OPEN HOUSE OPEN HOUSE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2025 | 5–8 PM
This is a perfect way to discover what makes our all-girls high school truly exceptional. You’ll meet mission-driven educators, explore campus, and learn about the academic, faith life, and leadership opportunities that empower Royals to thrive.
During the evening, you will hear from Rosary’s head of school, a passionate student, and proud alumna, gaining insight into the Rosary experience from every angle. Enjoy student showcases that highlight our vibrant academic and co-curricular programs and take a guided campus tour led by a Royal Ambassador.
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OCTOBER 19, 2025
CONTENTS
SCHOOL SPIRITUALITY
OC Catholic schools focus on students’ faith development in addition to academics and personal growth.
CARING FOR THE WHOLE PERSON
The Whole Person Care Initiative is a collaboration between the California Catholic bishops and state health systems.
LEADERSHIP IN OC CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Eighth-grader Sydney de Leon is leading by example at St. Cecilia Catholic School in Tustin.
EXPLAINING THE ANGELIC
Fr. Sy Nguyen gave his popular talk on angels at St. Anthony Claret parish in Anaheim.
MERCY: A HEART MOVED BY NEED
This week we celebrate St. Faustina, an Apostle of Divine Mercy.
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
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.
Rosary Beads
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, và đồng thời báo cáo cho nhà chức trách địa phương. 본당내의 성적학대 신고
ROSARY BEADS
READER CALL-OUT
The two Rosary Beads shown in the photo are precious gifts from our aunt and another of our colleagues when they visited Rome and Nazareth in 2000, Jubilee AD.
—Sonyvo and Hoang Yen, St. Polycarp Parish in Stanton.
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
“ Let us pray side by side, serve shoulder to shoulder…”
— Pope Leo XIV
SAINT PROFILE
PAUL OF THE CROSS 1694 — 1775
PAOLO FRANCESCO DANEI, THE oldest son in a poor but noble Italian family, lived austerely even as a teen. After a year in the Venetian army, he returned to a monk-like life of prayer and penance, and refused to marry. In a vision in 1720, Our Lady, wearing a black habit with a white cross and bearing Jesus' name, told Paul to start an order to preach Christ's passion. With his bishop's approval, he founded the Discalced Clerks of the Most Holy Cross and Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which he led for the rest of his life, and later began a nuns' institute. Passionists were soon doing missions, retreats and spiritual direction throughout Italy. Paul was canonized in 1867.C
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
ROMANS 4:2025; LUKE 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75; LUKE 12:13-21
TUESDAY
ROMANS 5:12, 15B, 17-19, 20B-21; PSALM 40:7-8A, 8B-9, 10, 17; LUKE 12:35-38
WEDNESDAY
ROMANS 6:12-18; PSALM 124:1B-3, 4-6, 7-8; LUKE 12:39-48
THURSDAY
ROMANS 6:1923; PSALM 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6; LUKE 12:49-53
FRIDAY
ROMANS 7:1825A; PSALM 119:66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94; LUKE 12:54-59
PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK
SATURDAY
ROMANS 8:1-11; PSALM 24:1B-2, 3-4AB, 5-6; LUKE 13:1-9
SUNDAY
SIRACH 35:12-14, 16-18; PSALM 34:23, 17-18, 19, 23; 2 TIMOTHY 4:6-8, 1618; LUKE 18:9-14
PHOTO COURTESY OF SONYVO YEN
SCHOOL SPIRITUALITY
FAITH-SHARING MEETINGS BETWEEN HIGH SCHOOL PRESIDENTS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS’ SUCCESS IN YEAR TWO OF FIVE-YEAR DIOCESAN STRATEGIC PLAN
BY GREG HARDESTY
Editor’s Note: This is part one in a series of articles highlighting the progress of the diocese’s five-year strategic plan.
GET A GROUP OF HIGH school leaders together, and inevitably the talk will focus on athletics, enrollment, academics — and, of course, good old-fashioned rivalries.
Well, not always.
Dr. Erin Barisano, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Orange, wanted spirituality to take a front seat during such meetings.
