Colburn’s Glee Choir: The freedom to express through music

Salesian High School senior and drum line member Brendan Lopez has a passion for music. When the opportunity came up as a sophomore to join the after-school Glee Choir at the Colburn School of Music in downtown Los Angeles, he decided to try it out, and he’s been coming weekly ever since.

White Mass honorees rely on prayer, faith to help them serve

At St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, Dr. Jorge Carreon’s day begins with a visit to the chapel and prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

“First thing I do when I get to the hospital is ask God to help my patients, their families, and for clarity of mind to make the right decisions,” said the 70-year-old ob/gyn.

Colorful and universal: ‘I think this is what heaven is like’

“To see these various ethnic groups come together in their finery in their traditional costumes is extremely exciting,” remarked Rich Widerynski of the Oct. 4 Eucharistic Celebration of Cultures held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. “Not only are the people beautiful, but they’re colorful.”

Our Lady of Fatima Family Crusade celebration set Oct. 11

The 20th anniversary of the Our Lady of Fatima Family Crusade will be celebrated Oct. 11 at San Lorenzo Ruiz Church, Walnut.

Parishioners and devotees of the Blessed Virgin Mary will come together to pray the rosary at 4 p.m., followed by Mass at 5 p.m. with Father Tony Astudillo, pastor, presiding.

Kathleen Kim, police commissioner

“It’s been a really great experience, a very meaningful experience. And I did not ever expect to have this opportunity to, you know, be a part of something that could have such an impact on our residents. It really came out of nowhere.”

Kathleen Kim, a professor of law at Loyola Law School, wasn’t talking about some academic honor or a coveted judicial appointment. The 39-year-old daughter of South Korean immigrants was referring to Mayor Eric Garcetti naming her last year to the Los Angeles Police Commission.

San Pedro Congress: A time to renew, re-charge, re-commit

Among the nearly 1,000 Catholic religious educators attending last weekend’s San Pedro Regional Congress were many who had attended before. But this year, they weren’t necessarily after the same type of information.

Catholic Charities hosts Mega Citizenship Workshop

Helping others navigate the process of naturalization, Catholic Charities Los Angeles hosted a free Mega Citizenship Workshop at St. Didacus Church in Sylmar Sept. 27, where nearly 60 legal permanent residents made their first step toward becoming United States citizens.

It’s estimated that there are one million eligible lawful permanent residents in the Los Angeles area who can become U.S. citizens — but for many, the process may be financially intimidating. The workshop outlined ways the $680 fee may be waived because of financial hardships, poverty levels or other factors.

Vida Nueva wins 11 national NAHP awards

Vida Nueva, the monthly Spanish-language newspaper of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, captured 11 José Martí Publishing Awards, including three Gold Awards, given by the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP). The recognition was recently announced during the NAHP’s annual convention in Oak Brook, IL.

St. John’s honors 5

joyful crowd of more than 400 people from around the state gathered Sept. 28 at St. John’s Seminary in Camarilloto honor five men as St. John’s 2014 Distinguished Alumni.

San Fernando Auxiliary Bishop Gerald Wilkerson, Monsignors Helmut Hefner and Norman Priebe, Father Thomas Peacha and Michael Clements received their awards at the seventh annual awards event.All received theological formation from St. John’s, and have served the church in areas of faith-based community organizing, parish ministry, diocesan leadership and (in the case of Msgr. Hefner, as St. John’s rector from 2001-07) forming new generations of priests.