Rosary Beads
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Celebration
FEBRUARY 15, 2026
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ST. JULIANA’S WONDERLAND OF POSSIBILITIES
The Catholic school hosted its 28th annual fundraiser gala with music, dinner and a silent auction.
OC CATHOLIC RECIPE SWAP
A decadent chocolate cake for special occasions or just because!
GO FORTH RETREAT TO WORSHIP, TESTIFY High schoolers gathered at the diocese for part of the I Thirst movement.
ST. BARBARA UNVEILS NEW ATHLETIC FIELD
The Catholic school’s new facility opened with fanfare and celebration.
14 A SMUDGE ON THE FOREHEAD?
Ash Wednesday celebrates the season of Lent.
ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC MISSION STATEMENT
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ROSARY BEADS
READER CALL-OUT
Included in the photo are several of my Rosaries.
A wooden wristlet from Padre Pio Shrine that I wear regularly so when I find myself passing time, sitting waiting on appointments or anywhere, I can say a few decades of the Rosary.
A full wooden Rosary from Jerusalem gifted to me that I keep under my pillow so I can say my Rosary before going to bed.
A pearl wristlet gifted to me that I mostly wear on occasions or at parties.
(And I could say the wristlets have become my fashion statement.)
Saying the Rosary is my way of communicating in prayer for thanksgiving, petitions and praying for others. It has become part of my life since childhood, a habit growing up as part of instilled teaching learned from Catholic school.
— Angel Lim, St. Irenaeus Catholic Church 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
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
JAMES 1:1-11; PSALM 119:67, 68, 71, 72, 75, 76; MARK 8:11-13
“ We can recognize everything we have as a gift from God.” — Pope Leo XIV
SAINT PROFILE
VALENTINE THIRD CENTURY
HOW FEB. 14 CAME TO be celebrated as the feast for lovers is somewhat a mystery. What little is known of the feast’s namesake can be attributed to the lives of two martyrs: one a priest, the other a bishop. Their lives have no connection to the contemporary holiday. The priest Valentine reportedly was beheaded in 269 by Emperor Claudius II. The bishop, known for healing, was martyred earlier. It’s probable that a medieval custom of sending messages of love on this day somehow merged later with the feast.C
TUESDAY
JAMES 1:12-18; PSALM 94:1213A, 14-15, 18-19; MARK 8:14-21
WEDNESDAY
JOEL 2:12-18; PSALM 51:34, 5-6AB, 12-13, 14 AND 17; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:20—6:2; MATTHEW 6:1-6, 16-18
THURSDAY
DEUTERONOMY
30:15-20; PSALM 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6; LUKE 9:22-25
FRIDAY
ISAIAH 58:1-9A; PSALM 51:3-4, 5-6AB, 18-19; MATTHEW 9:14-15
PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK
SATURDAY
ISAIAH 58:9B-14; PSALM 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; LUKE 5:27-32
SUNDAY
GENESIS 2:7-9; 3:1-7; PSALM 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17; ROMANS 5:12-19 OR 5:12, 17-19; MATTHEW 4:1-11
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANGEL LIM
HAVING FAITH IN TRUE LOVE
LOCAL COUPLES SHARE HOW FAITH PLAYS A ROLE IN THEIR LOVE STORIES
BY MIKE VULPO
THE MOST ROMANTIC holiday of the year is here, and Orange County Catholic is ready to celebrate.
In honor of Valentine’s Day, four Orange County Catholic couples share how faith plays a role in their marriages. Along the way, the participants shared some words of wisdom about how to keep relationships strong and God close. Keep reading for their inspiring love stories.
TERESA AND MIKE MONETTE: MARRIED SINCE 2018
Long before exchanging vows at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Dana Point, Teresa and Mike agreed that
faith played a large part in their love story.
“Some of our first dates included visiting all the churches with Doors of Mercy in Los Angeles and driving from San Pedro to Monterey and back in one day while stopping at all the missions along the way,” Teresa recalled. “We were engaged on the feast of St. John Paul II. The date we met was the anniversary of his first visit to the United States. Clearly, he had his hand in things far before we even knew.”
Their faith journey continues as the pair begins to teach their young kids about God’s never-ending love.
