The Tapestries of Saints at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels provided ample material Oct. 13 for Msgr. Terrance Fleming to stress to some 2,000 youth at the annual Holy Childhood Association Mass that "Our faith belongs in the world, not just in America."

Pointing to various saints depicted in John Nava's tapestries that line the Cathedral walls, Msgr. Fleming --- director of the Mission Office of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles --- told the assembled youth that, collectively, "These people --- famous and anonymous --- are a picture of what our church is all about. These are the people who make a difference in helping others around the world who are not as fortunate."

They provide models for the assembled children who, in schools throughout the archdiocese, have performed a variety of projects that support the Holy Childhood Association. The 161-year-old HCA is an international organization dedicated to fostering children's awareness of the missionary nature of the church through Catholic elementary schools and religious education programs.

As he walked through the assembly, Msgr. Fleming pointed out various saints --- Elizabeth of Portugal, who gave up a fortune to support the poor, for example --- who engaged themselves in the church's social mission of addressing the needs of poor throughout the world.

"There are all kinds of faces, nationalities, ages represented on these walls," Msgr. Fleming said. "And notice, too, that they are all facing toward the altar, going toward the altar to receive Christ and be light to the world. That is what we are all called to do."

At the end of the Mass, Msgr. Fleming congratulated Alexandra Burgos of St. Mary Magdalen School, Camarillo, whose artwork was selected from more than 10,000 entries nationwide to be included as one of 25 depicted in the Holy Childhood Association's Christmas Seals for 2004.