Baha'i statement

The Baha'i community of Alaska has joined others across the world to make an appeal for religious understanding. The local Baha'i organization has issued a shorter version of a seven-page letter recently issued by the governing body of the Baha'i faith, which is at www.bahai.org.

The local statement states that religious organizations should avoid parochialism and work toward unity of the common principles of peace and understanding, according to Paul Gray, public information officer for the Baha'is of Alaska.

In spite of the differences of various religious groups, "the world's population continues to seek religious guidance," the statement reads.

"Religion remains an essential and imperishable element of human consciousness, a power that reaches to humanity's very core. It is a historically civilizing force and, as such, the oneness of humankind cannot be effectively advanced without an infusion of spirituality."

In the Baha'i understanding, the statement says, God is revealed by all the faiths. "These mighty systems have proceeded from one source and are the rays of one light," according to the statement.

Catholic news

There will be a bilingual Mass at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 3900 Wisconsin St., followed by a fiesta. The public is invited. The event is in celebration of the canonization of Juan Diego, scheduled for Tuesday in Mexico.

The fifth annual Lumen Christi Golf Classic will be Wednesday at Al and Minnie Swalling's North Pointe Golf Course on the bluff overlooking Cook Inlet at 2610 Marston Drive. Tee times are 2 and 4 p.m. Registration is $100 per golfer or $50 per guest. (248-0712)

The Rev. Michael Shields will be on CREDO TV (Channel 16) 7 to 8 p.m. Friday with parts 3 and 4 of his series "Rebirth of the Church in Russia."