IMPACTSAINT A Community for All • Love God. Love all people. Make disciples • Spring 2015

From to Parish 1965-2015: Vatican II 50 Years Later ’S MUSINGS

The History of Ecumenical Councils By Monsignor A. Sork

he , which took place from menical council that took place in the 1962-1965, was the 21st in the village of Trent. The 2,000-year history of the Church. These councils lasted from 1545-1563 through the pontificates of three haveT been the ordinary means of proclaiming the : Paul III, Julius III, and Paul IV. Out of it came some teachings of the church. Although the Acts of the Apostles of the most significant Church reforms in its history. It for- records a Council in Jerusalem in 50 A.D. over the issue of mally defined the seven sacraments, explicitly named the Gentiles coming into the church, there were no other coun- books of the Bible, established the seminary system for the cils for the next 300 years. The church was struggling for formation of , and mandated the reform of the Mass. its survival in the midst of its persecutions by the Roman In 1570 A.D. St. Pius V implemented the Council’s de- Emperor. St. Peter, the first Pope, was martyred on Vatican cision to end the confusion of having multiple missals used Hill, and almost all of his successors for the next 300 years at Mass by promulgating the Roman Missal be used by all suffered similar fates. in the . There would be no more Ecumenical It was only after the Emperor Constantine issued the Councils for 300 years. edict of toleration that Christians could openly profess their In 1869 about 800 bishops gathered in Rome for what faith. The first Ecumenical Council took place in Nicea in is now called the (Vatican I). Unfor- 325 A.D. The issue at the time was the nature of Christ. Was tunately, it had to be suspended due to the Franco-Prussian he human or divine? The Arians said that Jesus was lesser War. Its most significant accomplishment was the dogma on than the Father. The Council of Nicea formally issued the the infallibility of the Pope. It stated that the Pope exercis- dogma that Jesus was of the same substance as the Father. es infallibility on matters of doctrine and morals when he There were eight ecumenical councils in the first mil- speaks ex cathedra (with the full authority of office). Since lennium of the Church. They settled issues like the Triune Vatican I the Pope has exercised that power only once when nature of God, Mary as the mother of God, Jesus having two Pius XII declared the dogma of the natures, human and divine, and the desirability of venerat- in 1950. Vatican I was formally closed by Pope John XXIII ing icons. The last council in the first millennium, the Fourth when the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) was opened. Council of Constantinople, was a failure in that no disputes The Second Vatican Council opened in St. Peter’s Basil- were resolved. In 1054 A.D. the great Schism occurred, in ica in the Fall of 1962. More than 2,500 bishops were pres- which the of Constantinople, Cerularius, ent, the greatest number of any ecumenical council. It last- and Pope Leo IX excommunicated each other. The Ortho- ed through the pontificates of two Popes: John XXIII and dox and the Catholics have been separated ever since. Paul VI, and closed in December, 1965. The most important The rest of the Ecumenical Councils have occurred documents from that council were the Constitution on the since the schism. Orthodox Christians of the East do not Sacred Liturgy (), the Constitu- accept any subsequent councils, believing that the Christian tion on the Church (), the Constitution on faith was sufficiently defined through the decisions and -doc Divine Revelation (), and the Constitution on uments of the first eight councils. Many of the dogmas that the Church in the Modern World (). These have come out of subsequent councils are accepted by the constitutions take precedence over any papal or Eastern Churches, for example, the seven sacraments and apostolic exhortation or even the Catechism of the Catho- the approved books of the Bible. In 1274 A.D. the bishops lic Church. In fact, these latter documents are based on the of the Eastern Churches came to the Second Council of Ly- teachings of the Vatican II documents. ons. An agreement was reached uniting the Catholics and Ecumenical councils transcend papacies. There have Orthodox after the 200-year rift. However, when the East- been 266 popes but only 21 ecumenical councils. What took ern Bishops returned to their respective , the people place between 1962 and 1965 was of greater historical signif- were so irate, that they had to retract their agreement. icance than any single pontificate, even the long pontificate In the 16th century Martin Luther called for reforms in of Pope St. John Paul II. Since the close of Vatican II during the Church and separated himself from the . the pontificate of Paul VI, there have been four Popes after The Protestant Reformation divided European Christendom him. We are still in the process of implementing the Second in two. In response the Catholic Church called for an ecu- Vatican Council. The reforms are not finished.

