Inspired by Pope Benedict XVI’s call for a “Year of Faith” and Archbishop José Gomez’ recent letter outlining pastoral priorities, three parishes in the northeast San Fernando Valley are jointly offering a six-week Easter Series. San Fernando parishes Santa Rosa and St. Ferdinand and Mary Immaculate Church in Pacoima are collaboratively presenting weekly talks from April 3-May 8 sponsored by the tri-parish ACTS community. Six clergy and lay leader speakers will address the five priorities outlined by Archbishop Gomez in his Oct. 12 pastoral letter, “Witness to the New World of Faith.”These priorities, explained in detail at http://archla.org/newworld, are: education in the faith; promoting vocations to the priesthood and to religious and consecrated life; fostering our universal “catholic” identity and diversity as the family of God; proclaiming the Gospel of life; and strengthening marriage and family.All of the Wednesday evening presentations will be held at Mary Immaculate Church, 10390 Remick Ave., Pacoima, beginning at 7 p.m. Topics include:—April 3: “Why Do We Need a Year of Faith?” led by Douglas Leal, archdiocesan coordinator of adult faith formation/young adult ministry. He will address the topic of faith, the responsibilities of faith, and why we are called to focus on it this year.—April 10: “Catholic Identity and Cultural Diversity” with Paulist Father Brett Hoover, PhD., a professor at Loyola-Marymount University who teaches Faith and Culture courses. He will look at how foundational beliefs (the Blessed Trinity, the Church as Communion, Catholicity) lead to an acceptance and celebration of the diverse cultural gifts of God’s people.—April 17: “Living the Faith” with Jesuit Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang intervention and re-entry program in the country. He will share his stories from his ministry, including many recounted in his book, “Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion.”—April 24: “Gospel of Life and Culture of Life” with Jaime Huerta, archdiocesan associate director of the Office of Life, Justice and Peace. He will explore the Church’s teaching on a consistent ethic of life, which sees human life as sacred and includes quality of life issues such as basic human needs, growth and development of the person, and justice and the common good.—May 1: “Defending and Strengthening Marriage and Family Life,” with William May, president of San Francisco-based Catholics for the Common Good. He will discuss highlights from his recent book, “Getting the Marriage Conversation Right,” as he teaches how to promote and defend traditional marriage in non-religious terms.—May 8: “Promotion of Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life with Oblate of Mary Immaculate Father Carlos Alarcón, vocation director for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He will discuss why vocations are needed as well as the difference between a vocation to the priesthood and the religious life.For more information on the Tri-Parish ACTS Community (which is organizing a women’s retreat for April 18-21), visit www.sfvacts.org. St. Bernardine plans adult faith enrichment eventsSt. Bernardine of Siena Church, Woodland Hills offers several opportunities for adult faith enrichment in the next few months. Open to the public at no charge, all events begin at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Parish library events include an ongoing Monday evening Bible Study (7:15-8:45 p.m.) and a fiction book discussion on the fourth Monday of the month at 9:30 a.m. This week, parishioner and author Paula Duncan McDonald led a discussion on her book, “Middle of Nowhere,” inspired by her family’s experiences in the dust bowl years in west Texas. Upcoming parish center events include a March 7 presentation by Father Alexei Smith, archdiocesan ecumenical and interreligious officer, on “The Spirituality of Icons.” Beginning April 9 and running four consecutive Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m.-noon in the parish center hall, author Rita Keeley Brown will conduct a “Writing Workshop: Focus on Fiction.” On April 11 at the parish center, Jesuit Father Thomas Rausch, T. Marie Chilton professor of Catholic theology at Loyola Marymount University, will present a talk on “Vatican II, An Overview: Looking Back and Looking Ahead.” St. Bernardine is located at 24410 Calvert St., Woodland Hills. Information: (818) 888-8200.St. Mel to host talk by Fr. BoyleContinuing its “Year of Faith” series, St. Mel Church, Woodland Hills will host a talk by Jesuit Father Greg Boyle on April 3, 7 p.m. The founder of Homeboy Industries, Father Boyle will share his ministry helping gang members find employment alternatives to life on the streets. Author of the book, “Tattoos on the Heart,” he will focus on the importance of adult guidance and unconditional love in preventing youth from joining gangs. The presentation will be held in the church located at 20870 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. Information: (818) 304-6020, ext. 1018.
