ANCHORED IN CHRIST'S LOVE: CELEBRATING OUR GRADUATES
BY DR. ERIN BARISANO, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS IN THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
THERE IS SOMETHING truly sacred about graduation season. As caps are tossed into the sky and families gather with tears and joy, the OC Catholic school community pauses to celebrate what God has done in and through another extraordinary class of graduates. This year, our theme—Anchored in Christ's Love—captured beautifully the truth at the heart of everything we do: that every lesson, every friendship and every act of service find its deepest meaning in the love of Christ.
To be anchored is to be held firm; it is to be secured, not confined. Our graduates have been anchored, not by the world's definitions of success, but by the enduring love of Jesus Christ. Throughout their years in our Catholic schools, they have encountered that love in the classroom and on the field, during Mass and in the community, through the witness of dedicated teachers and staff and through the bonds they have formed with one another. That anchor has held them steady through challenges and uncertainty, and it will continue to hold them as they step boldly into the next chapter of their lives.
Our mission in the Diocese of Orange remains clear: We create disciples of Christ. Through faith formation, academic excellence and commitment to service, our students are formed to transform the world. This year's graduates are a living testament to that mission. They have excelled academically, with many headed to outstanding universities and meaningful careers. More importantly, they have grown as people of faith—leading campus ministry, devoting countless hours to service and choosing integrity when it would have been easier to walk another path.
I had the privilege of celebrating graduations at our high schools these past few weeks, and each ceremony moved me deeply. What struck me most was not the awards or the accolades, but the quiet confidence these young men and women carried. This confidence comes from knowing who you are and whose you are. They are children of God, formed in His image, sent into the world with purpose and love.
To our parents and families: thank you. You are the first educators of your children, and your partnership with our schools has made all the difference.
Your faithfulness, your sacrifice and your witness at home have reinforced everything we strive to cultivate in the classroom. We are truly grateful for the trust you have in us.
To our teachers, staff and administrators: your dedication goes far beyond any job description. You have poured yourselves into the lives of these students — praying for them, challenging them, believing in them even when they struggled to believe in themselves. The fruit of your labor is on full display in the remarkable young people we are sending forth.
And to the Class of 2026: Go forth anchored in Christ’s love. When the waters of life grow turbulent—and they will—return to that anchor. Let the love of Christ be the fixed point from which you engage the world with courage, compassion and hope. Carry with you the faith that was nurtured at your Catholic school, the friendships that shaped you and the knowledge that you are never alone. C
DR. ERIN BARISANO IS THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS IN THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE. PHOTO BY DREW KELLY/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
PAROCHIAL ATHLETIC LEAGUE INDUCTS ITS LATEST HALL OF FAMERS
BY LOU PONSI
THE 2026 INDUCTEES INTO the Parochial Athletic League Hall of Fame include a former NFL wide receiver, a longtime football coach who guided his teams to multiple PAL championships, an accomplished track and field athlete, a professional volleyball player and a Paralympic athlete who won nine Paralympic gold medals across three different sports.
The induction ceremony took place following the seventh annual Parochial Athletic League Golf Tournament held in May at the Tustin Ranch Golf Club.
PAL operates within the Diocese of Orange, giving students attending K-12 Catholic schools in Orange County an opportunity to play competitive sports in an environment guided by Christian principles.
The PAL Hall of Fame was established in 2022 as a way of honoring its athletes and coaches.
“I love the golf tournament,” said Russ Smith, director of elementary athletics for the Diocese of Orange. “I love the Hall of Fame inductions. I think it's a great thing to honor some people who have meant a lot to our program, or young men and women who have participated in our
program.”
To qualify for the PAL Hall of Fame, inductees had to have attended a Catholic or Christian school within a PAL league. Candidates must be PAL athletes who went on to enter professional sports as a player or administrator, became an Olympic athlete or official, or coached in the PAL program for at least 10 years. While most of the participating schools are part of the Diocese, it is not a requirement, Smith said.
The 2026 PAL Hall of Fame
inductees are:
DEANN SCHLOBOHM, TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETE AND COACH
Following a successful high school career, Schlobohm became a standout sprinter at UCLA, a member of the United States National Team and was part of the UCLA 4x200 relay team that set an American collegiate record.
