Spanish-speaking Catholic lay ministers in Southern California...

Spanish-speaking Catholic lay ministers in Southern California can upgrade their pastoral skills and receive academic credentials, thanks to a newly created certification program in pastoral studies at Loyola Marymount University.

The program, open to Latinos who volunteer their time at parishes in the Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino dioceses, offers classes on weekends and during the summer to accommodate working men and women.

“These people make sacrifices to be involved in the church,” said Father Allan Figueroa Deck, a Jesuit priest who is the program director. He noted that in Los Angeles not more than 5% of priests--but some 75% of parishoners--are Latino.

“The priesthood is an important ministry, but what is more fundamental is the call of all people to ministry. We’re trying to contribute to their efforts to serve the church and society,” he stated.

Designed by the school’s Center for Pastoral Studies and Division of Continuing Education, Spanish-language classes begin Aug. 6. They include subjects ranging from church history and doctrine to pastoral care of families and youth. Judy Vallimont, director of the center and its graduate program in pastoral studies, says the program is designed not only to deepen participants’ grasp of their religious heritage, but also to help them achieve their personal educational goals--whether high school graduation or a college or graduate degree.

“The participants will be paired with mentors, practitioners in ministry, who will help them articulate their needs and channel them into whatever level of academic program they are interested in and qualified for,” she said.

At the same time, she said, Latino students enrolled at Loyola Marymount will tutor them in study skills and English proficiency.

The program takes seven weekends during the academic year and one week during the summer. After two years, participants receive the university’s certificate in pastoral studies. Tuition is $2,000 and some financial aid is available. Start-up costs for the program are being underwritten by the New York-based Teagle Foundation.

Why should lay ministers want certification if they are working? “Some of these people are doing a good job already,” Vallimont said. “But some don’t have the background or preparation for the work they’re doing.” In both cases, certification “gives them more credibility within the Catholic Church and also among parishoners.”

For information about the certification program, call the Loyola Marymount University Center for Pastoral Studies at (310) 338-2799.

DATES

The South Coast Ecumenical Council celebrates its 40th year of service with a “Ruby Reveille Dinner,” at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 16, in the Weingart Ballroom of the Center in Sycamore Plaza in Lakewood. The keynote speaker is the Rev. James Lawson, pastor of Holman United Methodist Church. Tickets are $25. Phone (310) 595-0268.

* Chana Henkin, dean of Nishmat, a women’s yeshiva in Jerusalem, is scholar-in-residence Saturday, May 8, at the Torah Learning Center of B’nai David-Judea. She will speak at 11:30 a.m., on “Jews, God and History.” At 6:15 p.m. she will teach a class for women entitled “Public and Private Morality in the Book of Ruth.” Both talks are free. 8906 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles (310) 276-9269.

* The Franciscan-run Mission San Luis Rey Retreat Center in Oceanside will hold Mother’s Day and young adults weekend retreats May 7-9 and a creation spirituality retreat May 21-23. Weeklong seniors retreats are also available. For reservations and information, call (619) 757-3659.

* A “house blessing,” hosted by Bel-Air Presbyterian Church in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and neighbors in Willowbrook, will take place 2 p.m. Sunday at a home built by volunteers. Everyone is invited to celebrate with a ceremony, home tour, barbecue and music. 11127 Watts Ave., Los Angeles. (818) 788-4200, Ext. 137.

* “In God’s Presence” is the theme of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Southern California (West) Synod’s sixth annual Assembly, to be held June 3-5 at the Hyatt at Los Angeles Airport hotel. Registration closes Monday. For information, call (213) 387-8183.

* Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of “Jewish Humor” and “Jewish Literacy,” will speak at two locations Sunday. He will begin the day with an 11:30 a.m. brunch at Temple Beth Shalom, 3635 Elm Ave., Long Beach. Admission is $5. (310) 426-6413. At 7 p.m. he will discuss “The Jewish Experience” at Temple Etz Chaim, 1080 Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Tickets are $14. (818) 587-3200.

* Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th Century Rhineland mystic, is the topic of a talk by Sister Nancy Fierro from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Westwood United Methodist Church. Hildegard wrote of a “philosophic vision of the feminine” and is said to have influenced the portrayal of women’s experience into the mystical literature of the West. $5 suggested donation. 10497 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. (310) 822-2770.

* Children’s entertainer Robbo will present an afternoon of music and fun at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Westside Jewish Community Center, 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. Tickets are $7. (213) 938-2531.

* An Arbor Day worship celebration will be held 11 a.m. Sunday at the Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes. A garden will be dedicated. 5755 Palos Verdes Drive South. (310) 377-2692.

* “Short Stops,” a Christian baseball musical, will be presented at 9:30 and 11 a.m. services Sunday at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange, 154 S. Shaffer St. (714) 997-8411.

BRIEFLY

The Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam recently celebrated Religious Founders Day in Chino with speeches by Rashed Rashedi, secretary of the movement in Los Angeles, and Hameed-Ul-Rahman, its local president. Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Confucian and Taoist speakers also discussed the universality of humankind.

Richard M. Blehar has been named executive director of Catholic Charities of California, the state’s largest private human service network . . . Catholic Charities honors 150 “behind the scenes” volunteers from the San Gabriel and Pomona valleys at its ninth annual recognition dinner in Montebello on Thursday. For information, phone (213) 266-3130.

Monrovia-based World Vision has named Brian Sellers-Petersen coordinator of advocacy and education . . . The Rev. James Sillerud will be installed as senior pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Granada Hills at 10 a.m. Sunday. The Rev. Ben Mathes will serve as guest pastor. Also attending will be the Rev. Bob Fernandez of the San Fernando Presbytery and elder Ik Sohn.

Temple Emanuel in Beverly Hills offers a workshop on “Your Family Tree” classes in Jewish mysticism and meditation and a bereavement group for widows and widowers. (310) 288-3742 . . . David and Maxine Ficksman received the University of Judaism’s Award of Merit at Temple Ner Maarav.

St. James Episcopal Church has expanded its outreach program to include a monthly lunch program for AIDS patients at Los Angeles County General Hospital Outpatient AIDS Clinic. For information, phone Don Woods at (666-1184).

Send notices to: Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, Calif. 90053. Fax: (213) 237-4712. Items must be brief and arrive at least three before the event. Include a phone number, date, time and address.