Celebrations Certificate of Sacraments If you need a copy of your Certificate of Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, or Wedding, visit us or contact our parish office and provide the following information: Information required: - Full name, ( if your name was changed from the initial celebration, please provide us with the name used when celebrated.) - Name of Parents - Date of Birth - Approximate date of occasion - Picture of ID when picking up the certificate, or when emailing us this information. - A phone number to contact once the certificate is ready. - A donation of $10 Since we have many archives give us 2-3 days or a week to locate your information. We will call once it's ready and you may pick it up at our office from Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. / Saturday 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Call us for any questions or concerns. (323) 269-7248 Quinceaneras If you're here congratulations! Our church is thrilled to host your mass for your blessed fifteenth birthday. The most important part of this day is attending the mass, where you and your family will thank God for allowing you the time to celebrate this joyous celebration. Not only will this be a moment for you to thank god, but it will also consist of you giving into your faith and taking the path of being part of the catholic community. This special tradition is something you’ll remember for the rest of your life as you celebrate your adolescent years into becoming a young lady. It's an amazing moment to reflect on your life and continue your path of faith with God and Jesus Christ. As we know this is an emotional moment for the birthday girl and her family, which is why we are thankful that you’ve chosen our temple. We now say enjoy your celebration, and may you and your family continue to be blessed. Requirements - Arrangements must be made 5 months before the date desired. Donation for the Mass is $500.00 – Flowers and music not included. A deposit of $100 is required at the time of registration. - The young lady must have sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and be registered for, or attending, Confirmation Class. If she has not received Baptism and First Holy Communion, please make an appointment to speak with the priest. - Sponsors must be a man and a woman, the sponsors of baptism, the parents, friends, or only one godmother and one godfather. - The parents agree to be on time for Mass. After a tardiness of 15 minutes, the Mass will be canceled and the amount paid will not be reimbursed. - The form to be filled requires Quinceanera's name, date of birth, home address, telephone, mother's name, father's name, date and time of the celebration. Presentation of Child The presentation of a child in a catholic church is a special moment for the child as well as the family of the child. Not only are you introducing your baby to your faith, but you're also introducing them to a path of faith they will once welcome. When bringing your child to be presented it's almost as if they're one step closer to being baptized. For this ritual, we ask you to choose godparents who are catholic and attend church. We invite you to be well-dressed and presented to the community accordingly. On this note, we are delighted to have you join us for the presentation of your baby, below are some requirements for the said celebration. Requirements: - Place an intention at our parish office for your presentation - The intention must be placed a week before your chosen mass. - Information needed, child's full name, age, date, and time of mass. - Donation of $10 We are currently not doing private mass for this celebration, for any questions contact us. Marriage Marriage by the church is a sacred moment for the man and the lady in partnership. As this builds and strengthens the bond, they are making a promise to remain together through the end of times alongside God and the Holy Catholic Church. Being said in the Nuptial Blessings during a liturgical celebration of marriage, “Father, you have made the union of man and wife so holy a mystery that it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his Church.” Since marriage shall take place at a temple, our church is awaiting your visit to make this your place of faith and complete union with your partner. Below are what we require of you for this celebration. Legal Requirements for Marriage All the documents asked for are more a protection than a control. Matrimony is an institution protected by the State and by the Church. The state protects the social dimension, while the Church protects the religious dimension. Both have a right to ask for certain legal requirements. THE STATE - Application for a Marriage License - YOU DO NOT NEED A BLOOD TEST. - If you are underage, you must provide proof of age with the appropriate documents. Minors are subject to special regulations. - There are different offices where you can obtain a license. The closest one here is at Centro Maravilla, 4716 Cesar Chavez Avenue (between Dangler and Arizona Avenues). For information about the cost of the license, call (323) 260-2991. NOTE: You do not have to be married civilly to be married by the Church. When you are married by the Church, it is both a civil and a sacramental marriage (two-in-one). But you must bring that license to the priest before the marriage. THE CHURCH - Baptismal Certificate - You must obtain a recently dated copy of your Baptism Certificate. -- You must go to the