“Marriage is not something you ‘figure out’ once and then master,” said Mike, a theology teacher at JSerra Catholic High School. “It is a vocation that invites growth, humility and grace over a lifetime. I think the most important thing is that you show up.”
Teresa added, “Be prepared for your prayer life to change with every season. All of it is beautiful and the Lord sees you and knows the desires of your heart. He doesn’t care if your prayer looks perfectly curated. He just wants to be in a relationship with you.”
CAROL AND JOHN HANSEN: MARRIED SINCE 1992
It’s hard for Carol and John to believe that it’s been nearly 34 years since they said “I do” at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Laguna Beach.
If there is a secret behind more than three decades of marriage, both credit their shared Catholic faith.
“It's everything,” John shared while volunteering as a Knights of Columbus member at San Francisco Solano Catholic Church. “It keeps me grounded, keeps her grounded and we keep coming back to church.”
More than 15 years ago, John went on a church retreat. Carol followed soon after, and it made their relationship even stronger.
“Our marriage blossomed,” Carol revealed. “For couples going through rough
TERESA AND MIKE MONETTE WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND FR. ARISTOTLE QUAN AT ST. EDWARD THE CONFESSOR CATHOLIC CHURCH. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MONETTE FAMILY
CAROL AND JOHN HANSEN ENJOY A SUNDAY MORNING VOLUNTEERING AT SAN FRANCISCO SOLANO CATHOLIC CHURCH. PHOTO BY MIKE VULPO
and Maritza caution that marriage is not easy and nobody is perfect at it. There are, however, some helpful tips to make every season feel like Valentine’s Day.
FEATURE
times, just stick with it. Don’t give up. Keep God at the center.”
MARITZA AND CHRIS
“BERNIE” BERNARD: MARRIED SINCE 2007
When Maritza met Bernie, one of the first questions she asked was whether he was Catholic.
“He could tell how important it was to me and instantly answered, ‘Yes,’” Maritza recalled. “One month into dating, Bernie had a confession. He blurted out, ‘I am not Catholic. I am half Jewish. Actually, that is a lie too. I am 100 percent Jewish.’”
Bernie later chose to convert to Catholicism and went through RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) in hopes that their family could be united in one belief. After nearly 18 years of marriage, the couple remains stronger than ever as they raise four children attending San Francisco Solano Catholic Church.
“Our commitment to prayer, confession and attending Mass has strengthened our marriage, helped us teach our children the love of Jesus and carried us through some of our hardest moments,” Maritza said. “We still have so much to learn, but we love learning and living our faith together, and that has made our love story stronger than we ever imagined.”
For younger Catholic couples, Bernie
“Put God at the center of your marriage,” the couple shared. “You are both imperfect, and mistakes will happen. When they do, be willing to say sorry, listen to each other, learn from them and try hard not to make the same mistake again. What did Jesus say? Forgive not seven times but 77 times.”
CHRIS AND MONICA FURMAN: MARRIED SINCE 1984
Chris and Monica’s Catholic faith has been the foundation of their friendship since they were kids attending church at Our Lady of Peace in Pennsylvania.
“Attending Catholic school together from a young age, being active in our parish and Catholic Youth Organization helped define our shared spiritual and moral beliefs and value system,” Monica shared. “Our faith has defined us as individuals and as a couple. We are proud of our Catholic identity, which grounds us with a sense of belonging and purpose. Sharing our faith together has helped us tackle life’s challenging moments while appreciating God’s abundant blessings.”
After more than 40 years of marriage, Chris and Monica are still attending Mass every Sunday at St. Timothy in Laguna Niguel or Our Lady Queen of Angels in Newport Beach.
“Wake up each and every day with a grateful heart for the blessing of your spouse,” the pair said. “Ask yourself how you can make your partner’s day better than the day before. Commit yourself to making them smile and feel loved, valued and respected by your words and actions. By doing this, you will receive the same tenfold.” C
BERNIE AND MARITZA BERNARD POSE FOR A FAMILY PHOTO WITH THEIR FOUR CHILDREN. PHOTO BY KAELIN DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY
CHRIS AND MONICA FURMAN CELEBRATE THEIR DAUGHTER’S WEDDING IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. PHOTO BY ALICIA MINK PHOTOGRAPHY
ST. JULIANA’S WONDERLAND OF POSSIBILITIES
BY BRITNEY ZINT
PARENTS AND PARISHIONERS
went through the looking glass on a recent Saturday night and landed in a wonderland of possibilities and faith.
St. Juliana Falconieri Catholic School hosted about 270 guests for its 28th annual gala on Jan. 31, held at the Charleston in downtown Fullerton. The sold-out event featured an Alice in Wonderland theme, roving magician, live and silent auctions, dinner, drinks, dancing and a milk and cookies bar.
“I hope everyone can experience our wonderland of possibilities,” said gala cochair Jordan Gonzalez. “I hope that they see what we see in this community and how on fire it is, and I hope they are ready to support that. We have a lot of camaraderie between our school and parish right now, and we’re just excited to celebrate that.”
The event brought out women in colorful gowns and men in suits to raise funds for the Fullerton campus. The gala sold out in December, but event organizers were able to utilize the downstairs space at the Charleston to open up additional seats.
“Tonight’s wonderful,” said gala cochair Amanda Pohlen. “It’s a way for us to give back to our community. Most of us go to school here because of the community; we are all like family. It’s really cool to put on an event where everyone really comes together and makes it happen.”
Before the gala started, the event had raised $15,000 for the school. Gonzalez said she was hoping they could up that total to $100,000 after the live and silent auctions.
The live auction featured items like a private tour of Jay Leno’s garage from the comedian himself, tickets to the Magic Castle in Hollywood and a chocolate-brown Australian Bernedoodle
puppy that made an appearance in a red bow tie. Guests could also bid on silent auction items that ranged from gift baskets and signed baseballs to a slime party for their children.
The money raised goes straight back
to St. Juliana to help subsidize the school and keep tuition as low as possible, Gonzalez said. This year’s Fund-A-Project focused on replacing an existing modular building with a new one that will feature two classrooms, office space
and dedicated TK bathrooms, said the school's principal, Dr. Teresa Puccini, a St. Juliana alumna. This will allow the school to open a second TK classroom.
“We need to make our class sizes for TK smaller, so in order to do that we need to split the class, but our modular is older,” explained Assistant Principal Heather Molina. “We need a new one to make it so it’s more convenient for the kids, with sinks and bathrooms inside. Those are important upgrades so we can do this safely for all our children.”
The TK classroom is currently at capacity with 24 students. Some families who wanted to enroll their children have had to find other schools. The goal is to not have a waitlist for TK, Puccini said.
“There are already a lot of TKers who want to come to our school, but unfortunately we don’t have the space right now to accommodate everyone,” Pohlen said. “In order to grow, it’s important that we grow downward and accept all these kids while also not hindering our ratio, which is important for young minds. It would be nice to have that extra space to keep that ratio low but still accept more kids.” C
GALA CO-CHAIRS JORDAN GONZALEZ AND AMANDA POHLEN POSE AT THE CHARLESTON IN FULLERTON ON JAN. 31 BEFORE THE ST. JULIANA FALCONIERI CATHOLIC SCHOOL’S GALA. PHOTOS BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
AN EXCITED BIDDER HOLDS UP HIS CARD TO PLACE A BID AT THE JAN. 31 GALA.
FR. MICHAEL PONTARELLI MINGLES WITH THE CROWD DURING ST. JULIANA FALCONIERI CATHOLIC SCHOOL’S ANNUAL GALA.
OC CATHOLIC RECIPE SWAP
TRIPLE CHOCOLATE
CAKE
WHO CAN SAY NO TO THIS decadent desert? An irresistible treat for chocolate lovers among friends and family.
—Lillian Hilles St. John the Baptist Parish in Costa Mesa.
INGREDIENTS
■ 1 chocolate fudge cake mix with pudding
■ 1 cup sour cream
■ 4 eggs
■ 1/2 cup vegetable oil
■ 1 pkg. (4 oz.) instant chocolate pudding
■ 1/2 cup water
■ 1/4 cup coffee liquor
■ 1 12 oz. pkg. chocolate chips
■ sugar
■ cinnamon
■ orange rind
DIRECTIONS
Combine cake mix, sour cream, eggs, oil, water, pudding, and liquor. Beat for 3 minutes with an electric mixer. Add chocolate chips.
Turn into greased and floured bundt pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes.
Remove from pan and sprinkle with sugar (powdered, plain or mixed with cinnamon or with grated orange rind). Enjoy & Happy Valentine’s Day! C
PHOTO BY OC CATHOLIC STAFF
GO FORTH RETREAT GATHERS HIGH SCHOOLERS FROM ACROSS DIOCESE TO WORSHIP, TESTIFY
BY GREG MELLEN
SOMETIMES THE MOST resonant messages come from others who look and sound like us. In part, that was the reasoning to include teen speakers at the annual day-long diocesan high school Go Forth retreat held on Jan. 26.
The event, in its third year, allows students to not only worship and hear messages and testimony from speakers who have gone through the fires, but also from fellow students who, like them, wrestle with faith and search for grace.
With the main floor and balcony at the Diocese of Orange’s Arboretum filled to capacity, more than 1,200 high school students from Catholic high schools in the diocese convened recently to kick off Catholic Schools Week in Orange County.
The Go Forth retreat, part of the I Thirst movement in the diocese, featured a day of Mass celebrated by Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen, speaker Nathan Crankfield, adoration and teen testimonials.
The theme of this year’s conference was Anchored in Christ’s Love
Students agreed that hearing fellow students tell their stories added relevance.
Graham Hartung, a senior at Mater Dei, said student testimonials help him “to know that you can change too. It’s more motivating.”
Several were also impressed by the bravery of the speakers who rose to speak in front of such a large gathering.
“It brings out courage in me, I bet I could do it,” said Isabella De La Cerda, a senior at Rosary Academy.
For others it may take some work.
“We need to be consistent with faith, not just read the Scriptures,” said Mater Dei senior Owen Neill.
As for testifying to a large group?
“I’m still waiting for my call,” he said.
FR. IAN GASTON, PAROCHIAL VICAR AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL, CENTER, POSES WITH STAFF AND STUDENTS AT THE GO FORTH RETREAT HELD AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL ON JAN. 26.
BISHOP THANH THAI NGUYEN DELIVERS HIS HOMILY ON ST. CARLO ACUTIS.
FR. IAN GASTON, PAROCHIAL VICAR AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL, POSES WITH STUDENTS FROM ROSARY ACADEMY DURING THE DIOCESAN GO FORTH RETREAT HELD ON JAN. 26. PHOTOS BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Fr. Matthew Maxwell, rector at Santa Margarita Catholic High School said while priests and adults can talk to teens all day, “It’s important that they hear it from their peers who know what it’s like.”
Dr. Erin Barisano, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Orange, said the idea of the conference started about four years ago, but the student testimonials were a late add-on.
“We were dreaming what if …” Dr. Barisano said. “What would light them on fire and bring them together?”
A discussion with Deacon Steve Greco, director of Evangelization and Faith Formation in the Diocese of Orange, crystallized the idea.
Dr. Barisano said when teens hear stories of faith from peers, "Those are moments that are transformative.”
“Every year they blow me away,” said Armando Cervantes, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries in the Diocese of Orange. “Where else do you get a better platform? This is how to become a witness.”
Cervantes said inviting all the Catholic high schools into one place reinforces the
Kali Rankin Zelada Nigro, a senior at Santa Margarita, spoke of building walls and wearing masks before she “felt God reaching into places I had tried to hide.”
Although it didn’t happen she said that since she “sunk her anchor in Christ” it has given her incredible peace and the ability to put her angst and fear away and lower her walls.
After her talk, the teenager was overjoyed.
“Honestly, it was so great,” she said. “I thought I’d be scared, but I got up there and I was so calm.”
Crankfield, a motivational speaker, podcast host and sales manager with Hallow, a Catholic meditation and prayer app, spoke in the morning and afternoon.
“The first chapter is what not to do, the second is pursuing good and avoiding the bad,” he said of his tale.
Crankfield, 32, grew up in a dysfunctional family with an absent father, half-siblings, drug and alcohol abuse, legal troubles and sexual promiscuity: all by the time he was in ninth grade. Even though he claimed searching for God as a child and seeking what his Catholic friends had, converting and being confirmed, it wouldn’t be until college that he was able to fully commit and trust in God.
“It’s not enough just being a lukewarm Catholic,” he said. “That’s one of the worst places to be. I knew what was right and was still choosing wrong.”
