Outspoken Nun to Address Catholic Conference

Sister Joan Chittister, a Roman Catholic nun who recently made worldwide news by defying Vatican gag orders against speaking out on women’s ordination, will address the Call to Action West Coast National Conference in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Chittister, of Erie, Pa., has been a Benedictine nun for 50 years. She will speak on how the liberal reforms of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s can come to fruition in the present age.

The conference, which began Friday, is commemorating the 25th anniversary of Call to Action, a national organization of 22,000 Catholics aimed at promoting such church reforms as women’s ordination and optional celibacy for priests. Other issues set for discussion include liberation theology, the black church, cross-cultural missions, U.S. military aid, child prostitution and the life of a female Catholic priest in Czechoslovakia, the late Ludmila Javorova. The Los Angeles Catholic Worker community, which serves the poor and homeless, will receive the Call to Action Leadership Award.

The conference is being held at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, 6101 W. Century Blvd. in Los Angeles. Chittister is scheduled to speak at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, followed by the closing Eucharist. Information: (310) 559-7577.

EVENTS

Sepulveda Unitarian-Universalist Society will present “United Nations: Hopes for the Future,” by Irving Sarnoff, at 10:45 a.m. Sunday at 9550 Haskell Ave., North Hills. Sarnoff is the founder and director of Friends of the United Nations. (818) 894-9251.

* Mira Loma Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses will open “Teachers of God’s Word,” a three-day conference, at 11:50 a.m. Friday at 3300 Cornerstone Drive, Mira Loma. The conference, presented in more than a dozen languages, will focus on educating people on how to teach the Bible. (909) 360-6400.

* West Los Angeles’ Lifeways Psychic Exposition, exploring the mind, body and spirit, will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday in Veteran’s Memorial Hall, 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City.

The expo will have more than 80 exhibitors and 50 lecturers on topics from “Palmistry Concisely” to “Working With Angels.” The event will also include a shopping bazaar and will feature a Saturday seance. Two-day admission is $10. (800) 722-7330.

* Temple Ner Tamid of Downey will hold a Woman-to-Woman Havurah beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday at 10629 Lakewood Blvd., Downey. Attendees are asked to bring a snack or beverage. This program will be held the second Thursday of each month. (562) 861-9276.

CONCERTS

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church will present a night of classic Christian rock music performed by Search and Rescue at 7 p.m. Sunday at 9440 Balboa Blvd., Northridge. The concert is part of the fourth annual August Concerts in the Garden, a fund-raiser that donates all offerings to local charities. (818) 886-1324.

* Hollywood Church of Religious Science will present “Nite-Lite,” a duet performed by Gail Spadaro Sweet and Judy Sweet-Davis, at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at 7677 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. The performance will include works of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Chopin and Beethoven. Refreshments will be served. Free admission. (310) 441-1822.

* Ralph Carmichael and his big band will perform at 7 p.m. tonight at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, 588 Camino Manzanas, Thousand Oaks. The concert will include Carmichael’s works as well as other gospel songs. Refreshments will be served. Admission is $20. (805) 498-4502.

* St. Agatha’s Gospel Choir will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Holy Retreat Center, 4316 Lania Road, Encino. The choir consists of 50 voices and has a repertoire of more than 150 songs. Admission is $10 for adults, $2 for children under 12. (818) 784-4515

*

Notices may be mailed for consideration to Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012; faxed to Southern California File at (213) 237-2358; or e-mailed to religion@latimes.com. Items should arrive two to three weeks before the event and should include pertinent details about the people and organizations with address, phone number, date and time. Because of the volume of submissions, we cannot guarantee publication.