OC CATHOLIC - AUGUST 24, 2025

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OC Catholic Afar

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AUGUST 24, 2025

11 IN MEMORIAM

San Antonio de Padua parish mourns its founding pastor, Fr. Seamus Glynn.

VATICAN NEWS

God never gives up on anyone, says Pope Leo XIV.

14 A MAN, A MICROPHONE AND GOD

OC Catholic Radio’s Rick Howick prepares to hang up his headphones.

THE BLESSING OF GRANDPARENTS

Intergenerational families bring benefits to all members, regardless of age.

ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC MISSION STATEMENT

The Orange County Catholic Newspaper seeks to illuminate and animate the journey of faith for Catholics within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange – building solidarity among the faithful and inviting a deeper understanding and involvement in the mission of Christ – through the timely sharing of news, commentary and feature content in an engaging, accessible and compelling format.

ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC

The Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange Diocese of Orange Pastoral Center, 13280 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove 92840

Publisher: The Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of Orange

Executive Editor: Jarryd Gonzales

Managing Editor: Patricia Mahoney, editor@occatholic.com

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CUSTOM CONTENT

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Delivered weekly to parishes and homes throughout Orange County, Calif., Orange County Catholic is published by SCNG Custom Content, a division of Southern California News Group that offers content development and design expertise to businesses and nonprofit institutions. The Orange County Catholic editorial staff and editorial council are responsible for the content contained herein. Events and products advertised in Orange County Catholic do not carry the implicit endorsement of the Diocese of Orange or SCNG Custom Content.

ROSARY BEADS

READER CALL-OUT

This Rosary was a gift from an aunt and uncle nearly 60 years ago. I loved that it glowed in the dark so I could pray the Rosary at night.

—Judy Fletcher, St. Irenaeus Parish in Cypress.

If you would like to share a photo of your Rosary Beads with our readers, please send a photo and brief description (include your name and parish) to: editor@occatholic.com C

“ At the root of every vocation, God is present…” — Pope Leo XIV

SAINT PROFILE

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY

1 THESSALONIANS

1:1-5, 8B-10; PSALM 149:1B-2, 3-4, 5-6A AND 9B; JOHN 10:27; MATTHEW 23:13-22

TUESDAY

1 THESSALONIANS

2:1-8; PSALM 139:1-3, 4-6; MATTHEW 23:2326

WEDNESDAY

1 THESSALONIANS

2:9-13; PSALM 139:7-8, 9-10, 1112AB; MATTHEW 23:27-32

THURSDAY

1 THESSALONIANS

3:7-13; PSALM 90:3-5A, 12-13, 14 AND 17; MATTHEW 24:42-51

JOSEPH CALASANZ 1556-1648

THIS SPANIARD STUDIED LAW at the University of Lerida and was ordained a priest in 1583, despite his father's hope that he would be a soldier. He became vicar general of a Spanish diocese, but in 1592 left for Rome, where he joined the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and worked with neglected children. In 1597 he established the first free school in Rome with three other priests. This work led him to found the Clerks Regular of the Religious (or Pious) Schools, known as Piarists. He overcame internal and external opposition and served as superior general of the order. He was canonized in 1767, and in 1948 Pope Pius XII named him the patron saint of Christian schools. He is also a patron of students. C

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

FRIDAY

1 THESSALONIANS

4:1-8; PSALM 97:1 AND 2B, 5-6, 10, 11-12; MARK 6:17-29

SATURDAY

1 THESSALONIANS

4:9-11; PSALM 98:1, 7-8, 9; MATTHEW 25:14-30

SUNDAY

SIRACH 3:17-18, 20, 2829; PSALM 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11; HEBREWS 12:1819, 22-24A; MATTHEW 11:29AB; LUKE 14:1, 7-14

PHOTO BY JUDY FLETCHER

IN MEMORIAM

A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE FOUNDING PASTOR OF SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA PARISH & ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC SCHOOL

WITHIN MINUTES OF A post on the San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church Facebook page announcing the death of Fr. Seamus Glynn, the church’s founding pastor, condolences, expressions of sympathy and endearing memories from longtime parishioners quickly populated its comment section.

Fr. Seamus, who died peacefully on July 14 at age 91, served as an ordained priest for 67 years — more than 30 of them as pastor at San Antonio de Padua — before retiring in 2008.

