Bishop Timothy Freyer celebrated the annual Mass at Christ Cathedral.
SPEAKING TO THE CATHOLIC HEART
Actor Jim Caviezel recently spoke to an audience of over 1,000 at Holy Trinity parish.
18 A TRUSTFUL HEART FOR LENT
With the Lenten season approaching, we can take this time to prepare our hearts.
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
Director of Custom Content: 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.
Cyndi Peterson Tim Staples Fr. Mike Barry, SS.CC.
ROSARY BEADS
READER CALL-OUT
My Rosary belonged to my mother. It was always at her bedside. When she passed, I made sure to take the Rosary and make good use of it. Once a week I dedicate an hour in the chapel at Our Lady of Fatima in San Clemente. As my fingers work the wooden beads, I think of the many Rosaries my mom prayed on this very same Rosary. I imagine she used it a lot while I served a tour of duty in Vietnam.
—Mike Chamberlin, Our Lady of Fatima parish, San Clemente
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
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
SIRACH 17:20-24; PSALM 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7; MARK 10:17-27
“ We have to work harder to develop a profound theology of women within the church. The feminine genius is needed wherever we make important decisions.” — Pope Francis
SAINT PROFILE
KATHARINE DREXEL 1858-1955
THE DAUGHTER OF A WEALTHY Philadelphia banker, Katharine received marriage proposals but wanted to become a contemplative nun. After inheriting a fortune, she visited the Dakotas and witnessed American Indians' poverty, subsequently pleading with Pope Leo XIII to send them more missionaries. But he and others encouraged her to found a congregation to work among people of color. In 1891, she and 13 companions became the first Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. For more than 40 years, she led the order, using her fortune to establish numerous missions and schools for Indians and African Americans. Following a major heart attack in 1935, she retired to a life of prayer. Canonized in 2000, she is the patron of home missions.C
TUESDAY
SIRACH 35:1-12; PSALM 50:56, 7-8, 14, 23; MARK 10:28-31
WEDNESDAY
JOEL 2:12-18; PSALM 51:3-4, 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 9:1415
SATURDAY
ISAIAH 58:9B14; PSALM 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; LUKE 5:27-32
THE DIOCESE’S DEACON STEVE GRECO TRAVELS TO ROME DURING THE JUBILEE YEAR
BY JIM GRAVES
DEACON STEVE GRECO, director of Evangelization and Formation for the Diocese of Orange and founder of Spirit Filled Hearts Ministry ( www. spiritfilledevents.com ), participated in “Communication and Evangelization: Context, Attitudes and Experiences,” a biannual conference at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome Jan. 15-22. According to organizers, the conference addresses the “many aspects of institutional communication in the Church, such as generating trust, listening and relevance, digital culture, crisis and controversy management, and relations with the media and opinion leaders.”
During the conference, Deacon Steve screened “Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist” (https://jesusthirstsfilm. com/), a film about the Eucharist produced by Spirit Filled Hearts Ministry.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to share with more than 700 participants active in the field of evangelization around the globe one of the ways we’re sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Diocese of Orange and beyond,” said Deacon Steve.
STORIES OF THE EUCHARIST
The 2024 film features a presentation of Catholic beliefs about the Eucharist and stories of the Eucharist from around the world. It includes interviews with prominent Catholics, including Bishops Kevin Vann and Timothy Freyer, as well as Magis Center President Fr. Robert Spitzer, FOCUS founder Curtis Martin, Marian Fathers Fr. Donald Calloway and Fr. Chris Alar, Fr. Angelos Sebastian, Chris Stefanick, Scott Hahn, Eduardo
PHOTO BY RYAN CLOUSE
Verastegui, Norbertine Father Charbel Grbavac, Augustine Institute President Tim Gray and many more.
Deacon Steve shared with conference participants about the development of the movie, and Spirit Filled Hearts Ministry’s partnership with the Diocese of Orange in making the film and its successful release in theaters last summer. The film was an outgrowth of a successful in-person “Jesus Thirsts” conference series led by Deacon Steve which began at Christ Cathedral in 2022 and has spread to surrounding dioceses.
Viewers were “mesmerized” by the
film, he said, and agreed with its central message: the importance of promoting devotion to the Eucharist.
He explained, “They like the beauty of the film, its content and focus on the Eucharist, Mass and adoration. They also liked the historical sequences we reenacted, such as Jesus walking with the two disciples after the Resurrection on the road to Emmaus.”