So, she organized regular get-togethers for her and the presidents of the three diocese-managed Catholic high schools (Mater Dei, Santa Margarita, Rosary Academy) as well as leaders of O.C.’s three private high schools administered independently (Servite, JSerra and Cristo Rey Orange County).
Result? Faith-sharing sessions that diocesan leaders have cited as one of the accomplishments of Dr. Barisano’s division, Catholic Schools, during year two of the five-year diocesan strategic plan known as Project Siempre Adelante
MEET SIX TIMES A YEAR
Six times each school year, Dr. Barisano facilitates meetings of the high school presidents held at the Center for the Spiritual Development on the campus of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange.
The five-hour meetings include
Gospel reflections, Mass with the sisters, lunch and discussions.
“When we started, I told them we wouldn’t be talking about enrollment, legal issues or high school athletics,” Dr. Barisano said of the school presidents.
“We do a pretty good job about not talking about those topics but when we do, it’s through the lens of being spiritual leaders.”
She added, “These meetings have really empowered our high school leaders to embrace their roles as spiritual leaders of these complex institutions. The sessions fuel their own spirituality, and they take that back to their own teams, which is the point of leadership development.”
OTHER CATHOLIC SCHOOLS ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In addition to Catholic Schools, Project Siempre Adelante includes five other areas of focus: Faith Formation and Evangelization, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Governance/ Human Resources, Communications and Financial Resources/ Stewardship.
The strategic plan focuses on fostering a culture of evangelization while
DR. ERIN BARISANO ADDRESSES TEACHERS AND STAFF DURING THIS YEAR’S EDUCATOR CONVOCATION HELD AT MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL. PHOTO BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
demic excellence and operational vitality. The Pax Christi Academies are five elementary schools that are under-enrolled and financially challenged that now are managed by an independent governing board to create better outcomes.
PRAISE FROM PARTICIPANTS
Stephen Walswick, president of Servite High School, said faith formation is critical for all school employees for them to serve as models for students so they can better inspire them in becoming extraordinary men.
“When I started teaching at Servite 20 years ago, I said to myself, ‘You can only be an effective teacher if you are an effective student,’” Walswick said. “Regularly gathering with Dr. Barisano and the other Catholic High School presidents to learn more about our faith has kept me true to being a life-long learner and faith-filled leader.”
Andrew Sulick, president of Santa Margarita Catholic High School, echoed Walswick’s sentiments.
adapting to financial constraints and operational refinements across all strategic areas.
Dr. Barisano manages for the diocese progress being made under Project Siempre Adelante (Spanish for “always forward” or “ever onward”) and reports to Bishop Timothy Freyer on accomplishments made each year.
For year two of the strategic plan, she cited Catholic Schools’ faith-formation sessions with the high school presidents
as one of her department’s top accomplishments. Others were:
■ Implementing ARK (Assessment of Religious Knowledge) across all diocesan schools, which for the first time established baseline religious education metrics.
■ Continuing to successfully conduct
“I Thirst” events for high school students with increased momentum and expanded student engagement in Catholic identity.
“I Thirst has had a profound effect
on our high school students with youth not only celebrating the Eucharist, but adoration has been a big part of it, too — and it’s been powerful,” Dr. Barisano said of the day of prayer, music, teaching and celebration.
■ Established a compensation committee to develop competitive teacher compensation packages, addressing retention and recruitment challenges.
■ Advanced Pax Christi Academies as a priority, maintaining focus on strengthening Catholic identity, aca-
“Bringing together the presidents of our Catholic schools has proven to be a meaningful and enriching experience,” Sulick said. “These gatherings offer a valuable opportunity to share our faith, engage in prayer and gain perspective on our shared mission. Moreover, they foster collaboration on matters uniquely relevant to our roles as leaders in Catholic education.”
