January 10, 2025
Dear Friends,
We have all been heartbroken this week to see the ferocity and devastation of the fires in Los Angeles which, more than three days into this nightmare, are still blazing. Los Angeles has been a hub of Jesuit ministry for more than a century, and it is not only one of the country’s most densely populated urban areas, but also the home of ten Jesuit apostolates and four communities. And although our province stretches across ten states, right now we are all Angelenos as we hold our sisters and brothers in our prayers.
We have been in close contact with our colleagues and brother Jesuits and are grateful to know that, at this moment, everyone is safe, and we thank God for that. We also know, however, that many of our colleagues, students, parishioners and friends have lost everything, and even those who have been spared have a grandmother, an aunt, a sister or a close family member who lost their home. This is a disaster of unprecedented proportions.
We have heard from some of our institutions and, as you can imagine, they are being impacted by this tragedy, both directly and indirectly. They are also actively working to determine the best way to respond to needs. While this list might expand, I would suggest that if you are looking to help, please consider making a donation to one of the following:
- Loyola High School Cura Personalis Fund
- Verbum Dei Jesuit High School
- Proyecto Pastoral
- Catholic Charities Los Angeles Wildfire Relief
- Archdiocese of Los Angeles Fire Relief Fund
John 15:13 says, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." When I think about that verse, I picture an LA firefighter or first responder, exhausted and covered in soot. We may not know the full scope of the devastation of the LA fires for quite some time, but we know that God has been so good to us in sending heroic, brave men and women to give us hope when all seems hopeless.
With prayers for the fire’s containment and for everyone affected.
Yours in Christ,
Sean Carroll, SJ
Provincial, Jesuits West