OC CATHOLIC - APRIL 28, 2024

LIFETIME LEGACY Special Issue No. 11 THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ORANGE • OCCATHOLIC.COM

The Lifetime Legacy series is sponsored by Gabriel Ferrucci, the first individual honored in this series.

APRIL 28, 2024

JOURNEY WITH JESUS NEARLY 60 YEARS A PRIEST, FR. ROBERT VIDAL OF ST. ANNE SEAL BEACH EXCELS AT CARRYING OUT ‘SMALL THINGS WITH GREAT LOVE’ PAGE 5 FR. ROBERT VIDAL, WHO TURNS 88 THIS JUNE, IS PASTOR EMERITUS AT ST. ANNE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN SEAL BEACH. PHOTO BY STEVE GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

Happy Anniversary

r. ob

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HAPPY ANNIV E RS ARY

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IN HONOR OF 58 YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE, WE EXTEND OUR GRATITUDE AND ADMIRATION.

St. Anne’s Knights Council 9594

Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assembly 3750

Fr. Robert Vidal, Pastor Emeritus SASB: A Next Generation Parish Laying the Foundation Pastoral Plan 2023 Longest serving pastor in 103-year history of Saint Anne Seal Beach (SASB), Fr. Bob laid foundation for Pastoral Plan 2023.

As the first pastor at start of 2nd Century in SASB history, Fr. John leads us on our Next Generation Parish journey.

Fr. Robert Vidal became St. Anne’s pastor in 1993. A leader, planner and builder, Fr. Bob began an RCIA program, increased the involvement of the Knights of Columbus, and started the Women's Guild. During his tenure, Fr. Bob renovated the house on campus as the improved retirement home for Msgr. Michael Collins, pastor emeritus, who lived there until his death in 2010.

Fr. Bob also completed the rebuilding and earthquake retrofit of the Parish Hall in 2002 and of the Church in 2007. When Fr. Bob retired in 2011, he stayed on in the priest retirement home as pastor emeritus. Much loved by many generations of parishioners, Fr. Bob continues to serve as the Chaplain for both Knights Council 9594 and the Women’s Guild, and he regularly hears confessions and offers Mass at the Parish.

Fr. John Shimotsu came to the parish in 2020 as parochial vicar, while Msgr. Mike Heher was serving as the parish’s 17th pastor.

Fr. John was installed as pastor on January 23, 2022, by Bishop Kevin Vann. One of Fr. John’s first acts was to accept the invitation by Bishop Timothy Freyer to be a Next Generation Parish (NGP), with the ability to grow, thrive, and bring people closer to Jesus. As pastor, Fr. John is fully engaged with SASB’s NGP initiative, and is supported by his NGP Planning & Implementation team. The result of Fr. John’s leadership has been a new Parish Pastoral Plan, published in January 2023. That plan has four Priorities to be implemented over the coming years, as the means to create a parish that builds, supports, and sustains a Church for our children, grandchildren, and beyond. + Sponsored by SASB NGP Planning & Implementation team

APRIL 28, 2024

CONTENTS

8 HEALING AND HOPE

The Christ Cathedral Cultural Center will host an upcoming conference for divorced and separated Catholics.

HOLY SHROUD, THE DIVINE MERCY 12 THE IMAGE AND EUCHARISTIC MIRACLES

Fr. Robert Spitzer presented a program examining miracles through the lens of science.

13 A NEW HEART & A NEW SPIRIT

As we celebrate the Pentecost, the arrival of the Holy Spirit allows us to rejoice in victory over death.

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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

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DAILY READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

AROUND CAMPUS

“

Friendship with God is able to change the heart.

”

— Pope Francis SAINT PROFILE

SAINT PETER CHANEL

1803 – 1841

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ORN TO A PEASANT family, he was a shepherd as a boy.

An excellent student. Ordained in 1827 at age 24. He was assigned to Crozet, a parish in decline; he turned it around, in part because of his ministry to the sick, and brought a spiritual revival. Joined the Society of Mary (Marist Fathers) in 1831.

