After the fire: “We are blessed with good, good people”

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:12 pm by Deacon Greg Kandra

After the fire: “We are blessed with good, good people” 2015-03-13T16:12:46-04:00 Deacon Greg Kandra

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Father Edward Smith celebrates Mass in Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Academy auditorium in a makeshift worship space Jan. 11. (Photo: Marie Elena Giossi / The Tablet)

Several days ago, I posted on this devastating fire that hit a church in my diocese.

Now a followup, giving witness to the resilience and faith of this remarkable parish.

From The Tablet:

On the first weekend after fire burned through the choir loft and roof of Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Corona, the parish family was busier than ever – keeping the regular Mass schedule, volunteering where needed and helping each other move forward.

Signs posted around the church grounds direct parishioners to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Academy, where daily and weekend Masses are being held in the auditorium. A statue of the parish patroness sits on stage beside a makeshift altar table and lectern.

The auditorium and balcony were standing-room-only for most of the 12 weekend Masses celebrated Jan. 10-11. On Sunday, overflow crowds were directed to a 500-seater heated tent in the parking lot, where Mass aired live on four large screens and extraordinary ministers distributed the Eucharist.

Parishioners came by the thousands just as they had the previous Sunday, Jan. 4, when Masses were cancelled due to an early morning fire. About 20 people were in church preparing for Mass when an usher saw a spark in the choir loft around 5:45 a.m.

Firefighters contained the blaze, which was likely caused by an electrical issue. The sanctuary was spared but structural engineers have restricted access to the building while assessing the extent of the damages. The cost and timeframe for repairs have yet to be determined.

Shock, fear and confusion were among the emotions felt by the community, who stood and prayed outside the church in the hours following the fire.

“It was terrible,” said Msgr. Thomas Healy, pastor, with tears in his eyes. “This church is really a place of refuge. It’s home to people who have very little. They come here and feel safe and welcome. They love their church. And I love the parish.”

“We’re blessed with good, good people,” he added, noting his gratitude for the parish family and also diocesan officials, who responded quickly and have helped guide him through these difficult days.

Msgr. Healy, 74, who’s served the parish for 24 years, is getting ready to retire in June. Father Raymond Roden has been named his successor.

“I’m supposed to be retired and playing golf. I don’t play golf,” he said, laughing.

He is heartbroken to see the church in this condition but said it is important to laugh and “see the bright side of things.”

If the fire had started an hour earlier, no one would have been in church to call 911. An hour later and 600 people would have been scrambling to escape.

“Thank God nobody was hurt,” he said, “but at the same time, this is our church and it’s a symbol of so much for this community. …

“We’re strong and we’re organized and we’re going to do whatever has to be done,” said the monsignor.

Read it all — and remember these good people in your prayers.

Brooklyn

Churches

Previous Post

January 16, 2015

Archdiocese files for bankruptcy

Next Post

January 16, 2015 BREAKING: The pope is still Catholic

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category "Mad Men" 9/11 advent All Things New Amazing video amazing videos amazon america Anglicans Anti-Catholicism art ascension thursday ash wednesday Atheists baltimore Bible Bishops Blogging bonnie engstrom Books bridgeport Brooklyn Chaplains children christian art christmas Church Churches CNEWA Converts criticism Deacons Death Penalty easter eastern christian Eastern Christians Ecumenism Education education Eucharist Europe euthanasia Evangelization Exorcism Family Feasts Gay rights Good Friday Great links Great Moments in Journalism Hanging with the saints heather renshaw Hispanic Catholics Hispanics History homelies Homilies Humor Hymn of the Week Immigration indianapolis Inspiration Interfaith news ireland Jesus Jews Journalism Judaism lent Liturgy logos Marriage Mary Media Medical news Mental health Middle East Monks Movies Music Muslims My world and welcome to it New Evangelization new york News Nuns Parenting Parish life peoria Persecution politics Politics Pope pope francis pope john paul Prayer Preaching Priests Pro-life Quote of the day radio rebecca frech ripp Ripped from the headlines rippred from the headlines Sacraments saints Scripture sex abuse Sex abuse crisis SEX ABUSE CRISIS TAGGED WITH: SEX ABUSE CRISIS The people in the pews the visitation project theatre This & that Thomas Merton Trappists TV Uncategorized uncategorized VATICAN Vatican vocation Vocations Voices & Views Women Worth a thousand words Writing Year of Faith year of mercy young people

Select a Month December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: The Gospel of John records seven miracles (signs) of Jesus.

Select your answer to see how you score.

FALSE TRUE

Books by This Author Books by Deacon Greg Kandra

See All Titles »