OC CATHOLIC - JULY 26, 2026

COMMON THREAD

JULY 26, 2026

PAGE 12

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ORANGE ■ OCCATHOLIC.COM

FR. FRANCIS ANG BEGINS HOLY MISSION WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

PAGE 5 NEWLY ORDAINED PRIEST FR. FRANCIS ANG CELEBRATES HIS FIRST MASS ON JUNE 7 AT ST. BONIFACE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ANAHEIM. PHOTO BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

SUMMER BREAK FOR ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC Please note that OC Catholic will not be printing a paper edition on the following Sundays:

Aug. 23, Aug. 30, Sept. 6, Sept. 13 APRIL 19, 2026

NAL “JEWEL OF THE ORANGE COUNTY’S ORIGI IED UP FOR BIG BIRTHDAY MISSIONS” GETS GUSS

CATHOLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS GATHER FOR LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

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THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ORANGE ■ OCCATHOLIC.COM

PAGE 5

THE OFF

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JAN UARY 18, 202 6 SPA PER OF THE ROM AN CAT HOL

CELEBRATING THE EPIPHA

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LET TRADITION RING

ATION OF GOLD: A CELEBR GOING FOR THE ST CATHEDRAL ACADEMY RI CULTURES AT CH PAGE 5 Y STUDENTS

CHRIST CATHEDRAL ACADEM

THE GOLD: THE SCHOOL’S “GO FOR GREET THE TẾT LION DURING

TION OF CULTURES” HELD AN OLYMPIC CELEBRA

ON FEB. 6. PHOTO BY

SE OF ORANGE

ALAN WENDELL/DIOCE

ONLY A SELECT FEW SINCE THE LATE 1880S HAVE SERVED AS OFFICIAL BELL RINGERS AT MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO ON SPECIAL CELEBRATORY OCCASIONS. MEET THE LATEST TWO. PAGE 5 NATHAN BANDA, THE TRIBAL CHIEF FOR THE JUANEÑO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS, ACJACHEMEN NATION, AND AN OFFICIAL BELL RINGER AT MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, STANDS IN FRONT OF THE BELLS DURING THE ANNUAL ST. JOSEPH’S DAY AND RETURN OF THE SWALLOWS CELEBRATION ON MARCH 19, 2026. PHOTO BY JEFF ANTENORE/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

HOW ST. TIM ENCOURAGES DI OTHY’S HAT & SCARF MINISTRY GITAL DETOX ON E STITCH AT A TIM E PAGE 5

ST. TIMOTHY'S PARISH SUSAN CHEN DISPLAY HAT & SCARF MINISTRY MEMBERS (FROM SOME OF THE GROUP’S LEFT RECENT WORK. PHOTO TO RIGHT) EDITH MERIK, TRUDY EMMRICH , JESSIE BUNZALAN, KAY

BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCES BOLAND, CARLOS FLORES, E OF ORANGE SONIA

TUN, JUDY DALUISIKI,

DEE WHITFIELD, MARGIE

The print edition will return weekly starting September 20. In the meantime, go to occatholic.com for important news and updates from the Diocese of Orange and stories of faith and community.

The Sunday OC Catholic newspaper is a FREE addition available to all Sunday Orange County Register print subscribers and is also available at parishes across Orange County, thanks to the Diocese of Orange and valued OC Catholic advertisers.

DEYOE AND

JULY 26, 2026

CONTENTS

7 10 14

PARISHIONERS’ PASTIMES & PASSIONS

Retired NFL quarterback and sommelier Vince Ferragamo talks vintages.

AROUND OUR DIOCESE

An annual golf tournament and a touring art exhibition are among the events highlighted.

THROWING AWAY OUR PEARLS TO GAIN THE KINGDOM

The parables are lessons that let us examine our faith and ourselves.

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

ADVERTISING Sr. Director of Marketing: Caroline Wong, cawong@scng.com

SCNG CUSTOM CONTENT Managing Editor: Caitlin Adams

Art Director: Ryann Beveridge

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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DAILY READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

SACRAMENTS

“

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CECILIA ROSSANO

READER CALL-OUT

I would like to share two pictures of my dad and my son making their First Communion. My dad is on the right with his brother. They both made their sacraments in Los Angeles in 1942. My son Brandon Rossano made his First Communion at St. Cecilia’s in Tustin, in 2017. I am so lucky to have had a family who instilled such beautiful values that our religion offers.