Parishioners whose lives had been touched on a deep, spiritual level through interactions with Fr. Seamus described the beloved priest as a clergyman who possessed a “golden caring heart,” was a “beacon of light and love” and a “guiding force of life” at San Antonio de Padua.

Whether he baptized their children, distributed the Eucharist for First Holy Communion, administered Confirmation or was the main celebrant for a wedding ceremony, parishioners shared heartfelt memories about the Irish-born priest.

For longtime parishioner Dawn Helwig, Fr. Seamus was a source of comfort after her husband became infirm.

“He took on a role of not just a spiritual father, but a physical father,” said Helwig, who served as youth minister at the church. “He was just much more to me in that respect. I just always wanted to help support him because it was so beautiful to watch him engage with peo -

ple and to be so loving and kind.”

In addition to being the founding pastor of San Antonio de Padua, Fr. Seamus also oversaw the construction of the rectory, a community hall and St. Francis of Assisi School.

Jeannette Lambert, who spent 21 years in a variety of positions at St. Francis of Assisi, including five years as vice principal and then six as principal, said Fr. Seamus was deeply involved in the school community.

The resolute priest created a school environment where people felt like they belonged and could build their faith, Lambert said.

“Fr. Seamus was an integral part of the school, and you have to know that

this man not only got it started but was there every single week,” said Lambert, who left St. Francis of Assisi in 2024 and is currently the superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Dallas. “I don’t know if many people know this, but he would write a monthly check for tuition assistance out of his own account. So, for kids who couldn't afford to go, he would help them out financially. He wanted to make sure students could afford to go to St. Francis.”

Fr. Seamus was also known for his sharp wit and sense of humor.

In 2012, when the name of the center used for social activities and events at St. Francis was changed from the St. Clare Center to the Fr. Seamus Glynn Center, an Orange County Register article covering the renaming ceremony included the humble priest’s comments.

“I am a bit concerned that they are

taking down the saint’s name and putting up a sinner,” he joked. “I hope St. Clare is not vindictive for it. If I have a broken leg in the next week or two, you know why.”

Fr. Seamus was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, on Aug. 18, 1933, the fifth of seven children.

Educated in Ireland, he joined the seminary at St. Peter’s College in Wexford and was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on June 8, 1958.

Fr. Seamus’ older brother Fr. Tom Glynn served as pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in San Pedro for 25 years. He was named a monsignor in 1994 and retired in 2004.

Fr. Eamon O’Gorman, who served at St. Martin de Porres in Yorba Linda during the 1970s, formed a friendship

CONTINUES ON PAGE 6

FR. SEAMUS GLYNN ENJOYS SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA’S PARISH FIESTA IN 1979. PHOTO COURTESY OF SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA PARISH
“Thank you Father Seamus, you will be forever in our hearts”

with Fr. Seamus partly because of the close proximity between San Antonio de Padua and St. Martin de Porres.

As Fr. Tom’s health began failing, Fr. O’Gorman recalled Fr. Seamus making regular trips up to Nazareth House in Los Angeles, where his brother spent his final years before his passing in 2020.

“I was very touched by his love for his brother,” said Fr. O’Gorman, who is retired and resides in the rectory at St. Joseph parish in Placentia.

Fr. O’Gorman was also moved by CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

the outpouring of love for Fr. Seamus, especially in his final days.

“People just rallied around him,” Fr. O’Gorman said. “There is nothing they wouldn’t do for him. Living in his home there and surrounded by people who loved him and just dying as a priest. I mean, he very much died as a priest.”

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 10:30 a.m. at San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church in Anaheim Hills. For more details visit https://sanantoniochurch.org/ or call (714) 974-1416. C

FR. SEAMUS GLYNN SERVED AS PASTOR OF SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA CATHOLIC CHURCH FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS. PHOTO COURTESY OF SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA PARISH

HOPE IS KNOWING GOD IS ALWAYS READY TO FORGIVE, POPE SAYS AT AUDIENCE

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — God never gives up on anyone, even when the person betrays God's love, Pope Leo XIV said.

Christian hope flows from "knowing that even if we fail, God will never fail us. Even if we betray him, he never stops loving us," the pope said Aug. 13 at his weekly general audience.

