A five-week series of reflection talks centered on the conversion of St. Paul continues March 20 at St. Lorenzo Ruiz Church in Walnut.
The series theme, "From Saul to Paul: A Lenten Journey to Springtime and Conversion," coincides with the apostle's 2,000th birth year celebration as the Catholic Church continues the "Year of St. Paul," said Father Tony Astudillo, pastor of St. Lorenzo Ruiz. Each Friday, a single, active word --- drawn from the ensuing Sunday's Scriptures --- suggests the reflection topics, in deference and in relation to the five Sundays' scriptural passages.
"Repent, hope, purge, transform and proclaim shall be visualized in symbolic images to hopefully capture and sensitize the real meaning of Lent in terms of the conversion process," Father Astudillo explained.
The journey began Ash Wednesday, with different parish ministries hosting each of the five Fridays of Lent. Each celebration begins and ends with the fellowship of the Lenten soup meal, the Way of the Cross and the Lenten reflection. The March 20 talk on "Purge!" will be presented by Msgr. Michael Meyers, associate vicar for clergy, followed by retired Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Sartoris (March 27: "Transform!") and Bishop Oscar Solis (April 3: "Proclaim!"). Previous speakers were Father Astudillo and Father Jim Clarke.
All are invited to the series. For more information, call (909) 595-9545.
Bishop Amat plans scholarship benefit dinner fundraiser
A scholarship benefit dinner fundraiser for Bishop Amat High School will be held March 28 in West Covina, in place of the annual Lancer Classic Dinner and Awards.
The decision to hold a "smaller, more intimate event, said Msgr. Aidan Carroll, president of Bishop Amat, was made after "having carefully evaluated the negative impact of the current economic crisis on our potential supporters and the growing need for scholarship assistance for our students."
"I assure you," Msgr. Carroll added in a letter to school supporters, "that it is my earnest hope and intention to restore this prestigious and enjoyable event in 2010."
The March 28 fundraiser will be held at Hacienda La Joyita, a spanish-style estate dating from the 1920s, at 3009 E. Cameron Dr., West Covina. The event begins at 5 p.m. For information, call (626) 962-2495.
Annual Lourdes Day of Prayer inaugurated at Santa Teresita
With joyful smiles and prayerful hearts, the residents of Santa Teresita celebrated the inauguration of the annual Lourdes Day of Prayer Feb. 7 at the skilled nursing and assisted living facility in Duarte.
Held in commemoration of the Blessed Mother's apparitions to the peasant girl, Bernadette Soubirouis, in Lourdes, France --- the site of numerous miraculous healings --- the Lourdes Day of Prayer provided several hundred people the opportunity to offer their own prayers for healing of the sick.
More than 265 people were present, including more than 60 of the aged and infirm residents of Santa Teresita, their friends, family members and the local community, as well as the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles and members of the Order of Malta. Together, they participated in Mass concelebrated by Passionist Father Patrick Brennan and Jesuit Father Ernesto Arbelaez, accompanied by a blessing of the sick in attendance.
The Carmelite Sisters, who care for the residents of Santa Teresita, invited the members of the Order of Malta to help them initiate this event due to the Order of Malta's devotion in making annual pilgrimages to Lourdes. Every year, members of the Order accompany a group of seriously ill malades (sick) to the little town in France, spending a week together in prayer and participating in religious ceremonies. Santa Teresita's Lourdes Day of Prayer brought this experience to the residents and local community who were not able to travel to France.
'People of the Passion' to be performed at St. John Vianney
To celebrate the seasons of Lent and Easter, St. John Vianney Church in Hacienda Heights is presenting a production of the play, "People of the Passion," written by Mary Betten and directed by Susan Boulanger, on April 3, 7:30 p.m. in the church, located at 1345 Turnbull Canyon Road.
"People of the Passion" presents the stories of a variety of Gospel characters who witnessed or participated in the crucifixion of Jesus, and were forever changed by that experience. Through their personal stories, the audience becomes witnesses to the Passion of Jesus in a unique and personal way.
The St. John Vianney Children's Choir, under the direction of Christine Brydges and Michael Gribschaw, will be performing musical interludes. Cast members include Manny Carrillo, Patrick Flanagan, Letycia Gomez, Veronica Lopez, Carlos Pacheco, Celia Rios, David Shephard and Jeannie Shephard.
"People of the Passion" is free of charge. For information, call (626) 330-2269.
St. Luke hosts Social Justice Workshop for teens March 21
The Office for Justice and Peace (along with their team) will be offering a day-long workshop for teenagers, "A Voice in the Wilderness: Communicating the Best Kept Secret of the Catholic Church," on March 21, 12:30-5 p.m., at St. Luke Church in Temple City.
The day will include prayer, worship and four specific sessions: "An Overview of Catholic Social Teaching"; "Catholic Relief Services: Seeking Peace in a World of Injustice"; "Catholic Campaign for Human Development: Helping People Help Themselves"; and "Communicating with Passion: Sharing an Effective Witness Talk."
"It will be a day where participants will learn about the reality of poverty and what they can do to be a part of the solution," said Joan Harper, Office of Justice and Peace program consultant. Cost is $15 per person. For more information, call Sergio Lopez at (213) 637-7427 or at: mailto:OJPVolunteer@la-archdiocese.org.
Mission model contest now includes family project
A family mission model-building project category has been added to San Gabriel Mission's annual Model Mission Exhibit and Contest scheduled April 4 as part of the mission's monthly History Day series.
The fifth annual Model Mission Exhibit and Contest (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) is co-sponsored by the Ramona Museum of California History in San Gabriel and San Gabriel Mission. Each year, thousands of fourth-grade elementary school students in California build a model of a California mission using various materials.
The family-project category is for any family to build any one of the 21 missions in California. The models can be made of various materials, should include the church, other buildings and gardens, and should be no larger than three feet wide by three feet long, said contest director Chuck Lyons.
Southern California fourth grade students (public and private school), people of any age living in Southern California, and any family living in Southern California are eligible to enter the three categories, with total prize money of $500. The top two classrooms with the most participation will be awarded $100 in history books, maps and more from San Gabriel Mission.
Interested persons should visit the mission's web site, www.sangabrielmission.org , or the mission's gift shop at 427 S. Junipero Serra Dr. in San Gabriel to get more information and the entry form. Entry forms will be accepted through March 28.
Contestants must bring their completed model and sign-in between 10:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. on April 4 so their model is ready for viewing and judging no later than 11 a.m. Models will be displayed until 2 p.m. Contestants may keep their model after the contest.
San Gabriel Mission is located at 427 S. Junipero Serra Dr., San Gabriel. Information: (626) 457-3035.
St. Denis to host outreach on lesbian and gay issues
St. Denis Church in Diamond Bar, along with the Ministry for Lesbian and Gay Catholics, will host an outreach for anyone interested in understanding lesbian and gay issues on April 30 at 7 p.m. The PBS documentary "Anyone and Everyone" will be shown, followed by discussion. For more information about the documentary visit www.anyoneandeveryone.com. |