—Cecilia Rossano, St. Cecilia Parish in Tustin.

SAINT PROFILE

— Pope Leo XIV

BRIDGET OF SWEDEN

B

RIDGET, OR BIRGITTA, married a Swedish nobleman and they had eight children, including St. Katherine of Vadstena.

About 1335 Bridget was appointed chief lady-in-waiting at the Swedish court. After she was widowed in 1344, she founded the Order of the Most Holy Savior, known as Brigittines. Bridget spent much time in Rome, living austerely and caring for the poor and sick. She died there after a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Bridget claimed to have visions and inspirations throughout her life, prompting both influence and controversy. She was canonized in 1391. C

OC Catholic is looking for photos of our readers receiving their Holy Sacraments. Baptisms, First Communions, Weddings — we want to see your special day! Please include a brief description of the photo and why it is special to you. Include your name and home parish, and send to: editor@occatholic.com CORRECTION: In the June 21, 2026, print issue of OC Catholic, the recipient of Rosary Academy’s 2026 General Excellence Award was incorrectly identified due to inaccurate information provided to the newspaper. The 2026 General Excellence Award was presented to Tahlia Jain. Congratulations to Tahlia, who will attend Brown University this fall!

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

4

”

To serve one’s neighbor is to love God…

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

JEREMIAH 13:1-11; DEUTERONOMY 32:18-19, 20, 21; MATTHEW 13:31-35

JEREMIAH 14:17-22; PSALM 79:8, 9, 11 AND 13; MATTHEW 13:36-43

JEREMIAH 15:10, 16-21; PSALM 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17, 18; JOHN 11:19-27 OR LUKE 10:38-42

JEREMIAH 18:1-6; PSALM 146:1B2, 3-4, 5-6AB; MATTHEW 13:4753

JEREMIAH 26:1-9; PSALM 69:5, 8-10, 14; MATTHEW 13:54-58

JEREMIAH 26:1116, 24; PSALM 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34; MATTHEW 14:1-12

ISAIAH 55:1-3; PSALM 145:8-9, 15-16, 17-18; ROMANS 8:35, 37-39; MATTHEW 14:13-21

O C C A T H O L I C ■ J U L Y 2 6 , 2 0 2 6

FEATURE

FR. FRANCIS ANG BEGINS HOLY MISSION WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

BY GREG MELLEN

A

S HE STOOD IN THE sacristy at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Fr. Francis Ang felt the magnitude of the moment —the journey he had taken to this point, and the voyage yet to begin. One door opening, another closing.

Arrayed about throughout the room were familiar objects of a Catholic Mass: the sacred vestments, altar items, chalices and candles. Familiar, sure, but on this day carrying an aura of newness, of rebirth into something novel, an unfolding story, a chapter just begun.

It was Francis’ first full day as an ordained priest, and he had been chosen to celebrate his first Mass. And not for just any ceremony, but the Feast of Corpus Christi.

And for a day at least, Fr. Francis was back at his childhood home church in Anaheim before beginning his full-time assignment at St. Polycarp in Stanton.

“I used to be an altar server here and was about to go full circle,” he said. “It was very surreal. Basically, it was really my family and my village that brought me here.”

Filling the large nave of the church were Fr. Francis’ mother, Margot, father, Frankie and brother, Seminarian Travis Ang, as well as family from the Philippines, Australia, France and across the United States. There were former seminary classmates and colleagues, old high school friends and former medical coworkers from Fr. Francis’ time as a nurse. There was the congregation, many of whom had known the new priest from childhood. Also on hand were about 20 fellow priests from across the diocese.

Ready to share the sanctuary with Fr. Francis were not just altar servers, but leaders of the Diocese of Orange, includ-

NEWLY ORDAINED PRIEST FR. FRANCIS ANG CELEBRATES HIS FIRST MASS AT HIS HOME CHURCH OF ST. BONIFACE IN ANAHEIM. PHOTO BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

ing Bishop Kevin Vann and Auxiliary Bishop Timothy Freyer, who would serve as the homilist.

