A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIOCESE ON THE ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL SHOOTING
WE IN THE DIOCESE of Orange are heartbroken about the tragic events that occurred on the morning of Aug. 27 at Annunciation Catholic School in Minnesota. Our prayers are with the Annunciation Catholic community—especially the families of those who lost their lives and those who were injured. We invite all to join us in prayer for their healing and peace.
In this moment of sorrow, Bishop Kevin Vann has reached out personally to Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis to offer his support, solidarity and prayers on behalf of the faithful of the Diocese of Orange.
Together, as one Church, we turn to Christ the Healer and ask for His mercy and comfort for all who are suffering. C
7
SEPTEMBER 7, 2025
CONTENTS
The new Wetterau Family Spiritual Care Center offers patients a unique environment at City of Hope Orange County.
GRIEF & HOPE: A REFLECTION ON LOSS
Parishioner Maria Ball invites others to join a Mass of remembrance.
MATER DEI MARKS 75TH ANNIVERSARY
5 9 A STATE-OF-THE-ART SPIRITUAL SPACE
10
The school celebrated the milestone with an alumni Mass.
I AM CONGRESS
Learn more about the upcoming event at Christ Cathedral this fall.
11 KNOWN BY NAME AT ST. JOSEPH PARISH
14
Fr. Martin Vu set out to ensure a true family environment at his parish.
GENERATIONS OF FAITH
Grandparents' Day is celebrated the first Sunday after Labor Day.
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
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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
READER CALL-OUT
I found this tiny Rosary in the parking lot of my parish. I use it to pray for the unborn babies.
—Therese Van Nguyen, St. Bonaventure Parish in Huntington Beach.
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
“ You are precious in God's eyes.” — Pope Leo XIV
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
MICAH 5:1-4A; PSALM 13:6AB, 6C; MATTHEW 1:1-16, 18-23
TUESDAY
COLOSSIANS 2:615; PSALM 145:1B2, 8-9, 10-11; LUKE 6:12-19
SAINT PROFILE
WEDNESDAY
COLOSSIANS 3:111; PSALM 145:2-3, 10-11, 12-13AB; LUKE 6:20-26
THURSDAY
COLOSSIANS 3:12-17; PSALM 150:1B-2, 3-4, 5-6; LUKE 6:2738
NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY BY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
THE DETAILS OF MARY'S BIRTH are unknown. Her parents, not mentioned in the Bible, are called Joachim and Anne in the apocryphal Gospel of James. This book claims that Joachim went into the desert to lament their childlessness and learned in a vision or dream that he and Anne would have a daughter. Ancient traditions put Mary's birth in Nazareth or Jerusalem. The feast of her birth originated in the East; in the seventh century, Pope St. Sergius I ordered that it and three other Marian feasts, the Annunciation, Purification and Assumption, be celebrated in Rome. This feast is another sign of God's faithfulness to old and new covenant promises that were fully realized in Mary's son, Jesus Christ.C
PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK
FRIDAY
1 TIMOTHY 1:12, 12-14; PSALM 16:1B-2A AND 5, 7-8, 11; LUKE 6:39-42
SATURDAY
1 TIMOTHY 1:1517; PSALM 113:1B2, 3-4, 5 AND 6-7; LUKE 6:43-49
SUNDAY
NUMBERS 21:4B-9; PSALM 78:1BC-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38; PHILIPPIANS 2:6-11; JOHN 3:13-17
PHOTO COURTESY OF THERESE VAN NGUYEN
A NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART SPIRITUAL SPACE
IMMERSIVE TECHNOLOGY ALLOWS VISITORS TO EXPERIENCE FIVE FAITH TRADITIONS IN CITY OF HOPE ORANGE COUNTY’S WETTERAU FAMILY SPIRITUAL CARE CENTER
BY OC CATHOLIC STAFF
CITY OF HOPE ORANGE
County President Annette Walker, a devout Catholic and one of Southern California’s most respected healthcare leaders, always has placed spirituality at the center of her life.
So, when it came to designing City of Hope Orange County’s new cancer hospital in Irvine, set to open in December next to the existing City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, Walker made sure that spiritual care would be a priority for patients and the oncology specialists who treat them.