Arriving in the Vatican audience hall, Pope Leo welcomed the visitors in English, Spanish and Italian and explained that the audience would be held in two parts — in the hall and in St. Peter's Basilica — so people would not be forced to stay outside under the very hot sun.

Pope Leo was scheduled to leave the Vatican after the two-part audience to return to the papal villa at Castel Gandolfo where he had spent part of July. The Vatican press office said he would stay until Aug. 19 in the town, which is about 15 miles southeast of Rome.

Greeting English speakers in the basilica, the pope wished them "safe travels" and prayed that God's grace would "accompany you and fulfill in your hearts that desire that we all share to live an authentic conversion, to walk united in the church, to renew our faith and to be authentic witnesses of Jesus Christ and his Gospel throughout the world."

In his main audience talk in the hall, Pope Leo continued his series about Jesus' final days, looking specifically at Jesus' revelation during the Last Supper that one of the disciples would betray him.

Jesus does not make the statement to condemn or embarrass Judas in front of the others, the pope said, but does so "to show how love, when it is true, cannot do without the truth."

In the Gospel, each of the disciples responds, "Surely it is not I?"

The question, the pope said, "is perhaps among the sincerest that we can ask ourselves. It is not the question of the innocent, but of the disciple who discovers himself to be fragile. It is not the cry of the guilty, but the whisper of him who, while wanting to love, is aware of being able to do harm. It is in

this awareness that the journey of salvation begins."

To be saved, he said, a person must recognize that he or she is in need of salvation.

But, at the same time, a disciple of Christ also should feel "beloved despite everything" and know that "evil is real

but that it does not have the last word." "If we recognize our limit, if we let ourselves be touched by the pain of Christ" at being betrayed, "then we can finally be born again," Pope Leo told the crowd. "Faith does not spare us from the possibility of sin, but it always offers us a way out of it: that of mercy." C

A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

CHRIST CATHEDRAL HOSTS JUBILEE OF MARRIAGE MASS

EVERYONE WANTED TO know their secret. She said marriage is about respect and give and take. He said remembering that each day together is a gift.

Larry and Jane Spaulding would know. As a married couple of 71 years, they became the de facto marriage longevity experts of the diocesan Jubilee of Marriage Mass, celebrated on July 26 in the Arboretum on the Christ Cathedral campus in Garden Grove.

“It’s been a good journey, but it takes work,” said 91-year-old Larry after Mass. “A lot of compromise, a lot of communication and you can’t take one another for granted. So many people do.”

In his homily, Fr. Angelos Sebastian congratulated the Spauldings for their long-lasting relationship.

The special Mass was proclaimed by the California Catholic Conference as part of the global Church’s “Pilgrims of Hope” Jubilee Year.

July 26, which was also the Feast Day of Saints Anne and Joachim, was the final event of a year-long initiative by the California bishops called Radiate Love, a movement celebrating the sacrament of marriage.

Fr. Angelos, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Diocese of Orange, met the Spauldings in 2007 during his six years at St. Bonaventure parish in Huntington Beach. The couple attended Sunday Mass for 40 years there before moving to St. Anne in Seal Beach. Fr. Angelos shared stories of other success-

ful longtime couples, including his own parents, before sharing the purpose of marriage: to get your spouse to Heaven.

“In Heaven there will be no burden,” Fr. Angelos said. “There is no cross. There is only joy. There is only love, fullness of perfection. So, help one another to reach Heaven, pray together, share your life together. I know it’s not always easy. Married life has its share of suffering … but that suffering is necessary, because that’s what grows us closer to the Lord.”

Following Mass, many of the faithful approached the Spauldings to congratulate them and learn more. One couple, Adriana and Raul Lopez, said they were feeling separated before coming to Mass, but meeting the Spauldings afterward felt like a blessing.

“It’s a blessing that we met them,” said Adriana Lopez. “It’s amazing and encouraging to see a couple like them. We have hope for the future.”

Giving out marriage advice is nothing new for the Westminster-based couple who started volunteering with a marriage ministry in the 1970s. They have continued working with betrothed couples and speaking at events.

Their shared Catholic faith has had a powerful impact on their marriage.

Larry is a cradle Catholic, but Jane, 92, was Episcopalian until about 20 years into their marriage, when she converted to Catholicism.