Eventually Crankfield, who went into the Army, enrolled in Ranger School and served in Afghanistan, said he “rooted and anchored himself in Christ. I just had to walk through the door.” He hoped the teens on hand would do the same. C
sense of their larger community.
Too often, he said, “it seems we live in our bubbles.”
De La Cerda said it is easy to feel overwhelmed in the largely secular world of education, so a gathering and messages from like-minded teens are valuable.
“I think it’s great to see all these Catholics and know we’re not alone,” she said.
Servite junior Ryan Stroud echoed the sentiment.
“It’s welcoming,” he said. “It’s a reminder that being Catholic is part of something much bigger.”
“I think it’s powerful to see the slow revolution of young people toward Christ,” said Servite junior Dominick Cangey.
“I love the community it brings out,” added Dominic Morales, a Servite junior.
A FULL DAY
Throughout the day, six students from four schools shared their stories. Collectively the testimonials were both recognizable and authentic.
STUDENTS FROM SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL GATHER FOR A PHOTO PRIOR TO THE START OF THE CONFERENCE. PHOTOS BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
FR. MATTHEW MAXWELL POSES FOR A PHOTO WITH STUDENTS FROM SANTA MARGARITA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL.
MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GATHER IN THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL PLAZA FOR LUNCH AND FELLOWSHIP DURING A BREAK IN THE CONFERENCE.
MATT FRANKLIN, MASTER OF CEREMONIES, LEADS THE GO FORTH RETREAT.
ST. BARBARA’S NEW ATHLETIC FIELD IS LATEST RENOVATION FOR PAX CHRISTI ACADEMIES
BY BRITNEY ZINT
ST. BARBARA CATHOLIC School
in Santa Ana recently unveiled the newest athletic field in the Diocese of Orange — one of many revitalization projects sweeping across all five Pax Christi Academies’ campuses.
Bishop Kevin Vann blessed and officially opened St. Barbara Catholic School’s field with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to herald the facility upgrades. Bishop Vann talked of St. Barbara parish and school having a long and wonderful history of welcoming all, including refugee families.
“Today with this, and your generosity, we continue that heritage of St. Barbara as a truly great and welcoming place,” Bishop Vann said.
The regulation athletic field will not only serve St. Barbara students, but also Cristo Rey Orange County High School’s soccer team, said St. Barbara Principal Claudia Danzer. Thanks to $4 million in donations from the diocese, the St. Barbara parish and Shea Family Charities, the school also updated its parent pickup area, added a covered lunch area for students and a new playground, said Danzer.
For sixth-grade football player Ryan Dang, 11, the new athletic field means he can be more confident. He no longer worries about stepping in a hole during play.
“I’m just really grateful for this field,” Dang said.
The improvements have given St. Barbara students a great sense of pride, making them eager to show off their school and the hard work they are doing, Danzer said.
“I hope students take away the importance of the day, that they matter and they are important to so many people — their spiritual growth, academic growth, their growth as a whole child,” said Danzer. “They are welcome here, they are loved and that we want the best for them.”
SEBASTIAN CUT THE RIBBON DURING A CEREMONY FOR
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was a chance for all five Pax Christi schools — St. Barbara, La Purísima, St. Anne, St. Joseph (Santa Ana) and St. Justin Martyr — to come together and celebrate. Along with St. Barbara’s cheer team and student council, the student councils of the other schools were on hand to welcome guests.
St. Barbara Student Council President Natalia Hong, 13, said she hopes the renovations will bring in new students to what is already a “wonderful community.”
During the ceremony, other Pax Christi schools also took the opportunity to share how their own campuses have improved thanks to the revitalization project made possible by a partnership with Shea Family Charities.
“This is a coming together: a collaboration that is a vision come to life,” said Dr. Christina Arellano, president of Pax Christi Academies. “This could not have been possible without those who believe in the revitalization of Catholic education.”
Pax Christi Academies is a network of five Orange County Catholic schools
that came together under shared governance in July 2024 to address the issue of declining school enrollment and to improve academic performance. Since then, enrollment has increased and student test scores have shown great improvement, Dr. Arellano said.
Under Pax Christi Academies, 260 new children have enrolled across the five campuses, bringing the student population to 1,053, Dr. Arellano said. At St. Barbara alone, enrollment increased from 163 to 220 in just 18 months. Over the past year, students at Pax Christi showed strong academic gains, with 59% reading above grade level and 48% performing above grade level in math.
