St. Francis Xavier faculty walk 'Lazzaretto Lap' during fundraiser
Faculty members at St. Francis Xavier School in Burbank honored the memory of Glendale Police Officer Charles Lazzaretto Oct. 6 by walking the "Lazzaretto Lap" during the school's 27th Annual Frances Schroeder Memorial Jog a Thon. Each year, jog-a-thon participants walk the first lap commemorating former first grade teacher Nan Lazzaretto's late son, Officer Lazzaretto, who was tragically killed in the line of duty on May 27, 1997.

This year marked the 10th anniversary of this tribute to the slain 30-year-old who left a wife and two young children. Members of both Burbank and Glendale Police Departments attended the event featuring commemorative balloons. Proceeds from balloon sales went toward the purchase of new books for the first grade library, as requested by Mrs. Lazzaretto. Additional donations in memory of Officer Lazzaretto may be sent c/o St. Francis Xavier School, 3601 Scott Road, Burbank, Calif. 91504.

St. Cyril students enter ecybermission contest
A team of future scientists from St. Cyril of Jerusalem School in Encino has accepted the challenge and created an experiment to enter this year's eCybermission contest, a national web-based science, math and technology competition for middle schoolers sponsored by the United States Army. Seventh graders Deca Akudinobi, Shannon Carmody, Nico Chavando, Nick Coogan, Joseph Fitzgerald and Mackenzie Phillips decided to study the effects of pollution on the plants and animals that rely on aquatic environments for their existence.

As part of the project, the students had to formulate a hypothesis, conduct the research and experiments under the supervision of their science teacher, Miss Toni Stolo, and then submit a detailed Mission Folder with photographs via the Internet. Teams are judged on the basis of application of science, math and technology to the project, benefit to the community of the research, group collaboration and originality. Top winners will receive EE Savings Bonds and all regional first place winners are invited to a week-long series of enrichment activities in Washington D.C.

Holy Redeemer adopts troops in Iraq
As part of its ongoing commitment to creating socially aware and responsible citizens and encouraging Christian service, Holy Redeemer School in Montrose has "adopted" Delta Company, 1-160th Infantry currently serving in Iraq. The students have donated over 200 boxes of Propel dry drink totaling 2000 individual packets to send to the troops. Additionally, a 12-foot long vinyl banner was signed by each child in the school and sent along with handwritten cards and letters of thanks and encouragement.

Notre Dame HS teacher wins books for students
Notre Dame High School teacher Sharon Tyree in Sherman Oaks is the recipient of a complete set of religious education textbooks from Ave Maria Press for entering the most student entries in an essay competition. Ms. Tyree had the majority of student entries among 400 submitted for the essay contest: "Engaging Minds, Hearts, and Hands for Faith: Fr. Basil Moreau's Vision for Education. The contest celebrated the life and ministry of Fr. Moreau, the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross who was recently beatified on Sept. 15. Ave Maria Press, a ministry of the Indiana Province of Holy Cross, is home to the Sorin Books, Christian Classics, and Forest of Peace imprints.

Providence Holy Cross Medical Center honors volunteers
Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills held a special graduation ceremony Oct. 5 for 31 volunteers who have become Latino Health Promoters in the hospital's outreach program. Each of the volunteers has completed an 83-hour training course over a six-month period.

Latino Health Promoters provide health screenings and workshops, support groups, health information booths at churches and health information classes on diabetes, nutrition, women's health and natural family planning. The successful outreach program to Latino communities in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys was begun in 1992.

Holy Family hosts preparation seminar for Mercy Congress
Holy Family Church in Glendale will hold an evening preparation seminar Nov. 30, 6-9 p.m., in advance of the first-ever World Apostolic Congress on Mercy next spring in Rome (April 2-6). Guest speaker for Holy Family's Nov. event will be Fr. Matthew Mauriello from Bridgeport, Conn., the national director for the US World Apostolic Congress on Mercy. For more information on the program, contact Dario and Purisima Narvaez, (818) 543-1831.