He said Spirit Filled Hearts Ministry was looking at ways to screen the film in a variety of other countries; the film has a Spanish-language version and could be subtitled in other languages.
Deacon Steve’s Rome visit included
participating in a papal audience and passing through the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica as part of the Jubilee Year. Joining Deacon Steve for the conference were Katie Hughes of Spirit Filled Hearts Ministry and Alexis Walkenstein of AWE PR.
RENT, BUY OR STREAM
“Jesus Thirsts” is available to rent or buy via streaming services Amazon, Google, Vudu and iTunes in the U.S. and Canada and is also available on DVD via Ignatius Press. Parishes, Catholic schools and organizations are also encouraged to host a screening through Faith Content
Network (see the website for details: https://jesusthirstsfilm.com/). Additionally, the “Jesus Thirsts” film and in-person conferences include a 52-week follow-up series of presentations on a wide range of topics related to the Catholic faith by Norbertine Father Jacob Hsieh entitled “Jesus Thirsts Weekly.” It is being released in partnership with eCatholic and will reach thousands of parishes around the U.S. Listen to presentations on the Spirit Filled Hearts Ministry YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/@ SpiritFilledHearts/videos) or by registering free of charge at www.spiritfilledevents.com. C
DEACON STEVE GRECO ATTENDS THE COMMUNICATION AND EVANGELIZATION: CONTEXT, ATTITUDES AND EXPERIENCES” CONFERENCE WITH ALEXIS WALKENSTEIN OF AWE PR AND KATIE HUGHES OF SPIRIT FILLED HEARTS MINISTRY. PHOTO BY RYAN CLOUSE
CHRIST CATHEDRAL HOSTS WORLD DAY OF THE SICK MASS
BY LOU PONSI
BISHOP TIMOTHY FREYER
was the main celebrant for the World Day of the Sick Mass on Feb. 8 at Christ Cathedral.
The World Day of the Sick is an annual observance encouraging Catholics to pray and offer support to those suffering with illness.
In his homily, Bishop Freyer stressed the importance of hope and faith in times of suffering.
Despite the suffering, God's love is evident through Jesus Christ, “who took on the world's sufferings and won the victory over death,” the bishop said.
Being observed for the 33rd year, the theme for this year’s World Day of the Sick was “Hope does not disappoint,” (Romans 5:5), a passage reminding Catholics that “hope strengthens us in times of trial as we draw near to God and to one another,” as stated by Bishop Kevin Vann in an open letter to the faithful.
“We give thanks to God for Everyone
More than 1,000 were in attendance, including hundreds dealing with sickness, who were anointed with oil – a sacrament of the Catholic Church – and blessed by Bishop Freyer and several additional priests who assisted.
As part of the introductory rites of the Mass, Holy Water from the Grotto in Lourdes was sprinkled on the entire congregation, symbolizing the baptism and life-giving waters by which Catholics die and rise again with Christ.
During his homily, Bishop Freyer recounted his countless experiences visiting the sick, who often ask, Why is God doing this to me?
“And it's a normal question that many of us would ask in the moment of grave illness,” said Bishop Freyer.
gathered here today,” Bishop Vann wrote.
“With a special word of appreciation for the caregivers and healthcare workers,
who, day in and day out, embody the love of Jesus through their selfless dedication to the sick.”
He reassured the congregation that God does not cause suffering but allows it due to the sins that brought illness, death and destruction into the world as detailed in the Book of Genesis.
He reflected on the story of Adam and
BISHOP TIMOTHY FREYER CELEBRATES THE WORLD DAY OF THE SICK MASS ON FEB. 8 AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL. PHOTOS BY THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
FR. IAN GASTON BLESSES THE CONGREGATION WITH HOLY WATER FROM LOURDES DURING THE ANNUAL WORLD DAY OF THE SICK MASS AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL.
BISHOP TIMOTHY FREYER BLESSES THE FAITHFUL DURING THE ANNUAL WORLD DAY OF THE SICK MASS CELEBRATED ON FEB. 8 AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL.
Eve, who lived in a perfect world until they chose to sin, giving Satan power over the world and introducing suffering.
“Everything was perfect,” said Bishop Freyer. “But then, when Adam and Eve chose to listen to the lie of the enemy and chose to sin, in that moment in which they chose to sin, Satan had power over this world.”
Adam was ashamed to be in the presence of God and went hiding in the bushes.
Adam and Eve began blaming each other and became divided over what had happened.
Sickness and death came into the world.
“If you want to get mad at your illness, feel free, but get mad at the one who is causing it which is the enemy,” Bishop Freyer said.
Bishop Freyer also shared the story of his own father, who suffered from cancer.
But prior to the onset of the cancer, his dad had a great sense of humor.
“He was always laughing and joking,” he said.
Despite the pain, his father's spirit was lifted after being anointed by a priest.
"The Lord gives us these sacraments to give us a glimpse that this won't be the whole of our life," Bishop Freyer said.
He concluded by urging the faithful to trust in God and unite their sufferings with those of Christ.
St. Pope John Paul II started the World Day of the Sick in February 1993, declaring that the day will be observed every year and celebrated as a “special time for prayer and sharing, of offering one’s suffering for the good of the Church and of reminding everyone to see in his sick brother or sister, the face of Christ.”
The World Day of the Sick coincides with the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. C
BISHOP THANH THAI NGUYEN BLESSES A WOMAN DURING THE WORLD DAY OF THE SICK MASS ON FEB. 8. PHOTO BY THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
WALKING WITH MOMS IN NEED: PUTTING OUR FAITH INTO REAL ACTION
BY MEGAN MORRIS, DIRECTOR, THE LIFE CENTER OF SANTA ANA AND SHEPHERD OF HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH’S WALKING WITH MOMS PROGRAM
IMAGINE YOU ARE praying on the sidewalk outside of the abortion clinic, a brochure of resources in one hand, a Rosary in the other, when a woman, who most likely has an appointment scheduled to abort her baby, turns to pull into the parking lot. Your heart begins to race because you know what is at stake, or whom — a living, whole, distinct, human being.
You feel hopeful when she rolls her window down, indicating it is okay for you to approach. You take a cautious step towards her car to hand her the brochure and share a message of support, but she catches you off guard imploring, “Why should I keep this baby? What are YOU going to do to help me?”
And she’s right — she is onto something. She knows that the work of having a baby goes far beyond the free ultrasound image that you can help to provide.
Walking with Moms in Need (WWMIN) is a nationwide initiative that answers her plea and the pleas of many other vulnerable women. Launched by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in March of 2020, the same time the world was navigating the onset of the COVID pandemic, WWMIN got off to a slow and bumpy start. However, God’s timing is always perfect and as we approach the five-year anniversary of the initiative’s release, parishes across the Diocese are celebrating the Good News of Walking with Moms in Need.
The mission of WWMIN, a modern-day Gospel Story of the Good Samaritan, is simple but powerful: equip parishes to assess, expand and better communicate, connect and share resources that can help pregnant women, fathers and families who are facing unplanned pregnancies. The goal is to create a network of support that provides all the services needed to feel empowered to choose life.
When parishes unite to form a circle of
love and support, it has a powerful impact. It's not that each church needs to become a pregnancy center, but it is more a prayerful and intentional mindset of how in working together, we can each be one small piece of that circle of love and support.
That network of compassionate care needs to consist of everything and everyone from sidewalk advocates to pregnancy centers with free services, housing and transportation help, employment assistance, emotional support, mentors, mental health care, parenting classes, personalized support plans, education on Abortion
Pill Reversal, adoption resources and Hope and Healing after abortion.
Since its inception, many parishes across the Diocese have embraced WWMIN, transforming the initiative into a lifeline for families in their communities.
Fr. Greg Walgenbach, director of Life, Justice and Peace in the Diocese of Orange, hosts bi-annual gatherings for parish leaders involved in the ministries and for those interested in learning more. Last October, the annual diocesan Respect Life collection, previously known as Pennies from Heaven, was officially changed to Walking with Moms in Need.
One great example of WWMIN is St. Kilian’s in Mission Viejo. Their ministry group, averaging 30 members, meets monthly to discuss how to best tend to the needs of vulnerable families.
Noreen Cichocki, their representative, said, “We are busy! We shower expectant mothers in need in the community with love, gifts and real help.”
Supported by pastor Fr. Angelos Sebastian, who is also the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Orange, the ministry regularly publishes the services of a pregnancy care center in CONTINUES ON PAGE 10
THE LIFE CENTER OF SANTA ANA MOMS GATHER FOR LUNCH AT HOLY FAMILY PARISH IN ORANGE. PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAN MORRIS
their bulletin. That message of support was the reason two babies were saved within the same week. Not because vulnerable mothers read the bulletin, but because the loved ones of those vulnerable mothers did and shared the message with them.