The Wetterau Family Spiritual Care Center is believed to be the first of its kind for a hospital.
With the touch of a screen, cancer patients, their families and members of their care team can immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of the world’s five largest faith traditions — Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism — thanks to technology created by a former Disney Imagineer.
Shorelines and a forest are the other two options for the 15-minute sessions of solace that were designed to reflect the spiritual diversity of Orange County.
“You can imagine if you use Disney, it is going to be cool,” said Walker, a parishioner of San Francisco Solano Catholic Church in Rancho Santa Margarita. “But it wasn’t about being cool. It was about being sacred.”
Unlike traditional ecumenical hospital chapels that simply display artifacts of
many faiths, the City of Hope sanctuary lets patients personalize their experience.
“We think it might set a new standard,” Walker said. “We are not just physical beings. The hospital system addresses this, but sometimes it forgets about our mind and out spirit, and how important those are in our healing.”
BLESSING CEREMONY
The spiritual care center is named in honor of the Wetterau family.
Mark Wetterau, a prominent philanthropist and business leader who served as the chair and chief executive officer of Irvine-based Golden State Foods from 1998 to 2023, was the first donor to City of
Hope Orange County’s strategic fund. Wetterau died on May 8, 2023. He was 65.
Other donors include the Hamoui Foundation and Jacqueline DuPont Carlson and Marc Carlson.
Orange County religious leaders attended a blessing ceremony for The Wetterau Family Spiritual Care Center, along with the Pacific Chorale, on Aug. 20.
Also on hand was Fr. Reynold Furrell, who became close to Walker and her family during their time in the diocese.
“The new spiritual center is impressive,” said Fr. Reynold, pastor at Sts. Simon & Jude Catholic Church in Huntington Beach since 2020.
“The challenge with technology always is, how do you make it so the technology isn’t overwhelming?” he added. “This space remains true to the idea that people need a quiet space where they can come and just find some solace in the middle of all the trials and tribulations they’re going through.
“Especially with cancer patients, you’re treating the whole person — body, mind and spirit. And when you’re going through treatments that are difficult, you need to have a reason to live, a will to live and that’s something that spirituality brings.” Fr. Reynold, who was raised a Baptist, came up with the idea of incorporating
CITY OF HOPE ORANGE COUNTY PRESIDENT ANNETTE WALKER ADDRESSES ATTENDEES OF A BLESSING CEREMONY FOR THE WETTERAU FAMILY SPIRITUAL CARE CENTER, THE FIRST MULTI-FAITH SPIRITUAL CARE CENTER IN THE AREA. PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF HOPE ORANGE COUNTY
stained glass in the new space.
“The idea of stained glass runs through both Protestant and Catholic churches and is ideal in space that is designed to bring some color and hope,” he said.
‘SOMETHING SPECIAL’
The spiritual center’s immersive experience was created by Roger Holzberg, a former Disney Imagineer, the first consulting creative director for the National Cancer Institute, and co-founder of Reimagine Well, whose mission is to ease the patient journey from diagnosis to well-being using imagination, technology and education.
As a cancer survivor and caregiver, Holzberg brought deep personal insight into the design of the space — blending creativity, compassion and a profound understanding of what patients and families truly need.
Walker has won numerous honors over the years for her support of the Catholic
FEATURE
To report sexual abuse by clergy or church personnel please call: 1 (800) 364-3064
Healing and Hope After Abortion: 1 (800) 722-4356
New Hope Peer-to-Peer Support Line | Mon - Fri 7:30 AM - 9:30 PM | Sat - Sun 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM: 1 (714) NEW-HOPE or 1 (714) 639-4673
bạn là nạn nhân bị lạm dụng tình dục bởi một linh mục/ tu sĩ hay một thành viên trong Giáo Hội gây ra, xin hãy gọi và báo cáo cho Giáo phận ở số điện thoại miễn phí sau đây: 1-800-364-3064, và đồng thời báo cáo cho nhà chức trách địa phương.
Church in Orange County. For example, she was honored with the Orange Catholic Foundation’s Bishop’s Award for Exemplary Business Integrity.
“Of all the leaders in healthcare I know, Annette is the most faith driven,” Fr. Reynold said.
