CV NEWS FEED // Catholic churches in Los Angeles County have opened their doors to families evacuating their homes because of the fires ravaging the area.
Angelus News reports that in Santa Monica, St. Monica Catholic Church was open for shelter and assistance throughout the night of Jan. 7 to Jan. 8 but was closed later that day because it is in a “warning zone.”
The church offered evacuees snacks in addition to a place to wash up and charge devices.
Director of Parish Life Merrick Siebenaler stated, “We have dozens and dozens of parishioners and school families who have lost everything.”
The pastor, Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson, offered the rectory to an older couple on the evening of Jan. 7 after they fled their home in the Palisades Fire area.
On Jan. 8, Sacred Heart Church in Lincoln Heights distributed diapers, food, water, and masks in its auditorium. Local city officials worked together with the Saint Vincent de Paul Society council members, who brought children’s clothes and diapers.
“We’re here to help out,” Sacred Heart pastor Father Tesfaldet Asghedom told Angelus.
In Pasadena, St. Andrew’s School opened its gymnasium Jan. 8-9 to families after classes were canceled. This gave people a respite from the dangerous air quality caused by the Eaton Fire. The school offered coffee, donuts, and snacks on Wednesday and played a movie and provided games on Thursday.
“You can’t be outside here in Pasadena, the air is really bad. It’s hazardous and toxic,” Principal Jae Kim said.
He told Angelus, “Every hour, I’m getting a phone call from another family who’s lost everything.”
Speaking of the families who stopped at the school, he added, “You can hug them, pray with them, listen to them as best you can. What else is there to do?”