Our Lady of Fatima: Oct. 24-25
The annual celebration honoring Our Lady of Fatima will take place Oct. 24 and 25 at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Santa Maria.

A rosary and prayers will be celebrated Oct. 24, 7 p.m. in the parish hall. On Oct. 25, the bilingual Mass (Portuguese and English) will be celebrated at 5 p.m. with Father Manual Sousa presiding. A candlelight and rosary procession will follow the Mass, with a reception in the parish hall, 201 S. School St. For information, call (805) 922-5826.

Respect Life Mass: Oct. 25
Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Curry will preside at a Mass for the Unborn Oct. 26, 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Ventura. The event is being held in connection with National Respect Life Month in October.

Our Lady of the Assumption is located at 3175 Telegraph Rd., Ventura. For information, call (805) 642-7966.

Holy Cross Boutique: Nov. 1-2
The 24th annual Holiday Boutique will be presented Nov. 1 and 2 by Holy Cross Church, Moorpark.

Founded in 1984 by a group of 13 parish women who gathered in fellowship to create crafts to raise funds for the new church (which was dedicated in 1993), the boutique has become one of the leading pre-holiday shopping venues in the eastern end of Ventura County. Several of the original 13 are still active in the boutique, said Patti Mann, publicity chair.

"Many talented ladies have contributed to the boutique's success over the past 23 years," Mann said. "These ladies have grown together in fellowship, both socially and spiritually." At their meetings, before any work or business is started, participants share their daily reflections and offer prayer intentions for those in need.

Holy Cross parishioners Russ and Gail Ireland portray Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, while other parishioners donate baked goods, raffle items and handicrafts. The annual burrito luncheon has become a staple as well.

Boutique hours are 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Nov. 1 and 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 2 at Holy Cross, 13935 Peach Hill Rd., Moorpark. For information, call (805) 529-1397.

Harvest Moon Appreciation Dance: Nov. 1
The youth ministry of St. Raphael Church, Goleta, will host a Harvest Moon Appreciation Dinner Dance for senior citizens Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m., at the parish hall, 5444 Hollister Ave. For information, call (805) 964-3466.

St. John's Eberhardt Lecture: Nov. 11
One week after the Nov. 4 election, the annual Father Newman C. Eberhardt Lecture at St. John's Seminary, Camarillo, will address "Catholics and the 2008 Election: Are We a House Divided?"

Douglas W. Kmiec, professor of Constitutional Law at Pepperdine Unviersity, will be the featured speaker for the 7:15 p.m. event in the seminary prayer hall, 5012 Seminary Rd. There is no admission charge, but RSVPs are appreciated: (805) 389-2035, or email advancement@stjohnssem.edu.