OC CATHOLIC - MAY 12, 2024

Page 1

MAY 12, 2024 MARY HOLDING THE INFANT JESUS. COURTESY OF SHUTTERSTOCK CELEBRATING THE POWER OF MOM THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ORANGE ■ OCCATHOLIC.COM WITH GOD’S BLESSING PAGE 10 IN HONOR OF MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND, SIX MOTHER FIGURES ARE ACKNOWLEDGED FOR BRINGING FAITH INTO THEIR CHILD’S LIFE PAGE 8
When your faith inspires philanthropy. Your Roman Catholic Faith has always been the guiding light for the decisions you make in life. And we understand how important that is when it comes to the contributions you consider making toward a greater cause. When you want your donation to mean much more than a dollar amount, The Orange Catholic Foundation can help you and your family leave a legacy that aligns with your Catholic beliefs and values. Visit us online to discover all the gift-giving opportunities that truly reflect your loving service to God. www.OrangeCatholicFoundation.org In living your life, have only one desire, to be and become the person God wills.
Jean
What is God’s desire for you? csjorange.org • vocationcsj@csjorange.org 2024_OCC_half_CSJO.indd 1 5/3/2024 2:19:38 PM
-
Pierre Médaille, SJ

5 6

13

MAY 12, 2024

CONTENTS

CELEBRATING MOTHERS

Fr. Angelos Sebastian credits his mother for his faith.

HONORING OUR MOTHER

A new shrine to Our Lady of La Vang was unveiled last month.

CORPORAL AND SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MOTHERHOOD

A mother's work is never done, but it is the most important work in the world.

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.

OCCatholic.com OCCatholicNews @OCCCatholicNews

AROUND CAMPUS

AMBO

Donor: Available. For more information on sponsorship opportunities call (714) 282-3021. The ambo, or place for the proclamation of the Word of God, is similar to a pulpit with steps. It is prominently placed within Christ Cathedral for proclaiming the Scriptures and giving homilies. The ambo was cut from the same Italian marble as the altar. Photo by John Pascale/Diocese of OrangeC

“ Let us encourage one another, let us think of those among our people who are in difficulty.” — Pope Francis

SAINT PROFILE

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY

ACTS 19:1-8; PS 68:2-3AB, 4-5ACD, 6-7AB; JN 16:29-33

TUESDAY

ACTS 1:15-17, 20-26; 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8; JN 15:9-17

WEDNESDAY

ACTS 20:28-38; 68:29-30, 33-35A, 35BC-36AB; JN 17:11B-19

THURSDAY

ACTS 22:30; 23:6-11; PS 16:1-2A AND 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11; JN 17:20-26

PANCRAS DIED C. 304

ACCORDING TO AN EARLY legend, the Roman martyr Pancras was a native of Syria or Phrygia (now Turkey) brought to Rome by an uncle after he was orphaned. They converted to Christianity there and were martyred during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. Pancras reportedly was only 14, the likely reason for his being a patron saint of children. A strong cult of Pancras developed in Rome and in England from the time of St. Augustine of Canterbury, who dedicated a church to him around 600. Pancras is also mentioned in St. Bede's martyrology and in most medieval English calendars, and the famous north London train station takes its name from an ancient church there dedicated to St. Pancras. C

FRIDAY

ACTS 25:13B-21; PS 103:1-2, 1112, 19-20AB; JN 21:15-19

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

SATURDAY

ACTS 28:16-20, 3031; PS 11:4, 5 AND 7; JN 21:20-25

SUNDAY

ACTS 2: 1-11; PSALM 104; 1 COR 12:3B-7, 12-13 OR GAL 5:16-25; JOHN 20:1923 OR JOHN 15:26-27; 16:12-15

4 OC CATHOLIC ■ MAY 12, 2024 DAILY READINGS AND REFLECTIONS
PHOTO BY THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

CELEBRATING MOTHERS

FR. ANGELOS SEBASTIAN SHARES THE POSITIVE INFLUENCE HIS MOM HAD ON HIS FAITH

BEFORE THE SUN WOULD even begin to rise, St. Kilian pastor Fr. Angelos Sebastian, who also serves as the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Diocese of Orange, fondly remembers his mom, Gracy Sebastian, starting her day off with God.

“She would wake up at four or 4:30 in the morning to pray,” he shared with OC Catholic . “That's my earliest memory even as a kid. Early in the morning, my mom would wake up to pray the rosary. Then she would start cooking for everybody and then she had to go to work.”

