Major events mark start of new year in L.A. Archdiocese

As the worldwide Year of Faith continues in the Catholic Church, the new calendar year begins in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, as always, with spiritual, formational and celebratory events offering Catholics numerous opportunities to grow in faith. Among the events:Jan. 19: Requiem for the UnbornThe annual Requiem for the Unborn will be celebrated Jan. 19, 6 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, several days ahead of the Jan. 24-25 National Prayer Vigil for Life in Washington, D.C. The events are held in conjunction with the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. The Los Angeles Mass will be preceded by a late afternoon Pro-Life Youth and Young Adult Rally on the Cathedral Plaza, with inspirational speakers and the Jacob and Matthew Band participating. The Mass features the original “Requiem for the Unborn” composed by John Bonaduce. Information: (213) 680-5200.Jan. 21: MLK Prayer Breakfast and MassThe African American Catholic Center for Evangelization (AACCE) will sponsor its 19th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Breakfast on Jan. 21, 8-11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Academy in Inglewood. Dr. C. Vanessa White, assistant professor at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, will be the keynote speaker, addressing the annual theme, “Reconciling Wisdom, Justice and Love.” Cost is $25. At 5 p.m., the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Mass, will be celebrated at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, co-sponsored by the Knights of Peter Claver, the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, and the AACCE. Auxiliary Bishop Edward W. Clark, of the Our Lady of the Angels Region, will be the principal celebrant and homilist. This event is free and open to the public. Parking is $5 per car. For information on both events, contact the AACCE, (323) 777-2106. Feb. 10: World Marriage DayHeld each year on the second Sunday in February, World Marriage Day honors the lifelong commitment of husband and wife. Couples celebrating significant anniversaries (25 years or more) will be recognized and invited to renew their sacramental vows at the 10 a.m. (English) and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish) Masses. Registration forms may be obtained at www.olacathedral.org, and may then be mailed to World Marriage Day Coordinator, 555 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Information: Shirley Manning, (213) 680-5232 or [email protected]. Feb. 21-24: Religious Education Congress“Enter the Mystery/Entra al Misterio” is the theme of the 47th annual Religious Education Congress presented by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Office of Religious Education. More than 300 workshops in English, Spanish and Vietnamese will be offered, led by some of the world’s foremost catechetical, formational and spiritual leaders. From its Jan. 13, 1967 beginnings as a Southern California CCD Congress, this event draws more than 40,000 people from around the world, with more than 15,000 attending Youth Day to open the Congress. For registration and information, call (213) 637-7332 or visit www.recongress.org.—January 4, 2012{gallery width=100 height=100}gallery/2013/0104/localevents/{/gallery}