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FEBRUARY
2, 2025
CONTENTS
JUSTICE AND PEACE PILGRIMS
Last year, Fr. Gregory Walgenbach led a group from the Diocese of Orange on a Civil Rights pilgrimage to Alabama.
12
HOPE IN ASHES
Following the devastating Los Angeles fires, two impacted Catholics share their stories.
16
YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
The faithful are the children of light, to be shared with 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
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Delivered weekly to parishes and homes throughout Orange County, Calif., Orange County Catholic is published by SCNG Custom Content, a division of Southern California News Group that offers content development and design expertise to businesses and nonprofit institutions. The Orange County Catholic editorial staff and editorial council are responsible for the content contained herein. Events and products advertised in Orange County Catholic do not carry the implicit endorsement of the Diocese of Orange or SCNG Custom Content.
Rosary Beads
If you would like to share a photo of your Rosary Beads with our readers, please send a photo and brief description.
Include your name and parish to: editor@occatholic.com
ROSARY BEADS
PHOTO BY KAREN CREDE
READER CALL-OUT
About a year and a half ago, I started learning how to make Rosaries. I was inspired by Pam Aqui (who was asked by the White House to make a Rosary for Pope Francis when he was newly elected). She talks about making beautiful Rosaries that are “fitting for even Our Lady” and what a shame it was to have a cherished heirloom Rosary that was broken or damaged. Since I was at the time trying to make praying the Rosary a daily thing, I wanted to make something beautiful to use while praying and studied many of her creations for inspiration.
The Rosary pictured is my most recent creation. I gave each of my parents the gift of a handmade Rosary for Christmas that they got to design. Most of the Rosaries I make I give away, but I thought I’d make this one to use as I journey through the Rosary in a Year. I’ve been using it (almost) every day since the start of the new year, and it is currently my favorite. Hope you enjoy!
—Karen Crede, San Francisco Solano parish in Rancho Santa Margarita
If you would like to share a photo of your Rosary Beads with our readers, please send a photo and brief description (include your name and parish) to: editor@occatholic.com C
“ Belonging is what saves us from vulnerability.” — Pope
Francis JOAN OF FRANCE 1464-1505
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
HEBREWS 11:3240; PSALM 31:20, 21, 22, 23, 24; MARK 5:1-20
TUESDAY
HEBREWS 12:1-4; PSALM 22:26B27, 28 AND 30, 31-32; MARK 5:21-43
WEDNESDAY
HEBREWS 12:47, 11-15; PSALM 103:1-2, 13-14, 1718A; MARK 6:1-6
THURSDAY
HEBREWS 12:1819, 21-24; PSALM 48:2-3AB, 3CD-4, 9, 10-11; MARK 6:7-13
ALSO KNOWN AS JOAN OF Valois, this French foundress was the daughter of King Louis XI and the wife of King Louis XII, her father's cousin. She was mistreated by both men, and reportedly was physically handicapped from birth, though she may have been merely undersized and plain. Her husband sought to have their marriage annulled so he could marry Joan's sister-in-law, who inherited Brittany; he succeeded in 1498. Thereafter Joan lived in Bourges, where she devoted herself to prayer and good works, and established, under Franciscan direction, the Order of the Annunciation with 11 local schoolgirls. A year before her death, she renounced all her possessions, including her title as Duchess of Berry. She was canonized in 1950.C
FRIDAY
HEBREWS 13:18; PSALM 27:1, 3, 5, 8B-9ABC; MARK 6:14-29
PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK
SATURDAY
HEBREWS 13:15-17, 20-21; PSALM 23:13A, 3B-4, 5, 6; MARK 6:30-34
SUNDAY
ISAIAH 6:1-2A, 3-8; PSALM 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8; 1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-11; LUKE 5:1-11
SAINT PROFILE
CONFESSION THROUGH A CHILD’S EYES
YOUNG HOLY TRINITY
PARISHIONERS ENGAGE IN INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES WITH PARENTS AS THEY PREPARE FOR THE SACRAMENT OF FIRST RECONCILIATION
BY GREG HARDESTY
“HI GOD, I AM VERY sorry for my sins, and I am trying to get in the habit to not do them.”
— Male, third grade
“Jesus…thank you for everything you have done for us and for loving us. We will try to do better and be nice always going forward.”
— Female, second grade
“Dear God, I am sorry for bugging my brothers…. I love you so much God and thank you so much for loving me.”
– Male second grade
When it comes to the sacrament of First Reconciliation, kids have a language of their own compared to the Act of Contrition adults commonly recite during Confession (“O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee…”).
But that’s the point.
At ages 7 and 8, when most Catholic children confess for the first time their sins to a priest, keeping things simple is the key. At that tender age, the brain is just beginning to be able to grasp abstract concepts such as God’s forgiveness and His love and mercy for all sinners, explained Fr. Christopher Smith, rector emeritus of Christ Cathedral.
“Children can begin their religious formation at the age of reason, which the Church sets at age 7,” Fr. Christopher explained. “At that age, it’s important for children to simply acknowledge what
they’ve done is wrong so they can do better next time.”
‘VERY IMPACTFUL’
While preparing for First Reconciliation at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ladera Ranch, students are asked to put the Act of Contrition into their own words.
Nearly 100 children, mostly second graders, will participate in the sacrament this year on Feb. 22, said Jennifer Cahuantzi, director of Faith Formation & Parish Life, and previously the coordinator of Children’s Faith Formation at Holy Trinity.
For the past five years, the parish has been using materials from the Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries in Yorba
Linda, led by Fr. Tim Donovan, for not only First Reconciliation but also First Communion and faith formation in general, Cahuantzi said.
Holy Trinity is the first parish in the Diocese of Orange to use the Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries program for all aspects of faith formation for children in first through fifth grade, Cahuantzi said.
“The program is very impactful,” said Cahuantzi, a parishioner at Holy Trinity since 2013.
MEETINGS AND A RETREAT
Cahuantzi and her husband, Roger, put their daughter, Kara, through the program, called Mend, when she was in the second grade (she now is a sixth-grader).
Mend equips parents to teach, share their faith, and pray with their children as they discover how the Mass relates to daily life, Cahuantzi said.
The program is designed for families to encounter Jesus and experience the beauty of the Eucharist through a variety
Preparation for First Reconciliation at Holy Trinity is very interactive and engaging for participants, Cahuantzi said. Children perform activities at home with their parents in a series of seven 30-minute meetings and attend a threehour retreat in preparation for their first confession.
CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS PARTICIPATE IN A FIRST RECONCILIATION RETREAT AT HOLY TRINITY PARISH IN LADERA RANCH. PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNIFER CAHUANTZI
of hands-on activities and meaningful conversations, she added.
A CRUSHED HEART
In one activity while preparing for First Reconciliation, Kara, when learning about Adam and Eve and the concept of original sin, was given a paper cutout of an apple, and was told to color it as beautifully as she could.
“She used glitter pen markers in all colors of the rainbow,” her mother recalled. Kara and the other students then were told to crumple up their beautiful creations and toss them on the ground.
“She started bawling,” Cahuantzi recalled.
The children were told that is what happened to Adam and Eve when they committed original sin: something priceless was destroyed.
The children then were told to unfold their artwork and write Jesus’ name on their apples to indicate how He fixes things and makes them better.
“It was such a powerful moment for my family,” Cahuantzi recalled.
CARRYING THAT WEIGHT
At the three-hour retreat, Kara and the other participants picked up stones and wrote on them things that weighed them down (sins like anger, jealousy, etc.).
They then had to hold their stones with an outstretched arm until the stone felt super heavy and they became fatigued.
The kids then brought their rocks forward and laid them in a basket at the foot of the cross to indicate they had left their sins in the care of Jesus.
“It was very symbolic,” Cahuantzi said, “and the kids loved it.”
BECOMING BETTER
Fr. Christopher noted that the Church doesn’t officially recommend that kids memorize the Act of Contrition while preparing for their First Reconciliation.
He chuckled at typical mistakes they make when they recite it for the first time:
“O my God, I am hardly sorry for having distended Thee…”
Working on being better is the key, he said.
“The Church really wants children at an early age to get a sense of God’s love, mercy and His patience with us,” he said. C
STUDENTS COMPOSED THEIR OWN ACT OF CONTRITION WHILE PREPARING FOR RECONCILIATION AT HOLY TRINITY PARISH IN LADERA RANCH. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JENNIFER CAHUANTZI
IN ONE ACTIVITY WHILE PREPARING FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION, SACRAMENTAL STUDENTS AT HOLY TRINITY PARISH LEARNED ABOUT ADAM AND EVE AND THE CONCEPT OF ORIGINAL SIN. STUDENTS WERE GIVEN A PAPER CUTOUT OF AN APPLE AND WERE TOLD TO COLOR IT AS BEAUTIFULLY AS THEY COULD.
ON EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL AND NOT BEING TURNED AROUND: A REFLECTION FROM JUSTICE AND PEACE PILGRIMS
BY FR. GREGORY WALGENBACH
AGROUP OF PILGRIMS from the Diocese of Orange joined the Catholic Mobilizing Network for three powerful days in Alabama back in 2024, traveling to Selma, Montgomery and Birmingham. The group visited some of the central sites of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. The following is adapted from a Homily by Fr. Gregory Walgenbach for the XXI Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 25, 2024 (Joshua 24:1–2a, 15–17, 18b; Ps 34:2–3, 16–17, 18–19, 20–21 (9a); Eph 5:21–32; John 6:60–69).
Our pilgrimage to Alabama to visit some of the central sites of the Civil Rights Movement was an incredible, disturbing and inspiring time of learning and reflection.
We witnessed great courage in the testimonies from those whom many of us had never heard of, but who marched and fought alongside other “foot soldiers” (because they did so much walking) for justice and peace. Then there were those you might have heard of: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth.
See, rather than life, many people in the country had chosen to follow the unjust gods of white supremacy, the almighty dollar, greed, economic exploitation, a civilization of exclusion, exploitation and death.
Death came in the form of lynching, bombings, cruelty, support and even eagerness for violence against Blacks and other People of Color. This violence defended greed and economic exploitation in supporting massive industries that relied on forms of slave labor, then convict leasing (a form of slavery defended in the 13th Amendment to the Constitution). Now it’s contemporary forms of prison labor, immigrant detention and migrant worker
CELEBRATING BLACK
HISTORY
MONTH
for the life of the world is His flesh and that we must eat of His flesh and drink of His blood to live, many are not convinced. They are not convinced for at least two reasons.
First, we must see the clear reference to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, which is a stumbling block. We must see that this Bread of Life discourse concludes with this passage, which immediately makes clear the following of His words about eating His flesh and drinking His blood.
Second, and not unrelated, we must understand the reference to Jesus as the Word which became flesh and dwelt among us, the incarnation and atonement, the birth, death and life of the Son of Man and Holy One of God. Jesus is the revelation of God who must be received by faith such that we are given life and sustained for our journey by God’s food and drink.
But what does all this have to do with the Civil Rights Movement in the United States?
We believe that the Eucharist is not only the Table of the Lord but the Altar of sacrifice, the food we need to live and the true offering which makes us one. Christ makes us one and is in Himself the divine human unity by which the world is created, redeemed and fulfilled. Sin and all the powers of death stand in the way of our reception and participation of that unity in Christ. Christ, in whose sacrificial death we participate in every Eucharist, was Himself a victim of lynching.
exploitation. Our struggles are connected. One sign at the Legacy Museum read: “No Negroes. No dogs. No Mexicans.”
All of this resulted in, and in turn perpetuated, a system of white supremacy, a caste system by which wealthy whites — as well as poor whites and those who allied with them — dominated Blacks and others deemed to be less than human, unintelli-
gent, inferior creatures. The groups were therefore subject to all kinds of humiliation, segregation, subjugation and killing. And this brings us to the key Gospel passage for this Eucharistic Revival that concludes the Bread of Life Discourse in John Chapter 6. After the eschatological sign of the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus’ teaching that the bread which He gives
Uniquely worse than the evil of slavery perpetuated throughout history and throughout the world was chattel slavery. As it developed in the United States, chattel slavery involved millions of Africans being brought over on slave ships in unbearable conditions that caused large numbers to die. This then developed into a permanent, hereditary status centrally tied to race.
FR. GREGORY WALGENBACH (SECOND FROM LEFT) AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE VISITED THE CIVIL RIGHTS MEMORIAL PARK IN ALABAMA. PHOTO COURTESY OF FR. GREGORY WALGENBACH
After slavery was abolished, convict leasing took its place. Millions were arbitrarily imprisoned and used for their labor under the 13th Amendment once again. Other forms of domination were instituted like poll taxes, which had the express intention of keeping Blacks from voting. Literacy tests were also enforced in which, in addition to the kinds of questions you might find on a citizenship test today, folks would be asked how many jelly beans are in a jar or how many bubbles are in a bar of soap.
Later, through the war on drugs, the U.S. perpetrated the mass incarceration of Black men that has been labeled the “New Jim Crow.” Statistics show that one in three Black boys can expect to be sentenced to prison. Compare that to one in six Latino boys and one in 17 white boys. We can look at similar discrepancies in maternal health, in nutrition and food, in jobs — on and on. All this is why the U.S. bishops have called racism a life issue and a sin that we must take with the utmost seriousness. It is something we must work to overcome. These injustices also reject and even perversely imitate the one atoning sacrifice of Jesus for the world. They teach us to become comfortable in seeking peace and unity by sacrificing others. Instead, on the cross Jesus reveals the scandal of our scapegoating, violence, sin and death. He comes all the way down in solidarity with the crucified peoples of the world.
The Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, whose family suffered multiple bombings and beatings, was asked by his daughter if he was going to be killed. He paused and replied, “No, darling. You can’t kill hope.”
The Eucharistic solidarity to which we are called requires sustained attention to the suffering of others. Yet it also requires sustained attention to our own suffering and how we sometimes cause harm to others when supporting unjust systems of oppression.
How can we gaze upon and receive our Crucified and Risen Lord in the Eucharist yet refuse the cries of those discarded and hidden away in our prisons? How can we
FEATURE
turn our backs on our migrant sisters and brothers, fail to offer hospitality, services, healthcare, food and other support for women and children in need? How can we refuse to be the kind of people who take care of one another, including through social systems of support, when we find ourselves in particularly vulnerable moments, unhoused, pregnant, terminally ill or seeking asylum, leaving only death as an ultimate solution?
Jesus refuses to leave any of us behind and would not be turned around from His love for each of us — His love, His life, His flesh, He has given for the life of the world. At the Eucharistic table there is foretaste and a sign of God’s life-giving food for all. The sacred mysteries we celebrate unite us in the truth of our common humanity. Sanitation workers marched with signs that said, “I am a man.” At Mass we proclaim: Behold the man. Behold the Lamb. We cannot highlight the Civil Rights Movement without mentioning its central focus on nonviolence, particularly through the influence of Bayard Rustin, Dr. King, Jim Lawson, John Lewis and many others. We have amazing witnesses, both ancient and recent, who have gone before us in this spiritual battle.
Nonviolence is essential and is why, for example, the early Church fathers did not interpret the book of Joshua as a license for war, genocide or colonialism. Rather, they saw it as a call to the battle against sin, a call to arm ourselves with the weapons of love, forgiveness and just mercy.
Today you and I are called, even compelled, to repent from racism and all forms of injustice. We must respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters in distress. We are called to be salt and light in a world where too many broken systems function as intended to inflict harm, reject public good, divide communities, exploit workers and extract wealth into the hands of a few. It’s going to take people of courage who leave our comfort zones, our prejudices, our ideological blind spots aside to keep our eyes on the prize: the just mercy of the Lamb who shares himself with us so that we can do the same for one another. C
TESTIMONIALS FROM A PILGRIMAGE TO ALABAMA
KATIE'S TESTIMONIAL
Katie Kalvoda, a parishioner at St. Timothy's Catholic Church in Laguna Niguel, is the Finance chair and treasurer for the Sisters of St Joseph Healthcare Foundation and Secretary for Mission Hospital Foundation who attended our Pilgrimage to Alabama.
I was amazed by how emotional I became and how close I felt to the Civil Rights Movement and those who fought for their God-given right to be seen and heard. I often think what I might have done if I lived in that era. Would I have been a foot soldier, or would I be just a passive observer?
In big and small moments, whether historians will be documenting our actions or not, we each bear a responsibility to carry the cross. I find it to be a privilege to do so for you when you are unloved and feel discarded and I hope that you will carry the cross for me when I am victimized and harmed. Because you see, harm is not just physical harm. There is harm inflicted when people speak ill of a community. There is harm when you exclude people from society.
There is harm when you turn away your fellow neighbor from school,
healthcare and housing.
It is therefore imperative that we ask ourselves, are we foot soldiers for Christ or are we just a passive observer, a Catholic in name only? Every day and every moment require us Catholics to be a foot soldier and answer, "here I am, Lord. It is I, Lord. I have heard You calling in the night. I will go, Lord. If You lead me. I will hold Your People in my arms."
MIGUEL’S TESTIMONIAL
Dr. Miguel Gallardo, a parishioner at Santiago de Compostela Catholic Church in Lake Forest, is a professor of Psychology and program director of Aliento, The Center for Latinx Communities at Pepperdine University.
In Pope Francis’ book, “Let Us Dream,” he states, “To recover the dignity of the people we need to go to the margins of our societies to meet all those who live there.” Humility is the first word that comes to mind when I reflect on our Alabama trip. I was reminded that the more we think we know, the more we realize how much we do not. I was also reminded of my own privilege as an educated
FR. GREGORY WALGENBACH AND MEMBERS OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE TRAVELED TO ALABAMA, VISITING SITES IMPORTANT TO THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN OUR COUNTRY. PHOTO
light-skinned Mexican American and the ability I have to keep a safe distance, if I choose to, from the issues facing so many Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC). I was left wondering how we can embrace our own uniqueness without dehumanizing others?
After our trip, I was left with a sense of hope and longing those other Catholic members of our community who may be keeping themselves a safe distance from the oppression of “the other,” will begin to move closer to the issues facing many in our communities, to the “isms” of the world — racism, sexism, classism, to name a few. Our trip reminded me that while we have made much progress, the dehumanization of those in the margins remains as present today as it was during the Civil Rights movements. Unfortunately, sometimes this dehumanization comes from Christian communities. We have to be honest about who we are and we will come to know God. I remain impacted, hopeful, and committed to being one of those “foot soldiers” in and for our Church.
FRED’S TESTIMONIAL
Fred LaPuzza, a parishioner at St. Joachim in Costa Mesa, is director of the Office of Restorative Justice for the Diocese of Orange.
I spent half of my life growing up in a large Midwestern city. The surrounding rural areas especially, at least in my experience, are similar to the racial bias and oppression of the south. I had no desire to ever visit the south. But what I experienced on this pilgrimage opened my heart in a way I can only begin to describe. It evoked many emotions (sadness, grief, shame, compassion, love, anger, hope) shared by others in our group as well. The utter courage, perseverance and determination of the freedom survivors who shared their personal stories with us, in addition to their generous hospitality, was a profound incarnational experience that will continue to transform me for the rest of my life. We
visited a number of memorial sites where I read many powerful quotes referring to the experience of those who spoke them at the time, but one that stood out the most and I take back with me is, “It is not the words of our enemies we must fear, but the silence of our friends” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Matt. 5-11)
LOURDES’ TESTIMONIAL
Lourdes Leon is a parishioner at St. Paul the Apostle in the Diocese of San Bernardino and serves as the Mission Office program coordinator for the Diocese of Orange.
This pilgrimage to Alabama, in partnership with the Catholic Mobilizing Network and the Diocese of Orange, was a transformative experience that has forever changed me. It stirred emotions much deeper than I anticipated—grief, compassion, shame, anger and hope.
Meeting civil rights foot soldiers in Selma, which some are now in their 90s, was a definite highlight for me, their stories are a true inspiration, a beacon of light for us today and a great reminder that we cannot remain silent or unchanged when we are in connection to one another. This journey was not just one of faith but of reckoning with racial injustices that still echo today, many of which I had never fully understood and was not taught in academic settings. Visiting the Legacy Sites, the Legacy Museum, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and Freedom Monument Sculpture Park are a must to experience for everyone, there are not words to describe it, an experience that moves you deeply.
Bryan Stevenson, creator of the Legacy sites says, "We all have a responsibility to create a just society... we cannot recover from our history of racial injustice until we confront it." We must continue sharing stories of racial injustice and continue to be a part of the ripple effect of change in our communities today. Sr. Thea Bowman challenges me through her words: "If you are a Christian, your job is to spread the truth of the gospel everywhere...and stand with the people who are being crucified." I am forever changed. C
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IN MEMORIAM
MSGR. JUSTIN MACCARTHY
BY LOU PONSI
BY ALL ACCOUNTS, Rev. Msgr. Justin MacCarthy, pastor emeritus of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in La Habra, was the epitome of a Good Shepard, once defined by Pope Francis as a devotee to the mission, not 50 or 60 percent, but with all he has.
Msgr. MacCarthy, who died on Jan. 2 at age 85 after a lengthy bout with cancer, embraced his calling with passion.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated for the much-loved monsignor on Jan. 25 at Our Lady of Guadalupe with fellow clergy, parishioners, friends and loved ones in attendance.
Throughout his 35-year tenure as the pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and for years as pastor emeritus after his retirement in 2014, Msgr. MacCarthy served not only his congregation, but the community at large.
Msgr. MacCarthy was ordained on June 14, 1964, and served as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe from 1979 to 2014.
Scott Miller, director of outreach at Our Lady of Guadalupe and close friend of Msgr. MacCarthy, said the monsignor was a consummate leader who challenged people to be their best in service to the church and the community and always remained open-minded to all points of view.
“He was well respected,” Miller said. “La Habra has the most churches in Orange County. We have an interfaith ministerial association with all the pastors and people. He was so well respected by all of them. He encouraged me to be a part of it. He encouraged me to be there to represent our church. So, he was super supportive.”
Miller recalled the time when he and Msgr. MacCarthy were watching La Habra’s annual Corn Festival Parade, when the pastor noticed groups from several other
A MASS WAS CELEBRATED ON OCT. 20, 2024, IN HONOR OF THE REV. MSGR. JUSTIN MACCARTHY, PASTOR EMERITUS OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE, WHO SERVED AS OLG’S PASTOR FOR 35 YEARS. A CHALICE MODELED AFTER THE ORIGINAL “ARDAGH CHALICE” (HOUSED IN THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND IN DUBLIN) WAS DEDICATED IN HIS NAME. PHOTO BY
churches in town walking in the parade.
“I said, why are we not in this parade,” Miller recalled. “All these churches are in the parade. And he looks at me and he says, ‘Well, make it happen.’ He led by example.”
When Msgr. MacCarthy encouraged Miller to do more community outreach, Miller started the Hillcrest Community Health and Wellness Center, which is now part of the La Habra Collaborative – a partnership among nonprofits, churches, businesses and the city that offer a variety of programs and services to underserved residents of the city.
“He was really pivotal in challenging me to set that up,” said Miller, who is now the executive director of the health and wellness center.
As official chaplain for the La Habra Police Department, Msgr. MacCarthy was called, often at a moment’s notice, to minister to residents who had been befallen by tragedy.
“He would respond in the middle of the night or in the wee hours of the morning,” said longtime La Habra councilman Jim Gomez, a lifelong parishioner at Our Lady of Guadalupe. “He was just such a kind and loving man.”
Gomez and Msgr. MacCarthy joined together for dozens of civic and church celebrations throughout the monsignor’s tenure as pastor.
The monsignor always sang “Danny Boy” at church celebrations, paying homage to his Irish roots.
He was also beloved by OLG’s Hispanic congregants, who make up a significant percentage of the parish.
“He learned Spanish the best he could so he could communicate with them,” Gomez said. “The Hispanic community loved him dearly.”
Msgr. MacCarthy was born Aug. 3, 1939, one of nine children, in County Limerick in Western Ireland.
He attended the seminary at Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland.
Prior to his assignment at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Msgr. MacCarthy served at St. Cyprian parish in Long Beach (196471), St. Monica parish in Santa Monica (1971-75 ) and St. Irenaeus parish in Cypress (1975-79).
For the 50th anniversary of his ordination into the priesthood, Msgr. MacCarthy expressed gratitude for being given the opportunity to serve at each parish.
“While it was my privilege to serve in these wonderful parishes, what I gave was nothing compared to what the kind peo-
ple of these parishes have given to me by their goodness, sacrifices, love, friendship and commitment,” the monsignor wrote. “I have been enriched as a person and as a priest.”
His most joyous experiences included celebrating Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, studying for two months in the Holy Land and officiating at wedding ceremonies for family members.
“Now looking back over the past 50 years of priestly ministry, my first thought and reflections are of gratitude to Almighty God for the many graces and blessing of these past years,” he wrote.
In June 2024, the monsignor celebrated 60 years as an ordained priest and in October, Bishop Kevin Vann served as the main celebrant in a Mass celebrated in recognition of Msgr. MacCarthy’s 60year anniversary.
A replica of the “Ardagh Chalice,” considered one of the most sacred treasures of the early Irish Church, was shown publicly for the first time during the Mass and blessed by Bishop Vann. It was dedicated in Msgr. MacCarthy’s honor.
Bishop Vann described the monsignor as a “real friend, a helper and a partner in so many ways.” C
YUAN WANG/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
MSGR. JUSTIN MACCARTHY, PASTOR EMERITUS OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CHURCH IN LA HABRA, DIED ON JAN. 2 AT AGE 85. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
WHY I TEACH IN A CATHOLIC SCHOOL
WORKING AT A CATHOLIC school as someone who is new to the faith has been a profoundly enriching experience, both professionally and personally. Initially, I was drawn to this environment by the opportunity to work with children, whose enthusiasm and curiosity about the world are endlessly inspiring. My role as learning support teacher at St. Norbert has allowed me to witness student growth, not just academically, but spiritually and emotionally, as they learn to navigate life’s complexities with a sense of faith and moral grounding.
Initially, I wondered how I might fit into a community with such deep-rooted traditions and spiritual practices. However, I quickly discovered that the Catholic school environment is incredibly welcoming and inclusive, offering me a sense of belonging and support. The faculty and staff of St. Norbert have been instrumental in my spiritual journey, providing guidance and encouragement as I explore the teachings and values of the faith. This supportive atmosphere has made me feel like a valued member of the community. The sense of family within the parish is something I cherish deeply.
St. Norbert is not just a place of learning; it is a vibrant community where everyone is connected by shared beliefs and a commitment to nurturing the next generation. This sense of unity is palpable in the way everyone comes together for Mass, community events and service projects, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and mutual respect. It is heartening to see how the community extends beyond the confines of the classroom, offering support and friendship in times of need, and celebrating each other's successes
with are a constant source of inspiration, their openness and sincerity reminding me of the beauty of faith and learning. Meanwhile, the parish community has become a second family to me, offering unwavering support and friendship. This experience has not only enriched my professional life but has also profoundly impacted my personal growth, strengthening my faith and my commitment to contributing positively to this wonderful community. C
with genuine joy.
Through my experiences at St. Norbert, I have come to appreciate the profound impact that a faith-based education can have on students. The integration of faith and learning encourages students to develop a strong moral compass and a sense of responsibility towards others, which is increasingly important in today’s world. Being part of this process, helping to guide and inspire young minds, is incredibly fulfilling. It has deepened my own understanding of faith and taught me valuable lessons about compassion, patience, and the importance of community.
Teaching at a Catholic school has been a transformative journey, one filled with discovery, joy and a newfound sense of purpose. The children I work
BRI BROWER IS A LEARNING SUPPORT TEACHER AT ST. NORBERT CATHOLIC SCHOOL. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRI BROWER
BY BRI BROWER, LEARNING SUPPORT TEACHER AT ST. NORBERT CATHOLIC SCHOOL
ST. NORBERT CATHOLIC SCHOOL IS LOCATED IN ORANGE. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
HOPE IN THE ASHES
TWO LOS ANGELES CATHOLICS SHARE HOW THEIR FAITH IS HELPING THEM MOVE FORWARD AFTER FIRES DESTROYED THEIR HOMES
BY MIKE VULPO
DAYS AFTER LOSING HIS family’s home in the Pacific Palisades, Pedro Martí knew just what to do.
On Sunday morning, he joined his family and traveled to their second home at St. Monica Catholic Church for Mass.
As Bishop Matthew G. Elshoff and Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson presided over the service, Martí and nearly a dozen other victims of the Palisades Fire stood up for a special prayer and blessing from the congregation.
“There are some days where I feel despair, but I'm not losing my hope because
I have a second home at St. Monica, and I truly mean that from the bottom of my heart,” Martí shared. “I believe that God doesn't give you anything you can’t handle, and you know that good things can come out of destruction and that's the cycle of life.”
On Jan. 7, a fire erupted in the Pacific Palisades burning more than 23,000 acres and destroying nearly 5,000 structures according to CalFire.
Although Corpus Christi Catholic Church and its accompanying school and rectory were destroyed during the wildfires, one Los Angeles firefighter discovered a big, gold box in perfect condition on the property after the flames were put out.
Msgr. Liam Kidney, who is the pastor at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, later revealed it was the Tabernacle that was discovered by a local first responder.
“The biggest miracle for me is the Tabernacle,” Msgr. Kidney said after delivering a Mass for his parishioners at neighboring St. Monica Catholic Church.
“The name of our parish is Corpus Christi, which is the body of Christ. So where do we keep the body of Christ? In the Tabernacle. Here we have this terrible fire. Everything is destroyed. Metal is melting. Concrete is falling apart and yet; the Tabernacle makes it through this whole thing.”
“To me, the miracle is that we are being reassured by Jesus that He is with us through this journey,” Msgr. Kidney continued. “He got through the fire. The fire did not destroy Him. He came through the fire, and He's with us and we are reassured we're not alone.”
After Elizabeth Lamont lost her home in the Pacific Palisades, she was looking for a message of love from her Catholic community. After hearing Msgr. Kidney share the miracle of the Tabernacle, she couldn’t help but feel hopeful.
“When I saw Msgr. Kidney at St. Monica’s, it was very moving,” she shared. “We all have lost so much, but what a miracle the Tabernacle was saved.”
once again bring comfort and a sense of community to the residents,” she said. “We are open online and as soon as we can, we hope to open and be a gathering place. Our neighbors in Orange County can help support the local businesses still standing and donate as much as they can to help rebuild the Pacific Palisades.”
Like Lamont, Martí plans to continue relying on his faith and attending Mass. After attending St. Monica and singing the lyrics, “The Lord is my shepherd. There is nothing I shall want,” Martí was reminded that he still has more than enough.
“I can tell you, only because of my faith, I can say that I lost everything, and I have everything, and I have everything I need because my faith cannot be burned down,” he said. “My family is safe with me. We are clear that the things that matter in life are love, faith, hope and sharing. We didn't lose any of that.”
While Lamont was blessed to have her retail store in Pacific Palisades survive, her home was not as fortunate. While every week brings ups and downs, she is trying to find hope through her faith.
“This has been a very tough time,” she said. “I am staying in Manhattan Beach and there is a beautiful Catholic Church here. I visited it this week alone. It was very emotional.”
While rebuilding will take time, Lamont is praying it will be done in the best interests of the families who live there.
“I hope my design firm and shop can
As he continues raising a young son and daughter, Martí is also determined to focus on the positives. With the support of his relatives from around the world and his brothers and sisters in Christ at St. Monica, Martí believes he will see God’s light whenever there is darkness.
“What really, really matters didn't burn down,” he said. “We just need to focus on that. What is it that really matters? If this doesn't give you clarity, I don't know what will. I love my family, and I get to hug them and be with them every day, put them to bed and make their breakfast. The area changed, but our strength and our love are together.”
Learn how you can help by visiting www.rcbo.org/Help-LA C
PEDRO MARTÍ ATTENDS MASS AT ST. MONICA CATHOLIC CHURCH AFTER LOSING HIS FAMILY’S HOME IN THE PALISADES FIRE. PHOTO
BY MIKE VULPO
YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
BY JOAN PATTEN, AO
Y“OU ARE THE LIGHT of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Mt. 5:14-16)
These are the words of Jesus to His disciples during the Sermon on the Mount and are His instructions to us today as well.
When we were baptized, we were given a candle and told, “Receive the light of Christ.” As children of the light, we are called to let God’s love shine through us by keeping the flame of faith alive in our hearts. With this hope, we will meet Christ at the end of our lives with this light burning brightly within us. Our baptism may have been decades ago, but the commission of the baptized remains: are we Christ’s light in the world? Do our good deeds glorify God? Good deeds can be as simple as showing kindness to a stranger, forgiving someone who has wronged us, or helping those in need. When we hear Jesus tell us, His disciples, who we are, “You are the light of the world,” how does this resonate in you?
Jesus only speaks the truth. If we notice disbelief, doubt, or resistance to this proclamation, we need to bring these experiences to God in prayer and allow Him to be with us. We will be the light of the world when we know how to receive God’s presence in our lives, moment by moment. If we are more aware of how God loves us and invites us to receive and respond to His love,
we will shine before others. Our Christian example manifested in ordinary interactions at the workplace and in our neighborhood is a light of hope for many who live in darkness. It sounds ideal, but we get distracted and busy! Our attention and energy are often taken by what we need to do in our daily lives, vocation, and duties. Added to this list are the things we think we should do, driven by guilt or obligation. Finally, there are the things we want to do, and we can feel frustrat -
tasks, not to mention Christmas preparations, but when people approached me or came into my routine, I received the Lord’s instruction to be present to people over projects. This requires trusting that the Lord will give us time for all the things that He is asking of me, and not my own will or plans. By the end of Advent, I experienced a new sense of peace and was able to let go of some of my own ideas and plans. Did we really need to set up three nativity scenes, or was it better to pray the rosary with my neighbors? I chose time with my neighbors, and they ended up helping me set up one of our nativities. The saints lead the way as lights of Christ in their unique stories and circumstances. Consider virtuous people who are a light of Christ in your life and tell them how you see the light of Christ in them. Recall the grace of your baptism and renew your commitment to keep the light of Christ burning in you so you, too, will be Christ’s light for others. C
ed and resentful about the little time left to engage in these activities. Ultimately, there is a lot to do, and the commands of Jesus can sometimes feel like additional duties to add to the many lists in our life.
Throughout this past Advent season, I heard the Lord’s invitation, “Be the light.” This was challenging because I felt like there were many things to do and little time “to be.” However, I let this invitation challenge me throughout my day. I worked on projects and lists of
PHOTO BY BEN WHITE ON UNSPLASH
OC Catholic Afar
Lota Relato visited Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain, with a copy of OC Catholic in hand.
“The church is the culmination of the pilgrimage route,” she said. “I was able to go down to the crypt where St. James was buried.”
—Lota’s home parish is St. Mary’s by the Sea Catholic Church in Huntington Beach
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.