St. Thomas More parish in Irvine recently co-hosted a WWMIN meeting in collaboration with The Life Center of Santa Ana. The parish-based event focused on providing information about resources and raising awareness about available support and the many ways to get involved. Rebecca Freeman, the Pastoral Care Ministry coordinator, updated attendees on the Diocese’s Hope & Healing Ministry, an essential piece of the compassionate care network. The ministry accompanies women, men and family members who have had their lives impacted by abortion.
Fr. Eugene Lee, who played a key role in the event, shared, “If the Prolife message is all talk and no action, then our talk is empty. Our love must be incarnational. We need to be the hands and feet of Christ, providing His love in real ways, for real people, in real circumstances.”
St. Timothy parish in Laguna Niguel stocks their restrooms with little blue support cards that read, “Are you pregnant and afraid?” The cards list lifesaving phone numbers that include a pregnancy care center that provides transportation to their free pregnancy testing services and the 24/7 hotline number for Abortion Pill Reversal.
The church’s pastor Fr. Patrick Moses shared, “I always thought there should be something more — more than just praying in our parishes for an end to abortion. Walking With Moms in Need is putting our faith into real action.”
The Life Center of Santa Ana regularly hosts a First Thursday Luncheon for the teen and young adult mothers who participate in their programs. Local parish Respect Life ministries sign up each month to bring food, goodie bags and hold the babies so the moms can enjoy being served with love. Additionally, every third Saturday of the month the
center hosts Walking with Dads and Moms. Supported by faithful mentors from surrounding parishes, the virtue-based program empowers the young mothers and fathers to become the best parents that God is calling them to be.
The WWMIN ministry at Holy Family Catholic Church in Orange hosts an annual baby shower for the young mothers and fathers from The Life Center of Santa Ana’s parenting programs. Parishioners collect gifts for weeks leading up to the event.
Fr. Sy Nguyen, pastor at Holy Family, is extremely supportive of the ministry. The parish office regularly hosts luncheons for the pregnant and parenting young mothers from The Life Center. Invited to first attend Mass, Fr. Sy goes out of his way to assure them that they are welcome. During the luncheon, the priests and office staff mingle with the young mamas, giving a tour of the office and
sharing about the Sacraments.
The call to support Walking with Moms in Need is an invitation for all Catholics to act as Good Samaritans, walking alongside mothers, fathers and families in their time of need and sharing the Good News of relationships and real support.
There are many ways to get involved, from volunteering at local pregnancy resource centers to donating time or resources. Parishes can also hold informational meetings, raise awareness to expand support networks.
As we celebrate the five-year anniversary of Walking with Moms in Need, let us remember how St. Theresa of Calcutta said, “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.”
What is your piece of the WWMIN love letter?
For more information visit walkingwithmoms.com and intolifeseries.com C
ST. KILIAN'S WALKING WITH MOMS GROUP CO-HOST A LIFE CENTER LUNCHEON AND BRING HANDMADE OCTOPUS GIFTS FOR THE LITTLE ONES. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MEGAN MORRIS
FR. SY NGUYEN, PASTOR OF HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ORANGE AND BABY CHANDLER ARE ALL SMILES.
JIM CAVIEZEL SPEAKS TO THE CATHOLIC HEART
BY MEG WATERS
ACTOR AND CATHOLIC
activist Jim Caviezel spoke his mind during his recent guest appearance at Holy Trinity parish in Ladera Ranch — and the audience of over 1,000 loved every minute of it. Caviezel’s strong pro-life message focused on the fight to restore reverence for life, the horrors of human trafficking and the joy of marriage and family.
“He was spot on with his Catholic doctrine and content and called everyone to be a warrior not an appeaser,” recalled Fr. Michael St. Paul, pastor of Holy Trinity. “Many people said, and I agree, it was the best pro-life speech they had ever heard. Many of the people I spoke to said it was great to hear this message in front of the altar; maybe it will give the clergy an opening to do the same.”
Caviezel is a fighter in the most positive sense. He is a zealot for the message of his Catholic faith and is not afraid to use his platform and celebrity to speak the truth.
Speaking about his focus on films with Catholic/Christian themes, Caviezel said, “I can’t stop, I will not stop spreading the message that God’s children are no longer for sale. If you bring down the family, you bring down the culture and then we are destroyed.”
Before the Feb. 7 talk, 40 underwriters for the event attended a VIP reception at Fr. Michael’s home for a chance to meet Caviezel and have their photos taken with him.
Fr. Michael had met the actor over 20 years ago while he was still in the seminary, and the actor gave him tickets to see the “Passion of the Christ,” in which he played Jesus.
