"The University," a Lenten series of adult faith formation and educational presentations, concerts and prayer experiences, will begin Feb. 7 and run through March 13 at 10 parishes in Ventura County.

The series presents dynamic seminars that connect faith with real life in such areas as marriage and family, church history, social justice, Scripture, prayer and modern moral issues. Launched several years ago by Father David Heney, pastor of St. Paschal Baylon Church, Thousand Oaks, The University had a combined attendance of more than 10,000 people in 2007.

Sessions take place at Our Lady of the Assumption, Ventura, and all Deanery 4 (East Ventura County) parishes: Blessed Junípero Serra and St. Mary Magdalen, Camarillo; St. Jude the Apostle and St. Maximilian Kolbe, Westlake Village; Holy Cross, Moorpark; St. Peter Claver and St. Rose of Lima, Simi Valley; St. Julie Billiart, Newbury Park; and St. Paschal Baylon.

The tuition fee of $5 per session allows each participant to bring a guest for free. "Package" rates, allowing attendance at multiple sessions for a single ticket, are available. For information, call (805) 496-0222.

Daughters of Charity begin yearlong 150th celebration in Santa Barbara
More than 150 Daughters of Charity, Catholic leaders and laity joined together Jan. 5 in commemorating the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Daughters of Charity in Santa Barbara.

The yearlong event commenced with an Anniversary Mass celebrated in the new senior center at St. Vincent's Institution, with Santa Barbara Region Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Curry presiding. A remembrance procession and candle lighting ceremony highlighted the Story of the Daughters' journey from Emmitsburg, Md., to California.

Bishop Curry praised the Daughters of Charity for their tradition of continuous service to the people of Santa Barbara. "If a group was eligible for sainthood," he remarked, "the Daughters of Charity would be a candidate for so much dedication, adjusting to ever-changing times and the community."

Sister Alicia Martin, executive director, recalled the fierce determination of their predecessors, saying, "We wouldn't be here if it were not for the courage and perseverance of our first Sisters and the generous people who welcomed and supported them."

Following the Mass, guests were ushered into the new Father Virgil Cordano Community Room. Father Cordano, who gave the luncheon blessing, is a personal friend of Charles and Helen Schwab who gave $1 million to name the community center after the veteran Franciscan priest and former pastor at Santa Barbara Mission. Charles Schwab, founder of the stock brokerage firm, grew up in Santa Barbara.

The Daughters of Charity, whose Catholic apostolic service to the poor, sick and underserved spans the world, established St. Vincent's Institution in 1858. Their services provided today include the Program of Affordable Transitional Housing and Services (PATHS), which houses 30 single women with limited income and their children;, Vincent's Heart, a food and supply pantry for the residents of PATHS; and Casa Alegria Children's Center, which provides affordable, quality childcare for infants through preschool.

On Feb. 8 is the "Be Their Valentine" fundraiser, which benefits Casa Alegria. For information, contact Kelly Stark, (805) 683-6381.