A Century on Fairfax Avenue
St. Ambrose Church stands at 1281 North Fairfax Avenue in West Hollywood, a Roman Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles that recently marked its hundredth year with a Centennial Festival. The parish gathers a diverse community in the heart of Los Angeles County for daily and Sunday Mass, the seven sacraments, faith formation, outreach, and small groups rooted in the teachings of the Catholic Church. Its four-word mission is direct: To Love. To Nourish. To Serve. To Inspire.
Behind that mission stands a commitment rooted in the great commandment. As Jesus told the Eleven after his resurrection, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20).
Sunday Mass at 10 and 5, Daily Mass at 6
Sunday Mass is celebrated at 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Daily Mass is offered Monday through Friday at 6:00 p.m. The parish invites everyone - visitors, neighbors, the curious, and the returning - to join the assembly. Recordings of recent Sunday Masses are available through the parish's YouTube channel, so those who cannot be present in person can still pray along with the liturgy and follow the homily at home.
Confession, Adoration, and the Memorial Chapel
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered on Saturdays from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., and by appointment through the parish office at 323-656-4433. The four steps of the sacrament are simple: contrition for sin and conversion of heart; confession of sins to a priest; reception of absolution; and a renewed commitment to live a Christian life. Sin, the parish teaches, hurts the relationship with God, with oneself, and with others. Reconciliation heals and frees the penitent to grow again in grace.
On Tuesdays, after the 6:00 p.m. Mass, the parish gathers for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Parishioners and visitors spend time adoring the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist, opening their hearts in prayer, gratitude, and quiet. "In the quiet of His presence, we open our hearts to Him - offering our prayers, our gratitude, our struggles, and our love," the parish writes. "It is a sacred time to listen, to rest in His peace, and to deepen our relationship with the One who gives Himself to us completely."
The Adoration and the parish's Bereavement Ministry Remembrance Circle both meet in the Memorial Chapel, a quiet space set apart for prayer and grief support.
Becoming Catholic through OCIA
Adults interested in joining the Catholic Church - or completing the sacraments they received as children - are invited into OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. OCIA is the new name for what was once known as RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism.
The OCIA process is built around faith formation, study, prayer, and active participation in the life of the Church. It is open to the unbaptized, to those baptized in other Christian traditions who seek full communion, to Catholics who have not yet received Confirmation or First Communion, to non-Catholics curious about the faith, and to lifelong Catholics looking for a refresher. The parish uses the ancient vocabulary of the catechumenate, moving seekers through several steps: the Pre-Catechumenate, a period of inquiry and reflection on the call of Christ; the Catechumenate, the longest stage, with shared story, scripture, doctrine, and liturgical rites; the Rite of Election, when catechumens and candidates are chosen by the bishop and the community to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter; the Sacraments of Initiation themselves - Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation - received at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday; and finally Mystagogy, a period of reflection and celebration that follows, meaning "leading into the mystery."
An OCIA team of sponsors helps guide, support, and instruct those discerning whether to become members of the Catholic community. Anyone interested is welcomed to contact the parish office to begin a conversation with the pastor.
Forming Dynamic Disciples: Scripture Sharing and Monthly Meetings
On Wednesday nights, Scripture Sharing meets via Zoom for a short presentation on the coming Sunday's readings and small-group discussion on how the ancient text touches the present. The parish describes discipleship as "a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ, both in spirit and in His mystical body, the Church," inviting participants to share the overflow of their growing relationship with others.
On the first Saturday of each month, the parish gathers for Dynamic Disciples, a small-group conversation to "discover, explore and live more fully the love Jesus offers in the light of our world's current pandemic." Both groups are open to anyone who would like to join; the parish office can connect newcomers with meeting details. Donations are welcome.
GLO-WeHo: A Catholic Home for LGBTQ Believers
St. Ambrose WeHo GLO is the parish's LGBTQ ministry, hosted under the direction of the CMLGP, the Catholic Ministry with Lesbian and Gay People in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The group's mission is to recognize and welcome LGBT Catholic brothers and sisters and to give them a place to be accepted and supported through their journey of faith. "All are welcome here at St. Ambrose," the parish writes. GLO meets for socials and fellowship on the last Sunday evening of every month, immediately following the 5:00 p.m. Mass.