“To see all these people present …” Fr. Francis halts mid-sentence to gather himself. “God really put this story together. I couldn’t believe it."

“To celebrate Mass that day was momentous,” Fr. Francis said.

The newly ordained priest admitted the butterflies were heavy at the outset.

“I was thinking, ‘I hope I don’t mess up. I hope I say the right words.’”

Though, in truth, after having participated on the edges of countless Masses, A SPECIAL MASS there was little to worry about, and all The feast of Corpus Christi, also known went off without a hitch or hiccup. as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body Another personally awe-inspiring and Blood of Christ, is a major feast, one priestly first awaited. of 14 solemnities in the Roman Catholic “I was consecrating bread and wine,” calendar, and dedicated to honoring the Fr. Francis recalled with a sense of wonder.

Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

A sacramental authority granted

only to ordained priests and bishops, transforming the physical items into the Body and Blood of Jesus and reciting the Eucharistic Prayer in the person of Jesus, are among the most sacred and highest duties of a priest.

And here it was. Fr. Francis was preparing the Eucharist, for real. It is easily the single moment every would-be priest prepares for and dreams about.

And so, it was for Fr. Francis.

“What an honor and a privilege for me to do that,” he said.

Nearing the end of the Mass, Fr. CONTINUES ON PAGE 6

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FEATURE

FR. FRANCIS ANG IS PICTURED WITH BISHOP KEVIN VANN, AUXILIARY BISHOP TIMOTHY FREYER, DIOCESAN CLERGY AND SEMINARIANS. PHOTOS BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

CLERGY APPLAUD FR. FRANCIS ANG FOLLOWING HIS FIRST MASS AS AN ORDAINED PRIEST. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Francis, the older of two brothers to enter the seminary, presented his mother with the manutergium, the small linen towel used to wipe holy oil from the hands of the new priest anointed by the bishop's hands.

He then presented his father with the stole, or scarf, that Fr. Francis wore when he heard his first confession.

The gifts are a tradition in the church.

After the parents pass and are called to heaven, the items are presented to the Lord symbolizing the gift they made to God by offering their son into His service.

“It was emotional; a lot of people were in tears,” Fr. Francis said.

THE BLESSINGS CONTINUE

FR. FRANCIS ANG CELEBRATES MASS ON JUNE 7, THE FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI, ALSO KNOWN AS THE SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST.

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Even before celebrating his inaugural Mass, Fr. Francis had the opportunity to perform another priestly duty when he performed an Anointing of the Sick for choir director Diana Fischer.

“She has seen me grow up,” he said.

Since that first Mass, Fr. Francis has been thrust into the whirlwind of work as a parochial vicar, offering blessings and trying not to look surprised when he’s called Father. He was recently selected to attend World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea, in 2027. During a phone call, he was on his way to a hospital for an anointing of the sick and a Viaticum, the Eucharist for a dying congregant. The former nurse still finds it touching to be on the spiritual rather than medical side of end-of-life occurrences.

As Fr. Francis, 33, settles into his new vocation, he is struck by the coincidence and the metaphor of starting his new life at the same age as Jesus when he went to the cross, and what followed.

“I just died to my old life,” he said.

“Now I have a second chance at life to do things the right way. I find that meaningful. I died (symbolically) but Christ lives in me.” C

DIOCESAN NEWS

PARISHIONERS’ PASTIMES & PASSIONS: FROM THE GRIDIRON TO THE VINEYARDS

BY RON KUZLIK

M

OST FOOTBALL FANS know Vince Ferragamo as the NFL quarterback who led the Los Angeles Rams to Super Bowl XIV in 1980.

But what many don’t know is that Ferragamo is a licensed wine expert and owner of a family-run vineyard in Orange.

“After my football career, I started in the real estate business and am the broker for Ferragamo Real Estate, a residential real estate sales company,” he said.

“While most of my attention was on real estate, a part of me was interested in the wine industry.”

So, he went on to get his sommelier license, completing his studies at the Greystone Institute in Napa, part of the California campus of the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America (CIA).

