On a warm Wednesday evening, around 50 people gathered in front of Resurrection Church in Boyle Heights. They lit candles, held rosaries, and distributed N-95 masks and poster boards. The group prepared to pray and to stand against the challenges facing their community once more.
For over a century, the 103-year-old Catholic parish has been a symbol of hope and resistance for locals upset by the latest injustices affecting the heart of Latino Los Angeles. The recent Lineage warehouse fire, occurring about a mile away nearly two months ago, continues to fill the church with the foul stench of decomposing food each morning.
Sofia Quinones, speaking at the vigil, stated, “We pray because we have suffered for a century due to environmental racism.” Around her, people wore T-shirts displaying a phoenix from the church bulletin, symbolizing Boyle Heights rising from the ashes of the warehouse fire.
As Quinones paused, an LAPD helicopter could be heard issuing orders to a shooting suspect from above. She resumed her speech, praying, “We ask that you open the hearts and minds of the powerful. We ask you, Lord, to help us.”
The community recited the Lord’s Prayer and a Hail Mary, then marched from the church entrance to the school’s multipurpose room for a teach-in on the Lineage issue. They sang a song based on Psalm 118, expressing faith and determination.
Resurrection Church is known in Catholic and activist circles across Southern California. Over the years, parishioners have faced significant challenges, including proposed prisons, environmental hazards, gang violence, gentrification, the COVID-19 pandemic, and now, the warehouse fire. These issues have affected the livelihoods of residents, forcing them to stay indoors as pests overrun the area.
Father Jorge Moncada, the new priest at Resurrection, remarked, “They’ve been through a lot and carried a lot of burdens. But they’ve responded, they have risen to fight against injustice again and again.”
Moncada is learning from Monsignor John Moretta, affectionately known as Padre Juan. The 85-year-old priest shared insights on his work among the community. Despite many challenges since he arrived in 1983, he remains hopeful, stating, “Sin never stops, but I’m an idealist.”
Throughout its history, Resurrection Church has played a crucial role in Latino politics in Los Angeles. The Mothers of East Los Angeles, a well-known group, organized from the church’s pews, opposing developments threatening their community. Political figures, including the late L.A. County Supervisor Gloria Molina and former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, have collaborated with Moretta and parishioners on various initiatives.
Alma Marquez, founder of the Protect LA Now coalition, spoke passionately at a town hall after the vigil, addressing nearly 90 attendees about the ongoing impact of the Lineage fire. Personal experiences of displacement and renewed faith in their Catholic beliefs fueled her resolve.
A framed image of Our Lady of Guadalupe adorned the room where Marquez engaged with attendees. The meeting brought together diverse participants, united in their determination to take action.
Local residents like Cynthia Rios and Maria E. Morales are leading the charge within their communities. Morales, a longtime parishioner, reflected on past efforts, expressing confidence in future growth, “Without God, we’re nothing and not going anywhere.”