Events & News

Thousands of faithful gathered at Catholic cemeteries across Southern California on Memorial Day to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles hosted solemn Memorial Day Masses at eleven Catholic cemeteries in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties, drawing families, veterans, clergy, and civic leaders in a unified act of remembrance. The Masses began simultaneously at 10:00 a.m., with each cemetery offering a unique yet reverent tribute to the fallen. At Assumption Cemetery in Simi Valley, Archbishop José H. Gómez presided over the liturgy, delivering a homily that emphasized the Christian hope in eternal life and the enduring gratitude owed to those who served. “We remember not only their sacrifice,” Archbishop Gómez said, “but also the hope we share in Christ’s resurrection.” In Santa Barbara, the faithful gathered at Calvary Cemetery, where the Mass was celebrated in the shadow of the Santa Ynez Mountains. (more...)

Despite a heatwave bringing triple-digit weather, the faithful of our LA Archdiocese communities paid homage and reverence to our Blessed Mother at Catholic Cemeteries & Mortuaries' annual Mother's Day Rosary prayer service. Mary, our beloved mother of all mothers, received our prayers at all 11 Catholic Cemetery locations. Together with the prayer service, petitions and prayer requests were collected from our patrons at each cemetery to be included at the offertory of Archbishop Gomez' July 5th Mass as he travels on pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City in July. A special livestreamed Rosary was offered at San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Mission Hills, with the prayer service led by Sr. Clarinda and Sr. Lourdes, Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, located in San Fernando. Sr. Clarinda also cantored the prayer service, uplifting Mary with song. San Fernando Mission Cemetery staff and grounds, Mission Hills Catholic Mortuary staff, and the Outreach ministry came together as a community to coordinate, host, and participate in the prayer service. (more...)

The Catholic Cemeteries & Mortuaries Ministry of Consolation is proud to announce the launch of an 8-session Bereavement Training Program designed to strengthen parish ministry by providing comprehensive training and support to those seeking to assist with bereavement ministry and parish funerals. This program is designed to equip participants with comprehensive skills and knowledge to offer compassionate and practical support to grieving families and individuals within their parish communities. The training will cover various aspects of bereavement ministry, including emotional support, funeral planning, and pastoral care, ensuring that participants are well-prepared to serve their communities during times of loss. (more...)

If you live in Southern California and you’ve reached a certain age, someday you may find yourself at a Golden Future Senior Expo. Maybe you’ll go for the free health screenings, retirement-planning seminars, the latest scoop on Medicare, or to hang out and collect “swag” with your age-old friends. Whether you planned to or not, you may also find yourself learning more about final-needs planning from a Catholic perspective, no less. Catholic Cemeteries & Mortuaries is just one of many familiar names that turn out for Golden Future events, which take place in locations throughout SoCal each year. If it’s somewhere in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, odds are our Community Outreach team will be hosting a booth there. Inevitably, thousands of visitors attend these events, where they may spend a couple of hours winding their way through the exhibits. They offer a vast assortment of services – financial planning, estate planning, reverse mortgages, healthcare, assisted living, and, yes, final-needs planning. (more...)

At Calvary Cemetery in East Los Angeles, Palm Sunday ranks among the most meaningful of days each year as it hosts the Passion of the Lord – reenacting Christ’s suffering and sacrifice for humanity through his death on the cross. This year’s Passion was no exception, and in fact may have held deeper meaning than most, coming after a missed year in 2024 when the main mausoleum was undergoing a series of much-needed renovations and repairs. The Passion’s staying power was clear, as several hundred spectators turned out at the storied cemetery on Sunday, April 13, where some 75 performers from nearby Resurrection Church played out the climatic hours of Christ’s time on earth. Led by Msgr. John Moretta, who provided the narration, and Miguel Alfaro, who played the role of Christ, they brought to life the 2,000-year-old tale: the Son of God’s betrayal, his arrest, his trial and condemnation to death, before bearing his cross on the grueling walk to Mt. Calvary, where he was crucified between two lowly thieves.. (more...)