Religion briefs

Loan agreement burned

Archdiocese of Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Gerald Wilkerson and concelebrants Rev. Ed Dover and Monsignor Jack Foley celebrated a special Mass Sunday morning at Holy Redeemer Church celebrating the payment in full of dues owed the archdiocese. The money loaned was used to construct a new church. In total, the archdiocese lent Holy Redeemer $705,625 to cover expenses associated with the construction. After the Mass, Dover — as Wilkerson, Foley and parishioners watched — burned the archdiocese loan agreement. The loan was paid in full three months ahead of the Feb. 10, 2009 deadline.

Christmas benefit luncheon

The Philoptochos Society of St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church will be having its 39th annual Christmas benefit luncheon, “Christmas Spectacular,” at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. The event features a Christmas boutique and a “Santa’s kitchen” luncheon at noon. The site for the event is the Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena, at 1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave.

Proceeds from this event will benefit Methodist Hospital’s Neonatal Care Unit in Arcadia to help purchase monitors needed for newborns with life threatening issues, as well as other local Philoptochos charities.

The program will continue with a fashion show featuring designs by Lourdes Chavez and will end with the grand awards drawing of prizes. Every year over 500 people from Pasadena, San Marino, Arcadia, La Cañada Flintridge and other local communities attend this benefit.

Tickets are $75 per person.

For reservations and more information, call Fontaine Malisos at (626) 446-3622.

Established over 70 years ago by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Philoptochos Society is a philanthropic women’s organization with more than 400 chapters throughout the United States. The Pasadena chapter was founded in 1953. The Philoptochos Society engages in charitable and philanthropic activities which serve those who are in need.

All invited to ‘Labor of Love’ on Dec. 27

First Baptist Church, La Crescenta presents a men’s breakfast the fourth Saturday (the next is Dec. 27) each month at 7 a.m. Enjoy a great breakfast and devotion. The cost for breakfast is $5. After breakfast there will be an opportunity to do odd jobs around the houses of those who need it.

For more information, call the church office at (818) 249-5832 or visit www.fbclc.org.

The church is at 4441 La Crescenta Ave. in La Crescenta.