A year ago, members of Precious Blood Church would say it was unsafe to attend evening activities in their neighborhood just west of downtown L.A. Last weekend, however, fear took a back seat to faith and civic duty.

Wearing nametags and dressed in red t-shirts, groups of 20 or more walked the streets of their community in a Get Out the Vote Campaign. Parishioners walked in pairs --- a Spanish-speaker with a non-Spanish speaker --- as they visited their neighbors on Benton Way and Lafayette Park. They discussed issues, not the candidates, and they distributed election materials.

"We have always said our fears should not dictate our faith," said Missionary of Jesus Father Michael Montoya, associate pastor. "Our faith should dictate our fears. And so we have started to reclaim our neighborhood and profess our faith publicly."

A few months ago, Father Montoya and Missionary of Jesus Father Melchor Villero, pastor, approached One LA, a community-organizing group whose membership includes local parishes, and asked for assistance in organizing their parish community of close to 2,000 families, with nearly 50 percent Hispanic and 50 percent Filipino.

The parish now holds paraliturgical services outdoors, mixing its two predominant cultures (Latino and Filipino) and prays the rosary in the streets. And now parishioners seek support from their neighbors to make a change through voting. "We have said our faith shouldn't limit us within the boundaries inside the church," said Father Montoya. "It should be lived in the community. Our faith calls us to do that."

Parishioners hold meetings in their neighborhoods and discuss issues and concerns regarding housing, the need for more police, personal safety --- issues related to this year's ballot. With the help of One LA, parishioners said, they are educating themselves and organizing for the sake of the families in the area. They are standing up for the rights of families and their needs; they are speaking for themselves.

"It is refreshing and inspiring," said Father Villero of his people's enthusiasm. "And I think we can do a lot more than this."

Indeed, One L.A.'s voter campaign is broader than Precious Blood Church. Some 800 parishioners and community members from about 100 institutions --- including more than 40 Catholic parishes --- have been walking 132 precincts in Los Angeles County to register voters, encourage a commitment to vote on election day and talk to neighborhood constituencies about the issues on the ballot.

The idea, said organizers, is to build a long-term relationship between parishes and the constituencies that live in their neighborhoods.

"It is good for the community," said parishioner Lina Tamayo, one of the Get Out the Vote Campaign organizers. "Especially for the health and safety of the families."