2 Spring 2015 VATICAN II A Monumental Church-Changing Event

he Second Vatican Council still seeing some of these things being which the is located, was separat- (Vatican II) (1962-1965) was implemented for the first time through ed from the rest of the worship space probably the most dramatic various papal letters and writings. For by an altar rail. (See Holy Eucharist, eventT to have happened in the Catho- example, ’ Apostolic Ex- page 5.) Now the altar is more inviting, lic Church since the Council of Trent hortation Evangelii Gaudium (Joy of having access from all sides. The archi- in the 16th century. Pope John XXIII, the Gospel) released to the bishops, tecture of a round church, such as St at age 78, called the Council because clergy and lay faithful November 24, John Fisher’s, allows for more people he believed it was time to update the 2013, focuses on the proclamation of to be closer to the altar and to share Church so as to better communicate the Gospel and a new chapter of Evan- in communion with the congregation Christ’s message in a fast-changing gelization in today’s world. more intimately, thus fulfilling the call world. He felt it was time to let in some in the Constitution on the Sacred Lit- fresh air. In retrospect, most agree that Traditions urgy for full, conscious, active partici- it was more like a hurricane that blew It is important to remember that Vati- pation of the people. through the Vatican during those years. can II did not define any new dogmas The narthex, a term that is pre- As members of the Catholic in the Catholic Church, but the result- ferred to vestibule, is meant to be a Church, Vatican II has had a tremen- ing changes have helped us develop a gathering place for the people of the dous impact on our lives. Those of deeper understanding, expressed in Church, and a place to prepare for en- a certain age have witnessed many new and fresh ways. Many “traditions” tering into the sacred space. The term changes, especially in the Mass. The (with a small “t”) have been changed pulpit, from the Latin pulpitum, has altar, the prayers, the Holy Eucharist, for this purpose. Fasting and absti- been replaced with the older Greek and the role of the participants and nence, kneeling and standing, and the word, ambo, a term used in the early the priest have all gone through major elimination of Latin from the Mass are Church until the 12th century, and re- evolution. These changes were incre- but a few examples. vived after Vatican II. mental and took many years. The Code Church architecture has changed. of Law, released in 1983, codi- At one time, the sanctuary, the ele- The Church is the People fied the changes of Vatican II. We are vated portion of the worship space on One of the challenges of Vatican II has continues on page 4 www.sjf.org 3 CHURCH-CHANGING EVENT from page 3 been to make acceptable the fact that the Church is not just the priests and bishops, but the people of the parish- es as well. We have been brought to a new understanding that its mission is the responsibility of all baptized members of the Church, and not just the clergy. Together we make up “the Church.” Because of this, we now see great involvement of the laity with the understanding that all should share in the responsibility. Since Vatican II parish members have become more involved in per- forming duties in the form of minis- tries to lighten the heavy load of our parish priests. The assignments of reading of Scripture, distribution of the Holy Eucharist, taking the Eucha- rist to the homebound, conducting Photo of a Pre-Vatican II prayer book, showing Latin and English. Stations of the Cross and other ser- vices are now largely accomplished by parishioners. Lectors and cantors have ble. In both reading and study, we are boys responded to the priest’s prayers, been added to all Masses. These func- encouraged to do so as an instrument and only boys were permitted to serve. tions are fulfilled by many very capa- of education and of prayer. SJF has Now, girls are allowed to serve at Mass, ble women and men of the parish. many opportunities to study and learn Mass is conducted in English, and rath- As disciples of Christ we are en- about the Word of God through class- er than watching a priest say Mass, we joined to learn, act, and evangelize. es and lectures. Every week we see in gather around the table of the Lord in Because of this, members of the Cath- the bulletin new activities that we are full, conscious, active participation with olic Church have taken a new interest encouraged to attend. In essence, there the priest. We are no longer passive in acquainting themselves with the Bi- is something for everyone. spectators. Greater attention is given to the The Mass Word of God in the readings at Mass. The bishops at Vatican II di- We now have a three-year lectionary rected that more attention be cycle of Gospel readings for Sunday given to “full, conscious, ac- Mass: year A – Matthew; year B – Mark; tive participation” at Mass. and year C – Luke. The Gospel of John The altar previously stood is interspersed through all three cy- against the back wall of the cles. (Daily Mass follows a two-year Church, and the priest said cycle with a single reading before the Mass facing the altar with Gospel.) Formerly, there was only one his back to the congregation. reading before the Gospel called the Since Mass was said in Latin, Epistle. We now have the addition of the people could neither hear Old Testament readings enriching our nor understand, unless one experience of the Bible. had a personal Missal with There were three categories of Latin on one side and English Mass before Vatican II: Low, High, and Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound preparing to bring the Holy Eucharist to those who cannot attend Mass. on the other. Only the altar Solemn. Low Mass — no music, few-

