Blessed Kateri choristers record hit TV show theme song
If you've ever watched Fox Television's breakout hit, "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" (Thursdays, 8 p.m.) you may have heard children's voices singing the catchy theme song. Those voices belong to nine young Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Church children's choir members from Santa Clarita who recorded the song written by their accompanist, David Vanacore.

At Vanacore's request, vocalist and longtime parish choir director, Madeline Vergari Neumann, recruited nine singers --- three 6th graders, five 5th graders and one 4th grader --- to record the theme song submitted for consideration to the show's producers. Singers on the song project included Sidney Haefs, Reilly Anspaugh, Hahna Brubaker, Giulia Faretta, Carley and Krista Fredrickson, Korinna Gee, Angie Meza and Emily Vanacore.

"I told the kids no matter what happens, this is a great experience to be in a recording studio and this is something you will always remember. We never thought they would pick us, but they did!" said Vanacore, a prolific television composer whose credits include many reality shows such as "Survivor."

St. Didacus celebrates 50th
Parishioners at St. Didacus Church in Sylmar celebrated the parish's 50th anniversary June 23 with a tri-lingual (English/Spanish/Tagalog) liturgy and reception attended by 1,000 people. Cardinal Roger Mahony presided at the 5 p.m. Mass concelebrated with San Fernando Region Auxiliary Bishop Gerald Wilkerson, Msgr. Peter Amy, pastor, and several visiting priests.

More than 30 founding parishioners attended as well as former associate pastor, Msgr. William O'Keefe, who served at the parish from 1959-1963. Representatives from four religious congregations ministering in the parish, including Poor Clare Missionary Sisters, Franciscan Mission Sisters, Franciscan Sisters of Poverello and Sisters of Charity, were also present.

During the celebration, Cardinal Mahony paid special tribute to members of a parish group, Men of Faith, who have been meeting six nights a week since February to refurbish the pews in time for the anniversary. The high turnout and "beautiful liturgy" added up to an "outstanding event," said Frank Cantu, parish business manager.

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy culminates 75th anniversary
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in La Cañada culminated a year of festivities commemorating its 75th anniversary with a recent tribute dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel in Pasadena. Over 600 alumnae, students, parents, faculty and friends of the all-girls' school attended the May 19 gala. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Academy's scholarship endowment, restore the Sisters' chapel and create a 75th anniversary patio.

Margie Romano, tribute event committee chair, thanked the Dominican Sisters "for their guidance and dedication to our daughters" and for "establishing a community known for excellence and spirit of compassion in educating capable young women." The school was founded by the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose in 1931.

"Our tribute dinner celebrated the past, rejoiced in the present and anticipated an exciting future," said FSHA president Dominican Sister Carolyn McCormack. "The evening was about a journey of faith, about strong Dominican education and about rejoicing in the spirit-filled, caring community which is Flintridge."

Dick and Kari Clark support neuroscience institute initiative
Entertainment impresario Dick Clark and his wife Kari will serve as honorary co-chairs for Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center's $11 million campaign to create a state-of-the-art neuroscience facility. Treatment of stroke patients will be a cornerstone of the new institute.

Providence Saint Joseph currently treats almost 1,500 neurologically-impaired inpatients annually. Approximately 550 are stroke victims --- like Mr. Clark. Grateful for the care Dick received at Saint Joseph, Kari commented, "It is very personal there … In today's busy world you rarely experience the level of compassion and kindness that was given to us during Dick's rehabilitation. All the doctors, the therapists and the nursing staff were absolutely outstanding."

Providence Saint Joseph's treatment and prevention of stroke is recognized in the top 10 percent of the Nation in quality of stroke care, according to HealthGrades, the nation's leading healthcare ratings company. The medical center is a recent recipient of the 2007 HealthGrades Stroke Care Excellence Award.