After college, Schlobohm competed and trained with a Los Angeles-based women’s track and field club and represented the U.S. in national and international competitions around the world in both the 400 and 800 meters.
When her competing days ended, Schlobohm became the women’s track and field coach and women’s cross-country coach at Cal State Dominguez Hills.
After Smith started the PAL track and field meet, Schlobohm volunteered to help organize and run the meet and has played an integral role in overseeing it for its 25 years of existence.
“Over the last 25 years, I've been blessed to watch thousands of young athletes grow, not only stronger as competitors, but as stronger people,” Schlobohm said. “I'm deeply honored and humbled to be inducted into the Hall of Fame for years of service to something I truly, truly love.”
PETE CANALES, FLAG FOOTBALL COACH, SAINT ANGELA MERICI SCHOOL
From 2003 to 2018, Canales guided the St. Angela Merici flag football team to seven Orange County PAL championships, two Servite Tournament championships and three St. Justin Martyr and St. Paul tournament championships.
“It was just a tremendous run, a lot of fun,” Canales said. “I'm so happy for the kids in the school. And it all paid off for the kids. I know they have great memories. I still see a lot of the players and the families, and they talk about it often. And I got to see Russ at the end of every championship Saturday.”
SHANNON SCULLY, MAJOR LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL PLAYER
Scully’s athletic career began as a fifth grader at St. Bonaventure Catholic School in Huntington
RUSS SMITH, DIRECTOR OF ELEMENTARY ATHLETICS FOR THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE, SECOND FROM LEFT, STANDS WITH THE 2026 PAROCHIAL ATHLETIC LEAGUE HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES, PETE CANALES, SHANNON SCULLY, BRIAN FINNERAN, DEANN SCHLOBOHM AND DAVID KILEY. PHOTO BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Beach, where she participated in volleyball, softball and basketball.
She began playing club volleyball at age 12 and focused solely on the sport when she attended Mater Dei High School.
Scully was a member of the Monarch teams that reached the CIF Southern Section finals all four of her years at the school, including the CIF-SS championship team in 2015.
The outside hitter went on to play at Pepperdine and then USC, picking up numerous accolades throughout her college career.
After graduating from USC, Scully played professional volleyball in Europe before returning to the U.S. to compete in the new Major League Volleyball organization.
“It feels like my volleyball career has gone by in a blink of an eye,” Scully said. “One day I was on the St. Bonaventure team in fifth grade, and the next I'm playing volleyball for the San Diego Mojo. I have learned that a Catholic education helps students to discover their purpose. It's not only about preparing for a career, but about becoming a good person who lives with faith and purpose.”
BRIAN FINNERAN, NFL FOOTBALL PLAYER
Finneran had a standout high school football career at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, where he had a school-record 177 receptions.
As a junior, Finneran had 73 receptions for 1,136 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games, earning a spot on the L.A. Times’ 1992 All-County Football First Team.
Finneran played college football for the Villanova Wildcats, where he shattered school records and won the prestigious Walter Payton Award in 1997 as the nation’s top Division I-AA player.
He then spent 12 years as a wide receiver in the NFL—11 with the Atlanta Falcons and one with the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 2006, Finneran had 56 receptions for 838 yards and six touchdowns.
After his playing days were over, Finneran transitioned into a successful career as a sports talk radio host in the greater Atlanta area.
“My parents sacrificed a lot for us to go to St. Catherine's and then to Santa Margarita. And I would never have made it to the NFL if it wasn't for Jim Hartigan being my first football coach. And I learned so much. You learn about teamwork, friendships, all the different things. So, Coach Hartigan, thank you for instilling that.”
DAVID KILEY, PARALYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST
As a youngster, Kiley played multiple sports at St. John the Baptist School and basketball at Mater Dei.
He dreamed of playing basketball at UCLA and then for the Los Angeles Lakers.
But at age 19, Kiley’s life course changed in an instant when he sustained a catastrophic spinal cord injury in a tubing accident in Big Bear that left him paralyzed.
After being introduced to wheelchair basketball, Kiley’s competitive spirit and passion for the sport were rekindled. He progressed rapidly, competing in elite international competitions, and in 1976, Kiley participated in his first Paralympic Games. Aside from Paralympic competition, Kiley competed in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association and is a six-time MVP of the league’s Final Four championships.
