Summer Theology in Ethics at LMU: July 5-8

The Loyola Marymount University Center for Religion and Spirituality is offering one-week enrichment courses taught by visiting professors during Ethics Week, July 5-8.

"Contemporary Moral Problems," taught from 6:30-9:30 p.m., will assist students to develop critical skills in reflecting and responding theologically and philosophically to a range of contemporary moral problems. Jesuit Father James Bretzke, associate professor at the University of San Francisco, has published "A Morally Complex World: Engaging Contemporary Moral Theology."

"Consumer Culture and Globalization" (1-4 p.m.) will consider the challenges and opportunities consumer culture and globalization pose for Christian faith. Dr. Vincent Miller, associate professor at Georgetown University is the author of "Consuming Religion: Christian Faith and Practice in Consumer Culture."

"Black Liberation and Womanist Theologies" (9 a.m.-noon), will introduce students to the liberating theologies of African Americans and the emergence of womanist theology. Dr. Diana Hayes, professor at Georgetown University, is the first African American woman to receive the Pontifical Doctor of Theology Degree from the Catholic University of Lowain in Belgium.

LMU will offer three courses during Spirituality Week, July 11-14 which include "Thomas Merton: Catholic Monk, Interfaith Pioneer," "Jesus' Beatitudes and Our Discipleship," and "A Spirituality for Lay Leadership."

Courses are $140 each. For more information, call (310) 338-7670 or see http://extension.lmu.edu/religion.

National Social Action Summer Institute: July 17-22

"Immigration Justice in a Global Economy" and "Foundations of Catholic Social Teaching" are two tracks being offered at the 19th Annual Social Action Summer Institute at Loyola Marymount University July 17-22.

Among the featured workshops that week are "Media Messaging and Coalition Building," "Understanding Global Trade Agreements," "Biblical Foundations of Catholic Social Teaching" "Community Organizing," and "Promoting Racial Justice."

Sponsoring organizations are Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Relief Services, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and The Roundtable (The Association of Diocesan Social Action Directors). It's the first time this national conference is being held in Los Angeles. Full week tuition is $300. Three-day tuition (Sun.-Tue.) is $150. To register, call (212) 431-7825.

Cathedral Mass to honor St. Frances Xavier Cabrini: July 30

A Jubilee Mass celebrating the arrival of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in the State of California 100 years ago will take place July 30, 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

Mother Cabrini is the first American citizen canonized a saint by the Catholic Church and is the patron saint of immigrants. The Mass will jointly celebrate the 100th anniversary of Mother Cabrini's arrival in California and the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Cardinal Roger Mahony will preside and the St. Charles Borromeo Choir, under the direction of Paul Salamunovich, will provide the music.

In 1905, Mother Cabrini opened the Regina Caeli orphanage at 610 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, and in 1906 founded a tuberculosis sanatorium for children in Burbank. This later became Villa Cabrini Academy, a private Catholic school for girls, and is now home to Woodbury University.

Maria Francesca Cabrini was born on July 15, 1850 in the town of Sant' Angelo in Lombardy, Italy. Just 30 years later she founded her religious order, Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. In 1889 she was sent to America by Pope Leo XIII to provide for what was then a flood of Italian immigrants. She created her first orphanage for Italian girls in New York City, today known as Cabrini Home, which continues to heal the lives of troubled children and is still administered by her order of sisters with the help of lay collaborators and support.

In her lifetime, Mother Cabrini established dozens of institutions caring for the poor, the abandoned, the uneducated and the sick in the United States (including Los Angeles) and in 13 countries around the world. She died Dec. 22, 1917 at age 67.

For further information call Gisela Von Huene Slonneger, (818) 362-2523, or Roa Brand, (818) 248-6578.

Building Inclusive Communities: Aug. 3-7

The eighth annual Building Inclusive Communities, a 5-day immersion experience in diversity training for parishes, takes place Aug. 3-7 at The University of the West in Rosemead.

Three different tracks will explore "Intercultural Communication Skill Development," "Engaging Faith and Culture," and "Spanish Language Presentations on Faith and Culture."

The BIC Summer Institute 2005 will address cultural and ethnic realities found within community and church settings. In addition to class sessions, there will be an off-site immersion experience, cultural expressions of faith, and cultural celebrations of food and music.

For more information or a brochure call Fe Musgrave at (213) 637-7669 or e-mail FMusgrave@LA-archdiocese.org.