WAYNE AWARD: Josephine “Josie” Saenz Wayne, the...

WAYNE AWARD: Josephine “Josie” Saenz Wayne, the first wife of the late actor John Wayne, raised their four children and found time to establish six organizations within the Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese and work with 18 other church groups over the years.

For her service to the church, Wayne, who attends St. Charles Catholic Church in North Hollywood, was honored by Cardinal Roger M. Mahony Friday in Beverly Hills along with four other Catholic lay people at the annual Cardinal’s Awards dinner.

Wayne was cited for helping found and serving as a director of the St. Anne’s Foundation, the Holy Family Adoption Service Foundation, the Sacred Heart retreat movement, the Immaculate Heart Auxiliary, the Cardinal’s Christmas Party and the Mission Circle of her onetime parish, Christ the King in Los Angeles.

“Every Sunday, Josie and her family fill two pews at the church,” said Msgr. Thomas Kiefer, pastor of St. Charles. “She is a model for her family and for her parish.” Sons Michael and Patrick live within the parish while daughter Toni lives elsewhere in the San Fernando Valley and daughter Melinda lives in Newport Beach, the pastor said.

SEXUAL ABSTINENCE

More than 1,500 young people and leaders today will attend a “True Love Waits” rally at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia to celebrate the nationwide movement endorsing sexual abstinence before marriage.

Contemporary Christian recording artist Lisa Bevill will perform at the 2 p.m. rally in the park’s Golden Bear Theater. Some of the thousands of pledge cards signed by California teenagers will be on display, a spokesman said. The event is a regional prelude to a national rally Feb. 11 in Atlanta.

ST. MEL’S RETURNS

Parishioners and priests of St. Mel’s Catholic Church of Woodland Hills will return to a newly renovated church building today for a 5:30 p.m. Mass after attending services for the past 12 months in a temporary structure as earthquake repairs were made.

Msgr. Padraic Loftus, the pastor, will lead parishioners in a procession into the Ventura Boulevard church after a solemn opening of the doors to the 800-person-capacity church.

Cardinal Mahony will formally consecrate the church in ceremonies on March 10, said Associate Pastor Raymond Morales. The overall appearance of the church has not changed significantly except for a new courtyard built at the front entrance, Morales said.

PRESBYTERIAN LEADER

Marj Carpenter, the 1995-96 moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), will be the guest preacher at the 11 a.m. service Sunday at Burbank First Presbyterian Church, 521 E. Olive Ave.

Carpenter, the former head of the denomination’s public relations office, will speak on “Going to All the World,” reflecting the theme of a Presbyterian missions rally at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, where she will be speaking today.

CHOIR/ORCHESTRA

The 140-member Azusa Pacific University Choir and Orchestra, conducted by Al Clifft, will perform in concert at 5 p.m. Sunday at Church on the Way’s western campus, the large church building at 14800 Sherman Way.

CELTIC SPIRITUALITY

The Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino is sponsoring a four-part series on Celtic Christianity, starting with an introduction at 1:30 p.m. Sunday by Arthur Holder of the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley.

Later sessions will take place on March 24 (Celtic art and myths), April 21 (Celtic stories and songs about saints) and May 5 (a one-man play written by St. Patrick). The fee is $40 for the series, $12 single sessions. Information: (818) 784-4515.

BLUEGRASS MUSIC

Three groups that play Southern gospel music, including bluegrass, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 19700 Rinaldi St., Porter Ranch. They are Howard Yearwood and the Crossroads, Dry Branch Fire Squad and the Witcher Brothers. Tickets are $12. Information: (818) 700-8288.

ENTERTAINMENT/FAITH

Robert Hanley, founder of Entertainment Fellowship, will speak on “God and Career” Wednesday at the Catholic Community Luncheon at Barone’s restaurant, 10123 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake. Reservations: (818) 784-1960.

TALLEY’S FOLLY

Lanford Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy drama “Talley’s Folly” will be presented next weekend at the North Hollywood Church of Religious Science, 6161 Whitsett Ave.

Ron Vernon and Susan Davis portray unlikely lovers in the play, which will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Suggested donation is $10. Information: (818) 762-7566.