“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” Those powerful words from St. Catherine of Siena resonate deeply here at St Catherine of Siena Church.
St Catherine of Siena Church has been a beacon of faith in Reseda, California since its founding in 1949. Imagine Sherman Way back then. Mass was held in the Reseda Theater before a proper church even existed.
Monsignor John Hackett founded St Catherine of Siena Church. He had a vision. He wanted to create something special. In 1950, services moved to what is now Monsignor Hackett Hall.
Growth defined the San Fernando Valley. St Catherine of Siena Church responded. It divided its territory twice. In 1955, St. Bridget of Sweden Church was formed. In 1956, St. Joseph the Worker parish was created.
Easter Sunday 1966 marked a milestone. St Catherine of Siena Church dedicated its large, modern building. But disaster struck in 1994. The Northridge earthquake damaged the church. Services returned to the parish hall for a year. Repairs became the priority.
Monsignor Hackett led St Catherine of Siena Church from 1949 until his retirement in 1981. Monsignor Sean Flanagan then took over until 2002. Father Paul Vigil became pastor in 2002. Fr. Mauricio Goloran is the current pastor since 2016.
St Catherine of Siena Church celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1999. Cardinal Roger Mahony joined Monsignor Flanagan. The Los Angeles Daily News quoted Father Flanagan. He said the Mass reflected changes in the parish and Los Angeles. Nearly 2,000 people attended.
The parish opened a school in 1952. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet staffed it. By the early 1960s, the school had two classrooms for each grade. That is one through eight. Each classroom held 50 to 55 students. The school adapted to changing needs.
The story of St Catherine of Siena Church is one of growth. It is about resilience and devotion. It’s a testament to the enduring spirit of its community. The community continues to worship and serve. They minister to those who thirst for God. It stands as a tribute to Monsignor Hackett’s vision. It embodies the inspiring words of its patron saint.