Angelus News | September 22, 2023, Vol. 8, Issue No. 19

LETTER AND SPIRIT
SCOTT HAHN
Scott Hahn is founder of the
St. Paul Center for Biblical
Theology; stpaulcenter.com.
Angels among us
Not long ago, devotion to the guardian angels was
quite popular — and for good biblical reasons. The
plot of the Acts of the Apostles is borne forward by
the action of angels. Angels set the apostles free from prison
(5:19, 12:7). An angel guides Philip from Jerusalem to
Gaza for his meeting with
the Ethiopian court official
(8:26). Angels bring
about the meeting of Peter
and Cornelius (10:3-5).
The story of the Church
moves forward with the
guidance, protection, and
assistance of angels. So do
our lives. The early Christians
knew this.
We need to have such
faith and such a lively
awareness of our guardian
angels. For God has given
us the same powerful
heavenly guidance, protection,
and assistance.
Devotion to the angels
did not arise as something
new with the proclamation
of the Gospel. It has
always been part of biblical
religion. Angels fill the
Bible, from beginning to
end. They are among the
key players in the drama
of the Garden of Eden.
They appear frequently in
the life of the patriarchs:
Jacob even wrestles with
one. They go before the Israelites
during the exodus.
They deliver God’s word to the prophets.
The New Testament opens with an explosion of angelic
activity. Neither Joseph nor Mary seems particularly surprised
to receive the help of angels.
Still today, when a priest offers Mass, the congregation
is never small, even if it is nonexistent in terms of human
attendance. The angels are there, as is evident even in the
“Jacob Wrestling with the Angel” (detail), by Eugène Delacroix, 1798-1863, French. |
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
words of the Mass: “And so with all the choirs of angels we
sing …” The Mass itself cries out for us to be aware of our
angels.
From the time we are smallest, each of us has a guardian
angel. Jesus said, “See that you do not despise one of these
little ones; for I tell you
that in heaven their angels
always behold the face of
my Father who is in heaven”
(Matthew 18:10).
God provides these
guides so that we may
have superhuman help on
our way to heaven. Our
guardian angels want to
help us do God’s will, and
they want to keep us from
sinning. They want to help
us to help others — and
they want to keep us from
mucking up the lives of
others. They want the best
for us, which does not
always coincide with the
things we desire most. The
difficult fact is that what’s
best for us does not necessarily
correspond with our
comfort, health, or safety.
Sometimes suffering is
what’s best for us, if only
because it keeps us from
sinning or tempting others
to sin.
Still, our guardian angels
do work diligently to win
our trust. So they help us
sometimes to find an open
parking space or navigate a confusing grid of city streets.
The angels follow after God’s pattern of governance: They
sometimes give us what we want so that we’ll learn to ask
for what we need.
The guardian angels’ feast day is coming up on Oct. 2.
The archangels’ feast is on Sept. 29. Remember to celebrate!
■ SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
St. John’s Seminary Annual Gala. Cathedral of Our Lady of
the Angels, 555 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, 5-9 p.m. Vigil
Mass will be followed by cocktail reception on the Cathedral
Plaza and al fresco dining. Distinguished alumni and
Catholic leaders will be honored. For more information,
visit lacatholics.org/catholic-la-events.
■ SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Day in Recognition of All Immigrants Procession and
Mass. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 W. Temple
St., Los Angeles, 3 p.m. Archbishop José H. Gomez will
celebrate a special Mass at 3:30 p.m., which will be in
person and livestreamed via Facebook.com/lacatholics and
lacatholics.org/immigration.
Traditional Filipino Breakfast Fundraiser. St. Barnabas
Church, 3955 Orange Ave., Long Beach, 7-11:30 a.m. Cost:
$10/plate. For more information, visit StBarnabasLB.org.
■ MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
Della Robbia: A Retrospective. Holy Family Church
Holtsnider Pastoral Center, Galilee Room, 1527 Fremont
Ave., South Pasadena, 9 a.m. Curator Anne Yee provides
a portrayal of the Della Robbia families. Day includes
refreshments, lecture, and guided campus tour. Free and
open to the public. Select pieces of the artwork available
for purchase in the bookstore. Contact maryhannon123@
gmail.com or Diane.collison@outlook.com.
■ TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
18th Annual Los Angeles Catholic Prayer Breakfast.
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 W. Temple St.,
Los Angeles, 6:30 a.m. This year’s address will be delivered
by Joe Sikorra, marriage and family therapist and host of the
Joe Sikorra Show. To reserve a table or for more information,
visit lacatholicprayerbreakfast.org.
■ WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 20
LACBA CFJ Veterans Record Clearing Clinic. 3-6 p.m. virtual
clinic. Provides assistance with clearing traffic tickets,
expunging criminal records, and felony reductions. Open
to Southern California veterans. Registration required; call
213-896-6537 or email inquiries-veterans@lacba.org.