church of your baptism, or write to them asking for a recently dated copy. - Confirmation and First Communion Certificates - A photocopy of the original certificates is sufficient. If you have difficulties in obtaining these, let the priest know. Banns Marriage is not a private matter. In your parish, if you do not live near La Soledad Parish, you must let them know of your forthcoming marriage and they, like here, will announce your marriage in three weeks. Premarriage Instructions The priest will indicate these to you. - Testimony of Two Family Members Your parents, or other family members, must come in and swear and sign documents indicating that you are free to marry. - Premarriage Questionnaire The priest will do this investigation before your marriage. - Persons who have been Married Civilly (not through the Church) The priest will explain the procedure you must take. - Details of the Religious Ceremony This matter will be discussed with the priest regarding flowers, photography, video, etc. No picture taking after the ceremony. No rice throwing as you leave. No throwing flower petals in Church. Note: Please call our Parish office 6 months in advance of your celebration. DONATION: $500.00 (This does not include music). For music information, please call the parish office at (323) 269-7248. Blessings The blessing from a father is a sacred moment for those who ask for it. In general, receiving a blessing in private or mass is equivalent to a strong prayer for you to be safe and remain in faith at all times. Blessings for a religious item, holy water, car, house, business, etc, require a $10 donation and you must visit us or call our parish office to schedule an appointment. Other Celebrations Funerals When one is born a Christian or has later in life become one, it is right to celebrate death with the three stations that lead to eternal life in peace with God. That being the wake at the vigil service where we pray for the forgiveness and peace of those who have passed, which leads to the mass at a church or the funeral home filled with celebration for the life of the deceased, and lastly, the burial of the body at a cemetery which is a moment where loved ones pray for the resurrection of the passed loved one as Jesus himself did. As a Catholic Christian, you have been baptized and have assisted the Eucharistic table and we believe commemorating life through the church is the right thing for those who passed with faith in Christ. When the funeral rite is put into practice, we are in the presence of those who’ve passed and are praying for their passing along with our mourning for the deceased. Not only do we pray for them to be in internal peace, but we also pray to God, and Jesus Christ to forgive them for their sins, and for allowing us the presence of those who passed. The funeral Liturgy happens to be similar to that of the baptism, they both consist of being part of God's path for life and once dismissed from this path full of belief, they’ll receive their eternal peace. Information required The following are what we ask when a funeral will take place at our Church. - Name, age, and address of the deceased - Did the deceased have a Spouse, any children, or siblings? - Date of death, cause of death? - Body in a casket or ashes in the urn? - Name and phone number of the person making arrangements? - Relationship to the deceased? - Name of the funeral home, name of the cemetery? - Rosary date? Rosary location? Rosary will be led by? - Mass date, day, time, and celebrant? - Music/ Choir? - Are there any additional comments or information we should be aware of? DONATION: $500.00 (This does not include music or floral arrangements). For music information, please call the parish office at (323) 269-7248. *Currently, the Father at our church cannot attend the cemetery for burials or interment. Please contact us to see if we can provide the presence of our Decan.* Memorial For Deceased Our private memorials commemorate those who have passed on to a better life. They may no longer be present but we are rest assured that they are in eternal peace alongside god. For a private mass, we ask for the following information: - Full name of deceased - Date of birth - Date of death - Name and number of person making the arrangments - Date and time for the celebration - A donation of $500 for the mass. (The mass does not include music or floral arrangments) For more information or questions, contact our Parish Office. Our Lady of Solitude Office: (323) 269-7248 LaSoledad@sbcglobal.net

Our staff and clergy page is a directory of who we have working with us. If you need to contact us personally, below is a contact number to do so. STAFF AND CLERGY Our staff and clergy are destined to change. The names listed below are up to date and still present in our parish. Administrator Administrator Pro- Tempore Rev. Fr. Victor M. Zavala C., M.G. Associate Administrator Rev. Deacon Sergio Perez Religious Education Coordinator of Religious Education Sr. Luz del Carmen Perez E.F.M.S. Parrish Office Secretary Ms. Fabiola Garcia Secretary Ms. Isabel Dévèze

The group of Guadalupanas are committed to serving the church throughout the year, and more so during the festivities of the Virgin of Guadalupe. They make sure that the Day of Guadalupe is celebrated as it should be, and they also meet to plan any other important events Ministries and Groups Nocturnal Adoration Lamb of God Bread of Life Guadalupanas Divine Mercy Legion of Mary Charismatic Prayer Guadalupanas English | Spanish The Guadalupanas The group of Guadalupanas are committed to serving the church throughout the year, and more so during the festivities of the Virgin of Guadalupe. They make sure that the Day of Guadalupe is celebrated as it should be, and they also meet to plan any other important events related to her. This group meets on Fridays once a week. If you are interested in being part of the Guadalupanas, contact our office for more information. Contact To join a group, contact us and we’ll provide you with the necessary information. lasoledad@sbcglobal.net (323) 269-7248

The Holy Baptism is our most sacred celebration in the Catholic Community. Not only is it the start of an amazing journey in faith with Jesus Christ, but it also welcomes us to the enlightenment of God above all. Baptism Acts 22:16 “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” The Holy Baptism The Holy Baptism is our most sacred celebration in the Catholic Community. Not only is it the start of an amazing journey in faith with Jesus Christ, but it also welcomes us to the enlightenment of God above all. Through this sacrament, we discover our life path to be guided by the Holy Spirit that will continue to lead us towards the people of god, the body of Christ, all these being the church. By being Baptized we are freeing ourselves from all sin within and around us as we are choosing a life path for the better. Becoming baptized goes to show that you have begun a new start to being a Catholic Christian and eventually you will follow along with your duty of consuming the blood and body of Christ through the Eucharist. Parents and other major influences, you have decided Baptism is best for yourself or your child, and god alongside the church can't wait for your preparation to this new beginning. Requirements for Baptism The following are necessary in order to receive this Sacrament: For a child to be baptized at our church, parents and god parents must attend a pre-baptismal class. This class is currently taking place online through Zoom. Our in-person classes are pending, however, contact us for additional information related to pre-baptismal classes. All documents are required at the time you register for Baptism, two weeks in advance of the class. A birth Certificate or form from the hospital is required for all toddlers and children. For infants younger than 1, (contact our Parish Office) For children, age must not exceed 6 years of age. ( If so, contact our Religious Education team for more information) For adults or children over the age of 7, who have yet to receive the Sacrament of Baptism, contact our Parish office to obtain more information on this matter. Sponsor Requirements: The name of the Godfather and Godmother in hand-printed letters is needed, as well as proof of their completion with sacraments. (Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage documents from the Catholic church; if both parties are married to each other. ) Sponsor/s must be Catholic and at least Sixteen years of age, in good standing with the church, and aware of the responsibility he/she is about to undertake. They must bring documents of their Sacraments. Per Cannon Law, there is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each [Not 2 sponsors of the same sex] Once parents and godparents have ta ken the class, they have one year to decide which Saturday they’ll be baptizing their baby. Baptisms in Spanish take place on the 1st Saturday of each month at 11:00 a.m. Baptisms in English take place on the 3rd Saturday of each month at 11:00 a.m. For the ceremony, parents should do and bring the following: The child should be in an all-white outfit You must bring a candle, a shell for the holy water, and a towel to dry the child's head once baptized. Parents and god parents must arrive on time, at least 30 minutes before the ceremony. A donation of $75.00 in cash is required from the parents. Including a $20.00 donation for the celebrating father on the day of the Baptism Note: If parents live outside the Parish area, they need their parish's permission to baptize their child at Our Lady of Solitude Church. For more information or questions, contact our Parish Office. Our Lady of Solitude Office: (323) 269-7248 LaSoledad@sbcglobal.net

Our lectors are the definition of our Lord speaking through them. Since they dedicate themselves to learning and reading the Scriptures of the Lord, they become the teaching of what he would Ministries and Groups Extraordinary of the Eucharist Sacristans Religious Choir Ushers Altar Servers Lectors and Commentators Ministry of the Sick Lectors & Commentators English | Spanish Minister of Lectors Our lectors are the definition of our Lord speaking through them. Since they dedicate themselves to learning and reading the Scriptures of the Lord, they become the teaching of what he would want all of us to be. That being, people of good spreading his teachings and love for all of us to get a new perspective on life. During Mass, the liturgy is when the Lectors step up and read from the scriptures that were once upon the reality of Jesus himself. Therefore, this makes this part of mass the most important due to the lectors spreading the word, the priest reading the Gospel, and the whole community receiving a Homily as part of an afterthought to what was learned and grasped through the Liturgical part of the Mass. Our Lectors would be the happiest to have new people on their team. If you know the order of mass and the sacred scriptures, you’re verbal, and have a clear voice when reading, this could be a new start for you at our church. We encourage you to contact us if this Ministry interests you, and we will be sure to help you every step of the way to get you in contact with the coordinator. Below is our contact information if there are any questions or concerns. Contact To join a ministry contact us and we will provide you with the necessary information. lasoledad@sbcglobal.net (323) 269-7248