The two met on a blind date — blind for 18-year-old Larry, that was. While living in the Bay Area, a mutual friend who wanted them to meet brought 19-year-old Jane down to the mailroom, where Larry was working while going to college. Jane wanted to get a peek before she agreed to the date.

“He didn’t know anything about it,” Jane said. “He was clueless. So, I said, ‘Oh yeah, he’s cute.’”

During their first date, driving his ’48 Chevy, Larry remembered pulling up to a huge, three-story house. When Larry first saw her inside, “I thought she

FR. ANGELOS SEBASTIAN GREETS A YOUNG ATTENDEE DURING THE DIOCESAN JUBILEE OF MARRIAGE MASS.
FR. ANGELOS SEBASTIAN JOINS LARRY AND JANE SPAULDING FOLLOWING THE DIOCESAN JUBILEE OF MARRIAGE MASS, CELEBRATED ON JULY 26 AT THE ARBORETUM ON THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS. PHOTOS BY KAYLEE TOOLE/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

FEATURE

was an angel floating down,” Larry recalled.

They watched Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in “Jumping Jacks,” had dinner at a smorgasbord place and danced. He asked for a second date.

“The main thing that brought me back is I went to kiss her goodnight; she turned her cheek on me. I thought, ‘I’ve never had a girl do that to me,’” he said.

Jane interjected: “I wouldn’t let him kiss me. My mother always told me never let a man kiss you on the first date.”

They wrote letters while he was in the Navy Reserve during the Korean War. It wasn’t serious, Jane admitted, but she also didn’t go on other dates.

When he returned to the Bay Area, they picked up again and continued writing until Larry unwittingly proposed.

“I told her after a date, ‘You know,

Janie, maybe someday we can get married.’ She ran home and said, ‘He proposed! He proposed!’” Larry laughed.

“I did do that,” Jane agreed. “I figured he said the M word.”

They were married at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Alameda, Calif., and had four children — one boy and three girls — in five years.

Concluding the Jubilee of Marriage Mass, Fr. Angelos reminded everyone to do two things.

“If you can remain faithful to one another, remain faithful to the Lord who brought you together, then you can overcome any struggles, any challenges, any sufferings of this world,” Fr. Angelos said. “And together, you will be with the Lord one day in Heaven. Find that joy of being together and find that joy in the Lord and one another.” C

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THE SPECIAL MASS WAS PROCLAIMED BY THE CALIFORNIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE AS PART OF THE GLOBAL CHURCH’S “PILGRIMS OF HOPE” JUBILEE YEAR. PHOTOS BY KAYLEE TOOLE/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
A MARRIED COUPLE EMBRACES DURING THE JULY 26 DIOCESAN JUBILEE OF MARRIAGE MASS.

A MAN, A MICROPHONE AND GOD

DIOCESE BIDS FAREWELL TO OC CATHOLIC RADIO’S RICK HOWICK

AS A PODCAST HOST and producer for OC Catholic Radio, Rick Howick kept listeners informed on pertinent happenings within the Diocese of Orange as well as on a broader range of issues relevant to all Catholics.

Jim Governale, radio program manager for the diocese, said Howick had the skill of a “great interviewer” coupled with the innate ability to “make our guests feel very comfortable.”

After hosting more than 300 episodes over a 10-year span, interviewing compelling guests and delving into such frontand-center issues as immigration and anti-Semitism, Howick has moved on.

With 30 years of experience as a podcaster, educator and administrator Howick

background does, it allows me to have a fairly good vision for what we're looking to accomplish. I know how they should sound. I know how they should come across.”

The Excellence in Preaching Initiative recently held a weeklong seminar which welcomed more than 30 priests from across the nation to Catholic University to engage in workshops and seminars geared to elevate homilies from “good to great,” Howick said.

As a timely and final tribute to the quality of his contributions as a radio show host, Howick was named 2025 Podcaster of the Year by the Catholic Media Association, a 114-year-old organization of publishers and media professionals united to serve the Church.

“I was taken aback by that, because I didn't realize I was even on the radar for that kind of thing,” he said. “I know some of the shows we did, all of us were really proud of. I mean, Jim Governale makes us all sound good. And he helps pull it all together.”

Howick also garnered Podcast of the Year honors in 2024 by the Catholic Media Association for a podcast titled, "A Heart-Rending Pilgrimage Experience,” an episode that told a story about a pilgrimage to the Holy Land during a time of conflict.