He continued, “I am deeply appreciative of the professional trust and collegiality that continue to grow each time we meet. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Barisano for her commitment to cultivating these moments of unity and reflection throughout the school year.” C
STEPHEN WALSWICK, PRESIDENT OF SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL, CONGRATULATES A STUDENT DURING THE 2025 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY. PHOTO BY EVERETT JOHNSON/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
CARING FOR THE WHOLE PERSON
BY LOU PONSI
IN 2016, CALIFORNIA BISHOPS
and Catholic healthcare leaders collaborated on an initiative designed to expand spiritual, emotional and medical needs of individuals facing serious illness.
The Whole Person Care Initiative was launched as a response to a 2014 Institute of Medicine report, which found that faith was often overlooked in conventional care settings.
The initiative, which also came about in response to the “death with dignity” law, that took effect in California in 2016, is meant to assist individuals and families in making informed, ethical decisions consistent with their faith and personal values.
Every diocese in California is tasked with managing the Whole Person Care Initiative in alignment with the needs of its congregations.
In the Diocese of Orange, much of that responsibility belongs to Rebecca Freeman, pastoral care ministry coordinator with the Office of Family Life.
Forming partnerships with local health care providers, caregivers, ministries and other services plays a vital role in the implementation of the Whole Person Care Initiative, according to Freeman.
“Part of it on a very practical level, when we are supporting people, it’s not just spiritual, it’s whole person,” she said. “There are very practical resources people are looking for in terms of care facilities, in terms of agencies or of caregiving, so we seek out and make good partnerships. We can never fully endorse a particular care facility but we can have a general sense of where we can refer people.”
One diocesan partnership that has been successful is with Magnificare, a
local in-home care provider that offers a variety of services to homebound seniors.
Depending on the needs of the client, Magnificare’s services include help with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, walking and exercising.
Caregivers can also clean, prepare meals, shop and ensure clients take their medications.
Magnificare has provided care to several diocesan priests, including Fr. Joe Nettekoven, a priest for 50 years and pastor emeritus of San Antonio de Padua del Cañon Catholic Church in Anaheim Hills.
Fr. Nettekoven was invited to speak at Magnificare’s grand opening event recently for its new office in Fullerton.
After undergoing a second open-heart surgery, Fr. Nettekoven, 80, needed inhome care around the clock.
“They've taken care of a couple of our priests,” Fr. Nettekoven said. “One of the priests was my classmate. So, it was good to see firsthand how they treat people.”
He added, “When I needed assistance, I had their caretakers come and they were just absolutely delightful to have around.”
Also in attendance at Magnificare’s grand opening was Anthony Vultaggio of The Orange Catholic Foundation and Linda Ji, director of the diocese’s Office of Family Life.
“The point of the Whole Person Care Initiative is for us as a church to ensure all of our parishioners and community members feel loved, wanted and worthy, from the beginning to the end of life,” Ji said.
“Magnificare is the kind of organization that really pays attention to people's needs in providing caregiving for that very purpose.”
She continued, “They’ve been a great partner when we have training and awareness events and conferences and things like that.”
The Office of Family Life also plays supportive roles in marriage preparation, marriage enrichment and pastoral care for families, Ji said.
The office also provides resources to help with mental health domestic violence, sick and homebound, and grief and bereavement. C
RYAN AND AMY MENDOZA CUT A CEREMONIAL RIBBON AT THE GRAND OPENING OF THEIR BUSINESS, MAGNIFICARE HOME CARE IN FULLERTON ON SEPT. 19. FR. JOE NETTEKOVEN IS TO THEIR LEFT. PHOTO BY SCOTT SMELTZER/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
LINDA JI, DIRECTOR OF THE DIOCESE’S OFFICE OF FAMILY LIFE, AND ANTHONY VULTAGGIO OF THE ORANGE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION WERE PRESENT FOR THE CEREMONIAL GRAND OPENING OF MAGNIFICARE HOME CARE IN FULLERTON. PHOTO BY SCOTT SMELTZER/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
LINDA JI, DIRECTOR OF DIOCESE’S OFFICE OF FAMILY LIFE, AND REBECCA FREEMAN, PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY COORDINATOR WITH THE OFFICE OF FAMILY LIFE, ARE PICTURED ON CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS. PHOTO BY THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
LEADERSHIP IN ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
SPOTLIGHT ON SYDNEY DE LEON, ST. CECILIA CATHOLIC SCHOOL
BY MIKE ZINN
EIGHTH-GRADER
SYDNEY de Leon has honed her leadership skills during her tenure at St. Cecilia Catholic School.
