Spiritually Speaking

QUESTION: My children’s father (I’ll call him Al) left me, [with] four young children to raise, for another woman. Fortunately, I met a wonderful man who had two children and together we raised our brood of six. Now our children are adults, and my oldest daughter is disappointed that Al is constantly letting her down. […]

Celebrating the ‘Son’ Rise at Mt. McGroarty

By Michael J. ARVIZU It was still dark as people lined up at the corner of Hillhaven Avenue and Foothill Boulevard on an otherwise quiet Easter Sunday morning to hitch a short ride up to the peak of Mt. McGroarty in Tujunga for the 88th annual Sunland-Tujunga Community Easter Sunrise Service. Hosted by the Verdugo […]

The Stone at La Crescenta Pres

By Michael J. ARVIZU The sealing of the tomb of Jesus after his death and the discovery of the empty tomb on the third day are stories well known to adherents of the Christian faith. Tradition holds that Jesus, after his death on the cross, was buried in a simple tomb sealed by a large […]

Looking to the Church’s Future

Pope Francis ushers in many firsts for the Catholic Church. By Michael J. ARVIZU The election of Pope Francis on March 13 as the leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholic brings with it a myriad of firsts. A native of Argentina, Francis is the first ever pope from the New World, and first non-European […]

Successful St. Joseph Table at St. Bede

This year’s annual St. Joseph Table sponsored by the Italian Catholic Federation exceeded the expectations of members in its drive to raise money for ICF charities. The St. Joseph Table, tied to the celebration of St. Joseph Day on March 19, is an event when parishioners donate foods and baked goods for sale at a […]

Preparing for Easter in the Foothills

By Michael J. ARVIZU Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Holy Week – the week leading up to Easter – are considered the holiest days in Christianity. They culminate in the celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. Each year, faithful can count on a variety of Holy Week and Easter services around town. Every service […]

NOTES & NODS

Easter Celebration at CVCHURCH Celebrate Easter with Crescenta Valley Church on Sunday, March 31 in one of four services. Invite family, friends, neighbors and colleagues! Easter will mark the beginning of a new teaching series. “Time to Rise” will inspire attendees to rise to reach God-given potential. Bring kids, too, as there will be a […]

Spiritually Speaking

QUESTION: “The times they are a-changing.” Several states have passed laws making the use of marijuana legal. I’m very uncomfortable with this if even only from the damage marijuana causes to the physical body, including shrinking the brain (Stanford Research Study) and liver damage. Recently, there was a news article about law enforcement having to […]

NOTES & NODS

UUCVH Hosting Tom Neilson Political satirist Tom Neilson will be performing at Unitarian Universalist Church of the Verdugo Hills on Sunday, March 24 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The cost is $20 per person. Refreshments included. UUCVH is located at 4451 Dunsmore Ave., La Crescenta. Montrose Church, Bresee Church Launch ‘Fresh Start’ Montrose Church […]

Serving the Emotionally Wounded

By Michael J. ARVIZU In a crisis situation, first responders are tasked with assessing the scene and rendering aid where it is needed. Most of the time, they are police officers, paramedics and firefighters. But another group of people is tasked with rendering aid for injuries that may not be so apparent. That is the […]