Walker noted that according to studies, 70 percent of cancer patients view spiritual care as part of their healing journey.
“City of Hope is not religiously based, so we also try to address the whole community,” she said. “The dilemma about this new space was, how do we create a spiritual care center that feels appealing to a broad audience like Orange County, where there’s a very diverse population with various faith traditions?
“We didn’t want to make the space so neutral that it would look like a conference room. That would feel generic, not sacred. We did some research and asked patients what they’d like to see, and we had lots of meetings with religious leaders, and we believe we’ve come up with something very special.” C
1-800-364-3064
FIVE FAITH LEADERS REPRESENTING FIVE RELIGIONS JOINED CITY OF HOPE ORANGE COUNTY PRESIDENT ANNETTE WALKER ON WEDNESDAY, AUG. 20, FOR AN INTERFAITH BLESSING OF THE WETTERAU FAMILY SPIRITUAL CARE CENTER. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CITY OF HOPE ORANGE COUNTY
THE WETTERAU FAMILY SPIRITUAL CARE CENTER IS LOCATED IN CITY OF HOPE’S NEW HOSPITAL OPENING IN IRVINE THIS DECEMBER.
GRIEF & HOPE: A REFLECTION ON LOSS
BY MARIA BALL
GROWING UP IN A CATH -
OLIC family just outside of Baltimore, I always dreamed of having a big family of my own. My husband and I were married at Our Lady Queen of Angels in Newport Beach on July 1, 2017, and we couldn’t wait to begin our life together. By 2021, we felt called to grow our family. In June 2023, we welcomed our son Robert Joseph into the world, and our hearts overflowed with joy. By the end of 2024, we found out I was pregnant again—and this time, we were having a girl. We were thrilled! But only a short time later, I began bleeding. At the midwife’s office, I was told I was miscarrying. My heart shattered. How could this be happening? Could I have stopped it?
On Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, our sweet daughter, Lily Therese, gained her angel wings and went home to be with Jesus. Sharing the news with family and friends was painful, but their support helped carry us through. One friend encouraged us to name our daughter and even celebrate her life through a funeral Mass if we felt called. Naming her was a turning point in my grief—Lily was no longer just a loss but my daughter, whose life, however brief, mattered deeply.
Though our parish did not offer funeral Masses for the unborn, we continued searching and were eventually connected with Fr. Greg Walgenbach, who will help us honor Lily this fall. The weeks after our loss were some of the darkest of my life. I felt both devastated and strangely closer to God, com-
Pregnancy & Infant Loss
Remembrance Mass
Friday, September 12 at 7pm
St. Anthony Mary Claret Parish
All are welcome. RSVP here: Questions? Contact: OfficeforFamilyLife@rcbo.org
forted by the thought that He holds Lily in His hands. With time off from work, the love of my husband and the help of therapy, the Maternal Mental Health Hot line and virtual support groups, I began to heal—slowly, painfully, but with hope. Gradually, light returned. A few months later, we learned I was pregnant again—with another baby girl, due later this fall. This pregnancy has been a blessing, though not without its complexities. Pregnancy after loss is filled with both joy and grief, a constant balancing act of
hope and fear. I’ve learned that it is possible to hold both sorrow and gratitude at once when surrounded by faith and support.
I share Lily’s story because she is part of me, part of my family and always will be. Thank you for reading, and I hope you will join us at the Perinatal & Infant Loss Mass on Friday, Sept. 12, as we remember Lily and all the little ones gone too soon.
Maria is a parishioner of Mission Basilica in San Juan Capistrano C
MARIA BALL IS PICTURED WITH HER HUSBAND AND SON. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIA BALL
A time of reflection, honoring, and comfort for families touched by loss of their little ones (including Miscarriage, Stillborn, and Ectopic Pregnancy)
Bilingual, optional refreshments and fellowship following the liturgy 1450 E LA PALMA AVENUE, ANAHEIM
THE SHROUD OF TURIN: AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
DIOCESE TO HOUSE GROUNDBREAKING MUSEUM
BY BRADLEY ZINT
AMUSEUM DEDICATED
TO one of the world’s most studied artifacts — the Shroud of Turin, purported to be the actual burial shroud of Jesus Christ — is coming to the Christ Cathedral campus this fall.