“When he came to my door this time, I said ‘you haven’t changed a bit’ — and that was true,” said Fr. Michael. “He is a serious guy, a man of conviction. What you see on stage is what you see offstage. We had a conversation on child trafficking — serious
stuff — he encourages everyone not to be complacent in their faith.”
Caviezel also said he enjoyed speaking in a Catholic church and loved the ambiance at Holy Trinity. He was particularly impressed with the dramatic image of the crucifixion over the altar, which recalls the drama and intensity portrayed in the movie.
The event was part of a year-long 20th anniversary Jubilee celebration at the parish.
“It was just meant to be,” said Fr. Michael. “Jim Caviezel was on our list of choices and the first one to respond. It was a godsend because Jim’s schedule worked perfectly with the timing for the parish. We wanted a big bang of a speaker, and we certainly got that.”
The event was a sell-out with the church packed to standing-room-only. All proceeds went to the Holy Trinity building fund. The enthusiastic audience gave Caviezel a rousing standing ovation at the end, their Catholic hearts celebrating the affirmation of their values.
To learn more about Holy Trinity’s upcoming Jubilee events, including a pilgrimage to Ireland with Fr. Michael St. Paul this October, visit https://holytrinityladera.org/20th-jubilee/ C
ACTOR JIM CAVIEZEL ENGAGES IN CONVERSATION WITH FR. MICHAEL ST. PAUL, PASTOR OF HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH IN LADERA RANCH, PRIOR TO A SPECIAL SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT AT THE PARISH. PHOTOS BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
JIM CAVIEZEL SPEAKS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY DURING A SPECIAL SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT HELD ON FEB. 7 AT HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH.
ASHES TO ASHES
ASH WEDNESDAY AND LENT ARE UPON US. WHAT ARE SOME KEY MESSAGES OF THE SEASON FOR CATHOLICS?
BY GREG HARDESTY
TO PARAPHRASE THE Italian monk St. Benedict, Lent is the time when we make up for our negligence the rest of the year.
Of course, good Catholics should be fervent practitioners of their faith daily. But the 40-day Lenten season that begins on Ash Wednesday (March 5) and culminates on Good Thursday (April 17) ahead of Easter Sunday (April 20) is a great reminder, priests say, to renew our focus on God.
“Lent teaches us about the Chris -
tian life in general — how we should live the rest of our lives,” says Fr. Ian Gaston, parochial vicar of Christ Cathedral.
THE NUMBER 40
The number 40 is significant in the Bible, notes Fr. Christopher Smith, rector emeritus of Christ Cathedral.
“The great flood of Noah’s time was 40 days and 40 nights, a time for those in the ark to prepare to begin again in living good lives,” he explained. “The sign of God’s saving grace was the rainbow at the end of the flood.
“The number also calls to mind the 40 years Moses and the Israelites spent in the dessert preparing to enter the promised land.
“And Jesus spent 40 days in the desert preparing for his public ministry.
“The 40 days of Lent are about preparing to celebrate the central events of our salvation: the passion, death
A YOUNG CHILD RECEIVES ASHES AT LA PURÍSIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH’S
and resurrection of Jesus.”
NOT IN THE BIBLE
Ash Wednesday, when the faithful get their foreheads blessed with ashes at Mass or a prayer service, isn’t mentioned in the Bible (neither is Lent) but ashes as a symbol of repentance are.
Notable passages include Daniel 9:3 (“I turned to the Lord God, to seek help, in prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes”) and Jonah 3: 6-8, in which the king of Nineveh, responding to Jonah’s warning, rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered him -
self with sackcloth, and sat in ashes and declared that man and beast alike “must turn from their evil way and from the violence of their hands.”
Catholics have been receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday since the time of St. Gregory the Great (bishop of Rome from 590 to 604 AD), notes the Dynamic Catholic Institute .
In 1091, Pope Urban II encouraged the entire Church to use ashes on Ash Wednesday, according to the website dynamiccatholic.com . But in the U.S., the practice of receiving ashes on the forehead didn’t receive mainstream popularity until the early 1970s.
Although not a holy day of obligation, Ash Wednesday is a day of abstinence (no meat) and fasting (only one full meal) for Catholics, as are Fridays during Lent.
Those from the ages 18-59 are required to fast (on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday); those 14 and over are required to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent.
KEEPING IT QUIET
Despite the visible sign of ashes on foreheads, Catholics should heed the declaration of the Gospel reading (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18) on Ash Wednesday: practice one’s faith quietly, Fr. Ian said.