4 Spring 2015 er lit candles — was typically said on The Sacraments weekdays and most Sunday Masses. Initiation into the Catholic Church for One Sunday Mass usually was said as adults and children of catechetical age a High Mass, that is, with music, more consists of the sacraments of Baptism, lit candles, and often with incense. A Confirmation, and Eucharist, wit- Solemn Mass was said by a priest who nessed by the Catholic community at was assisted by two others assuming the Vigil. The baptismal font at the parts of a and a subdea- St. John Fisher enables the baptized to con. The Solemn Mass was used for be fully immersed. In the past, those special occasions. Music and singing wishing to join the Catholic Church are recommended for all Masses, al- might have received private instruc- As we receive the Holy Eucharist in our hand, the priest or Eucharistic Minister says, “The Body of though that is not always the practice. tion by a priest, and they would of- Christ,” and we reply, “Amen.” Although no longer the norm, Masses ten be baptized privately. The new rite may be celebrated in Latin at the dis- for Baptism for children has language cretion of the pastor. Even at St. John addressed to the parents who have literally meant last anointing. Now it is Fisher parts of the Mass on occasion primary responsibility for the faith common for a person to ask for this are chanted in Greek (Kyrie) and Latin formation of the children. The godpar- Sacrament in times of illness, whereas (Sanctus and Agnus Dei). ents who previously responded for the before Vatican II, this Sacrament was Previously, there were no sermons babies and young children now take reserved mostly for the dying. at daily Mass. Today, the “homily” (the a secondary role in the event that the term that replaces “sermon”) is man- parents become incapable of carrying Holy Eucharist dated at all Sunday Masses and Mass- out their role. Baptisms used to be The term “participating in the Holy es on Holy Days of Obligation and is private ceremonies. Today at St. John Eucharist” is now preferred over “go- encouraged during daily Mass. By its Fisher, most Baptisms occur during ing to Holy Communion.” Previously very nature a homily is based on the Mass so the congregation can partic- one would kneel at the altar rail to re- Scripture readings of that day. It is ipate and welcome the new members ceive Holy Communion. The priest, as considered part of the Liturgy of the into the community. he gave Communion on the tongue, Word. The term “Anointing of the Sick” would be preceded by an altar boy who has replaced “Extreme Unction” which carried a paten, a round metal plate with a handle, which he would place under the chin of the communicant. The purpose of this was to catch any fallen bits of the Precious Body, or to catch the host if it was dropped. No- body except the priest was allowed to Photo courtesyPhoto of Sam Pheng touch the host. The congregation did not share in the Blood of Christ. The altar rail is now gone, and we no longer kneel. The new common way to receive the Body and Blood is to stand in front of the priest or Eucha- ristic Minister, receiving the Eucharist in our hands; and we may partake of both species by accepting the Precious Blood from the Chalice as well. Rath- er than an innovation, Communion received in the hand and taken from the cup is the restoration of the ancient practice. (See Changed Customs.) Re-