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Our altar servers help priests and deacons throughout the mass. Due to them being of help to the priest, they must be attentive and at reach when needed. They are meant to dress presentable, usually in a white alb along with robes indicating the color of the ordinary time we are in. Ministries and Groups Extraordinary of the Eucharist Sacristans Religious Choir Ushers Altar Servers Lectors and Commentators Ministry of the Sick Altar Servers English | Spanish Ministry of Altar Servers Our altar servers help priests and deacons throughout the mass. Due to them being of help to the priest, they must be attentive and at reach when needed. They are meant to dress presentable, usually in a white alb along with robes indicating the color of the ordinary time we are in. An acolyte's purpose consists of accompanying the priest at the beginning and end of mass with candles and the cross. They also help with the holding of the sacramentary when needed and during the time of the Eucharist. At the time of Communion, the acolytes are there to provide the water for the cleansing of hands, and at times assist the Father with fixing the altar for the blessing of the bread and wine. The role of an altar server can be deferred and usually consists of a team effort. If you find yourself interested in this ministry, contact our office and we’ll help you with more information to sign up. Contact To join a ministry contact us and we will provide you with the necessary information. lasoledad@sbcglobal.net (323) 269-7248

Our Parish Bulletin is filled with a monthly update for the church. It currently has 4 pages consisting of all events taking place in the current month. Bulletin Archives 2024 March 2024 May 2024 June 2024 July 2024 July 2024

Our Lady of Solitude is almost 100 years old! With lots of existing history, we've dedicated a page just for it. The following consists of archives found from the beginnings of our church. Our History FOUNDATION The Catholic Church, Our Lady of Solitude, happens to be a historical staple in the heart of East Los Angeles, California. With almost 100 years of life, it's still a masterpiece of a church despite its long years. In our Golden Jubilee, it’s said that our church was founded by a Father named Msgr. Michael Sheahan around December or Christmas of 1925. It is said that Our Lady of Solitude happens to be the third church built for our Spanish-speaking community n ow known as East Los Angeles. Before Our Lady of Solitude Before Our Lady of Solitude was built, there was a mission that the Fathers and this city had. The mission was to have another foundation before the 1920’s ended. But still, regardless of not having a church, Fathers J. Grajalves and Guadalupe del Rio, OFM, celebrated Holy Mass in a bakery that was previously on Arizona Street, then at the Azteca Theater on McDonell Street, and even in a garage. INTERESTING FACT As we have now progressed and have a community of our own, the history of this church has not always been as it looks. Our first-ever celebration was accompanied by approximately fourteen worshippers who were informed by others from the community. Later that day, mass was hosted a second time bringing in seventy more new parishioners. Despite not being informed by our holy bells, our community made it official that Our Lady of Solitude was a new parish for its people of East Los Angeles. Our First Sisters Since the late 1920s, our sisters have been present in our church. The first sisters to arrive were the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. As the Golden Jubilee mentions, several spent time in La Soledad before 1930. (On the left is an image of said sisters, among this group are Sra María de Jesús Cagigas, Madre Cristo Rey, Mrs. M. Rosario, and Mother Clemencia. Our First Fathers Our founding Father, Michael Sheahan spent most of his time at Soledad until he had to be transferred to Oxnard. After his transfer, he left Father Juan Montana and Jose Gargallo to assist him. Until 1931, when they withdrew service here at Soledad the Claretian Fathers were brought upon our parish with the pastorship of Rev. Bonifacio Mayer, CMF. * The picture to the right is the Solemn procession of the Corpus of Guadalupe to Soledad* Our Lady of Solitude School Back in 1926, Mrs. John Lyons came from Chicago to speak with the Pastor of our church. She asked him a couple of questions leading them to speak on what the community needed the most, his answer being, “a grammar school”. Although the Adoratrices had their education in Spanish classes, sewing, and handicrafts, this form of learning was the first official formal education, it was the beginning of something prosperous for the community. A year later the school had been built, and up and running with the help of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. They opened classrooms for up to eight grades in September 1927, and even the sisters settled down and found a home near the community.

