Chapel of St. Maximilian Kolbe

For my friends on the east coast or early risers on the west coast.

I am helping to facilitate an upcoming Level 1 Compassion Practice training and would love for you to join. Registration is on a sliding scale, the training will span 3 sessions, and it...

begins next Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

The compassion practice is a great antidote to the anxiety some of us are feeling about our upcoming election and I would love for your to join us and bring a little peace and calm into your life.

Link to register and find out more information can be found in the first comment.

EAST COAST PEOPLE
We don't often have Eastern-Time-Zone-friendly timeslots so get it while you can. 😁🥳

Today we celebrate the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, a symbol of hope, love, and grace. Her humble beginnings remind us that greatness can rise from the margins, and her unwavering faith calls us to be vessels of compassion and justice in our world. As we honor her birth, let’s strive to lift up those often overlooked, embodying her spirit of radical love for all.

https://open.substack.com/pub/achaplainslife/p/dishes-and-dignity-building-hope?r=37wvpr&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Dishes and Dignity: Building Hope and Home at the Cecil Dishes, Reconciliation and Progress on Main Street

In a world so full of pain and uncertainty, grief often feels overwhelming. But even in our darkest nights, St. John of the Cross reminds us, "The endurance of darkness is the preparation for great light." Good grieving allows us to face our sorrows with grace, knowing that healing and light await us on the other side. Embrace your grief, for in it, we find the seeds of renewal and hope.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux was a 12th-century powerhouse, but he didn’t care for the glitz and glamour. He was all about simplicity, especially for monks and clerics. For Bernard, the true value of a clerical life wasn’t in fancy robes or elaborate rituals—it was in humility, prayer, and service to others.

This resonates with the work we’re doing at the Cecil. Just like Bernard, we’re stripping away the excess to focus on what really matters—creating a space where people can grow spiritually, find hope, and support one another, without the distractions of wealth or power. Bernard’s example is a powerful reminder that true transformation often comes from simplicity and dedication to a higher purpose.










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🌟 Support Our Summer Fundraiser! 🌟

This summer, we’re breaking barriers and building bridges for those in need. Your donation helps us fight for housing justice, transparency, and a better future for our community. Together, we can make a difference.

Join Us in Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges on Skid Row I hope this message finds you well. I’m reaching out with some exciting news about the incredible progress we’ve made at the Cecil Hotel on Skid Row. Thanks to your ongoing support and the dedication of our team, we’ve been able to make a real impact in the lives of those who need it most.

My fellow members at the never cease to amaze me! They really put the MB (Mutua Beneficenza) to work this month.

When I was approached by Jolie, the daughter of the owner of the company that does our engraving, about helping Mark Keppel High School's Backpack Club to benefit unhoused students, my first thought was the Garibaldina. This is exactly the type of community assistance our members have done for generations.

Our Garibaldini didn't disappoint, and today we delivered 3 boxes of school supplies, backpacks and gift cards to Jolie, with more to come. The drop box will be out at all of our August events!

to all who donated and supported this inspiring, youth-led project!

STATEMENT CONDEMNING POLITICAL VIOLENCE

The Old Catholic Union of the West unequivocally condemns all forms of political violence. Our commitment to the principles of peace, justice, and respect for human dignity transcends any ideological differences. We believe that constructive dialogue and mutual understanding are the foundations for resolving conflicts and fostering a harmonious society. Violence, regardless of its motivation, undermines these values and harms the very fabric of our community. In the United States, we take our grievances to the polls.

The violence today at the rally for Mr. Trump and those harmed or killed was an offense to human dignity and principles of justice.

We pray for peace and for those who suffered today in our democracy and in all places where political violence prevails.

Congratulations, Deacon Rachel!!

We are delighted to announce The Rev. Dcn. Rachel Sutton as the newest deacon in God's One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Dcn. Rachel will be serving at the Spiritual Community of St. Mary Magdalene in Albuquerque.

Please join us in welcoming her to our community and celebrating this joyous occasion!

Remembering Cardinal Timothy Manning Honoring 35 Years Since the Passing of a Beloved Leader and Advocate for the Oppressed

Ups, Downs, Ins and Outs The discordant rhythm of the Hotel Cecil

So grateful for Kid to Kid in Pasadena! A tenant at the Cecil had a baby recently and the baby was put into relative care. Mom and the relative had nothing for young Isaac. I stopped by Kid to Kid, expecting to buy clothes, blankets and towels. When I explained to Oksana the situation, she loaded up two bags of clothes at no cost! She also provided some formula and diapers! My heart is full and young Isaac is clothed!

Dear Friends,

We are reaching out for your support. Brother Andre, our beloved hermit, has recently lost his means of support. Any donations to help him through this difficult time would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your generosity.

Brother Andre Needs Your Help! | Chapel of St. Maximilian Kolbe (Powered by Donorbox) Hermits are a vital part of our Church, dedicating their lives to prayer and contemplation for the spiritual support of the entire community.Our hermit, Friar Andre Maria, was supported by John, a devoted lay Franciscan. Tragically, John recently ...