Music in the Choir Loft
Music ministry at St. Ambrose, led by Director of Pastoral Music Brendan Coyle, aims to enhance parish liturgies, services, and community events through musical prayer, while connecting with other music ministers in the Los Angeles area. The choir loft overlooks the altar and tabernacle, and parish photographs document past Christmas liturgies - the cantor, the trumpet, the preparations of gifts, and the gathering of musicians in the loft. The music ministry invites new singers and musicians to come "Sing a new church" into being at St. Ambrose.
The Seven Sacraments at St. Ambrose
The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments. St. Ambrose teaches the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, divided into the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation), the Sacraments of Healing (Penance, Anointing of the Sick), and the Sacraments of Vocation (Marriage, Holy Orders).
Baptism
"Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit" (John 3:5). Baptism ushers the believer into divine life, cleanses from sin, and initiates as a member of the Christian community. At baptism, the presider prays over the water: "Father, look now with love upon your Church, and unseal for her the fountain of baptism. By the power of the Holy Spirit give to this water the grace of your Son, so that in the sacrament of baptism all those whom you have created in your likeness may be cleansed from sin and rise to a new birth of innocence by water and the Holy Spirit" (Christian Initiation of Adults, #222A).
Baptism frees from the bondage of original and actual sin. The parish teaches that in an emergency any person can baptize, provided they have the intention of doing what the Church does and pour water on the candidate's head while saying, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The baptismal symbols are water, oil, light, and the white garment - each a sign of cleansing, anointing, Christ's light, and resurrection.
The Eucharist
"The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it" (CCC 1324). The parish teaches that at Mass we are fed by the Word and nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ, and that the Risen Jesus is truly and substantially present in the Eucharist through transubstantiation - the change of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit and the priest's ministry.
The Eucharist was instituted at the Last Supper and is the fulfillment of the covenants in the Hebrew Scriptures. In the blessing of the cup of wine, Jesus calls it "the blood of the covenant" (Matthew and Mark) and the "new covenant in my blood" (Luke). The parish teaches that "anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance" (CCC 1415), and that the Church warmly recommends the faithful receive Holy Communion when they participate in the celebration of the Eucharist, obliging them at least once a year.
The Mass divides into the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. In the first, the Word of God is proclaimed and broken open in the homily. In the second, bread and wine are offered along with the Presider and become the Body and Blood of Christ, given to the faithful in communion. The assembly is then sent forth to proclaim the Good News.
Confirmation
Confirmation perfects baptismal grace; it is the sacrament that gives the Holy Spirit in order to root the believer more deeply in divine filiation, incorporate them more firmly into Christ, strengthen their bond with the Church, associate them more closely with her mission, and help them bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds (CCC 1316). The sacrament is conferred through the anointing of chrism oil and the laying on of hands by the Bishop. In the Acts of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit comes down upon the baptized at Samaria through Peter and John (Acts 8:5-6, 14-17) and at Ephesus through Paul (Acts 19:5-6), showing confirmation to be an individual and separate sacrament.
Penance (Reconciliation)
The Sacrament of Reconciliation forgives sins committed after Baptism and results in reconciliation with God and the Church. The four steps are contrition for sin and conversion of heart; confession of sins to a priest; reception of absolution; and renewed commitment to Christian life. The parish notes that only ordained priests have the faculty of absolving sins from the authority of the Church in the name of Jesus Christ (CCC 1495). The spiritual effects of the sacrament include reconciliation with God, reconciliation with the Church, remission of eternal punishment incurred by mortal sins, remission at least in part of temporal punishments, peace and serenity of conscience, and an increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle (CCC 1496).
