FORTALEZA AND THE BUTTERFLY: HOW A DAUGHTER'S GIFT, TESTED BY GRIEF, REVEALED GOD'S PERFECT TIMING
JANUARY 11, 2026
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THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ORANGE ■ OCCATHOLIC.COM
CROSS OF GRATITUDE VISITS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PAGE 10 THE CROSS OF GRATITUDE VISITED THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS ON NOV. 21, 2025. PHOTO BY EVERETT JOHNSON/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
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OPEN HOUSES for catholic Elementary Schools
JANUARY 11, 2026
CONTENTS PARISHIONERS’ PASTIMES & PASSIONS
In a new series, OC Catholic shines a light on parishioners’ unique hobbies and pastimes.
SNOW THAT HERALDS CHRISTMAS JOY
St. John the Baptist Catholic School held a seasonal celebration for its students with 40 tons of snow.
CHRISTMAS ACROSS THE DIOCESE
Enjoy photos of the seasonal celebrations from parishes across Orange County.
THE YEAR YOU KEEP YOUR RESOLUTIONS
Knowing yourself and setting achievable goals are the first steps.
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 News Ideas: editor@occatholic.com Delivery Problems: occatholicsupport@occatholic.com
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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.
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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2026
7 9 12 14
north orange county SUNDAY, JANUARY 25 Holy Family School, Orange - 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. St. Angela Merici School, Brea - 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. St. Francis of Assisi School, Yorba Linda - 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. St. Hedwig School, Los Alamitos - 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. St. Irenaeus School, Cypress - 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. St. Joseph School, Placentia - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. St. Juliana Falconieri School, Fullerton - 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. St. Norbert School, Orange - 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. St. Pius V School, Buena Park - 10:15 a.m.
central orange county SUNDAY, JANUARY 25 Christ Cathedral Academy, Garden Grove - 11:30 a.m. St. Bonaventure School, Huntington Beach - 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. St. Cecilia School, Tustin - 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. St. Columban School, Garden Grove - 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. St. Joachim School, Costa Mesa - 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Saints Simon and Jude School, Huntington Beach - 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1 St. John the Baptist School, Costa Mesa - 1:00 p.m. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Blessed Sacrament School, Westminster - 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
south orange county THURSDAY, JANUARY 22 Mission Basilica School, San Juan Capistrano - 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. SUNDAY, JANUARY 25 Our Lady Queen of Angels School, Newport Beach - 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. St. Edward the Confessor Parish School, Dana Point - 9:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. St. Junipero Serra Catholic School, Rancho Santa Margarita - 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. THURSDAY, JANUARY 29 Our Lady of Fatima Academy, San Clemente - 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
prospective families: please rsvp to our office or to each school directly to attend an open house.
(714) 282-4254
Email: catholicschools@rcbo.org
DAILY READINGS AND REFLECTIONS
ROSARY BEADS
“
Care, gift and trust are not virtues to be practiced only in one's spare time
”
— Pope Leo XIV
PHOTO COURTESY OF BARBARA BALDO
READER CALL-OUT
A couple of years ago, I noticed my very special Rosary that I purchased at the Vatican had gone missing. I was devastated; it was not to be found. My husband, Joe, had mentioned this to one of our dear friends, Sr. Rose Marie Redding, CSJ, and after her visit, Sister handed Joe this Rosary to give to me. It is pink with silver roses painted on it, for her namesake. It has become a treasure for me.... especially since Sister's passing. Rest in peace, Sr. Rose Marie. —Barbara Baldo, St. Martin de Porres Parish in Yorba Linda. 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
SAINT PROFILE MARGUERITE BOURGEOYS
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1620-1700
ROWING UP IN TROYES, France, Marguerite formed a special relationship with Our Lady. She was turned away by two religious communities, but met the founder of Montreal, Canada, when he returned to France to visit his sister. He invited Marguerite to open a school in the New World; she went, despite misgivings, after praying to Mary. From that first school in an abandoned stable, her ministry grew to include teaching women crafts and founding the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame. She managed to keep her sisters uncloistered, despite opposition from the bishop, and served as superior for many years. When Pope John Paul II canonized her in 1982, she became Canada's first woman saint. C
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
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PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
1 SAMUEL 1:1-8; PSALM 116:12-13, 14-17, 18-19; MARK 1:14-20
1 SAMUEL 1:9-20; 1 SAMUEL 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8ABCD; MARK 1:21-28
1 SAMUEL 3:1-10, 19-20; PSALM 40:2 AND 5, 7-8A, 8B-9, 10; MARK 1:29-39
1 SAMUEL 4:1-11; PSALM 44:10-11, 14-15, 24-25; MARK 1:40-45
1 SAMUEL 8:4-7, 10-22A; PSALM 89:16-17, 18-19; MARK 2:1-12
1 SAMUEL 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1; PSALM 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; MARK 2:13-17
ISAIAH 49:3, 5-6; PSALM 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10; 1 CORINTHIANS 1:1-3; JOHN 1:29-34
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FEATURE
FORTALEZA AND THE BUTTERFLY: HOW A DAUGHTER'S GIFT, TESTED BY GRIEF, REVEALED GOD'S PERFECT TIMING
A PAGE FROM MARIPOSA DE MI CORAZÓN / BUTTERFLY OF MY HEART, ARTWORK BY VALERIA RUIZ.
