Pacific Palisades Catholic Church Burns

Pacific Palisades Catholic Church Burns January 13, 2025

 

The website of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Pacific Palisades, California, currently states next to a picture of a burnt out shell of a church: “I have no words. Our beautiful church in Pacific Palisades, as of this morning. Praying for my hometown, the LAFD and everyone affected by these horrific fires.”  The site has a memo from Monsignor Liam Kidney, pastor, stating there will be Mass this Sunday at 1pm at Saint Monica Parish for the people of Corpus Christi.

As thousands face the unimaginable tragedy affecting Los Angeles County, the reality is that not only homes have burnt.  Whole communities are gone, including supermarkets, stores, churches, banks, schools, libraries etc.  Whole communities are uprooted.  Aware that the faithful will be without a church building for a very long time, the website makes an interesting inquiry, likely from the pastor: “I would like your ideas on how we can share the Gospel message during these troubled times.  I would love your opinion and input.  What are your opinions of what we can do to share the Gospel? Is there anything we can do for you, brothers and sisters, in our community?”  Moving forward will require difficult decisions and great creativity.

There is a picture of a house in the middle of ashes being shared in social media.  It states that the owner of the house is Catholic and attributes the saving of his house to the recent Epiphany blessing.  Though a beautiful example of God’s protection, I wish people would not share it.  The message can quickly be turned around to imply the opposite: all these communities are burning because they have lost God’s protection, or the people are being punished by God.  The claim of victory for some quickly turns into a bitter response toward God.

Where is God in this tragedy?  Right in the middle of it.  Right in the burning of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, and in the loss of life and property.

Jesus invites us to come to Him, all who labor and are burdened, and that we will find rest in Him.  In the face of such overwhelming loss, He invites all those affected to seek strength and refuge in Him.

Picture from Corpus Christi website.

 

 

 

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