Search is on for Santacruzan 2014 ‘sagalas’

In preparation for its annual Santacruzan on May 10 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is seeking “sagalas,” young women ages 13-35, who will comprise the Court of Honor for the procession of the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Each candidates must be a baptized and practicing Catholic; must write an essay on: “How Can I be a Model for Today’s Young Women?”; and be able to attend mandatory preparation activities including Catechetical Day (April 12 at St. Stephen Martyr Church, Monterey Park) as part of faith formation, as well as a general practice (May 6, 7 p.m. at the Cathedral), the Santacruzan Celebration (May 10, 2:45 p.m. at the Cathedral) and the Santacruzan Dinner-Dance (May 10 at Almansor Court in Alhambra).

‘For the ones we’ve lost, and the ones we’ve saved’

“Defend Life,” “Women Do Regret Abortion,” “Men Regret Lost Fatherhood” and, simply, “Life” — those were the signs that greeted travelers March 15 along Ventura Boulevard in Encino.

On this warm and sunny Saturday morning in Encino, more than 1,000 people of all ages and ethnicities marched along both sides of the San Fernando Valley’s busiest street, carrying signs proudly proclaiming their pro-life faith as they waved enthusiastically to those driving past.

Rabbis, Latino priests seek stronger ties at AJC event

Dozens of local Latino Catholic priests and Jewish rabbis seeking to strengthen interfaith relations — and discuss their shared migrant experiences — came together March 10 for a day of fellowship and conversation at Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles.

2014 LA Religious Ed Congress

I Will Lift My Eyes (Blessing over advocates of the undocumented, in their pilgramage to Rome)
Song written by Tony Alonso, © 2014 GIA Publications, Inc.

Funeral Mass celebrated for fallen LAPD Officer

packed and somber assembly at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels witnessed the March 13 funeral Mass of fallen LAPD Officer Nicholas Choung Lee.

The assembly included hundreds of fellow officers plus civic officials — among them, Gov. Jerry Brown and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. Archbishop José Gomez presided at the Mass, while Father Edward Dover, pastor of Holy Redeemer Church in Montrose — which Lee’s family attends — delivered the homily.

Catholic schools win ‘realignment’ suit against CIF

Four parochial high schools (three of them Catholic) within Los Angeles and Ventura Counties were upheld March 7 in their lawsuit against the California Interscholastic Federation, and will not have to switch leagues that would have required their athletic teams to travel hundreds of extra miles over the course of the year.

Jail chaplains: ‘See the face of Jesus in inmates’ faces’

A small group of chaplains ministering at Los Angeles County’s Twin Towers Jail entered the room and faced the inmate pods, where several of the incarcerated were already lining up at their pod doors to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday evening.

Led by head Catholic chaplain Art Alvarez, the four female chaplain volunteers from San Gabriel Mission and Incarnation Church in Glendale would spend the next two hours distributing ashes on the foreheads of 350 men and women among those serving time at the seven-story correctional facility. Daytime chaplains had earlier distributed ashes to 300 inmates.

Saint Damien statue blessed at St. John’s

“Saint Damien with Leper Child,” by sculptor Dale Zarrella, is the newest artistic addition to St. John’s Seminary, celebrating the life of the priest who ministered to lepers in Molokai, Hawaii.