ALMA BRINGS THE FINISHED COPY OF HER BOOK TO SHOW HER DAD AT HOLY SEPULCHER CEMETERY IN ORANGE. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALMA ZAPIEN BY JAMI DERBY
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only their guiding principle but also the unwavering power of their faith. OR THE ZAPIEN FAMILY, acAlma Zapien, the eldest of three tive parishioners of the Diocese children of Luis and Patty, profoundly of Orange for over two decades, understands how their collective faith fortaleza (strength) embodies not strengthens them as a unit. Since their
arrival in the U.S. in 1999, when Alma was seven, the family has been dedicated to La Purísima Catholic Church in Orange. Alma's faith has guided her community service since she was 13; she has led the choir and participated in the parish council, the Hispanic committee and the liturgy council. She also founded the Children’s Choir at La Purísima, which “through God’s grace flourished into a
group of more than 80 children, bearing abundant fruits for the parish.”
ZAPIEN FAMILY: FAITH AND FORTALEZA
The family's journey began in Sahuayo, Mexico, where they were deeply involved in their church and community. Luis, a chef, regularly shared leftover food with the elderly. Alma's childhood
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FEATURE with his children. Even in adulthood, “he always had the energy and interest in talking to us, taking us out and sharing stories of his life in Mexico,” Alma said. Luis's tireless dedication to his family was a demonstration of “the strength that God gives, fortaleza,” Alma explained. Despite the numerous challenges the family faced over the years, Alma affirmed that her father's heart remained pure. He instilled in his children the belief that “in all circumstances you give thanks to God.”
FAMILY: THE ZAPIEN FAMILY TRIP TO SAN FRANCISCO, A FATHER'S DAY GIFT FOR THEIR DAD. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALMA ZAPIEN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
memories include visits to the convent where religious sisters cared for the elderly. The children were raised to be resilient, understanding that “the things we do are not because of our own strength but God’s strength,” as Alma recalled. During her childhood, Luis often worked two jobs, sometimes for 18 hours a day. Mondays were his days off, and Alma cherishes their tradition of going to McDonald's. She particularly remembers his boundless energy and his willingness to engage
To report sexual abuse by clergy or church personnel please call: 1 (800) 364-3064 Healing and Hope After Abortion: 1 (800) 722-4356 New Hope Peer-to-Peer Support Line | Mon - Fri 7:30 AM - 9:30 PM | Sat - Sun 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM: 1 (714) NEW-HOPE or 1 (714) 639-4673 BÁO CÁO LẠM DỤNG TÌNH DỤC Nếu bạn là nạn nhân bị lạm dụng tình dục bởi một linh mục/ tu sĩ hay một thành viên trong Giáo Hội gây ra, xin hãy gọi và báo cáo cho Giáo phận ở số điện thoại miễn phí sau đây: 1-800-364-3064, và đồng thời báo cáo cho nhà chức trách địa phương. 본당내의 성적학대 신고 성직자나 성당 사목을 대표하는 관리자에 의한 성적 학대의 피해자 인 경우, 교구청의 무료 신고 전화 번호, 1-800-364-3064 및 관할 지역 법 집행 기관에 전화하십시오.
THE INSPIRATION FOR A BOOK
Alma's goal through her writing and service is to inspire the next generation to cherish their faith, family and culture. As she matured, she grew to appreciate her parents' sacrifices even more. She cared for her father during his battle with diabetes, always seeking the perfect Father's Day gift to express her love. Initially, Alma considered creating a cookbook of his recipes, but hesitated, fearing she might not do them justice. Later, while reviewing old schoolwork, she rediscovered a poem she had written for her parents when she was in seventh grade. Alma realized the profound significance of the poem, seeing it as a heartfelt thank-you to her parents for the life they provided by migrating to the U.S. The poem's message resonated more deeply than ever, giving her immense appreciation for their sacrifices. She embarked on writing “what I hoped would be a gift for my father—a poem turned children’s book—so that he would know how much we loved him, admired him and appreciated his sacrifices for us.” Sadly, Luis passed away in September 2024. “Mariposa de Mi Corazón / Butterfly of My Heart is not only dedicated to my dad, but to all immigrant parents who leave behind family, friends and home in search of a better life for their children—always keeping God at the
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center. It is also dedicated to parents everywhere who may not migrate physically, but who make daily, quiet sacrifices for the good of their children.” The book targets young adults, particularly first-, second- and thirdgeneration migrants. “We have a lot of privilege that our parents didn't have,” she noted.
GRIEF, GOD'S TIMING, AND A MESSAGE OF HOPE
One year after her father's passing, Alma received the news that her book had been accepted and published, a testament to God's perfect timing. While her father did not live to see the final product, Alma finds comfort in the belief that her book and its message can offer solace to many experiencing difficult times. In the current immigration climate, Alma hopes people will “ask God for strength,” emphasizing that “now more than ever, your faith matters and can be the only inheritance you have.” Alma firmly believes that how we live our faith as parents can engrave the hearts of our children. “Our kids are watching now more than ever,” she said. “There are so many small sacrifices that don't go unseen. The kids see the struggle and sacrifice and it’s worth it.” The book is a three-in-one edition, written in both English and Spanish. Alma describes herself as “following her parents' example, not living her faith individually.” Ten percent of book sales will be donated to organizations assisting immigrant families detained by ICE. “We always need to serve; if not, we aren't fulfilling our Catholic duties, it’s rooted in who we are,” said Alma. When asked what message she hopes readers take from Mariposa de Mi Corazón, Alma replied, “Seek God first. You're not alone, every sacrifice is seen and heard by God. Family is fortaleza, we couldn't do life without family and community.” C
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DIOCESAN NEWS
PARISHIONERS’ PASTIMES & PASSIONS SPOTLIGHT ON ST. THOMAS MORE’S TOM VANDORPE TOM AND LISA VANDORPE HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
BY RON KUZLIK
In this regular series, OC Catholic takes a deeper look at some interesting and unexpected pastimes of diocesan parishioners.
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T. THOMAS MORE PARISHIONER Tom VanDorpe wears many hats. He and his wife Lisa currently serve as general chairs for the Build and Believe capital campaign to construct new church facilities at their Irvine parish. He is also the past president of the Orange County chapter of Legatus, a national organization of Catholic business owners. VanDorpe has over 30 years of professional experience in green building, engineering design and construction. He has been married to his wife for over 30 years, and they have two children together: Camille is married to Adam Kraus and lives in Dallas, and Sam graduated USC two years ago. VanDorpe indeed wears many hats — one of them being a helmet. See, in his spare time, VanDorpe is a race car driver. “When I turned 50, I bought a 911 Carrera,” he shared. “It was stick shift, and I always liked manual gearboxes; however, this Porsche 7-speed is a difficult gearbox to master. So, I decided to really dive in and learn the car. This meant appreciating not just the looks but gaining an appreciation for all that went into this marvelous piece of machinery and specifically taking it to its limits.” But he’s not alone.
