Cardinal Roger Mahony joined Rev. Jose Magana at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Hollywood to celebrate Christmas Day Masses with parishioners who felt the spirit of the day, and the church’s Contemporary Ensemble raised their voices in joyous music.
“On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day the whole world stops to welcome the mystery of God dwelling on our midst,” Father Magana said before the service. “The gift of Christmas is celebrated so different by so many cultures and peoples, but the message is the same at its core. God wanting to bring salvation to us all and in a human and fragile way. So what does that mean for me as a pastor, fellow Christian, and member of the larger world family? I am called to uplift the brokenness that I experience in others and embrace God in their midst. I pray we may be a bit kinder and more loving to all.”
Cardinal Roger Mahony joins the recessional following a Christmas Day Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Hollywood, CA Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. The service was one of the three morning services in addition to a bilingual event in the afternoon.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Cardinal Roger Mahony presides over a Christmas Day Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Hollywood, CA Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. The service was one of the three morning services in addition to a bilingual event in the afternoon.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Parishioners participate in a Christmas Day Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Hollywood, CA Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. The service was one of the three morning services in addition to a bilingual event in the afternoon.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Cardinal Roger Mahony greets parishioners following a Christmas Day Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Hollywood, CA Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. The service was one of the three morning services in addition to a bilingual event in the afternoon.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church welcomes parishioners for a Christmas Day Mass in North Hollywood, CA Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. The service was one of the three morning services in addition to a bilingual event in the afternoon.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Cardinal Roger Mahony presides over a Christmas Day Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Hollywood, CA Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. The service was one of the three morning services in addition to a bilingual event in the afternoon.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Cardinal Roger Mahony presides over a Christmas Day Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Hollywood, CA Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. The service was one of the three morning services in addition to a bilingual event in the afternoon.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Parishioners gather for a Christmas Day Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Hollywood, CA Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. The service was one of the three morning services in addition to a bilingual event in the afternoon.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Parishioners participate in a Christmas Day Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Hollywood, CA Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. The service was one of the three morning services in addition to a bilingual event in the afternoon.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Cardinal Roger Mahony presides over a Christmas Day Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Hollywood, CA Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. The service was one of the three morning services in addition to a bilingual event in the afternoon.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Cardinal Roger Mahony spreads incense smoke during a Christmas Day Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Hollywood, CA Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. The service was one of the three morning services in addition to a bilingual event in the afternoon.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Rev. Jose Magaña joins Cardinal Roger Mahoney for a Christmas Day Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Hollywood, CA Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. The service was one of the three morning services in addition to a bilingual event in the afternoon.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
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Cardinal Roger Mahony joins the recessional following a Christmas Day Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Hollywood, CA Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. The service was one of the three morning services in addition to a bilingual event in the afternoon.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Mahony, the retired Archbishop Emeritus of Los Angeles, was the first native Angeleno to lead the archdiocese, served at the helm from 1985 to 2011.
The church, an eye-catching architectural landmark for those who pass by the corner of Lankershim Boulevard and Moorpark Street, is part of the San Fernando Pastoral Region within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
The liturgical Christmas season for Roman Catholics, and also some other Christian church denominations, begins with the Nativity of the Lord and ends with the Baptism of the Lord, Jan. 11. The Christmas season also includes Epiphany, traditionally observed on Jan. 6 — when the Magi or the “three wise men” — are said to have arrived at the Nativity in Bethlehem after following a star, according to the gospel of Matthew 2:1.