A peace-building video teleconference that allowed Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim students to interact with students in Baku, Azerbeijan, was hosted recently by the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles.

"After 9-11 students said 'help us meet our peers in other countries so that we're not strangers and we're not afraid of one another,'" said Liebe Geft, director of the Museum of Tolerance.

Using the technology of video teleconferencing "really makes it feel like we're sitting across from them," added Geft.

When U.S. students were asked by students in Baku asked what made them proud of their country, "they spoke eloquently about freedom, democracy and progress and the constant struggle for human rights and civil rights," said Geft. About 100 participating students from both countries also exchanged views on religious questions, culture, educational goals and life expectations.

"We were particularly interested in supporting this initiative of educational outreach and bringing people together so we can learn about one another and build bridges around cultural and religious divides," added Geft.

The exchange, which took place earlier this year, was organized by the museum, Los Angeles public school teachers, the Consulate of Azerbaijan, and the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications of Azerbaijan.

Spirituality Center to celebrate 25th anniversary
The archdiocesan Spirituality Center will celebrate its 25th anniversary Oct. 4 at the Doheny Campus of Mount St. Mary's College, 10 Chester Pl., Los Angeles.

Benedictine Father Luke Dysinger of St. Andrew's Abbey in Valyermo will offer a presentation on the medieval artist Andrei Rublev's icon of the Trinity from 9:30-11 a.m. A Mass of Thanksgiving takes place at 12:15 p.m. in the Donohue Center followed by a reception in the Pompeian room.

The Spirituality Center was established in 1983 as the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center. Due to administrative reorganizing, it was renamed the Spirituality Center in 2002.The Center's purpose is to be a listening, discerning, Christian presence in the midst of a busy world with an emphasis on spiritual direction. The Center provides referrals for those who are looking for a spiritual director. Each person on the list of directors for the archdiocese has received formal preparation and training for this ministry either through the Center's three-year program or through other programs which the Center recognizes. Information: (213) 747-6508.

DVD focuses on new parish leadership models
LOS ANGELES --- Parishes in all five pastoral regions will soon be receiving copies of a newly-released DVD, "Panel Discussion on Emerging Leadership Models." Produced by Deacon Richard Medina, assistant to San Fernando Region Bishop Gerald Wilkerson, the DVD features a panel of four local priests discussing new parish leadership models, including twinned and clustered parishes as well as parishes administered by parish life directors.

Taped before an audience of archdiocesan administrators and parish leaders, the DVD begins with an introduction by Cardinal Roger Mahony and includes comments by St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Carol Quinlivan, the former archdiocesan director of parish life. According to Deacon Medina, a Spanish version of the DVD is currently in production.

Women of Faith series begins Oct. 5 in West L.A.
Women of Faith, a program of events in memory of Holy Names Sister Mary Faith Clarke, former Vicar for Women Religious, begins Oct. 5 with "Enlarging Our Hearts: Living into Divine Energy," a talk by Dominican Sister Helen Cahill at Notre Dame Academy, 2851 Overland Ave., West Los Angeles.

Future topics include: "Meeting Jesus at the Movies: Stories, Messages and Mystery" (Nov. 2), with Sisters Rose Pacatte and Sister Gretchen Hailer, Pauline Center for Media Studies, Culver City; "Everyday Epiphanies: Seeking God in Every Nook" (March 22), with Sister Melannie Svoboda; and "Mary and Elizabeth: Models of Women of Faith" (April 26), with Sister Karen Wilhelmy.

Reservations for these 2-5 p.m. presentations are requested to Sister Anncarla Costello, SrACostello@la-archdiocese.org or (213) 637-7592.

ACCW plans 61st annual conference
The Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women will hold its 61st annual conference Nov. 3 at the Pacific Palms Conference Resort in the City of Industry. Father George Reynolds, associate pastor at St. Barnabas Church in Long Beach and moderator of ACCW's southeastern district, will be the keynote speaker at the general assembly beginning at 9:15 a.m.

Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis by mailed invitation postmark date. Those wishing to sit at the same table must send in reservations together in the same envelope. The deadline for mailed reservations is Oct. 24, or when the 750 seating capacity is reached. For information, visit ACCW's website: www.CatholicWomenLA.org or call Carol Carlyle, event co-chair, (626) 351-6801, and leave a message with your name, address and phone to receive an invitation by mail.