The African American Catholic Center for Evangelization (AACCFE) will host the 13th Annual Archdiocesan Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast, Jan. 15, at Verbum Dei High School in Los Angeles. Area youth will offer the program that includes song, dance and the spoken word.

The 2007 Breakfast theme, "Serving One Another with Hearts Full of Grace," will draw an anticipated attendance of 800. Cardinal Roger Mahony will share his greetings with participants, along with L.A. County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke (2nd District) and L.A. City Councilwoman Janice Hahn (13th District).

Anderson Shaw, director of the AACCFE, said this year's theme was developed within the community in recognition of God's many graces and the need to respond in kind. "As we receive God's grace, we give that back out in service," Shaw told The Tidings.

The program is youth oriented this year as the AACCFE continues to focus on building whole community catechesis. The program will feature the AACCFE's New Hope Young Adult Choir under the direction of Alfred Lott, as well as the youth dance ensemble from St. Mary's Academy in Inglewood. Holy Name of Jesus youth will offer a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King.

The AACCFE serves approximately 25,000 African American Catholics within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. In partnership with local parishes and organizations such as the Knights of Peter Claver and the Ladies Auxiliary, the Center develops and supports programs of evangelization and education, and provides opportunities for the African American Catholic community to gather and to share resources, talents and gifts.

The Center also actively promotes outreach efforts to raise the consciousness of all communities to the rich contributions of African American Catholics to the Catholic Church.

Co-chairing for this year's MLK Prayer Breakfast is Gregory Warner and Sharon Agnew. The breakfast takes place at Verbum Dei High School, 11100 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, from 8:30-10:45 a.m. Tickets are $20. For reservations, call the AACCFE Office at (323) 777-2106.

--- Ellie Hidalgo