Specifically, that Gospel advises all to engage in three things: fasting, praying and almsgiving (charity or philanthropy).
“Don’t do these three things for human praise,” Fr. Ian said, “but for the Father. Keep it secret and you will be rewarded by the Father, and not men.”
More broadly, it’s important during Lent to believe in the message that is conveyed by the life of Jesus, Fr. Ian added.
“The beginning of Lent is a good reminder for us that the Gospels teach us that we were made for a relationship with God, that this relationship has been broken by the devil, but that Jesus Christ has restored us to God and that
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He wants to make us entirely new,” he said.
“He wants to transform our lives, and Jesus is offering us the chance to be transformed through a deep relationship with Him. And so, Lent is about repenting and responding to that call to be transformed by letting Jesus in our lives.
“As we receive our ashes, we should be making an interior commitment to live in that relationship so that He can do that. Because if we don’t respond, it doesn’t work.”
AN INVITATION
St. John the Baptist is noted for
saying “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30), and this is the spiritual program that we are invited to embrace during the season of Lent.
"Lent should not be 40 days of irritability or misery because we are fasting and giving up stuff,” said Fr. Damien Giap, rector of St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Costa Mesa. “Rather, it should be days of joy because we are foregoing our attachments to the things of this world and turning back to God. It is a time of growing deeper in our faith through prayer and spiritual reading, what we call Lectio Divina in Latin. Such spiritual activities will result in a profound joy that the fleeting pleasures of
this earthly life cannot offer."
Fr. Damien added, “We should take off the old Adam which is rooted in pride, egoism and vanity and put the new Christ, Who is the source of humility, self-sacrifice and perfect love.”
St. John the Baptist is the “voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” (Mark 1:3), this is conversion and repentance, to turn away from sin or that which will do us spiritual harm and to turn back towards Christ.
“This is our spiritual program as we embark upon Lent, to live the asceticism of joy as Christ is increased in us and we decrease,” said Fr. Damien.C
FR. BINH NGUYEN, PASTOR OF ST. IRENAEUS IN CYPRESS, AND FR. IAN GASTON BLESS THE ASHES BEFORE ADMINISTERING THEM DURING ST. IRENAEUS CATHOLIC CHURCH’S 2024 ASH WEDNESDAY MASS. PHOTO BY YUAN WANG/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
A TASTE OF MATER DEI
BY LOU PONSI
THE GYMNASIUM IN THE Meruelo Athletic Center on the Mater Dei High School campus was recently transformed into a premier tasting festival, featuring offerings from 31 different food and beverage establishments, many owned by Mater Dei parents, alumni or both.
Appropriately called “A Taste of Mater Dei,” hundreds of Mater Dei supporters turned out for the Feb. 1 event, the Catholic High School’s largest annual fundraiser, not to mention the tastiest.
Held for more than 30 years, the event brings together the Mater Dei community, with proceeds funding various programs, technology upgrades and general operating expenses, ultimately
benefiting all students, said Allison Bergeron ’96, executive director of Communications and Media Relations at Mater Dei.
"This year's funding need focuses on creating collaborative workspaces in the library and counseling office, further enhancing the school's facilities,” Bergeron said.
Festivities included a live and online auction and live entertainment.
A Taste of Mater Dei raised $411,000, Bergeron said, while providing exposure for the participating businesses.
"It's a business builder for them,” she said. “So, they want to support the event, give back to Mater Dei and build their business."
Attendees pay $150 per ticket to enjoy unlimited food and drink tastings, with proceeds generated from ticket sales, sponsorship, and auctions.
Rachel Svoboda, Mater Dei alumna, parent and founder of Lynxx Spirits, provided signature cocktails crafted with Lynxx Bourbon, an award-winning small-batch bourbon whiskey operated by an all-female team.
As an advertising executive, entrepreneur, author and philanthropist, Svoboda supports multiple Catholic schools and nonprofits and has supported A Taste of Mater Dei for several years.
“The Catholic Community is very important to us,” Svoboda said. “I loved my time here at Mater Dei.”
Stephen and Regina Oswald, parents of a Mater Dei sophomore, have been the presenting sponsors of the event through their foundation for the past two years.
Stephen Oswald emphasized the couple’s commitment to Catholic education.
"I believe in the mission,” Oswald said. “We believe in supporting teach -
ers. And so, that's an easy place for us to put our money. It takes a lot of money to pull this together and we want the school to do well. I don't want them to pay for it, so we give the money for Mater Dei do whatever they need to do with it.”