A sommelier is an elite, highly trained professional wine expert, specializing in all aspects of wine service, including food pairings, wine cellar management and wine selection to create a cohesive, balanced and appealing menu.

“I guess being of Italian descent, food and wine has always been part of our daily routine,” Ferragamo said.

“My mom was a great cook, and my Sicilian wife Jodi has followed in her footsteps.”

His family comes from Bonito, Avellino, near Naples, and his wife Jodi’s family is from Palermo, Sicily.

His favorite wines, of course, are all Italian: Super Tuscan Tignanello, Brunello di Montalcino, Morellino di Scansano, Rosso Piceno, Nero di Troia, and Barolo.

FOLLOWING HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE NFL, VINCE FERRAGAMO (RIGHT) EARNED A SOMMELIER LICENSE AND FOUNDED A FAMILY VINEYARD. PHOTOS COURTESY OF VINCE FERRAGAMO

In regard to the 10 or so distinct wines that come from the Vince Ferragamo Vineyards, “The ‘Caressa J’ stands above the rest,” he said.

The name is derived from Vince and Jodi’s three daughters: Venessa, Cara and Jenna.

It is an award-winning Sangiovese-blend Super Tuscan with Cabernet and Cabernet Franc, grown in the family vineyard.

When people think of California wines, Napa is what usually comes to mind, not Southern California.

“Our vineyard is in Orange Park Acres,” he shared. “We have a semi-arid Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, slightly wetter winters. It cools off in the evening and warms up during the day, which is a good contrast for the grapes.”

The weather is similar to Tuscany;

however, Tuscany receives double the annual rainfall.

“You must have faith,” shared Ferragamo. “Mother Nature controls the weather and God willing, we will have a good harvest.”

Aside from the real estate and wine ventures, he is the founder and chairman of the Vince Ferragamo Foundation, founded in 1996, that supports children’s groups, sports programs and families in need throughout Southern California.

Initiatives include an annual Celebrity Golf Classic for over 30 years that has benefited Special Olympics and other charities advocating for those in need, especially children. The Foundation also supports breast cancer research and other causes.

And, when he’s not involved in all these efforts, he teaches a class at Santiago Canyon College in Orange called “Vines to Wines,” an eight-week course offered during the fall semester.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Ferragamo added with a smile.

He and his wife Jodi are parishioners at La Purísima Catholic Church in Orange.

Ferragamo expressed his gratitude for being raised in the Catholic faith.

“While football was a significant part of my life, it was never the foundation of who I am.”

He added, “Today, when I reflect on my life, I am grateful not only for the opportunities football gave me, but also for the spiritual foundation that sustained me through every season.

I believe the Lord has been with me every step of the way, and for that, I am deeply thankful.”

For more information on the Vince Ferragamo Vineyards, go to: vinceferragamovineyards.com C J U L Y 2 6 , 2 0 2 6 ■ O C C A T H O L I C

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O C Catholic Afa

O C Catholic Afa

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!

Super Bowl in Santa Clara made it to the Levi’s Stadium OC Catholic on Feb. 8 at um.

Bowl LX held d at SoFi Stadi wks for Super when it’s playe Seattle Seaha rnia next year off against the n trip to Califo nd Patriots faced Ranch. make a retur ch in Ladera The New Engla st game will Chur lic bigge Catho NFL’s ty The ney, Holy Trini — Bill Maho

.

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s interesting place ches and other h. ng Catholic chur their home paris or friends visiti in the photo and of you, family n(s) featured olic Afar” — of “OC Cath name of the perso your pictures the photo, the OLIC photos! Send description of O C C AT H your brief ■ a 6 de 2 want 0 2 We , Please inclu MARCH 8 catholic.com.

— to editor@oc

15 Claire Wilso n traveled to Antarctica with “polar desert, a copy of OC ” it is the highe Catholic in tow. st, driest, colde Known as a st and windiest —Claire is a continent on parishioner at St. Nicholas Earth.

Catholic Chur ch in Laguna Woods.

We want your photos! Send your pictures — to editor@oc of “OC Cath catholic.com olic Afar” — . Please inclu of you, family de a brief descr or friends visiti iption of the photo ng Catholic chur , the name of ches and othe the person(s) r interesting featured in the places photo and their home parish.