Kiley, now 73, won a gold medal in five separate events at the Paralympic Games in Toronto in 1976 and is the only athlete to play Paralympic basketball in four separate decades.
In 2022, Kiley achieved one of sports’ greatest honors: induction into the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame, alongside swimmer Michael Phelps, figure skater Michelle Kwan, tennis great Billie Jean King and soccer player Mia Hamm.
“I’m in a few halls of fame,” Kiley said. “But this one is up there. It’s up there because this is where it began.” C
RUSS SMITH PRESENTS SHANNON SCULLY, AN ALUM OF ST. BONAVENTURE SCHOOL AND MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL, WITH HER AWARD DURING THE PAROCHIAL ATHLETIC LEAGUE HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY.
BRIAN FINNERAN, AN ALUM OF ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA SCHOOL AND SANTA MARGARITA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, SPEAKS TO GUESTS AT THE PAROCHIAL ATHLETIC LEAGUE HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY.
DAVID KILEY, AN ALUM OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL AND MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL, ADDRESSES GUESTS DURING HIS PAROCHIAL ATHLETIC LEAGUE HALL OF FAME INDUCTION.
RUSS SMITH, DIRECTOR OF ELEMENTARY ATHLETICS, PRESENTS DEANN SCHLOBOHM WITH HER AWARD DURING THE PAROCHIAL ATHLETIC LEAGUE HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY WHICH WAS HELD ON MAY 12. PHOTOS BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
PETE CANALES ADDRESS ATTENDEES FOLLOWING HIS INDUCTION INTO THE PAROCHIAL ATHLETIC LEAGUE HALL OF FAME.
CELEBRATING SANTA MARGARITA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2026
BY LOU PONSI
THE 473 GRADUATES making up Santa Margarita Catholic High School’s Class of 2026 are poised for success as they move on to the next phase of their life journey.
During the 2026 commencement ceremony held May 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, school principal Cheri Wood announced some notable accomplishments from the graduating class.
The graduates earned a total of 3,105 college acceptances and will attend 157 colleges and universities nationwide.
Among the class are four National Merit finalists, 25 National Merit Commended Students and 19 full IB diploma candidates.
Six graduates had perfect SAT scores and nine had perfect SAT math scores.
Graduates are also part of 27 legacy families, with one or both parents being alumni of Santa Margarita.
“With the intercession of St. Margaret Mary, our patroness, may the Lord bless each one of you on your journey into the future, equipped with Caritas Christi (love of Christ) with compassion, humility, justice and goodness,” Wood told the class.
Dignitaries participating in the ceremony included the Most Rev. Thanh Thai Nguyen, auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Orange, and Dr. Erin Barisano, superintendent of Catholic schools for the diocese.
Dr. Barisano told the graduates that they are moving on with more than just knowledge attained from a book.
“As you stand on the threshold of this new chapter, you carry with you a profound blessing,” the superintendent said. “And that is the lifelong gift of a Catholic education. You leave this campus equipped not just with academic knowl-
edge, but with an unshakable foundation of faith, character and hope.”
Speaking to the graduates and the families and supporters who nearly filled the lower section of the Honda Center, school president Andrew Sulick
shared a message centering on gratitude, legacy, resilience and faith.
“The story of Santa Margarita Catholic High School is not written only in trophies or test scores,” Sulick told the graduates. “It is written for sure in
people. Each of you leaves a mark on this school, and each of you carries the legacy forward.”
The president reminded the graduates to prioritize their relationship with God, to look to God for guidance, moral clarity and the assurance that “we are never alone.”
He encouraged the Class of 2026 to use their God-given gifts to serve others and let “love flow through everything you do.”
“Love is the foundation of everything we do,” Sulick said. “It gives purpose to our actions and meaning to our lives.”
Sulick also recognized the grief felt by the school community, stemming from the passing of two students—2025 graduate Brennan Miller-Jones and Brody Madison of the Class of 2027.
Class valedictorian Bridget Crafts centered her message on the importance of being present, even for the seemingly small moments.
Crafts encouraged her classmates to appreciate small, everyday joys and to recognize that growing up isn’t about certainty, but about learning to embrace meaningful moments as they happen.
“Today feels important because it is ending,” Crafts said. “But it is also a reminder going forward of how easy it is to miss the present while worrying about what’s next.”