Spread over 10,000 square feet and featuring a series of 360-degree theater rooms, interactive displays, new sacred art and other exhibits, the groundbreaking “The Shroud of Turin: An Immersive Experience” will present compelling information about the artifact, which has been the source of numerous scientific studies and debate for decades. The evangelistic encounter will also tell the story of the birth, life, death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus — and of His ongoing real presence in the Eucharist.
“The Shroud of Turin: An Immersive Experience” opens to the public on Nov. 19. General admission tickets are $20. Seniors and students are $15. Entry will be timed. The entire experience is estimated to last between 90 minutes and two hours.
The museum will be open seven days a week inside the Richard H. Pickup Cultural Center. The museum’s construction and creation were privately funded by generous donors.
For more information and to buy presale tickets, visit TheShroudExperience. com
“‘The Shroud of Turin: An Immersive Experience’ at Christ Cathedral will prove to be an encounter with Jesus that’s never before been experienced,” said Terry McGaughan, president of the Resurrection Center at Christ Cathedral, the nonprofit funding and operating the museum. “This personal encounter
with Christ will engage audiences, spark curiosity and encourage contemplation on the spiritual and historical significance of Jesus. Through the Shroud, we draw upon scientific evidence, Sacred Tradition and doctrines of faith for the visitor to engage in a visual gospel supporting the truth of Jesus and His Resurrection.”
“The Shroud of Turin: An Immersive Experience” is being presented by the Diocese of Orange in conjunction with Othonia, a Rome-based consortium of Shroud experts affiliated with the Pontifical Ateneo Regina Apostolorum educational institute.
“Othonia is excited to partner with the Diocese of Orange to realize this immersive museum,” said Nora Creech, director of North America for Othonia. “The focus of this experience on the Resurrection and Jesus’ ongoing presence in the Eucharist is perfectly paired with the soaring architecture of the Christ Cathedral campus. This will be Othonia’s flagship museum, designed to introduce an entirely new audience to the Shroud in an engaging and memorable way and with the ultimate goal of making Jesus known through the Shroud.”
“THE SHROUD OF TURIN: AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE” WILL CONTAIN THREE FULLY IMMERSIVE THEATER ROOMS WITH 360-DEGREE PROJECTS THAT TELL ABOUT JESUS’ LIFE.
Among the sacred treasures of the museum will be two detailed replicas of the Shroud of Turin. Like the actual Shroud kept in Turin, Italy, the replicas will be 14 feet by 3 feet. One will be made of archival cotton canvas, allowing visitors to view the complex array of features in high definition, including the mysterious body image, blood stains, burn marks and water damage. The second replica is a backlit LED version that shows the details on the Shroud with significant clarity for visitors to examine.
Another highlight of the museum will be a newly commissioned 6-foot-tall bronze sculpture of Jesus made by Italian
artist Luigi Enzo Mattei, who is also noted for creating the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. The sculpture is a faithful attempt to re-create Jesus’ body based on the evidence left on the Shroud of Turin. It relied on calculated measurements and incorporated the injury marks of Christ’s Passion and Crucifixion.
The Shroud of Turin is universally considered to be among the most studied artifacts in the world, and for good reason. It is believed by some to be the actual linen burial cloth placed on the body of Jesus Christ after His Crucifixion, a practice common among the 1st-century Jewish people at the time. Interest in the Shroud is so prolific that there is a name for the formal study of it: sindonology.
The Catholic Church has not taken an official position on the Shroud of Turin’s authenticity but recognizes its importance as an object of veneration and reflection.
The Church acknowledges the ongoing scientific investigation into the Shroud’s origins and properties, entrusting scientists with the task of finding satisfactory answers to questions surrounding it. Popes have consistently recognized the Shroud’s significance as a powerful image that points to the Passion and Death of Jesus, inviting believers to deeper contemplation and conversion.
The original Shroud — kept in preservation and not currently on display — has been in the formal possession of the Holy See since 1989. Its history prior to 1354 is not well-documented. Its name is derived from its longtime home in Turin, Italy, where it has been since 1578.
