Saint Peter Chanel Catholic Church

Do not come to the cesspool. It is a terrible church and it should be burnt down. The nativity scene is ugly as well as the bathrooms, confessionals, pews, audio systems, sacristy, altar, rectory, offices and parish hall. In fact, the vestments that the priests use are filthy as well as this church. Ewww. Don’t come to this whorehouse.

to all my brothers and sisters in cristo jesus:
there has been negative shared in all social media regarding homosexuality. let us get one thing straight jesus is love!!! god made us!!! yet god gave us a choice and each of us (souls) will be spoken to, when we leave this earth… in the meantime while we have a chance to change, be one with the blessed trinity let us love, love, love, is what our lord wants. let the heavenly father deal with each of us individually. don’t worry what, who, and why they did it. if you want to know about any and everything about the true church that jesus christ taught us please read your catachism of the catholic church (this is pertinent information from a convert from pentecostal to catholic) ptl!!! everybody no matter what is forgiven… ask the intersession of our blessed mother for the priests to give them guidance and let us stop insulting our own intelligence that god blessed us with and pray for unity, understanding and love… it does no good to get angry and be negative, because at the end of our lives we will be judged according to how we loved! god bless all of the world… mary
ref in catachism of catholic church: chastity & homosexuality page 566 #2357−59

This church crams hatred down the throats of its children. It tells them that homosexuals are inherently bad people, and that the recent ruling of the Supreme Court was carried out by «five men who made very, very bad decisions».
The Priest, Father Broom, emphasized how «bad, bad, bad, bad, bad» homosexuals were, stating that he had to say it five times to make sure the point was «instilled in their sweet, innocent minds.»
He practically admits that what he is saying is hate speech by blatantly saying he is trying to destroy the sweetness and innocence of the children in the room with him.
He also claims the only way to ensure the children won’t grow up to «be sinful» is to enroll them in private Catholic schools. Well, one of my friends who is forced to attend this church by her mother is gay, and her entire experience in a private catholic school was hell for her. She still grew up to be gay, so obviously the private catholic school thing doesn’t work. It sounds to me like this Priest is just trying to con his flock into throwing their money at his interests.
This church, and this priest in particular, collectively create a hateful and fear mongering environment that I recommend keeping away from if you actually value people, and don’t want to be immersed in a life of disgust and exclusivity.

LOVE St Peter Chanel! Went through RCIA, baptized my 6 children and have sent 4 through CCD. I drive 40 mins to bring my kids every Monday to ccd. There is NO CCD anywhere like this CCD.
These kids leave here better equipped than most adults! Sacraments here taken very seriously! Love The reverence and the homilies are what every Catholic Church SHOULD be preaching but sadly are not. LOVE it!

St. Peter Chanel is a marvelous Catholic Church … «The Jewel in the Crown.». The Oblates of the Virgin Mary are truly dedicated to their priestly vocations. Most churches in Long Beach close after daily Mass or if a parishioner can go in a side door, there is no one there praying — but it’s not like this at St. Peter Chanel at all. There are always people in church praying, making a Holy Hour, and adoring the Blessed Sacrament. It’s such a very busy, active parish.
The priests do not sugar coat teachings of the Catholic Church either. They don’t tell you what you want to hear.
It’s a little difficult to get confession there because of the long lines. I wish the parishioners would sit on the bench outside the priest’s confessional for this sacrament instead of stand in line. A sign could be made that reads: «Line for Confession starts here.» This is how it’s done in Europe. It’s difficult for some older people with pains and aches to stand for an hour!
At a Sunday noon Mass, I have counted thirteen altar servers of all ages as they walk in a procession in front of the priest. It’s an honor for young boys and teenagers to be an altar server.
Lots of parishioners genuflect to receive Holy Communion, and I have seen some go up the aisle on their knees. So many devout people … it’s wonderful.
In my opinion, this is the best parish in the Long Beach/​Lakewood/​Hawaiian Gardens area. If you start attending Mass here for a while, you will notice the difference — the holiness and the genuine piety of the priests.
Our lives are over in a flash when compared to Eternity. Eternity is forever and The Oblates always remind the congregation of that. It’s not important to be very happy in this life. It’s important to die in the state of Sanctifying Grace and save our immortal souls.

I was raised in Hawaiian Gardens and been going to this parish since I was a kid. I moved city and still attend this parish for youth groups and for confessional on a daily basis. Fr. Ed. Broom really gives good advice for teens and adults about our faith and our spirituality.

One of the best parishes I have known in my life.
We need lots of SPC communities everywhere.