Taught at the Belley seminary for five years. Led a band of missionaries to the New Hebrides in 1836, an area where cannabilism had only recently been outlawed; he was the first Christian missionary on the island of Fortuna. He converted many, often as a result of his work with the sick. He learned the local language, and taught in the local school. When the chieftain’s son asked to be baptized, the chieftain ordered Father Chanel to be killed. Within two years of his martyrdom, the whole island became Catholic and has remained so. He was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1954.C

ALTAR Donor: Presbyterate of the Diocese of Orange. Gifted by priests of the Diocese, the 14,000-pound Italian stone altar is 8-feet by 8-feet, designed to be in proportion to the massive cathedral space. In the base of the altar is the reliquary which contains the relics of saints who symbolize the diversity of the Catholic community in Orange County.

Photo by the Diocese of Orange C

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

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PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

ACTS 14:5-18; PS 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16; JN 14:21-26

ACTS 14:19-28; PS 145:10-11, 12-13AB, 21; JN 14:27-31A

ACTS 15:1-6; PS 122:1-2, 3-4AB, 4CD-5; JN 15:1-8

ACTS 15:7-21; PS 96:1-2A, 2B3, 10; JN 15:9-11

1 COR 15:1-8; PS 19:2-3, 4-5; JN 14:6-14

ACTS 16:1-10; PS 100:1B-2, 3, 5; JN 15:18-21

ACTS 10:25-26, 3435, 44-48; PS 98:1, 2-3, 3-4; 1 JN 4:7-10; JN 15:9-17

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JOURNEY WITH JESUS NEARLY 60 YEARS A PRIEST, FR. ROBERT VIDAL OF ST. ANNE SEAL BEACH EXCELS AT CARRYING OUT ‘SMALL THINGS WITH GREAT LOVE’

BY GREG HARDESTY

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R. ROBERT VIDAL SAT in a comfy armchair in his two-bedroom apartment next to St. Anne Catholic Church in Seal Beach, a cozy gray sweater covering his black clerical clothing and a warm smile on his face.

“Fr. Bob,” as he is fondly called, was reminiscing about his nearly six decades as a priest, including his role in the early years of the Diocese of Orange, established in 1976.

A decade before then, Fr. Bob, then a 30-year-old, newly ordained priest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, was assigned to the just-opened St. Bonaventure Catholic parish in Huntington Beach.

Back then, in spring 1966, the church was operating out of a huge, drafty warehouse on Murdy Circle.

Lighting was poor, there was no sacristy, the pews were temporary, there was graffiti on the walls and rain leaked into pots and pans on the cold concrete floor.

But Jesus was present, Fr. Bob recalled, and there was lots of enthusiasm and love for the new parish.

“We did baptisms, we did weddings, we did funerals,” he said of working with founding Pastor Fr. Michael Duffy at St. Bonaventure, which was dedicated in 1979 at its current location on Springdale Street.

A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES

Fr. Bob, who turns 88 this June and is pastor emeritus of St. Anne, has a lifetime of memories serving as a parish priest

FR. ROBERT VIDAL SHARES MEMORIES OF HIS EARLY YEARS IN THE PRIESTHOOD AT HIS HOME IN SANTA ANA. PHOTO BY GREG HARDESTY

mostly in his native Orange County.

Born in Santa Ana in 1936, he grew up in the San Fernando Valley and attended St. Charles Borromeo grammar school in North Hollywood.

But Orange County always has been closest to his heart. And seeing the Diocese of Orange grow over the last 48 years has been nothing short of remarkable, he said.

Fr. Bob points out words from Mother Teresa that hang on the inside front door of his apartment: Not all of us can do great things, but we

can do small things with great love.

“That’s exactly what I’ve felt all these years,” said Fr. Bob, who officially retired as pastor of St. Anne in 2011 but remains very active in the parish. “I’ve always just pictured myself as a parish priest. I’ve always wanted to be where the true action is, and that’s at the parish level. After all, that’s what I was ordained for.”

A BELOVED MENTOR

Fr. Bob is celebrated for quietly and humbly going about his priestly duties over the last six decades, especially for

ministering to engaged couples and those involved in the Worldwide Marriage Encounter movement.