Howick was also proud of podcasts produced during the COVID-19 pandemic that provided a platform for the Diocese of Orange bishops to reach out to the community during a time of fear and uncertainty.

Howick originally joined OC Catholic Radio after Patrick Mott, the first podcaster, stepped down after about 25 shows due to illness, Governale said.

The initiative is designed to enhance the preaching skills of priests, deacons and

laity through workshops, online certificate programs and a comprehensive preaching manual.

“I think it's a great opportunity to do some really wonderful things in our dioceses,” Howick said. “Part of what my

“I knew Rick was going to be moving on at some time, because he'd been working away at advanced degrees and finally got his doctorate and he was on the hunt for a position to serve his family,” Governale said. “He was hoping he could stay local, but when it was all said and done, the ideal gig he found was in Washington, D.C. We were very fortunate to have him for as long as we did.” C

RICK HOWICK IS PICTURED WITH THE LATE FRED SWANN, FORMER CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL ORGANIST WHO HELPED RESTORE THE HAZEL WRIGHT ORGAN; KEVIN CARTWRIGHT, CATHEDRAL ORGAN CURATOR; AND DAVID BALL, CATHEDRAL ORGANIST AND HEAD OF MUSIC MINISTRY. PHOTOS BY THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
RICK HOWICK AND JIM GOVERNALE (RIGHT) POSE WITH A GUEST OF OC CATHOLIC RADIO, DR. VINCENT NGUYEN.
IN THE STUDIO: RICK HOWICK INTERVIEWS DR. ERIN BARISANO, SUPERINTENDENT OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE.

FINDING JOY IN MARRIAGE

AFTER THE DIOCESE OF Orange celebrated the Jubilee of Marriage Mass on July 26, four Catholic couples shared their secrets to a faith-filled relationship.

STEPHAN AND KELLY COSTE

Married at Mission Basilica in San Juan Capistrano

For Stephan and Kelly Coste, who got married at Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano in 2016, faith has always been at the center of their relationship.

“As we prepare to celebrate a decade of marriage, our faith and our bond have only grown stronger,” the couple shared. “That’s not to say it’s always been easy, but knowing that God is at the center of our marriage has deepened our commitment — to each other and to Him.”

They shared: “You’ll never regret putting God first. He blesses and strengthens your union in ways the world never could. We’re so excited to continue growing in

love and faith together, and we can’t wait for all that’s still to come.”

ERIK AND MCKENNA NAJARIAN

Married at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach

As soon as Erik proposed to McKenna, the pair knew right away that they wanted

to get married at church.

“Getting married at Our Lady Queen of Angels was deeply personal,” McKenna said. “My parents were married there, and I also attended grade school at the parish. It’s a place filled with memories and love, and we hope to introduce that same sense of faith and tradition to our baby girl on

STEPHAN AND KELLY COSTE CELEBRATE THEIR MARRIAGE IN FRONT OF MONSIGNOR LLOYD TORGERSON AT MISSION BASILICA SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO. PHOTO BY LIN & JIRSA PHOTOGRAPHY
ERIK AND MCKENNA NAJARIAN GET MARRIED AT OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEWPORT BEACH. PHOTO BY BRETT HICKMAN

the way.”

After celebrating two years of marriage in July, Erik and McKenna advise other couples to marry their best friend.

“Life becomes so much more joyful when you genuinely enjoy each other’s company and share similar values and interests,” the pair said. “But beyond the fun, it’s also important to find someone who makes you better. … Our shared faith provides the foundation for our happy life together. We make a great team!”

PAIGE AND JIMMY FRIAS

Married at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Dana Point

When Paige and Jimmy exchanged vows in March 2024, both the bride and groom believed getting married at church was a symbol of “saying yes to God being the center of our marriage.”

They continued: “It was also important to us because we hope to raise our kids Catholic one day,” the couple shared. “We wanted to start our marriage with that same foundation.”

FEATURE

While the couple may still be considered newlyweds, Paige has some advice for those in romantic relationships.

She shared, “Keep communicating openly and honestly, even about the small things. It’s so important to stay connected and really listen to each other. But also, don’t forget to laugh and have fun together. Marriage is a partnership, but it should also be a friendship.”