Send travel pictures of yourself, family or friends to editor@occatholic.com. Photos from any destination — like a church, a hiking trail or a cruise — are welcome! Please include a brief description of the photo, location, the name of the people featured in the photo and your home parish in Orange County. Your photo must include someone holding an issue of OC Catholic to be entered to win.

M A R C H 15

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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.

Photos must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 7 (Labor Day) to be entered to win. Only high-resolution photos will be considered for publication in the print edition of OC Catholic. Photos become the property of the Diocese of Orange and may be used for publication in OC Catholic or by the Diocese for print or online publication or social media purposes. Three gift card winners will be randomly selected by OCC staff. Only photos depicting locations outside of Orange County are eligible to win.

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DIOCESAN NEWS

AROUND OUR DIOCESE

This year’s event will take place on Monday, Sept. 14, at Tustin Ranch Golf Club, 12441 Tustin Ranch Rd. Schedule: 11 a.m. Registration 11:30 a.m. Lunch 1 p.m. Shotgun Start 5:30 p.m. Cocktails 6:30 p.m. Dinner

BY STAFF

ANNUAL MONSIGNOR JOHN SAMMON MEMORIAL GOLF OUTING

For many decades, the Serra Club of Orange County has sponsored the annual Msgr. John Sammon Golf Outing. Msgr.

Sammon served as chaplain for firefighters in the Diocese of Orange and was the oldest priest in the diocese until his death in 2006 at the age of 90.

For more information or to register, contact golf coordinator Lulu Papac at (714) 287-9023, papac@sbcglobal.net

TRAVELING ART EXHIBIT CONCLUDES

After a nearly three-week run, the first-ever diocesan traveling museum of “Faith, History & Heritage: An Archives Exhibition” has concluded!

Nearly 2,500 people visited the exhibition, which was displayed at Holy Family in Orange, Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove and Santiago de Compostela in Lake Forest on select dates from June 18 to July 8. It featured more than 250 items from our diocesan history as well as Orange County’s.

“Faith, History & Heritage” was covered in the Orange County Register and ABC7 Eyewitness News.

The Archives team wishes to thank the Holy Family, Christ Cathedral and Santiago de Compostela parish staff and volunteers who helped make this exhibition a success, as well as “The Shroud of Turin: An Immersive Experience” for their sponsorship, and Mission San Juan Capistrano and St. Michael’s Abbey for generously loaning treasures from their own collections for the exhibition. C

THE ANNUAL MONSIGNOR JOHN SAMMON MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON SEPT. 14 AT TUSTIN RANCH GOLF CLUB. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SERRA THE DIOCESAN ARCHIVES EXHIBITION WAS DISPLAYED AT HOLY FAMILY IN ORANGE, CHRIST CATHEDRAL IN GARDEN GROVE AND SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA IN LAKE FOREST ON SELECT CLUB OF ORANGE COUNTY DATES FROM JUNE 18 TO JULY 8. PHOTO BY THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

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O C C A T H O L I C ■ J U L Y 2 6 , 2 0 2 6

Savoring our Faith Join OC Catholic’s Recipe Swap!

Sharing recipes highlights the importance of gathering with family, friends and our broader Diocese of Orange faith community.

Please share your favorite recipes, along with your name and parish. Send your favorite seasonal dish, or a recipe that has special meaning to you or your family. Tell us why it’s important to you!

Our editors will pick their favorites to be featured in OC Catholic throughout the year.

Submissions must include a photo of the completed recipe.

Categories are entrees, appetizers, side dishes, beverages and desserts.

Send your recipes and photos to: editor@occatholic.com Disclaimer: Only high resolution photos will be considered for publication in the print edition of OC Catholic. Orange County Catholic, the Diocese of Orange and Southern California News Group reserve the right to publish all submitted materials, including recipes, photos and personal anecdotes. Photos become the property of the Diocese of Orange and may be used for publication in OC Catholic or by the Diocese of Orange for print or online publication or social media purposes. Only recipes submitted by parishioners living in the Diocese of Orange will be considered.