Born and raised in India, Fr. Angelos admitted that his parents were very poor and worked tirelessly to support their children. But through life’s trials and tribulations, they always trusted in their relationship with God.

“What kept them together was their faith in the Lord,” he said. “They also had tremendous love for our Blessed Mother.”

That care and affection was passed on to Fr. Angelos from a very young age. At just one month and eight days old, he was baptized into the Catholic Church. The sacrament proved to be an impactful moment for his journey into the priesthood.

While he was born with the name Joseph, the priest who performed his baptism was named Angelos and said he wanted to “keep my name for this

child.”

“Those days, what the priest said was like God telling you something,”

Fr. Angelos said. “So, my parents were more than happy to keep the name Angelos for me. And then after my baptism, the priest told my parents that he had a strong feeling that this child would become a priest. My parents were so happy because they were so religious. They wanted at least one of their children to be a priest.”

After receiving a special message from their priest, Fr. Angelos’ parents kept nurturing him and told their son he was destined for a life of vocation.

In 2001, he was ordained for the Diocese of Ajmer before coming to the Orange Diocese in 2007.

“I grew up hearing my parents and my family always telling me that you have a heart for priesthood,” he said. “It was easy for me because I didn't have any struggle or anything as to what I was going to become. I always knew I was going to be a priest. God made it so easy for me. My parents — especially my mom — always supported me. From the time I can remember,

we always prayed for all the priests, and she was praying for me that I will always answer God’s call.”

While some mothers may struggle to pass their faith and love of Jesus onto their children, Fr. Angelos said he naturally grew more and more curious after noticing a change in his mom after Communion.

“Sunday Mass was always so important for all of us,” he recalled.

“After Communion, when my mom would go back to her place to pray, she was a totally different person. I could see it in her face. She was in union with the Lord. After receiving the Lord, being one with the Lord changed her personality, her facial expression, everything.”

As a result, Fr. Angelos said he was “eager to know what was happening to her and I wanted to find out that for myself.”

“I wanted to experience the same,” he continued. “I wanted to experience the Lord and have that deeper union. That’s one moment I can remember where my mom tremendously inspired

me to have that personal relationship with the Lord Jesus.”

Although Gracy passed away more than four years ago, Fr. Angelos has no doubt that she remains proud of his work in the Diocese of Orange.

“My mom is absolutely proud of me,” he reflected. “She's always proud of me. She’s especially proud of me because I'm doing God's work. There is nothing else that would give her greater joy than me doing God's work. My mom from Heaven is rejoicing that God is using my life to bring thousands and thousands of people to the Lord.”

With Mother’s Day weekend here, Fr. Angelos wants to celebrate his mom and all mother figures who are sharing God’s love with children. From his perspective, there’s nothing stronger than a bond between the mother and the child.

“How the mother gives, how the child sees the mother making sacrifices, how the mother is devoted to the Lord, how the mother turns to the Lord in times of need or all the time trusting in the Lord…that has such a great impact in the life of a child,” he said. “The child learns that, and I know that's how I learned my faith. That’s why the mother has the single most influence in the life of a child, especially in the faith life of a child.” C

PAGE HEADING MAY 12, 2024 ■ OC CATHOLIC 5
FR. ANGELOS SEBASTIAN SHARES ONE OF HIS FAVORITE PHOTOS WITH HIS MOM, GRACY. PHOTO COURTESY OF FR. ANGELOS SEBASTIAN
FEATURE
Garrett Masciel • DRE#01920249 “Communication & Hard Work is Our Key to Your SUCCESS” 714-956-4000 www.Masciel.com Gary Masciel • DRE#00614861

HONORING OUR MOTHER

ST. BONAVENTURE PARISH UNVEILS OUR LADY OF LA VANG SHRINE

WHEN PLANS TO RENOVATE St. Bonaventure

Catholic Church in Huntington Beach were being discussed several years ago, Fr. Joe Knerr, St. Bonaventure’s pastor at the time, wanted to include the Vietnamese community in the planning process.

The most meaningful way of honoring the Vietnamese culture and Catholics’ devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary was to replicate the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine at Christ Cathedral.

Guided by faith, the plan came into fruition when the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine was unveiled and blessed at an April 12 ceremony in the courtyard adjacent to the church.

Prior to blessing the outdoor shrine, Very Rev. Angelos Sebastian, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Diocese of Orange, celebrated Mass with Rev. Vincent Pham, St. Bonaventure’s current pastor.

