WEST KENDALL

West Kendall mosque hosts open house to deter vandalism

After bouts of vandalism that included bullets and smashed windows, a West Kendall mosque is hoping to open a dialogue at an open house on Saturday.

Four South Florida women invite God onto the set of their TV talk show

Carolyn Woodberry has never been on The View, the popular ABC daytime show where female personalities bicker over the day's news, but she has a message for Barbara Walters and company: There's a higher authority.

GUANTANAMO NAVY BASE

Prelate worships across an old Cuban divide

The Catholic archbishop for U.S. armed forces made a pilgrimage of peace from the U.S. Navy base at Guantánamo to the Castros' Cuba.

WEST KENDALL

Vandalism strikes fear at West Kendall mosque

Vandals smashed the windows of a West Kendall mosque, the Islamic School of Miami, in an incident members are saying is part of a disturbing trend.

NORTH MIAMI BEACH

Episcopal rite seals Cutié wedding vows

Ex-priest Alberto Cutié and Ruhama Buni Canellis took the Episcopal vows of marriage in one of South Florida's most picturesque settings, a rebuilt Spanish Monastery.

CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY

Ex-Scientology officials say leader hit staff

(AP) -- The leader of the Church of Scientology struck his subordinates numerous times and set an example for physical violence among the tightly controlled religion's management team, four former high-ranking church executives told a newspaper for a story published Sunday.

RELIGION

White House aide brings his message -- and his 'little brother' -- to Miami

Joshua DuBois made post-election headlines when Barack Obama asked him to lead a 25-member council of religious and nonprofit leaders that advises the president on policy, but he spoke of a softer subject in South Florida this week: his relationship with his ''little brother,'' 15-year-old Aidid Brayboy, whom he has mentored for nine years.

BRICKELL

Land deal puts new synagogue on track for 2011 opening

The real estate slump has allowed an Orthodox Jewish group to purchase land for a new synagogue across the street from Miami's Mary Brickell Village for 20 percent of the original asking price.

New choir focuses on the Anglican tradition of Evensong

The Anglican Chorale sings traditional Anglican music, known as Evensong, at Trinity Cathedral in downtown Miami.

RELIGION

Bishop who took in Alberto Cutié unafraid of making waves

The bishop who brought Catholic priest Alberto Cutie into the Episcopalian fold is a master recruiter not afraid to tweak the powers that be.

Scholar teaches Old Testament in Holy Land

In his years teaching classic and modern Hebrew literature in Miami, Samuel Pagán's classroom consisted of four walls and some modern audiovisual equipment. It was efficient but sterile.

RELIGION

Report: Anti-Semitic incidents in Florida down, vandalism up

Incidents against Jews in Florida decreased in 2008, but vandalism jumped by 40 percent, according to a new report.

ARCHDIOCESE OF MIAMI

Archdiocese of Miami considers closing 14 churches

Financial strains in some Catholic congregations, and the movement of many families to the suburbs, may force the closing of 14 churches.

Father Alberto Cutié's leap of faith: New church, a plan to marry

The Miami Beach priest who left his church amid controversy has joined the Episcopal Church -- and plans to get married.

HOLLYWOOD

Hollywood church challenges city's zoning

The attorney for an Indian church attempting to open in Hollywood is alleging that the city is violating court orders to revise its zoning code as required in a 2006 settlement with a local synagogue. The move reignites that five-year court battle.

Holiday tales: Readers share stories of love, mayhem and more

South Floridians share stories of love, mayhem, sand angels and the Hanukkah Santa.