XXXX

FEATURE

COMMON THREAD

BY MEG WATERS

S

OMEWHERE AROUND 60 years ago, Monsignor Hugh O’Connor, the much-beloved founding pastor of St. Justin Martyr Parish in Anaheim, tore his shirt. Rather than throw it away, the thrifty Irish priest knew just the person to fix it: parishioner Angie Beccia, who worked as a seamstress at Knott’s Berry Farm while raising five children and supporting her husband’s career at Northrop.

Often, the littlest things, the wonderful things, start just by helping out. From repairing the pastor’s shirt, Angie and a few other ladies, as well as the Felician sisters who ran the school, decided to help others with their handiwork. Although the sisters are gone, for more than half a century, the ladies have carried on sewing simple items that make a real difference in the lives of people with disabilities, new moms and the elderly, while sharing their Catholic spirit of love.

Today, about 14 ladies of the parish and one gentleman, Ed Fodor (formerly the head of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, who has been making coffee and bringing snacks for the ladies for years), meet every Monday in a special sewing room equipped with several sewing machines, cutting boards and a closet full of mostly donated fabric.

They use these materials to make bags for wheelchairs and walkers, adult and baby bibs, blankets, lap robes and a variety of other items for people with disabilities, young moms and the elderly.

Birdie Chaves said, “Our mission is to sew for the parish. But we also sew for the priests.”

The group has repaired vestments, altar linens and an altar server’s robe when a sleeve was caught in a candle’s

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flame. Members also help regular parishioners with simple sewing tasks, like attaching a new button or adjusting a school uniform hem.

“I even made a tie once,” Chaves added. “The little kids that come to our school, sometimes their uniforms don't fit, and the parents will bring them in.

We’re really ‘sewing central’ for the parish.”

Parishioners mostly donate fabric, notions and sewing machines. Tammy Tran, who has been sewing for years, noted that “Some have passed away or moved, and new people join us. We help the new people get started, and most know at least a little about sewing before they join.”

“I think this sewing group helps you transition from career to retirement,” said Barbara Vargas. “It helps you do something worthwhile that you like.”

The members find common ground with one another through their shared Catholic faith.

“What we are doing is really an extension of what we believe,” she added.

Members deliver finished goods to various nonprofit organizations serving the disabled, homeless and elderly.

“Anyone can have one of our creations,” said Chaves.

The group always has a table set up for anyone to take whatever they need at healing Masses on the first Saturday, the 7 a.m. Mass from September through June. Or they can contact the parish LINDA PELLEGRINO, LEFT, AND ANGIE BECCIA TALK DURING A MEETING OF THE SEWING GROUP AT ST. JUSTIN MARTYR CATHOLIC CHURCH. PHOTO BY SCOTT SMELTZER/DIOCESE OF ORANGE office anytime or come to one of the sewing sessions on Monday mornings from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Chaves, highlighting her role as a up in a time when sewing was a regular The City of Anaheim recently leader and source of inspiration for the part of high school home economics presented Angie Beccia, the group. They all recently celebrated her classes, and they have been practicing group’s remaining founder, with a centennial at a local restaurant, with a what they learned ever since. commendation marking her 100th large group of friends and well-wishers.

The common thread is camaraderie birthday. One of the members drives All the members are retired and over through a stitch in time, sharing her so she can still come every Monday the age of 70 — former nurses, teachers, laughter and stories while they make a morning sharp. surgery staff, clerical staff, DMV staff small part of the world a little better.

“She is the life of the party," said and a cruise ship chef. They all grew CONTINUES ON PAGE 13

O C C A T H O L I C ■ J U L Y 2 6 , 2 0 2 6

FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

TAMMY TRAN, LEFT, BERDIE CHAVEZ, ED FODOR, BLANCA GOMEZ, JOANNE SHADE, ANGIE BECCIA, LUCIA ARTEAGA, LINDA PELLEGRINO, CINDY KASSBUM, MARILYN TIERNEY, ANNIE MENDEZ, RACHEL SALAS, BARBARA VARGAS, ARE MEMBERS OF THE SEWING GROUP AT ST. JUSTIN MARTYR CATHOLIC CHURCH. PHOTOS BY SCOTT SMELTZER/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

MEMBERS OF THE SEWING GROUP AT ST. JUSTIN MARTYR CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ANAHEIM PRAY BEFORE SHARING A LIGHT SNACK. J U L Y 2 6 , 2 0 2 6 ■ O C C A T H O L I C

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CATHOLIC FAMILY LIFE

THROWING AWAY OUR PEARLS TO GAIN THE KINGDOM

BY DEACON KEVIN DUTHOY

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this teaching through three related parables (Mt. 13:44-53). The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, a pearl of great price, a net gathering fish of every kind.

