“RENEW” PARISHES: Five Roman Catholic parishes in...

“RENEW” PARISHES: Five Roman Catholic parishes in the San Fernando Pastoral Region of the Los Angeles Archdiocese will begin a 2 1/2-year involvement in a national spiritual renewal program called Renew, with sign-ups Sunday and Sept. 12.

The parishes are: St. James the Less, La Crescenta; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Santa Clarita; St. Jude’s, Westlake Village; St. Elizabeth, Van Nuys, and St. Mary’s, Palmdale.

“Last year at St. Mary’s we spent our resources in refurbishing and building buildings,” said Father Richard Miskella, pastor of the Palmdale parish. “Now, we want to build up the people of God.”

In all, 26 parishes in the Los Angeles Archdiocese are participating in the cycle beginning Oct. 3, said Sister Clare Reinert, director of the archdiocesan Pastoral Council office in Los Angeles. The Renew organization, based in Plainfield, N.J., trains group leaders to supervise six-week sessions each fall and spring, with completion of the process in 1995.

“Renew has largely lay leadership,” Reinert said. “People learn how to be leaders in the parish, and it involves inactive people in the parish. Many parishioners come back into the church this way.”

One feature is the division of the enrollees into groups of about 10 people each who meet once a week in private homes.

“The Renew experience gives each of us a chance to literally renew the direction of our lives, to help us to realize and appreciate the difference God can make in our everyday existence,” said Msgr. Thomas O’Connell, pastor of St. Jude’s parish, where the program is being held for a second time.

LABOR DAY SERVICE: State Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles), who chairs the Insurance Committee of the California State Senate, will speak at the fifth annual Interfaith Labor Day Celebration Service, 7:30 p.m. Monday at Central Lutheran Church, 6425 Tyrone Ave., Van Nuys.

Other participants in the service will include the Rev. Allyn Axelton, president of the sponsoring San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council; the Rev. Robert Fernandez, the top executive with the Presbytery of San Fernando; the Rev. C. Jessel Strong, pastor of the Pacoima African Methodist Episcopal Church; Rabbi Bernard Cohen, rabbi emeritus of Temple Solael, and a combined choir from Central Lutheran Church and Los Angeles City College led by Jane Bloomquist.

Torres is scheduled to speak on labor’s role in the national health care system. The public is invited to take part in the service.

HEALING LAUGHTER: Writer Robert Fisher will present a two-hour seminar on “The Healing Power of Laughter” at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Glendale Church of Religious Science, 2146 E. Chevy Chase Drive.

Author of “The Knight in Rusty Armor,” Fisher co-wrote with Arthur Marx “Groucho--A Life in Review” and other stage productions. Fisher will also be the pulpit guest at the 10 a.m. church service Sunday.

The seminar fee is $20. For information, call the church at (818) 244-8171.

BENEFIT CONCERT: In a performance to benefit the Salvation Army’s flood relief in the Midwest and Burbank’s Temporary Aid Center, Mike and Holly will give a concert at 3 p.m. Sept. 12 at Burbank First United Methodist Church, 700 N. Glenoaks Blvd.

The St. Louis natives, now living in Burbank, using only their first names for their singing act, which will include a mix of popular music. Requested donations range up to $7.50 for adults, with free child care provided. Tickets will be available at the door.

JEWISH ROCK: The rock band Schlock Rock will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at Temple Beth Hillel, 12326 Riverside Drive, North Hollywood, to raise funds for the synagogue and Beit HaMidrash of Woodland Hills.

Advance ticket prices are $10 for adults and $8 for young people 17 and under, $2 more if purchased at the door. For information, call (818) 763-9148.

News and announcements for this column may be sent to Religion Desk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311.