ROME TRIP: Auxiliary Bishop Armando X. Ochoa,...

ROME TRIP: Auxiliary Bishop Armando X. Ochoa, who heads the San Fernando Pastoral Region of the Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese, will leave Aug. 26 for a month of classes, fellowship and relaxation in Rome with about 65 other U. S. bishops.

This “theological consultation” for bishops is available about every five years, said Ochoa, 51, whose office is in Mission Hills.

Ochoa oversees 48 parishes, primarily in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys.

“I’m using this as my vacation this year,” he said. “It’s a great time for spiritual renewal.”

The bishops take classes in the morning at the Jesuit-run Gregorian University in Rome with time for lunch and a siesta, then afternoon classes and free time in the evening, he said. Ochoa will return to Los Angeles Sept. 25.

CHRISTIAN FAIR: Christian vocalist Carman will close Praise ‘94, a four-day music festival and fair at Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, with a performance at 8:15 p.m. Sunday.

Carman will be preceded by a worship session led by singer Ron Kenoly of San Jose and a talk by the Rev. Carlton Pearson of Tulsa, Okla.

Simultaneous musical performances and speeches are scheduled at three locations on the grounds, starting at 9:15 a.m. and running through 10 p.m. both days. Singers Crystal Lewis, Wayne Watson and Bryan Duncan are among the featured performers this evening, starting at 5:15 p.m.

The fair includes a children’s theater, a carnival with two dozen rides, a petting zoo and as many as 150 exhibit booths for ministry organizations, music artists and Christian-owned businesses.

An adult one-day ticket is $21.95.

LANCASTER FUND-RAISER: Former Rams and San Francisco 49ers running back Wendell Tyler, Christian rap singing groups and Texas preacher Jerry Savelle will appear tonight at the church-run Youth Academy USA in Lancaster to help raise funds to renovate and expand the youth facility.

The academy’s dormitories, designed to sleep 21 young men, are overcrowded with as many as 30 youths at present, said a representative. The academy was founded by the Rev. Jojo Sanchez, pastor of a Lancaster congregation called Dream Center International.

Admission is free to the event, which begins at 5 p.m., although an offering will be taken. The academy is located at 5020 West Avenue G12.

CIRCUMCISION: Dr. Samuel A. Kunin, a certified mohel, a Jewish ritual circumciser, will talk Wednesday at the monthly Clergy Network luncheon on what advice should be given to congregants about circumcision.

Kunin has been in private practice as a urologist since 1968.

The luncheon is free and open to the public. It begins at 11:45 a.m. at the Woodland Care Center, 7120 Corbin Ave., Reseda. For information or reservations, call (800) 707-2224.

SPEAKER: Bob Pugsley, who teaches at Southwestern University Law School, will talk about the ethical implications of the media attention to the O.J. Simpson murder trial during the 10:30 a.m. service at Emerson Unitarian Church, which is meeting at the Canoga Park Senior Citizens Center, 7326 Jordan Ave.

Pugsley, who specializes in the law and social/ethical issues at Southwestern, has provided legal commentary for local and national broadcast media.

For information, call Karen Moore at (818) 887-6101.

KOREAN: In recognition of the 50th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from occupying Japanese troops in World War II, Trinity Presbyterian Church in North Hollywood and a Korean-speaking congregation that meets in the same building will hold a joint, bilingual service at 11 a.m. Sunday.

The Revs. Glen Thorp and Ha Young Lee will share pulpit duties and a combined choir will sing at the service. The church is at 11960 Victory Blvd.

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