Following Mass, a crowd gathered in the courtyard to witness the unveiling and blessing of the shrine.

“This shrine will remind us of the close ties of Mary to Christ and his Church,” Fr. Angelos said. “And it will serve as a testament to the remarkable journey of the Vietnamese American people from war and persecution to a new reality where faith and community are vibrant and ascendant.”

The shrine’s centerpiece is a 12-foottall statue of the Blessed Mother standing on a cloud, holding the Baby Jesus. ST. BONAVENTURE

PAGE HEADING 6 OC CATHOLIC ■ MAY 12, 2024 DIOCESAN NEWS
CATHOLIC CHURCH UNVEILED ITS OUR LADY OF LA VANG SHRINE ON APRIL 12, WITH A SPECIAL MASS AND DEDICATION CEREMONY. PHOTO BY EVERETT JOHNSON/DIOCESE OF ORANGE CONTINUES ON PAGE 14
OC Catholic Schools OCCatholicSchools May 6-10, 2024 Happy Teacher Appreciation Week Thank You Teachers Thank You Teachers for all you do. for all you do. We appreciate all of your hard work and dedication. Website: occatholicschools.org E-mail: catholicsc hools@rcbo.org

CELEBRATING THE POWER OF MOM

IN HONOR OF MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND, SIX MOTHER FIGURES ARE ACKNOWLEDGED FOR BRINGING FAITH INTO THEIR CHILD’S LIFE

FOR MANY CATHOLICS, learning about God didn’t just start at home; it started with mom.

Just ask Fr. Angelos Sebastian, who has witnessed the impact mothers have had on children as pastor of St. Kilian Catholic Church in Mission Viejo and Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Diocese of Orange.

“From my own life experience and also having seen so many people in my life, the biggest influence a person has in his or her life is the mother,” he said. “The bond between the mother and the child is such a special bond that doesn't exist anywhere else.”

In honor of Mother’s Day, OC Catholic wanted to acknowledge the positive influence many moms have on a child’s relationship with God. To do so, we asked six individuals to pen personal notes to their own mother figures, who had an impact on their faith journey. Allow their candid letters to uplift and inspire this holiday weekend.

TO MY MOM AND ST. CECILIA SCHOOL PRINCIPAL MARY ALVARADO,

You have brought faith into my life by always reminding me of the value of a Catholic education. Not only have you dedicated your professional career to Catholic schools, but you also always emphasized in our home the significance of receiving a Catholic education. You and dad have sacrificed so much over the years

to make sure my Catholic education was a priority. College was the first time I made the decision on my own to continue my education at a faith-based school and I’m so thankful you guided me in that direction. Catholic education has given me a sense of belonging wherever I am. I’ve also been blessed to encounter such incredible people with whom I can share my faith and I attribute that to your dedication to a Catholic education.

Your daughter, Annie McNiff

TO MY MOTHER-IN-LAW AND ST. KILIAN PARISHIONER

MARILYN BRENNAN,

You know I grew up in a faith-filled Presbyterian family, but when I moved to Mission Viejo in 1974, I began attending St. Kilian. I met my future husband there and you became my Catholic mentor. Up until your passing in 1994, you taught me about the beauty of being Catholic. Most inspirational of all was your love of the Eucharist. You were truly my inspiration for converting and I have never regretted my choice to convert as a teenager. I love being Catholic and am grateful for your love and strength in supporting my decision.

Your daughter-in-law, Kandi Brennan

TO MY MOM AND SAN FRANCISCO SOLANO

PARISHIONER TESS ENYEART,

You are the strongest woman I know. Through everything you have undergone, you have remained so steadfast in your faith and relationship with God…You are my role model. You’re able to turn every situation into something positive and your spirit is contagious. I am forever grateful for the woman I have become because of your guidance and your dedication to our faith.

Your daughter, Sara Enyeart

8 OC CATHOLIC ■ MAY 12, 2024 FEATURE CONTINUES ON PAGE 9
ANNIE MCNIFF CELEBRATES HER CATHOLIC WEDDING WITH HER MOM, MARY ALVARADO. PHOTO BY ALI BECK PHOTOGRAPHY SARA ENYEART AND HER MOM, TESS ENYEART. PHOTO BY MIKE VULPO/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

TO MY MOM AND HOLY FAMILY PARISHIONER EVA REYES,

For as long as I can remember, dad was taking me to Mass, and you were praying rosaries with me and showing me how to pray. As any young kid might think, I thought of the rituals and routines to be simply something that took away from my time to play with friends or video games. It wasn't until I got older that I started to fully understand the importance of faith and having a relationship with God. In the highs and the lows, my faith is my anchor, and I am so grateful that you gave me the tools. Your life continues to be an example

for me, and I will forever be grateful.

