The first few months of the year are traditionally a busy time for major diocesan events, and 2005 is no exception. This week, The Tidings previews various upcoming celebrations happening early in the year; more details on some of these events will be presented closer to their occurrence.

Migration Day: Jan. 8
Migration Day will be celebrated at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Jan. 8 at 10 a.m. Cardinal Roger Mahony will serve as main celebrant with Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis concelebrating. A Festival of Culture at St. Peter Church, 1039 N. Broadway in Los Angeles from noon to 6 p.m., will feature a variety of ethnic folklore, music, dance, arts and crafts and multicultural foods. For more information, call St. Peter Church at (323) 225-8119.

Faith Perspective on Immigration Series: Jan. 12-Feb. 2
Holy Family Church in South Pasadena will offer a series of talks entitled "Embracing the Stranger: A Faith Perspective on Immigration." The first, "Immigrant Journeys: Stories of Faith, Hope and Fear" on Jan. 12 features speakers San Gabriel Region Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala and Soņia Nazario, Los Angeles Times staff writer and 2003 Pulitzer Prize winner. Additional talks include "Lady Liberty and the Law: A History of U.S. Immigration and Reform Efforts" Jan. 19; "Alien Lands: Immigrant Challenges in America" Jan. 26; and "Reaching Out: Catholic Responses to Migrant Needs" Feb. 2. All programs begin at 7:30 p.m. in the parish hall, 1501 Fremont Ave., and are free of charge. Call (626) 799-8908.

Holy Name Union Mass: Jan. 16
The annual Holy Name Union Mass will be celebrated Jan. 16 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Los Angeles at 8 a.m. followed by breakfast in the adjacent hall. Auxiliary Bishop Edward Clark of Our Lady of the Angels Region will serve as main celebrant. Union moderator Msgr. Paul Montoya will speak at the breakfast.

The Holy Name Union Mass was instituted more than 700 years ago to honor the sacred name of Jesus and to proclaim and defend his divinity. In Los Angeles the tradition goes back over 60 years, and has been celebrated at St. Vibiana Cathedral, various parishes and Catholic high schools and the Hollywood Palladium. This year's Mass and breakfast takes place at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1523 Golden Gate Ave, near Sunset Blvd. Breakfast tickets at $15 each will be available at the door. For more information, call (626) 287-0094.

Martin Luther King Breakfast: Jan. 17
Judge Arthur C. McFarland will keynote the annual archdiocesan Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast Jan. 17. McFarland is a graduate of Bishop England High School in Charleston, South Carolina, which he and eight other African-American students desegregated in 1964. A graduate of Notre Dame University and the University of Virginia Law School, McFarland has served as chief municipal judge in Charleston since 1978. He is also Supreme Knight and CEO of the Knights of Peter Claver, a fraternal society of black Catholics.

Judge McFarland "has a personal perspective on Martin Luther King's life and the civil rights issues during that time, and he will be able to share some special insights as a student involved in the desegregation of a school," said Anderson Shaw, who is the newly appointed director of the African American Catholic Center for Evangelization.

Sponsored by center, the 8:30 a.m. prayer breakfast takes place at Verbum Dei High School, 11100 S. Central Ave. in Watts. Tickets are $15 and are sold in advance. Call (323) 357-0523 or visit the parish office of Transfiguration Church, 2515 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Los Angeles.

Whole Community Catechesis: January
Parishe DRE's, catechetical teams, pastors, youth and liturgical ministers, and catholic school personnel are invited to attend an introductory session on the vision and process of Whole Community Catechesis. The first session takes place Jan. 18 at the Office of Religious Education, 3424 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles from 6:30-9:30 p.m. A second repeat session takes place Jan. 19 at Blessed Junipero Serra Church, 2505 Upland Rd. in Camarillo from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Registration is $12 per person. An advanced level session for parishes already integrating Whole Community Catechesis to share experiences and resources takes place Jan. 25 at the Office of Religious Education from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. A light lunch is included in the $12 registration fee. To register, call Sister Clare Melody at (213) 637-7358.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: Jan. 18-25
The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes place Jan. 18-25. Local parishes are encouraged to pray for the unity of Catholics and Christians, said Father Alexei Smith, ecumenical and interreligious officer for the archdiocese.

"Christ prayed at the last supper that all of his disciples might be one, even as he and the Father are one," said Father Smith.

Begun in 1908, Christians around the world join in prayer and observances that emphasize the unity already shared in Christ and to encourage the ecumenical movement. In Los Angeles an ecumenical service will be held at St. Brendan Church in Los Angeles Jan. 25 at 7 p.m., sponsored by the Wilshire Center Interfaith Council. The annual prayer service sponsored by the Southern California Ecumenical Council will take place at the First Lutheran Church in Glendale Jan. 30 at 4 p.m. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, primate of the Armenian Church, Western Diocese will serve as the homilist. For more information, call Father Smith at (213) 637-7556.

