Mindszenty Conference Set Today

The ninth annual Mindszenty Conference will be held today from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim.

Four prominent speakers are scheduled to address the conference, which is sponsored by the Cardinal Mindszenty Foundation.

Frank Shakespeare, U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, will give a firsthand account of recent events in Central Europe and the Ukraine.

Rep. William E. Dannemeyer (R-Fullerton) will discuss “The Cultural War in America.”

Bishop Jerome J. Hastrich, who recenty retired after 20 years of diocesan duties in Gallup, N.M., will speak on the topic, “A Call to Holiness.” He also served for 19 years as the auxiliary chaplain to the U.S. Air Force.

Psychologist William R. Coulson, who helped Dr. Carl Rogers create the first facilitator training for teachers, also will speak. His topic will be, “The Closing of the Catholic Mind.”

A Mass is included in the conference program.

The Cardinal Mindszenty Foundation was founded in 1958 at a time when the prelate was imprisoned by the communists in Hungary. The foundation used his name as a symbol of resistance to totalitarianism and the upholding of principles of religious freedom.

Cardinal Mindszenty was finally released in 1971 and visited the foundation’s home office in St. Louis after that to bless the organization’s work. He died in 1975.

Fee for the sessions and luncheon is $36; for the sessions only, $18. Members of the clergy and students will be admitted free.

The conference will be in the Marina Ballroom at the Disneyland Hotel, 1150 W. Cerritos Ave., Anaheim. For reservations and information, call (714) 838-5289.

Reginald Utley from radio station KMAX (107.1 FM) will act as emcee for the “Friday Nite Gospel Live” held at the Radisson Suites Hotel in Fullerton from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday.

The Rev. John McReynolds, pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Santa Ana, will give an inspirational message. There will be music, testimonies and prizes.

The Radisson Suites Hotel is at 2932 E. Nutwood Ave., Fullerton. Information: (714) 637-8726.

An “Interfaith Dialogue on War and Peace” is scheduled for Sunday at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Corona Del Mar.

Speakers representing three major world religions that have been involved in the Mideast conflict will participate: Rabbi David Gordis, vice president of the University of Judaism; George Grose, president of the Academy for Judaic, Christian and Islamic Studies; and Muzammil Siddiqi, director of the Islamic Society of Orange County.

The public is invited to attend the free forum in the church’s parish center from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at 3233 Pacific View Drive. Information: (714) 644-0463.

Wally Amos, founder of the “Famous Amos” cookie empire, will share his philosophy during a two-hour seminar Sunday.

The seminar, “The Power in You,” based on his book by the same title, will be held at the Unity Church in Mission Viejo at 11:30 a.m.

A free-will offering will be taken. Unity Church is at 28722 Marguerite Parkway. Information: (714) 364-9616.

The Golden Circle Church of Religious Science in Santa Ana is sponsoring a performance by “The StorySingers,” an inspirational/entertainment team.

Vashti Ataya and Noah LeVia will present a musical variety show designed to appeal to all ages.

The show is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at 600 N. Golden Circle Drive in Santa Ana. Donation is on a free-will basis. Information: (714) 541-3365.

The Center for Spiritual Development has planned a weekend retreat, “Life’s Healing Journey,” March 15 through 17.

Cost of shared room and board at the center is $95. Registration is required by March 8.

The seminar will be held at the center, 434 S. Batavia Street, Orange. For reservations and information, call (714) 744-3175.

The Coastline Chapter of B’nai B’rith Women has scheduled a dinner at the Marriott Suites Hotel in Newport Beach on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

All area women are invited. Cost of the dinner is $10.

The Marriott Suites Hotel is located at 500 Bayview Circle, Newport Beach. For a ride or information, call (714) 960-9428.

J. Dudley Woodberry will discuss the issues and history of the Persian Gulf conflict in a program Sunday called “The Roots of Conflict.”

Woodberry is an associate professor of Islamic Studies at Fullerton Theological Seminary in Pasadena.

He served as a minister in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Afghanistan before becoming a professor of Islamic Study at the Reformed Bible College in Michigan. He was a consultant to former President Jimmy Carter and includes among his published books, “Muslims and Christians on the Emmaus Road” and “Where Muslims and Christians Meet.”

The public is invited to attend the free program, which will be held at 7 p.m. in the Stuart Lounge of the First Presbyterian Church of Garden Grove, 11832 Euclid St. Information: (714) 534-2269.

“Unitarianism, Yahweh and the Prophets” is the Rev. Maurice Ogden’s topic on Sunday at the Unitarian Church of Orange County.

The service is at 10:30 a.m. at 1120 W. Santa Ana St., Anaheim. Child care is available. Information: (714) 758-1050.

Orange County Religion Notes is published on Saturdays. Send the item at least two weeks before the event to Orange County Religion Notes, The Times, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626. Telephone calls cannot be accepted. Because of space limitations, The Times cannot guarantee that all notices will be published. Items must include subject, telephone number, event date, time and exact address.