OC CATHOLIC - MARCH 24, 2024

MSGR. STEPHEN DOKTORCZYK BEGINS PRESTIGIOUS ASSIGNMENT PAGE 8

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

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40 DAYS OF LENT

Lenten observations follow guidelines but can be personal and unique.

LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP

Servite High School honored its long legacy of leadership during a special awards banquet on March 2.

13 MYSTERY OF SUFFERING

Our faith is founded in suffering and made perfect by love.

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

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AROUND CAMPUS

PHOTO BY JOSHUA SUDOCK/DIOCESE

PRESENTATION CIBORIUM

Donor: Servite High School. It is used to hold the consecrated Hosts for Communion during Mass. C

“ God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy.”

— Pope Francis

SAINT PROFILE

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY IS 42:1-7; PS 27:1, 2, 3, 1314; JN 12:1-11

FOR CHRISM MASS

TUESDAY IS 49:1-6; PS 71:1-2, 3-4A, 5AB-6AB, 15 AND 17; JN 13:2133, 36-38

WEDNESDAY IS 50:4-9A; 69:810, 21-22, 31 AND 33-34; MT 26:14-25

TORIBIO OF MOGROVEJO 1538-1606

SPANISH-BORN TORIBIO taught law in Salamanca until 1574, when he was appointed inquisitor of Granada. In 1580, though not yet a priest, he was named archbishop of Lima, Peru, with his episcopal ordination in Seville. After arriving in Lima in 1581, his 25 years of missionary service included diocesan and provincial synods, visits around the vast diocese, clergy reforms, and Indian-language catechisms. He also introduced European religious orders into Peru, opened the first seminary in the New World and encouraged Indians to become priests..

THURSDAY EX 12:1-8,11-14; PSALM 116; 1 COR 11:23-26; JN 13:1-15

FRIDAY IS 52:13—53:12; PS 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25; HEB 4:14-16; 5:79; JN 18:1—19:42

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

GN 1:1—2:2; PS 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35; GN 22:1-18; PS 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11; EX

SATURDAY SUNDAY ACTS 10:34A, 37-43; PS 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; COL 3:1-4; JN 20:1-9 OR 1 COR 5:6B-8

OF ORANGE

14:15—15:1; EX 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 17-18; IS 54:5-14; PS 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13; IS 55:1-11; IS 12:2-3, 4, 5-6; BAR 3:9-15, 32-4:4; PS 19:8, 9, 10, 11 ; EZ 36:16-17A, 18-28; PS 42:3, 5; 43:3, 4; ROM 6:3-11; PS 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; MARK 16:1-7

IS 61:1-3A, 6A, 8B-9; 89:2122, 25 AND 27; RV 1:5-8; LK 4:16-21

MSGR. STEPHEN DOKTORCZYK BEGINS PRESTIGIOUS ASSIGNMENT

FORMER VICAR GENERAL ON LOAN AS CANON LAWYER FOR APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

BY GREG HARDESTY

ON JAN. 31 THIS YEAR, a going-away party was held in the office of Bishop Kevin Vann for Msgr. Stephen Doktorczyk, a familiar face at Diocese headquarters on the Christ Cathedral campus as well as at parishes where he has served, including St. Joachim in Costa Mesa and St. Polycarp in Stanton. In addition to serving as pastor of St. Martin de Porres parish in Yorba Linda from July 2022 through the end of January 2024, he also was Vicar General for Legal and Canonical Affairs and an editor of OC Catholic.

Although Msgr. Doktorczyk has physically left the Diocese, he’s still connected

to it— “incardinated,” to use the official term — and is likely to return to service in the Diocese in due time.

In early February 2024, Msgr. Doktorczyk began his new role as canon lawyer in the offices of the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C. His prestigious appointment was made at the request of Cardinal Christophe Pierre, who has served as papal nuncio to the United States since 2016.

Bishop Kevin Vann agreed to loan the then-pastor of St. Martin de Porres Church in Yorba Linda and Vicar General for Legal and Canonical Affairs to an office that has the ranks of an embassy in the U.S.

Monsignor served as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Orange (which is the second highest diocesan official after a bishop) from April 2018 to June 2022. In this role he oversaw the daily operations of the

Congratulations to Msgr. Stephen Doktorczyk from the Formation Team at the NAC

on your appointment to the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington D.C.

Diocese.

Msgr. Doktorczyk said that it was difficult for him to leave St. Martin de Porres, a parish known to be thriving in many ways, be it devotional (especially with perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament), liturgical, educational and charitable (for example, the unique Skid Row ministry featured in a previous issue of the Orange County Catholic).

He credits the vibrancy of the parish to the dedication and love of the Lord on the part of many parishioners that was fostered and encouraged by his predecessors, including Fathers Richard Delahunty, Joseph Knerr and Sy Nguyen.

NEW HOME ON EMBASSY ROW

The nuncio serves both as the ambassador of the Holy See to the government of the U.S. and as delegate and point-ofcontact between the Catholic hierarchy in

CONTINUES ON PAGE 6

May God bless you as you begin this new chapter!

We congratulate Msgr. Stephen Doktorczyk as he starts his new position as Canon Lawyer with the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington D.C. Our prayers are with you! The

of St.

Huntington Beach, CA

IN NATION’S

CAPITAL

MONSIGNOR STEPHEN DOKTORCZYK.

PHOTO BY STEVE GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

His profound love for the Church and the Diocese was evident in the various capacities in which he served.

— Fr. Angelos Sebastian

the U.S. and Pope Francis.

Not bad for a local kid who was on the fast track to management in the grocery store industry before he decided to become a priest – a calling that always tugged at him.

“People would be surprised how many matters and issues involve canon law in one way or another,” said Msgr. Doktorczyk, who is settling into his new home and office in the Embassy Row neighborhood of northwest Washington, D.C.

SENSITIVE AND CONFIDENTIAL WORK

Canon law includes both divine law –which is based on the Scriptures, including the Ten Commandments and Jesus’ teaching on marriage – and ecclesiastical law established by the Church, such as the regulation of fasting and abstinence, which themselves are rooted in both the Old and New Testaments.

Msgr. Doktorczyk was ordained to the priesthood in 2005, and while in formation, earned a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology in 2004 from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He later earned a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University, also in Rome, in 2007.

Returning to the Diocese in 2007, he was assigned for the next four years as a parochial vicar at St. Joachim Church in Costa Mesa while concurrently serving

as defender of the bond in the Marriage Tribunal. Near the end of 2010, during a regularly scheduled meeting with Bishop Tod Brown, the prelate informed Fr. Doktorczyk that he had received a letter from the Prefect (Head) of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, William Cardinal Levada, who asked the bishop to release the priest for service to that Congregation if Fr. Doktorczyk was willing to accept the invitation. Part of the priest’s discernment included meeting with the cardinal. The meeting concluded with Fr. Doktorczyk asking the cardinal how he would respond if he were in the same situation. Cardinal Levada replied, “When the Church asks me for something, my practice is to say yes unless there is a very strong and compelling reason to say no.” The advice from the cardinal stuck with him.

Fr. Doktorczyk accepted the invitation to return to Rome.

From 2011 to 2016, he was an official at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Vatican City and adjunct spiritual director at the Pontifical North American College, also in Rome.

