DECEMBER 2006
AVISIT
ST. CAMILLUS CENTER FOR PASTORAL CARE
1911 ZONAL AVENUE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90033-1032
STCAMILLUS@CIRCLESOFHOPE.ORG
JOIN US EVERY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH AT 4:00 P.M.
FOR OUR PAX CHRISTI MASS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
P
icture this page: On one side, the Works of
Mercy, on the other side, the Works of War:
What are the works of mercy? We all know
them: Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give
drink to the thirsty, visit the imprisoned, care for
the sick, and bury the dead.
What are the works of war? Some of us
know them from experience. Those, like the
Iraqi people tonight, know them intimately:
Destroy crops and land, seize food supplies,
destroy homes, scatter families, contaminate
water, imprison dissenters, inflict wounds and
burns, kill the living.
At our January 21, 2007 Sunday gathering we will celebrate a
significant milestone for Fr. Chris Ponnet: 50 years of life!
Please mark your calendar and join us for food, refreshments
and birthday cake after our 4:00 p.m. liturgy. Please call 323-
225-4461 for more information or to RSVP.
T HE N EWSLETTER OF THE SAINT CAMILLUS CATHOLIC CENTER FOR PASTORAL CARE
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
LOS ANGELES, CA
PERMIT #31285
In the passionate words of Pope John
Paul II, who as a young priest knew the death
and destruction of war as his native Poland was
crushed beneath the fascist armies of Nazi
Germany and the communist armies of the
Soviet Union: “War is a defeat for humanity!
War no more, war never again!”
Excerpt from
A Time of Hope in the Midst of a World at War
By Bishop Gabino Zavala,
Bishop President of Pax Christi USA
First Sunday of Advent, December 2, 2006
CirclesOfHope.org
1911 ZONAL AVENUE • L OS ANGELES CA 90033-1032
T EL 3 2 3 - 2 2 5 - 4 4 6 1 • FAX 3 2 3 - 22 5 - 9 0 9 6 • STCAMILLUS@ C IRCLESO FH OPE. ORG
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Unless otherwise noted, all events are at
AND THE WORD
St Camillus Catholic Center for Pastoral Care
1911 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles CA 90033
BECAME FLESH…
FR. CHRIS PONNET
January 1, 12:00 noon
Mass: World Day of Peace
January 21, 4:00 p.m.
“And the Word became flesh and
Pax Christi Mass
January 27, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30p.m. made his dwelling among us, and we
Symposium 2007 ‘Peacemaking in a saw his glory, the glory of the Father’s only detail from A Visit
World of Violence” Son, full of grace and truth.” (John 1) by John August Swanson
Mt St Mary’s College, Doheny Campus
In the season of Christmas we encounter
pgist@msmc.la.edu, 213-477-2658
February 11 this sacred text in worship and on greeting cards. and HIV/AIDS Ministry.
World Day for the Sick Will we believe in these words–that God is flesh We are blessed with the Together in Mission
"The Spiritual and Pastoral Care of the
among us? This affirming word of God has subsidy of over $250,000 that keeps our
Patients with Incurable Illnesses"
February 18, 4:00 p.m. implications, how we see ourselves and how we chaplains’ salaries covered along with some
Pax Christi Mass treat anyone different from us, based on faith, $20,000 from the Friends of St. Camillus,
Physicians for Social Responsibilities on religion, nationality, sexuality, language, etc., fundraising events, and HIV and CPE grants that
“Medical Issues around the Iraqi War”
February 21
with hatred or division. Jesus’ invitation is to Chris Kollenburn, our grant writer, has prepared
Ash Wednesday welcome all….”the least of your brothers and and received for the Center.
March 2 to March 4 sisters”…. (Matthew 25). We are called by this In 2007 we hope to have another series of
Religious Education Congress
child Jesus to be prophetic persons of the “Prince CPE units for chaplains, expanding our ministry
Anaheim Convention Center
www.recongress.org of Peace”. of providing Eucharist each week at University
April 8 2006 has been a blessing for each of us as hospital, and the inauguration of the new
Easter Sunday chaplains at St Camillus. We accompany in Christ County hospital in November.
and with each of you as “Friends of St. Camillus,” We pray this Vision comes to you with
Monthly
1st Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. the prisoners, immigrants, victims, and returning messages and stories of hope and a reminder of
California People of Faith Against the veterans, along with those dealing with mental God’s faithful. With the Pope returning from
Death Penalty meeting, ACC
illness, chronic pain, sickle cell, cancer, HIV/AIDS, Turkey challenging us all to treat our Muslim
Mezzanine (Wilshire and Mariposa)
deathpenalty.org heart and diabetic diseases, and the traumas of neighbors as brothers and sisters as well.