It was first photographed by Secondo Pia in 1898, an effort that first uncovered the startling face of a man whose features are consistent with traditional depictions of Jesus of Nazareth. C
MATER DEI CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF LEGACY, TRADITION & FAMILY AT ALUMNI MASS
BY MADISON ZUÑIGA
ON AUG. 17, SANTA ANA’S Mater Dei High School opened its 75th academic year with a special Mass that welcomed alumni and honored the school’s history.
Building upon the school motto of Forward in Vision, Rooted in Tradition, the Mass celebrated families who have long been involved at Mater Dei. Approximately 1,300 alumni, family and friends gathered in sunny summer weather for an outdoor service in the central pavilion of Mary’s Grotto.
“You’re going to see a lot of notable alumni here that we’ve had over the years,” said Scott Melvin, vice president of School Relations at Mater Dei.
“A number of families are serving here today that are multigenerational, some of them three, four generations.”
One of the most noteworthy Monarchs to return was Heisman Trophy winner John Huarte, Class of 1961.
“It’s very special,” he said. “It brings up wonderful memories of the people we had, the coaches, teachers and classmates. I remember when it first started, I was at St. Boniface grade school. My older brother… was here at Mater Dei, and
I thought, wow, I’ll get to go to Mater Dei too! And as we get older, I appreciate more having gone here.”
The featured speaker was Lenore O’Hara (’54), a member of Mater Dei’s first freshman class and the matriarch of one of its most dedicated families.
“Over the years, the traditions of Mater Dei have grown and expanded,” she said. “I was fortunate that all my children attended Mater Dei — eight children— and I’ve had grandchildren come here too. It’s been a wonderful experience for all of them.”
Joe O’Hara (’86), Lenore’s youngest son, added: “Mater Dei has been in our life from the beginning. Just being a part of the community. They’ve always looked out for the O’Haras, and we appreciate it. It’s just always going to be a part of our life and our family.”
Lucy O’Hara (’18), Lenore’s granddaughter, expressed her feelings as well.
“I’m just so grateful to Mater Dei for what they’ve done for my family over the years. It started with my grandma and grandpa, and it’s just been continuing the generosity through the generations.”
Lenore’s son Tim O’Hara (’78), who serves as the school’s director of Discipline & Attendance, had this to say: “As we move and go into our 75th year… we’re all linked together by one common bond, and that's Mary Mater Dei. The example Lenore has shown us, of sacrifice and service; we need that for our future. And it's something we're trying to instill in our kids.”
In his homily, Fr. Steve Sallot (’72) reflected on the lasting impact of an education at Mater Dei, sharing anecdotes from school years and recent reunions.
“We are thankful that our grounding came in a place like this, a place of faith, a place of honor, glory and love. That's
SCOTT MELVIN, VICE PRESIDENT OF SCHOOL RELATIONS AT MATER DEI, GREETS ATTENDEES ON AUG. 17. PHOTOS BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER JOHN HUARTE, MATER DEI CLASS OF ’61, IS PICTURED WITH HIS SON MARK HUARTE.
the gift that we celebrate from the past, and that's where we stand now and that's where we look to the future.”
Scott Melvin explained that 75 years ago, 111 students founded a legacy that has since flourished.
“It was a small school,” he shared, “and I don’t think anyone envisioned it growing to the size it is today, with the national and international renown that it has.”
Melvin extended an open invitation for all to come to school performances, Masses and games — “all the things that made their Monarch experience a special one.”
Lenore O’Hara shared, “Everyone associated with Mater Dei gave much to the students and helped them grow into what Mary and Jesus would have wanted the students of Mater Dei to become as adults. God bless us all.” C
I AM CONGRESS
BY STAFF
The 2025 Eucharistic Congress: I AM: A Beacon of Hope takes place Oct. 17-18 on the Christ Cathedral campus. It is a time to gather, celebrate the Eucharist, and grow and renew our faith. The weekend features dynamic keynote presentations, bilingual tracks, inspiring liturgies and opportunities for spiritual renewal and pastoral growth. It also features sessions for adults and children.
