SHARING SPIRIT OF SEASON PARTY FOR DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN IN A CATHEDRAL SETTING.

Byline: Lisa M. Sodders Staff Writer

For about 600 needy children in Los Angeles County, the love and magic of Christmas came a little early Saturday.

Saturday was the 54th annual Cardinal's Christmas Party for Children at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels downtown, sponsored by Catholic Charities of Los Angeles.

Cardinal Roger M. Mahony said having the party at the cathedral emphasized that outreach to the poor is a central part of the church's mission.

``Many of these children have never even seen the Cathedral,'' Mahony said. ``They can see first-hand how people love them and care for them. They are part of our community; they are not on the outside, looking in. They are a part of us.''

In addition to toys, a holiday lunch and a visit with Santa, the children were treated to a video on the Nativity, a visit from the visibly delighted cardinal, face-painting, balloon animals from St. Monica's Clown Ministry, crafts and other activities.

Diane Frieling, owner of Windswept Ranch in Thousand Oaks brought some of her exotic rescued animals, including goats, alpacas, a miniature horse, miniature donkey and a sheep for the children to see up close and pet.

``Instead of just sitting around at home doing nothing, it's exciting to see Santa Claus and get gifts,'' said Carina Nanez, 13, of Sylmar, who had a blue star with a `C' painted on her cheek. ``You get to meet other people and it's fun.''

The children also saw live performances by the Bob Baker Marionettes and magician Jim Skaggs of Glendora.

David, 8, and Andy Marquez, 6, of Los Angeles and their friend, Marriana Arreolla, 7, of Covina, were entranced by the marionettes, which included everything from dancing gingerbread-men to an ice-skating Eskimo who sang about the perpetual cold in his nose.

And what's the magic of Christmas without a little magic? Golden Cruz, 9, of Sylmar got to help Skaggs on stage as the magician mixed balloons, ketchup, chocolate syrup and other odd ingredients together in a small tin.

The trick required that the tin be blasted with a water gun, and Cruz obliged, soaking the magician in the process before Skaggs lifted the lid to reveal a live, pure white bird.

``I got to do magic with him!'' Cruz said excitedly after the show. ``I wanted to ask him to teach me how to do magic!''

Karina Lira, 9, and Janet Gonzalez, 9, both of San Fernando, watched and giggled as Skaggs produced Slipper, his blue-eyed, fluffy white Angora rabbit, out of a box.

``This isn't just for kids,'' Janet said, her eyes sparkling as she noted that she thought adults would like Skaggs, too - particularly her grandfather.

The annual holiday party tradition was started by Cardinal J. Francis McIntyre in 1949 as a way to ensure that disadvantaged youths in Los Angeles could experience the joy of the holiday season.

The children aren't the only ones who enjoy themselves. Skaggs said he has performed at the cardinal's annual party for at least a decade because he loves working with the children.

``The kids are very responsive,'' he said, ``very loud and appreciative.''

``They have big grins and they laugh, and when I do something, it's instant gratification,'' Skaggs said. ``When I get up there, I feel like they get a few moments away from whatever is going on in their lives. What I'm doing is sheer fun.''

``You get people from every background coming to share their resources and time and presence with children who don't have a lot,'' said The Rev. Monsignor Gregory A. Cox, executive director of Catholic Charities.

Donations collected for the party also go to provide food, toys and clothing to help as many as 20,000 individuals and needy families at Catholic Charities' community centers in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

``The people who come to our community centers generally have one paycheck a month, and if they get laid off, they have nothing,'' Cox said. ``There's a growing need, even though the economy is picking up.''

Lisa M. Sodders, [phone]

lisa.sodders(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Santa Claus brings a smile to a youngster during the 54th annual Cardinal's Christmas Party for Children. The event sponsored by Catholic Charities of Los Angeles was held Saturday at the cathedral downtown.

(2) Eight-year-old Marianna Zinecki of Los Angeles examines her balloon sculpture during the Cardinal's Christmas Party at the cathedral Saturday.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer