A Testimonial from Stephen L
After losing my partner of sixteen years, Timmy H., in December of 2008, I began to feel a need to find a new spiritual home. I don't do very well in new social situations so I was nervous about it. I was raised Roman Catholic, attending Catholic Schools for twelve years, and I wanted to stay in a Catholic tradition. I had tried my local Catholic parish but had never felt that it was right for me. A friend of mine had attended All Saints Highland Park several years before and said that it was a very good experience. In addition I had recently learned that several people from the Los Angeles Catholic Worker sing in the choir. So my thought was, "Well, at least I will know someone." I took the plunge. Early in February 2009 I walked up the path to the "A" Frame Church I had passed so many times. At the door I was met by a hugely smiling Fr. Tom Callard. He introduced himself, welcomed me (obviously knowing I was new - a surprise in itself) and asked my name. The traditional Mass was just what I was looking for. The diversity of the congregation even more so. But the "kicker was that on my way out Fr. Tom remembered my name and had a welcome packet ready for me. I filled out the packet and mailed it. To my surprise Fr, Tom followed up and arranged a meeting. He gave me an hour, a full hour, of his time listening to my grief and the reasons I had searched for a new church. I must say that it was several years before I felt at home at my last church. Within two weeks I was at home at All Saints, jumping right in to help with the many needed fix-it projects. I feel needed and wanted. I'm home.