Teacher Gabriele Nguyen described her as “diligent, thorough, joyful, self-motivated, thoughtful and mindful, especially when interacting with her classmates.”
Sydney leads an active life within the St. Cecilia community. She is involved in leading morning assemblies as part of her role with Student Council and helps organize the All-School Virtues and Practices Assemblies.
She also serves as an altar server at school Masses and is on the school basketball and volleyball teams.
She cites her favorite academic subjects as English and History.
“I like to read,” Sydney said. “With History, I like learning about historical events.”
These subjects have prepared her for involvement in the Academic Decathlon program.
“Initially, I wasn’t interested, but in sixth grade, I was recruited by the group's advisor, Mrs. Teresa Ibbetson. I have enjoyed it ever since.”
Next year, Sydney plans to attend Troy High School in Fullerton, where she will be part of the Troy Tech Magnet program. She would like to continue with swimming and join Troy’s team, as well as try new activities. She hopes to one day become a medical doctor. Her 4.0 GPA has her on track for the rigorous academics ahead.
Many people have mentored Sydney in her life. She calls her dad a key role model.
“He has many positive personality
traits, such as determination and perseverance,” she shared. “He has used these traits to be successful in his life, and I want to adopt those in mine.”
She also lists Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a historical role model.
“He always stood up for what was
right,” she added.
When reflecting on leadership, Sydney believes she and her classmates can be every day leaders on the St. Cecilia campus.
“Be the best you can be — be kind and help those in need,” she offered.
Now in her final year at St. Cecilia,
Sydney wants to make the remaining months as memorable as possible. When asked what she would like to say to her classmates in this final year, Sydney replied, “You will not always get what you want, but always strive for your goals.” C
SYDNEY DE LEON IS AN EIGHTH GRADER AT ST. CECILIA CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN TUSTIN. PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. CECILIA CATHOLIC SCHOOL
FR. SY NGUYEN EXPLAINS THE ANGELIC
BY MEG WATERS
FR. SY NGUYEN, PASTOR of Holy Family Catholic Church in Orange, offered his popular talk about angels — who they really are, their mission and some misconceptions — during the Sept. 16 meeting of the Orange Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (ODCCW) held at St. Anthony Claret parish in Anaheim.
According to Susan Navarrete, past president of ODCCW, “Fr. Nguyen has given the talk on angels at a number of parishes, so he was a very popular choice for speaker.”
Approximately 70 women were in attendance to hear Fr. Nguyen discuss the traditional Catholic understanding of angels, contrasting it with popular New Age interpretations.
“Angels are amazing, powerful, incredible creations of God,” he said. “They are terrifying in the sense of grandeur—like standing next to Niagara Falls and feeling awe. Angels are magnificent, grand, amazing and powerful.”
Fr. Nguyen explained that, like God, angels and demons are pure spirits, not bound by time and space. He highlighted that angels were created to be servants of God but noted that only humans are made in God’s image and likeness. According to Catholic teaching, this distinction led to the fall of Lucifer, who refused to accept being a servant while humans were elevated as God’s children.
“The fall happened instantaneously because the angels are outside of time and space,” Fr. Nguyen said.
He explained that when God revealed His plan to the angels, they responded with a definitive yes or no, setting the stage for the rebellion of Lucifer and the fallen angels.
Fr. Nguyen also addressed the rejection by fallen angels of the incarnation—that God would become human in the person
of Jesus Christ—and of the Eucharist, in which Christ offers His body and blood to believers.
Fr. Nguyen stated that the demons’ hatred for humanity stems from their loss of proximity to God.
“Demons are depicted as ugly because they are so far from God, the source of all beauty. When you are far from God, you become ugly—that is what sin does to us.”