Your son, Nathan Reyes

TO MY MOM AND SAN FRANCISCO SOLANO PARISHIONER TINA MAY,

"Without you mom, I wouldn’t have completed the sacrament of First Holy Communion as an adult. Although circumstances prevented me from completing these important milestones as a child, you always prayed and had faith I would do so one day, and I did. In the summer of 1989, when I was 24, you handed me your rosary when I was leaving for Europe and told me to ask the pope to bless it. I remember laughing, 'What made her think

I’d be anywhere near the pope?!' But off I went, rosary tucked into my backpack and remembering you had faith. When in Rome, I went to Vatican City and was told where to line up for a chance to see the Holy Father. There, Pope John Paul II did indeed bless your rosary. Your prayers and faith were absolutely rewarded."

Your daughter, Gaby Peloquin

TO MY MOM AND ST. BONAVENTURE PARISHIONER MIRIAM STALEY,

Mom, I am so grateful for all that you taught me about our Catholic faith and always doing the right thing and treating others the way I would want to be treated. I

have tried very hard to live my life in a way that would make you proud like attending Mass, teaching my children about our faith and praying the rosary at the start of long car trips. I learned from you how to be a loving wife and mother and God willing, grandmother one day. Because of all that you taught me, I learned that we are never alone. He is always there guiding us, and prayer brings us peace. I love you and miss you so much. I know that you are with dad watching over us from heaven. You’ve given me the greatest gifts: your love, your time and your faith and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Your daughter, Gayle “Kate” Delcoure Lipsky C

MAY 12, 2024 ■ OC CATHOLIC 9 FEATURE
GABY PELOQUIN AND HER MOM, TINA MAY. PHOTO COURTESY OF GABY PELOQUIN GAYLE “KATE” DELCOURE LIPSKY AND HER MOM, MIRIAM STALEY. PHOTO COURTESY OF GAYLE “KATE” DELCOURE LIPSKY

WITH GOD’S BLESSING

CHRIST CATHEDRAL HOSTS COLLECTIVE WEDDING

MIGUEL GONZALEZ is 81 years old and 46 of these years have been spent being married ‘only by civil law’ to the love of his life, Maria del Rosario Rochin, 73.

But on April 13, they finally decided to unite their lives with the sacrament of marriage and wed in the Church during a collective, or community wedding ceremony, along with 16 other couples.

“We’re doing this for our families –for our grandchildren and for our entire family,” said Miguel, after the conclusion of the ceremony.

“We feel happy and blessed,” added his wife, Maria del Rosario.

When asked why they waited so long to marry in the Church, the couple doesn’t have a ready answer. But they knew they had to make the step this year, no matter what — because Maria has stage 4 terminal cancer.

But despite the harsh diagnosis, Maria said that she has decided to live out the remainder of her life under the blessing of God and enjoy her family.

“We have to live and move forward,” she said.

Fr. Juan Navarro, pastor of Christ Cathedral, said community weddings allow couples who are Catholic and have never been married in the Church the opportunity to have their union blessed before God.

“Sometimes, due to economic reasons, couples don’t have weddings in Church, and we provide them with the space to marry inside the cathedral and for their union to be blessed,” outlined Fr. Navarro. He continued: “People have always considered weddings to be very expensive, but after years of living together, they need the sacrament.”

During the almost three-hour ceremony at the cathedral, the couples received Communion and God’s blessing.

One by one, each couple exchanged vows and rings, with their Godparents by their side.

“The union of these couples is no longer sustained by human forces, but by God who comes in to strengthen their unity,” said Fr. Navarro.

Cesa Restis and Fabiola Martinez also participated in the ceremony. They both waited 20 years to take the step and the reason is simple.

“To be an example for our family,” said Cesar.

And for his wife, the wedding was something special, despite sharing the church with 16 other couples.

“For us, the community wedding was nice because apart from being economical, everything was very nice,” Fabiola said.

10 OC CATHOLIC ■ MAY 12, 2024 FEATURE CONTINUES ON PAGE 11
A COMMUNITY WEDDING ON APRIL 13 AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL IN GARDEN GROVE.
MIGUEL GONZÁLEZ AND MARIA DEL ROSARIO ROCHIN EXCHANGE RINGS DURING PHOTO BY CARLOS AVILES

CONTINUED

The daughters of Miguel and Maria could not hide their happiness and said that they have always seen the blessing and strength of God in their parents even before they married in the Church.