Monsignor Sork baptizes an adult in St. John Fisher’s full-immersion baptismal pool during the Easter Vigil. continues on page 11

www.sjf.org 5 Ministries Then and Now

t. John Fisher Parish was estab- Board. Most women parishioners be- of the Church — not only within the lished in 1961. It was almost un- longed to the Women’s Guild which confines of the church buildings but heard of for lay people to have was divided into eleven geographic ar- particularly out in the secular world. Smeaningful roles in the church at that eas. Each group met for social gather- Vatican II concluded in 1965. To- time. Even then, the founding mem- ings, organized fundraising activities, day, 50 years later, St. John Fisher has bers of our community lived their faith and welcomed new neighbors. more than 80 active ministries involv- by organizing groups that carried out Then came the Second Vatican ing hundreds of parishioners and posi- good works. True, there were only a Council (Vatican II). It presented a tively impacting the lives of many more few and their activities were limited. dramatic shift in the official vision of beyond our campus. The lay people of The men of the Holy Name Society lay people especially found in the Dog- our parish are involved in worship and met once a month by attending Mass matic Constitution on the Church, Lu- liturgy, in faith formation across all age and going to breakfast afterwards. A men Gentium, and in the on groups, in spiritual prayer, in pastoral number of men were members of the the Apostolate of the Laity, Apostoli- care, and in outreach and social justice. Vincent de Paul Society, and did cam Actuositatem. The change focused Our parishioners participate in pro- acts of charity by caring for the poor. on two crucial points. First, lay people moting family life, social groups, and Women were even more limited in are called to be — by virtue of fellowship. We are active contributors church activities. The women of the our baptism, we are all invited to ho- in pastoral planning and in shaping Altar Society took care of the priests’ liness in our earthly life. Second, lay the mission of our church. Undoubt- vestments and altar vessels. Eleven people are called directly by Christ to edly, many are heeding the call to live volunteer women made up the School take part in the apostolate, the mission our faith.

Eucharistic Ministers There are currently 125 Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at St. John Fisher; about 40 bring the Body of Christ to more than 70 homebound people after weekend Masses. Before Vatican II, the priest would bring communion to the sick once a month on First Fridays.

6 Spring 2015 Altar Servers Sandwich Ministry Half of the over 100 Altar Servers in Grades 5 through 12 are girls. Four groups within the Sandwich Ministry provide 700 to 850 sandwiches on an average week to the homeless in South Bay. Hot Meal Ministry On an average week, the Hot Meal Ministry delivers 150 meals to the homeless in Long Beach and San Pedro, to children at Tober- man House, and to those who simply can’t make ends meet.

Pastoral Council Twelve parishioners including a youth representative meet monthly to develop a vision for the parish, optimize communication between the parishioners at large and the Pastor, and provide counsel and direction to the Pastor in fulfillment of his responsibilities for the spiritual welfare of the people of St. John Fisher.

PV Resale Thrift Shop The shop is run by volunteers from SJF and many other denomina- tions and was started by a SJF parishioner, Fran Pitts. The proceeds, more than $2,000,000 since its founding, go to 14 charities and are distributed quarterly in proportion to the volunteer hours worked and in accordance with the needs of the charities. www.sjf.org 7 Msgr. Gilb Remembers Vatican II