“I wouldn’t be the priest I am without him,” said Fr. Duy Le, whose first assignment was at St. Anne before he became pastor of San Francisco Solano in Rancho Santa Margarita.

Fr. Bob has been a beloved mentor to other priests who have gone on to become diocesan leaders, including Msgr.

Stephen Doktorczyk, the former vicar general for legal and canonical affairs CONTINUES ON PAGE 6

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when the Diocese of Orange was forming.

For the fledgling Diocese, Fr. Bob served under Bishop William Johnson as assistant pastor on the Council of Priests, acting as secretary.

“I really give Bishop Johnson credit for visiting the parishes and listening to people and getting people behind the Diocese,” Fr. Bob said. “He would be out in the parishes each week. He made himself totally available.”

Fr. Bob then served for 12 years as pastor of St. Juliana in Fullerton before starting at St. Anne in 1993.

“It’s a very loving, caring parish,” Fr. Bob said of his home of the past 31 years.

“We’re very oriented to family. We’ve really stressed that.”

who is on loan and serving as a canon lawyer for the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C. Fr. Bob recalled having numerous conversations with the future monsignor when he was contemplating entering the seminary.

Working at a grocery store at the time, Doktorczyk was a parishioner at St. Bonaventure who served as a chaperone on a retreat for Confirmation candidates.

“The Holy Spirit was moving me,” Msgr. Doktorczyk recalled. “I knew I couldn’t keep kicking the can on making a decision.”

The following week, he talked to Fr. Bob after Mass.

“I’m serious about becoming a priest,” he told him.

“Steve, stop fooling around,” Fr. Bob recalled telling him. “You’re ready.”

Doktorczyk soon entered the seminary.

"I've always found Fr. Bob to be welcoming, interested in people, available, patient, giving and one who would look for solutions, always in a gentle way. He would hear confessions on a daily basis.

His authentic love for the faithful entrusted to his care was (and remains) evident, and priests would do well to emulate Fr. Bob's consistent example of truly caring and wanting to authentically assist each member of the faithful, which springs forth from his living a life of holiness and selflessly assisting others to do the same.

That he is a man of prayer is evident."

BRUSHES WITH FUTURE LEADERS

Fr. Bob began to think about the priesthood when he started serving as an altar boy in the fourth grade.

His mother was a librarian, and his father was in the grocery business. Both supported his desire to become a priest.

In the 1950s, the future Cardinal Roger Mahony, who served as L.A. archbishop from 1985 to 2011, trained Fr. Bob as a sacristan to help on Sundays at his parish, St. Charles Borromeo, and at the seminary in San Fernando.

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MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER

FR. ROBERT VIDAL OFFICIALLY RE­TIRED AS PASTOR OF ST. ANNE IN 2011 BUT REMAINS VERY ACTIVE IN THE PARISH. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOAN SMITH

FR. ROBERT VIDAL GIVES A BLESSING TO PARISHIONERS AFTER MASS ON APRIL 16 AT ST. ANNE SEAL BEACH. PHOTO BY STEVE GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

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Fr. Bob completed his undergraduate studies at St. John’s Seminary College and eventually finished his graduate studies at St. John’s Theological Seminary.

He was in the seminary with the future Orange County Bishop Tod Brown, who was a few years ahead of him.

Fr. Bob’s parents were married at The Cathedral of Saint Vibiana, former cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Los

Angeles.

That’s where Fr. Bob was ordained, in 1966.

A PEOPLE PERSON

After serving five years at St. Bonaventure, Fr. Bob spent five years at Our Lady of Rosary in Paramount. He returned to Orange County four years later to serve at St. Martin de Porres in Yorba Linda,

Shirl Giacomi and her husband, Pat, first met Fr. Bob in 1978 when he was at St. Juliana’s.

The Giacomis become team leaders with him in 1980 for the Diocese for the Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend.

“This was our first experience of being in a church leadership position, and were we blessed!” said Shirl Giacomi, who later served as Chancellor of the Diocese for 15 years.

“As we came to know Fr. Bob, we learned how much he loved his vocation,” Giacomi said. “He absolutely adored being a priest. And he was just as eager to give of his time to help married couples thrive in their vocation.”

Giacomi said she and her husband sought out Fr. Bob’s wisdom when coordinating as many as four Marriage Encounter weekends a month.

“Fr. Bob played a significant role in keeping us focused on our ministry as our love for the Church also grew,” Giacomi said.

When the Giacomis returned to Orange after spending seven years in Chicago, they became parishioners at St. Anne in Seal Beach and were reunited with Fr. Bob. “From then on,” Giacomi recalled, CONTINUES ON PAGE 7

FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

“there was never a situation that arose that we first didn’t go to Fr. Bob to find a listening heart and benefit from his wisdom.”

A BUSY SCHEDULE

Since “retiring,” Fr. Bob has continued to prepare couples for marriage, counseled couples going through difficulties and helped others with their annulments.

“He saw the annulment process as a healing tool and he gave generously of his time to determinedly, yet gently work with the petitioner and follow each case,” Giacomi said.

At St. Anne, Fr. Bob still hears Confessions and assists at Daily Mass twice a week, as well as a Mass on Sunday.

“Thirteen years after his retirement, he continues to give us an inspiring example of faithful and generous service to God and His people,” said Fr. John Shimotsu, pastor at St. Anne.

Fr. Bob also maintains a prayer list of parishioners and reaches out to many via phone calls.

In addition, he serves as the Worthy Chaplain to Knights of Columbus Council 9594, chaplain to the parish Women’s Guild, and as spiritual director to several priests and permanent deacons.

“I have been blessed by his presence and wise counsel,” Fr. John said.

FR. ROBERT VIDAL IS PICTURED WITH MONSIGNOR MIKE HEHER (FRONT ROW, FAR RIGHT), FR. DUY LE (BACK ROW, FAR RIGHT) AND CURRENT/FORMER ST. ANNE PARISH STAFF MEMBERS. PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. ANNE PARISH

CONGRATULATIONS FR. ROBERT VIDAL WAS ORDAINED A PRIEST IN 1966 IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF LOS ANGELES. PHOTO COURTESY OF FR. ROBERT VIDAL

would be alone part of the time at the parish and trying to figure out how to be a priest on Fr. Duy Le's first assignment my own,” said Fr. Duy. “God knew my fears and after his ordination in June 2011, sent me Fr. Bob.” was parochial vicar at St. Anne's, Fr. Bob was with Fr. Duy for all his “firsts,” a parish that hitherto did not have from baptisms to funerals to every sacrament. a parochial vicar (assistant pastor) “He wasn’t there just to show me how to do on its roster of priests. Fr. Bob was things but why to do things,” Fr. Duy said. “His retiring, and Bishop Tod Brown as- ‘why’ was always the people of God. He loved the signed Monsignor Michael Heher as people so much and the people sure loved him. the new pastor, an office he would “Fr. Bob is one of the holiest, humblest, gencarry out in addition to his Vicar erous and hard-working men I know. The best General duties. parts of me are due in big ways to him.”

CONTINUES ON PAGE 10 “I was a little worried that I

‘GOD SENT ME FR. BOB’

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FR. BOB

rs a e Y t h g Fifty-Ei Thank you for your enduring commitment to serving God and His people.

Tom and Lisa Ryan

FEATURE

HEALING AND HOPE UPCOMING ‘REMAIN IN MY LOVE’ CONFERENCE IS FOR DIVORCED AND SEPARATED CATHOLICS IN NEED OF SPIRITUAL HEALING, EDUCATION AND CAMARADERIE received her annulment in November 2023.

What she calls a “game changer” that LONGTIME CHURCH emgot her through the trauma was the supployee who taught religious port group Beginning Experience, which studies at Mater Dei High provides weekends for widowed, divorced School for 21 years, Carol and separated Catholics with follow-up Koppenheffer was devastated when her sessions and social activities. husband left her 10 years ago.

Koppenheffer, a parishioner at St. “Going from being a ‘we’ couple to Joseph in Placentia, now is president of a ‘me’ single was very hard,” she said. “I Beginning Experience of Orange County. didn’t know where I fit in anymore.”

