As the winter holidays of Christmas and...

As the winter holidays of Christmas and Hanukkah approach, an abundance of concerts, fairs and worship services unfold across the Southland.

It is also a time when congregations and individuals make a special attempt to share with those in need.

SHARING

Roman Catholic churches and religious orders have chosen the Christmas season to ask help for Catholic sisters, priests and brothers who--unbeknown to many--are not provided for in their old age. After devoting their lives to building schools, training teachers, educating children and caring for the sick, these religious workers find themselves the victims of a major financial crisis.

A 1985 survey revealed that religious orders nationwide were at least $2.5 billion short of having enough funds to care for their members’ retirements. Religious orders are financially independent organizations, and the Vatican has no responsibility for their finances. Members of religious orders labored for salaries as low as $20 to $30 a month in the 1920s through the 1950s. In 1960, they began receiving $100 a month. They became eligible for Social Security benefits only as of 1972.

“It is now the ‘silent night’ of old age for more than 1,000 of us in Los Angeles and 40,000 nationwide,” said Sister Mary Glennon, vicar for Women Religious of the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. “They are the people who were our teachers and our inspiration. I hope that our Christmas appeal brings some relief to those who sacrificed so much.”

Glennon said the crisis was caused in part by an aging membership, rising health care costs and a dwindling enrollment of younger nuns, priests and brothers to support and care for the aging members.

A collaborative organization of bishops, nuns and brothers created the Retirement Fund for Religious, which has declared this Sunday Appeal V Day, the fifth of 10 annual collection drives. The goal in Los Angeles this year is $1.5 million. For information or to make a donation, contact Retirement Fund for Religious, 1531 W. 9th St., Los Angeles 90015. (213) 251-3592.

Television personality Ed McMahon, a member of the board of trustees of St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, a licensed, nonprofit non-sectarian child care facility for abused, neglected and troubled children, is asking friends to save Christmas cards they receive this year and send the front panels to the ranch for a recycling fund-raising project. Other used greeting cards--such as birthday cards--are also welcome. The address is St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, 110 St. Judge’s Street, Dept. EMIB, Boulder City, NV 89005.

Anabaptists in Los Angeles will benefit from a Christmas Sharing Fund appeal on their behalf by Mennonites throughout the United States and Canada. The annual Christmas appeal by the Elkhart, Ind.-based church will distribute funds to the Los Angeles Council of Anabaptists, made up of 37 congregations, in their ministries of relief, reconstruction, reconciliation and redevelopment in response to the spring riots. The local council will give 10% of what it receives to help other Anabaptist ministries.

A videotape, “L.A.--Voices from the Ashes,” tells the story of how Anabaptists responded to the violence and destruction. The church is using the tape to solicit $100,000 in a special campaign for work needed in Los Angeles. The church is selling the videotape through Mennonite Media Ministries, at (800) 999-3534.

CHRISTMAS

The combined choirs of the primarily African-American Holman United Methodist Church and Young Nak (Korean) Presbyterian Church will give two performances of “The Messiah” by Handel. They will sing with soloists and orchestra at Holman at 5 p.m. this Sunday and at Young Nak at 7 p.m. next Sunday, Dec. 20. Admission is free. Holman United Methodist Church is at 3320 W. Adams. Blvd.; Young Nak Presbyterian Church is at 1721 N. Broadway.

Church of St. Peter Chanel in Hawaiian Gardens holds a weekend Christmas fiesta. At 5 a.m. today a Mananitas Mass will be held, followed by mariachis, a soccer tournament, pony rides, games and food. A children’s Mass will be held at 11 a.m., followed by a play depicting the apparitions of Guadalupe. At 6 p.m., another Mass will be followed by a dance. Sunday’s include a 9 a.m. parade and a special Mass with Bishop Juah Arzube at 10 a.m.

A 175-voice choir and symphony orchestra perform the annual Christmas concert at Pasadena’s Lake Avenue Congregational Church at 6 p.m. Sunday. “Hodie,” a 20th-Century cantata, as well as beloved seasonal carols, will be presented. Donations accepted. 393 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena. (818) 795-7221.

St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Westwood hosts the Schola Cantorum and other choral groups, accompanied by full orchestra and organ at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10, $7 for students and seniors. 10750 Ohio Ave. (310) 474-1527.

Celtic harpist, poet, folk singer and storyteller Robin Williamson presents two concerts at the Church in Ocean Park: a family concert at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, and a children’s concert at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19. Tickets are $10 for Friday’s show and $8 for children and adults accompanied by a child at Saturday’s show; unaccompanied adults are $10. The address is 235 Hill St., Santa Monica. (310) 399-1631.

HANUKKAH

The Los Angeles Reconstructionist Community of Havurot hold Shabbat service and a family Hanukkah workshop at 7 p.m. Friday at the Sepulveda Unitarian-Universalist Society, 9550 Haskell Ave., North Hills. (310) 459-0176.

How to create a more meaningful and personalized Hanukkah will be taught by rabbi, educator and author Ron Wolfson at a workshop at the University of Judaism from 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesday. Admission is $18. For registration information, phone (310) 476-9777.