In 2016, he earned his doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Upon his return to the Diocese after his service in Rome, he served as judicial vicar, overseeing the canonical affairs

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MONSIGNOR DOKTORCZYK WITH MEMBERS OF THE ST. MARTIN DE PORRES SKID ROW MINISTRY ON A SUNDAY MORNING. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRENDAN O’SHEA

FR. JUAN BERNARDO NAVARRO SANCHEZ, BISHOP KEVIN W. VANN, FR. MARTIN H. NGUYEN AND MONSIGNOR DOKTORCZYK. PHOTO BY STEVE GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

FAUSTINA TRAN, PARISHIONER OF ST. MARTIN DE PORRES AND THEN COORDINATOR OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM, WITH HER FAMILY, PAROCHIAL VICAR FR. NICOLAUS THAI AND MSGR. DOKTORCZYK ON JULY 23, 2024, BEFORE SHE ENTERED THE LOVERS OF THE HOLY CROSS RELIGIOUS ORDER. PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. MARTIN DE PORRES PARISH

MONSIGNOR DOKTORCZYK DISTRIBUTES HOLY COMMUNION AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL. PHOTO BY STEVE GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

MSGR. DOKTORCZYK FLANKED BY HIS SISTER-IN-LAW MADDIE AND BROTHER ROBERT ON JAN. 28, 2024 IN ST. MARTIN DE PORRES PARISH HALL. PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. MARTIN DE PORRES PARISH

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

of the Diocese, including the marriage tribunal.

A lot of what Msgr. Doktorczyk did for the Diocese of Orange, and now will do for the nuncio in D.C., is hush hush.

“I’m engaged in a lot of sensitive work, and confidentiality surrounds my job,” he said. The Apostolic Nunciature also is involved with the selection of bishops in the U.S., performing a lot of groundwork before they are considered for appointment.

“It’s a busy office,” Msgr. Doktorczyk said.

SAN PEDRO NATIVE

Growing up in San Pedro, Msgr. Doktorczyk’ s home parish was Mary Star of the Sea. It always was, and remains, a bustling parish of priests from various countries, as well as ones assigned to the maritime ministry.

Such exposure to a diversity of priests would prove eventful years after Msgr. Doktorczyk graduated from high school

and college, and after he worked for several years for Vons, mostly on the fast track toward regional management. After majoring in business with an emphasis in human resources from Cal State Long Beach, he earned a master’s degree in business administration from the same university.

Working at various locations in the South Bay, the Long Beach vicinity and parts of Orange County, he would sometimes find himself debating with some Protestants who warned him about, in their words, “the dangers of Catholicism.”

He took this opportunity to study the faith, which included reading books on apologetics. He learned (or, more accurately, “relearned”) much about the foundations of the Catholic faith as a result and grew in appreciation the Catholic Church.

Prayer became more frequent for the future monsignor when he decided to stop watching TV (this was before the explosion of other social media options).

Teaching religious education to eighth graders, serving as a sponsor in the RCIA program and being otherwise involved in activities at St. Bonaventure in Huntington Beach all contributed to his eventual decision to apply to the seminary.

“I’ve very much loved my time in the Diocese of Orange and have learned a lot in every position I’ve held,” said Msgr. Doktorczyk.

PRAYERS FOR THE APPOINTEE

Fr. Angelos Sebastian, the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Orange, expressed his gratitude for the monsignor’s “dedicated service” to the Diocese.

“His profound love for the Church and the Diocese was evident in the various capacities in which he served,” Fr. Angelos said in a message to Pastoral Center staff.

“His contributions have left a lasting impact on our priests, staff and the faithful.

“While it saddens us to bid farewell as he embarks on this crucial service to the Church and the Holy See, we take pride in his commitment and extend our heartfelt blessings and prayers.” C

On behalf of the Foundation of Prayer for Priests, the Board and international membership congratulate Monsignor Stephen Doktorczyk, J.C.D., on his new position at the Apostolic Nunciature office in the Archdiocese of Washington DC. As our Co-Founder and Spiritual Advisor, we thank you for the generous contribution of your time and talent. Your service at the Nunciature will undoubtedly be fruitful. We accompany you with prayers.

40 DAYS OF LENT

HOW OC CATHOLICS ARE MARKING THE SEASON

BY MIKE VULPO

LIKE MANY CATHOLICS, Fr.

Aristotle Quan has used the weeks before Easter Sunday to give something up for Lent.

But after saying goodbye to treats like chocolate or frozen Otter Pops for 40 days, the parochial vicar at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Dana Point, discovered something new about his journey.

“Every year, I would give something up, but I was literally the same person,” he said. “Nothing changed. Yeah, maybe I lost a few pounds because I wasn’t eating chocolate anymore. But you don’t have to give up something. People need to see that God has so much more in store for them other than the traditional, ‘I’m just going to do this every year.’ We have to really check if this is what God wants for us.”

This year, Fr. Aristotle is reading St. Paul’s letters and focusing on quiet prayer. He’s also trying to fast from food until 5 p.m. two days a week.

“I love food, but He wanted me to feel the hunger,” Fr. Aristotle explained. “It allows me to really understand that we don’t live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

As Easter Sunday approaches, several Catholics were asked to share how they’re getting closer to God during this season of Lent. Through prayer, fasting and giving alms, Fr. Aristotle believes this time can be transformational.

“We’re called to have a heart change,” he explained. “We really have to pray about what God wants for us and I think that will make our Lent so much more powerful.”

MADISON MITCHELL

Santa Clara De Asís lead cantor

“Prayerfully, I’m asking God, ‘Grant me the grace to do less so that He can do

more!’ I routinely go off Instagram and social media during penitential seasons and as someone that is highly addicted to noise, I am omitting all secular podcasts and most music if it is secular. I am refining my desire to be in silence and to appreciate the times I can be with the Lord in the quiet vs. filling up the quiet spaces with noise. It’s been a very insightful and peaceful Lent thus far. I’m grateful for the increase of prayer time, silence and peace God is bringing me as I enter into the desert alongside Him.”

GIANNA DOPUDJA

St. Serra Catholic School third grader

“I decided to give up McDonald’s for Lent. I usually have it 3-4 times a week for an afternoon snack, so this is a big sacrifice for me. Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days before he died for our sins. If he could die on the cross for us to go to heaven, then I can stop eating French fries. I am using the money that I don’t spend each week and putting it in my rice bowl and donating it to an orphanage in Haiti to help children. Jesus wants us to help the poor and sick. All the money I am saving is going to help so many people that have nothing.”

SUZY JURGENSEN

St. Edward the Confessor parishioner

“This Lenten Season, I’m walking one mile every day to prepare myself to receive the graces of Easter. This intentional time for reflection, prayer and simply being grateful for my blessings has turned out to be a much better fit for me than my traditional practice of giving something up. My daily mile has added a wonderful new dimension to my spiritual growth. I feel like I’ve rediscovered a wonderful connection with Jesus. I honestly feel the Lord right there with me as I walk, think,

ST. SERRA CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENT GIANNA DOPUDJA CELEBRATING LENT AT SAN FRANCISCO SOLANO CATHOLIC CHURCH. PHOTO BY MIKE VULPO

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

pray and rejoice in his love. My intentional ‘mile a day’ has encouraged me to make time, refocus and visit with the Lord in my own personal way and has definitely energized my spiritual journey.”

DYLAN CABILDO

Damien Catholic High School senior, attends San Francisco Solano Catholic Church

“I’ve decided to participate in what’s called an Exodus or Exodus 90 for Lent. It includes both adding prayer to my everyday life and giving up unnecessary things such as sweets, electronic device usage, warm showers and secular music. I am doing this with a group of young men whom we hold each other accountable. It’s definitely a challenge but doing this makes more time for God and it helps me appreciate what I have more. As Easter

is approaching, I feel that I am really stepping into the desert with Jesus. I feel a deeper appreciation for what Jesus did for us dying on the cross. I also feel accomplished and proud of myself, proving to myself that I can do something I thought would be too hard for me.”