“Families have taken notice: Pax Christi schools pursue excellence for our students because every child deserves the blessing of an exceptional Catholic education. We are not just schools that are existing; we are thriving,” Dr. Arellano said.
Across the Pax Christi schools, principals shared news of their own renovations, including added safety features, a
new roof and playground, and foundational improvements. Principals also described the refreshed “curbside appeal” of their schools with new landscaping, signs and marquees.
Those types of aesthetic renovations “catch the eye” and are needed to bring new families in, said St. Anne’s principal, Allison Essman.
“Oftentimes the struggle for Catholic school leaders is to get families through the door,” Essman said. “But once I get you in the door and you see what we are doing, you’re hooked.”
Fr. Angelos Sebastian, the diocese’s vicar general and moderator of the curia who also serves on the Pax Christi board of directors, said that Pax Christi Academies is already making a tremendous impact — even in its infancy. But, he added, there is still more to do.
“Today we see a great dream coming true, but we have a similar dream at each of our Pax Christi schools,” Fr. Angelos said. “I hope going forward that everyone will be part of that dream.” C
DR. CHRISTINA ARELLANO LOOKS ON AS BISHOP KEVIN VANN, RIGHT, AND REVEREND ANGELOS
THE NEW ATHLETIC FIELD AT THE ST. BARBARA CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN SANTA ANA ON DEC. 10, 2025. PHOTOS BY SCOTT SMELTZER/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
CLAUDIA DANZER, THE PRINCIPAL OF ST. BARBARA CATHOLIC SCHOOL, SPEAKS DURING A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY FOR THE NEW ATHLETIC FIELD AT THE SCHOOL.
EIGHTH-GRADE BOYS FROM ST. BARBARA CATHOLIC SCHOOL PERFORM A TRADITIONAL LION DANCE DURING A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY FOR THE NEW ATHLETIC FIELD.
SPECIAL BONDS
HOLY FAMILY STUDENTS SHARE DAY WITH LOVED ONES
BY BRITNEY ZINT
WITH A GIANT PAPER
donut covered in pink frosting and colorful sprinkles taped to her front, grandma Mary Owen knelt next to the kindergarten-sized table as her granddaughter Quinn Owen, 6, rocked on her wobble chair and held a purple bingo dauber at the ready.
“Have you and your special person played in the snow?” asked kindergarten teacher Angie Clark, as her packed classroom of students with their special persons looked on.
Owen and Quinn excitedly exclaimed “Yes!” as they exchanged glances. Working together, they found the right bingo box and marked it.
The duo was just one pair of many who came together on Jan. 30 to celebrate “Special Persons Day” at Holy Family Catholic School in Orange. The Spartans spent the final day of Catholic Schools Week honoring grandparents (or another special person in their lives) with a student-led prayer service, a saints trivia game, a classroom special activity and, of course, cookies.
“I am so happy to welcome you here to our annual Special Persons Day,” said Principal Marie Ubl to the standing room-only sanctuary. “This is the culmination of a week of many special activities as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week. It is a sacred time of celebration and prayer. It reminds us that Catholic education is not only about academic excellence, but also forming hearts rooted in faith, truth and love.”
This year’s prayer service was led en-
tirely by the fifth- and sixth-grade Spartan Ambassadors, a leadership opportunity that students had to apply and be interviewed for, said seventh-grade teacher Pamela Gripp, who oversees the program. The service featured prayers, Scripture, a reading of the poem When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking, and musical performances. The preschool students sang You Are My Sunshine and One Small Voice, and the third- and fourth-grade choir performed Magic Penny.
“We warmly welcome all of our special people to our prayer service today,” said sixth-grade Spartan Ambassador Nalea Jimenez. “We gather here today as the Holy Family school community acknowledging and celebrating our grandparents and special people and the vital role they
CONTINUES
COLLEEN STRAIN GETS A KISS ON THE CHEEK FROM HER GRANDSON PARKER WOOSLEY, 10, DURING HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL’S SPECIAL PERSON’S DAY ON JAN. 30. PHOTOS BY SCOTT SMELTZER/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
ROQUEL ARANDA, RIGHT, HAS A SNACK WITH HIS GRANDSON ARIS CARIÑO, 4, DURING HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL’S SPECIAL PERSON’S DAY.
play in our lives.”