DANA AND JESSE ORSINI

Marriage convalidated at San Francisco Solano Catholic Church in Rancho Santa Margarita

Jesse’s steadfast faith inspired Dana to convert to Catholicism. As a result, the pair was able to have their union convalidated in the Church in 2018.

“Jesse is a cradle Catholic and his faith and trust in God helped us navigate hard times while we were dating,” Dana explained. “We knew if we could remain strong and committed to each other and God, we could do anything together!”

While celebrating the Jubilee of Marriage, both Dana and Jesse believe that

marriage and faith are forever linked together.

“Being able to tell each other to ‘trust in God’ during hard times and work together to solve problems will strengthen marriage bonds and help weather life’s storms,” the couple shared. C

DANA AND JESSE ORSINI HAVE THEIR UNION CONVALIDATED AT SAN FRANCISCO SOLANO CATHOLIC CHURCH WITH DEACON CARL SWANSON. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANA AND JESSE ORSINI
PAIGE AND JIMMY FRIAS CELEBRATE THEIR NUPTIALS AT ST. EDWARD THE CONFESSOR CATHOLIC CHURCH IN DANA POINT. PHOTO BY MARY LIZ OMEL

THE BLESSING OF GRANDPARENTS

HOPEFULLY, MANY OF US were blessed to know our grandparents and spend time with them.

We are at the midpoint between the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Virgin Mary and grandparents of Jesus on July 26, and National Grandparents Day the first Sunday after Labor Day, which this year falls on Sept. 7.

St. Ignatius of Loyola encouraged people to use their imagination in prayer (Ignatian Contemplation), so the Holy Spirit could make present one of the Gospel scenes and God could personally communicate with them. Using the following points for prayer, you are invited to visualize Anne and Joachim as they:

■ Helped Mary prepare for the birth of Jesus.

■ Held baby Jesus and rejoiced in the birth of their grandson.

■ Watched Jesus learn to walk and talk.

■ Saw Jesus walk alone the first time to their house, while Mary discreetly followed to ensure he knew the way.

■ Listened to Jesus talk about his synagogue classes and explain his Torah studies.

In the past, when intergenerational families were common, children naturally benefited from time with grandparents. Now, as single parent or nuclear families are on the rise and families spread further apart, this no longer applies. Child psychologists note the benefits for children who have consistent interaction with loving grandparents, even via phone or Internet Some of these are: experiencing unconditional love and acceptance; learning their family history, values and traditions; developing a sense of identity; understanding their cultural roots; and developing cognitive and social skills. According to information gleaned from the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2023 about

1 million children were raised by their grandparents with no parents present in the home. This highlights the practical role of grandparents, as well as the spiritual and emotional value. To appreciate our grandparents, implement some of the following:

FOR YOUR FAMILY:

■ Provide opportunities for your chil-

dren to spend time with their grandparents. If physical proximity is an issue, try FaceTime or Zoom sessions.

■ Include grandparents in special family celebrations.

■ Invite younger children to draw pictures and mail them to their grandparents, and older children to write letters, sharing hopes, dreams and activities.

■ Celebrate National Grandparents Day. After decades-long efforts to receive formal recognition, Grandparents Day became an official holiday, established by a law signed by President Carter in 1978.

■ Encourage grandparents and grandchildren to look through family photo albums and talk about the relatives and circumstances of the photos.

■ With input from as many family generations as possible, make a Family Tree.

■ “Adopt” a Grandparent(s). Among the elderly people you know, are there any without living relatives, or relatives who do not visit? How can you brighten their lives? As a family, choose something you will consistently do, such as bring them to your home for a meal, provide transportation, or take them on an enjoyable outing — a walk, to the park or to the movies. C

PHOTO BY SEBASTIANO PIAZZI ON UNSPLASH

OC Catholic Afar

Mother and daughter Natalie and Huong Nguyen visited St. Hedwig Cathedral in Berlin, Germany, with a copy of OC Catholic. This cathedral is a designated pilgrimage site for the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025. —Natalie and Huong are parishioners of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, Yorba Linda.

We want your photos! Send your pictures of “OC Catholic Afar” — of you, family or friends visiting Catholic churches and other interesting places — to editor@occatholic.com. Please include a brief description of the photo, the name of the person(s) featured in the photo and their home parish.

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