Santa Clara High School freshmen Sean Zosimo and Dan Wade and senior Keanna Harper were invited by the Presidential Youth Conference (PYIC) to take part in activities commemorating the recent presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C.

As alumni of the Junior National Leaders Conference, the trio witnessed the inauguration of President Barack Obama, heard keynote speakers, attended a black tie gala inaugural ball, and participated in educational activities, debates and roundtable discussions surrounding the events. They also interacted with congressional staff, national journalists, scholars and military leaders.

Sponsored by the Congressional Youth Leadership Council program, PYIC selects the upper echelon of today's youth based on academic performance and community leadership. Each student is selected for nomination based upon academic achievement or classroom surveys, as well as, by distinguished educators, mentors or CYLC program alumni.

The mission of CYLC is to cultivate and inspire young people throughout the country to achieve their full leadership potential. In support of this mission, members of the U.S. Congress and over 50 embassies representing countries around the world serve on CYLC's Honorary Board of Advisors.

Aquinas College to celebrate Dedication Mass for new chapel
Cardinal Roger Mahony will preside at the March 7 Dedication Mass of the new Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel, the 12th of 15 buildings to be completed on the campus of Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula.

At a cost of $23 million, the 15,000-square-foot chapel is the most prominently situated and most elaborate of the structures on the campus. Designed by Duncan Stroik, a professor of architecture at the University of Notre Dame and a principal of Duncan G. Stroik Architecture, a firm that specializes in ecclesiastical design, the chapel is cruciform in shape and features a 135-foot bell tower.

Although the basis of its design is in the Spanish Mission style of Southern California, it also incorporates elements from the Catholic Church's long tradition of sacred architecture such as a dome rising 89 feet over the sanctuary, floors and columns of Italian marble, and a detailed limestone facade.

Rasmussen & Associates of Ventura is the architect of record, and HMH Construction Co. of Camarillo is the project contractor.

Two St. John's alumni named bishops
Two alumni of St. John's Seminary in Camarillo were named by Pope Benedict XVI in recent weeks to serve as bishops.

Bishop-Elect Cirilo Flores, St. John's ordination class of 1991, was named auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Orange. He will be ordained by Bishop Tod Brown on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, March 19.

Bishop-Elect James S. Wall, ordained in 1998 for service of the Diocese of Phoenix, has been named Bishop of the Diocese of Gallup, New Mexico. Most recently serving as Vicar for Clergy in Phoenix, he will be ordained bishop on April 23.

"We wish God's blessings upon these two new bishops, and know that they will be blessings to the people of the dioceses of Gallup and Orange," said Msgr. Craig Cox, seminary rector. "We hope that in the coming months each will be able to return to St. John's for a celebratory Mass and dinner."

Catholic lay evangelists to lead mission and concert in Santa Maria
Catholic lay evangelists John and Katrina Rae Daughenbaugh will lead a parish mission and perform in concert March 16-19, 6:30 p.m. nightly, at St. Louis de Montfort Church, Santa Maria.

"Changed by His Glory" is the theme of the mission led by the married couple from Nashville, who have ministered together since 1998. Katrina Daughenbaugh is a professional country singer has received Catholic music's Unity Award many times. John is an ex-Navy pilot.

St. Louis de Montfort Church is located at 5075 Harp Rd., Santa Maria. For information, call (805) 937-8363.

Fr. Hampsch leads day of recollection in Goleta
"The Healing Power of the Eucharist," a day of recollection led by Claretian Father John Hampsch, will take place Feb. 28, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at St. Raphael Church, Goleta. Father Hampsch has been an author and noted retreat leader for many years. The church is located at 5444 Hollister Ave., Goleta. Information: (805) 684-5373.