SOUTHLAND CELEBRATION; BOYHOOD CHURCH DRAWS CARDINAL FOR CHRISTMAS.Byline: Terri Hardy Daily News Staff Writer Cardinal Roger Mahony, leader of the nation's largest archdiocese, went back to his boyhood church Thursday to celebrate Christmas Mass at St. Charles Catholic Church. ``It is the light of Christ The Light of Christ became a doctrine of the Latter Day Saint movement, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that most people would call conscience. This doctrine teaches that the light of Christ "lighteth every man that cometh into the world. that comes into the world and dispels the darkness, the evil,'' Mahony told the congregation. ``It is essential that the light of Christ should be focused and beamed into our own lives.'' In keeping with Pope John Paul Pope John Paul is the name of two Popes of the Roman Catholic Church:
But for Mahony and other Christians, the focus of the day remained on the birth of Jesus Christ. Christians across Los Angeles celebrated the joyous event in churches, homes, jails, homeless missions and restaurants. In many respects, the day was enjoyed most by children. At the North Hollywood church, the excited congregation included one 7-year-old decked out in her new, cream-colored, marabou-trimmed Christmas outfit. ``I saw the pope '' exclaimed an exuberant Amara Baptist as she emerged from church. Her mother corrected her. ``Well, dear, you saw someone representing the pope.'' Feeding the soul Elsewhere in the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. , needy residents congregated for turkey and all the trimmings at Don Ricardo's Mexican Restaurant in Northridge. Nearly 500 families were expected to be treated to the meal and a visit from Santa Claus. Liliana Olvera brought her four children. The oldest two stood in front of Santa - one clutching a small toy car, the other a stuffed kitten. ``I came here for the kids. It's their only Christmas,'' Olvera said. In downtown Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles is the central business district of Los Angeles, California, located close to the geographic center of the metropolitan area. The sprawling, multi-centered megacity is such that its downtown core is often considered just another district like Hollywood or , the Midnight Mission on Skid Row served about 3,000 people meals of ham, yams, corn and pie. ``There were an awful lot of children this year,'' said Clancy Imislund, managing director of the mission. ``Some are homeless. Others just live in various grungy grun·gy adj. grun·gi·er, grun·gi·est Slang In a dirty, rundown, or inferior condition: grungy old jeans. [Origin unknown. places.'' And at a nearby parking lot, nearly 500 people were served vegetarian hotdogs and hamburgers as part of the Farm Sanctuary's Compassionate Christmas program. Actor James Cromwell of ``Babe'' fame was among those who served the vegetarian meals. In Glendale, a Great Dane Great Dane, breed of very large, powerful working dog developed in Europe more than 400 years ago. It may stand as high as 36 in. (91.4 cm) at the shoulder and weigh up to 150 lb (68.1 kg). named Irie, wearing a Santa suit, visited patients at Glendale Adventist Medical Center Glendale Adventist Medical Center is located in the Los Angeles suburb of Glendale, California. It was founded in 1905. Glendale Adventist Medical Center is a sister institution of Loma Linda University Medical Center and is a part of the Seventh-day Adventist hospital system. as part of a pet therapy program. Celebrating the birth Earlier Thursday, Mahony brought sustenance for the soul to inmates at the Los Angeles County Men's Central Jail downtown. About 500 of the jail's 6,200-plus inmates attended the service - a 12-year tradition for Mahony, officials said. Later Thursday, the spiritual leader of Catholics in Los Angeles said high Mass at St. Charles. The understated mission-style sanctuary was festively decorated with bright red poinsettias, wreaths and glowing Christmas trees. About 900 worshippers dressed in everything from jeans to velvet and furs filled the church. As the choir sang, altar boys and girls boys and girls mercurialisannua. led a procession down the long aisle. Incense tinged the air, and worshippers crossed themselves as Mahony slowly walked to the altar. Flanked by the six tall candles signaling a high Mass, Mahony reminded the crowd about the symbolism of the season's lights. As parishioners left the North Hollywood church on a sunny but windswept wind·swept adj. Exposed to or swept by winds: windswept moors. windswept Adjective 1. Christmas, they said the service had been very special. ``It's a very spiritual, holy day,'' said Sherman Oaks resident Margaret McCarley. ``There was a lot more pomp POMP n. A drug used in cancer chemotherapy and composed of purinethol (6-mercaptopurine), Oncovin (vincristine sulfate), methotrexate, and prednisone. today, a lot more sitting and standing, because of the cardinal.'' It was at St. Charles where Mahony was baptized bap·tize v. bap·tized, bap·tiz·ing, bap·tiz·es v.tr. 1. To admit into Christianity by means of baptism. 2. a. To cleanse or purify. b. To initiate. 3. , attended school and said his first Mass. ``It was very different today, very exciting,'' said Rick Baptist, a longtime parishioner. ``We're celebrating the birth of Jesus and we got to see the cardinal. It was good that he came home.'' CAPTION(S): 2 Photos PHOTO (1 -- color) Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony celebrates Christmas Mass at his boyhood church, St. Charles in North Hollywood. Hans Gutknecht/Daily News (2) A tot quietly naps Thursday while his family joins in the celebration of high Mass by Cardinal Roger Mahony in North Hollywood. Hans Gutknecht/Daily News |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion