As 40 days of prayer, fasting, vigil and outreach draw to a conclusion, pro-life members of the Thousand Oaks community will assemble April 5, 3 p.m. to reflect upon the blessings received during the 40 Days for Life campaign.

The group will meet at GodSpace (378 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.), walk to the corner of Thousand Oaks and Moorpark and then on to the plaza by Planned Parenthood (166 N. Moorpark Rd.) "to rejoice in the victories that God has accomplished," said Claudia Satori spokesperson for the Thousand Oaks 40 Days for Life campaign. After the speeches at the facility, the group will return to GodSpace for food and fellowship.

40 Days for Life is an intensive pro-life campaign that focuses on 40 days of prayer and fasting, 40 days of peaceful vigil at abortion facilities (including the aforementioned Planned Parenthood location), and 40 days of grassroots educational outreach.

"The 40-day time frame is drawn from examples throughout Biblical history where God brought about world-changing transformation in 40-day periods," said Satori.

Thousand Oaks is one of the 130 communities in the U.S., Canada, Australia and Northern Ireland that conducted simultaneous 40 Days for Life campaigns from Feb. 25 through April 5.

"We want to conclude this effort by sharing stories of what 40 Days for Life has meant for Thousand Oaks and to offer thanksgiving for this opportunity to point out the harm abortion has done to our city," said Satori. "It only marks a beginning of renewed commitment to ending abortion in our community."

To learn more about 40 Days for Life, visit: www.40daysforlife.com/thousandoaks, or contact Satori at 40DaysTO@gmail.com or (805) 499-3559.

Cantor formation class to be offered at St. Anthony Church

A formation class for prospective parish cantors will be offered this spring in the Santa Barbara Region through the Office for Worship.

The "Cantor A" course will be led by Janis Nelson from May 4 to June 30 at St. Anthony Church, Oxnard. Sessions are 7-9 p.m. on May 4, 11, 18 and June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 30 (all Mondays except for the last).

Each weekly course covers liturgical as well as musical formation. Preliminary requirements include the basic ability to read music notation and to learn music; the ability to match pitch and maintain a melody; a knowledge of liturgy; and a spirit of hospitality and service.

A minimum of 12 and maximum of 15 students will be accepted for the course. Registration is $120, and is required prior to the beginning of the course (deadline is April 22). Registration forms may be downloaded from the archdiocesan website: www.archdiocese.la/index.php. For information on registration and required texts, call the Office for Worship, (213) 637-7513.

Divine Mercy observance set April 19 in Solvang

Celebrations of Divine Mercy Sunday on April 19 at parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will include a 1 p.m. observance at Old Mission Santa Inés in Solvang.

On April 30, 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized St. Faustina (Maria Faustina Kowalska), and in conjunction designated the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. The day is dedicated to the devotion to the Divine Mercy promoted by St. Faustina, based upon an entry in the Polish nun's diary stating that those who participate in the Mass and receive the sacraments of confession and Eucharist on this day is assured by Jesus of full remission of sins.

The celebration at Mission Santa Inés begins with confessions, followed at 1:30 p.m. by silent adoration in the church, 3 p.m. Chaplet of Mercy and benediction, and 3:15 p.m. Mass.

The mission is located at 1760 Mission Dr., Solvang. Information: (805) 688-4815.