IN HIS SPARE TIME, ST. THOMAS MORE PARISHIONER TOM VANDORPE ENJOYS BEING A RACE CAR DRIVER. PHOTOS COURTESY OF TOM VANDORPE
“I discovered there were some serious drivers among my friends and acquaintances, and was encouraged by them,” VanDorpe added. Then he started to get serious about racing himself. “After a few open track days, I had lap times that were decent and I joined an amateur road race team,” he said. “In one of the early wheel-to-wheel races (cars race side-by-side), I got passed by a Mustang, which I repassed and went back and forth battling for 10 laps. When it was time to come in and change to the next driver, that guy found me and marched over.” VanDorpe continued, “But he wasn’t angry; after confirming who I was, he high-fived me and said that he had just had the best time! I had just learned the joy of a good dogfight among close competitors." Fast forward, and he now has about 50 endurance races under his belt and has been on teams with professional drivers. These series include 24 Hours of Lemons, ChampCar, Lucky Dog and World Racing League (WRL). “WRL is the most competitive,” VanDorpe points out. “I’ve driven BMW, Lexus, Porsche and Mazda cars, generally worth less than $50,000 but always with full safety equipment including roll cages and fire suppression.” He has since entered racing events all over the United States and had the opportunity to race at some of CONTINUES ON PAGE 8
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DIOCESAN NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
the most iconic tracks: Indy, Daytona, Road America, Road Atlanta, Mid-Ohio, Barber, Circuit of the Americas; California tracks include Laguna Seca, Sonoma
Raceway and Thunderhill. Before VanDorpe’s father passed in 2016, they had precious time to discuss the importance of faith, family, good business partners and the commitment
needed to make the right choices. His mom, Peggy VanDorpe, is still a positive influence on his family. “Besides the wonderful people I spend time with at the track, I’ve found
TOM VANDORPE HAS ENTERED RACING EVENTS IN CALIFORNIA AND ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES. PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM VANDORPE
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the challenge of wheel-to-wheel racing to be quite engaging,” he noted. “Each track has new secrets to discover, even if you think you have been there enough times that you know them all.” C
DIOCESAN NEWS
SNOW THAT HERALDS CHRISTMAS JOY MORE THAN A HOLIDAY FEELING, BUT A WAY OF LIFE BY ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL STAFF
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T. JOHN THE BAPTIST Catholic School pulled out all the stops and brought in 40 tons of snow to help emphasize the joy of Christmas for its faith community on Dec. 16. The holiday event marked the seventh annual celebration of gratitude and togetherness for the children and their families in anticipation of the Christmas season. “We want our students and their families to know and appreciate the true central theme of Christmas,” said the
school’s rector, Fr. Damien Giap. “The idea is to teach the difference between happiness, an emotion usually dependent upon our circumstances, and true joy, a more resilient choice that requires trust in our faith even when faced with daily challenges. The hope that comes with the Christmas story points to real joy.” As Principal Paula Viles watched her community celebrate, she was reminded of the profound contentment that the season brings. “Events like this allow us to practice gratitude, serve each other in meaningful ways and connect as a family of God,” she shared. “It’s a positive reminder to us all that our God wants us to experience true joy in our lives.” C
FR. DAMIEN GIAP, ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL RECTOR, TOSSES A SNOWBALL DURING A SPECIAL “SNOW DAY” CELEBRATION ON DEC. 16.
