Groundbreaking for Convent

The Sisters, Servants of Mary will break ground for a $5-million convent and novitiate in Oxnard at 2 p.m. today at 140 G St.

Msgr. Peter Nugent will officiate at the ceremony for the 42,000-square-foot complex, which will include a chapel, classrooms and accommodations for 40 sisters and novices.

The groundbreaking winds up the sisters’ first national fund-raising effort to build a larger novitiate, where training begins for service in the sisters’ six convents in the United States and Mexico.

The sisters are the only religious order in the United States providing skilled nursing care to patients in their homes. In Ventura and Los Angeles counties, they have provided day and night shifts free for nearly 70 years.

The sisters follow a nondenominational policy, said Sister Leticia Rodriguez of the Oxnard convent, adding that most of their patients are not Catholic.

Those expected to attend the groundbreaking include Ventura County Supervisor John Flynn, Oxnard Mayor Manuel Lopez, Moises Jaime Dominguez of the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard, and George Lauterbach, the project’s architect.

Contributions may be mailed to Rodriguez at the temporary convent at 428 South F St.

For information, call 486-5502.

Church Plans Dinner, Auction

The public is invited to Our Lady of the Assumption’s spring auction and dinner today in Ventura.

Auction items include rides through orange groves aboard the Fillmore and Western Railway, Dodger and Clipper tickets and a whale watching trip. Following the 5:30 p.m. silent auction, a 1950s style dinner of burgers, fries, onion rings, malts and a sock hop dance will round out the evening.

The event will be held in the church hall at 3169 Telegraph Road. Cost is $12.50 per person. Proceeds will benefit Our Lady of the Assumption School.

For reservations, call 642-7198.

Fellowship to Host Preacher

Love International Outreach Fellowship of Ventura will host Emanuele Cannistraci at its two services Sunday.

Cannistraci, who began preaching at age 16, has been a minister for 46 years and has preached in 25 countries, said Liz Borjas of the fellowship.

The Sunday services will begin at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The church is at 1620-A Mesa Verde Drive. For information, call 647-5463.

Lectures to Focus on Bahai Faith

An informational lecture series about the Bahai faith will be held Wednesday nights through the remainder of May at 1889 Montgomery Ave. in Ventura. Jan Dietrick will teach the class.

For information or to register, call 659-4660.

Temple’s Special Events for June

Jewish Families of Camarillo--Temple Ner Ami will host three special events in June.

A New York Night fund-raiser June 6 will include dinner, dancing and an auction. Tickets are $85 per person.

On June 16, the temple will host an Israel at 50 birthday celebration at 7 p.m. The event is free to members and $5 to nonmembers. Refreshments will be served.

On June 19, guest Rabbi Stuart Lasher will conduct the Shabbat service at 7:30, followed by refreshments.

All events will take place at the temple at 4098 Calle Tesoro, Suite D. For information, call 388-3824.

New Leader for Simi LDS Stake

Norman Barlow has been named new president of the Simi Valley stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bishop Ray Metcalf will be first counselor and Bishop Tony Harper will be second counselor.

Barlow is also the director of seminary programs for the Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks church education system.

Retiring from the presidency and counselor positions after more than six years are Don Moberly, Steve Hambly and Robert Little.

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Religion Briefs is a weekly listing that runs each Saturday. Please address items, with a publishable telephone number, to Religion Briefs, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001. Items may be faxed to The Times at 653-7576 or 653-7548.