“Holy is his Name” Weekly Series. St. Dorothy Church,
241 S. Valley Center Ave., Glendora, 7-8:30 p.m. Series runs
every Wednesday through May 22, 2024. Deepen your
understanding of the Catholic faith through dynamic DVD
presentations by Bishop Robert Barron, Dr. Edward Sri,
Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, Dr. Brant Pitre, and Dr. Scott
Hahn. Free, no reservation required. Call 626-335-2811 or
visit the Adult Faith Development ministry page at www.
stdorothy.org for more information.
Protecting God’s Children VIRTUS Training Session. St.
Barnabas Church, 3955 Orange Ave., Long Beach, 6-9 p.m.
Open to all. Must RSVP to the parish office at 562-424-
8595 or church@stbarnabaslb.org.
■ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Theology on Tap. Newman Pasadena Center, 151 S. Hill
Ave., Pasadena, 6-8 p.m. Father Robert Spitzer will present
about near-death experiences. Event is open to 21+
students and young adults only. For more information, visit
youngadultministry.lacatholics.org.
Children’s Bureau: Foster Care Zoom Orientation. 4-5
p.m. Children’s Bureau is now offering two virtual ways for
individuals and couples to learn how to help children in
foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to
provide legal permanency by adoption. A live Zoom orientation
will be hosted by a Children’s Bureau team member
and a foster parent. For those who want to learn at their
own pace about becoming a foster and/or fost-adopt parent,
an online orientation presentation is available. To RSVP
for the live orientation or to request the online orientation,
email rfrecruitment@all4kids.org.
■ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Feast Day of St. Padre Pio Vigil Mass and Relic Veneration.
St. Dorothy Church, 241 S. Valley Center Ave.,
Glendora, 6 p.m. rosary and exposition of the Blessed
Sacrament, 7 p.m. Mass and healing service. First-class relic
of St. Padre Pio available for veneration. Celebrant: Father
Ron Clark. Call 626-914-3941.
Fil-Am Masquerade Night. St. Barnabas Church, 3955
Orange Ave., Long Beach, 6-11 p.m. Wear purple, green,
and gold. Features entertainment, dancing, door prizes,
and surprise performances. Music by DJ Ronnie. Donation:
$30/person, $10/children age 12 and under. For more information,
visit StBarnabasLB.org.
■ SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Jason Evert Live Double Feature: Purified and Gender. St.
Kateri Church, 22508 Copper Hill Dr., Santa Clarita, 11:30
a.m.-1 p.m. Purified, 1-2 p.m. lunch break, 2-3 p.m. Gender
and the Theology of the Body, 3-5:15 p.m. adoration and
confession. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/doublefeature-with-jason-evert-tickets-671002244777
for tickets
and more information.
15th Annual Regional Feast Day of San Lorenzo Ruiz de
Manila. St. Elisabeth of Hungary Church, 14655 Kittridge
St., Van Nuys, 10 a.m. rosary procession, 10:30 a.m. Mass
with reception and fellowship to follow. Celebrant: Archbishop
Socrates B. Villegas, DD, of Lingayen-Dagupan, Philippines.
For more information, call Jun Corn at 818-397-
8087 or email juncorpin.stelisabethchurch@gmail.com.
Young Adult Ministry Fall Kickoff. St. Monica Church,
725 California Ave., Santa Monica, 8:15 a.m.-1 p.m. The
Archdiocese of Los Angeles is hosting a leader event for
parish staff, volunteers, and clergy working with young
adult ministry. For more information, visit https://lacatholics.org/catholic-la-events/.
Holy Fire: Middle School Event. St. John Eudes Church,
9901 Mason Ave., Chatsworth, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Middle-schoolers are invited to embrace their baptismal
call with talks, peer witness, praise and worship, and the
sacraments. Cost: $45/person. Register by Sept. 18. For
more information, visit https://lacatholics.org/catholic-laevents/.
St. Padre Pio Feast Day Celebration. St. Anthony of Padua
Church, 1050 W. 163rd St., Gardena, 10:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m.
With Msgr. Sal Pilato and Dominic Berardino. Hear the
story of Consiglia Caretti, cured of terminal cancer through
the prayers of Padre Pio. Presentations and personal blessing
with St. Pio’s relic glove. For more information, email
spirit@scrc.org.
■ MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
St. Rose of Lima Charismatic Prayer Ministry Mass and
Healing Service. St. Rose of Lima Church, 1305 Royal Ave.,
Simi Valley, 7 p.m. Presider: Father Charles Lueras with
Deacon Pete Wilson.
Items for the calendar of events are due four weeks prior to the date of the event. They may be emailed to calendar@angelusnews.com.
All calendar items must include the name, date, time, address of the event, and a phone number for additional information.
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