“It was a game-changer for me,” she Catholics who have experienced said. divorce or marital separation say they not The support group also greatly helped only feel abandoned by their spouse, but Ingrid Murrle, a parishioner at St. Hedwig often feel abandoned by the Church. in Los Alamitos. Murrle joined Beginning They might ask themselves: Why Experience in 2019 and now assists with doesn’t the Church do more for us? coordinating weekend retreats.

“Remain in My Love,” a one-day “My journey continues, but I don’t feel conference in May at the Christ Cathedral alone,” said Murrle, a single mother with Cultural Center, is designed to address a teenage daughter who will be a breakout this need. speaker at “Remain in My Love.”

“We’re certainly overdue,” said Linda A mental health specialist at the ChilJi, director of the Diocese’s Office of dren’s Institute in Long Beach, Murrle’s Family Life. breakout session will focus on single parThe last time a Diocese conference of enting and supporting children through this type was held was in 2017, the year divorce and separation. before Ji became director of the office.

Both Murrle and Koppenheffer served What’s more, the COVID-19 pandemic on the planning committee for “Remain in put a lot of parish-level marriage ministry My Love.” and support groups on ice, and few have restarted, Ji said.

CANONICAL QUESTIONS “We know the need is there,” Ji said of Fr. Viet Peter Ho, pastor of St. Polycarp “Remain in My Love,” which will be held on Stanton, will be a panelist at the event. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 4.

As a canon lawyer and a marriage “Because the family is the basic tribunal judge, Fr. Peter, who has served in building block of the Church and society, the Diocese’s Marriage Tribunal/Office of we need to be able to not only serve our Canonical Services since 2008, will discuss families but empower them,” Ji added. canonical inquiries regarding marriage nullity and anything related to it.

FINDING SUPPORT “I wish to bring a message of hope to Koppenheffer felt very alone after her the attendees that a canonical process is CONTINUES ON PAGE 9 divorce, which was finalized in 2016. She

BY GREG HARDESTY

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ST. MONICA, PATRON OF DIFFICULT MARRIAGES AND VICTIMS OF ADULTERY OR ABUSE

ST. HELEN, PATRON OF DIVORCED PEOPLE AND DIFFICULT MARRIAGES

FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

not just a legal approach and that it also involves a pastoral approach that brings healing and hope to those who suffer from a broken marriage — that the Church is a ‘mother’ or an instrument of God’s mercy and forgiveness,” he said.

CONFERENCE DETAILS

“Remain in My Love” takes its name from John 15:9-17 (“I have loved you just as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.”), which is the Gospel reading on May 4-5.

The cost of the conference, which includes lunch, is $40 per person.

The day will include the panel on such canonical matters as whether a divorced Catholic can receive Communion, breakout sessions and keynote speaker Joe Sikorra, a marriage and family therapist who will discuss grief and self-care.

Attendees will be invited to attend a vigil Mass at 4:30 to conclude the day.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

MARY UNDOER OF KNOTS, PATRON OF DIFFICULT PROBLEMS

ST. HELEN, PATRON OF DIVORCED PEOPLE AND DIFFICULT MARRIAGES

OC CATHOLIC WRITER GREG HARDESTY INTERVIEWS LINDA JI INSIDE HER OFFICE AT THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS ON APRIL 12. PHOTO BY BRADLEY ZINT

ST. RITA, PATRON OF IMPOSSIBLE CAUSES, MARRIAGE DIFFICULTIES, AND PARENTHOOD

“Knowing that divorced or separated Catholics can remain in Christ’s love amidst a very difficult situation is the goal of the conference,” said Ji, whose office supports marriage and family formation (including natural family planning, adoption and foster care, and family spirituality and faith) and pastoral care for the divorced, separated and widowed, as well as individuals and families suffering from mental illness and those experiencing grief and bereavement.

A big part of what Ji’s office does is support parishes in various ministries.

“I love to connect people with what or who they need,” Ji said. “A lot of what we do is help people build relationships.”

Helping to make the conference possible was a grant last year from the Catholic Marriage Initiative.

Ji said she hopes to attract about 100 attendees to the event – some from surrounding counties.

“I hope people who attend this conference come away from it feeling encouraged and having hope,” Ji said, “and that they experience healing or have hope for healing and know they’re supported, and the Church is here for them and they’re not alone.”

