Six teachers from Roman Catholic elementary and...

Six teachers from Roman Catholic elementary and high schools in some of Los Angeles County’s toughest neighborhoods will spend 10 days at Harvard University this month learning about the spiritual growth of children from noted psychiatrist Robert Coles.

The six are among 22 Catholic schoolteachers nationwide who have been chosen to take part in the “Teaching for Spiritual Growth Institute,” which begins Monday.

The program draws heavily from the research and teaching of Coles, a Harvard professor and internationally recognized expert on children in poverty. The institute is a joint venture of Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities Inc., the National Catholic Education Assn., and the Jesuit-sponsored Weston School of Theology.

“We wanted to expose our best and brightest teachers to Coles’ philosophy and his approach to the spiritual growth of children,” said Mike Carotta, director of the institute, now in its second year.

“Last year we chose young people who showed promise and (whom) we wanted to stay in this field. This year, we found ourselves drawn to a mix of rookies who are diamonds in the rough (and) veterans who have not given up, who want to retool.”

Participants from Los Angeles schools are Galen Chappelle of St. Agnes Elementary School, Michael B. Fabian of Junipero Serra High School, Joseph Neeb of St. Thomas the Apostle Elementary School, and Patricia L. Neff of St. Frances X. Cabrini Elementary School. Diana M. Solis of Ramona Convent Secondary School in Alhambra and Martin Zemanek of St. Anthony High School in Long Beach were also selected.

The teachers receive fellowships to attend the institute, as well as a commitment from their schools that they will be able to initiate a project that springs from their work at Harvard.

Before leaving this week, Neeb, who teaches religion and family life, said: “Dr. Coles writes that teachers can’t possibly use the same curriculum to teach religion in Brentwood as in Pico-Union where I work, even though the ultimate message is the same.” Neeb is looking forward to getting help at the institute on a project he originated that uses self-esteem and religious concepts to teach abstinence and combat teen pregnancy.

Coles will work intensively with the teachers, Carotta said, by “using stories to uncover the moral and spiritual perspectives of kids.” Eight other professors will also give presentations.

There will be time for reflection and recreation, Carotta said, because at work “these folks never get a break.”

DATES

* A Los Angeles March for Jesus near one of the sights of the 1992 riots is scheduled for Saturday, June 25, one of thousands of marches to take place that day in 170 countries. “There is no political agenda, no social agenda or protest taking place, but rather a celebration designed to bring whole communities together,” said Tom Pelton, national coordinator. Locally, marches will begin at 9 a.m. at Will Rogers Park at 103rd Street and Central Avenue in South-Central Los Angeles; at Loveland Street and Perry Road in Bell Gardens, and at other sites in Long Beach, the San Fernando Valley, the South Bay and in San Bernardino and Orange counties. (213) 564-2892 or (310) 412-8603.

* The “Somebody Loves You Crusades” at the Pasadena Center Exhibition Hall ends today. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. for a 3:30 concert and at 6:30 p.m. for a 7:30 concert. Raul Ries will speak. Admission is free and no offerings will be taken. 300 E. Green St. (818) 793-2122.

* The Unity and Diversity World Council holds a New World Convergence the weekend of June 24-26 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles. The theme is “The Year of the Family.” Joseph Chilton Pearce, author of “The Magical Child” and “Crack in the Cosmic Egg,” is a keynote speaker. Workshops, panel discussions and an international festival, co-sponsored by the Interfaith Council for the United Nations, will be featured. For registration and information, (213) 742-6832.

* Friday is the deadline for congregations and individuals to donate items to homeless veterans through the South Coast Ecumenical Council’s Operation StandDown 1994, from June 24 to 26. The event, at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Long Beach, provides veterans with food, shelter, clothing, medical service, showers, haircuts, personal supplies and legal and psychological counseling. The greatest need is for new underwear, T-shirts and tube socks. Also requested are clean, pressed used pants and shirts. Blankets, towels, razors, soap, sunscreen, over-the-counter medications, shampoo, toiletries and combs are also needed. For information, or to refer a homeless male or female veteran, (310) 420-1481, ext. 2810.

* Metropolitan Community Church Silver Lake inaugurates a new Sunday worship schedule with a “Not Too Solemn Al Fresco Lite Luncheon” in the church courtyard after 1 p.m. services Sunday. The congregation will meet at 1 p.m. each Sunday at the Chapel of St. Francis, 3621 Brunswick Ave. in the Atwater Village area. (213) 665-8818.

* A “Raise the Roof” benefit concert for St. Andrew’s Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in the High Desert, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Westwood. “Requiem” by John Rutter is among the pieces to be performed by a 150-member choir, accompanied by organ and chamber orchestra. At the end of the concert, Abbot Francis Benedict will officiate at Compline (Night Prayer), giving those in attendance the opportunity to experience the final liturgy of the day as it is observed at the abbey. Tickets are $15. 10750 Ohio Ave. (818) 340-8125.

* Christ the Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church in Altadena celebrates its 50th anniversary Sunday. Bishop Roger Anderson will preach at a festive Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. Luncheon and a program follow. 185 W. Altadena Dr. (818) 794-7011.

HONORS

* An essay by University High School junior Deborah Henigson was selected from more than 4,000 entries as winner of the grand prize in the sixth annual essay contest sponsored by the Skirball Institute on American Values. The theme was “What Can Events, Documents or Personalities in U.S. History Teach Us About Protecting Our Environment?” Henigson, who wrote about the evolution and long-term effects of the automobile, received $5,000 and was congratulated by Vice President Al Gore at the 88th annual meeting of the American Jewish Committee in Washington, D.C. She was accompanied by her English teacher, Jane Koehler.

Twelve fourth-grade students at Catholic schools throughout Los Angeles County are the first recipients of $1,000 Fray Junipero Serra scholarships from the William H. Hannon Foundation, based on essays they wrote about the Franciscan monk’s role in California history. The awards will be applied to their school tuition. The 12 are: Daniell Reyes-Acosta, Erika Williams, Michael Cheng, Joseph Rodriguez, Michael Rodriguez, Maricarr Lupisan, Bianca Roman, Elizabeth Kinnon, Amber Held, Michael Duke, Andrea Perez and Dominic So. In addition, Ashley Bevans, Stephanie Hall and Tai Parker were selected as winners; each will receive one-third of the monetary award.

* The Rev. Jose A. Malayang of La Verne has been named executive program associate for the United Church of Christ’s national office for church life and leadership.

* The Rev. John A. Dean Jr. was elected the new pastor of Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles on June 12.