By Christina Gray
To know Father Tony LaTorre, Jr. was to know his joy for Christmas. The former pastor of St. Stephen Parish, who died on Oct. 16 at age 77, left behind a lifelong collection of Christmas decorations —- a majority of them dog and angel ornaments —- hand stitched quilted stockings, creche scenes, Magi figures, Disneyland memorabilia, and more.
In memory of their beloved former pastor of five years, St. Stephen Parish organized the Father Tony LaTorre Memorial Christmas Boutique after the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Nov. 30. The proceeds will benefit the parish’s capital campaign, according to Mary Molly Mullaney, religious education teacher.
“Father Tony’s love for the Christmas season was unmatched,” she said. “He always transformed the rectory into a true Christmas wonderland, with his handmade quilts adorning the walls and magnificent, fully-decorated trees filling the rooms with joy.”
Mullaney said Father Tony also began the cherished tradition of honoring parish volunteers at his “Epiphany Parties.” “He delighted everyone with delicious hors d’oeuvres, his famous baked treats, and of course, his beloved Italian cannoli,” she said.
Father Tony’s devotion to his dogs was well represented in the collection of ornaments. Parishioners and students of St. Stephen School grew accustomed to seeing the pastor and his canine companion, Vito, as a matched set.
“His presence was so cherished that one student even dressed up as Father Tony for Halloween, complete with a white stuffed dog on a leash,” Mullaney said.
Father Tony also served St. Isabella, St. Finn Barr, St. Charles, St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Philip the Apostle, and St. Monica-St. Thomas the Apostle, according to his obituary. (Link) He retired in 2022, but he continued visiting the sick, baptizing babies, and celebrating Mass, said family friend and Most Holy Redeemer parishioner Stefan Salinas.
Salinas will share some of Father Tony’s hand-quilted table wares and Christmas stockings at the MHR Christmas Fair this weekend, Dec. 6-7. The MHR Christmas Fair will offer home-baked goods, watercolor greeting cards and pastor Father Matthew Link’s potted succulents. Proceeds will benefit St. James School and The Good Shepherd Gracenter.
Visit mhr.org for more on the Most Holy Redeemer Christmas Boutique.