This is a very beautiful church. I am currently attending this place for some Bible study classes with father broom which you can see on the radio Guadalupe channel. Over all a great experience. He’s a great leader and he speaks Spanish as well.

A diamond in the heart of Southern California. The Lord dwells in this parish for Priest and parishioners adore His presence. The Priest are full of Love and care about the salvation of souls and express the teachings of the church with such love and truth. The Parish has much to offer for Catholics to grow in faith, hope and love. This parish should be a shiny example of what all parishes should be and what all parishioners can become which is to become a true friend of Christ.
I am a convert to Catholicism and have been a Catholic for 3 years and I have never seen Priest on fire such as they are in this Parish. The Priest inspire and challenge you to grow in your faith. The Priest here are true shepherd and they surely do engage to smell like their flock as our Pope Francis has asked all Priest should be doing. I have gone through the RCIA program from another parish and I am out saying to myself is this it and what do I do now. Thanks be to God the Holy Spirit lead to read about the life’s of the saints and listening to many teachings from EWTN/​icatholic radio to help to grow in faith as well as in holiness. Now the Holy Spirit has lead me to this parish to enrich that so that I to can be enflamed and rich to go out and share the gospel with all.
The St. Ignatian Spirituality class here is awesome and taught by Priest! Image that! Almost unheard of these days. This Marian inspired spirituality allows you as individual to understand who you are in the eyes of Christ and how to purify your heart to allow God to grow in you in an atheistic rich secular environment in order to grow in holiness so that as adopted sons or daughters we can become saints.

Reconstruction and NEW Catechetical buildings has finally finished!
Now there are more classrooms for Catechism for children and adult Formation of Faith classes. (they are called Saint Faustina Building, Saint Joseph CCD building & Our Lady Of Mercy is the Old Church Building, also called the small church building or La Pequena Iglesia).
Be aware of the circuitous parking situation. Some repainting & resizing of the spots has taken place, and the placement of little islands can seem like you’ve gotten stranded at the far end of the lot.

I’ve been attending St. Peter Chanel regularly for the past 2 months as I started taking an Ignatian Spirituality class in November 2011. I live 30 miles from this church and I go about 3 times a week, at least once for the class and other times for Mass or Adoration. 60 miles round trip 3 times a week, outside of work, yeah, this place is worth it.
One night while I was at Adoration (when the Eucharist is exposed for viewing… typically placed on an altar, at times with a light focused on it, or with candles flanking it. Wikipedia), and doing my «homework» of meditating on a Scripture reading, a movement caught the corner of my eye — it was a man on his knees making his way to the altar from the back of the church.
*This* is devotion. This is the unabashed display of faith that people in this church have and it puts one to shame. I wasn’t brought up this way, in fact I got Baptized a bit over 2 years ago (long story, I thought I was Catholic) — it makes me cringe a little when I see people kneel for Communion or when people say they can feel the Holy Spirit or «God Bless You» instead of good-​bye — don’t get me wrong, I’m just not that expressive, but these people are.
I say «these people» because not every church is the same. St. Peter Chanel takes it seriously like others have said — their bulletin invites couples living together to consider getting married, they are Pro-​Life to the point of during the homily on the Feast of the Holy Innocents of warning those in the medical profession they have to consider the impact of working with those who do abortions. If you don’t want to hear about the dangers of «living in sin» or abortion or birth control, this is not the church for you. I’m not saying this is the church for me either LOL but my faith has to lead me and right now it led me here.
St. Peter Chanel is old-​school Catholic and they are serious. The difference between spending eternity in Heaven or Hell is serious and this parish does its best to make sure everyone gets there, or at least knows how to get there so that in the end there are no excuses.
When you walk up to the entrances there are signs laying out the dress code — no shorts, strapless or tank tops, low cleavage, visible underwear, etc. and I appreciate that! I do not want to see your boxers or bra straps outside of church, so why would I want to see them during the Mass?
Many women, ok, many more than I’m used to — maybe 5 to 10 — wear mantillas (lace headpieces) to services. I think it is a lovely tradition.
Confessions are heard during EVERY Mass, so if you come in for Mass don’t get confused by the line to the confessional, it is not the line to Mass. An instructor once said that if you walk around and look needy enough a priest would probably come up to you and ask if you wanted to confess anything. They want to save souls!
The church is modern, in fact it reminds me of an office building inside. The archway (sorry, not an architect) to the altar is a high arched ceiling with wooden beams, but the rest of the chapel is modern. The «Crying Room» is more of a lobby at the front of the church. It is glassed in and has a great sound system. I know this sounds mean, but I wish more parents would use the crying room. Kids need to go to church, but everyone also needs to hear the priests! The Crying Room also holds a confessional and the restrooms and water fountain are also located here.
In addition to about 25 confession sessions a week, they have 24-​hour Adoration every Friday (not just First Fridays). During the rest of the week, the chapel is open in between Masses and till 9:30pm for Adoration. I have looked so prayerful I’ve been «locked in» the church a few times LOL, No, they ask you to leave via the back doors and make sure things are locked if you are the last one out. It’s a gift to be in Church alone, it’s only happened to me a few times.
The fathers are Oblates of the Virgin Mary which means they emphasize «to Jesus through Mary» which I also am not used to. If you want to learn about Mary, this is the place.
Check out the Spiritual Exercises —
— I’m signed up for February 2012.
This parish may not be the right «flavor» for all Catholics, but I’m not sure we’re supposed to pick and choose what we want to adhere to and not adhere to in our faith. But don’t listen to me, I’m new.
My other church «homes» — St. Monica’s for one, is liberal to the point of having a welcoming and vibrant Gay and Lesbian Ministry, my RCIA course at St. Anastasia’s was 6 months long as compared to 2 years at other parishes. For me, an «easy» church does not necessarily mean my faith life is going to be as strong as it should be. But I do like my priest who said «Hang in there» after my last confession at St. A’s :)
I believe that this particular church can change your life :)
Oh, BTW they will give Communion on the tongue or a blessing.

