Consumed by fire on April 16 (most likely a work of arson, say investigators), the church building and its fate is yet to be determined; parishioners are waiting on the final insurance claim which will point them onto the next steps of demolition, planning, fundraising, rebuilding — and healing from such a tragic loss.Right now the church looks similar to buildings in Berlin during World War II,” said Msgr. Tim Nichols, pastor, noting that many parishioners and staff still get emotional every time they drive by or see what is left of the 1970 church designed by founding pastor Msgr. James O’Callaghan. “We are planning on having a day of prayer or a day of mourning for staff members who need to express our emotions at this devastating act,” said Msgr. Nichols. “It’s still fresh in our minds.”But that hasn’t stopped the community from moving forward with a series of fundraising events that are expected to precede a future capital campaign. These events are as much about healing as they are about raising money, said Sandy Niccoli who, along with Yollie Mancino, are overseeing the fundraising efforts.“These events aren’t going to make the millions we will need to rebuild our church,” she says. “These events will help us work together as a community. We are getting fantastic involvement.”The offerings include a Community Breakfast Fundraiser on July 10 (7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.), followed by a luau (Aug. 13), a concert featuring composer David Haas (Oct. 7-8), a reflective evening with author Paula D’Arcy (Dec. 1), a Christmas home tour (Dec. 2-3) and a Vegas Night slated for next year.Area neighbors are also a part of the process. The nearby Church of Latter Day Saints is holding an upcoming bake sale with proceeds going to St. John’s. Local stores are donating food for the August luau. “We get calls of support from our fellow churches in the area,” said Msgr. Nichols, “because everyone knows that what happened here could happen anywhere else.”An FBI investigation into this arsonist’s attack is ongoing. The destruction from the fire forced parishioners to use their parish hall as a makeshift church structure; but with a capacity for only 600 people (the church has more than 5,000 registered families), folks are “popping out of the sides” as Msgr. Nichols says. “A temporary building is going to be soon erected on site, a structure with cement floors, air conditioning and heating,” he said. “We estimate that it will be at least three to five years before we have our church again — at least.” Echoing the sentiments of many parishioners, Niccoli hopes that the new church will be done in time for the parish’s 50th anniversary in 2019. “This loss still haunts us all,” she said. “It still looks like a war zone here.”For information about all St. John Vianney fundraisers, call (626) 330-2269.{gallery width=100 height=100}gallery/2011/0708/sjvianney/{/gallery}