Nearly 500 young adult leaders of the local Church were recognized for their contributions at the annual Mass celebrating Young Adults in Ministry, held Oct. 24 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

The 480 men and women --- attending with proud family, friends and parishioners were honored for their work in various parish and diocesan ministries, as recommended by their pastors. Also honored were those participating as Theology on Tap team members in the various pastoral regions.

In commending the young adult leaders, Cardinal Roger Mahony urged them in his homily to be attuned to those who --- like Bartimaeus, the blind man in the evening's Gospel reading --- are seeking the Lord's mercy and compassion.

"There is no limit to the love, the mercy, the compassion that Jesus has to offer," the cardinal said. "We need to live out that model ourselves, to give others encouragement and hope in their lives."

---Mike Nelson