Interfaith 'Food Fast' at Nativity raises funds, consciousness
For 30 hours, more than 130 teenagers got a glimpse of what it must be like for the millions of people the world over who go hungry every day.
Sponsored by the Youth Ministry at Nativity Church in El Monte, the recent Food Fast drew the largest crowds to date to join in the consciousness-raising event --- some from neighboring parishes and even five Buddhist teens.
"I saw many faces that I didn't recognize," admits Joe Martinez who coordinates the youth ministry. "The kids were very excited to be a part of the evening."
Spending the night at the church, the youth began their fast at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, ending it with Eucharist at 5:30 p.m. Mass on Sunday; many were given cardboard boxes to sleep in.
In addition to lessons and workshops, teens heard from Thomas Awiapo, a hunger survivor from Northern Ghana, who inspired the teens to be "beacons of hope for the rest of the world."
On the church grounds, 1,029 wooden crosses where created and placed to signify the 1,029 people that die each hour due to starvation. Overall, the event raised more than $7,200 for Catholic Relief Services, who coordinated Awiapo's appearance. Mayfield Junior School hosts interfaith prayer service
Students from New Horizon Islamic School and the Weizmann Jewish Day School recently joined with fellow students at Mayfield Junior School for an Interfaith Prayer Service at the Pasadena school.
The event began with eighth grade student council members meeting and having lunch with the visiting students. The prayer service focused on personal visions of peace, as students from all three schools shared their individual dreams and ways they can promote a peace-filled world.
Passages from the religious texts of world religions, each teaching the Golden Rule, decorated the gymnasium and several students brought items that symbolize peace in their faith.
Holy Child of Jesus Sister Frances White led the students in a brief meditation to encourage inner peace and reflection; she also introduced students to "Namaste," an ancient Eastern greeting of reverence and respect.
La Salle alum creates foundation for college-age cancer patients
When one of his friends at the University of San Diego was diagnosed with cancer, sophomore Jeff Jahnke decided to help his fraternity brother with a little fundraiser --- but it turned out to be much more than a one-time event.
A graduate of La Salle High School in Pasadena, Jahnke and fellow members of Delta Tau Delta organized a head-shaving auction that raised more than $4,000. That got the students thinking, "If we were this successful helping one person, imagine what we could do for other undergraduates affected by cancer across the nation."
So began Bleed Purple, a non-profit organization dedicated to financially-assist college-age cancer patients. (Purple is the official fraternity color.) The organization received its 501c3 certification in November of 2006.
Last year, the founders of Bleed Purple contacted their international fraternity headquarters in Indiana to see how other chapters could get behind their organization. Their timing was on the money --- the fraternity was planning its Sesquicentennial Celebration and was looking for a fraternity-wide community service project. Bleed Purple was the perfect fit.
Currently, every chapter across the nation is supporting Bleed Purple and a goal of $150,000 has been set for 2007-2008.
Jahnke sits on the board of directors and serves on a committee that reviews the grant applications and selects recipients. This past summer, Bleed Purple gave our four grants.
Jahnke believes his years at La Salle encouraged him to participate in service and see the difference one person can make. "My La Salle experience," he says, "set me on the right course to think about how big this organization, Bleed Purple, could get and how many people could be helped."
'Comedy Sportz' fundraiser to benefit Sacred Heart High
Improvisational theatre, audience participation and an evening of laughs are promised when the Alumnae Association at Sacred Heart High School in Lincoln Heights presents a comedy fundraiser in honor of the Los Angeles' schools' centennial anniversary.
Comedy Sportz Night takes place at 5 p.m. on March 1 at the National Comedy Theater in Hollywood. The show offers up good, clean fun for all ages; it is billed as the longest-running improv comedy show in Los Angeles.
Tickets are $20, advance sales only; seating is limited. For information, contact Margaret E. Arreola at (562) 902-2505.
The National Comedy Theatre is located at 733 N. Seward Street in Hollywood. |