2nd Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. the brain and wounds, caused by falls, car Blessings to you and all of creation touched
AIDS Council meeting accidents, home or work burns, or gun shots, by the child born in a manger, as well as the
3rd Sunday, 4:00 p.m.
and post-traumatic syndrome. persons of faith sitting in prison because of faith
Pax Christi mass for Peace And Justice
paxchristiusa.org We have moved forward with bringing on a and the soldier awaiting trial due to a courage
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Supervisor for not to kill, which is so rare in our society caught
Weekly
the training of professional chaplains and have in the perpetual “war on terror” and the
Friday, 7:00 a.m.—9:00 a.m.
Interfaith Communities United for supported three persons moving toward “preemptive war”--the war that seems at its root
Justice and Peace meeting, Immanuel Supervisory certification. We have been present to deny the Prince of Peace who “made his
Presbyterian Church basement with information and spoken at all the Religious dwelling among us.” Let us be prophetic again
(Wilshire, one block west of Vermont)
icujp.org
Education Congresses for the Archdiocese and as people of faith and proclaim the message of
continue to host the Gay and Lesbian Ministry, Christmas, God is “dwelling among us.” Blessings
Masses Pax Christi, Death Penalty Focus Los Angeles, and joy for the New Year.
Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. & noon
The artwork by John August Swanson appears
by gracious permission of the artist.
A BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND JOYFUL NEW YEAR TO ALL
St. Camillus Center is very grateful for John’s
continuous generous support of our ministries. AND OUR SINCERE THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT
2006 AIDS WALK LOS ANGELES
HUGH MENTON
O nce again the collective Catholic AIDS
Walk teams that joined under the
umbrella of the Archdiocesan HIV/AIDS
Ministry continued as a Gold Teams in
fundraising for the 2006 AIDS Walk LA. This
year’s Archdiocesan Ministry team raised over Walk LA, contact Hugh Menton, Volunteer
$31,000 exceeding last year’s fundraising by
about $5,000. Many members of this year’s
team carried white, helium-filled balloons with 111, or by email, hmenton@aol.com (please
the Ministry’s logo in red with the words,
“Catholic HIV/AIDS Ministry, Archdiocese of
Los Angeles”. It made the Catholic presence in help support a full-time Spanish-speaking AIDS
the Walk very visible.
The Archdiocesan team included an
impressive number of Catholic high schools
and parish organizations, including students, 30,000 people, representing the diversity of
parents, staff, and parishioners, from Cathedral Los Angeles, and walking as an, unified,
High School, Holy Names of Jesus Catholic
Church, Covenant House, California, St. Louis reflects diversity of Los Angeles. Particularly
of France Church, Chaminade College
Preparatory High School, Loyola High School, young people including high school and
Marymount High School, Mayfield Senior
School, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church,
C linical Pastoral Education (CPE) is a
growing project here at St. Camillus. The
Bi-Lingual Urban approach with long distance
supervision makes this site unique and
hopefully a model for other programs. CPE is
the professional training of chaplains.
A Master’s Degree in Theology or a
related area along with clinical
pastoral visits (300 hours per class-
unit) along with the group sessions
and training (100 hours) is required
for each of the four units that leads a
person to a review board and Board
Certification. Training in Spanish and
English makes our unique program a
draw in the Southern California area.
The Urban approach means that we
welcome students not only from
Providence High School, St. Bernardine’s
Comprehensive Youth Ministry, St. Brendan’s
Church, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Jerome’s AIDS
Ministry, St. Matthias High School and St.
Monica’s Parish Community.
If you have an interest in joining the
Archdiocesan team or need assistance in
forming a team for the October 2007 AIDS
Archdiocesan AIDS Walk 2007 Project
Coordinator, at St. Camillus, 323-225-4461, ext.
put AIDS Walk in the subject line of your
email). There is hope that future donations will
educator to Catholic schools, parishes and
organizations.
The Archdiocesan Ministry team helped
the 2006 AIDS Walk LA in the greatest
fundraising effort in its 20 year history. Over
$3.7 million was raised which will help
support AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), an
AIDS multi-service agency that sponsored the
first AIDS walk in the nation.
The Walk is an impressive event with
peaceful group, on a 6.2 mile route that again
impressive was the overwhelming presence of
college students and many other young
adults.
traditional hospital settings, but also from jails,
hospices, parishes, and other settings. Sr.
Anita Lapeyre from San Diego continues to
come for two days a week to supervise during
the 11 week sessions.
Deacon James Dillon
+ 24 October 2006 +
I met Deacon Jim as a
newly ordained priest at
my first parish in Canoga
Park when our beloved
Deacon David Lew died in
an accident while on
vacation. He was with
Deacon Jim. Jim and I
became friends as we
prepared the services.
When I came to St.
