SOMEWHERE AROUND 60 years ago, Monsignor Hugh O’Connor, the much-beloved founding pastor of St. Justin Martyr Parish in Anaheim, tore his shirt. Rather than throw it away, the thrifty Irish priest knew just the person to fix it: parishioner Angie Beccia, who worked as a seamstress at Knott’s Berry Farm while raising five children and supporting her husband’s career at Northrop.
TAMMY TRAN, LEFT, BERDIE CHAVEZ, ED FODOR, BLANCA GOMEZ, JOANNE SHADE, ANGIE BECCIA, LUCIA ARTEAGA, LINDA PELLEGRINO, CINDY KASSBUM, MARILYN TIERNEY, ANNIE MENDEZ, RACHEL SALAS, BARBARA VARGAS, ARE MEMBERS OF THE SEWING GROUP AT ST. JUSTIN MARTYR CATHOLIC CHURCH. PHOTOS BY SCOTT SMELTZER/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Often, the littlest things, the wonderful things, start just by helping out. From repairing the pastor’s shirt, Angie and a few other ladies, as well as the Felician sisters who ran the school, decided to help others with their handiwork. Although the sisters are gone, for more than half a century, the ladies have carried on sewing simple items that make a real difference in the lives of people with disabilities, new moms and the elderly, while sharing their Catholic spirit of love.
Today, about 14 ladies of the parish and one gentleman, Ed Fodor (formerly the head of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, who has been making coffee and bringing snacks for the ladies for years), meet every Monday in a special sewing room equipped with several sewing machines, cutting boards and a closet full of mostly donated fabric. They use these materials to make bags for wheelchairs and walkers, adult and baby bibs, blankets, lap robes and a variety of other items for people with disabilities, young moms and the elderly.
MEMBERS OF THE SEWING GROUP AT ST. JUSTIN MARTYR CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ANAHEIM PRAY BEFORE SHARING A LIGHT SNACK.
Birdie Chaves said, “Our mission is to sew for the parish. But we also sew for the priests.”
The group has repaired vestments, altar linens and an altar server’s robe when a sleeve was caught in a candle’s flame. Members also help regular parishioners with simple sewing tasks, like attaching a new button or adjusting a school uniform hem.
“I even made a tie once,” Chaves added. “The little kids that come to our school, sometimes their uniforms don’t fit, and the parents will bring them in. We’re really ‘sewing central’ for the parish.”
Parishioners mostly donate fabric, notions and sewing machines.
Tammy Tran, who has been sewing for years, noted that “Some have passed away or moved, and new people join us. We help the new people get started, and most know at least a little about sewing before they join.”
“I think this sewing group helps you transition from career to retirement,” said Barbara Vargas. “It helps you do something worthwhile that you like.”
The members find common ground with one another through their shared Catholic faith.
“What we are doing is really an extension of what we believe,” she added.
Members deliver finished goods to various nonprofit organizations serving the disabled, homeless and elderly.
“Anyone can have one of our creations,” said Chaves.
The group always has a table set up for anyone to take whatever they need at healing Masses on the first Saturday, the 7 a.m. Mass from September through June. Or they can contact the parish office anytime or come to one of the sewing sessions on Monday mornings from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The City of Anaheim recently presented Angie Beccia, the group’s remaining founder, with a commendation marking her 100th birthday. One of the members drives her so she can still come every Monday morning sharp.
“She is the life of the party,” said Chaves, highlighting her role as a leader and source of inspiration for the group.
They all recently celebrated her centennial at a local restaurant, with a large group of friends and well-wishers.
All the members are retired and over the age of 70 – former nurses, teachers, surgery staff, clerical staff, DMV staff and a cruise ship chef. They all grew up in a time when sewing was a regular part of high school home economics classes, and they have been practicing what they learned ever since.
The common thread is camaraderie through a stitch in time, sharing laughter and stories while they make a small part of the world a little better