Food for the SOHL

08: Take Courage, Rise Up, God Is Calling You To Spread His Word! (w/ Fr. Richard Sunwoo) | Open Prayer Meeting

(Recorded 10/19/2025) Father Richard Sunwoo currently serves as Pastor at St. Louise de Marillac Catholic Church in Covina, California. A graduate of St. John’s Seminary with a Master of Arts in Religion and Religious Studies, Fr. SunWoo brings both theological depth and pastoral warmth to his ministry. Before his current assignment, he served for six years as Pastor at Our Savior Parish and the USC Caruso Catholic Center, where he guided students and young professionals in faith formation, community building, and service. His pastoral approach is marked by strong preaching, spiritual direction, and compassionate leadership, qualities that have earned him recognition across communities such as St. Monica Catholic Community. Fr. Sunwoo’s ministry extends beyond the parish walls through his involvement in causes including education, social justice, and humanitarian outreach. With strengths in discipleship, theology, and pastoral care, he continues to inspire others to live their faith through meaningful action and service. Rooted in prayer and guided by compassion, Fr. Sunwoo exemplifies the heart of priestly ministry by bridging faith, intellect, and love of community in every setting he serves.

07: Take Courage, Rise Up, God Is Calling You To Live With Integrity! (w/ Fr. Gregory Kirsch) | Open Prayer Meeting

(Recorded 06/22/2025) Father Gregory Kirsch has been a dedicated presence at St. John Baptist de la Salle Parish in Granada Hills, where he regularly presides over Masses and offers spiritual guidance to the community. His commitment to pastoral care is evident in his active participation in parish life, including leading special services and providing support to parishioners. Beyond his parish duties, Fr. Kirsch serves as the Executive Director of the Office of Legacy and Heritage at Providence St. Joseph Health. In this role, he works to preserve and promote the mission and values of the organization, drawing inspiration from figures like Sr. Emilie Gamelin, the founder of the Sisters of Providence. Fr. Kirsch has been instrumental in initiatives such as the “Table of the King” celebration, which honors the legacy of Sr. Gamelin by emphasizing compassion and service to the poor and vulnerable. With a tenure at Providence St. Joseph Health beginning in 2004, Fr. Kirsch has also contributed to programs aimed at reconnecting healthcare professionals with the healing mission of their vocation. Notably, he collaborated on the Physician Leadership Formation program, designed to help physicians reflect on their call to heal and rediscover their passion for compassionate care.  Fr. Kirsch’s dual roles in parish ministry and healthcare leadership exemplify a life dedicated to service, compassion, and the spiritual well-being of both his local community and the broader network of caregivers.

06: Take Courage, Rise Up, God Is Calling You! (w/ Fr. Rich Danyluk, SSCC) | Open Prayer Meeting

(Recorded 03/16/2025) Fr. Rich Danyluk is a Religious Order priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Presently he is pastor emeritus of Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in San Dimas. He was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He received his BA from St. Mary’s in Winona, Minnesota; Master in Applied Spirituality at University of San Francisco.  He was ordained a priest in 1975. During the fifty years of ministry he has served as a teacher at St. Elizabeth in the inner city of Oakland, spent four years in the Philippines opening a seminary for students from Japan, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. He has served as Provincial Superior for his community, Pastor of St. Joseph’s in Alameda, CA.

04: Going Deeper In Knowing Our Mother Mary (w/ Fr. Joseph Aytona, CPM) | Open Prayer Meeting

Fr. Joseph was born in 1981 in Los Angeles, California and grew up in the suburbs of Southern California. In 2003, Fr. Joseph joined the Congregation of the Fathers of Mercy and was ordained to the Priesthood in May 2010. He is a 2010 graduate of Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, a Master of Divinity Degree, and a Master of Arts in Theology. Along with being the rector of the National Shrine of our Lady of Champion, Fr. Joseph is the founder of the Spiritual Motherhood Sodality as well as the founder of Family Vocation Ministries, an apostolate that promotes vocations through the sanctification of families. He has appeared on “EWTN Live” and “Life on the Rock” Catholic programs during which he discussed the importance of the Eucharist, the Priesthood, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. He has also been interviewed by Catholic Newspapers and Periodicals such as the National Catholic Register and Religious Life Magazine.

02: Rediscovering God's Presence (w/ Dcn. Eric Cruz, SSCC) | Open Prayer Meeting

(Recoded 12/18/2022) On May 14, 2022, Br. Eric M. Cruz, made his Final Profession of Religious Vows as a member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. The Mass was held at Holy Name of Mary Church. San Dimas, California. Very Rev. Lane K. Akiona, ss.cc., Provincial Superior of the SSCC US Province, received the vows in the name of the Church and of the Congregation. In his homily, Fr. Akiona mentioned, “Live in action the Heart of Jesus and Mary. Be inclusive, merciful, reconciling, compassionate, tender, and be filled with great hope as a sign that God’s power continues to work in and through you.” The next day, on May 15, 2022, Br. Eric was ordained a deacon, at the same parish, by the Most Reverend David G. O’Connell, D.D., V.G., Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, San Gabriel Region. Joined with him were the Fr. Akiona, the SSCC priests of California, and the deacons of Holy Name of Mary. The family of Br. Eric were also present to celebrate these momentous events. Bishop O’Connell said in his homily, “We are called by the Lord to have that love for the people. We need people to wash the feet of our beloved people, the beloved poor, the beloved suffering and ill, and those who are alone.” As a Filipino native, he grew up witnessing poverty and the continuous need of the people for help and compassion. This reality continues to inspire him to pursue his vocation to the priesthood. He was accepted in the congregation in 2014. Deacon Eric will continue serving the Holy Name of Mary Church community for the duration of his pastoral year.