EAGLE ROCK, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
(as told by Brother Stephen Maria)—St. Dominic Parish is a jewel of the Province.  There are currently nine friars in that community, including five cooperator student brothers in formation.  The parish church, under the leadership of Fr. Anthony Patalano, recently underwent a complete renovation.   This entailed new paint, stained glass, tile flooring and returning the reredos to its initial location.  Some brothers, who previously visited the church, were amazed at the transformation.  Built in 1921, the church is now restored to its original beauty.

The day after our arrival, the novices went to Anaheim, CA for the Religious Education Congress sponsored by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.  This well-attended event featured workshops, concerts, exhibits and various liturgies.  Promoting Dominican vocations, the friars shared a booth with our Mission San Jose Dominican Sisters.  While most of the brothers went to the “contemplative” Mass, two pairs went, respectively, to the Black Culture and Spanish Masses.  Supper was enjoyed at Denny’s with Fr. Martin de Porres Walsh, our Vocation Director, and Bros. Aquinas Mary Stoffel, Louis Garcia who were clerical student brothers from St. Albert’s Priory in Oakland, California.

On Sunday, March 2nd, back at St Dominic’s, the novices greeted the parishioners before and after all the Masses.  Consistently addressing a full house, a different novice preached his vocation testimony at each Mass.  Some brothers also attended a Boy Scout meeting, where they discussed priesthood and religious life.  The evening was spent with the parents and aunt of Bro. Raphael “Rocky” Domingo, a clerical student brother in residency in Salt Lake City.  Thanks to their kindness and generosity, the entire community was treated to an incredible meal at a Chinese/Japanese buffet.

On Monday, the novice brothers visited the new cathedral in Los Angeles, Our Lady of the Angels.   Depicting a myriad of saints, the huge tapestries lining the inner walls are beautiful and very moving.  Especially pleasing to the brethren were the good number of Dominican saints portrayed.  The novices were privileged to use the crypt chapel, where they chanted Midday Prayer.

The following day, the brothers met with Fr. Vincent Lopez.  They toured Daniel Murphy High School, the all-boys institution once staffed by our friars.   The former priory now serves as a convent for sisters of two different congregations.  The novices also stopped by St. Brendan’s Church, the former parish of Bro. Giovanni Dahl.  After a delicious lunch, they were received at the Monastery of the Angels, a community of our cloistered Dominican nuns located in Hollywood, CA.  The blessing of contemplative women in the Order is a great gift to the brethren.  Departing in high spirits, the novices gladly carried off the candies and breads made by sister nuns.

Ash Wednesday began the grace-filled season of Lent.  Some novice brothers helped with the distribution of ashes.  Not feeling well, others took the opportunity to rest.  In the evening, Fr. Anthony and the novices visited the home of Bro. Jonah Vanegas.  Originally from El Salvador, his family prepared a feast of seafood and home-made pupusas.

The final day was spent relaxing before continuing the adventure in Riverside.  All agreed that the time in Los Angeles was a tremendous blessing.  The novices were deeply grateful for the warm hospitality of the friars and the wonderful parish community.