Croatians in Los Angeles celebrate reopening of Parish Center damaged by fire 

(Photos: John Marich)

By Nada Pritisanac Matulich

The Parish Center of St. Anthony’s Croatian Catholic Church, which was damaged by fire, was officially reopened last weekend in Los Angeles.

Parish Center of St. Anthony’s Croatian Catholic Church (Photo credit: John Marich)

The ceremony began with with a Holy Mass led by the priest, Don Ivan Jordan. During the mass, a new statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Victory, was crowned.

New statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Victory (Photo credit: John Marich)

The Croatian Navy Klapa “Sveti Juraj”, who came from Croatia for this special occasion at the invitation of Don Ivan, magnified the Holy Mass with their majestic singing.

Croatian Navy Klapa “Sveti Juraj” (Photo credit: John Marich)

The program of the ceremonial re-opening of the Parish Center was opened with a performance by St. Anthony’s Kolo Club “Croatia” under the direction of Heidi Granic,  with a final kola from the opera “Ero s onoga svijeta”

St. Anthony’s Kolo Club “Croatia” (Photo credit: John Marich)

After St. Anthony’s Kolo Club “Croatia”, the Croatian Navy Klapa “Sveti Juraj” performed an evening concert in front of a large crowd with many compositions awakening nostalgia for the homeland in many and bringing a tear to their eyes. 

Croatian Navy Klapa “Sveti Juraj” (Photo credit: John Marich)

The Croatian community especially thanks the sponsors of the concert, Steve & Louise Bubalo, Joseph & Gail Boskovic, Marijan Rudela and many others, without whom this ceremony would not have been possible.