Holy Angels Church in San Diego has brought to a conclusion its 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee Year. In April, the celebration of a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and Banquet was the high point of an eventful year for the parish, but much has happened since then.
On August 5th, the parish celebrated the Vigil Divine Liturgy
for the Transfiguration at the Carmelite Monastery in San Diego. For the 20 years prior to Holy Angels Church being built, the cloistered sisters of the
monastery welcomed the parish faithful into their chapel for the weekly celebration of the Divine Liturgy. The Vigil Divine Liturgy on August 5th served as a fitting way to bring the Anniversary celebration to the sisters and to show gratitude for the sisters' generosity in the formative years of the parish.
In late October, Father Robert made a special visit to Father Joseph Ridella, retired priest of the Eparchy, residing in Cathedral City, California. Fr. Joseph served as the pastor of Holy Angels
Church from 1980 to 1992. Father Robert's visit gave both the present and former pastor a chance to share their own experiences of serving the parish, and to enjoy both memories and future envisioning together while reflecting on aspects of the Anniversary year.
On November 8th, the parish celebrated its patronal Feast of
the Holy Angels. There was a tremendous turnout for this celebration. Greek food was prepared and served for approximately 75 people! Pictures of many of the parishioners in attendance can be seen on our Photo Album page.
With the end of the parish's Anniversary year coinciding with
the beginning of the Jubilee Year of Saint Paul, the fall courses of the parish's Adult Enrichment program have been given to a study of discipleship, apostleship, and the New Evangelization. Using Melkite priest Father Justin Rose's book Come, Follow Me as a guide, and inspired by the Letters of Saint Paul, a small but devoted group of parishioners have been gathering regularly on Wednesday evenings to discuss aspects of both parish and personal spiritual life and to reignite a spirit of fervent Christian discipleship and evangelization. Reflecting on these classes, Father Robert stated, "It's been a joy for me to gather weekly with some special parishioners who are not afraid to share the joys, challenges, and hopes of both the personal and parochial aspects of their spiritual lives."
Father Robert and the parishioners of Holy Angels Church are grateful to God for the blessings of this anniversary year, and look forward to evangelical and spiritual growth in the years ahead.