He clarified that angels are a different species from humans and addressed the common misconception that loved ones become angels after death.
“We are the children of God. Why
would you want someone to die and say to God, ‘I don’t want to be your son or daughter, I want to be your servant?’”
Fr. Nguyen recounted the biblical story of Adam and Eve, noting that the devil tempted them to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil out of hatred for the human race. He said that God alone is the author of moral truth and that modern society struggles with this claim. The priest also spoke of the Tree of Life, guarded by an angel after the Fall, as a symbol that life and death belong to God.
Concluding his remarks, Fr. Nguyen
referred to the Annunciation, stating, “When the Angel Gabriel greeted the Virgin Mary, he said, ‘You are going to have life within you.’ Mary is bearing eternal life, a new life in Jesus.”
He reminded the audience that, according to Scripture, God saw all this and deemed it very good.
The next meeting will be Oct. 21 at St. Thomas More in Irvine. The speaker will be Dr. Ida Pennella, a former professor at Chapman University and will speak on the history of the Holy Rosary. For more information, please contact Susan Narvarrete at (949) 345-9130. C
PHOTO BY GAVIN ALLANWOOD ON UNSPLASH
A BLESSEDLY BEAUTIFUL DAY
BY GREG MELLEN
SHAKING A BUNDLE OF SAGE,
Fr. Michael Nguyen sprinkled holy water and dispensed blessings on Leonardo and Michelangelo, two box turtles, as well as their owners Jessica Latorre and her son, Antonio.
Jessica and Antonio were among upwards of 1,000 students, family and community members — along with their pets — to attend the 27th annual Blessing of the Animals at St. Francis of Assisi School in Yorba Linda.
Since its opening in 1997, the K-8 school campus has hosted the popular event, which is staged around the Oct. 4 Feast Day of St. Francis, who is universally known as the patron saint of animals, the environment and many others.
Fr. Nguyen, pastor of Santa Clara de Asis Catholic Church, said it only makes sense to honor St. Francis by bringing in the animals “to see God’s love through our pets,” whom he added are more than just loyal companions—they are part of our families.
Earlier in the morning at the school
Mass, Fr. Nguyen had blessed stuffed animals that younger children had brought to school.
The practice of blessing animals dates back to the early 13th century when St. Francis is said to have preached to a flock of birds as equals to show God’s love for all creatures. So beloved is St. Francis that beginning next year, Italy, which also had Francis named as a patron saint, will have a national holiday in his honor.
ANIMALS BIG AND SMALL
Closer to home, as the time approached for the gates to open for the Blessing, a furry and feathered menagerie of pets and their families, including dozens of dogs, several clearly unamused cats in crates, bunnies, a Silkie chicken named Buffy, and birds, stretched out the parking lot and onto Eastside Drive.
A particularly popular attendee was a horse named Ace who was brought to the event by owner Sofia Reeve and her three daughters.
As children squealed and ran to pet Ace, Sofia Reeves said, “I just love the idea of this, just to see Ace get blessed. My children love to show him off.”
Indicating the broader popularity of the event, also on hand were dignitaries
FR. MICHAEL NGUYEN, PASTOR AT SANTA CLARA DE ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH, PREPARES TO BLESS THE ANIMALS ON OCT. 3. PHOTOS BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
LIV REEVES IS SEEN ON HER HORSE, ACE, DURING THE BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS EVENT AT ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL IN YORBA LINDA.
STUDENTS GATHER AROUND A CLASSMATE’S
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
such as local politicians, as well as Orange County Sheriff’s deputies with K-9s, who got in on the act.
Members of the school’s Student Council bookended the event with announcements, a reading about the life of St. Francis and concluding with the Prayer of St. Francis.
Fr. Nguyen blessed a tub of water making it holy and what ensued was generously described as organized chaos as the pastor, assisted by five deacons from three surrounding parishes, waded into the throng to dispense blessings.
