The following comes from an Aug. 14 story in the Angelus, the LA archdiocese online paper.

The parish communities of Santa Rosa de Lima Church in San Fernando and Guardian Angel Church in Pacoima are mourning the loss of two beloved parishioners, who were shot and killed on their way to Mass early Aug. 24 in an apparent series of random shootings in the San Fernando Valley.

In San Fernando, a young woman in a wheelchair, accompanied by her family, was shot and killed shortly before 6 a.m., as she and her family were in their car. The family reportedly attended early Sunday Mass every week at Santa Rosa de Lima. The woman’s parents were also shot and were hospitalized; two younger twin siblings suffered minor injuries.

Family members and parish staff described the family as well-loved and respected in the parish community, members of Santa Rosa de Lima for almost 20 years, and actively involved in parish life.

Less than an hour after that attack, a random shooting also claimed the life of Gloria Tovar, 59, who had been a parishioner of Guardian Angel for 15 years. Father Steven Guitron, pastor, told The Tidings that Gloria was a very active and devoted parishioner, alongside her husband Santiago.

Parents and grandparents, the Tovars both served as ushers, and Gloria also ministered to the sick. On the morning of the shooting she was picking up a fellow minister to the sick to attend the 7 a.m. Mass together, and following the service they were going to take Communion to the homebound, explained Father Guitron….

To read the entire story, click here.