Among the notable attendees and longtime supporters of the event was 1959 Mater Dei graduate Bob Webber, who attended the first ever Taste of Mater Dei and supports many school functions.
“It's just payback for what I got from the school,” said Webber, a former multisport Monarch and one of Mater Dei’s first ASB presidents. "They gave me ten times more than I could ever give back.”
Donated auction items included four VIP tickets for the front row to an Anaheim Ducks hockey game, plus unlimited food and drinks in the prestigious Impact Club.
Another auctioned item was a VIP trip to New York City and Boston, in-
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: PROUD MEMBERS OF THE MATER DEI CLASS OF 1959—ABIGAIL CARPOS, ADELINE GARCIA, CAROLYN ESPINOZA, BOB WEBBER, KAY GIAMMONA AND MD GRANDPARENT OLIVIA LARA SHARED A WONDERFUL EVENING. PHOTO BY LOU COLLAZO
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cluding sightseeing tours in both cities and a private tour of the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Vendors with connections to Mater Dei included the Newport Rib Company, Sugar + Grain Bake Company and BuonGuido Wines.
Melinda Craft, coordinator of Advancement, Operations and Special Events at Mater Dei, spends much of the school year planning A Taste of Mater Dei.
“We have a crew of about 20 parent volunteers, who have given up their nights virtually every night for the last three weeks to put together the amazing online auction,” Craft said. “It's by far the biggest party of the year. And alums come back to have a chance to fellowship with each other and reminisce on old times back on their stomping grounds.” C
MATER DEI’S MERUELO ATHLETIC CENTER WAS MAGICALLY TRANSFORMED INTO A TASTING VENUE WHICH HOSTED NEARLY 500 ATTENDEES AND 31 DIFFERENT FOOD AND BEVERAGE VENDORS ON FEB. 1. PHOTOS BY LOU COLLAZO
RACHEL SVBODA ’99 (CENTER) OF LYNXX BOURBON IS A PROUD MONARCH ALUMNA AND A CURRENT PARENT WHO HAS BEEN A LOYAL VENDOR AT A TASTE OF MATER DEI. THIS YEAR, SHE WAS JOINED BY CURRENT MD PARENT SONJA STRZODA (LEFT) AND FELLOW ALUMNA JENNY WARNER ’94 (RIGHT) AT HER BOOTH.
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성적학대
FEAST OF ST. VALENTINE SERVICE PROJECT
BECAUSE LOVE MATTERS
BY BRITNEY ZINT
RAINBOW-COLORED markers, colored pencils and crayons were strewn about as students made Valentine’s Day cards for neighbors struggling with Alzheimer’s disease.
Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic School students in Huntington Beach gathered among their “saint families” to create Valentine’s Day cards with words of affirmation for the neighboring Alzheimer’s Family Center. Saint families, or faith families, are when students from each grade gather to give back to the
community.
“I just hope they take the experience as: We can help anybody, no matter what,” said kindergarten teacher Angelica Ponce, whose grandmother had Alzheimer’s. “Doing these little cards will mean so much. It’s an hour of our time to show people we care, we’re here and that we love them.”
The idea for this year’s Feast of St. Valentine service project was inspired by a recent field trip to the nearby Alzheimer’s Family Center to sing songs and deliver cards, said the school’s vice principal Erin Watson. Everyone returned from the trip talking about how much joy was spread to the people
A YOUNG STS. SIMON & JUDE CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENT IS HARD AT WORK MAKING VALENTINE’S DAY CARDS FOR A SPECIAL SERVICE PROJECT. PHOTO BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
there, Watson said.
“Our motto here is faith, knowledge, service,” Walson added. “So, we instill in our students that giving back in service to the community, whether it’s the local community or farther away, is very important. Our Catholic Church teaches about social teachings, how we are supposed to give back, help those less fortunate, know they are loved by God. That is what we think this project does.”
One of the saint families, St. Paul, assembled in Ponce’s kindergarten classroom to watch a video on St. Valentine before making their cards and filling them with affirmations. Eighth-grader Lily Weber, 13, sat with kindergarteners Elyse Nuwer, 6, and Drew Kobe Williams, 5, to provide them help and support. Saint families also provide leadership opportunities for the eighth graders.
Saint families is fun, said Weber, but it’s also a chance to help the younger children understand what school will be like when they are older. She
said she tries to help them pay attention and show respect.
“I think I’m trying to teach them to be leaders,” Webber added, before quickly telling nearby Elyse good job for completing her heart. “We just need to make it all fun because at this age it should all be fun.”
