Queen of Angels Catholic Church
Queen of Angels Catholic Church began with a nucleus of
traditional Catholics who left their local parishes when the Latin Mass
was no longer offered. As early as 1971 these faithful souls began to
meet in home chapels and temporary facilities in order to attend Mass
offered by the many traditional priests who through the years came to
administer to their spiritual needs.
In 1988, Fr. Dominic Radecki, CMRI, was assigned to Queen of Angels as the
resident pastor shortly after his ordination to the priesthood. At the
time, the parish was centered in a chapel in Granada Hills. With the
rapid growth of the parish, Father Dominic soon found that a larger
facility was needed. Father and the parishioners spent five years
praying, fund raising and searching for a new church to meet the needs
of the growing parish.
The efforts and prayers of Father and his parishioners came to fruition
in 1992 with the purchase of the small church about 30 miles from Los
Angeles in Santa Clarita, on the corner of 6th Street and Newhall
Avenue, across from Hart Park. Escrow closed on April 28, 1993, and
several weeks later, on June 6, the church was solemnly blessed by
Bishop Mark Pivarunas. Through the sacrifices, dedication and prayers
of everyone involved, the church was paid off two years ahead of
schedule. On May 4, 1997, Bishop Mark Pivarunas presided over the
mortgage-burning ceremony.
The building, which had previously been a “Church of Christ,” is the
oldest church in Santa Clarita. Since its purchase, Queen of Angels’ membership has increased
considerably and the parish continues to grow. Newcomers often describe their first visit as "coming home".
For the convenience of his parishioners, Father has provided an
excellent parish library with many rare and out-of-print books. Good
DVDs, CDs and videos are also available for check out. In addition,
there is a small religious goods store that offers a variety of
religious objects, statues and books.
Queen of Angels Church serves a large area, with many members coming
from distances of 25, 40 and even over a hundred miles away, and has
many active and thriving organizations:
The Knights of the Altar organization consists of young boys,
young men and adult men who serve Mass and assist at processions,
Benediction and other liturgical functions. They
have occasional outings. Click here to learn more about the Knights of the Altar.
The Confraternity of Christian Mothers was established to
provide guidance and support for Catholic mothers, especially in the
spiritual and moral formation of their children. It is open to all
mothers and grandmothers, regardless of age, and focuses on the
spiritual growth of its members. The Confraternity’s meetings provide
useful information on ways and means to inculcate Christian values in
the lives of their children and grandchildren, providing a much-needed
defense against the prevalent dangers threatening families.
Click here to learn more about the Confraternity of Christian Mothers.
The Confraternity of Mary Immaculate Queen is open to all adult
members of the parish and meets monthly, usually on First Saturdays. It
includes prayers and talks which foster the interior life, prayer and
union with God. In short, it provides valuable spiritual direction for
those who desire a closer relationship with God. Click here to learn more about The Confraternity of Mary Immaculate Queen.
The Parish Choir has a dedicated choir director who trains and leads
children, teens and adults in liturgical music. In addition to English and Latin hymns for low
and high Masses, both the Christmas and Easter Vigil Midnight Masses are
enriched by the choir’s lovely singing.
Queen of Angels has several different levels of Catechism classes. For
instruction in First Confession and First Holy Communion, the children
are fortunate to be taught by teachers who are extremely dedicated and
conscientious on their behalf. The parish also provides doctrinal and
Biblical instruction for the older children who have already made their
First Holy Communion. The Baltimore Catechism is the basis for all
these classes.
Adult members of the parish also have access to instruction in the
Catholic Faith in the Adult Instruction and Confirmation Class, which
meets on the second and fourth Sunday of the month and includes
instruction for both catechumens and cradle Catholics. Classes are also
provided for both children and adults preparing for the sacrament of
Confirmation. Click here to learn more about Queen of Angels Catechism classes.
During Lent, Father schedules the Stations of the Cross and the evening Mass every Friday followed by a complimentary potluck dinner. A Day of Recollection is held every Lent.
Father also hears confessions, administers Baptisms, handles a
multitude of sick calls and administration of the Last Sacraments, and
provides marriage instruction classes and marriage counseling.
Throughout the year he officiates at weddings, funerals, rosary
processions, and the Corpus Christi procession.
Queen of Angels Catholic Church has been the topic of favorable
articles in the secular press. Father Dominic has been interviewed
approximately twelve times regarding the parish and the traditional
Catholic Faith.
The parishioners are grateful to God for the blessings of their parish and for their dedicated pastor.
|