St. Monica 4.3: A Village Community
“Can we take the 18 route?” my son asks as we cross under the 405 and make our way to the Westside. Sometimes rather than driving, he and I take the 720 Metro Rapid, which connects to the Big Blue Bus, and we have two options: route 2 along Wilshire Blvd or Leland’s inexplicable preference: route 18 along Montana Ave. Spending quality time with him on our 10-mile (read: 45-min) commute is a real privilege.
I grew up changing schools every two years. When I returned to Los Angeles after college, I changed apartments every time my lease was up, and sometimes sooner. I wasn’t an Army brat, and my life has been pretty stable—I just had this rhythm of always longing for a change of scenery.
However, I realize my transience is unsettling to most. Generally, we long for a place of belonging, security, and welcome. The community of St. Monica—schools and parish—is that place, nestled within a 4.3-acre block of some of the most desired real estate in Southern California.
St. Monica is a community where you can experience all of your most important milestones in life. Consider the Sacraments: Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Vocation, and Anointing. In between those sacramental milestones, we fall in love, we discern our call to religious life, we bury our parents, family, and friends; we connect and retreat with others to share the load of the heavy crosses we may bear.
Our children have an opportunity to be part of a class that spends their entire academic career together: Transitional Kindergarten through Grade 12. At this past year’s graduation, Msgr. acknowledged and thanked high school seniors that he had been baptized 18 years earlier! That is astounding and touching to me.
I know that this extraordinary opportunity is only available to my family because of the generations of village parishioners that came before me— including many of you. They built this church, filled the schools, and in the last few decades, have been deeply committed to enriching, expanding, and engaging how St. Monica welcomes all who enter here.
As we begin another program year of 100+ ministries, an academic year of hundreds of students, and a liturgical year where God will meet everyone where they are, I hope you are proud of your contribution to this vibrant parish. I invite you to honor the legacy of those before us. Thank them in your prayers, thank them by sharing their stories, and thank them by allowing the best moments of your life to happen in this place.
