In line with Archbishop José Gomez’ pastoral priorities that include the promotion of vocations, the Juan Diego House of Formation will be the beneficiary of proceeds from the 2013 Cardinal’s Award Dinner on Feb. 9.Juan Diego House is a house of formation operated by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for college-aged seminarians who are aspiring to the diocesan priesthood. They complete undergraduate coursework at El Camino Community College in Torrance and Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson before continuing their theological formation St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo; 12 current St. John’s seminarians previously attended Juan Diego House.Proceeds from the Cardinal’s Awards Dinner will go toward remodeling and expanding the current space at Juan Diego House to allow room for more residents. There are now 18 men at Juan Diego House — located next to Maria Regina Church in Gardena — and because more are applying each year, the facility is nearly at capacity, said Father Jim Anguiano, director of Juan Diego House.The House’s mission statement noted that its multicultural resident community seeks to create academic, spiritual, catechetical and liturgical environments for the residents. They are offered the chance not only for personal growth, but also to offer “authentic Christian service to others,” and to develop “a deepening appreciation of the spiritual and liturgical life of the Church.”“Upon leaving Juan Diego House, the seminarian will know himself better, have a deeper understanding of what it means to be a priest, and be committed to serving God and neighbor.”The 24th annual Cardinal’s Awards Dinner on Feb. 9, 2013 6 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood and Highland in Hollywood, will honor five members of the Los Angeles Catholic community who have extensive and distinguished records of service:—Sister Regina Marie Gorman, Vicar General (and former Superior General) of the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, and a nationally-known presenter of spiritual workshops and retreats. —Elizabeth (Bitsy) Hotaling of Holy Family Church, South Pasadena, active in the Order of Malta, Christ Child Society Pasadena, the Little Sisters of the Poor and many other organizations. —John McNicholas of St. Brendan Church, Hancock Park, one of Los Angeles’ most noted trial lawyers who has also represented the archdiocese and the Vatican. —Tomás Pacheco Sr. of St. Andrew Church, Pasadena, who has led citizenship workshops and helped organize many parish and archdiocesan celebrations for Our Lady of Guadalupe. —Stephen Page, retired corporate executive of United Technologies and a longtime supporter of Loyola Marymount University (his alma mater) and Catholic Charities.The 2013 honorees bring to 120 the number of men and women honored with the award. Since 1990, more than $8 million has been raised to support schools, parishes, charities or relief efforts in all pastoral regions of the archdiocese.For information and reservations on the 2012 Cardinal’s Award Dinner, call Judy Brooks, director of the Office of Special Services, (213) 637-7636 or [email protected], or visit www.cardinalsawardsdinner.org. For information on Juan Diego House, visit www.juandiegohouse.org.