For more information visit rcbo.org/familylife or call (714) 282-3117. C A P R I L 2 8 , 2 0 2 4 ■ O C C A T H O L I C

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FEATURE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ST. ANNE PARISH IN SEAL BEACH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBORS

Fr. Bob also encouraged Fr. Al Baca, now a senior priest at St. Anne and episcopal vicar for ecumenism and inter-religion, to go into the seminary.

“He has continued to be a friend, a mentor and a father over all these many years,” Fr. Baca said.

He sees Fr. Bob a lot these days. The two live next door to each other.

“He’s an amazing man and very loved here by the people,” Fr. Baca said. “He’s

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devoted to God and His people, and that’s a great example of priesthood that people love him for. I am proud to be his spiritual son.

He has been my mentor from seminary days, throughout my life, and now all these years later at St. Anne.”

Fr. Bob figures he’s probably married a thousand couples or so — 500 at St. Anne alone.

A JOURNEY WITH JESUS

Fr. Bob met both Popes John Paul II and Benedict in Rome and has photos of the encounters on a wall in his living room.

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These days, he devotes most of his time to prayer, spiritual readings and reflections.

He’s enduring some health issues these days.

“Aging isn’t for sissies, that’s for sure,” Fr. Bob said.

His favorite story in the Bible is the walk to Emmaus (Luke 24:1335) when the Lord appears to two disciples. Luke tells the story of that first Easter afternoon when the risen Christ appears to the two

disciples and opens their eyes to his presence.

It’s a story about lighting the fire of God’s love in people’s hearts and of encouraging Christ’s disciples to act in ways appropriate to being “a servant of all.”

In Fr. Bob’s bedroom is a large painting depicting the walk to Emmaus.

“I guess that’s maybe my journey of walking along with the Lord,” he said, “and recognizing Him and being aware of His presence every day of my life.” C

CATHOLIC FAMILY LIVING

A NEW HEART & A NEW SPIRIT

BY DANIELLE TAYABAS

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HE LENTEN SEASON of penance, sacrifice and detachment from the things that enslave us has come to completion.

We are now halfway through the Easter season in which we celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection.

This is a time to rejoice in Jesus’ victory over sin and death. We are assured to “be not afraid” (Matt 28:1-10) and receive the peace that Jesus offers in His Easter appearances.

With Pentecost approaching and trusting in Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit, let us examine ourselves and take a good look at where we are spiritually.

We want to continue to receive the peace of Christ. His peace brings forth the inner freedom needed and prepares us to receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

This enables us to be empowered by the Holy Spirit and propels us into the world as “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor 5:20); going forth as “witnesses” of Christ (Acts 2:32).

As missionary disciples burning with love and zeal for God, we can use the gifts of the Holy Spirit to evangelize, convert and reconcile the hearts of sinners to God! (2 Cor 5:11-21) In order to be effective witnesses of the Resurrection, we must deepen our relationship with the Lord daily through trust in His mercy and receiving His love.

Here are some questions we can ask ourselves and take to the Lord in prayer:

Am I basking in the joy of the Resurrection and enjoying the fruits of holy

detachment and inner freedom?

Have I relapsed into sin, bad habits and unholy attachments to creatures and to things?

Am I desensitized to sin without even knowing it?

Let us reflect on Ezekiel’s vision (Ez 37:1-14) which is filled with hope and God’s fervent love for sinners in need of new life. This scripture passage encompasses the Easter season that we are in because we have been purified during Lent. The Lenten dry bones are the parts of us that are dead because of sin and in need of redemption.

The dry bones came to life when Ezekiel prophesied the Word of God to them.

Tendons appeared, flesh grew and skin covered the bones yet they were without breath. God commanded him to prophesy to the breath, and breath entered them, yet they were without hope. So, God commanded Ezekiel to prophesy that He was going to open their graves and put His Spirit in them and settle them in their land. The raising of life from dry bones is a figurative description of God’s creation of the new Israel, a people that would be faithful to His covenant.

This raising to life is reminiscent of the Resurrection of Christ and the transforming power of the Holy Eucharist.

