Deacon Scott, a convert, was welcomed and initiated into the Catholic Church in 1991. In 1995, he was invited into the Diaconate Formation Program and was ordained a Deacon in 1999. He currently serves as the Regional Assistant to +Bishop Matt Elshoff for the Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Deacon Palmer’s responsibilities include assisting in the administration of 77 churches, 40 schools, numerous non-profits and social justice and education-based foundations. He has been a member of the Together in Mission Board of Directors since 2010.
Deacon Scott was named Administrator of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Los Angeles in October of 2022.
Deacon Palmer is a father of 4 children & a husband of 43 years to his wife Terri, who is the Coordinator of Religious Education for the San Pedro Pastoral Region. Terri and Dn. Scott have 4 grandchildren. When not working he enjoys traveling, any time with family, golf, sailing and reading.
Deacon Scott is a frequent guest speaker and lecturer at parishes, retreats and Archdiocese events. He has spoken on a wide variety of topics including Elements of Decision-Making, Relationship Development, Faith in Action, Parenting, Young Adult Leadership, and Organizational Behavior. 

Carolyn Dupleche James, a native of New Orleans, LA, has resided in Los Angeles for over 50 years. God has blessed her with 2 daughters and two grandchildren. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Redlands University and her Master’s Degree in Religious Studies from Mt. St. Mary’s University. She is also a recipient of the Keeper of the Flame Award. Carolyn taught in the Los Angeles Catholic school system for approx. 25 years, she is a former member of the African American Regional Council, as well as serving on the Board of Directors of SCRC, a Charismatic organization. She was also a speaker at their various events. For a number of years now, she continues to give talks in neighboring parishes and is a Catechist in the Confirmation and Bible Study Programs. Additionally, she is one of the coordinators of St. Bernadette’s Women Moving in the Spirit Christian Seder Meal Event and its Annual Summer Retreat, founded in 2009 and is a regular speaker at this retreat. Her ongoing goal is to encourage others to become more knowledgeable in God’s word and, therefore, more willing to become lovers and imitators of Jesus Christ.

Most Reverend Matthew G. Elshoff, O.F.M., Cap., D.D., V.G.
Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles
Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region
 
Bishop Matt was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but grew up in La Canada Flintridge attending St. Bede the Venerable Church and School. After graduating from St. Francis High School in 1973 he entered the Capuchin Franciscan Order. He completed his studies in philosophy and theology at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology at the Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley. He was solemnly professed in 1980 and ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Timothy Manning in 1982.Over the past 42 years of priesthood his ministries have included: Catholic education (campus minister, teacher and administrator at St. Francis High School); formation of Capuchin novices (San Lorenzo Seminary, Santa Ynez); provincial administration, (Counselor and Provincial); and pastoral ministry (Old Mission Santa Ines, Solvang; St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Watts). His ministry in provincial leadership gave him extensive experience in Mexico, where he also took a year sabbatical.
Appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles in July 2023, Bishop Matt was ordained by Archbishop Jose H. Gomez to the Episcopacy on September 26, 2023, and assigned to Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region, where he currently serves.  
 

Deacon Jim Carper is the Parish Life Director at St. Bernadette Church in Baldwin Hills and Chaplain for the Los Angeles Police Department. 
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and speech from Westminster College in Pennsylvania, and a Master’s degree in theatre from Northern Illinois University. He holds a CPCU (Charted Property and Casualty Underwriter) and GCA (Graduate Claims Administrator) designations. 
He is a past president of the Simi Valley Education Foundation, the former Director of Good Works for the LA Chapter of CPCU, the former development director of St. Peter Claver Parish in Simi Valley, and the former acting  Director of the Simi Valley Family YMCA. He is a recognized authority in Catholic stewardship and fundraising programs and an experienced leader in building support for faith-based organizations. He serves on the Pastoral Council for the Archbishop of Los Angeles and the Deacon Council and is a past President of the LAPD Clergy Council for the Southwest Division.
He was also appointed to the Catholic Education Foundation Board of Trustees, Catholic Community Foundation and serves on the Education Committee of the California Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB).
 
 
 
 
 

Dr. Christine A. Gerety is the Director of Spiritual Care & Engagement at St. Monica Catholic Community. After graduating from Yale University with a B.A. in History, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Cincinnati, she completed additional training in Gero psychology and returned home to Los Angeles. Having actively participated in several Catholic communities across the country, Christine began volunteering at St. Monica and then joined the ministry staff in 2009.
Christine has presented at local, national & international conferences, including the American Society on Aging; served on the Archdiocese's Young Adult Ministry Advisory Board; provided bereavement training for the Office of Worship in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles; and co-chaired the Habitat L.A. Catholic Coalition. In addition to serving on the board of Ignatians West, she currently works with St. Monica’s pastoral care ministries, Spirituality Center programs, and ways to help parishioners identify their gifts & get involved at St. Monica.
For fun, she enjoys traveling, learning new languages (French, Italian, Spanish, Czech & Irish!), and honing her improv comedy skills. When asked what she likes most about her job, Christine replies “I have the privilege of helping wonderful, loving people do great things for others!”
 
 
 
 
 

Mayra Torres is a theologian, retreat facilitator, and pastoral leader dedicated to accompanying individuals and communities in their spiritual growth. With over eighteen years of experience in religious education and Latino/a ministry, she integrates U.S. Latino/a theology, storytelling, and lived faith experiences to create reflective and transformative retreat spaces. Mayra holds a Master of Arts in Theology from Loyola Marymount University and currently serves as Regional Coordinator for the Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, where she supports catechetical leaders and pastoral teams in mission-centered formation.