DELIA S. CAMPBELL

St. Edward the Confessor parishioner

“Lent is my favorite time of year. My mom is the reason for this inspiration as she always made this time of year special, and I enjoyed spending the extra time at church services with her and my dad. I enjoy attending daily Mass at least three times during the week. This year, because of Matthew Kelly’s [a motivational Catholic speaker] inspiration and focus on the Eucharist, it is a perfect connection and I also added Eucharistic adoration at least once a week.” C

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FR. ARISTOTLE QUAN. PHOTO BY STEVE GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP

SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL RECOGNIZES THOSE WHO LEAD

BY MEG WATERS

AS MORE THAN 500 Friars filled J.W. Marriott’s banquet hall on March 2, the mood was one part class reunion and one part pep rally, and it was entirely about how much Servite High School in Anaheim meant to everyone there. Once a friar, always a friar.

This year’s theme was “Legacy of Leadership” with distinguished alumni awards going to theatrical producer Tom McCoy ‘74 and New England Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater ‘03. Teacher of the Year Cory Fajardo ‘08 was honored with the Elizabeth Ann Seton Award from the Diocese’s Orange County Catholic Schools.

As Servite President Stephen Walswick ‘02 observed, “This is an annual event that allows us to share our mission with the community. Our honorees are amazing examples of the kind of leaders Servite graduates every year.”

Walswick is thoroughly vested in Servite; after graduating there in 2002, he served 17 years as a water polo coach and English and journalism teacher. This is his first year as president of the school that has been the guiding star of his adult life.

Tom McCoy, whose wife, gymnast Cathy Rigby introduced him, was an enthusiastic Friar.

“I loved high school – every minute of it,” recalled McCoy. “I got involved with everything I could.”

McCoy credited much of his success to Fr. Fred R. Gaglia, Ph.D., KCHS, who began the theater arts program at Servite and was instrumental in building the school’s theater.

“Fr. Fred was the Cecil B. DeMille of

high school theater,” McCoy said. “He also helped me produce the 1987 Los Angeles Coliseum production and Mass when Pope St. John Paul II visited.”

Jackie Slater, retired NFL Hall of Famer and offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams, introduced his son Matthew Slater.

“My wife and I were impressed with everyone at Servite – the teachers and coaches were the very best,” he said. ‘But I give all praise to Matt’s mom, Annie; she never let him just get by. She insisted on more.”

With 16 seasons in the NFL and three Super Bowl wins with the New England Patriots, wide receiver and special teams player Matthew Slater announced his retirement from football on Feb. 20. He echoed his father’s gratitude for the edu-

SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL’S CHOIR PERFORMS DURING THE SCHOOL’S ANNUAL BANQUET HELD ON MARCH 2. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL

THEATRICAL PRODUCER TOM MCCOY, SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF ’74, SPEAKS DURING THE SCHOOL’S ANNUAL BANQUET HELD ON MARCH 2.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

cation and values he learned at Servite.

“I am grateful for the vision Servite had for me, even before I had it for myself,” said Slater. “Leadership is about taking the tougher road, not the easiest.”

He continued: “As a freshman, I wasn’t excited about going to Servite, so I made a deal with God. I would go, but if I didn’t like it, I would transfer to a school with girls.”

After two weeks, he settled into the school, became a proud Friar and graduated in 2003.

“Leadership is a call to action — we have all been asked to be leaders in some

fashion,” Slater added. “It’s about how we answer the call. The Bible is very clear on what leadership is and what it looks like.

“The greatest leader who ever lived was Jesus Christ. Many of us focus on what is happening with ourselves, not what God has called us to be.”

Finally, Slater said that leadership is always in service to God.

“If we aren’t serving in this world, we can’t leave a legacy of leadership,” he said. “We need to be purpose-filled in how we lead our lives.”

Gregory Jenn, ‘14, a recent graduate

of Notre Dame Law School, is awaiting results from the California State Bar Exam. Gregory lost his father when he was 5 years old and was raised by his single mom in Fullerton. He plans to be an immigration attorney here in Orange County.

“I plan to be at this event when I’m 48 in 2044 – 20 years from now,” he said. “However my career unfolds, I know the integrity and charism of the Servite order will have helped and empowered me to build a career helping people.”

Neil Hennessey, ‘24 is a senior and looking at colleges. He would like to go into

data analysis, intelligence or global security.