In these parables, a treasure is purposefully found by a prospector, a merchant and a fisherman — not by chance but in that “place” where preparation and opportunity meet. The prospector discovers the treasure while diligently exploring the field. The merchant spends his life searching for fine pearls until he finds one of incomparable value. The fisherman labors, casting his net again and again. None stumbles into the Kingdom by accident. Each is prepared by perseverance and attentiveness to recognize

O YOU HAVE A PEARL of great price in your life? John Steinbeck’s allegorical novella, “The Pearl,” infuses the “pearl of great price” parable from Matthew into a story of a flawless pearl harvested by a poor Mexican pearl diver. He hopes to sell the pearl to pay for medication for his seriously ill child. Plotting pearl merchants conspire to swindle him, forcing him to seek a greater price in Mexico City, all the while pursued by the merchants, who tragically shoot and kill his child.

The pearl diver then returns home even more impoverished. The story ends with the pearl diver throwing the pearl back into the sea, cementing the consequences of misplaced value on this "pearl of great price," whose price was the life of his child.

What is of ultimate value in our lives?

Our Scripture readings from this 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time teach that the greatest treasure is not gold or silver, but right relationship with God. In the first reading (1 Kgs. 3:5,7-12), Solomon foregoes materialism and earthly power for wisdom and right judgment, an “understanding heart,” to shepherd the people. He understood what commentator Peter Kreeft described: wisdom cannot be separated from goodness, reason from holiness, nor the intellect from the moral. The Responsorial Psalm (Ps. 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-130) echoes this truth, proclaiming that God's law is more precious than gold because it gives “understanding to the simple.” From Romans (Rom. 8:28-30), St. Paul assures us that "all things work for good for those who love God," reminding us that God’s greatest gifts are received by those who trust him, even in suffering, like the Resurrection after the Cross.

PHOTO BY ZOË GAYAH JONKER ON UNSPLASH Jesus develops

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O C C A T H O L I C ■ J U L Y 2 6 , 2 0 2 6

the treasure when they encounter it.

And when found, their response is immediate and wholehearted. They willingly give up everything to possess what is infinitely greater. What they surrender seems enormous, yet compared with the Kingdom, it is little. God asks for our whole hearts and, in return, offers eternal happiness.

These parables invite us to examine our priorities. What do we treasure most?

Success? Possessions? Status? Or do we seek first the Kingdom of God (Mt. 6:33)?

What is our response to the gift of the Kingdom? Do we claim it for ourselves or extend it to others as faithful stewards of the gift? This is the same dilemma Solo-

mon faced. Solomon prays to be a servant-king helping the people discern good from bad; for an “understanding heart,” as the philosopher Blaise Pascal observed: “The heart has its reasons that the reason does not know.”

Jesus himself is the pearl of great price.

He is the treasure discovered in the field.

Yet this presents a beautiful irony: only Christ could pay the price for this treasure, and He did so on the cross. What we could never purchase, He gives as a gift.

Our hearts are the field in which this treasure is found. The question is not whether the treasure exists, but whether we are willing to seek it and surrender whatever keeps us from possessing it. So let us pray for the wisdom of Solomon: we cannot receive unless we ask, find unless we seek, or open unless we knock (Mt. 7:7-8). What are we looking for, and what are we willing to do once we find it, even if it means throwing the other pearls into the sea? C

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OC Catholic Afar

Arthur and Vickie Dominguez visit St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Kodiak, Alaska, with a copy of OC Catholic in hand. Kodiak was the first Alaskan port stop on a cruise that began in Japan.

Arthur and Vickie attend San Antonio de Padua del Cañon Catholic Church in Anaheim Hills.

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 U L Y 2 6 , 2 0 2 6 ■ O C C A T H O L I C

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