To learn more or to register, visit https://www.rcbo.org/congress/
This week our featured speaker is Sr. Theresa Nguyen. Her talk is titled, “Love Aflame Bearing Hope for the World: Rediscovering the Joys of Pilgrims of Hope” (“Yêu Bừng Cháy mang Hy Vọng cho Đời: Tái khám phá niềm vui của người hành hương hy vọng”)
Sr. Theresa Marie Chau Nguyen, O.P., Ph.D., is a Dominican Sister of Mary Immaculate Province and Assistant Professor of Theology at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. She holds a doctorate in Systematic Theology from The Catholic University of America, where her research focused on the Marian mystery of the Church in the theology of Henri de Lubac.
Her academic work centers on ecclesiology, Mariology, and the
theology of communion, with numerous publications in scholarly journals and contributions to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. She is the author of the forthcoming monograph The Splendor of the Church in Mary: Retrieving the Legacy of Henri de Lubac on Mary and the Church at Vatican II.
In addition to her scholarship, Sister Theresa Marie has extensive experience in teaching, catechesis and campus ministry. She has formed students at both the university and religious community levels, presenting nationally and internationally on themes of theology, liturgy and the vocation of consecrated life.
Dedicated to the Dominican charism of Veritas, she integrates deep theological reflection with pastoral engagement, seeking to form hearts and minds for communion with Christ and His Church. C
FR. STEVE SALLOT, MATER DEI ’72, GREETS LENORE O’HARA, MATER DEI ’54, A MEMBER OF THE SCHOOL’S FIRST FRESHMAN CLASS. PHOTOS BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL OPENED ITS 75TH SCHOOL YEAR WITH A SPECIAL ALUMNI MASS CELEBRATED ON AUG. 17.
SR. THERESA NGUYEN
KNOWN BY NAME AT ST. JOSEPH PARISH
BY MIKE ZINN
WHEN FR. MARTIN VU
arrived in July 2024 to begin his new assignment as parochial administrator of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Placentia, there were many new initiatives on his “to-do list.”
One initiative came from his time at Santiago de Compostela Catholic Church in Lake Forest: Name Tag Weekend (the name has since been changed to: Known by Name Weekend).
The “weekend” starts with volunteers positioned outside each church entrance, greeting parishioners and offering them a name tag to write their first name. Fr. Martin has included five touchpoints to reinforce this program when people enter the church.
■ Before Mass begins, the cantor asks all parishioners to rise and greet those
around them using their names.
■ After the Gospel and before the homily, Fr. Martin asks the congregation to memorize the name of a person seated around them.
■ During the Prayers of the Faithful, Fr. Martin asks everyone to silently pray for that person and carry those prayers forward into the coming weeks.
■ Offer the Sign of Peace while using the person’s name.
■ After Mass, all parishioners are invited to attend a reception, continuing to meet and greet others using their names in conversation.
Fr. Martin calls this initiative “part of our emerging parish vision for everyone to be seen, known and loved, not only at Mass, but anytime they are visiting the parish campus. To be seen, known and loved — God does this for all.”
The first such weekend was held at St. Joseph in June.
June 29 is the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, which was relevant due to the day’s reading of Matthew 16:18, where Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter.
Fr. Martin recalled his homily from that day.
“I shared how Jesus knows Peter by name, how He knows each of us by name and how we also want to know each other by name.”
The second “weekend” took place in August, and the plan is to have additional events on the first weekend of every
month.
Many volunteers are involved in making this initiative a success.
Head of Evangelization, Claudia Mercado, assisted Fr. Martin in starting this program. Gina Delphan has since taken over the role and Fr. Martin said she is “on fire for this program.”
Volunteer Erika Javier called the program “a means to implement Fr. Martin’s vision for the parish.” And her co-volunteers Mary Hasson and Sandi Charlesworth both said the program is about building community, sharing joy and praying for each other.C
FR. MARTIN VU, PASTOR OF ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH IN PLACENTIA, GREETS THE CAMERA DURING
RECENT KNOWN BY NAME WEEKEND. PHOTOS
OF ST. JOSEPH PARISH
SAME, SAME BUT DIFFERENT
BROTHERS SHARE SAME VOCATION, DIFFERENT PATHS
BY GREG MELLEN
FRIENDS AND acquaintances see the parallel stories of the brothers from Anaheim toward priesthood and think Francis Ang, 32, simply laid down the template for his younger brother, Travis Ang, 29.