“They have always had a beautiful union, even though they were married only civilly,” said Erica Francisca Salas, one of the couple’s three daughters.

“Since her [Maria’s] diagnosis, we thought she was going to decline, but it was the opposite. She became more full of life.”

Christ Cathedral offers marriage counseling every third Sunday of the month, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Large Gallery on campus. It is recommended to arrive early.

Couples must attend at least one meeting at least nine months prior to the date they want to get married.

Requirements include: Baptismal certificates, First Communion certificates, Confirmation certificates, a prenuptial questionnaire and legal documentation if a civil union has taken place.

Fr. Navarro added that the Church is here to help couples with the process, not to complicate it.

“Do not think that it is complicated,” he said. “The most important thing is to meet with your priest and express your desire. He is there to facilitate your process. The Church wishes with all its heart that you get married.”

Interested couples can register online at https://www. christcathedralcalifornia.org/ marriage/ or by calling (714) 971-2141. C

MAY 12, 2024 ■ OC CATHOLIC 11 FEATURE
FROM PAGE 10
SEVENTEEN COUPLES PARTICIPATED IN A COMMUNITY WEDDING CELEBRATED BY FR. JUAN NAVARRO ON APRIL 13 AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL. PHOTOS BY YUAN WANG/DIOCESE OF ORANGE SEVENTEEN COUPLES WERE MARRIED INSIDE CHRIST CATHEDRAL IN GARDEN GROVE ON APRIL 13 AS PART OF A COMMUNITY WEDDING.

Magnificare LLC is on a mission to advance the quality of lives of our aging loved ones and their caregivers not in a fake, sunshine-and-rainbows type of way, but with a real, human-powered, data-driven approach. We've found

The Problem: Aging in place is truly complex

1 in 5 Californians will be age 65 or older, according to the nonprofit Public Policy Institute of California. The state will be facing a shortage of as many as care workers by then.

The US is facing an epidemic of senior loneliness and social isolation which is associated with about 50% increased risk of dementia and other serious medical conditions. NASEM reported that more than 30% of adults aged 45 feel lonely, and nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated.

Home Care Pulse’s 2023 Benchmarking Report states that Home Care Industry's turn-over rate soars to 77.1%

Caregivers are overworked and undervalued. The Low Wages, Lack of Benefits, Recognition and Appreciation, Limited Career Advancement are a huge driving force for workers to go “gray" and gray workforce is becoming a growing problem for the long-term care industry, PHI National estimates that there are 4.6 million direct care workers nationally.

Our Strategy: Happy Employees Create Better Companies

(949) 438-8881 magnificare.net

twitter.com/orangediocese

youtube.com/dioceseorange

To report sexual abuse by clergy or church personnel please call: 1 (800) 364-3064 Healing and Hope After Abortion: 1

BÁO CÁO LẠM DỤNG TÌNH DỤC

Nếu 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.

본당내의 성적학대 신고 성직자나 성당 사목을 대표하는 관리자에 의한 성적 학대의 피해자 인 경우, 교구청의 무료 신고 전화 번호, 1-800-364-3064 및 관할 지역 법 집행 기관에 전화하십시오.
(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 Follow
social media
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TWITTER
YOUTUBE facebook.com/christcathedralca FACEBOOK instagram.com/christcathedralca INSTAGRAM Treat people the way they deserve to be treated We've found out that when companies put PEOPLE FIRST, everything else seems to fall into place.
the Diocese of Orange on
And stay informed of news and events at Christ Cathedral facebook.com/orangediocese
instagram.com/orangediocese
place. Treat people the way they deserve to be treated
out that when companies put PEOPLE FIRST, everything else seems to fall into

CORPORAL AND SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MOTHERHOOD

I’VE BEEN IMMENSELY BLESSED this year by a community of likeminded Catholic mothers, one of whom recently recommended “The Corporal Works of Mommy,” a book by Dr. Greg and Lisa Popcak, which (full disclosure) I have been too busy with four young children to sit down and read more than the introduction of, but which I offer as a recommendation to you today by way of a Mother’s Day gift.

The premise of this book revolves around the ways motherhood fulfils the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy as laid out by our mother the Church. This idea has been such a gamechanger for me lately as I navigate the frustrations of motherhood.

In case you’re like me and don’t have them memorized, the seven Corporal and seven Spiritual works of Mercy, which are distilled from the teachings of Jesus, are:

CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY

1. Feed the hungry

2. Give drink to the thirsty

3. Clothe the naked

4. Shelter the homeless

5. Visit the sick

6. Visit the imprisoned

7. Bury the dead

SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY

1. Admonish the sinner

2. Instruct the ignorant

3. Counsel the doubtful

4. Bear wrongs patiently

5. Forgive offenses willingly

6. Comfort the afflicted

7. Pray for the living and the dead

Have you ever noticed, reading through those lists, how many of them are the very works of motherhood? I feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty every couple of hours (day and night with my nursing infant!) every single day.

I’ve only been a full-time stay-at-home mom for about a year and a half, and as I’ve transitioned into this very different lifestyle, I’ve

tried stay very mindful of my role in my children’s lives. It can be a thankless job to change diapers and make mac and cheese over and over every day. I get less time to myself to think. I have to set aside my own desires constantly. It can feel like a whole lot.

But one thing that comforts me and keeps me grounded is St. Paul’s admonition to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17) which includes the intention to make your daily labors into a prayer. I have a hard time carving out the space for scripture study or silent meditation in my day to day, but it’s not beyond me to offer

thinks it’s funny to step on my toes, and it’s not always easy to bear wrongs patiently.

I think I’m going to put the Works of Mercy up on my wall as a sort of spiritual to-do list. Keeping them in mind is reframing everything that makes caring for my children frustrating.

Thank your mother today for being the light of Christ for your family, and next time you find yourself rocking a frightened child in the middle of the night or cleaning up a mess when they’re sick and you’re tired, think of these Works of Mercy, and offer up your irreplaceable work as a prayer for the souls God has entrusted to you.

Happy Mother’s Day.C

up my daily “slog” as a prayer for my family. Remembering that caring for my children is a work of mercy really has clicked something for me and made it easier to conceptualize my work as an offering to God and my children.

It calls me onwards too, as my oldest rapidly approaches the age of reason.

I have no choice whether I’m going to clothe the naked today. I’ll either do it as a prayer or I’ll do it grumbling and losing my patience along the way. But I have to make an effort to be charitable when I instruct the ignorant and admonish the sinner. I have a toddler who

MAY 12, 2024 ■ OC CATHOLIC 13 CATHOLIC FAMILY LIVING
CLASSIFIED ADS Irvine Community SaleStonegate Village Saturday, May 18th 8am to Noon Egret Park, 45 Ovation Dozens of neighborhood homes will be participating. LOSE 15-30 LBS IN 30 DAYS! I work with Clergy and Parishioners successfully! Easy & Safe. Gil Yurly 714-206-0443 Fitness Lessons with Gil Yurly 714-206-0443 PAINTING BY JOSE Int/Ext, Repair Dry Wall, Stucco, Wood Flrs, Mold L#967673 714-760-5417 GarageSales GarageSales Merchandise Fitness-WeightLoss Services MiscServices Painting
PHOTO BY LIANA MIKAH ON UNSPLASH

She has a Eurasian face and wears a traditional Vietnamese áo dài dress and khăn đống hat which portrays her as a queen dressed in Vietnamese women’s clothing.

The statue is made of the same Italian marble used to construct the Marian shrine at Christ Cathedral that was unveiled in a July 2021 ceremony before a gathering of 8,000 worshipers.

“It's made from the best marble in Italy,” Fr. Pham said. “That's what the Diocese got, and we said, we're going to go with that same model.”

Andrea Ceccarelli of the Italian Marble

Company, the same artist who sculpted the 12-foot tall Our Lady of La Vang statue at Christ Cathedral, spent four months completing the St. Bonaventure statue, which stands 6-feet tall and weighs about 2,000 pounds.

Additional landscaping and benches will be added in the coming weeks.

The Blessed Mother is believed to have appeared before a group of persecuted Vietnamese Catholics in a rainforest of Vietnam in 1798.

Since then, the Marian apparition has represented faith, hope and promise to Vietnamese Catholics around the world.

“It means a lot, spiritually,” said Fr.

Pham on the presence of the shrine. “Our Lady of La Vang has a great connection with the history of persecution of Catholics and non-Catholics. At home we have our earthly mother, but in heaven now she is our spiritual mother, heavenly mother, who is here with us. And every time that we have challenges, we have difficulties in life, suffering, we need to tell somebody and the first person that we want to tell is mom. So, she is like a mother figure on earth for us.”

The architect who designed the shrine is Vincent Dinh.

The project was scheduled to get underway about five years ago but was

interrupted by the pandemic and put on hold until Fr. Pham joined the parish in July 2023.

Construction took six months to complete and the entire $125,000 cost to build the shrine was funded by parishioners.

Thanh Van has been a member of the St. Bonaventure parish for 26 years and was among several volunteers who helped serve brunch following the blessing.

“I feel very proud that our Vietnamese community is able to have this done very early,” Van said. “Since our new pastor Vincent Ho Pham came, he put a lot of work in it with the Vietnamese council to finish it very fast.” C

14 OC CATHOLIC ■ MAY 12, 2024
NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6
DIOCESAN
IN THE
FR. ANGELOS SEBASTIAN BLESSES THE OUR LADY OF LA VANG SHRINE
ON APRIL 12
COURTYARD OF ST. BONAVENTURE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HUNTINGTON BEACH. A CROWD GATHERS ON APRIL 12 FOR A SPECIAL BLESSING AND DEDICATION OF THE NEWLY INSTALLED OUR LADY OF LA VANG SHRINE LOCATED IN THE COURTYARD ADJACENT TO THE ST. BONAVENTURE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HUNTINGTON BEACH. A SPECIAL MASS WAS CELEBRATED ON APRIL 12, FOLLOWED BY A BLESSING AND DEDICATION, FOR THE NEWLY INSTALLED OUR LADY OF LA VANG SHRINE ON THE CAMPUS OF ST. BONAVENTURE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HUNTINGTON BEACH. PHOTOS BY EVERETT JOHNSON/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

“Pretty Bird” as she’s affectionately called, hangs out at home with Bishop Vann’s dog, Gracie. Pretty Bird was a birthday gift to Bishop Vann and has been a great addition to the Vann family!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers, those here with us today and those who are with the Lord in Heaven. And a special Happy Birthday to Bishop Kevin Vann who celebrated his birthday on May 10. He is pictured with his parents, Theresa and William Vann, in 1951.

Send your photos that capture Catholic life in your parish community to: editor@occatholic.com

MAY 12, 2024 ■ OC CATHOLIC 15
in our Journey
in our
Moments
Moments
Journey

CLASS OF 2024 JSerra Catholic High School

Jazmine Aftabi

Jack Almy

Sammy Amin

Thomas Antonic

Maddox Arlett

Sam Asadi

Farah Aslamyar

Haleigh Aubuchon

Aaron Auci

Makena Bactat

Natalie Baker Vela

Jackson Baldwin

Adam Balkhi

Remington Ballidis

Nicholas Barrios

Keaton Basso

Jessica Bates

Alexander Bayeh

Jack Behrens

Cash Belciano

Marco Belciano

Sydney Bernard

Kendall Beuerlein

Charlie Beyer

Brianna Bittner

Margaret Bobo

Kainani Bogart

Logan Bonswor

Logan Bos

Bridget Bourdon

Brooke Bowman

Drew Bowman

Bianca Braeger

Kaden Breaux

Bode Brinkema

Benjamin Brook

Reese Brown

Adriana Bryant

Kathleen Burke

Gianna Cabral

Catherine Cadieux

Henry Cadieux

Colby Carpenter

Charles Caruso

Austin Casdorph

Matt Champion

Clarence Chaney V

Colette Chang

Sydney Chapman

Wei Chen

Gong Chen

Jack Chen

Michael Chi

Sophia Chiaverini

James Chow

Kennedy Church

Jason Clark

Jack Codet

Lauren Cosgrove

Giovanni Cozzetto

Nuallan Crawford

Shayne Daly

Jack Dawson

Katelyn DeWames

Thatcher Dilley Jr.

Jacob Dittmer

Sean Do

Ryder Dodd

Michael Dominguez

Jason Evans

Savannah Evans

Nadeem Fahd

Julia Feldmann

Bianca Ferrario

Dusay Fields

Jeighlyn Filo

Ryleigh Fitzsimmons

Kevin Flynn

Aidan Fowler

Grant Fuller

Kamar Gabourel

Zoe Gabriel

Bethany Garcia

Alex Gersh

Charley Giacobetti

Parker Gibson

Elana Giolas

Kanoa Girard

Matthew Goldstein

David Goodman

Emma Graesser

Devyn Gray

Mateo Greis

Jordan Gross

Uma Guerrero

Alejandro Gutierrez

Ryan Hagerty

Thomas Hallal

Leon Han

Kilian Hannegan

Julia Harkins

Aaron Haton

Ainsleigh Heller

Samuel Hendrick

Emma Herrera

Ava Hetland

Blake Hirst

Indie Hoffman

Delaney Hughes

Korin Hull

Eva Hurtado

Jordan Jackman

Georgia Jeanneret

Nile Jefferson

Meagan Jennings

Charles Jeter

Evee Jewgieniew

Owen Johnson

Tatum Johnson

Ellerie Jones

Michael Junge

Shaunt Karageozian

Tyler Kelly

Christopher Kempf

Nathaniel Kennedy

Joseph Kent

Derek Kim

Lauren King

Katherine Kolenic

Luke Krolikowski

Emily Kroll

Mia Krueger

McKayla Lamb

Owen Larson

Roma Latini

Boston Latter

Owen Lau

Kaylee Layfield

Alliana Layk

Logan Lebsack

Olivia Leddy

Sean Ledyard

Trinity Lee

Harley Li

Jackson Lipscomb

Gabriela Liriano

Siena Livak

Chelsea Loeser

Caroline Lorber

Catherine Lorimer

Carson Lough

Vance Luedtke

Logan Mahoney

Lucy Malmquist

Makena Manginelli

Dorina Marquis

Diego Martinez

Dylan McCants

William McClenahan

Jack McDermott

Cole McKechnie

Marley McKenzie

Skyler McLaughlin

Avery Meissner

Hector Mendoza

Lucy Meyer

Logan Mickelsen

Rowan Millett

Aiden Millis

Mary Mitchell

Greyson Moreno

Kendrick Morgan

Ashley Moro

Lauren Moro

Payton Mossbarger

Lauren Mullaney

Jack Munro

Michael Murphy

Brent Myricks

Carson Natzke

Jack Neiger

Noah Nesson

Alex Nguyen

Isaac Nguyen

Haylie Nowell

Adrian Nuñez

Joaquín Oades

Emery O'Brien

Christian O'Donnell

Victoria Oh

Cormac Olsem

Joseph O'Melveny

Christopher O'Rourke

Saul Orozco

Aidan Ortega

Gabriella Ortiz

Marcus Ozmai

Andrew Padova

Sophia Padua

Finneas Palcza

Rocco Panicola

Halle Parker

Noah Parks

Abigail Pearson

Catherine Peets

Christian Penland

Kenny Perez

Samantha Perry

Daniel Petilli

Christopher Petrov

Lavene Pham

Leo Pich

Lily Placey

Jacqueline Poli

Hannah Puff

Peter Qiu

Corrinne Quill

Caitlin Quinn

Benjamin Rabara

Sergio Ramos Sepulveda

Sebastian Ranćík

Jared Referente

Katherine Reyes

Catherine Rice

Abigail Roberts

Jessica Roberts

Lucas Robles

Gael Rodelo

Emily Rodosky

Anton Rosandic

Julianna Rough

Veronica Rowan

Dean Saad

Nisreen Salem

Isabella Scarcelli

William Schattmaier

Austin Schlutter

William Schneider

Madison Schuler

Giuliana Schulte

Ty Schwartz

Neeka Sedigh

Ava Serentelos

Maxwell Seymour

Kaylee Shozi

Lorena Sills

Luke Simard

Alexander Singh

Ava Smith

Sadhana Som

Zachary Som

Jason Somogyi

Adela Song

George SooHoo

Meredith Starkenburg

Shea Stephens

Isabella Stewart

Lily Stewart

Peyton Stoik

Thomas Studenka

Dmitri Susidko

Megan Szyman

Amanda Taba

Trent Taliaferro

Devin Thomas

Hadley Thomas

Nicholas Thompson

Breck Titus

Wesley Ulz

Jaidyn Vanderbeek

Sydney Vanderbeek

Ryan Vaughn

Maysen Veronda

Luke Vicelja

Samara Villafana

Lauren Walcott

Eliza Wall

Zoe Wallace

Erin Walters

Kira Wensinger

Dane Wensley

John Whittle

Cruz Wilkinson

Astara Williams

Justin Wilson

Ryan Winkelmann

Grant Wood

Sydney Wood

Ruth Wu

Phillip Xu

Felix Yu

Rex Yuan

Shuyang Zhang

Steven Zhang

Jason Zhu

Judy Zhu

Allen Jack Zimmer

Luca Zuccato

26351 Junipero Serra Road San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 949.493.9307 jserra.org
#LIONNATION #LIONNATION

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.