I came across this heartwarming story about how Father George Peter Irving while browsing the internet today. It is the story of Fr. Peter being assigned a derelict parish in a gang infested neighborhood in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and transforming it over the course of 13 years to a living and vibrant parish community.

Talk about pastoring in the near anathema that is Cardinal Mahoney's archdiocese, but on top of that in a gang ridden barrio where neighborhood homes have bars in their windows and St. Peter and St. Paul Catholic Church was enclosed by a large fence and gate.

Anyways, you should read the rest of the story on Singing in the Reign blog by Michael Barber. It's a story worth reading over this 4th of July!

For the story click here.

(H/T Curt Jester)