Bishop Clark to inaugurate speaker series at Christ the King Church
Christ the King Church in Los Angeles will host a monthly speaker series, "Faith, Formation and Parish Life," from September through June, leading off with a talk by Our Lady of the Angels Region Auxiliary Bishop Edward Clark.

Bishop Clark will discuss what it means to be a Eucharistic Church Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. and will take up the question: How do we live out the values of the Eucharist in the life of our parish and in the world?

Additional monthly speakers will address contemporary topics like the implications of a priesthood shortage on parish life (Oct. 10 with Sister Carol Quinlivan), social justice and conscience (Nov. 12 with Father Richard Benson), unity in the multi-cultural parish (Dec. 3 with Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis), and more.

The series will "bring together top theologians and prominent speakers," said Roberto Martinez, parish ministry coordinator. The hope is to create a series that "inspires our parishioners to enter more deeply into their faith life," he added.

The series was developed by a parish formation planning committee and Father Antonio Cacciapuoti, pastor, as a means of implementing two of the synod pastoral initiatives in adult faith formation and evangelization.

Being Catholic "is more than just baptism, Communion and confirmation," said Martinez. "It's about remaining open to continuous learning. We have to keep going deeper into our spirituality, because the spirit isn't static. It's an ongoing conversation."

The talks will take place in the church at 624 N. Rossmore Blvd. and there is no charge for attending. For more information, see http://www.ctkla.org

Anniversary talk on Fr. John Main and Christian meditation set for Sept. 16
The California Meditation Center at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church in Westchester will host an open house Sept. 16 which will include a talk by Father Francis Cassidy on Benedictine Father John Main and his innovative ministry in Christian meditation. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the renowned monk's death.

The talk will begin at about 1 p.m. preceded by a 10:15 a.m. service and a reception at noon. The day will conclude with a Father Main teaching and group meditation at 3:30 p.m.

The church is located at 6700 West 83rd Street in Westchester. For information, call (626) 793-3775.

Santa Monica Idol singing competition premieres Sept. 30
The Santa Monica Idol singing competition premieres Sept. 30 from 1-4 p.m. at St. Monica Church during its annual Fall Festival.

Open to participants from Santa Monica and surrounding communities, contestants of all ages are encouraged to enter in either of two singing categories: the adult division (ages 14 and up) or the jr. idol division (ages 13 and younger). The first-time event strives to draw the best local talent with a first place prize of $500 for the adult division and a $250 prize for the jr. idol division. All finalists will also perform live in the closing concert of the Fall Festival Sept. 30 at 8 p.m.

Interested vocalists may enter by mailing a simple registration form, along with a copy of their acapella (voice only) vocal performance on CD or cassette tape to: Santa Monica Idol c/o St. Monica Catholic Community, 725 California Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403. Audition and performance selections are welcome from all genres of music (except rap). All performances must be "family appropriate" content only. For registration forms, go to www.santamonicaidol.com and the deadline for registration is Sept. 7.

Former teacher returns to Loyola High as new principal
Jesuit Father Charles J. Tilley, a past English Department chair on Loyola High School's faculty, has returned to the Los Angeles Jesuit Preparatory school as its principal.

Most recently principal at Monterey's Mission Prep, Father Tilley returns to the high school to oversee the teaching faculty, principal's office administration, the day-to-day operations of the school and the education of the 1,200 young men who make up the student body.

"Father Tilley's excellent work on all levels at Mission --- academic, co-curricular and spiritual --- will be a key fundamental for his work here," said Jesuit Father Gregory Goethals, Loyola High School president. "He is a very able, compassionate administrator who is ready to take on the challenges of being principal as well as partner with us to provide the finest Jesuit education possible to our students."

Father Tilley previously served at Loyola from 1986 to 1993, teaching English and Drama in addition to being a department chair. He began his career at Brophy Prep in Phoenix, where he launched the Drama Department, taught English and Journalism and moderated the school newspaper. He entered the California Jesuit Novitiate in 1973.

Mount St. Mary's teams with hospital to address nursing shortage
Students at Mount St. Mary's College are being awarded nearly $100,000 in forgivable loans by Northridge Hospital Medical Center in an effort to attract quality nurse candidates and ease a staffing shortage. It is estimated than within the next two decades, more than half of California's nurses will retire, and there are not enough nurses in school today to fill their positions.

Four Mount St. Mary's students will each be granted loans of $24,000. One student will be selected from the College's traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and three others from the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. After they graduate, the Mount nurses will work for the medical center for two years. In exchange for this commitment, their loans will be forgiven.

"We are proud to be partners with Northridge Hospital Medical Center," said Jacqueline Powers Doud, college president. "Their generous financial assistance to our students will enable Mount St. Mary's College to prepare more nurses in a time of great need in our community."

Said Ann Dechairo-Marino, senior vice president, Patient Care Services at Northridge Hospital: "Mount St. Mary's College, which is known for its excellent nursing programs, shares our mutual goals to increase the number of nurses in our community."

The college has similar agreements with Torrance Memorial Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente, which pioneered a program in 2005 to help nursing students pay off student loans in exchange for a guaranteed pool of qualified nurses for its hospitals.

NURSING STUDENTS --- Mount St. Mary's College nursing students practice skills in an updated College lab on a state-of-the-art mannequin known as a "Sim-Man." The equipment allows students to navigate a patient's difficult airway system, practice emergency care procedures, and administer intravenous therapy through a specially designed arm.