Hollywood is both a destination and a dream for many young people, including devout and talented Catholics. A group of these Catholics will converge at St. Victor parish in West Hollywood June 21 at 8 p.m. for the West Coast debut of "Catholic Underground," a monthly evening of prayer, fellowship and culture that has been attracting loyal followings on the East Coast.

According to Marianne Vecchione, a member of St. Victor's young adult team coordinating the event, the twenty- and thirty-something professionals and students gathering at the parish for weeknight Eucharistic adoration wanted more opportunities for Catholic faith fellowship.

The group was intrigued by a fellow member who would fly to New York to participate in Catholic Underground events, which is a ministry of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, an order of friars and religious sisters founded in 1987 dedicated to the poor and to evangelization.

Since the gray-robed friars first organized Catholic Underground events in New York a few years ago, the evenings beginning with Eucharistic adoration and ending with musical/cultural presentations are now drawing crowds in Manhattan, Long Island, Philadelphia, and Hazleton, Penn.

"We decided we needed to bring it here, and that St. Victor was just the place being so near the Sunset strip and the famous places of secular entertainment," said Vecchione.

"What's happening in Hollywood is really interesting. There's a lot of Catholics here [seeking] a place to come together in adoration and fellowship that crosses geographical boundaries." said Vecchione. Catholic Underground, she says, provides a way for youth and young adults to experience Christ in church, in the culture, and in each other.

"The idea is to help young adults encounter Christ in the Eucharist but also to see that Christ comes with us into the world," explained Vecchione. Also, the cultural portion of the evening showcases the work of Catholic artists.

"There's a lot of great Catholics out there with cultural talent. This is a way for people to be introduced to that," said Vecchione.

The first of the monthly Catholic Underground events taking place on the third Saturday evening of each month at St. Victor will feature a screening of the award-winning movie, "The Human Experience" produced by Catholic production company, "Grassroots Films."

The documentary following young adults as they encounter poor around the world will be shown after the prayer portion of the evening which includes Eucharistic adoration, vespers, night prayer and confession.

Two Friars of the Renewal from New York are scheduled to attend the June 2lst "opening night." Invitations have also been extended to local religious and clergy and members of youth and young adult groups around the archdiocese. The free event is open to the public, as well.

"We think St. Victor is the perfect place for our faith and culture to be interacting. Our slogan is 'Just under the Sunset strip in Hollywood --- the intersection of our faith and culture,'" said Vecchione, noting the parish address is 8634 Holloway Drive, West Hollywood.

For more information e-mail: st.victor.parish@gmail.com. To view the movie trailer for "The Human Experience," which will also be shown June 20, 7 p.m., at Family Theater and June 22, 7 p.m., at St. Victor ($10 admission both nights), log on to www.grassrootsfilms.com/thehumanexperience/