Marriage by the church, is a sacred moment for the man and the lady in partnership. As this builds and strengthens the bond, they are making a promise to remain together Marriage Colossians 3:14 - “And over all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Marriage Marriage by the church, is a sacred moment for the man and the lady in partnership. As this builds and strengthens the bond, they are making a promise to remain together through the end of times alongside God and the Holy Catholic Church. Being said in the Nuptial Blessings during a liturgical celebration of marriage, “Father, you have made the union of man and wife so holy a mystery that it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his Church.” Since marriage shall take place at a temple, our church is awaiting your visit to make this your place of faith and union with your partner. Below are what we require of you for this celebration. *The procedure of getting married by the catholic church is different for everyone and that is why you must call our office to make an appointment to speak with the Priest. By doing this, he will make sure to guide you and show you what's required of you and of your partner in order to proceed with the following.* All the documents asked for are more a protection than a control. Matrimony is an institution protected by the State and by the Church. The state protects the social dimension, while the Church protects the religious dimension. They bboth have a right to ask for certain legal requirements. THE STATE Application for a Marriage License: There are different offices where you can obtain a license. The closest one here is at Centro Maravilla, 4716 Cesar Chavez Avenue (between Dangler and Arizona Avenues). For information about the cost of the license, call (323) 260-2991. If you are underage, you must provide proof of age with the appropriate documents. Minors are subject to special regulations. YOU DO NOT NEED A BLOOD TEST. NOTE: You do not have to be married civilly to be married by the Church. When you are married by the Church, it is both a civil and a sacramental marriage (two-in-one). But you must bring that license to the priest before the marriage. THE CHURCH 1. Baptismal Certificate You must obtain a recently dated copy of your Baptism Certificate. You must go to the church of your baptism, or write to them asking for a recently dated copy. 2. Confirmation and First Communion Certificates A photocopy of the original certificates is sufficient. I f you have difficulties in obtaining these, let the priest know. 3. Banns Marriage is not a private matter. In your parish, if you do not live in La Soledad Parish, you must let them know of your forthcoming marriage and they, like here, will announce your marriage in three weeks. 4. Pre-marriage Instructions The priest will indicate these to you. 5. Testimony of Two Family Members Your parents, or other family members, must come in and swear and sign documents indicating that you are free to marry. 6. Pre-marriage Questionnaire The priest will do this investigation before your marriage. 7. Persons who have been Married Civilly (not through the Church) The priest will explain the procedure you must take. 8. Details of the Religious Ceremony This matter will be discussed with the priest, in regards to flowers, photography, video, etc. No picture taking after the ceremony. No rice throwing as you leave. No throwing flower petals in Church. Note: Please call our Parish office 6 months in advance of your celebration. DONATION: $500.00 (This does not include music). For music information, please call the Rectory office at (323) 269-7248 For more information or questions, contact our Parish Office. Our Lady of Solitude Office: (323) 269-7248 LaSoledad@sbcglobal.net