Find out about upcoming events and celebrations, including Life Forum 2004, the Martin Luther King Prayer Breakfast, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, World Marriage Day, the Religious Education Congress and the Black History Month Liturgy.

Jan. 17: Life Forum 2004
"Cutting Through the Spin to Find the Truth" is the theme of the annual conference held near the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. The 8 a.m.-4 p.m. event at the Four Points Sheraton in Monrovia will feature a series of presentations, including "Bioethical Challenges of Stem Cell Research and Cloning," "Exposing Planned Parenthood," "Generational Differences," and "Reaching Youth with the Abstinence Message."

The archdiocesan Office of Respect Life is among nine sponsoring entities for the conference. Registration is $30; for information, call the office, (626) 396-7019, or the Right to Life League of Southern California, (626) 398-6100.

Jan. 19: Martin Luther King Breakfast
Sister of Social Service Eva Marie Lumas will keynote the annual archdiocesan Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast Jan. 19. A national lecturer and preacher, Sister Lumas serves as Assistant Professor of Religious Education and Culture at the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley.

"Sister Eva Marie Lumas is someone who epitomizes the life and legacy of Martin Luther King," said Deacon Bill Hawkins, chair of the commemorative breakfast. "She has been at the forefront fighting for the African American Catholic community to be recognized for over 30 years."

Sponsored by the African American Catholic Center for Evangelization, the 8:30 a.m. prayer breakfast takes place at Verbum Dei High School in Watts. Tickets are $12 and are sold in advance. Call (323) 357-0523.

Feb. 1: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels will host Los Angeles' annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity celebration Feb. 1, 4 p.m. Bishop McKinley Young, Tenth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, will be the preacher at the ecumenical service, sponsored by the Southern California Ecumenical Council. All are invited to attend the celebration, and arrangements have been made for guided tours of the cathedral following the service.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is located at 555 W. Temple St., Los Angeles. For information, contact (626) 578-6371, or the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, (213) 637-7556.

Feb. 8: World Marriage Day
Sponsored by the Office of Family Life, the day marks the celebration of marriage around the world. In the archdiocese, the annual celebration will be held Feb. 8, 3:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Couples observing wedding anniversaries in 2004 of 25, 50 or more years are invited to attend. Registration is $35 per couple; for information, call the Office of Family Life, (213) 637-7228.

Feb. 19-22: Religious Education Congress
"Steeped in Mercy, Balm for the World" is the theme for the largest annual gathering of catechists in the United States, taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The four-day event begins with Youth Day for high school students Feb. 19, followed by the adult portion Friday-Sunday. Keynote speakers include Richard Gaillardetz, Scott Appleby, Victor Escalante and Auxiliary Bishop Dominic Luong of Orange. A wide assortment of liturgies and musical events, plus more than 200 workshops in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, are also offered.

Registration is $60. For information, call (213) 637-7346, or visit www.recongress.org.

Feb. 28: Black History Month Liturgy
African American Catholics will gather for the second annual liturgical celebration at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels at 5:30 p.m. Cardinal Roger Mahony will preside and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry of Chicago will serve as the homilist.

The theme is "The Lord hears the cry of the poor," said Jocelyn Lyons, director of the African American Catholic Center for Evangelization.

Despite fewer equal employment opportunities, greater economic hardships and ongoing experiences of racism in society, God persists in caring about and loving the African American community, said Lyons.

"We know that God hears us, and the hope is that God will help us to get through these hard times," said Lyons. "God is with us even in our greatest poverty."

She added that with God's grace African American Catholics have served others and have helped to build and sustain the faith community.

"This liturgy at the Cathedral is another opportunity to express and to celebrate our gifts as an African American community within the Catholic Church and beyond," said Lyons.