OC CATHOLIC - MAY 1, 2022

MAY 1, 2022

AROUND OUR DIOCESE PAGE 11

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ORANGE n OCCATHOLIC.COM

MOTHER MOST PURE AS SPRING BLOSSOMS, WE DEDICATE THE SEASON OF RENEWAL TO OUR QUEEN OF HEAVEN PAGE 6

AN ELABORATE MOSAIC OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD DECORATES THE APSE OF OUR LADY OF THE PILLAR CHURCH IN SANTA ANA. PHOTO: SPENCER GRANT/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

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MAY 1, 2022

CONTENTS

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GOD’S WORK

The liturgy, or the work of worship, is seen when the faithful come together at Mass.

A LIFETIME OF SERVICE

St. Bonaventure parishioner is memorialized for her dedication to help wherever there is need.

BISHOPS BACK UKRAINIAN REFUGEE PROGRAM

The USCCB endorses the Biden administration’s initiative to host Ukrainian refugees in the US.

PLUS

Bishop’s Column, Weekly Readings, Moments In Our Journey

BE A VOICE IN THE '21-'23 SYNOD In the diocesan phase of the Synod on Synodality, the Holy Father has asked bishops throughout the world to consult the faithful in their dioceses on the meaning of Synodality ("journeying together") for the Church's mission. In the Diocese of Orange, we have been listening to the faithful through consultations, interviews, and website submissions. Please visit the link below if you would like to contribute your thoughts.

Participate today!

RCBO.org/synod

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.

“Communication & Hard Work is Our Key to Your SUCCESS”

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: Monsignor Stephen Doktorczyk Editor: Patricia Mahoney, editor@occatholic.com News Ideas: editor@occatholic.com Delivery Problems: occatholicsupport@occatholic.com

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BISHOP’S COLUMN

TRUE RICHES IN THE GOLDEN STATE: A CALL TO ACTION

BY THE MOST REVEREND KEVIN W. VANN, J.C.D., D.D.

W

HAT ARE THE RICHES of the Golden State?

California’s beauty, landscapes, diversity, industry and influence are unparalleled. It is the fifth largest economy in the world. And paramount among all this beauty is the inestimable value of each and every human life.

Our state is amid a record two-year budget surplus. Proposals are coming out of the woodwork for how to spend the money. Unfortunately, alongside some laudable proposals CA legislature leadership and the governor have decided to prioritize expansion of already liberal abortion laws and policy.

I will address the specific challenges we face in an unprecedented onslaught of bills threatening the sanctity of life below – and invite you to prayer and action – but first a few words of encouragement.

As partisan polarization has reached record levels common ground for the common good on issues including abortion has become harder and harder to come by. In fact, it is unclear whether either end of the political spectrum is even interested in de-polarizing since their own vested interests are served by the status quo, all the more so in states where one party has a supermajority.

I have served as priest and then bishop in three distinct political environments in Illinois, Texas and California.

I’ve not seen before the rancor, entrench-

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

ment and extremism as strong as it appears today.

Nonetheless, we must resist the temptation to despair but rather trust in Christ Jesus who promises to be with us until the end of the age. A promise recalled anew during this Easter season.

“We should take as a maxim,” wrote Saint Vincent de Paul, “never to be surprised at current difficulties, no more than at a passing breeze, because with a little patience we shall see them disappear. Time changes everything.”

On the other hand, we must resist the temptation to indifference. Pope Francis has warned us, consistently and forcefully, against that option. “We cannot reCONTINUES ON PAGE 9

The Diocese of Orange, through OC Catholic newspaper, presents local, national and world news about the Catholic Church. Our intention is to give our readers access to a variety of perspectives in order to help them to process the information within the framework of our Catholic faith, but also to better understand the perspectives of those with opposing viewpoints. We hope that ultimately our readers will be better equipped to have constructive conversations that further the growth of the Catholic Church.

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DAILY READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

“ GOD’S ABUNDANT KINDNESS, LOVE

T

HE SUPERABUNDANCE OF GOD’S kindness ties all of today’s readings together. Especially when life overwhelms us, the Lord provides all we need, and then some. In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter takes the lead when facing the Sanhedrin. We might expect the man who denied Jesus to crumble under the imposing glare of the high priest. Instead, the Holy Spirit helps him testify to his faith in Jesus Christ. What Peter had lacked before, courage and conviction, God provides in abundance. Similarly, today’s Gospel shows Jesus providing a surplus of fish for the disciples. They have no luck fishing until the Lord intercedes. Jesus supplies an almost ridiculous number of fish, and he cooks it for them, too. As our reading from Revelation affirms, the overflowing riches of God require constant praise. Countless creatures—“everything in the universe”—cry out to honor the Lord, forever and ever.

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. C

May we not let ourselves be distracted by the glittering lights of this world.

— Pope Francis

SAINT PROFILE

”

JOSEPH THE WORKER FIRST CENTURY

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HOUGH HIS PRINCIPAL FEAST IS MARCH 19, St. Joseph also is honored for his labors as a carpenter in providing for his family’s needs in Nazareth. The carpentry trade in first-century Palestine covered building houses, which were mostly made of wood; by tradition, Jesus joined the family business. Throughout church history, Joseph was honored as a craftsman, but this feast was set in 1956 to give Christian meaning to what had become a secular association of May 1 with labor. C

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

ACTS 6:8-15; PS 119:23-24, 2627, 29-30; JN 6:22-29

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

ACTS 8:1B-8; PS 66:1-3A, 4-7A; JN 6:35-40

ACTS 8:26-40; PS 66:8-9, 16-17, 20; JN 6:44-51

ACTS 9:1-20; PS 117:1BC, 2; JN 6:52-59

ACTS 9:31-42; PS 116:12-17; JN 6:60-69

ACTS 13:14, 43-52; PS 100:1-3, 5; RV 7:9, 14B-17; JN 10:27-30

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FEATURE

MOTHER MOST PURE

AS SPRING BLOSSOMS, WE DEDICATE THE SEASON OF RENEWAL TO OUR QUEEN OF HEAVEN

BY MEG WATERS

S

INCE THE EARLIEST DAYS of the Church, the month of May has been dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Some suggest this is related to the ancient Greek custom of May celebrations to Artemis – the goddess of fertility and childbirth. May was dedicated to the goddess Flora, patron of blooms and blossoms, as in flora and fauna in ancient Rome. When the Church was young, honoring Mary at these times was a way of converting pagan festivals to Christianity.

But Mary is not a goddess – she is the Theotokos or God-bearer, and what better time to celebrate Mary’s role in salvation in the month brimming with new life. At least in the Northern Hemisphere, May is associated with an end to the dark days of winter and new growth.

As Catholics, we enjoy a special closeness to Mary as her spiritual children.

She embodies what we would be were it not for Original Sin. She personifies what we can become through God’s grace and salvation, and through her example, we learn how to follow Jesus perfectly.

It is difficult to give an exact date when May was first associated with honoring Mary. For centuries the Catholic Church set aside the entire month to honor her. In the Middle Ages, there was a tradition of 30-days devoted to Mary, called the Tricesimum, but it was held in late summer.

May is usually part of the Easter season, situated between Easter Sunday and Pentecost. We recall Mary’s presence at

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A PARISHIONER TOUCHES AN ICON TO THE VIRGIN MARY FOLLOWING ST. VINCENT DE PAUL’S ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE IN HUNTINGTON BEACH IN DECEMBER 2019. PHOTO: BILL ALKOFER

the earliest times in the Church and her significant role during this time. Her last words at the wedding feast at Cana were, “do whatever he tells you.” Mary is always pointing us toward Jesus.

In May, we honor Mary with special hymns, rosaries, altars and many parishes hold May Crowing ceremonies where a

wreath of flowers is placed on top of a statue of Mary. Apparitions of Mary often include flowers, or the scent of roses, the most famous of which is the 1531 apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Father Quan Tran, the pastor of St. Hedwig Parish in Los Alamitos, recently

published a book, The Imitation of Mary: Keys to Growth in Virtue and Grace.

“I think the association with springtime and Mary is because this is a time of new life and optimism,” said Fr. Tran.

Honoring Mary is rooted in the bible, notes Fr. Tran. First, the Angel Gabriel’s CONTINUES ON PAGE 7

FEATURE / CATHOLIC FAMILY LIVING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

declaration: “Hail full of Grace,” acknowledges Mary’s special place among all people. Her unique role is highlighted throughout the New Testament, especially at the crucifixion, “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour, the disciple took her into his home.”

Mary was with Jesus throughout his ministry and aided the early Church after the Ascension. Mary was present at the Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles to help fortify them for evangelization. It is clear from the context that the Apostles uniquely honored Mary.

Two significant Marian feast days are celebrated in May; the first is the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima on May 13, the day of her first apparition to the children in Portugal. The second is May 31, the feast of the Visitation of Mary to her kinswoman Elizabeth.

In the United States, we celebrate Mother’s Day in May – a happy coincidence that was not originally established to honor Mary and her divine motherhood, but there is a connection, nonetheless.

Most importantly, Mary has been a part of Catholic teaching, devotion and revelation since the earliest days. There are countless examples of her intercession on behalf of all of us during times of war and suffering – she is a protector and guide leading us to her son.

With so much going on in the world today, this May, it may be beneficial to make a special effort to honor our heavenly mother in our home. A May altar, family rosaries and attendance at Mass can go a long way toward healing our troubled world under Mary’s mantle. C

GOD’S WORK

BY KATIE DAWSON

“…. worship, rightly understood…. not only saves mankind but is also meant to draw the whole of reality into communion with God” (27).

The real “action” in the liturgy in which we are all supposed to participate is the action of God himself. This is what is new and distinctive about the Christian liturgy: God himself acts and does what is essential” (173). Spirit of the Liturgy, Pope Benedict XVI

W

E ARRIVED 20 minutes early to 9 a.m. Easter Mass – and found the Church half full already.

Apparently, we were not the only ones who anticipated a full house in our first “normal” Easter in two years. By 9 a.m. the place was packed, and it was standing room only. Our crew of eight adults and five small children filled our pew but we scooted a little closer and fit another family with babies into the end.

So Mass was full. It was full of people and music and incense and bells – and crying. The sanctuary was full of priests and deacons and cantors and lectors – and the church was full of children and their families. In addition to the procession at the beginning and end of Mass, there were intermittent “processions” of parents, in and out of the church with wailing children. Other parents (old and young) cast sympathetic smiles and tried to pay attention to the liturgy more than the commotion.

It required some effort.

Which is why we call it liturgy.

One definition for liturgy is “the work of worship, the ritual and sacred work of

A FULL HOUSE AT THE EASTER MASS AT ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY IN SILVERADO CANYON ON APRIL 17, 2022.

PHOTO: STEVEN GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

a religious community.” In other words, liturgy is “a work.” It’s very apparent from the crew of people in the sanctuary and the choir loft, that some significant work has gone into preparing for the big celebrations of Holy Week and Easter. But what might escape us is the “work” that we do in the pews. Because in our participating – however distracted or disrupted – we are “working” at worship. As we join in with words of praise and thanksgiving, repentance and intercession, as we listen to the readings, we are actually “working.”

Sometimes we find Mass particularly beautiful or meaningful or the homily hits just the right note. Sometimes we feel a strong sense of communion or God’s presence or consolation. But even if we go to Mass and receive none of those – our time is not wasted. Even if our attention is divided, even when we

are “just going through the motions,” it still matters that we do what we can.

When we exert ourselves to overcome distraction, to pay attention, we enter a changed reality more fully. But this is not an all or nothing proposition. We are doing the work of worship. Our work is a work of response – to God’s initiation, to God’s work for and in us.

The work will bear fruit. Over time, it can build in us “the life of heaven.”

Even while we are not yet in heaven, it forms heaven itself within us. Liturgy “practiced” persistently re-directs and re-orders our attention to deeper realities than those that press upon us in the day to day. Here we remember and celebrate God our Creator, Jesus our Savior and the Holy Spirit who empowers us for life in God. Here Jesus’ saving actions are made present and “heaven kisses earth,” bringing us the antidote for our wounds and failings, our sins.

This is work worth doing. C The Maria Ferrucci Catholic Family Living feature is intended to inspire families to live their faith in the way Maria Ferrucci did throughout her earthly life.

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FEATURE

A LIFETIME OF SERVICE

LONGTIME ST. BONAVENTURE PARISHIONER GERRY SAITTA EXTENDED HELP WHEREVER THERE WAS NEED

BY LOU PONSI

F

OR GERALDINE “GERRY” Saitta, being a Catholic meant living by the Christlike tenet of extending a hand to anyone in

need.

When she died on April 8, 2021, at age 81, the wife, mother and grandmother left a legacy of selfless service in parish communities in three states, including close to 50 years of service for St. Bonaventure Parish in Huntington Beach.

“Serving others … That is what my mother based her faith in,” Gerry’s daughter, Sue Ann Kuiper said. “Mom’s one belief was that you could go to church, but you need to translate that into practicing what you preach.”

Gerry’s husband of 60 years, George Saitta, said his wife was of service in the Catholic Church since the time they met in their hometown of Clifton, New Jersey in the late 1950s.

“Her whole life,” Gerry’s husband said.

“All the time ... help, help, help. I don’t care who it was. She grew up that way.”

When George, an electrical engineer, took a job at Kennedy Space Center in the 1960s, he moved with his wife and two young children to Florida.

Gerry immediately began volunteering at the local parish.

In 1973, when George was transferred to Barstow, the children attended Mount Saint Joseph Catholic School, which served a predominantly low income,

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GERALDINE “GERRY” SAITTA ACCEPTS AN AWARD FOR HER OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER EFFORTS FOR THE CHURCH IN 2014. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SAITTA FAMILY

underserved community.

When Gerry discovered many children had not been vaccinated and were coming to school without a lunch, she led an effort to bring state sponsored school lunch and immunization programs to the Mount Saint Joseph’s community.

The family moved to Huntington Beach in 1974, kicking off a 45-year relationship with St. Bonaventure Catholic Church and School.

Gerry volunteered under Father Michael Duffy, St. Bonaventure’s founding pastor, and continued serving under pastors Monsignor Kerry Beaulieu, Fr. Bruce Patterson and current pastor Fr. Joseph Knerr.

“I just have a lot of appreciation for Gerry for her compassion for those in need,” said Msgr. Beaulieu who was witness to Gerry’s volunteer efforts for his 11-year tenure at St. Bonaventure. “She was especially fond of senior citizens

who often did not have sufficient food to get by or help with bills and things.”

Shortly after arriving at St. Bonaventure, Gerry was asked by then Pastor Monsignor Duffy to take over as director of the HOPE (Helping Other People Every day) program.

An acronym for “Helping Other People Everyday,” HOPE’s mission was to supply food, clothing and other resources to the underserved families and seniors in the city.

In 1978, after being asked by the pastor to oversee HOPE, Gerry guided the program’s growth towards becoming one of the county’s most respected food distribution sites.

During the first holiday season under Gerry’s leadership, 25 families received food baskets for Thanksgiving.

By 2007, more than 800 families received Thanksgiving food baskets and another 800-plus families received food baskets and gifts for Christmas.

Along the way, Gerry forged relationships with the Second Harvest Food Bank, Orange County Food Bank, the Oakview Task Force, United Way and Catholic Charities.

“She was one busy lady, but she was always positive,” said Kuiper, who took over as director of HOPE since her mother stepped down in 2015.

Today, the program provides food, clothing, household items and health supplies to those in need in Huntington Beach.

Gerry also coordinated fund raising campaigns at St. Bonaventure, volunteered for projects at St. Bonaventure School and served as the food booth chairperson for the annual parish festival for 13 years.

“She never drew attention to herself, but she did draw attention to the needs of people for food and assistance,” Msgr.

Beaulieu said. “She said clients don’t CONTINUES ON PAGE 9

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come here to have their situation plastered all over a newspaper. We are not here to toot our own horn. We are here to do the work on a daily basis.”

In 2014, Gerry received the Italian Catholic Federation’s Pope Saint John XXIII Award, the highest award given by the federation to a lay person of any denomination who “exemplifies humanitarian service to society.”

Past recipients of the national award include actor Danny Thomas, NFL Hall of Fame football player Dick Butkus and actor Joseph Campanella.

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main indifferent when human dignity is trampled and exploited, when human life is attacked, whether that of the unborn or of any other person in need of care” (Dec. 20, 2019).

Between despair and indifference lies the path of patient and persistent prayer and action, the path of faithfulness.

Saint Augustine, addressing our tendency to romanticize previous times, wrote: “You may think past ages were good, but it is only because you are not living in them.” A good word for any tempted toward nostalgia for a past that never really existed, or existed for some at the expense of others.

Saint Augustine’s is a counsel neither of despair nor indifference. Elsewhere he challenged us: “Bad times, hard times — this is what people keep saying; but let us live well, and times shall be good. We are the times: such as we are, such are the times.”

With this ancient counsel to faithful living and witness in mind, we can face soberly the specific challenge in front of us. A challenge of abortion expansion and threats to religious liberty confronts us in the following bills in the California legislature: AB 2223, while addressing a shared concern that women not be prosecuted for pregnancy outcomes (for the church opposes punitive approaches in favor of

Before being presented with the award, the nominating committee received letters of recommendation on Gerry’s behalf from Msgr. Beaulieu and Fr. Patterson, the Diocese of Orange, the principal of St. Bonaventure School, the Norbertine Fathers, a hospice chaplain and several parishioners “She was doing her best to put the Gospel into practice in a very practical, day to day way,” Msgr. Beaulieu said.

“She is a great example of an unsung hero. Gerry made a huge contribution to the community, not only in the parish, but in the Diocese of Orange.” C

healing and restorative ones), has vague language of “perinatal death” which we must oppose unless it is amended to definitively exclude infant death due to abuse or neglect.

AB 2134 would force religious employers to advertise and pay for abortions.

AB 2586 expands taxpayer-funded abortions in California.

AB 1918 provides scholarships for abortion doctors.

SB 1375 would make abortion even more dangerous for women by removing physician oversight.

SB 1245 establishes a pilot program in Los Angeles County to make it an abortion destination.

SB 1142 makes California an abortion destination for out of state women.

It goes without saying that we are, as always, opposed to abortion expansion since it always takes the life of a human being, with more than 132,000 lives lost each year in our state alone. Paying for every ancillary expense of a woman who has an abortion without ensuring adequate services for parenting women amounts to reproductive coercion.

Women deserve to be empowered with non-violent solutions to the challenges they face during pregnancy.

Additionally concerning is doing all of this in the name of marginalized communities. It was none other than civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, best known

GERRY SAITTA, THIRD FROM RIGHT, WITH OTHER VOLUNTEERS COLLECTING FOOD FOR THE HOLIDAYS IN NOVEMBER 1997. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SAITTA FAMILY

for her leadership with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the Mississippi Democratic Freedom Party, who according to a recent biographer viewed abortion as a social justice issue and placed it among the white supremacist tools to regulate Black lives. Not all her fellow activists always agreed with her but they respected her convictions and together they were able to find immense common ground to better the lives of women and children. “Children have a right to live,” she said. “And I think that these mothers have a right to support them in a decent way…We are dealing with human beings.”

Hamer’s advocacy reminds me also of my mother Theresa who worked as a maternity nurse and nursing instructor at St. John’s Catholic Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. She was always concerned especially for poor women, for their family’s wellbeing, and that they could get a nursing education – to which end a scholarship was even created in her name!

California needs equity for the choices of pregnant and parenting women as they pursue motherhood.

The legislative list above is daunting and disappointing. It is especially so in the light of all of the riches in our state and the opportunities we have to commit, as the California bishops put it in our recent statement, “to a vision for our state that honors women with life-affirming

support and practical resources so that all families can thrive, and so that no woman feels trapped into the devastating decision to end a life by abortion.”

Many California Catholics are already living out this vision through tireless efforts at pregnancy shelters, clinics and centers across our communities, through parish ministries of accompaniment that Walk with Moms in Need, through parish and Saint Vincent de Paul food pantries, financial support, parenting classes, domestic violence awareness, migrant support and mental health ministry through community participation and Eucharistic solidarity. We must do more.

I invite you to three simple actions today: n Pray – for women, children, and families in need and for just laws that protect life and dignity. n Learn – about current legislation and share this information with others. n Advocate – a simple step: sign up for the California Catholic Legislative Network today and receive timely updates and Action Alerts by which you can respond with the click of a button.

Read more about this legislation and sign up for Action Alerts at cacatholic. org/action-alerts . Thank you for giving of your time, talent, and treasure to walk with those in need. After all, as one author put it well, “There is no wealth but life.” C

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DIOCESAN NEWS

SANTA MARGARITA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTATHLETES MAKE IT OFFICIAL

SIX STUDENT-ATHLETES COMMIT ON SPRING SIGNING DAY

SANTA MARGARITA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT-ATHLETES ARE PICTURED ON APRIL 13 DURING SPRING SIGNING DAY. PHOTO COURTESY OF SANTA MARGARITA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

BY STAFF

S

IX STUDENT-ATHLETES from Santa Margarita Catholic High School made their futures evident on Wednesday, April 13, as they officially signed letters of intent or celebrated their commitment to attend colleges across the country for their

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sport. The letter of intent is a binding agreement between the student-athlete and a college, by which the student-athlete agrees to attend the college for one academic year.

The following student-athletes signed as part of the NCAA National Letter of Intent Signing Day: Ian Asuncion-Duong committed to

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the Air Force Academy for men’s swimming and diving.; Ansley McKechnie committed to Loyola Marymount University for women’s rowing; Brooke Slymen committed to Colorado Mesa University for basketball.

The following student-athletes celebrated either their Ivy League, Division 3, NAIA or walk-on school commitments.

Ivy League and Division 3 schools do not offer athletic scholarships; therefore, no letter of intent was signed: Jalen Jones committed to Princeton University for football; Nicole Chang committed to Chapman University for women’s golf; Christian Laliberte committed to Benedictine College (Kansas) for football. C

DIOCESAN NEWS SUPERINTENDENT DR. ERIN BARISANO IS PICTURED WITH SR. TERESA LYNCH AT THE APRIL 8 CATHOLIC EDUCATORS DINNER. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVEN GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

AROUND OUR DIOCESE

BY STAFF

CATHOLIC EDUCATORS DINNER

Superintendent Dr. Erin Barisano and the Diocese of Orange Department of Catholic Schools honored their own during the Celebrating Catholic Educators Dinner on April 8 at the J.W. Marriott, Anaheim Resort.

The top recipients were Rosary Academy Head of School Dr. Shawna Pautsch and Principal Sean Basford.

Guest speakers were Meghan Clem and Katie Webb, founders of RAD (Rising Above Disabilities) Camp.

The dinner, which Bishop Kevin Vann and Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen attended, also recognized the years of service for Catholic schools personnel. Among those recognized were Sr. Teresa Lynch for her astounding 40 years of service.

Congratulations to all for their contributions to Catholic education!

FOSTER FAMILY APPRECIATION MONTH

May is Foster Family Appreciation Month, and it is important to honor the families who do so much to help those

in crisis in our community. There is no better way to love our neighbors and care for the most vulnerable children among us than by recognizing these faithful families in the work that they do.

Unfortunately, not all children experience the unconditional love, support and attention they deserve. In 2021, 1,105 kids entered the foster care system in Orange County, and at any given time, there are more than 2,400 children under Social Services. Seventy-five percent of the children coming into care are accompanied by a brother or sister. These numbers are staggering CONTINUES ON PAGE 12

GRAPHIC COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

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DIOCESAN NEWS

ST. NICHOLAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, LAGUNA WOODS. PHOTO COURTESY OF SPENCER GRANT/DIOCESE OF ORANGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

and are continuing to grow. We cannot combat this crisis without your help.

If you feel God calling you to make a difference in your community, there are multiple ways you can get involved: n Commit to 40 Days of Prayer. n Attend an info session to learn how you can do more. n Fill out a pre-application online to become a Foster Family by May 1 and join others at Knott’s Berry Farm on Saturday, May 21 for a Foster Family Appreciation Breakfast and a day in the park. n Sign up and find more information at https://www.olivecrest.org/foster-parent-appreciation/

COMMUNITY OF FAITH CHORAL FEST

St. Nicholas Parish, Laguna Woods, will be hosting the Community of Faith Choral Fest on Sunday, May 22, at 1:30

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p.m. inside the church, located at 24252 El Toro Road.

The parish began this event back in 2015 to celebrate the collective 50th anniversaries of six of our local congregations.

This 90-minute program will feature scripture and sacred music from all participating traditions. A fellowship reception will follow in the parish hall.

Admission is free. However, a freewill offering will be collected to benefit the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, via Catholic Relief Services. All are invited.

For more information, call 949-8371090.

SAVE THE DATE!

A beloved tradition is fast approaching! The priests vs. seminarians basketball game is scheduled for June 17 at 7 p.m. at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana. Stay tuned for more information. C

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GRAPHIC COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH, ORANGE PRESENTS Merchandise Fitness-Weight Loss LOSE 15-30 LBS IN 30 DAYS! I work with Clergy and Parishioners successfully! Easy & Safe. Gil Yurly 714-206-0443

APRIL FIESTA OF THE 29, 30

MAY 1 CENTURY 2022 FRIDAY

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CATHOLIC NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

BISHOPS BACK ADMINISTRATION’S ‘UNITING FOR UKRAINE’ REFUGEE INITIATIVE

BY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON (CNS) —The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the chairman of its Committee on Migration have voiced their support for the Biden administration’s “Uniting for Ukraine” initiative to welcome Ukrainian refugees coming to the United States.

“Many European countries have shown great concern for Ukrainians, welcoming them with open arms, and we should do the same,” said an April 22 joint statement from Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, USCCB president, and Auxiliary Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, Migration Committee chairman.

“We are particularly concerned with the most vulnerable and hope that support will be given to separated families, the elderly, and those with urgent medical needs,” they said. “This sort of initiative requires that the federal government provide an array of services for arriving families, in addition to those supplied by individuals and private institutions, such as churches.”

The two bishops added: “As a national refugee resettlement agency, the USCCB is eager to support displaced Ukrainians in the United States, together with Catholic organizations, parishes and people of goodwill across the country.”

The USCCB and the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia have partnered with Welcome.US on the Uniting for Ukraine initiative.

Under the provisions of Uniting for Ukraine, Ukrainians must have been residing in Ukraine as of Feb. 11, have a U.S.-based financial sponsor -- either an individual or an entity -- have received certain vaccinations and met other public health requirements, and pass a series of background checks and security screenings.

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UKRAINIANS SEEKING ASYLUM IN THE UNITED STATES STAY IN THE BENITO JUAREZ SPORTS COMPLEX IN TIJUANA, MEXICO, APRIL 23, 2022.

PHOTO: JORGE DUENES, REUTERS / CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

However, Ukrainians seeking to enter at U.S. ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border will be denied entry without a valid visa or pre-authorization to travel to the United States.

That last provision caught the eye of Archbishop Gomez and Bishop Dorsonville.

“All persons seeking asylum at our borders must consistently be offered the same opportunities for protection set out in U.S. and international law, in accordance with their God-given dignity,” they said.

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Another concern they had: “This new program does not include authorization for basic services or access to permanent legal status and could unnecessarily strain communities eager to welcome.

This is why we and others have requested a more robust use of the resettlement program, both for Ukrainians and other displaced persons, which affords refugees the ability to integrate within American communities, temporarily or as aspiring Americans.”

The two bishops said: “We call on the administration and Congress to work

together to ensure Ukrainians seeking refuge in the United States are truly welcomed and receive all of the support that entails. And we ask that this same welcome be extended to those of other nationalities who have fled persecution, violence and disaster, including passage of legislation that would provide our new Afghan neighbors with a pathway to permanent legal status.”

You can learn more about sponsoring a Ukrainian who wants to come to the United States at https://ukraine. welcome.us/ C

Moments MomentsininourourJourney Journey

Flowers in bloom on Easter Sunday at St. Michael’s Abbey in Silverado Canyon.

—Photo courtesy of Steven Georges/Diocese of Orange

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

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