Both saints remembered today were once rejected from entering religious life. St. Rita of Cascia and St. Joachina de Vedruna de Mas aspired to religious life. St. Rita was rejected because she was an older, widowed woman. St. Joachina's parents urged the prioress to turn the 12-year-old future saint away.

We offer an open invitation to discern your calling with us, whether for religious life, lay ministry or ordained ministry. Allow us the honor to guide your discernment and formation!

Message us to start the conversation!

Walking around Westlake today with my preservation pals from , we came across some remarkable signs and people. On the Monday after Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was hard at work.

Edwin, an inspector at a construction site, emigrated to the US when he was young. After the COVID tragedy took his wife, rather than feel defeated, he embraced his faith and deepened his relationship with God. He said "The Holy Spirit will point the way: 'Go here, don't go there,' and I listen."

It was intensely simple and inspiring.

On the front of the nearly-demolished M Flax building, a chalk cross was lovingly drawn on the facade. A few blocks away, at the Park Theater, the outline of a mezuzah was left in the red paint, two faith traditions, the red of Pentecost and the practice of the Mezuzah, colliding as a reminder of the diverse community around Westlake. A few inches to the right, a Memento Mori talisman, propped on some moulding -- a reminder of our impermanence.

This Pentecost, we celebrate the renewing strength of the Holy Spirit, the divine force that breathes new life into our faith and empowers us to carry out God's work with courage and compassion. Just as the apostles were transformed, we too are invited to embrace this spiritual renewal, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide, inspire, and invigorate our hearts and minds. May this Pentecost fill us with profound joy and an unwavering commitment to spread love and hope in our communities.

An Update and Unsung Heros A Beacon of Hope shines from the Cecil

A few weeks ago, we started a bi-monthly Life Skills class at the . We started the program with a course in Non-Violent Communication, a topic we will likely revisit more than once.

At least week's class, we discussed making an appointment and why it's important to keep the appointment, how to reschedule it if necessary and how to keep a calendar.

Afterward, we shared a meal with food kindly donated by and . We are grateful for their kindness!

Coming soon to our store: handmade Franciscan Tau crosses. Cherry wood finished with honey stain and beeswax. Each cross is hand made and hand finished. The will come as pocket crosses and necklaces.

Notes from Holy Week A missing face, new faces and holy ground.

Blessings for a fulfilling and transformative Triduum! Please join us for services if you are in the Los Angeles area.

Holy Thursday, 7pm, Dignity/LA, 126 S. Avenue 64, Los Angeles

Good Friday, 7pm, Trinity Lutheran, 997 E. Walnut St. Pasadena

Easter Vigil (Saturday Night), 7pm 997 E. Walnut St. Pasadena

There isn't much ordinary in the story of the Triumphal Entry of Christ, and this Palm Sunday at the was no different. One resident invited her mother and we chatted about a future confirmation. A Dogolyte, Gouda, was on hand to assist and be completely adorable. My friends from were along as well, supporting me and the work I do at the Cecil and taking these fantastic photos.

After Mass, we fed about 50 people. Thank you to Garibaldina M B Society for donating the food! We couldn't have done it without you.

We are committed to continuing our transformative work at the Cecil. It is a long road, but a journey that needs to be taken. The path is rough trod. Constant footsteps, by me and those who will come behind me, will smooth the way.

Holy Week begins tonight with Palm Sunday. If you are looking for a warm, inclusive place to celebrate Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, please join me at Dignity SFV (11031 Camarillo St, North Hollywood) tonight at 5:30pm or Tomorrow night, March 24, at Dignity LA (126 South Avenue 64
Los Angeles) at 5:30pm!

On Tuesday night, I, along with faith representatives from more than a dozen different faith communities, gathered at the Baha'i Center to share an interfaith Iftar, the traditional Muslim and Baha'i meal to break the daytime fast during Ramadan. The theme of the night was "Breaking Down Boundaries," and the organizers, Fr. Alexi Smith of the Archdiocese of LA and Swami Mahayogananda of the Vedanta Society, did just that.

It was a fun and educational way to spend an evening. I sat next to a Rabbi and a Muslim Turkish engineer while we chatted, ate falafel and baklava and dove deep into a discussion about boundaries. Our Turkish Muslim friend shared a powerful Sufi teaching.

We should be like water, with its different states. If we are being attacked, be like ice: cold, firm and impenetrable. If there is an obstacle, be like liquid water and simply flow around it. When things are going well, be like steam, warm but largely invisible, expansive, and present.

The Hotel Cecil is up for sale. The residents were blindsided by the news splashed across social media and the news.

https://open.substack.com/pub/achaplainslife/p/shake-up-at-the-cecil

Housing justice comes in many shapes and it takes a village. Today, that village helped advocate for relief from an unlawful detainer judgement brought by an abusive attorney and property owner against our friend, a disabled tenant and her former ill-prepared lawyer. In a post-judgement ruling, the judgment was entered in favor of our friend! "Justice, justice you shall pursue!"

Seen on a window next door to our mechanic. An often needed reminder!