Salvadoran Catholics to Celebrate Transfiguration

Salvadoran Catholics across Los Angeles will celebrate the transfiguration of Jesus this weekend. The feast known as El Salvador del Mundo, the Savior of the World, takes on particular significance for natives of El Salvador because the miraculous figure is the namesake and patron saint of the Central American country. The Christian holy day occurs Aug. 6, when, according to tradition, Jesus was transfigured miraculously before the apostles on a mountaintop. According to the Gospel account, the event occurred after Jesus first predicted his death.

This weekend, two churches with large Central American congregations will celebrate the Transfiguration and pay homage to their patron saint. Tonight at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Pico-Union, Father Miguel Angel Bonilla, who is from El Salvador, will celebrate a 7 p.m. Mass for the community. St. Thomas is at 1321 S. Mariposa Ave. in Los Angeles. The most elaborate festivities will be Sunday at Immaculate Conception Church in Los Angeles, where parishioners have celebrated the holy day since 1993. A lavish festival reminiscent of the one that takes place in the streets of San Salvador will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 7 p.m. with religious devotion, food, music and dance. A Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. by Father Elias Samuel Bolanos, bishop of Zacatecoluca, Salvador. A dramatic recreation of the Transfiguration will take place at 4:15 p.m. Immaculate Conception is at 1433 W. 9th St.

PEOPLE

Ray Bradbury, author of such acclaimed stories as “The Martian Chronicles” and “Fahrenheit 451,” was recently named recipient of the Lloyd C. Douglas Spiritual Quest Award for Lifetime Achievement by the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles. The award is named after a former pastor of the church who wrote several novels, including “The Robe” and “Magnificent Obsession.” The award recognizes spiritual leadership in the entertainment industry.

* David Walker, pastor and founder of the Los Angeles Church of Religious Science, has been elected president of the board of directors of Religious Science International. Walker, who was ordained in 1981, served the Hollywood Church of Religious Science and the Inland Empire Church of Religious Science before returning to start the church in Los Angeles, which was chartered in 1989. Religious Science International is a smaller church association separate from the United Church of Religious Science. Both adhere to the New Thought movement.

EVENTS

The seventh annual dinner-dance/seminar for Christian singles will be held on the Queen Mary on Aug. 14. The sponsors, Spectacular Events, expect about 1,000 singles to attend the festivities, which will be held on the former first-class dining area deck. Family therapist Greg Cynaumon will present a seminar from 1 to 4 p.m. on finding lasting love. During dinner, at 6 p.m., men will change tables for each course of the meal. Dancing will begin at 8 with Christian DJs playing top 40 and contemporary Christian music in the Grand Salon and country and western and swing in the Windsor Salon. (888) 222-8818 or (714) 375-3385.

* “Walking to Envision Peace,” a labyrinth walk and workshop, will be held at Christ the King Church, 2706 W. 182nd St., Torrance, on Aug. 14 from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. The labyrinth has been used throughout history as a tool for spiritual understanding. The church’s labyrinth, completed in 1998, carries the pattern of the labyrinth found at Chartres Cathedral, which dates to the 13th century. Georgiana Lofty will lead centering activities to assist participants. Suggested donation is $25. (562) 439-6595.

* Congregation B’Nai Tikvah, a Conservative synagogue in Westchester, will hold a special healing/Jewish renewal Shabbat at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The service will feature upbeat music, contemplative readings and a healing circle and is one of a series of innovations the congregation is trying for the traditional Friday night service. The congregation is at 5820 W. Manchester Ave., one mile west of the San Diego Freeway, near Los Angeles International Airport. (310) 645-6262.

LECTURES, SEMINARS

Dennis Macdonald, John Wesley professor of New Testament and Christian origins at the Claremont School of Theology, will discuss “The Homeric Epic and the Earliest Gospel” on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. (949) 646-4652.

* Integrating spiritual and psychological principles, author Lucy Papillon will present a seminar, “From Pain to Power: Reclaiming Your Soul in a Romantic Relationship,” at the Agape Center for International Truth, 5700 Buckingham Parkway, Culver City, on Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m. (310) 348-1260, Ext. 26.

DRAMA

The Abundant Living Family Church, 9239 Utica Ave., Suite 120, Rancho Cucamonga, will present a play that demonstrates the love of God to a dying world in its moment of need. “Where Will You Spend Eternity?” will be presented Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 14 and 15 at 6 p.m. (909) 987-7110.

MUSIC

The 19-voice choir Witness, under the direction of Tedd Szeto, will perform gospel, contemporary Christian and a cappella songs in a community concert at Trinity Baptist Church, 1015 California Ave., Santa Monica, on Sunday at 6 p.m. (310) 395-9961.

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