Major events upcoming locally this fall

While August is relatively quiet, September and October will once again bring a series of major local (in many cases annual) events in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. They include the following, most taking place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels and many of which The Tidings will preview in greater detail in the weeks aheadSept 14: Queen of Angels Foundation Procession and Mass, Cathedral. This annual celebration, highlighting the founding of the City of Los Angeles in 1781, begins with a 3 p.m. blessing and invocation at Queen of Angels Church (La Placita) near Olvera Street, followed by a procession to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels for Rosary and Mass at 5:15 p.m., Archbishop José Gomez presiding. A festival with multicultural food and entertainment follows on the Cathedral Plaza. It is presented by the Queen of Angels Foundation, in collaboration with the Cathedral, La Placita and numerous lay service groups. Information: (213) 687-2645 or http://www.thequeenofangels.com/.Sept. 15: Catechist Commissioning Service, Cathedral. Celebrated on Catechetical Sunday, this annual liturgy with Archbishop Gomez presiding recognizes catechists and catechetical leaders who have completed formation through various programs of the Office of Religious Education, including Bible Study, master catechist certification and ministry to youth. Information: (213) 637-7358 or http://www.la-archdiocese.org/org/ore/Pages/upcoming.aspx.Sept. 17: Los Angeles Catholic Prayer Breakfast, Cathedral. Well-known motivational speaker and author Matthew Kelly will be the keynote speaker for the ninth annual Prayer Breakfast, which begins with the recitation of the Rosary at 6:30 a.m., followed by Mass at 7 a.m. and the breakfast presentation and keynote talk at 8 a.m. on the Cathedral Plaza. Attended by clergy, religious lay leaders, professionals and Catholic school students, the Prayer Breakfast fills up quickly, and reservations are essential. Information: (800) 838-1356 or http://lacatholicpb.org/.Sept. 21 to Oct. 26: Regional Congresses. Presented by the Office of Religious Education, these fall gatherings offer all-day Saturday workshops on topics addressing all areas of parish ministry. The schedule: San Fernando, Sept. 21 at Bishop Alemany High School, Mission Hills; San Pedro, Sept. 28 at St. Pius/St. Matthias Academy, Downey; Santa Barbara, Oct. 12 at Bishop Garcia Diego High School, Santa Barbara; San Gabriel, Oct. 19 at Bishop Amat High School, La Puente; Our Lady of the Angels, Oct. 26 at St. Mary’s Academy, Inglewood. Information: (213) 637-7358, the various regional offices, or http://www.la-archdiocese.org/org/ore/Pages/upcoming.aspx.Sept. 28: Celebration of Cultures, Cathedral. This annual event (9:45 a.m. prelude, 10 a.m. Mass) celebrates the vast cultural diversity of the Catholic Church of Los Angeles, and the unique gifts that different ethnic groups bring, according to Auxiliary Bishop Alexander Salazar, director of the Office of Ethnic Ministries which coordinates the event. Themed “Our Faith and Our Youth Are Our Strength,” it is open to all. Information: (213) 637-7356.Sept. 29: Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner, St. John's Seminary, Camarillo. The sixth annual dinner to benefit St. John's will honor Archbishop George Niederauer, Monsignors Gary Bauler, Terrence Richey and Jerome Schmitt, and Dr. Paul Ford. The celebration begins at 4 p.m. with Solemn Vespers in the Seminary Chapel, followed by a reception, dinner and presentation of the honorees. Information: (805) 389-2035 or [email protected].Sept. 30-Oct. 4: Respect Life Week. The Office of Life, Justice and Peace in coordination with the Department of Catholic Schools has prepared a curriculum with a series of suggested activities that can be incorporated into all middle and high school classes. The local observance coincides with the national observance of Respect Life Week. Information: (213) 637-7236.Oct. 3: Red Mass, Cathedral. Sponsored by the St. Thomas More Society, the Red Mass is a Catholic Church tradition dating to the 13th century and the beginning of the judicial year, with members of the legal community invited to attend. Msgr. Craig Cox, president and rector of St. John’s Seminary, is this year’s homilist; Archbishop Gomez will preside. Information: (626) 914-8492, [email protected] or www.laredmass.org.Oct 9: “Christian Service 4 Life,” Home Depot Center, Carson. LIFE SoCal and the Office of Life, Justice and Peace are coordinating this third youth-oriented event (last year’s was “Go to Bat 4 Life” at Dodger Stadium) that celebrates and encourages actions by youth that help build a culture of life. Archbishop Gomez will be present as will various speakers to inspire middle and high school students. Reservations are encouraged. Information: (626) 755-7323 or http://lifesocal.org/.These events and more will be featured in greater detail in The Tidings as the dates of the events come nearer. {gallery width=100 height=100}gallery/2013/0802/events/{/gallery}