By Natalie Romano, OSV News
As the Eaton Fire ravaged homes, local Catholics have mobilised to aid evacuees grappling with loss and uncertainty.
Local pastor Father Gilbert Guzmán recently visited the Pasadena Convention Centre to offer blessings and prayers, reminding evacuees—including his parishioners—of God’s enduring love.
“We have each other and we have the love that unites us, the love of God,” Father Guzmán said. “That love gives us hope, gives us strength and helps us to persevere through these difficult times.”
While relieved his church narrowly avoided destruction, Father Guzmán hurts for the parishioners who suddenly found themselves homeless. He prayed with Kevin Posada, who only had time to grab some spare clothes as he fled with his parents and siblings. Posada says he was heartbroken to learn all his possessions were gone, but believes God will provide.
“In the midst of the chaos, I was thinking, ‘God, I know this is not the end, this is the beginning of a new chapter,’” said Posada, a Sacred Heart parishioner. “I have an intimate relationship with God, and I trust he’s going to give us seven times what was taken away.”
Nearby, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary School has hosted World Central Kitchen, where celebrity chef Tyler Florence is working alongside local chefs to serve meals to disaster victims.
Volunteers at St Philip the Apostle Church in Pasadena, many fire victims themselves, have distributed donations while comforting the displaced.
Campus minister Krista Corbello leveraged her experience of living in hurricane-prone Louisiana, and put out a donation wish list for evacuees.
Parishioners quickly fulfilled it and distributed what was needed. Corbello summed up the community’s spirit: “The hope is holding hands with the grief.”
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