St Joseph the Worker

I actually have churches closer to me, but I take the extra drive to go to this place. It has a very close-​knit community feel, but I come here for one reason, Father Kevin. He is definitely their best asset. His sermons are inspiring and at times educational. I always look forward to jump starting my week after hearing one of his masses.

This church was a bit older and the alter was towards the middle of the church — there was a big wall where the «front» of the church and alter normally goes but I don’t know what was back there. We came to this church for the 1^st time as we are from out of town. The priests’ homily ended with an applause by the congregation which I find very odd. The communion sung by the choir was also applauded for. I don’t get that.

Father Rettig gives amazing sermons! I really enjoy coming to this church regularly. God bless :)

I went to this church on May 5, 2013 to surprise my grandma co-​worker friend and to also visit one of my childhood home cities in Reseda, CA. Do not judge a book by its cover. Although the church looks like any typical Catholic church when you drive by inside the church there is a different story.
I went to all 3 of the English Sunday masses, 7:30 am, 9:30 am, and the 11:30 am. I felt the Holy Spirit pulling me to come here one Sunday morning after going to an interview in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday. My heart was heavy worrying about the past, present, and future, and needed a place to pray and ask forgiveness to Jesus. I prayed before walking in the church and after entering the church I felt this overwhelming peace. I’ve experienced the welcoming diverse community with its warm smiles, gentle handshakes, loving message of peace, and beautiful music.
Their altar is so widely decorated with a rainbow cloth veil stretching gracefully and carefully from one end of the altar table to the other side in layers of color. I’ve never seen something so beautiful anything like this!
Hearing the flute and female singer soloists made me feel peaceful during the 7:30 am mass which had mostly elderly members.
The 9:30 am mass was mixed age and had a more lively yellow uniformed choir singing upbeat and traditional Catholic Christian music.
The 11:30 am mass was specifically for the college age and youth members. I happened to sit in the seating section all the way next to the band to analyze and enjoy its creativity. I just love listening to the harmonies of the young singers, the rhythms and melodies of the electric and bass guitars, the female choir leader and male pianist lead singers, and that The BOX percussionist made me feel like dancing in my seat.
I like how at the beginning of each mass all the members are encouraged to greet one another. Plus, one can meet members of the parish at the end of the mass at the church’s famous bake sale under a shade outside the parking lot and gift shop located at the entrance of the church. This sign of fellowship reminds me of my own home church at my current city.
It was beautiful to see the confirmed children and adults during each mass walk up to present themselves by the alter in front of the church community for a blessing as part of their rites as Christians into the Catholic Church. Everyone and myself raised our hands pointed and prayed towards these new members, and I just felt an ocean wave of love and support for them. Hallelujah!
Most importantly, I appreciated that the pastor in the church encourages weekly Bible study sessions and refers to scripture with his examples during his lecture. I believe that a church with the love of studying and living the word of God will flourish with the presence of the Holy Spirit that the Lord Jesus gave to us as a helper to all man.
«We live in a world that is round and not in a world that is flat with sides. We are connected and belong to each other as brothers and sisters one in Christ.»
–Father Kevin Rettig, Pastor
We stand for peace, acceptance, and love. God is love. Jesus loved and known the Father, and when we accept Jesus in our lives and abide in His love, we have love and known the Father also and are free.
John 17:20−25, John 15:7−17, 1 Corinthians 13:4−13