Prayer’s were held on the steps of Corpus Christi School at noon on January 7. The church was destroyed in the Palisades Fire. That evening a mass was held at St. Monica Church
Photo RICH SCHMITT/CTN
By CAROL SANBORN
A Papal Blessing from the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV was presented to Monseigneur Lloyd Torgerson at the 7 p.m. mass of remembrance on the anniversary of the Palisades Fire on January 7 at St. Monica Catholic Church in Santa Monica.
The beautifully framed blessing was presented by long-time Corpus Christi parishioners Anne and Dermot Tuohy, along with their grand-daughter Caroline Tuohy, symbolizing the past and future of Corpus Christi Parish.
As the blessing was presented to Msgr. Torgerson, he called forward a small group of St. Monica parishioners to accept the blessing on behalf of the parish community to convey that any recognition or gift to him belongs to the parishioners of St. Monica. The group is a representation of St. Monica parishioners who volunteered in various ways to minister to friends and neighbors affected by the Fire.
During that January 7 fire, Corpus Christi Church, Rectory and Convent were destroyed, as well as many parishioners’ homes. Corpus Christi School was damaged. Immediately after the fire, Msgr. Torgerson reached out to Msgr. Liam Kidney, pastor of Corpus Christi Church and offered Msgr. Kidney and Associate Pastor, Fr. Valerian Menezes a place to stay.
In the weeks that followed, Msgr. Torgerson and the parishioners and staff of St. Monica ministered to the entire parish of Corpus Christi. They provided a place for the Corpus Christi community to worship on Sundays, serving lunch afterwards so friends and neighbors could gather and begin to process their loss and confusion.
The staff at St. Monica knew what their neighbors from the Palisades needed before they knew themselves. St. Monica staff and volunteers provided non-perishable food, hygiene items, clothes and even books for children.
The staff also oversaw the application for and distribution of grants from the Cardinal McIntyre Fund. While they provided practical solutions to immediate needs for people who had lost everything, with kindness and compassion they gave hope to the parishioners of Corpus Christi.
When considering how to mark the anniversary of the Palisades Fire, one Corpus Christi staff member, who lost her home suggested that gratitude is instrumental to healing. The staff discussed ways to express their gratitude to the community of St. Monica for its kindness, love and generosity to the Corpus Christi community.
It was agreed that a Papal Blessing from the Pope Leo XIV would be fitting. As an Augustinian priest, the mother of St. Augustine, St. Monica, has particular significance to Pope Leo.
With little time to spare, a Corpus Christi staff member contacted a friend, Fr. Edward D. Daleng, OSA, newly appointed vice regent of the Prefecture of the Papal Household at the Vatican, who expedited their request to the Holy Father’s secretary.
At the January 7 Mass, Msgr. Torgerson announced that St. Monica’s commitment to those affected by the Fire will continue. This February, in partnership with St. John Health Center, St. Monica Parish will provide a program of support to anyone impacted by the Fire. More information will be available through the St. Monica Parish office.
The Papal Blessing was presented during mass at St. Monica Catholic Church.
Thank you, Sue. And thank you for all the great coverage of the events of January 7. What a day! Below is more information about the program at St. Monica, with St. John Health Center referenced above.
Stronger Together: Nurturing Mind, Body, and Spirit
Providence Saint John’s Health Center and St. Monica Catholic Community invite you to an evening forum focused on healing and hope. We will unite in support of recovery efforts following the 2025 fires, providing a welcoming space for reflection and renewal. Clinical and spiritual experts will offer guidance, support, and resources to those affected by the disaster. The event is scheduled for Monday, February 9, from 6 to 8 PM at St. Monica’s.
That mass was so special. I loved how upbeat and lighthearted Father Kidney was. It was inspirational — I thought, if a priest can be happy during this sad time, so can I.
Thank you to the St.Monica’s community for all you did to help Corpus. We’ll never forget your kindness!
Deep thanks with all my heart to St Monica’s for their meetings and support just after the fire and for the ongoing grief group ever since. Somehow I missed knowing about this mass and gathering among all the news but it sounds as wonderful as St. Monica’s has been to displaced Palisadian fire victims of all faiths and beliefs.