by the Rev. Canon Pat McCaughan
Members of St. Matthew’s Church represent “the prophets we need at this time in our world,” Bishop Antonio José Gallardo Lucena told the Pacific Palisades congregation Aug. 30, 2026, during the first official visitation of his episcopate.
“If I didn’t know what you’ve been through, I would not have imagined what you’ve been through,” said Gallardo, referring to the Jan. 7, 2025 fire that destroyed multiple school and several residential dwellings and damaged others on the 28-acre campus. About three-quarters of the congregation’s 500 families, along with the rector and associate rectors, lost their homes.
Preaching from Jeremiah 15:15-21, Gallardo noted that, while the prophet is exhausted, wounded, lonely, angry, and questions his call, God doesn’t require him to pretend otherwise. “God actually asked him not to let the wound become the source of his message,” Gallardo said.
Similarly, communities like St. Matthew’s “are forged by radical grace and animated by God’s spirit” and emerge from challenges with stronger faith, more openness to welcoming new people, resiliency and committed to spread the good news through their outreach efforts.
The Rev. Canon Melissa McCarthy, priest-in-charge and other clergy “told me that you are fertile ground seeking to develop an even closer relationship with Jesus Christ, and they also told me that for some reason, you give the longest peace ever. In my short time here, I have experienced the warmth of this community. I have seen you caring for one another, smiling, hopeful,” he said.
“We are so excited to welcome Bishop Antonio here for his first official visitation as our diocesan bishop,” McCarthy said. “It’s been a great day. We celebrated the Eucharist. We’re welcoming our school back for their fall semester, the first time they’ve been on campus since the fire.” Plans are underway to rebuild, an effort that will probably take about five years, she said.
“There’s lots going on. It’s wonderful to have the bishop’s blessing on all this incredible work.”
Tarek Shahla, St. Matthew’s junior warden, and a lifelong Episcopalian, said his family joined the community several years ago, initially because of the warm welcome they received when visiting. “Everyone was so friendly, I thought they thought I was somebody’s son and mistook me for somebody else. I didn’t know what to do. Then I realized they’re actually that friendly,” he said.
“We became part of the community, helping people in greater Los Angeles, people of Episcopal faith, people not of faith, people on the street, doing whatever they can tirelessly. Everyone’s involved in one way or another, in multiple ways, in ministry.”
Kathy Bitting said her children and a grandchild went to St. Matthew’s school. Her husband Bill was an acolyte at St. Matthews “at seven or eight. He’s now 87. He still finds coming to church, as I do each Sunday, a great reminder of what St. Matthew’s means to us and to our family and our faith.”
Gallardo added: “You, the good people of St. Matthew’s, are the prophets we need at this time in the world,” Gallardo said. “You have opened your homes. You have made phone calls. You have found temporary places to worship. You have cooked meals. You help children return to school. You listen to stories that were painful, to stay connected when geography tried to separate you. And you kept showing up … refusing to allow destruction to have the final word. You have, and you continue to grieve. You will remember. You will reveal. You will carry one another. You will speak what is precious and you will continue to follow Jesus, not because suffering is good, but because love is stronger than suffering. God is with you.”
Photos by Justin and Josué Baker-Rojas