At the Mass we participate in the New Covenant as the children of God and receive Jesus’ Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in Holy Communion. His Flesh and Blood transforms us from within and can conform us into Him. Jesus’ Precious Blood is flowing through our body CONTINUES ON PAGE 13

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Thank You

Fr. Robert Vidal for your lifetime of service!

Fr. Vidal served the faithful community of St. Bonaventure Church in Huntington Beach, CA from 1966 to 1971.

He celebrated Masses in a warehouse before our church was even built! We would not be the wonderful parish we are today without you!

God bless you!

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DIOCESAN NEWS

THE HOLY SHROUD, THE DIVINE MERCY IMAGE AND EUCHARISTIC MIRACLES

BY LOU PONSI

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R. ROBERT SPITZER, S.J., Ph.D., a leading expert on the proof of faith through science, and Adriana Acutis, a noted researcher on the Holy Shroud of Turin, led a discussion at the Christ Cathedral campus recently on Eucharistic miracles and the connection between the Holy Shroud, believed to be the linen cloth used to wrap the body of Jesus after His crucifixion, and the Divine Mercy painting.

The April 6 presentation, held in the in the Arboretum on the Christ Cathedral campus, also featured visuals and displays and drew close to 1,000 attendees.

Fr. Spitzer, president of the Magis Center for Reason and Faith based at Christ Cathedral, discussed three Eucharistic miracles that he said have been scientifically proven – the Buenos Aires miracle of 1996, the Tixtla miracle of 2006 and the Sokółka miracle of 2008.

There are other Eucharistic miracles going back to 750 AD, Fr. Spitzer said.

“The chain of custody, of course, can't be guaranteed because let's face facts, 1,300 years, that's a lot of custody to guarantee,” he said. “So, I'm not going to take that up right now. I'm going to begin with just those three miracles.”

The Buenos Aires miracle occurred in August 1996 in the Church of Santa María y Caballito Almagro in Buenos Aires, Argentina, when a priest placed a discarded Host in a glass of water to dissolve, in accordance with Catholic protocol.

Instead, the Host was transformed into a piece of bloody tissue which had grown in size. Testing showed the substance was flesh and blood consisting of human DNA. The Tixtla miracle occurred in October 2006 when the pastor of St. Martin

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of Tours Parish in Tixtla, Mexico, and another priest were distributing Holy Communion, with help from a Catholic sister.

When the sister was carrying ciborium (or pix) containing consecrated Hosts to distribute Communion to parishioners, she noticed that the Host had begun to emit a reddish substance.

After scientific testing was conducted over several years, researchers concluded that the red substance was human blood with a blood type of AB, similar to the blood type discovered on the Shroud of Turin.

The miracle of Sokółka took place in October 2008 during a Mass being celebrated at the parish church of St. Anthony of Padua in Sokółka, Poland.

A priest who was distributing Communion accidentally dropped a Host, then picked it up and placed it in a small container of water.

Instead of dissolving, the Host stayed intact and revealed a bright red stain.

Multiple studies were conducted, including an examination of the Host by two experts at the Medical University of Bialystok.

Those studies concluded that the Host is identical to the myocardial (heart) tissue of a living person who is near death.

The structure of the heart muscle fibers was deeply intertwined with that of the bread, in a way impossible to achieve with human means, Fr. Spitzer said.

According to Dr. Sobaniec-Lotwska, one of the examining experts, “no technology from NASA could possibly do this. It is 100 percent fake proof,” Fr. Spitzer said. “We can't duplicate it.”

He added: “Now, of course, that speaks volumes and that is I think really important to combine with the other two hosts.

At the very same time they said we know

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CONTINUES ON PAGE 14

AN OVERLAY OF AN IMAGE OF THE SHROUD OF TURIN ON THE IMAGE OF THE DIVINE MERCY SHOWS THE TWO RELIGIOUS RELICS ARE ALMOST AN EXACT MATCH. THE SLIDE WAS PART OF AN APRIL 6 PRESENTATION AT THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS ON THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE SHROUD OF TURIN, THE DIVINE MERCY IMAGE AND EUCHARISTIC MIRACLES. PHOTO BY LOU PONSI

CATHOLIC FAMILY LIVING

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

healing us. His Sacred Heart is consuming our “stoney hearts" and transforming them into His very own Heart, sanctifying us and giving us “natural hearts.”

