More church involvement in the nation's daily affairs was a common denominator of community and academic leaders' speeches during the 15th annual archdiocesan breakfast in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr., hosted Jan 19 by the African American Catholic Center for Evangelization.

"Can one man change a country that believes in power more than in truth and justice?" asked Dr. Robert A. Hurteau during his keynote speech at Verbum Dei High School in Los Angeles.

"There is still much to do and the church needs to do it," said the director of the Loyola Marymount University Center for Religion and Spirituality, echoed by a sigh from the audience, mostly representatives from about 25 parishes.

Both Hurteau and his host, Dr. Anderson Shaw, director of the AACCFE, agreed that nowadays there is little political or spiritual inspiration for American youth, even with the inauguration of President Barack Obama the following day.

"Kids are moving from the suburbs and the traditional African American Catholic Church is non-existent, except for the CMDE," Shaw quipped, leaving the audience in suspense for a few seconds. "Christmas, Mother's Day, and Easter," he added, eliciting laughter.

"We need to bring people back to the small faith community," Shaw said, and thanked Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis for providing leadership and support to the center he leads.

Ulises Ceja, a Verbum Dei senior, confirmed Shaw's message.

"If it weren't for Verbum, I would not have been the student that I am today. God is present in my daily life. He is present in every decision that I make," said Ceja, who is waiting for his acceptance to Harvard University, where he plans to enter the Latin American studies program.

"I want to be a diplomatic who represents the United States and promotes cultural understanding. Eventually, I will be the Secretary General of the United Nations," he said, awakening a wide applause from the audience.

"This is what I mean --- dare to dream," said Evelyn Payne, mistress of ceremonies and motivational speaker.

"Martin Luther King talked about the truth of his time and of this time," said Hurteau "He called to pay more attention to what others want than what conscience dictates."

"We need to embrace each other trying to live as one body. Know each other's struggles, living each situation as we seek to contribute to establish the Kingdom of God right here right now," Hurteau said, after citing Fannie Lou Hamer, the African American voting rights activist and civil rights leader, who challenged Lyndon B. Johnson's intentions to reelect to the presidency during a Democratic Convention in 1964.

Hamer, said Hurteau, claimed that all God's children needed liberation and told Senator Hubert Humphrey who integrated a delegation named by Johnson to talk to her, that what was really needed was the "Kingdom of God on earth right here right now."

"Martin Luther King was on the truth and people knew it, and there are sacrifices that come with the truth," Hurteau said. "He talked about justice and equality, he imparted courage to other generations."

Hurteau compared King with Obama, who has called Americans to think about a wider spectrum of issues.

"King asked to hold all candidates accountable, he said. "Obama understands that the prophets will hold him and inspire him, and that he will be held accountable."

After a brief tour through the history of African American Catholic Church, starting with Jesus, who was raised in Egypt and Palestine, Hurteau ended his speech with a question.

"What am I and you going to do to bring the Kingdom of God on Earth?"

His message was followed by a dramatization of MLK's activism by 35 students of St. John Chrysostom School in Inglewood.

The tribute to MLK was opened by a group of young drummers. It included a musical selection of the adult choir Voices of Care, and a youth choir.

"This was a very good experience. It teaches me that I have to work hard and strive for what I want to achieve," said 12-year old Jacqueline Alas, a member of Holy Name of Jesus Church in Los Angeles.

She was accompanied by Sheila Thomas, whose family has turned the breakfast into a family tradition.

"This is my family, through Christ. MLK believed in Christ and in the strengths of all the people," Thomas said. "But it all starts with prayer."