Identity
Fostering Cultural Diversity and Catholic Identity
The word “catholic” means “universal” … “embracing the whole universe.” Jesus came as “Son of David,” a child of the Jewish people. But he came also as “Son of Man,” a child of all humanity. Like Jesus, we are all children of some people or another: Filipinos or Salvadorans or Mexicans or Irish. Yet in Jesus we are children of God — one family in his Catholic Church. Jesus gave his Church the mission to proclaim this good news and to make this beautiful vision a reality, beginning in every human heart.
We must break down every barrier — pride, racism, fear — that keeps us from loving. We can’t stay stuck in our own communities. We can’t look at ourselves only as “Filipino Catholics” or “Hispanic Catholics” or Catholics from this or that neighborhood. These identities are important. But our identity in faith calls us to be much more. To be Catholic means we are sons and daughters — not only of our earthly parents, but of God. Faith requires us to reach beyond our boundaries, our backgrounds, and our customary ways of doing things. We have so much to share with our brothers and sisters and so much to learn from them.
News & Events on Identity
Exhibit brings 250 years of LA Catholic history
Standing outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on an overcast morning, Sister M. Anncarla Costello and Fa... READ MORE »
For SoCal folklorico group, dancing is an act of faith
They come from all walks of life — psychologists, lab technicians, post office workers, public school employees, ... READ MORE »
In it for the ‘long run’
Each Monday and Thursday, at 5:45 a.m., LA Superior Court Judge Craig J. Mitchell meets his people in front of down... READ MORE »
Mary shrine recognizes Vietnamese Catholics
A late Saturday afternoon sunbeam danced in geometric patterns up and down the cobalt blue wind-furled veil, soon t... READ MORE »
Feeling (and seeing) the LA Catholic impact
A new report offers a detailed picture of just how much Los Angeles-area Catholics have stepped up to help those in... READ MORE »
Order of Malta brings holiday cheer to those in need
In the predawn hours of Thanksgiving morning, as record-breaking rain pounds downtown Los Angeles, a soft light is ... READ MORE »
Identity Highlighted on Social Media
The Archbishop on Identity
“We need to help our neighbors to see that every creature has a purpose in God’s creation, that all things speak to us of God, and the Creator is reflected in everything he creates — and especially in the human person made in his image and likeness.”
