Cultures Mass: A convergence of trials, travels, traditions

For Juanatano Cano, the United States is his third world.

His first world was the small Guatemalan town of Santa Eulalia, where he was born to a Mayan family who converted to Catholicism and only spoke Q’anjobal, one of the 23 Mayan languages. His second world was the city of Huehuetenango (Guatemala), where he learned Spanish.

HOLY LAND: Where saints have walked before us

It’s easy to slip when walking the Via Dolorosa in Old City Jerusalem, especially if it’s raining. The stones are so worn down, so smooth. So many pilgrims over the centuries have followed in the Lord’s footsteps, contemplating his Passion.

Resurrection’s struggle against Exide continues

“The question the communities of the Southern Greater Los Angeles area for 30 years have been asking is why have the state agencies allowed Exide to pollute the children, the neighborhoods of our communities with lead, arsenic and other hazardous chemicals again and again over 30 years?”

Msgr. John Moretta spoke from the steps of Resurrection Church, the parish he’s led for 31 years in Boyle Heights, addressing a Sept. 18 rally, at which he and others urged Gov. Jerry Brown to sign two bills that would require hazardous waste facilities, like Exide Technologies, to fully comply with federal and state laws.

‘Dolphin’ film raises students’ compassion, faith awareness

Immaculate Conception eighth grader Alicia Noemi Lopez had never seen the 2011 film “Dolphin Tale” about an injured dolphin fitted with a prosthetic tail. But the story particularly resonated with her when she saw a screening of the movie along with fellow students Sept. 11.

Kathleen Kim: Advocate for exploited immigrants and trafficked victims – PART I

Kathleen Kim’s parents immigrated from South Korea. So the 39-year-old professor at Loyola Law School — who Mayor Eric Garcetti appointed to the Los Angeles Police Commission, which oversees the LAPD, last year — grew up with a bedrock family immigrant identity.

Ordinati Day: ‘Honoring the priesthood’

Looking out at the audience of Serra Club members, clergy, religious and laity attending the 64th annual Ordinati Day Luncheon celebrating recently-ordained priests, Father Juan Ochoa shared a secret from his days as a new seminarian attending Juan Diego House.

Pro-life training: ‘Look at everything through clients’ eyes’

From a young age, Abby Johnson possessed a deep-seated desire to help women in need. As an adult, that led her to a career with Planned Parenthood, where she became a clinic director and attempted to serve women in crisis — despite a growing sense of unease about the organization.

Catechist Commissioning: Called to share the faith

Once again, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels was filled to capacity as more than 2,000 catechists received their official certification marking the completion of leadership courses in religious education at the Sept. 14 Service of Prayer & Commissioning.

‘Cool 2B Catholic’ Youth Rally: Finding the fun of faith

To make sure that the “Cool 2B Catholic” Youth Rally lived up to its name, organizers moved the inspirational talk/music jam from the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Plaza to a large meeting hall at the Cathedral Conference Center when outdoor temperatures were predicted to be near 100.

Grand Marian Procession celebrates L.A.’s Catholic roots

When the near-lifed-size statue of the Blessed Virgin cradling a toddler Jesus had passed by, three Hispanic women quickly sidestepped out of their back pews in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Getting down on their hands and knees, they collected pink rose pedals and small blue flowers fallen from bouquets at the feet of Mary, borne on the sturdy shoulders of seven men in purple robes.