Shining Stars in Christ Honorees: Ben and Laura Aranda
Laura was born just outside of Chicago in Jolliet, Illinois. Her early life was spent in the quiet suburb with her parents Marshall and Cheryl and older sister Diane. When Laura was five the family moved to California and settled in the South Bay. After her parents divorced, she briefly lived in Pittsburgh where she picked up her lifelong love of the Steelers. She returned to Torrance and lived with her mother in Torrance. She attended Hickory Elementary School and in 1982 she enrolled at St. James School where she met Ben for the first time, and Bishop Montgomery High School.
Benjamin Aranda IV was born in Torrance to long time parishioners Judge Benjamin Aranda and his wife Emma. The Aranda family has been at St. James since the late 1960’s. The eleven siblings meant that if you were around the parish in the 70’s, 80’s or 90’s you probably went to school with or played sports with an Aranda. And if you did not attend St. James School you most definitely attended CCD at the Aranda house for eighth grade Confirmation preparation which Judge Aranda taught for over 30 years. Service to the parish and community were values always on display in the Aranda house. Ben attended St. James School, Bishop Montgomery High School and St. Joseph’s College.
Ben and Laura first met at St. James School, where Laura was friends with Ben’s older sister Ruth. Every day after school Laura would get a ride home with the Aranda’s and a shy Ben never said a word to Laura. Years later when they met through mutual friends, Ben was not going to let another opportunity pass and the two began dating and were married at St. James Church in 2006. Two beautiful daughters soon followed, Sara in 2008 and Elena in 2011.
Laura’s professional career was spent as the calendar manager at a law firm to a State Farm Agent to a successful Real Estate Agent with several brokers. Service to others was an industry that she thrived in. Ben is an Army veteran and has worked for UPS for the last 28 years.
Ben and Laura have been involved in several different ministries over the last fifteen years at St. James. Laura served the parish as a Eucharistic Minister both in the church and to the homebound, and as a Sacristan at Sunday Mass. She was involved with the Cornerstone for Women retreat and gave a powerful witness to the women who attend. Ben is involved in the Knights of Columbus, and has served in several officer positions including Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator of the 4th
Degree, as well as State District Deputy. He has been an usher at Mass, a Lector, a Eucharistic Minister, and a Sacristan. Together they led the Sunday Sacristan
ministry for over seven years. Ben is currently following in his father’s footsteps teaching Religious Education as well as preparing adults to receive their sacraments of initiation by serving as the parish director of OCI (formerly RCIA).
Laura lived her life committed to God in service to others. She had a deep devotion to our Blessed Mother and would pray the rosary often. She was committed to her family and always supportive of Ben and the girls. She continues to inspire others by the way she lived, always letting her faith be bigger than her fear.