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS AND STAFF ENJOY A “SNOW DAY” ON DEC. 16. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL J A N U A R Y 11, 2 0 2 6 ■ O C C A T H O L I C
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FEATURE
CROSS OF GRATITUDE VISITS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BY GREG MELLEN
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HRISTIANS AND Catholics are often called to take up the cross. And while that typically refers to how one conducts their lives and faith, for others there is a more literal way to show that kind of devotion. Vitaliy Sobolivskyy said his literal marching orders came on an April afternoon in 2003 when he heard God tell him to “Take My cross and carry it to all the capital cities of the world as a sign of gratitude for the salvation we receive through Jesus Christ.” At the time, Ukraine was in political upheaval in the run-up to the Orange Revolution and transition to democratization. It was also a time when many like Sobolivskyy felt the world needed to lean on faith. After making drawings of his vision, Sobolivskyy contacted a pair of Ukrainian sculptors, one to carve the Cross and another for the body of Jesus, and the three created a remarkable 16-foot-by-8-foot, 800-pound crucifix THE CROSS OF GRATITUDE IS AN 800-POUND UKRAINIAN OAK CRUCIFIX ON A SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE SINCE 2003. PHOTO BY EVERETT JOHNSON/DIOCESE OF ORANGE made of oak. Since then, Sobolivskyy has followed kissed by more than 2 million people. and veneration. said she equally enjoyed “just sitting in through on the directive, traveling to Recently, the Cross alighted in Orange church and watching people and their churches across Europe and the United County for the first time, where it was AN AFFECTING EXPERIENCE reactions, venerating and crying.” States with the sculpture called the “Cross available for viewing and veneration, “It was really emotional to see all the She added that one woman told her of Gratitude.” He said the Cross has been including a stop at the Arboretum on the hard work come to fruition,” said Susan she could feel a pulse when she touched to 46 European cities, 15 United States Christ Cathedral campus. Katzmann, a parishioner at Santa Clara Jesus’ feet on the crucifix. cities, including stops at St. Patrick’s The Cross was presented for morning de Asís Catholic Church in Yorba Linda, Fr. Al Baca, Episcopal Vicar of the Cathedral in New York and Immaculate Mass, with prayers for peace in Ukraine, who played a central role in bringing the Office of Ecumenism and Inter-religion Conception Catholic Church in Washadoration and rosary prayers at the pilgrimage to the diocese. for the Diocese of Orange, who helped ington, D.C. Along the way it has been Divine Mercy Chaplet. Parishioners were As special as it was to actually see and organize the visit to the Christ Cathedral CONTINUES ON PAGE 11 witnessed, venerated, prayed over and also able to come on their own for prayer observe the Cross in person, Katzmann
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FEATURE Church in Tustin, a monastery in Northern California and other churches are on the pilgrimage itinerary in California.
A NEED TO SHARE
Katzmann, who with her husband, Stephen, pulled the project together locally, said she first learned of the Cross last year shortly after her mother passed away, while visiting St. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Shenandoah, Pa., where her mother had been a parishioner and the Cross had visited. “I felt compelled to want to see it,” Katzmann said. That launched her on a journey to bring the Cross and Sobolivskyy, who resides in New Jersey, to Southern California. Sobolivskyy and the Cross rely on the generosity of the faithful for the pilgrimages, which can organically take on a life of their own. Sobolivskyy and the Cross have no online presence. Although Katzmann helped launch the latest journey, she said word of mouth and communication between churches and
FR. AL BACA, EPISCOPAL VICAR OF THE OFFICE OF ECUMENISM AND INTER-RELIGION FOR THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE, HELPED ORGANIZE THE CROSS OF GRATITUDE’S VISIT TO THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS ON NOV. 21, 2025. PHOTOS BY EVERETT JOHNSON/DIOCESE OF ORANGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
campus, was similarly touched by the effect of the Cross. “I knew it was going to be large but seeing it in the Arboretum before the Mass altar was dramatic,” he stated in a written message. “It took a team of strong men to bring it into the Arboretum. As people venerated the Cross before and after Holy Mass, I could see the impact it had on them. I was very touched by the
THE FAITHFUL LINE UP WAITING TO VENERATE THE CROSS OF GRATITUDE AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL’S ARBORETUM.