Camillus 12 years ago, I
encountered Deacon Jim at
the Religious Education
Congress. He was now a
retired college history
professor and volunteering
at the Marriage Tribunal. We
began a working
relationship that lasted for
12 years. He was a chaplain
at USC Norris Cancer
Hospital and USC University
Hospital; a member of our
Finance Committee; and a
faithful donor to our ministry
until his recent death, while
volunteering at the
Cathedral of Our Lady of the
Angels as Director of tour
guides.
We celebrate his life and
know he is one of our patron
saints as we visit patients in
our hospitals. Deacon Jim
Dillon, presente!
Fr. Chris Ponnet
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CONGRESS
AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FR. CHRIS AND AN UPDATE ON THE PANDEMIC
T H
his year’s Religious Education Congress (REC) in Anaheim
from March 1 to 4 will include a workshop by Fr. Chris
Ponnet, pastor of St. Camillus Catholic Pastoral Care Center,
and Dr. Elizabeth Crabb Breen, Immunologist at UCLA’s
Geffen School of Medicine, titled “Bringing HIV/AIDS into the
Light”.
On Friday, March 2, from 3:00 to 4:30. Fr. Chris will share
stories of hope, outreach and compassion in the climate of
many people affected by HIV/AIDS dwelling in the shadows
in parts of our society and our world. Dr. Breen will share the
latest scientific and medical facts related to HIV/AIDS. The
workshop will be recorded and an order form for recordings –
cassette tapes and audio CDs—will be available at Congress or
can be ordered from CSC. An order form will be available on
the Congress registration site. People can register for the REC
online at the website, www.RECongress.org, or call (213) 637-
7346. Registration is $55 per person, whether for one day or
four days. Registrations made or postmarked after January 5,
2007, will be $65.
R unning a parish is an immense task as most of you know.
St. Camillus is not a typical neighborhood parish, it
represents the Archdiocesan Catholic Chaplaincy to five
hospitals that operate 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Illness,
health emergencies, dying and death do not fit into a daily or
weekly schedule.
In addition to this ministry St. Camillus Catholic Center for
Pastoral Care serves as home for Pax Christi, Los Angeles; the
Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Ministry; the Archdiocesan HIV/
AIDS Council; and a developing Urban Bi-lingual, Clinical
Pastoral Education Center. These services are not funded by the
Archdiocese and continuing grant and development efforts
seek to create the needed dollars.
However, something relatively simple is currently needed
at St. Camillus. The expertise of supporters of the various
ministries at St. Camillus can help meet this need. This need is
for a gathering space of some quiet and “greenness” in this
very urban, noisy setting. Recently, St. Camillus’ backyard lost its
dominant shade tree due to its threatening the structural
Luke Ponnet and fellow Boy Scouts from Troop 333 at Holy Family, South Pasadena, supported by family and community friends came to St. Camillus for Luke’s Eagle Scout
project for two weekends in November. Luke organized and managed 33 volunteers who put in over 150 hours of volunteer work so that the entrance to St. Camillus’ office
now has the interfaith "Tree of Life", new flower bushes, a rebuilt planter and repainted entrance area. Thanks and blessings to all who helped make this happen!
"GENTLY USED" FOR BABIES IN NEED
HUGH & JEAN MENTON.
ow many new parents in our families receive an
abundance of gifts in celebration of our babies' and
grand babies' new lives? One of our daughter's and son-in-
law's challenges was to try and have our grand daughter
Sophia wear items of clothing once before she outgrew them,
so the gift giver could enjoy Sophia in the "gift". Angel
Interfaith Network assists new parents with meaningful use of
this abundance by taking "gently used" baby items (and new
items as well) and sharing them with new mothers and babies
served by Los Angeles County's Women's and Children's
Hospital and the General Hospital.
The Network regularly assists the chaplains of St. Camillus
in meeting the needs of patients in the five hospitals we serve.
If your family is holding an abundance of "gently used" or new
baby, infant, and child items and you would like to put these
items to a meaningful use, email Angel Interfaith Network at
office@angelinterfaith.net or give them a call at (626) 799-
2858., or find out more about Angel Interfaith Network from
their website, www.angelinterfaith.net.
integrity of the building and plumbing system. This is an
opportunity to “re-create” a space where chaplains and other
ministry groups can gather for prayer, meetings and informal
gatherings.
How can you help?
♦ Can you do a landscape/arbor design for this 30’ X 85’
space bordered by the 16’ shared wall with the Juvenile
Detention Center? or do you know someone who can?
♦ Do you have access to building materials (brick, lumber),
plants and containers at reduced costs?
♦ Do you have experience in constructing such a space or
aspects of such a space-- landscaping, potting plants,
planting, laying brick, etc.? or know someone who does
have such skills?
If you have an interest, please contact Hugh Menton,
Volunteer St. Camillus Center Office Manager, at 323-225-4461,
ext. 111, or by email, at hmenton@aol.com (please put “St.
Camillus backyard” in an email subject line).