n October 11, 1962, more American who was there sur- “It is in the spirit of the Second than 2,500 bishops were beck- vives, and that is 94 year old Bishop oned to Rome by Pope Saint Vatican Council that St. John Raymond Hunthausen, the Bishop of JohnO XXIII for the opening of Vatican Helena, Montana, at the time of the Fisher provides unity between II, the 21st ecumenical council of the Council. the church and its people. We Catholic Church and the second one to However, a young priest, Father are given an opportunity to be held at ’s Basilica in Vat- Eugene A. Gilb, in 1964 was named the ican City. An estimated 2,860 bishops priest secretary for McIntyre and was be part of a giving commu- would eventually take part in the four destined to accompany the cardinal to nity which allows each of us sessions of what would be a monumen- Rome on several occasions, including to promote the spirit of Jesus tal event for the universal church. the third and fourth sessions of Vati- For Catholics living in Rancho Christ, which we are called to can II. Recently Monsignor Gilb, the Palos Verdes these were especially no- pastor emeritus of SJF, reflected on do in our baptism. Vatican II table times with a Catholic President those times, while downplaying the encouraged us to give in order in the White House, John F. Kenne- role he played at that historic event. to receive.” dy; a Catholic governor of California, McIntyre was an important part Edmund G. (Pat) Brown. Only the of the Council, attending all four ses- —Monsignor Eugene Gilb year before the Council opened, James sions. He was a member of the Coun- Francis Cardinal McIntyre, the Arch- cil’s Commission of Bishops and the bishop of Los Angeles, had formed Government of Dioceses; he spoke on a parish on the Palos Verdes Penin- the floor of the aula (the nave of Saint sula. Saint Peter Alcantara would be Peter’s where the Council deliberated) renamed Saint John Fisher (SJF) only six times and submitted a dozen inter-

Several clerics from the Los Angeles Archdiocese, nine months before the Council began. ventions; and he helped write some of who were already in Rome, welcome Cardinal There are not many participants the documents that transformed the McIntyre and Father Eugene Gilb as they arrive to alive today who attended Vatican church in many ways. Gilb described take part in the final session of Vatican II. McIntyre is fourth from the left and to his immediate right is II. Only one bishop representing an his as being McIntyre’s valet, care- Bishop Timothy Manning. Gilb is on the far right.

A Trans World Airline pilot welcomes Cardinal McIntyre (left) and Father Eugene Gilb (right) as they prepare to depart for the third session of Vatican II.

8 Spring 2015 taker, appointment secretary and com- panion. He did whatever the cardinal requested. Gilb also was responsible for assuring that everything the cardi- nal needed to function in his capacity as a , including his vestments and all other accoutre- ments, was packed and arrived at its designated destination on time. McIntyre and Gilb flew to Rome on Trans World Airlines and stayed at the Pontifical North American Col- lege (PNAC), where many American seminarians and priests study and stay while in the Eternal City. Sever- al of the American prelates attending the Council, and their staffs, stayed at the PNAC. Gilb remembers eating many meals at a long table in the din- ing room where the of the Col- lege ate, with the bishops at one end of In July 1966 James Francis Cardinal McIntyre and Bishop Timothy Manning are officiating a major liturgical the table, while he and his peers ate at celebration at Saint John’s Seminary College while being assisted by Father Eugene Gilb. the other end. Two notable individu- als he recalls dining with were Cardi- During the working sessions the These were disseminated to the Amer- nals Richard Cushing of Boston and bishops sat on risers that ran the entire ican bishops so they could better un- Ritter of Saint Louis. He does length of Saint Peter’s nave, about 328 derstand what was said, since some not remember specific meal conver- feet, on both sides of an 18 foot wide were not fluent in Latin. sations but emphasized that those at aisle. Each bishop had a seat, the cardinals’ end of the table rarely, desk and prie-dieu (kneel- if ever, spoke with those at the other er). Gilb sat with the other ...every paragraph of each document end. Council business was never talk- periti about 100 yards away ed about there. from the speaker’s podium, had to be voted on by the attending After breakfast each day a car and well past the papal altar, and bishops and at times, a bishop would be driver assigned to McIntyre drove from there listened to the speaking regarding one subject while them to Saint Peter’s for Mass. After discourse, which was in Lat- the body of bishops would be voting on Mass the basilica was cleared by the in. He explained that every Swiss Guard of everyone except the paragraph of each document another. It was a long, arduous process. participating bishops and those wear- had to be voted on by the at- ing appropriate security badges. Gilb tending bishops and at times explained that he was McIntyre’s des- a bishop would be speaking regarding These meetings ran about three ignated peritus, a title given to Catholic one subject while the body of bishops hours five days a week and at their theologians present at an ecumenical would be voting on another. It was a conclusion the driver returned them council to give advice. Since McIntyre long, arduous process. to the PNAC for lunch. After lunch if did not bring a theologian, Gilb took All the presentations were record- McIntyre had any requests, Gilb would the title; otherwise he would not have ed. Immediately after the daily session carry them out. At times McIntyre dis- been able to remain on the floor at concluded, scribes who were writing patched Gilb to make appointments for Saint Peter’s. Father Joseph Ratzinger, down the proceedings in Latin con- him (McIntyre) with other cardinals later Pope Benedict XVI, also was a sulted their notes and the recordings, and functionaries at the Vatican. Gilb peritus at the Council. then wrote out transcripts in English. would go to the Vatican offices, contact continues on page 10 www.sjf.org 9 Monsignor Gilb is seated in the front row, second from the right, as Saint Pope John Paul II prays in his chapel.

