St. Peter's Italian Church
Los Angeles

                                                                                                                                      Christmas 2018

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Greetings to you and your family, and thanks for being part of our Faith Community. As we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth, let us try not to be distracted by the lights and sounds that surround us, but be reminded of why Jesus is coming to us: for our personal and community renewal! 

This past year has been a stormy one for our Church. In the fall’s newsletter, I shared with you my feeling of anger for the scandals that have surfaced in our church. On behalf of Pope Francis and of the church, I ask your forgiveness and pray especially for those who are wounded and confused by the scandals. Indeed, we are now being challenged to renew ourselves and the church!

I have been reflecting that the early disciples of Jesus faced a similar challenge. Some of them left His company. Having watched them leave, Jesus asked the twelve: “Do you also want to leave?” Peter answered: “Master, to whom should we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe, and are convinced, that You are the Holy One of God”. 

This Christmas offers us the opportunity to give our response to Jesus. He challenges especially those who have been away, sometimes for months or years, from the Sacraments. What a wonderful occasion to put aside old, unhealthy habits, and begin a new relationship with the Lord and His Church. I extend to all of you a warm welcome!

I thank God for having graced me with the gift of your presence and friendship during the last six years at St. Peter’s. I am holding you in my prayer, asking God to bless you with courage and peace. May our commitment to Christ make of us healers of our wounded Church. May the joy and love of the Holy Family fill your lives each day of the New Year 2019!

May God bless you,

Fr. Louis Piran, c.s.

Pastor,

St. Peter's Italian Church &

San Conrado Mission

The  Parish of St. Peter was founded in the year 1904 to care for the spiritual and social needs of Italian immigrants who came to America in search of religious, social, and economic freedom.

Today,  through  liturgical, educational and social programs, St. Peter’s Italian Church in Los Angeles continues the mandate given to the Missionaries of St. Charles by their founder Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini to care for all migrants as  they journey toward the Kingdom of God. Find out more information on our history: