In Memoriam
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Joan Smock
Long-time Guild member and former past President (1978–1979), Joan Smock recently departed this earthly life to enter into eternal life with her loving God. This information comes from Joan’s sister, Sister Lisa Megaffin SND. “Joan was a dedicated educator for more than 30 years with Downey Unified School District…community volunteer…leader of the OLPH Women’s Guild…” A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Manhattan Beach, California on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., with a reception immediately following. The Mass will also be live-streamed through the American Martyrs website. In lieu of flowers, her family requests memorial donations to the Sisters of Notre Dame (c/o Mission Advancement, 1776 Hendrix Ave.,…
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Bishop David O’Connell
All the Funeral Services will be live-streamed. Follow the LA Catholic link below. Wednesday, March 1, 2023: Memorial Mass with St. John Vianney Community at 7:00 pm. Thursday, March 2, 2023: Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels at 7:00 pm. Friday, March 3, 2023: Funeral Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels at 11:00 am The OLPH Women’s Guild is offering a special Mass for the repose of the soul of Bishop David O’Connell on Sunday, March 26, 2023 at 9:30 am STATEMENT FROM ARCHBISHOP JOSÉ H. GOMEZ ON THE DEATH OF AUXILIARY BISHOP DAVID O’CONNELL February 18, 2023 I am very…
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Patricia Marie Wilson
June 28, 1931 – November 6, 2022 Patricia Marie Hawkins Wilson, a 76-year resident of Downey, passed away on November 6. She was 91. Funeral Mass was celebrated on December 12, 2022, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Patricia was born at St. Vincent Hospital in Los Angeles on June 28, 1931. The family moved to Boulder City, Nevada in 1932 during the construction of the Hoover Dam where her father transferred with the U.S. Postal Service. The family returned to Southern California in 1944 and settled in South Gate where she completed the 8th grade at St. Helen School. She graduated from Downey High School in 1949. She raised…
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Beverly Jean Baumann
April 2, 1940 – December 4, 2022 Services for Beverly Baumann will be on : at 9:30 am on Monday, January 9, 2023, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Rosary will begin at 9:00 am followed by the Holy Mass. Beverly Bauman was a beloved member of the Catholic Women’s Guild of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and served in the position of Spiritual Development on the board. Starting in 2002, Beverly and her husband gave their artistic talents and time to enhance the environment inside our beautiful church. Her sewing skills were evident in the banners she made for each of the liturgical seasons of the year.…
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Deacon Charles Denisac
A Mass of Remembrance in honor of Deacon Charles Denisac will be celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Wednesday, July 20,2022 at 8:15 am. Please joins us to remember our beloved deacon who joyfully served our parish from 1990 until his passing in 2016.
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Monsignor Jim Gehl
Msgr. Jim Gehl was ordained a priest on May 25, 1974, for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Elizabeth in Altadena, St. Michael’s in Los Angeles, and St. Mary’s in Los Angeles before becoming Associate Director of the Office of Religious Education. He became Director of the Office of Family Life and came to live in residence at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. At Our Lady of Perpetual, he received the assignment as Administrator Pro Tem to serve our parish. He was assigned Administrator Pro Tem at St. Sabastian’s in Los Angeles before becoming Pastor at Sr. Joseph the Worker in Winnetka, followed by…
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Georgie Higson
