In our time

We are living in times of rising religious extremism and violence.

As I write, I’ve just read the sad news that 90 Christians have been kidnapped from two villages in Syria. Of course we were all shocked earlier this month by the news that 21 Coptic Christians were executed in Syria — killed, as Pope Francis said, “for the mere fact of being Christians.”

Catholic culture and the new evangelization

We all know that Catholicism is not an ideology or a philosophy or a set of rules.

Catholicism creates a culture. Because Catholicism is a way of living born from the encounter with a divine person, Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Word of God and the Son of God humbling himself to come among us in human form.

Lent is a time of solidarity and concern for others

Lent comes early this year. In fact, next week, February 18, is Ash Wednesday and Lent begins.

Lent reminds us that our Christian life is a journey that we are making with Jesus Christ.

During Lent, are more conscious that we are following Jesus on his way to the Cross, carrying our own crosses along with him. We are trying in these 40 days to share in some of his sufferings. So we fast and pray, and we make sacrifices and deny ourselves — just as Jesus did.

Marriage and the mystery of the family

I’m looking forward to this Sunday, Feb. 8, at the cathedral, when we celebrate World Marriage Day with a Mass in English at 10 a.m. and Spanish at 12:30 p.m. Couples celebrating significant anniversaries — their 25th, 50th, 60th or more years of marriage — are invited to have their marriages recognized and blessed during these Masses.

The Faces of God: Nativity Church, Torrance

Nativity Church is nestled in residential Torrence, surrounded by houses on all sides. Two weeks after Christmas, a drive down the neighborhood’s Engracia Avenue showed the influence of this parish: nearly every other house still had its front lawn Nativity scene lit and on display. Pastor Fr. Hung Tran says this is a yearly event.

‘The Pope’s Rabbi’ visits LMU

Rabbi Abraham Skorka is an Argentine chemist, author and rector of the Seminario Rabínico Latinoamericano Marshall T. Meyer — which trains Masorti/Conservative rabbis, cantors and educators in the Latin American Jewish Community.

‘As long as there are Christians, no one should have to suffer alone’

Editor’s note: The archbishop’s reflections this week are adapted from his homily at the Requiem Mass for the Unborn, held on Jan. 24 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

America’s next saint, St. Junípero Serra

America’s next saint will be the man who evangelized California and is associated with the beginnings of Los Angeles.

Pope Francis announced last week that he intends to canonize Blessed Junípero Serra, OFM, when he comes to the United States next September.

OneLife LA and 9 Days for Life

I am looking forward to Saturday’s OneLife LA celebration.

This will be a day of family and friendship in celebration of the beauty and dignity of every human life — from conception to natural death.

‘We Are One Family Under God’

For more than 25 years now, the United States Catholic bishops have recognized the first week of every new year as National Migration Week.