Meanwhile, fourth-graders Mia Martin, 9, and Georgia Weber, 10, were adding intricate designs and lots of colors to their cards.
“I hope that they feel loved, and I hope that they think we put a lot of work into it,” said Georgia Weber.
Anya Karki, 7, was one of the second graders who recently visited the Alzheimer’s Family Center. She chose to write, “Your love matters” and “You are loved” on her card.
“Because they are loved and their love matters,” Karki said. “Because we love them.”
Creating the cards, or just helping others, is a part of our Catholic faith, said sixth-grader Guiliana Jones, 12, Karki helped finish the thought. “To be kind,” she said, “and be like Jesus and God.” C
STS. SIMON & JUDE CATHOLIC SCHOOL TEACHER ANGELICA PONCE IS PICTURED WITH SOME OF HER KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS AND OLDER STUDENTS DURING A SPECIAL CARD MAKING EVENT. PHOTOS BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
KINDERGARTEN TEACHER ANGELICA PONCE SHARES A LAUGH WITH ONE OF HER STUDENTS WHILE MAKING VALENTINE’S DAY CARDS FOR ALZHEIMER’S FAMILY CENTER PATIENTS.
A TRUSTFUL HEART FOR LENT
BY JOAN PATTEN, AO
THE SEASON OF LENT will soon be upon us. Our Lenten experience is personally lived out in prayer and acts of penance as we seek to develop our relationship with God and eradicate vices that have become fond habits in our lives. We seek to live the Lenten season communally and could attend a parish mission, retreat, or Bible study, where we encourage each other to pick up our cross and follow Jesus.
Reviewing how our Lenten practices went last year is a good place to start as we discern how the Lord is inviting us to enter the Lenten season more fully this year. Did we stay with Jesus for 40 days or give up our resolutions halfway through Lent? Did we remain with Him during Holy Week as He entered into His passion by taking more time for silence, liturgical services and fasting? Did we find ourselves more free from the influences and temptations of the world? Were we able to rejoice in the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter and claim the power of His Resurrection in all the circumstances of our life?
Whether last year's Lenten experience was fruitful or a failure, Jesus always offers us more to receive as we hope to grow in holiness and love as His disciples. Our faithfulness to our Lenten resolutions depends on how we stay with Jesus and trust in His strength, not our own.
We need a model of trust and a mother to teach us the way of trust. Our Lady is the perfect person for this role. Although she was immaculately conceived and committed no sin, she was fully human and still had to choose to trust God each day as she faithfully responded to what was asked of her.
The Pro Sanctity Movement is uniquely devoted to Mary under the title of Our Lady of Trust. The Pro Sanctity Movement is a lay movement in the Catholic Church that promotes the Universal Call to Holi-
we are never alone. The love of a mother gives us, her children, the courage to continue the journey of Lent, regardless of how we feel or if the way becomes difficult.
Mary is the model of trust because she trusts God, but her life also shows us that God can trust her. She lived her life in a way that was open to God's work. God's will was her way of life. The Father was able to entrust Our Lady with His plan for salvation. Jesus could trust Mary with His very life as she cared for Him until He left their home. He could also trust her surrender to the Holy Spirit, who prompted her to pray and discern when the time was right for Him to begin His public ministry. Finally, Jesus could trust that Mary will not leave Him even in the midst of great suffering at the foot of the cross and during the darkness as she awaited His Resurrection.
Let us ask for a trustful heart this Lent as ask Our Lady of Trust for the help we need to follow her Son during this Lenten season.C
ness in daily life by cultivating the interior life through spiritual programs led by its consecrated and lay members. Devotion to Our Lady of Trust began with its founder, Servant of God, Guglielmo Giaquinta. He encountered a similar devotion to Our Lady of Confidence while a seminarian in Rome.
The feast day for Our Lady of Trust is celebrated on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday each year. It's a most fitting way to enter into the Lenten season with a
renewed attitude of hope and trust as we seek to remain with Jesus as He invites us to follow Him.
When we experience discouragement with our weak humanity, sadness about circumstances, dryness in prayer or temptation to be lazy, we need to seek the intercession of Our Lady and ask her to help us to trust that we are always under the loving gaze of God. We are called to trust that God is actively laboring to love us, His grace is always available and that
OC Catholic Afar
Holding a copy of OC Catholic, Claire Ilustrisimo and her friends attended the Sunday Mass at the Catedral de San Felipe Apostol in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic last December 2024.
—Claire is a parishioner at Christ Cathedral parish, Garden Grove.
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