The magic of the IHMC community did not manifest until the day of the Kazuyo Concert of the Six Singing Priests ( Fr. Rodel, Fr. Meloy, Fr. Anthony, Fr. Kenneth, Fr. John, Fr. Adrian ), all six serenaded the community collectively and individually with 11 songs, songs that brought nostalgia, songs that the community joined in, songs that made them walk from their past to the present. The intimate karaoke room of Kazuyo Sushi and Sake Restaurant accommodated 71 folks and raised dollars for the capital campaign fund.
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| After the mass, the parishioners were serenaded by the six singing priests, led by Fr. Rodel Balagtas on the left, Fr. John Era, Fr. Miloy Pacanza, Fr. Kenneth Masong, Fr. Anthony Carreon and Fr. Adrian San Juan. |
Why this concert? The priests wanted to give something to the parishioners for their consistent attendance during the Simbang Gabi masses, and to give joy to the caregivers who miss their families during the holidays.
Fr. Kenneth said it best: “ We feel happiness, we feel complete with other people to experience this happiness –[ it is the ]meaning of blessed, [ form of ]happiness of what Mary has done [ that is ] shared with others."
Surprise of all surprises, the Vicar of Clergy, Monsignor Lorenzo Miranda concelebrated the Mass with these priests. The parishioners were on time, as usual. I was expecting attendance to become sparser as the nine-day novena masses progressed.
But, the power of faith is exponential. It does not deplete nor empty oneself -- working for IHMC multiplies energies, the more folks give, the more inspiration they receive.
Synergy begets more good synergies! During the 9 days of novena masses, I found it easier to write, to cook, to go to the events I needed to cover as a writer. And with no alarm clock, I believe my guardian angel woke me up each morning at 3am. I picked up two friends who attended parts of Simbang Gabi, Rod and Christine. But another friend, Carmen completed all 9 masses and even got her husband and daughter to come. She, too, had no alarm clock and relied on her angel.
The magic of each day multiplied, as Carmen shared the homily with La Maison du Pain’s customers. I sensed a new positive energy at the bakery -- 40 customers lined up to buy their goodies just before closing. Generosity of spirit multiplied even further.
Even the congregation swelled from over 600 to a thousand, spilling onto the entrances, exits, side aisles, and to the Kenmore Patio. It was inspiring to see folks gain more energies as they participated more.
By Christmas Eve, over 600 filled up the school auditorium to partake of a special breakfast of rice, longganisa, eggs and tomatoes. Prior to that day, hot lomi or macaroni soup were sufficient to tame the murmurs of an empty stomach that early in the morning. Seeing all the volunteers serve the folks with ease and orderly lines formed, it felt like a seamless orchestra being conducted by Fr. Rodel.
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| Immaculate Heart of Mary Choir in Los Angeles - full of smiles during Simbang Gabi, at 5am. |
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| Immaculate Heart of Mary's statue surrounded by roses and flowers during Our Lady of Guadalupe's celebration. |
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| Father Rodel Balagtas, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, with over 60 ministries and leads one of the most vibrant parishes in Los Angeles whose largest populations are Filipinos and Hispanics. |
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| At 5am in the morning, Simbang Gabi or 9 novena masses are well - attended by caregivers, nurses, doctors, waiters, childcare workers, writers, lawyers, and more. |
Yet, Fr. Rodel’s quiet, encouraging leadership is in the background, in the foreground, in the groups of people willing to serve others others -- while he ministered to the visiting priests from Pampanga and the Claretian missionary. He spoke of a dream -- of building a Cathedral to accommodate all these parishioners, because a lot of them stood for two hours during the service.
I started going to simbang gabi as teenager at the the UST Chapel. I stopped going when I came to the US. It was not until I traveled to Leyte 3 years ago, that I renewed simbang gabi at the Church of Santo Nino in Tacloban.
Coming back to Los Angeles, I went to several churches but none had the complete package of a good choir, a welcoming parish, an inspiring homily, and at dawn, a hot bowl of soup, until I went to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.
And now, another miracle awaits to manifest. IHMC was built during the 1940s -- the post-depression and war years. It seated 700 and cost $75,000 to build. This Gothic-inspired church was built by parishioners with MGM Studios’ Louis Mayer donating the two spires of the church.
The likes of Frank Sinatra and Katherine Hepburn were seen in this church.
Now, the pews, electricals, walls and the roof badly need repair.
In 2008, the parish undertook a capital campaign project at the height of recession -- 80% of parishioners have pledged to give $1.9 million towards renovating this Church. I believe the renovation will happen, as the parishioners have already made good on 23% of their pledges.
If we find a generous philanthropist matching the pledges of these families, who are predominantly immigrant, but generous with their limited incomes, we will only need four Warren Buffetts to match their initial 23% and IHMC is well on its way to serve seven more generations to come.
Did you know that several of the parishioners have their own miraculous stories of healing? Would you join us and be part of this miraculous church?
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