Don’t say that to Travis, however.
To do so denies his individuality, personal relationship with God and unique call. It’s much more than a brother-see, brother-do tale.
“I was, like, ‘that's not my story,’” Travis said of the comparisons. “I wanted my own story.”
In Southeast Asia, there is a saying: same, same but different, which applies to the Angs.
As similar as their stories may seem, they are not the same.
This year, the brothers are a rare fraternal duo at St. John’s Seminary. Francis,
in his seventh year, is to be ordained as a transitional deacon in December, one step from priesthood.
Meanwhile, Travis begins a propaedeutic year to deepen his discernment before taking on academics.
For all Travis’ protestations, the brothers’ journeys are very much alike and not too dissimilar from many who receive the call to ministry.
Both have been involved in church life since early childhood. Parents Frankie and Margot made sure of that, taking them to Mass every Sunday.
Francis said even when he was away in college, mom called every Sunday to make sure he went to church. And Travis, who lived at home, joined them every week.
“No matter what I was doing on Saturday night, I had to wake up by 10 a.m.,” he said of preparing for Mass. Frankie was a seminarian in the
Philippines starting in middle school. Although he did not pursue the priesthood, he is prominent in the local chapter of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), which raises funds and does mission work. As a result, the Ang boys grew up in a community of clergy and church lay leaders.
Both boys sought lives in service, following their mother into nursing, first volunteering at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Long Beach and later entering nursing school and earning advanced degrees, albeit from different schools.
THE “GOOD LIFE”
With well-paying jobs, both enjoyed the party life, travel, dating women and other pursuits.
Francis may have seemed more likely to become a priest. Since his time as an altar server, he was intrigued by the priesthood. His then-pastor was Timothy
TRAVIS AND FRANCIS ANG POSE FOR A PHOTO AT THEIR FAMILY HOME IN ANAHEIM. PHOTOS BY ALAN WENDELL/ DIOCESE OF ORANGE
during the pandemic.
Freyer, now auxiliary bishop in the diocese, whom Francis credits with providing early inspiration.
Although Francis enjoyed the accoutrements of success, he said, “My heart wasn't fulfilled. Like St. Augustine says, ‘my heart is restless until it rests in You.’ There were these bigger questions, and I was just searching and searching.”
In retrospect, Francis said his church mentors probably saw his path before he did. Even then, when Francis entered the seminary, “I only thought I was going to last a year or two. But here I am.”
Travis took a bit longer to heed his call. Being a nurse during COVID shaped his journey. He worked 12-hour shifts, surrounded by death and suffering
While hospital work had led Francis, who was already in the seminary during the pandemic, to ask more questions, Travis said, “I didn't push my faith away during that time. I was leaning towards it. I needed it to keep a little sane to deal with such a high rate of tragedy. My faith really pushed me through.”
The final nudge may have seemed more of a shove. Travis met a fellow nurse at the hospital, who he said was “perfect” for him. The couple considered marriage until, for reasons Travis didn’t disclose, they broke up on Easter Sunday.
From the death of that relationship, Travis said his calling was resurrected and, after intense discernment, he ap-
plied to seminary.
MOM OVERWHELMED
The effect of having both children discern the priesthood has been profound for their parents.
Frankie said he went weak in the knees when he first heard.
“I hope for them to be happy and to be holy priests,” he said.
Margot wept and grabbed Travis’ hand when she described what it meant to surrender her children.
“God is not only watching them, but He’s also taking them to be really close. I’m so thankful to God for calling them. What else can I ask for as a mother?”
Although being grandparents is off the table, the parents are sanguine.
“Some friends asked, ‘Don't you want to be a grandma or see grandchildren?’” said Margot, who is a postpartum nurse. “I feel like God gave me this heart to love any children. It doesn't matter if it's my grandchildren or somebody else's children.”
So, how alike are the brothers?
The two recently led diocesan seminarians to a victory over priests in an annual basketball showdown held at Mater Dei High School’s gym this past June. Francis, who was the MVP of last year’s game, was double-teamed consistently. However, this allowed Francis, who said his playing style is built around the key and mid-range jumpers, to open the floor for Travis to bomb from deep.
