Members of the Chinese Catholic community from L.A. and Orange counties will gather at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels May 24, 9:30 a.m. to pray for the church in China and particularly for victims of the recent disasters in Asia.

In a 2007 letter to the people of the Catholic Church in China, Pope Benedict XVI proposed that May 24 --- a day dedicated to the liturgical memorial of Our Lady Help of Christians, who is venerated with great devotion at the Marian Shrine of Sheshan in Shanghai --- be an occasion for all Catholics worldwide to pray for the Church in China.

According to Michael Lau, assistant administrator of St. Bridget Catholic Chinese Center in Los Angeles, the local Chinese community started planning the May 24 event six months ago. Rosary recitation begins at 9:30 a.m. with a concelebrated Mass led by Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis starting at 10 a.m.

Among those attending will be parish groups from St. Bridget, St. Thomas Aquinas in Monterey Park, St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton in Rowland Heights, the Chinese Catholic Association from Cerritos, and the Chinese Catholic Communities of Orange County. Donations will be collected for the victims and will be sent to Caritas, Hong Kong, the center of Catholic Charities in the area. All are invited to attend.