As the last Augustinian Recollect parochial vicar at San Miguel Church in Watts (Los Angeles), it was a pleasure to read in the Oct.31, 2008 issue of the Tidings, Hermine Lees' thumbnail history of that parish.
I had always heard that it was in gratitude for the financial help of the parishioners of St. Michael’s Parish in Los Angeles that the new parish chose the name San Miguel.
The article was unable to give a list of the pastors in San Miguel's early days. They were: Gabriel Pérez, August-November, 1929; Nicholas Zabalza, November 1929-December, 1932 and March 1949-May 1943; Damian Gobeo, December 1932-March 1933; Louis Buldain, March 1933-July 1936; Theophane Mayora, July 1936-November 1937; Francis Lapieza, November 1937-March 1939; Plácido Lanz, May 1943-April 1948; Jesús Domench, May 1948-April 1951; Javier Iturri, May 1951-May 1954; Marcos Nicolas, May 1954-May 1957; Joseph Santiago, June 1957-June, 1963. All were Augustinian Recollects.
The Vatican, on July 4, 2008, approved the validity of the diocesan process for the beatification of Bishop Alphonse Gallegos, OAR, who was pastor in San Miguel from 1972 to 1978. His cause continues to move forward.
Congratulations to Ms. Lees for her interesting article.
James D. McGuire, OAR
St. Benedict Church
1022 West Cleveland Avenue
Montebello, CA 90640 tel: (323) 721-1185/fax: (323) 721-5075
