Cathedral to inaugurate Catholic Prayer Breakfast Sept. 27

LOS ANGELES --- Cardinal Roger Mahony has invited all Catholics in Southern California to the inaugural Southern California Catholic Prayer Breakfast Sept. 27 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. "This spiritual gathering brings together Catholics from throughout the Southland to celebrate our faith," said the cardinal.

The prayer breakfast will begin at 6:30 a.m. with the recitation of the Rosary led by the Auxiliary Bishops of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Cardinal Mahony will celebrate Mass at 7 a.m. The breakfast and program on the Cathedral Plaza will begin at 7:45 a.m. during which Gonzaga University's president, Jesuit Father Robert Spitzer, will be the keynote speaker.

Tickets for the buffet breakfast are $40. Parking for this event in the Cathedral Center garage is free of charge for all pre-registered guests. For tickets and registration, see www.californiaprayerbreakfast.com/ or call (949) 474-7368, ext. 168. The Cathedral is located at 555 W. Temple St. in Downtown Los Angeles.

Archdiocese to celebrate Cultural Diversity Month in October

LOS ANGELES --- Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis, vicar for the archdiocesan office of Ethnic (Multi-Cultural) Ministry, recently announced the archdiocese's first ever Cultural Diversity Month to be celebrated in October. Pastors and leaders of ethnic communities within the archdiocese received letters this week listing suggestions on ways parishes can celebrate their multi-cultural diversity.

"It is a given fact that our local church reflects diversity of ethnicity in many aspects, challenging us as a church to become truly a sacrament of unity," said Bishop Solis. "This solidarity and communion among our peoples of varying cultural heritage can only begin by bringing a sense of awareness and respect of one another's commonalities as well as differences."

Some of the ways suggested for parishes to celebrate diversity include incorporating multi-cultural religious traditions and music as part of liturgy, inviting immigrants to share personal stories at gatherings and sharing international foods and holiday customs.

Give Katrina aid regardless of legal residency status,
says bishop

WASHINGTON (CNS) --- "In a natural disaster of this scope, we firmly believe that benefits and services should be provided to Katrina victims regardless of an individual's immigration status," said San Bernardino Bishop Gerald R. Barnes, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Migration, in a Sept. 20 letter to members of the U.S. Senate.

"Now is the time to serve our common humanity and not discriminate against victims of the disaster because they are not U.S. citizens," said Bishop Barnes.

Slipping between the cracks of federal disaster aid programs are Hurricane Katrina victims who entered the country illegally or who are in the United States legally but are here on a temporary basis. Under current rules they are ineligible for material and monetary aid under federal programs.

Compounding the situation is the fear many illegal residents, mostly Hispanics, have that if they even seek aid they run the risk of being deported. The situation has prompted calls by several Catholic organizations for an expansion of federal rules governing eligibility for disaster aid and safeguards that people seeking help will not be subject to deportation procedures.

Respect Life Mass set Oct. 4

PASADENA --- St. Andrew Church in Pasadena will host a special Mass Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m., to commemorate Respect Life Month.

Father Chris Ponnet, pastor of St. Camillus Center for Pastoral Care, will preside, with the "Shantigarh Requiem for the Unborn" Mass by John Bonaduce being featured.

The event is sponsored by the Respect Life Committee of St. Andrew Church, 311 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. For information, call (626) 792-4183.