Photos on this page are from the personal collection of Msgr. Gilb. © Servicio Fotografico de L.O.R.

MSGR. GILB from page 9 and there, in the heat and amidst a crushing the appropriate people and arrange crowd, he collapsed and a meeting. When it took place he ac- lost consciousness. He companied McIntyre and waited in an was taken by ambulance anteroom until it concluded and then to the Blue Sisters Clin- they normally returned to the PNAC. ic in Rome. After a few During his visits to Rome Gilb days he returned to the developed a love and appreciation for aula but doctors advised lesser known churches there, like Saint him that remaining Peter’s in Chains, the Church of the could cause him further Holy Stairs, the Church of Saint Igna- fatigue and urged him to tius and the Church of Saint Clement, return to Los Angeles. to name a few. At times he was able to The Pope also encour- Saint Pope John Paul II gives Monsignor Gene Gilb a rosary during one of his visits to the Vatican. worship at these. aged him to sit out the The third session began on Sep- rest of Session III, and tember 14, 1964, and ran for 68 days. so they flew home. In 1965 he delayed him. McIntyre was later diagnosed The fourth session began September his departure to the Council in order with atrial fibrillation, an arrhythmia 14, 1965, and closed December 12, to welcome Pope Paul VI when he of the heart. Gilb added that the Blue 1965, the Feast of the Immaculate came to New York to address the Unit- Sisters Clinic was run by the Sisters of Conception, ending Vatican II. How- ed Nations. McIntyre arrived in Rome the Little Company of Mary. ever, Monsignor Francis J. Weber, the on October 7th and returned to Los Despite his being at Vatican II and Archdiocese of Los Angeles archi- Angeles for surgery before the Council even witnessing some of its proceed- vist (emeritus) in his biography, His was officially closed. ings, since McIntyre never discussed Eminence of Los Angeles James Fran- Regarding the cardinal’s fainting at Council business with Gilb, he like cis Cardinal McIntyre, noted that the Saint Peter’s, Gilb recalls immediate- most others did not know what chang- cardinal’s attendance at these sessions ly telephoning Monsignor Benjamin es were coming to the Church until was abbreviated due to health issues. Hawkes, the of the Los he read about them in Catholic and On his arrival in Rome for the third Angeles Archdiocese, who arranged secular publications. Many years later session McIntyre rushed to Saint Pe- for Doctor Clifford Cherry, McIntyre’s he would help implement them at St. ter’s Basilica for the opening Mass cardiologist, to fly to Rome to treat John Fisher.