Same, same but different. C
THE ANG FAMILY: FRANCIS AND TRAVIS AND SPEND TIME WITH THEIR PARENTS FRANKIE AND MARGOT AT HOME IN ANAHEIM. PHOTO BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
GENERATIONS OF FAITH
BY JOAN PATTEN, AO
IN THE UNITED STATES, the first Sunday after Labor Day is celebrated as Grandparents’ Day. The patron saints of grandparents are Saints Joachim and Ann, the parents of Mary and grandparents of Jesus. Although we celebrate their feast day on July 26, Grandparents’ Day offers a special opportunity to honor all grandparents for their irreplaceable role in the transmission of faith and family traditions.
As Moses instructed the people of Israel in Deuteronomy 6:6–9: “Take to heart these words which I command you today. Keep repeating them to your children. Recite them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them on your arm as a sign and let them be as a pendant on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.”
In this apostolic age, when many parents have disengaged from their Catholic faith, grandparents often assume the primary responsibility of teaching the Catholic faith to their grandchildren. They often ensure their grandchildren are enrolled in parish faith formation classes, attend Mass on Sunday and encourage them to spend time with God in prayer.
In the same way that the first Christians orally passed down through the centuries the teachings of Jesus and the truth that He entrusted to His apostles, grandparents preserve the living tradition of our Catholic faith. Grandparents, by virtue of their lived faith experiences and spiritual maturity, tested by trials and time, are uniquely called to preserve and pass on the Catholic faith to the next generation as they come of age. The witness of
grandparents’ faith is not meant to be nostalgic, but instead it is rooted in the faithful conviction that the Holy Spirit guides them in the continuity of faith that deepens in its application without losing its meaning. As grandparents share stories, prayers and practices, children are invited into the living reality of their Catholic faith and to be formed as lifelong disciples of Jesus. Our modern world respects authentic witnesses over authoritative teachers.
Grandparents are strategically positioned to give witness to their faith through the relational contact they have with their grandchildren. Children trust their grandparents’ wisdom and value the stories and experiences that bear witness to the power of their faith, which has sustained them throughout their lives. The simple, ordinary lives of grandparents serve as a living catechism in which children can learn about what it means to follow Jesus. Finally, in a culture often skeptical of institutional authority, the credibility of grandparents’ faith comes from the integrity of their lives and the love they
consistently show. From this relationship, grandparents can encourage their grandchildren to see the relevance of the Catholic Church’s teachings and doctrine today by inviting them into the story of salvation history.
Therefore, grandparents are often the first catechists, disciples and spiritual mentors who many children encounter on the journey of faith. The critical role of grandparents was affirmed by Pope Francis, who established “Grandparents’ Day” in the Church on the fourth Sunday of July. In 2013, Pope Francis said, “The elderly pass on history, doctrine, faith and they leave them to us as an inheritance.”
As our nation celebrates Grandparents’ Day, let us take a moment to thank God and our grandparents for the gift of faith that has been passed down through the generations of our families. Through living tradition, their simple witness and intentional formation, they ensure that the faith is alive and burning in the hearts of the next generation of disciples and saints. C
PHOTO BY NIKOLINE ARNS ON UNSPLASH
OC Catholic Afar
Left: Donna Gambol is at the ancestral home of the Venerable Lucia de Jesus, where she lived until the age of 14, until she first entered the convent of the Sisters of Saint Dorothy and later the Order of the Discalced Carmelites. The home has become a frequent stop for pilgrims to Fatima, where three children witnessed the apparition of the Virgin Mary.
Center: Donna’s sister Midge Bash is at the bridge leading to Salamanca, Spain, with the Salamanca Cathedral in the background. The cathedral is actually two churches joined together, the first dating from the 12th and 13th centuries and the new one from the 16th century.
Right: Midge is also pictured at the Church of St. Anthony of Lisbon (also known as St. Anthony of Padua). Tradition holds that the church was built on the site where he was born. It was rebuilt in 1767 in the Baroque-Rococo style. In 1982, Pope John Paul II visited the church and inaugurated the statue of Saint Anthony by Soares Branco, to the left.
Donna and Midge brought along three different issues of OC Catholic! They are parishioners of St. Anne Parish in Seal Beach.
—Submitted by Donna Gambol
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