Press Release 9/6/14
The Czech Catholic Mission was founded in Los Angeles in 1964 by Fr. Adolph Pelikan, S.J., with his “twelve apostles,” the Czech refugees who were his earliest collaborators and the first of many of their countrymen to participate. The group originally met at the Adams Street Polish Church in LA, and Fr. Pelikan began with the approval of Cardinal MacIntyre and a document from Rome designating him a “National Missionary.” They now meet monthly in Yorba Linda at the Pope St John Paul II Polish Center, and have expanded to a mission in San Diego and another in San Francisco. Bishop Peter Esterka, ordained Bishop in Brno, Czech Republic, on September 11, 1999, is the missionary who leads and unites this widespread community.
Unlike other immigrants, the Czechs have never lived in a tight-knit neighborhood, but have spread throughout California. At their monthly celebrations of the Eucharist in the Czech language and a traditional Czech meal at the Polish Center, you can find people from Manhattan Beach, Gardena, Santa Barbara and Camarillo, and from as far away as Ventura and Palmdale.
The celebration of the Golden Jubilee will be held on September 14, 2014, beginning with Czech Mass at 1:00 pm at the Polish Center, 3999 Rose Drive, Yorba Linda, 92886. A meal of catered Czech food from Milan’s Restaurant in Anaheim and a program of Czech music, story-telling and dancing will be featured.