“This is beautiful,” said Jessica Latorre, as several students touched the turtle’s shells. “It’s the perfect culmination of faith and community, and bringing our beloved pets together.”
As she watched the students, Latorre decided she made the right pick of her pets for the event.
“The other choice was our betta fish,” she said with a laugh. C
FR. MICHAEL NGUYEN BLESSES A STUDENT’S DOG ON OCT. 3.
PET MOUSE. PHOTOS BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
OFFICERS M. RUBIO AND J. MOLINA OF THE ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
FROM ROME TO ORANGE: HOW THE CHURCH’S NEWEST SAINTS ARE GUIDING A YOUNG MINISTER’S MISSION TO THE NEXT GENERATION
BY JAMI DERBY
ON SEPT. 7, DIOCESE of Orange parishioner Patricia Reyes gathered with thousands of the faithful in St. Peter’s Square for the canonization of St. Carlo Acutis and St. Pier Giorgio Frassati.
A sense of deep gratitude and unity filled her heart as she witnessed the momentous event.
“It felt like Heaven and earth were one,” she recalled, reflecting on the Eucharist at the Mass that proclaimed the Church’s newest saints. Reyes, 24, is the eldest of six children.
She and her family are active members of St. Norbert Catholic Church in Orange and are deeply involved in the Neocatechumenal Way within the diocese.
THE FOUNDATION: FAITH AND FAMILY
Reyes’ faith is deeply rooted in the Neocatechumenal Way, a community her parents embraced before they were married. This foundation provides the context for her life and the lives of her
five siblings. While acknowledging her parents' faith as a profound influence, Reyes noted that actively engaging in ministry is what truly keeps her own faith strong and alive.
This summer, Reyes accepted a pivotal role as coordinator of Confirmation and Youth Ministry at St. Norbert. She embraces the responsibility, trusting that God will sustain her in a role where she may be the only encounter with Christ
CARLOS AND PATRICIA REYES ATTEND THE CANONIZATION MASS OF ST. CARLO ACUTIS AND ST. PIER GIORGIO FRASSATI IN VATICAN CITY. PHOTOS COURTESY OF PATRICIA REYES
THE REYES FAMILY AT ST. NORBERT CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ORANGE.
FEATURE
and others.
Returning from the Vatican, Reyes felt a deepened, practical connection to the new saints. She realized they were “normal people who aren’t that far away from our daily lives.”
This insight has become the cornerstone of her ministry at St. Norbert, viewing the young saints as intercessors and role models for her teens.
The central takeaway for Reyes—and the message she imparts—is one of accessible holiness. She believes that the saints are telling us we don't need to have “huge talents or crazy gifts” to proclaim the Gospel.
“Everything we need to be a saint is right in front of us,” Reyes affirmed.
Reyes wants her youth ministry group to grasp the reality of Christ’s presence and victory.
“We are not just here to learn facts,” she said. “We are here because Christ is alive and in us every second of the day.”
The lives of St. Carlo and St. Pier Gi-
orgio provide a roadmap for this belief.
THE REYES FAMILY WITNESS
The impact of the Rome pilgrimage was amplified by a bittersweet family moment: Reyes’ brother, Carlos, left shortly after to enter the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Denver, Colorado. Reyes is so proud of Carlos, marveling at her brother’s determination to surrender his life to Christ.
This experience reinforces Reyes’ ultimate perspective on her own role and life. The quick transition from a celebration in Rome to a family goodbye has kept her focused on the eternal: “Everything I have is not the endgame of life; the goal is to get to Heaven.”
As she begins her new journey in youth ministry, Reyes’ most immediate prayer is practical and constant: she is “praying for the grace to be open to God’s will,” a daily decision she describes as a continuous “battle between your will and God’s will.”C
some young people ever have.
Her mission is simple yet essential: “showing them God's love.”
A MESSAGE FROM THE NEW SAINTS
The canonization of St. Carlo Acutis, who died at age 15, and St. Pier Giorgio, who died at age 24, in St. Peter's Square, drew in an estimated 80,000 people.