time I spent with the Cross.” The Cross has also been to several Diocese of Orange churches including Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church in Anaheim, where a week of nightly liturgies were conducted; Holy Family Catholic Church in Orange, where a special welcoming Mass was held; Santa Clara de Asís, St. Martin de Porres and St. John Paul II Polish Center, all in Yorba Linda. In addition, St. Cecilia Catholic
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social media have allowed added stops and opportunities along the way. Sobolivskyy escorts the Cross with family and friends to help out and interpret his heavily accented English when needed. Since its creation, the Cross of Gratitude and creator have been blessed by three popes: St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis. On March 10, 2004, Pope John Paul II blessed the initiators at the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI, added his blessings, consecrating the Cross in 2006 during his pilgrimage in Krakow, Poland. Pope Francis blessed the Cross and all those who led the evangelization action in 2016. Sobolivskyy’s goal is to visit every capital city in the world by 2033, the 2,000th Jubilee of Jesus Christ's crucifixion. “The Cross of Gratitude is, I believe, important in two ways,” Fr. Al said. “It has been given a mission to proclaim Christ and urge peace, understanding and reconciliation among all people. It is a celebration of the salvation we have in Christ crucified.” C
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DIOCESAN NEWS
CHRISTMAS ACROSS THE DIOCESE BY STAFF
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NJOY THESE MOMENTS DURING Christmas and New Year's in our diocese, including moments with our bishops at the St. Francis home in Santa Ana, St. John Neumann in Irvine and St. Boniface in Anaheim. C
PHOTOGRAPHERS: IAN TRAN, EVERETT JOHNSON, SCOTT SMELTZER
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DIOCESAN NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
PHOTOGRAPHERS: IAN TRAN, EVERETT JOHNSON, SCOTT SMELTZER J A N U A R Y 11, 2 0 2 6 ■ O C C A T H O L I C
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CATHOLIC FAMILY LIFE
MAKE 2026 THE YEAR YOU KEEP YOUR RESOLUTIONS BY REBEKAH VALDERRAMA
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ITH THE FEAST OF the Baptism of the Lord, the Christmas season is now officially over. We're back to school or work; the weather is cold, and the days are still short. We're a week into the brand-new year that started with such promise and enthusiasm. Now is the first test of those bright-eyed resolutions. Is it already time to rethink them? As a self-proclaimed planner guru, I've got a few tips today to help you make or revise resolutions that will stick for the new year: Adjust your timeline. A big mistake many people make is to set a resolution for the whole year. If you're making a big change, a long deadline won't help. Instead, break down your goal like a project into smaller tasks or landmarks, then set smaller goals per quarter or per month instead of one big one for the year. Also consider opting for monthly resolutions instead of bigger annual ones. This helps you set multiple resolutions without being overwhelmed by all of them at once. Set the right resolutions. Don't be vague when setting goals. Something like "lose weight" has no pass/fail criteria, so you'll almost always fail. Instead, set "SMART goals" that are: ■ Specific (Count calories and exercise) ■ Measurable (Visit gym three times per week...) ■ Achievable (...on the days when I have childcare) ■ Relevant (so that I can fit into this dress) ■ Time-related (by the end of the year) If you spend the time to set your goals this way, you'll already have a plan for success, and you'll know exactly when you've achieved it.
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PHOTO BY TIM MOSSHOLDER ON UNSPLASH
CLASSIFIED ADS Take baby steps. As the Chinese proverb says, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." If your goal is to run a marathon, your first step might be to jog one mile. If your goal is to declutter your house, your first step might be to declutter one shelf in the guest room. Keep the right priorities. Sit down with a sheet of paper and evaluate where you stand in multiple areas of your life. (Family, work, finances, faith, self-care, etc.) Then determine which areas of your life need to take more of a front row seat. As always, your first priorities should be to God and to your family. I can personally recommend making time for a weekly holy hour. I've been spending time with Jesus once a week for the last several months, and it's borne beautiful fruit. Shift your identity first. Set resolutions based on the person you want to be, rather than the things you want to
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do. Earlier this year I decided I wanted to spend more time reading. I needed to take up the identity that I'd let drop some time in high school: “Reader.” I started by changing the way I thought about myself to myself — “I am a voracious reader.” Then I visited the library, bought an e-reader and fulfilled the identity I'd claimed for myself. Suddenly I've read more books in the past three months than in the previous three years. There's one identity we should all strive to live in 2026: Child of God, saint in the making. Above all, as you evaluate the goals you've set for 2026, remember the vocation that we all share: The universal call to holiness. God wants you to be a great saint! All the rest of our goals should be secondary to that. As Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides." (Matthew 6:33) C
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OC Catholic Afar
Jim Cutler visits the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, while holding a copy of OC Catholic. —Jim attends La Purísima Catholic Church in Orange.
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. J A N U A R Y 11, 2 0 2 6 ■ O C C A T H O L I C
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