There is a similarity to the events of Pentecost in the faith and obedience of Ezekiel who did as God instructed. The Apostles in the upper room were “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4) and went forth in faith to share the Good News.

Today we are in need of holy witnesses to bring about the New Springtime of Love and a New Pentecost of Mercy. With ongoing conversion, religious formation and a loving relationship with God, we can courageously go forth with the Holy Spirit to help others come to life in Christ.

As we anticipate the coming of Pentecost, let us pray and ask God for “a new heart and a new spirit” (Ez 36:26-28) so that we can proclaim Jesus’ mercy and eternal salvation to the world. C

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A P R I L 2 8 , 2 0 2 4 ■ O C C A T H O L I C

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DIOCESAN NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

this is not a process, that it's a living tissue, but that living tissue is in the process of death.”

THE DIVINE MERCY IMAGE

Painted in 1934, the Divine Mercy Image depicts Christ with His right hand raised slightly above His chest as if giving a blessing, and His left hand touching His Heart.

White and red rays radiate downward from His heart.

The Divine Mercy Image is said to have been created at the request of Jesus, Himself, to St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish Catholic sister from the Order of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.

Acutis pointed out that St. Faustina kept a diary in which she detailed her visions of Jesus, most notably the directions He gave her to create an image of Himself and to share the Image with the world.

In 1934, St. Faustina, having limited artistic skill, approached artist Eugeniusz Kazimirowski about painting the Divine

Mercy Image to the specifications given to her

by Jesus.

“Jesus is the one who defined the concept,” Acutis said. He gave precise directives on how to do it, and He decided when it was complete, when it needed no further changes.”

She continued: “Jesus told St. Faustina, ‘Not in the beauty of the color nor of the brush lies the greatness of this image, but in my grace.’ St. Faustina was guiding Kazimirowski to paint a portrait of Jesus and she wanted it as beautiful as him.”

When the Shroud of Turin is overlaid on the Divine Mercy Image, they are almost an exact match, Acutis noted.

This is not a coincidence, as both relics are icons of Easter week, Acutis said.

“The Shroud recalls the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus for the redemption of humanity. The painting is an icon of the Divine Last Sunday, the day we recall, resurrected Jesus appearing to the apostles, including St. Thomas.

Contemplating this image, we contemplate the gaze of Jesus from the cross. The artist of this painting is not Kazimirowski, but Jesus.” C

ADRIANA ACUTIS, LEFT, AND FR. ROBERT SPITZER LED A DISCUSSION ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SHROUD OF TURIN, THE DIVINE MERCY IMAGE AND EUCHARISTIC MIRACLES. CLOSE TO 1,000 ATTENDEES FILLED THE ARBORETUM AT THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS FOR THE APRIL 6 EVENT. PHOTOS BY LOU

A PRESENTATION ON THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SHROUD OF TURIN, THE DIVINE MERCY IMAGE AND EUCHARISTIC MIRACLES HELD APRIL 6 AT THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS FEATURED DISPLAYS PROVIDING INFORMATION AND VISUALS ON THE RELIGIOUS RELICS.

FEAST OF ST. PEREGRINE,

PATRON OF CANCER PATIENTS

PLEASE JOIN US FOR MASS AND BLESSINGS WITH RELICS OF ST. PEREGRINE

SATURDAY, MAY 4, 12:30 P.M.

Christ Cathedral, 13280 Chapman Avenue, Garden Grove Rev. Fr. Michael Pontarelli, OSM will preside over the Mass

City of Hope Orange County provides expert and compassionate care for people with cancer; we welcome all of our patients, their families, our staff and everyone affected by cancer to attend the Mass.

© 2024 City of Hope

OC Catholic Afar

John, Eden and their son Jethro visiting the Louvre Museum in Paris, France during spring break.

— Submitted by The Ruiz Family, La Purísima parish in Orange

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.

A P R I L 2 8 , 2 0 2 4 ■ O C C A T H O L I C

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