," says Msgr. John Barry, pastor since 1983. "I've never, never come to the Finance Council looking for anything for the poor that they have not asked me to be more generous than what I've asked for. Never once." When he does ask for help, the response is most often, "Couldn't we be more generous?"
Faith goes hand in hand with generous giving. The group "Matthew 25" --- an inspiration of Msgr. Barry --- coordinates parish service and giving projects, headed by parishioners Cindy and Chuck Brauer. Activities include feeding the homeless in Santa Monica, assisting St. Lawrence of Brindisi Parish in Watts, providing gowns and tuxes for L.A. Unified's high school "Exceptional Kids Prom," and supporting the "Get On the Bus Program" to allow kids visiting their mothers in prison.
"I feel blessed to be part of a community and an environment that recognizes and responds to the needs of all our brothers and sisters," says Chuck Brauer. "It's the whole openness and environment that allows us to live the Gospels every day."
The same energy is behind American Martyrs' spiritual ministry: parish missions, prayer groups, bereavement support, Life Teen and religious formation. More than 300 babies are baptized and about 150 young people confirmed at American Martyrs each year, and this year 220 children in religious education classes and the parish school received their First Communion --- not in separate celebrations but together.
Such "blending" is by design, says Patti Williams, parishioner for 25 years, who oversees children's faith formation as parish DRE and school religion coordinator. "We have such an incredible interweaving of people who are supporting this ministry," she says. "Catholic school teachers stay and teach in the religious education program. We have religious ed parents teaching in our school. It's worth the work. It takes commitment.
"What I love is that I can actually focus on that commitment. I can go to a faculty meeting at the school and say, 'Let's not get lost in all the academics. Let's make sure we maintain our Catholic identity.' And I can stress the same message to the parents of the religious education program: 'Where's the Catholic identity in your home?'"
There is indeed pride in the pastor's voice as he speaks of his community --- "the most generous people you could ever meet, who give their time, their talent, and certainly their treasure," says Msgr. Barry. "Like all communities we have our weaknesses, but I would go before a firing squad against anyone who will say that they are prejudiced or non-giving. They can be demanding because they are demanded of --- they live demanding lives. So they have high expectations of those who work in the parish.
"They give their best. These people are good people. They deeply care about others. They don't suggest that others do it, they get out there and do it." |