Owen, who has been a Holy Family parishioner for 48 years and got married there, was delighted to be chosen as Quinn’s special person. Owen has four granddaughters at Holy Family and a grandson who will be joining preschool soon.
“I told Quinn that I wanted to cry,” Owen said. “I was so happy because it made me feel good inside.”
Owen picked up Quinn from her classroom with a bouquet of flowers, then they joined the rest of their family for the prayer service. Getting flowers made her happy, Quinn said, adding that getting to
spend the day with her grandma made her feel special.
“My special person is my grandma, because she is special to me,” Quinn said. “We’re going to go to the beach after Special Persons Day.”
The beach was a surprise — and a chance to make Special Persons Day last longer.
“We have five grandchildren,” Owen said, “and so between all of them, they all like to talk at the same time. This is an opportunity for Quinn and I to have a nice lunch at the Beachcomber. And we’re going to have ice cream and all those good things, just the two of us. And we’re probably going to chase some seagulls.” C
ALEJANDRINA SEVILLA, LEFT, AND HER DAUGHTER TABITHA ZERMENO, 10, SHARE A LAUGH DURING HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL’S SPECIAL PERSON’S DAY. PHOTOS BY SCOTT SMELTZER/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
STUDENTS AND THEIR GUESTS ATTEND A PRAYER SERVICE DURING HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL’S SPECIAL PERSON’S DAY.
A SMUDGE ON THE FOREHEAD?
BY SR. DIANE HEISS, SDSH
WHAT IS ASH Wednesday, and why do we get ashes on our foreheads?
For those of us who have grown up in the Catholic faith, we know that Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, which is our spiritual preparation for Easter. These 40 days of prayer, penance and good deeds are a time to offer extra gifts of love to Jesus who loved each of us so deeply that he willingly gave up his life for us, that we might live in heaven with him forever. According to St. Augustine, Jesus died for each of us as if we were the only one of us, because he loved each of us as if we were the only one of us. In addition to us “old timers,” thankfully there are newcomers to our Catholic faith, plus those baptized as infants but without the opportunity for faith formation. So, let’s take a tour through Ash Wednesday and Lent.
Where do ashes come from? While some children might think it’s dust from under the furniture or ashes from the fireplace, that's not the case. Blessed palms from the previous Palm Sunday are burned and prepared for use. The ashes are placed on our foreheads in the shape of a cross, reminding us that we have been saved by Jesus’ death on the cross, while one of the following is said: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” or "Repent and believe in the Gospel." The word Gospel means “Good News.” It’s the good news of God’s incredible love for each of us, a love that will go to any length to save us from our sins and offer us the gift of eternal life, even to the point of permitting his Beloved Son’s pas -
cultures as well for thousands of years. Traditional ways of observing Lent are Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. During Lent, let’s repair our relationships with our loving God and others through these.
FOR YOUR FAMILY:
■ Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Plan what gifts of love you will offer to Jesus as a family and individually. In addition to “Giving Up” something, consider extra good deeds, prayer or Adoration.
■ Go to Mass and Distribution of Ashes together.
■ Attend a Lenten Penance Service and receive the Sacrament of Penance (also called Confession or Reconciliation)
■ Find on-line Ash Wednesday activities for kids and families and choose one or two to do regularly.
■ Research references to the use of sackcloth and ashes in the Old Testament and read some of these stories aloud. Share your thoughts about how these people broke the Commandments, how they showed sorrow for their sins and how they tried to change for the better. C
sion and death for our salvation. Each of us is created “very good” in God’s own image and likeness. Even though Adam and Eve committed Original Sin which we all inherit, we are still good
and still God’s beloved children. Ashes and sackcloth have been used as a sign of repentance, mourning and sorrow not only by our Jewish ancestors in the faith but in many
ASH WEDNESDAY MASS IS
OC Catholic Afar
This picture is of Naomi Clarke and her dad Ken Clarke along with the bishop of Copenhagen, Czeslaw Kozon. The Clarkes attended Christmas Mass inside this beautiful Skt. Ansgar’s Church (est. 1765). Naomi is currently a junior at JSerra Catholic High School and previously graduated from St. John the Baptist Catholic School (2023).
— The Clarke family currently attends Mass at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Irvine.
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.
