Sheriff, archbishop bring Christmas faith to inmates at LA County detention center
Christmas Day in Los Angeles County included the customary Masses and church services celebrating the birth of Jesus along with annual events providing meals to the homeless and poor. One service was particularly poignant, as Archbishop José H. Gomez brought the faith to inmates in custody on the birthday of Christians’ savior.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department leadership and faith leaders hosted a Christmas Day service at the Century Regional Detention Facility, highlighting the agency’s jail chaplaincy and religious services programs.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna and Sheriff’s Department executives over saw the event at the facility, located at 11705 S. Alameda St. in Lynwood. Media and participants in the event had to navigate through extensive security measures.
Nearly 200 inmates attended the service.
The two story great room with cells on both floors were covered in decorations that the inmates made themselves.
Gomez told the inmates that God is always with us especially on Christmas. He concluded with a prayer and said, “We pray that all the incarcerated feel your presence”
The Religious and Volunteer Services Office operates the jail chaplaincy program, coordinates religious services in county jails, and connects inmates with clergy of their own faiths, the Sheriff’s Department said.
A Religious Advisory Council of liaison chaplains representing Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, Jewish, Islamic, Christian Scientist, and Jehovah’s Witness communities works with the office.
The council sets policies for religious programs and directly manages custody and accommodation issues.
According to the department, religious services in custody cover Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Protestant, Orthodox and Reform Jewish, Buddhist, Jehovah’s Witness, Christian Scientist, Latter-day Saints, and Muslim traditions.
The chaplains provide services to both widely practiced and smaller faiths, support rehabilitation, and community reintegration under the supervision of department officials.
Meanwhile, an English-language Christmas Day Mass was celebrated at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels while Archbishop Gomez celebrated the 12:30 p.m. Mass in Spanish.
“This Christmas let us once again open our hearts to remember that we are wonderfully created and still more wonderfully restored,” Gomez said in a statement.
“We have a great worth and dignity in God’s eyes. Each one of us. Let us allow Christmas to give our lives a new sense of our purpose. Everything we do now, let us do for love, and out of thanksgiving for this beautiful gift of his love.”
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.
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.
Rain-soaked Southlanders got a Christmas morning break from showers before another surge of precipitation was expected to drench the region anew.
“Showers are expected to become more scattered Friday but most areas should get at least some additional rain through Friday and possible into early Saturday morning,” forecasters said.
The first wave of a “very dangerous” atmospheric river storm dumped sometimes-torrential rain on the area Wednesday, with double-digit precipitation falling in some mountain areas, freeway flooding and fears of debris flows in recent burn areas, where residents were under evacuation warnings or orders.
In a year in which wildfires impacted so much, the faithful — including those who suffered loss in the fires — gathered at still-standing churches, and some, at shared parishes, where displaced congregations would call home for the past year.
As usual during the holidays, the Laugh Factory planned to serve more than 2,000 free dinners to those in need at its 45th annual free Christmas dinner and show.
Tim Allen, Tiffany Haddish, Craig Robinson, Paul Rodriguez and Dane Cook were the comedians serving food and performing. Every child in attendance received a free toy.
“We can all show our holiday spirit by doing something to help people in need,” Laugh Factory President David Fuhrer said in a statement.
For the 39th year, a free Christmas Day dinner was served at Hollywood United Methodist Church from noon-3 p.m.
All in attendance received personal care items, while children will receive toys. The dinner was co-hosted by Temple Israel of Hollywood.
The Midnight Mission hosted a traditional holiday meal and hygiene kit and winter essentials giveaway for individuals and families in need.
In his Christmas message, President Donald Trump said, “The first lady and I send our warmest wishes to all Americans as we share in the joy of Christmas Day and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
” … This Christmas, we also give thanks for the many blessings that God has bestowed upon our great nation. For nearly 250 years, the principles of faith, family, and freedom have remained at the center of our way of life,” Trump added.
City News Service contributed to this report