Together in Mission Annual Appeal: January
The 2005 Together in Mission Annual Appeal will kick off on Announcement Weekend Jan. 22 and 23 with the theme "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light." Parishioners will be asked to make their financial pledges on Commitment Weekend Jan. 29 and 30 to provide subsidies to 32 parishes and 46 schools in financially disadvantaged areas in all five regions of the archdiocese. Last year 113,011 donors contributed more than $15 million, breaking archdiocesan records. "Pastors, staff, committee members and donors have all done a fantastic job," said Joseph Hindley, director of the Annual Appeal. "The generosity of the people is superb." Hindley said he hopes the 2005 appeal will build on last year's success.

Annual Pro-Life Conference: Jan. 22
The Right to Life League's 15th Educational Conference takes place Jan. 22 at the First Church of the Nazarene, 3700 East Sierra Madre Blvd. in Pasadena from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Topics will address captivating youth with truth; sex and the media; the miracle of ultrasound; the sex, love and choices abstinence program; and bioethical challenges. The conference will conclude with a caravan to the 9th Circuit Court House in Pasadena for a prayer vigil with the Knights of Columbus. Registration of $30 includes lunch and educational materials. To register, call (626) 398-6106.

Requiem for the Unborn: Jan. 22
The annual archdiocesan Requiem for the Unborn, sponsored by the Commission for Catholic Life Issues, will take place Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

Cardinal Roger Mahony will serve as main celebrant. The fourth degree Knights of Columbus will form an honor guard in full regalia. Clergy, deacons and their wives also will process. Music will be provided by the Shantigarh choir.

"It is a Mass in commemoration of those that have been lost through abortion and the parents and grandparents that have suffered from the aftermath of an abortion," said Licia Nicassio, a member of the Commission for Catholic Life Issues.

A candle lighting ceremony will dramatically illustrate the loss of life to abortion in Los Angeles on a single day.

Black History Mass: Jan. 29
The annual Black History Mass takes place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Jan. 29 at 4:30 p.m. Cardinal Roger Mahony will preside and Father Jeff Harvey of St. Vincent Church in Phoenix will serve as homilist. The celebration welcomes the diversity of black Catholic cultures within the archdiocese and inaugurates Black History Month which begins in February. For more information, call (323) 357-0523.

Mass for Religious Jubilarians: Jan. 30
The annual archdiocesan Eucharistic Celebration for Religious Jubilarians takes place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Jan. 30 at 3:30 p.m. followed by a reception. To be honored are 146 jubilarian men and women celebrating anniversary years of religious profession including 25, 40, 50, 60, 70, 75 and even 80 years. Cardinal Roger Mahony will serve as main celebrant with the regional bishops as concelebrants.

The Mass is "the archdiocese's way of recognizing the contributions of men and women religious to the archdiocese. It's a celebration of commitment, fidelity, love and service," said Notre Dame Sister Anncarla Costello, vicar for women religious. She can be reached at (213) 637-7592.

Cardinal's Award Dinner: Feb. 5
The 16th annual Cardinal's Awards Dinner at the Beverly Hilton Hotel Feb. 5 will honor five Catholics who have provided significant leadership in serving the local church and community. This year's honorees include Dr. David Frelinger, June Gleason, Stanley Hayden, Joan Payden and Msgr. John V. Sheridan.

Dinner proceeds will benefit Guardian Angel Church in Pacoima for construction of a new church, rectory and school in the low-income immigrant community. The present 250 seat sanctuary cannot accommodate the more than 3,000 people who flock to the parish for one of seven Masses each weekend.

For information on the 2004 Cardinal's Awards Dinner, call (213) 637-7636.

Religious Education Congress: Feb. 17-20
"Awake to Grace" is the theme of this year's Religious Education Congress, Feb. 17-20 at the Anaheim Convention Center. "Around us, even within reach of our senses, abound stirrings of this all-encompassing presence," writes Religious Sister of Charity Edith Prendergast, director of the archdiocesan Office of Religious Education, of the power of grace. Youth Day on Feb. 17 will bring together more than 12,000 teens celebrating their faith. The main portion of Congress Feb. 18-20 features more than 250 workshops in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, keynotes, multicultural liturgical celebrations, Christian entertainment, opportunities to network and a large exhibition hall. Registration is $60. Register online at www.RECongress.org or call (213) 637-7346 for more information.

World Marriage Day: Feb. 27
The annual archdiocesan celebration of World Marriage Day takes place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Feb. 27 at 3:30 p.m. Cardinal Roger Mahony, presider, will honor couples celebrating 25, 50 or more years of marriage in 2005. Participating couples will receive a gold commemorative certificate, a photo with Cardinal Mahony and a special souvenir. Registration is $35 per couple; call (213) 637-7228 for information.

Around the archdiocese, regional celebrations will be held honoring couples celebrating special anniversaries of 5 years, 10, 15, 20 and up in 2005. San Gabriel Region celebrates Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Rowland Heights. On Feb. 27 celebrations take place in the Santa Barbara Region at St. Anthony Church in Oxnard at 3 p.m., and in the San Fernando Region at St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Reseda at 11 a.m. Details for the San Pedro Region to be announced.