A few miles from his boyhood home, and 77 years after his birth, Claretian Father Arnold Gonzalez was honored recently for 50 years of religious life.

A Mass in the Chapel of Annunciation of San Gabriel Mission highlighted Father Gonzalez' golden jubilee celebration which also included a reception in Plaza Park next to the mission, where he formerly served as pastor.

Born in Alhambra, Father Gonzalez graduated from San Gabriel Mission School in 1945, and entered the Claretian Junior Seminary in Compton. He took his first vows in 1948, and was ordained a priest on June 14, 1958 at Santa Barbara Mission by Auxiliary Bishop Timothy Manning.

His first assignment was as professor of Latin and Greek at the Claretian Junior Seminary. In 1960, he was assigned to San Gabriel Mission as associate pastor. In 1966, he was assigned as pastor of Our Lady of Solitude (La Soledad) Church in East Los Angeles for two years, and later served two years as pastor of Queen of Angels (La Placita) Church in downtown Los Angeles.

In 1971, Cardinal Manning asked his provincial superior to release Father Gonzalez to work full time as spiritual director of the young adult movement "Encuentros de Promocion Juvenil." Father Gonzalez served 10 years as spiritual director.

Father Gonzalez served for a year as pastor of St. John Church in San Marcos, Texas, before returning in 1982 to Los Angeles. From 1983-1989 he was pastor of San Gabriel Mission, and from 1989-1998 he was pastor of La Soledad.

After several surgeries and being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Father Gonzalez returned to San Gabriel Mission where he still serves.

Dolores Mission blesses 'Pilgrim Beggar' sculpture
An unveiling and blessing of a new sculpture "St. Ignatius, the Pilgrim Beggar" recently took place at Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights. The sculpture reflects St. Ignatius during his youthful transformation, when he used to beg on the steps of a church on behalf of the poor, prior to founding the Society of Jesus.

Jesuit Father John McGarry, provincial, unveiled and blessed the 300 pound sculpture accompanied by the parish community and Jesuit Father Scott Santarosa, pastor, Sept. 21.

"At a certain point Ignatius felt that begging was his way of relying on God," said Father Santarosa. "And here at Dolores Mission --- where resources, jobs, money, food --- can be hard to come by, our people can relate to the importance of relying on God."

The sculpture was created by Emilio Riva-Palacios, a former resident of the parish-based Guadalupe Homeless Project. For 20 years Proyecto Pastoral at Dolores Mission has served up to 75 homeless men seven days a week by providing shelter, showers, meals and services to assist them in the transition to permanent housing and self-sufficiency.

Private donors for the sculpture were Robert and Elizabeth Ackerman, and Ian Killips of Andevan Bronzing, Inc. donated bronzing.

Damien's ongoing home-building efforts serve Tijuana's poor
Continuing a tradition that involves students and parents, Damien High School recently sent a "work party" to Tijuana to build homes, classrooms and a community center.

The Tijuana Mission Outreach, which utilized close to 200 volunteers, is one aspect of the program launched years ago by Sacred Hearts Father Patrick Travers, principal of the La Verne boys school. Father Travers takes students twice a month to the Baja region in order for students to better understand the need they are addressing.

Then, throughout the year, students raise and contribute funds and collect donations toward purchasing essential food, clothing and toiletries for some of the poorest in Tijuana and its outlying areas. Recycling, the design and sale of Christmas cards, and an "Epiphany Food Run" each January (in conjunction with neighboring Catholic schools and parishes in the east San Gabriel Valley) are among the fundraising efforts held.

The work culminates in August with the weeklong building effort. More than 40 homes have now been built in the area; the community center built on the most recent trip will also serve as a church.

For information on Damien's Tijuana Mission Outreach, call (909) 596-1946.

Vincentian Family Day is Nov. 1
Prayer, fellowship and inspiration for action marks this year's Vincentian Family Day Nov. 1 at the De Paul Evangelization Center in Montebello.

Celebrating its 20th year, the theme for this annual event is "Vincentians: Together We Are Saints in the Making." Members of the Vincentian family include: Congregation of the Mission; Daughters of Charity; Ladies of Charity; Society of St. Vincent de Paul; Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth; Vincentian Marian Youth; Vincentian Service Corps; and Friars of the Sick Poor.

De Paul Evangelization Center is located at 1105 Bluff Rd., Montebello. Information: (323) 721-6060.

San Gabriel Knights installed
The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of the Knights of Columbus recently held its Annual Installation of Officers at St. Denis Church in Diamond Bar.

Father Gerard O'Brien, pastor at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Pasadena, presided at the Mass that preceded the Installation. The newly installed San Gabriel Valley Chapter Officers for the 2008-2009 Columbian year are Peter Lamendola (president), Eugene Hays, Sr. (vice president), Richard Delgado (secretary), Gary Ganibi (treasurer), Daniel Moberg (marshall) and Joseph Catania, Past Chapter President (advocate).

Following the ceremony there was a gala dinner in the hall and from the recently formed "SGV A Cappella Group," a choral group of Brother Knights.