The canonization of St. Carlo Acutis marks the Church’s first millennial saint. He was a gamer and computer program-
mer who loved the Eucharist. Using his computer programming skills, he was known for an exhibition of Eucharistic miracles, with the hope that people would see that Jesus is present and attend Mass.
St. Pier Giorgio Frassati serves as an inspirational figure for young individuals, athletes and everyday churchgoers dedicated to serving the poor and marginalized. His devotion extended not only to the Church but also to mountain climbing, an activity he utilized to foster a connection with Christ for himself
THE REYES FAMILY WELCOMING CARLOS BACK FROM THE MEETING FOR YOUNG MEN HELD IN PORTO SAN GIORGIO, ITALY, WHERE THESE YOUNG MEN WERE SENT TO SEMINARIES AROUND THE WORLD. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATRICIA REYES
MERCY: A HEART MOVED BY NEED
BY SR. DIANE HEISS, SDSH
AT TIMES IN THE NEWS, courtroom, or movies, we hear someone pleading for mercy. What leaps into our minds? Could it be “That person must be guilty” or “They don’t deserve mercy after committing these horrific crimes and causing such terrible pain”? Does the thought ever cross our minds of times when we desperately needed mercy and received it?
In the Gospels we find frequent situations of Jesus having mercy on others. He also said, “If you see me, you see the Father” (Jn. 14:9). Therefore, we know how merciful and forgiving God our Father is, lavishing mercy and forgiveness on us out of the greatness of His love for us even though we do not deserve it. As followers of Christ, we in turn need to show mercy. Mercy is a heart moved by need, that is, when we see someone in need due to hardships, tragedies, serious personal mistakes or other situations, we need to remember the mercy we have received from God and reach out in mercy. Among those saints who especially spoke of God’s mercy, our Church celebrated two such saints within these past two weeks: St. Faustina and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
St. Faustina, a Polish member of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, died in 1938 at the age of 33 and is called an Apostle of Divine Mercy. She was the first saint canonized by Saint John Paul ll in the new Millennium, and we celebrate her feast day on Oct. 5. Jesus appeared to her at least fourteen times commencing in 1931, the first time as the “King of Divine Mercy” and asked her to paint this image (known as the Divine
Mercy Image) with the phrase “Jesus, I trust in You.” In addition, He asked for a feast to be established recognizing the greatness of His love and mercy for each person. Thus, we have the feast of Divine Mercy, celebrated the first Sunday after Easter. Jesus also taught her to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. We can trust Jesus’ words:
encourage the practice of a Holy Hour of Adoration on Thursdays; and make reparation for the ingratitude of humanity. He offered Twelve Promises to those who honor the Sacred Heart.
Let us never fear to approach our loving God and ask for mercy. In the words of Sister Ida Peterfy, foundress of the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart “We trust in God’s redeeming mercy and His healing love; we trust that God is moved by need. When we acknowledge that we are not perfect, then He can come to our help.”
FOR YOUR FAMILY:
■ Read Matthew 5:7 and share your ideas about what Jesus means in this Work of Mercy.
■ Who do you know who needs your mercy? What are ways in which you can show mercy? Make a concrete plan of how and when you will do so.
■ Read the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18: 21 - 35) Ask God’s help to recognize times when God forgave you while you refused forgiveness, and to make amends to that person. C
“[Let] the greatest sinners place their trust in My mercy. They have the right before others to trust in the abyss of My mercy…” (Diary 1146)
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French Visitation nun whose feast day we celebrate on Oct. 16, received four major revelations from Jesus from 1673 to 1675, asking her to make known the depths of His love; spread devotion to His Sacred Heart; promote the First Friday devotion; establish the Feast of the Sacred Heart;
PHOTO COURTESY OF SHUTTERSTOCK
Moments in our Journey
Lupe Hopkins and Joe Valenzuela, parishioners of St. Philip Benizi parish in Fullerton, visit Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica in Chicago. Also pictured is Fr. Don Siple, OSM, former pastor of St. Philip Benizi.
The basilica also houses the National Shrine of St. Peregrine.
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.
