Performance: Rwanda genocide survivor relied on rosary devotion
Filipino-African-American actress, playwright and producer Leslie Lewis Sword brings the true life story of Rwanda genocide survivor Immaculée Ilibagiza to the stage in the upcoming extended run of her powerful one-woman production of "Miracle in Rwanda."

The production kicks off Latino Theatre Company's Face of the World Festival at the newly renovated Los Angles Theatre Center (the New LATC) and is set for a three-week run beginning Sept. 13.

In the play, Sword portrays ten different characters in depicting the remarkable story of how Immaculée bravely survived the genocide of the Tutsis by the Hutus following the assassination of the Rwandan president in 1994. Along with seven other women, Immaculée was hidden by a Hutu pastor for 91 days in a tiny bathroom while Hutu killers repeatedly search for them.

With only her deep devotion to her faith to keep her alive, Immaculée prayed the rosary every day until she and the women make a dashing escape to a nearby French Army camp for refugees. Ultimately, the man who butchered her family is captured by the French and comes face to face with Immaculée.

Performances take place Sept. 13-28 at The Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles. Tickets are $35 opening night; otherwise $25 adults and $18 students with identification. Call (213) 489-0994 x 107 or visit www.newlatc.com.

Cathedral High grad takes first vows as Christian Brother
Three young men, one an alumnus of Cathedral High School in Los Angeles, have pronounced their first vows as Brothers of the Christian Schools and assumed high-school teaching assignments this fall.

Brother Chris Patiño, 24, is an alumnus of Cathedral High and the University of Arizona, and former director of admissions at San Miguel High School in Tucson. He took his first vows Aug. 9, in the chapel at Mont La Salle in Napa, and is assigned to Cathedral in the academic year 2008-09.

His companions in the novitiate will return to serve in their home province (the Baltimore District). Brother John Luczkowski, 27, will teach at St. John's College High School in Washington, D.C. Brother Peter Nguyen, 30, will teach at Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh.

Of the three men, Brother Stanislaus Campbell, provincial of the Western province, said, "They are witnesses to the fact that there are young men still interested in and called to the Brothers' life. Our prayers and wishes for success go with them as they profess their vows for the first time and return to a full-time teaching apostolate."

St. Lawrence of Brindisi Church to celebrate 100 years
St. Lawrence of Brindisi Church in Watts is celebrating 100 years as a faith community. Special celebrations will include a parish fair Sept. 27 and an anniversary Mass Sept. 28. Cardinal Roger Mahony will serve as main celebrant during the 1 p.m. English-Spanish liturgy. The parish fair the day before will include a variety of musical entertainment, arts and crafts and food booths. The parish is located at 10122 Compton Ave. For more information, call (323) 567-1439.

Good Shepherd Center Auxiliary luncheon set Sept. 27
The Auxiliary for Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children hosts its annual "Forget-Me-Not" benefit luncheon set Sept. 27 at the Wilshire Country Club, starting with silent auction at 11 a.m.

Proceeds will benefit the Women's Village Project, which provides housing for homeless women, disabled mothers with minor children, and transitional housing, and offers job training, counseling, computer classes and other services. Founded in 1984, the center annually assists 4,000 women and children in need.

During the event, the auxiliary will honor longtime member Suzanne Branchflower with the From-the-Heart Award for her service the past 23 years. Also honored with the Community Partners Award will be John Olsen and Mark Sullivan, from the Brothers' Helpers ministry of St. Bede Church in La Cañada.

Tickets are $85. For information, call (213) 439-9443.

Ascension School plans 70th
The dedication of a new pre-K school and community building will highlight the 70th anniversary celebration of Ascension School in South Los Angeles on Sept. 21.

The 10 a.m.-2 p.m. event will also include a Mass, alumni reunion, tours and lunch. Members of the graduating classes from 1941 through 2008 have been invited. Ascension is located at 500 W. 111th Pl., Los Angeles. For information, call (323) 756-4064.

Traditional stained glass windows to illuminate Beatitudes at USC
The planned design of the new church of Our Saviour Parish on campus at the USC Catholic Center takes its cues from the architectural traditions of the Italianate Romanesque that create the USC campus' ambience.

One of the significant visual elements to the church will show a commitment to the sacred arts through the design and use of traditional stained glass. The themes of the eight, large windows are the Eight Beatitudes (from the Gospel of Matthew), which will be expressed through the interplay of stories from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the lives of the Saints.

The windows, 25 feet high by 9 feet wide, will detail the relationships of faith and education, as well as the traditions, imagery and memories of the University of Southern California.

"These windows will be among the most significant windows in Los Angeles and represent the region's largest stained glass installation in 50 years," said David Judson, a Catholic Trojan himself, a fifth generation of Judson Studios, and a member of the church's Liturgical Design Committee. Judson's great-great-grandfather was the first dean of the School of Fine arts at USC.

A ceremonial groundbreaking for the new church is scheduled Dec. 14.
WINNERS --- The African American Catholic Center for Evangelization's "Robby Cup," named after the late Father Fisher Robinson, SVD, is presented by Deacon Willard Hall Aug. 24 to the Transfiguration Church golf team for winning the 5th annual AACCFE golf tournament. Pictured are Alton Duhan (from left), Frank Rhodes, Deacon Willard Hall and Bobby Davis.

HONOR --- Knights of Columbus from Hacienda Heights recently presented a 4th degree sword to Cardinal Roger Mahony, himself a 4th degree member, during Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Making the presentation are Knights Roger Meehan and Joseph Sofka.