The annual "Building Inclusive Communities (BIC) through Mindful Cross-Cultural Interaction," sponsored each summer by the Office of Religious Education, will this year be presented in three locales throughout the archdiocese, beginning June 10 at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Camarillo.

BIC is an immersion experience that brings diverse peoples into a learning environment that values differences and addresses cultural and ethnic realities found within communities and church settings, explained Fe Musgrave, coordinator of BIC and of the ORE's Catechesis in the Asian Perspective.

"In the Los Angeles Archdiocese," she added, "each parish community is challenged to respond to the pastoral statement, 'Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity,' especially during the call for just and comprehensive immigration reform."

Sessions (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) include "Inclusive Communication Skills" with Diane Burbie; and "Spirituality for Inclusive Leadership" with Rev. Eric Law. Subsequent institutes (same time and speakers) will be presented July 29 at the Archdiocesan Catholic Center in Los Angeles, and Aug. 5 at St. Bernard Church in Bellflower.

Cost is $60 per person which includes lunch; scholarships are available on request. For three or more registering together from the same institution, cost is $50 per person. For information and registration contact Musgrave, (213) 637-7669 or fmusgrave@la-archdiocese.org.