Bishop Nguyen delivered an uplifting message, focusing on joy, gratitude and the importance of staying connected to Jesus as graduates begin the next chapter of their lives.
“If you are going to hold on to the enthusiasm you have for life today … you will need to get connected with Jesus as he said, ‘I am the vine, you are the branches,’” the bishop said. “Take a moment to thank God for the friendship made, for the lessons learned and for the strength to reach this milestone.” C
PHOTOS BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
CELEBRATING JSERRA HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2026
BY MEG WATERS
ON MAY 30, THE traditional Camino gate, built on the historic path of St. Junípero Serra, opened to allow passage for JSerra’s 283 graduating seniors. Four years earlier, this class had passed through the same gate, marking the beginning of their high school journey. Now, as they took their next big step, more than 2,000 family members and friends applauded beneath the bright blue San Juan Capistrano sky.
Graduations are occasions for both reflection and anticipation. In his final message to the Class of 2026, JSerra president Richard Meyer chose not to focus on achievements, recognitions or honors, but instead on friendship. Drawing from J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterpiece, “The Lord of the Rings,” he challenged students to “be a Sam,” Frodo’s most loyal friend, and embrace the transformative power of friendship.
“Do you want that kind of friend in your life?” Meyer asked, “Someone who, without knowing how to swim and regardless of how deep the waters are, would jump in to journey with you during your most difficult and challenging time? Are you the kind of woman or man who instinctively puts the good of others before yourself? If you try to be a Sam in this world, you will necessarily grow in all the beautiful virtues that help you become the kind of person God created you to be.”
Whether intentional or not, valedictorian Jackson Story also echoed the theme of friendship. Quoting actor Brad Pitt’s remarks at the 2023 César Awards honoring David Fincher, Story said: “I don’t know if any of what we do matters in the end. What I do know that matters are the people we hitch ourselves to and the indelible mark they leave upon our very being.”
Story added, “When I think about
what I’ll actually remember from high school, I don’t think it will be the test scores, GPAs or the stress of doing assignments last minute. What we’ll remember are the people.”
Several students were recognized with special awards, including salutatorian George Joseph; the Msgr. Martin Award went to Natalie Myers; the Reese Imhoff
Faith Over Fear Award was presented to Andrew Yeager; and the Lion Award to Otto Graham. The Senior Faculty Awards went to Kaylah Tasser and Rocco Tompkins; the Senior Scholar Athlete Award to Minha Chung and Jackson Story; and the Senior Christian Service Award went to Karina Cabral.
After this last celebration, most of the
graduates will head to prestigious fouryear universities across the country. Some will remain lifelong friends; others will never cross paths again, but as Jackson Story pointed out, “If the last four years taught us anything, it’s that maybe the destination was never the most important part. It was the company. Congratulations, Class of 2026, we made it!” C
PHOTOS BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
CELEBRATING SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2026
BY MEG WATERS
ON MAY 29, 173 SERVITE men graduated prepared to make their mark as thoughtful, faith-filled leaders in Orange County and beyond. They began their high school years as freshmen just as communities across Orange County were emerging from the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, while rapid advances in artificial intelligence were reshaping daily life and global conflicts— from Ukraine and the Middle East to tensions felt here at home—were testing the possibility of civil discourse.
Valedictorian Alexander Mires, who will be joining his brother Aeneas at UCLA this fall, said, “I am a better person, student and Catholic because of Servite. In these challenging times—with wars, artificial intelligence, high costs and political and social division—our faith and commitment will be tested. Succeeding professionally, financially and spiritually seems more difficult than ever. These words were ingrained in our minds at Freshman Formation: ‘I am the Friar, and I love the fight. We are good, but we will be great.’
“This summarizes what I learned most of all at Servite, and I will take this with me to UCLA and beyond. I was taught that nothing in life comes easy and that God will reward those who work hardest to become the best version of themselves, and I believe Servite instilled that in us. Striving athletically and academically is important, but being a good brother Catholic, and faith-filled leader is even more important.”
This message of hope and gratitude echoed in the remarks of every speaker, award winner and faculty member. Servite president Stephen Walswick, also a Servite graduate from the Class of ’02, spoke from experience as a Friar and observation of the Class of 2026.
“During your years here, you have
grown not only in knowledge, but in character….above all you have learned to live full of hope—a hope rooted not in circumstances, but in Christ who continually calls you forward.”
For young people embarking on their adult life, hope is the greatest blessing and lesson they will carry for the rest of their lives. As principal Nancy Windisch said, “You leave Servite not as finished products, but as young men prepared to continue your formation in the world beyond these walls. Carry what you have received here into every place you go. Let your life be marked by integrity, humility and a commitment to something greater than yourself.”
Most of the students are headed to four-year colleges, including many of the top academic institutions and Ivy League universities in the country. Salutatorian Phillip Kim, known as Siwoo, is bound for Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania. He plans to major in biology and eventually attend medical school. While at Servite, he served as president of the California Scholarship Federation, volunteered with Future Young Leaders of America, and tutored his classmates.
Eight graduates matriculated with high honors (GPA 4.0 and above). The principal’s leadership award was given to Jackson Wright; Michael Lawrence was awarded the Neck Veyna Memorial Persistence Award; and Athletic Awards were presented to Jack Schutt, Jaden Liu, Fionnian Sparks, Patrick Hassett and Peter Beer. Thirty-five graduates were members of the National Honor Society; 32 received California Scholarship Federation awards and 25 earned College Board Awards. Military Recognition went to five graduates: Peter Beerer, U.S. Coast Guard Academy; Andre Chang, U.S. Military Academy West Point; Jaden Rasic, U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School; Aaron Chen, ROTC Scholarship; and Ryan Kovats, Naval Academy Preparatory School.
Once again, Servite has gifted Orange County with a new class of exceptional young men, who leave formed by the Primacy of Faith, Mastery of Self, Necessity of the Other and Centrality of Christ. Not a bad place to start. C
PHOTOS BY KAYLEE TOOLE/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
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Watch a brief video about the program.
LA PURÍSIMA CATHOLIC SCHOOL TAKES FIELD TRIP TO ST. JOHN'S SEMINARY
BY MIKE ZINN
WHAT BEGAN AS A question—“How is your fish dinner?”—became an indepth discussion between La Purísima pastor Fr. Martin Nguyen and long-time St. Cecilia parishioner Virginia Mort.
Mort loves the parish fish fries and rarely misses a Friday dinner during Lent. During their conversation, Fr. Martin mentioned that he had chartered a bus and was taking students on a field trip to St. John's Seminary. The trip was planned for May 6, but Fr. Martin was short on the funds needed to cover the $1,000 cost of renting a bus.
Mort, during her many years of involvement with the Orange County Serra Club, has been closely involved with supporting seminarians at St. John's Seminary. She smiled and said, “I might be able to solve this dilemma for you.”
Mort acted quickly, discussing with the current Serra Club president, Lulu Papac, an opportunity that could help guide young Catholics into religious life. The pledge was approved, and the dilemma was solved.
The 37 students in grades sixth through eighth were able to take the trip to Camarillo and tour the seminary grounds and buildings.
For Fr. Martin, this field trip was a passion project.
Fr. Martin, who is in his fourth year as pastor at La Purísima, attended St. John's Seminary before being ordained in 2005. He believes strongly in promoting Catholic education and vocations. “This is the age to capture the interest of children and steer them to a path toward a religious vocation.”
Two current St. John's Seminary seminarians have ties to La Purísima: Shane Duffy is a parishioner at La Purísima and Nicholas Meneses, a former student, who led the tour on May 6. Nicholas also CONTINUES ON PAGE 21
LA PURÍSIMA STUDENTS GATHER FOR A PHOTO DURING A MAY 6 FIELD TRIP TO ST. JOHN’S SEMINARY. PHOTOS COURTESY OF FR. MARTIN NGUYEN
STUDENTS WITH FR. RAYMOND AT ST. JOHN'S SEMINARY IN CAMARILLO. FR. RAYMOND IS AN UNCLE TO ONE OF THE STUDENTS.
DIOCESAN NEWS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20
spends time at La Purísima during his summer breaks. Fr. Martin calls him “a role model for the students.”
The timing of this field trip was also important, as it coincided with the school's 60th anniversary and the Diocese of Orange's 50th anniversary. Additionally, this field trip came on the heels of the annual eighth-grade East Coast trip, which included Fr. Martin celebrating Mass for the students at the Basilica of The National Shrine
of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.
D.C.
Principal Rosa Ramirez has a long history with La Purísima School. She is an alumna, a former teacher at the school and her children attended La Purísima. She concurred with Fr. Martin on the importance of Catholic education and on the mission of the Pax Christi Academies network of schools, of which La Purísima is a member, that strives to make Catholic education accessible to all families.
“Students and parents were equally excited for this opportunity,” Ramirez said. “This event is the first of its kind for a school in the Diocese of Orange.”
The casual interaction between a priest greeting a parishioner at a fish fry indeed helped advance Fr. Martin Nguyen's goal of exposing La Purísima School students to the possibility of religious life while creating lasting memories with their classmates. C
STUDENTS TOOK A FIELD TRIP TO ST. JOHN’S SEMINARY IN CAMARILLO ON MAY 6 WITH FR. MARTIN NGUYEN. PHOTOS COURTESY OF FR. MARTIN NGUYEN
LEFT, FR. MARTIN NGUYEN HOLDS A CHECK FROM THE SERRA CLUB. NEXT TO FATHER IS VIRGINIA MORT, A LONG-TIME SERRA CLUB MEMBER. ALSO PICTURED: ROSA RAMIREZ, PRINCIPAL OF LA PURÍSIMA SCHOOL AND LULU PAPAC, CURRENT SERRA CLUB PRESIDENT.
THE BLESSINGS OF A FATHER
BY SR. DIANE HEISS, SDSH
WE WISH A HAPPY Father’s Day to all fathers and father figures.
Many countries now observe Father’s Day, the celebration that originated on June 19, 1910, in the U.S. as the brainchild of Sonora Smart Dodd. Desiring to pay tribute to her father, a Civil War veteran who raised his six children after the death of their mother in childbirth, she chose his birth date. Eventually it became a national holiday in 1972, when President Richard Nixon officially designated the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day.
The vital role of fathers has existed since the origins of humanity, when God the Father created Adam in his own image and likeness, breathing into him the breath of life, and then formed Eve out of a rib from Adam’s side (Gen. 2:7; 2:22.). Adam became the father of Cain, Abel, Seth and other sons and daughters, and so the human family has continued. Our lineage ultimately traces back to “… the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God (Luke 3:38).” The creation account in the Book of Genesis is not meant to be a historical or scientific text according to our modern sense, but rather a spiritual account of God’s relationship with humanity. God is our loving Father who created us, knows us by name, loves and cares for each of us and calls us to love and care for each other. In response to the apostles’ request that Jesus teach them how to pray, in the Lord's Prayer He used the word “Abba,” meaning “Daddy” in Aramaic.
The importance of fathers cannot be overstated, extending far beyond
the mere biological act of contributing to the conception of a new human being. Children need a warm and loving father who is consistent, patient and present.
A father needs to be compassionate and yet should correct his children when necessary, to raise children with greater self-esteem and a more positive identity. The lack of such a father impacts children’s ability to develop healthy relationships and adversely impacts their emotional development.
FOR YOUR FAMILY
■ Do something special for your fathers and father figures, such as a visit, phone call or handmade card or gift.
■ Prepare a special prayer service for your father, including your favorite Scripture passage and a Litany of Thanksgiving, with each person adding qualities they are grateful for, and everyone responding together: “Thank you, God our Father” or “God our Father, please bless my Dad.”
■ Pray the opening lines of the Creed: “We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible,” and share anything else you believe about God our Father.
■ Memorize and tell God how you feel about: “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God (1 John 3:1).”
■ Talk about the qualities of a good father and how you see these in your own father or father figure and in God our Father. C
St. Paul, realizing that each of our families has God the Father as our source of life, says: “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that … Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; … that you, rooted and grounded in love, may … know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God (Eph 3:14-19).”
Let us give thanks for our fathers and father figures and pray for them.
PHOTO BY MOHAMED AWWAM ON UNSPLASH
OC Catholic Afar
Patrick and Sandra Reidy are pictured outside Pope Leo’s childhood home in Dolton, a south suburban community near Chicago.
—The Reidys are parishioners of Mission Basilica in San Juan Capistrano. Patrick is vice president of mission and faith and world language department chair at JSerra Catholic High School.
We want your photos! Send your pictures of “OC Catholic Afar” — of you, family or friends visiting Catholic churches and other interesting places — to editor@occatholic.com. Please include a brief description of the photo, the name of the person(s) featured in the photo and their home parish.
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