There is a vibrant growing Hispanic and Filipino population St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, CA, church staffed by the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. Fr. Larry Darnell and Fr. Ed Broom greeted us upon our arrival on August 11 and Fr. West gave the homily during a noon day Mass he concelebrated with Fr. Broom that was well attended with over 200 people.
Another Mass was celebrated in the evening with even more people attending. The Oblates of the Virgin Mary had planned a pro-life week with talks and reflections occurring throughout the week; it is their special work to conduct retreats and reflections based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. The evening continued with Eucharistic Adoration and a Mass for Life as part of their pro-life week schedule.
The Black Madonna next traveled to a retirement community in Southern California at St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Sun City. The day started off early for a mostly senior crowd with some working professionals and youth were also present. They venerated the icon beginning at 7:15am followed by praying the Rosary at 7:30am. Fr. West concelebrated Mass and gave the homily. Afterward the seniors had time for fellowship and were able to ask Fr. West more questions about the Pilgrim Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa.