St. Paul School takes steps to increase security

St. Paul School in Los Angeles recently held a gate dedication ceremony following the installation of a safety gate around the school. The school serves low-income families in a population that is mostly Spanish-speaking. School parents are often immigrants.

"Although money is scarce, these families have come together to create a strong Catholic community at a school where quality education will provide a myriad of opportunities for their children," said Jennifer Grenardo, school principal.

Within the past few years, the school has made many improvements. The community came together in August, 2005 to paint the entire school the same color as the parish to demonstrate unity with the parish. In 2006, the School-wide Learning Expectations were listed on the school building and the floors were painted. This year, a mural has been added to the outside walls and a gate was installed to increase security.

The gate was needed to prevent area vagrants from coming onto the campus, said Grenardo. She added that with these changes St. Paul School is able to increase its enrollment and provide its children with a quality and safe Catholic school education.

Feast of San Gennaro set for Sept. 28-30
The sixth annual Feast of San Gennaro LA will once again take over Hawthorne Boulevard (between Highland and Orange) in Hollywood Sept. 28-30. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla, this year's theme, "Celebrating Italian-American Immigration" pays tributes to the Italians who immigrated to the U.S. and enriched the country with their talents and hard work.

The Feast celebrates Italian culture, entertainment and cuisine featuring food from Los Angeles' best Italian restaurants and live musical performances. The event takes place 11 a.m.-10 p.m. all three days. A saint procession on Hollywood Boulevard takes place Sept. 29 at noon, followed by Mass on the main stage at 1 p.m.

The entrance fee is $5 and kids under 12 are free; all proceeds benefit charity.

The mission of The San Gennaro Foundation is to uphold the principles that were established by St. Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples, Italy who worked tirelessly to help people in need. The feast is intended to embody the attributes of generosity and goodwill that define the Italian spirit.

St. John's Health Center Caritas Gala set for Oct. 13
Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong and his wife Michele B. Chan will be honored as the 2007 Caritas Award recipients at the St. John's Health Center Caritas Gala. The black-tie dinner will be held Oct. 13, at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills to support essential services and programs at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica.

Soon-Shiong, a surgeon and scientist, is founder, chairman and CEO of the global pharmaceutical company, Abraxis BioScience, Inc. Chan is actively involved in addressing the serious healthcare issues facing our country. Today, their deep commitment to Saint John's healing ministry inspires Saint John's to strive in new and important directions to better serve the community. In January, 2007, Saint John's recognized Soon-Shiong, Chan and their family's generosity to Saint John's by naming its state-of-the-art inpatient facility the Chan Soon-Shiong Center for Life Sciences.

Also being honored at the event is philanthropist Earle M. Jorgensen, who will receive the 2007 Spirit of Saint John's Award.

Tickets for the 2007 Caritas Gala are $450. For information, call Cookie Galanti at Saint John's Health Center Foundation at (310) 829-8424 or visit www.caritasgala.org.