Anointing of the Sick
The Anointing of the Sick gives strength and support and can be administered to anyone struggling with an illness. Since the Second Vatican Council, the sacrament has been broadened beyond the moment of death, and the parish teaches that the healing it offers is not necessarily physical but reminds the sufferer of the eternal presence of God in human suffering. The priest blesses the oil of anointing, asking God to "send the power of your Holy Spirit, the Consoler, into this precious oil. Make this oil a remedy for all who are anointed with it; heal them in body, in soul and in spirit, and deliver them from every affliction" (Pastoral Care of the Sick, #123). The sacrament is celebrated through anointing of the forehead and hands (in the Roman Rite) accompanied by the liturgical prayer of the celebrant (CCC 1531).
Marriage
The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenantal union in the image of the covenants between God and his people. The parish teaches that marriage is unitive, indissoluble, and calls spouses to be completely open to fertility. "The sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life" (CCC 1661). Marriage reflects the communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - "The Christian family is a communion of persons, a sign and image of the communion of the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit" (CCC 2205).
Holy Orders
Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time, including three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate (CCC 1536). The parish teaches that the Church confers the sacrament only on baptized men whose suitability has been duly recognized (CCC 1598), and that "without the bishop, presbyters, and deacons, one cannot speak of the Church" (CCC 1593). Ordination imprints an indelible sacramental character.
The Catholic Essentials
Beyond the sacraments, St. Ambrose teaches the traditional framework of Catholic life: the seven Corporal Works of Mercy (feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the hospitalityless, care for the sick, visit the imprisoned, bury the dead); the seven Spiritual Works of Mercy (share knowledge, give advice to those who need it, comfort the suffering, be patient with others, forgive those who hurt you, give correction to those who need it, pray for the living and the dead); the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, fear of the Lord); the three Theological Virtues (faith, hope, love); the four Cardinal Virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance); the Ten Commandments; the two Greatest Commandments ("love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength" and "love your neighbor as yourself"); the eight Beatitudes; the fourteen Stations of the Cross; the seven Last Words of Christ; the Fruits of the Holy Spirit (charity, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, long-suffering, humility, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity); the Four Marks of the Church (one, holy, catholic, and apostolic); and the Precepts of the Church.
Prayer and the Book of Intentions
Prayer is communion with God, public or personal, spoken or silent; the Psalms are prayers the Church sings. The parish teaches the central communal form of prayer - the Mass - alongside traditional prayers like the Lord's Prayer, the Hail Mary, the Glory to the Father, the Act of Contrition, the Hail Holy Queen, and the Grace before Meals. Contemporary practices include silent prayer or meditation, Lectio Divina (reading a Scripture passage aloud, reflecting in silence, and listening for what God is teaching), and keeping a prayer journal of wants, needs, thoughts, and reflections.
Through the Book of Intentions, anyone can submit a prayer intention online, with options to keep the request confidential or to share it with the community. The parish adds its own ongoing intentions, including for return to the faith by family members who have left the Church, for all affected by illness, and for the pastor.
Bereavement and the Remembrance Circle
The Bereavement Ministry's Remembrance Circle offers spiritual and emotional support to those experiencing loss and grief following the death of a loved one. The circle meets on the first Sunday of every month in the Memorial Chapel, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., for prayer and a decade of the Rosary. "By sharing our burdens and spending time with Jesus, we hope to find comfort and strength in one another," the parish writes. "All are welcome."
Parish Ministries
Beyond the parish's signature ministries of Music, GLO-WeHo, Scripture Sharing, and Dynamic Discipleship, St. Ambrose hosts a full slate of ministries under three themes: Liturgy and Hospitality, Formation, and Outreach. Liturgical roles include Altar Servers, Audio/Video, Environment, Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers, Greeters and Ushers, Hospitality, and Lectors. Governance and formation ministries include the Finance Council, the Pastoral Council, OCIA, Scripture Sharing, and the Sick & Homebound Ministry. The parish invites newcomers to pray, reflect, and discern among these ministries, and to contact the parish office to get involved or propose something new.
Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Ambrose is built around OCIA - the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults - which serves as the parish's primary Religious Education program. Adults interested in growing in their understanding of the Catholic Church and its beliefs are welcome to join the study group at any time; adults preparing for the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) go through OCIA. The parish offers this as both a pathway for newcomers and a way for cradle Catholics to deepen their understanding.
Outreach and Community Services
St. Ambrose shares information about Catholic Charities of Los Angeles immigration workshops and consultation clinics, helping immigrant community members navigate the current immigration landscape, prepare documentation, and access legal services. The parish also connects visitors with the Los Angeles County Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, which provides counseling and assistance on federal and state benefits including disability compensation, pension benefits, education and GI Bill programs, VA medical treatment and health care, burial benefits, survivor benefits, and housing and employment resources.
The parish mission statement - To Love. To Nourish. To Serve. To Inspire. - frames the call to serve immigrant brothers and sisters, veterans, the sick and homebound, and those who grieve. The parish grounds its outreach in Catholic social teaching and the call to care especially for the dignity of the human person.
Giving and Planned Giving
The parish offers online giving through a secure portal with 24/7 access to accounts, credit card options, and the ability to schedule recurring or one-time donations. Donations are credited to year-end tax statements. Through the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Planned Giving Office, the parish supports a wide range of planned gifts: bequests in a will or trust; IRA rollovers; donor-advised funds; beneficiary designations on retirement, investment, or life insurance accounts; charitable gift annuities; charitable remainder unitrusts; charitable remainder annuity trusts; charitable lead trusts; sale and unitrust arrangements; bargain sales; Give It Twice Trusts; life estate gifts; combinations of current gifts and bequests; endowment gifts; and IRA to gift annuity rollovers. Donors who make a planned gift to any ADLA ministry become members of The Legacy Society, receiving a certificate, a letter from the Archbishop, a member pin, and invitations to special events. Free Estate Planning Seminars are held throughout the Archdiocese.
Online giving is available through the parish's secure portal.
Parish Staff and Clergy
Rev. Dennis P. Marrell serves as Pastor of St. Ambrose. Maria Chavez serves as Parish Business Manager. Myla Halili serves as Administrative Assistant. Brendan Coyle serves as Director of Pastoral Music. The parish office is reachable at 323-656-4433, and at stambrosech@aol.com.
The Centennial Festival
The parish recently celebrated its 100th year with a Centennial Festival, drawing together parishioners, families, and neighbors from across West Hollywood and the broader Los Angeles area. A gallery of festival photographs is available through an online album by photographer Sean Galland, capturing the music, food, fellowship, and parish history of the celebration.
Following Pope Leo XIV's Prayer Intentions
Each month, the Pope entrusts his Prayer Network with prayer intentions that reflect his deep concerns for humanity and the mission of the Church. Pope Leo XIV's prayer intentions for 2026 include prayer with the word of God (January), children with incurable diseases (February), disarmament and peace (March), priests in crisis (April), that everyone might have food (May), the values of sports (June), respect for human life (July), evangelization in the city (August), the care of water (September), mental health ministry (October), the proper use of wealth (November), and single-parent families (December).
Finding the Parish on Fairfax Avenue
St. Ambrose is located at 1281 N Fairfax Avenue in West Hollywood. From the northeast and east (Highway 101 and the Hollywood area), drivers take any street to Sunset Boulevard, head west to Fairfax Avenue, and turn left; the parking lot is on the right, one block south of Sunset Boulevard. From the northwest and west, drivers take any street to Santa Monica Boulevard, head east to Fairfax Avenue, and turn left; the parking lot is on the left, two blocks north of Santa Monica Boulevard. From the south and southwest, drivers take any street to Fairfax Avenue and turn left (north); the parking lot is on the left, two blocks north of Santa Monica Boulevard.
The parish also connects online through a YouTube channel for Mass recordings and homilies, Flocknote for email and text updates, a presence on Facebook (facebook.com/samweho), and an Instagram account (@stambroseweho). Formed, the Catholic faith formation platform, is available through online signup. The parish recommends praying along with the Pope's monthly prayer intentions through the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network. Newcomers are warmly welcomed.