This parish has a great community. Liturgically it’s very orthodox it’s one of the few parishes around where the altar servers wear the traditional garb compared to other parishes where the servers dress like druids. The programs here are enriching especially the Ignatian retreats. This parish has 3 daily masses 8Am 12 and I think 6:30. I know for sure that the noon and 6:30 masses also have confession but come early cause there is always a line.

I LOVE this Church! It is beautiful, yes, brand new, & very aesthetically pleasing, but it is sooo much more than that! It is Authentic, truly Catholic, no watered down mumbo jumbo here, NO priests here are afraid to speak the Truth! No political correctness He is The Best Confessor & Spiritual guide a person could find, though at first he seemed harsh, it was because he truly cares about your soul & wants it saved! The Ignatian Spiritual Exercises will take your prayer life & spirituality to a whole other level, along with The Mass & Eucharistic adoration! If you Seek Truth,& are tired of milk & ready for meat, you have to try it out, I drove 1 hour to get there & it was well worth it. This Church, run by the Oblates of Mary, is the Real Deal, if you are a conservative, orthodox Catholic, run, don’t waste your time going to liberal parishes, St Peters is 100% CATHOLIC!! They preach against contraception, the root of abortion, pornography, all abuse against women. Right on all you Holy Priests at St Peters! I Love You! You are the True Saints of today in southern CA!!!

Great Church. They have daily mass at least 3 times a day. They also have the sacrament of confession throughout the week. And if you want to receive even more love and graces, they have the exposition of the blessed sacrament before mass and the rosary after mass. This Church really tries to help you go to Heaven.

This is a very holy place. It’s a community where everyone is serious about being Catholic. I have often said the the city of Hawaiian Gardens has more soul than all the Hawaiian Islands put together, and this is ground zero.
Holy Priests with powerful homilies are the hallmark of this parish. The teach strictly according to the magisterium of the Vatican.
The priests who staff St. Peter Chanel Parish are members of the Oblates Of The Virgin Mary (OMV). I started taking classes from Father Broom on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius every other Sunday and then going to 8 am mass afterwards, but eventually I started just making the drive here every Sunday and then moved to Seal Beach so I can go here for daily mass. There is also frequent confessions going on. They are scheduled during all daily and Saturday masses.
A normal Catholic Church can muster up 1 or 2 alter boys, often girls, for Sunday mass if they are lucky. St. Peter Chanel often has 4 alter boys even for daily mass, and a packed house. That’s unheard of. On Sunday they have 7 or more alter boys and standing room only. That’s a good measure of the kind of enthusiasm the community has for this place. It’s real and growing when so many other Catholic parishes are not.
If you are the slightest bit unsatisfied with your parish, you should check this out for a couple weeks and see if you enjoy the difference. My whole family has switched to here rather than neighborood churches that are more convenient.
If you are thinking of coming back to the Catholic Church after a long absence, check this place out if the place you go back to seems sterile or uninspiritional. You have choices and you have to demand inspiration or you are missing out. Then go eat at Julian’s Tortilleria near by; yummy breakfast special!