10 Spring 2015 CHURCH-CHANGING EVENT from page 5 ceiving the Host on the tongue is still Changed Customs acceptable for those who prefer it. These changes are a result of the faithful being called into full and active par- Music ticipation in the church. There are no specific instructions in the Vatican II We witness a variety in music from documents relating to them. Some of the most noticeable ones, such as receiv- parish to parish, and Mass to Mass. We ing both species, standing and not kneeling, and receiving the Eucharist in the also enjoy more freedom to improvise hand, were more of a “restoration” to the way of the early Christians in the and use local customs and culture. Pre- first 500 years of Christianity. So, it is more a matter of bringing back the old 1965, music was mostly reserved for ways than changing to new ones. The same is true for the “Peace be with you.” High Mass; the congregation did not There was a time when the sign of peace was used by the clergy only, but it was participate in either song or response. restored to the congregation by Vatican II in the interest of active participation. Today, music participation of all kinds, both singing and instrumental, is high- • Women previously had to cover their heads in Church at all times. We ly encouraged as part of all Masses. As no longer do this. we pray together in song, music binds • Upon entering or leaving Church one would genuflect on one knee and us together as a people of God. make the Sign of the Cross because the Tabernacle used to be behind the Altar. Vatican II allowed for the creation of chapels devoted exclusively to the Blessed Sacrament. If the Tabernacle is not behind the altar, there is no need to genuflect. We now bow to the altar as a sign of reverence for the Table of The Eucharist where the sacrifice is made. • Solemn quiet entry into the church is now replaced by friendly greetings in the narthex before entering the sacred space of the Church.

• The priests now wear mi- courtesyPhoto of Sam Pheng crophones so we can share The Contemporary Choir, one of four SJF choirs, in every aspect of the Mass sings at Mass. and prayers. • Saturday evening Mass is an IMPACT is published three times a year for addition since Vatican II. the St. John Fisher Parish community. • The custom of entrance Editorial Team: and recessional processions Joan Barry, Barry Cossette, Nelma FitzGerald, with music has replaced the Carla Green, Gayle Plecha, C. J. “Kit” Ruona Church members greet each other in the narthex simple entry from the sac- before Mass. Much of the content of this issue would not risty. have been possible without the contributions of • Cremation is now allowed. Msgr. Eugene Gilb, for which the staff of IMPACT expresses our thanks and gratitude. The St. John Fisher columbarium, the final resting place for some of the SJF parishioners and Go Green and receive IMPACT electronically family members, has the distinction of

instead of by mail. Send an email to courtesyPhoto of Sam Pheng being the only parish [email protected] to join our electronic columbarium in the distribution list. When the next issue is Archdiocese of published, you will receive an email Los Angeles. with a link to download IMPACT from our website. You may also send your comments to this email address. www.sjf.org 11 St. John Fisher Catholic Church NON-PROFIT ORG. 5448 Crest Road U.S. POSTAGE PAID Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 PERMIT #211 MAILED FROM www.sjf.org TORRANCE 90503

The Rev. Msgr. Eugene A. Gilb Tuition Assistance Fund ne of Monsignor Eugene Gilb’s unique achieve this important mission, especially gifts is his ability to relate to children. for those St. John Fisher families in need, He is an accomplished theologian and your support is critical to the success of Oan eloquent speaker, as anyone who has heard The Fund. his homilies can attest. As a result, he is able to Rooted in Catholic faith since bring the Gospel to the hearts of the little ones its inception in 1962, St. John Fisher beautifully and is so loved by them! (And us big Parish School has always been a very ones, too!) special place that shapes children into It is in this spirit that the Rev. Msgr. Eugene future leaders with solid beliefs, strong A. Gilb Tuition Assistance Fund (The Fund) is academics, and people who care about established. Msgr. Gilb graciously lent his name the world and each other. The school is to The Fund because he believes that we are all an integral part of our parish and our called to support our children in their growth as mission to love God, love all people, and Christians. As a community, we should provide make disciples. our parish children every opportunity to identify, To participate in the Rev. Msgr. express, and celebrate a growing Christian faith Eugene A. Gilb Tuition Assistance Fund as they acquire a foundation of knowledge and or for further information, please contact discipline. Should they choose to seek a Catho- the school office at 310.377.2800 or the parish lic education, cost should not be a hindrance. To office at 310.377.5571.