“Twenty years from now, I’ll look back at Servite for the amazing experience and incredible people I met,” he said. “I am and will be a better person because of Servite.

Hennessey continued: “I enjoyed studying philosophy, and I think a quote from Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor and philosopher, says it best: ‘Don’t argue about what a good man is. Become one.’”

Servite is all about forming young men into the kind of leaders God intends, and however that leadership evolves, they will always be Friars. C

MATTHEW SLATER, SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF ’03, ADDRESSES ATTENDEES DURING THE SCHOOL’S ANNUAL BANQUET HELD ON MARCH 2. THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS TEAM CAPTAIN ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT IN FEBRUARY, AFTER 16 NFL SEASONS. PHOTO COURTESY OF SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL

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MYSTERY OF SUFFERING

BY DANIELLE TAYABAS

PAIN AND SUFFERING touch the hearts of all humanity. It is due to “the fall” of Adam and Eve. Suffering, sinful inclinations and death entered the human condition because of their disobedience and the effects of original sin. (Gen 3:1-24)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (Jn 3:16)

Our Heavenly Father had compassion on us poor sinners and He sent Jesus as our Lord and Savior to redeem us through His passion, crucifixion and death on the Cross.

In 1931, Jesus appeared to St. Faustina and revealed Himself as the Divine Mercy. He commanded her to let the whole world know He is a Merciful Savior and that the most hardened sinner has the rights to His mercy. The meaning to the mystery of suffering is found only in Jesus Crucified and in His Divine Mercy. Jesus established the Catholic Church from the depths of His Mercy and brought it to birth from the “blood and water” that flowed from His pierced Heart. (Jn 19:3137) Water representing Baptism and Reconciliation and Blood representing the Eucharist.

“The two rays denote Blood and Water. The pale ray stands for Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for Blood which is the life of souls…These two rays issued forth from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonizing Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross. Happy is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him. (Diary of Saint Faustina 299, page 139)

Pain and suffering can have a redeeming quality and supernatural power when we offer and unite our them to Jesus Crucified for the salvation of souls and for graces for ourselves or for others. This act of mercy is called Redemptive Suffering. We can learn from the “Conference on Sacrifice and Prayer” given by the Lord…

“My daughter, I want to instruct you on how you are to rescue souls through sacrifice and prayer. You will save more souls through prayer and suffering than will a missionary through his teachings and sermons alone. I want to see you as a sacrifice of living love, which only then carries weight before Me.”

Jesus let her know that she must be completely annihilated in the se-

cret depths of her being, meaning that her self-will and self-love had to be completely destroyed so that Christ Himself would be acting as the sacrificial victim within her. He said, “great will be your power for whomever you intercede” in this state of total self-abasement, united in communion with Jesus and His life reigning within her.

“Outwardly, your sacrifice must look like this: silent, hidden, permeated with love, imbued with prayer. I demand, my daughter, that your sacrifice be pure and full of humility, that I may find pleasure in it.”

The Lord told her that He would provide the graces she needed to fulfill all that He demanded of her. Jesus then instructed her on what her holocaust (burnt offering) should look like in her everyday life.

“You shall accept all sufferings with love. Do not be afflicted if your heart often experiences repugnance and dislike for sacrifice. All its power rests in the will, and so these contrary feelings, far from lowering the value of the sacrifice in My eyes, will enhance it.”

He assured her that although she would not feel His presence on some occasions, “I will always be with you. Do not fear; My grace will be with you…” (Diary of Saint Faustina 1767, page 627) C

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At the seminar, you will learn how to protect and provide for your family and the causes that are closest to your heart, such as Catholic schools, your parish or a ministry of your choice. If you would like to update your estate plan or i f you need to create one, our Catholic estate planning attorneys are here to help. All attendees will receive a free no obligation consultation.

Estate planning seminars are held at parishes throughout Orange County in English and Spanish.

Monday, April 8 10:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.

Corpus Christi Church 27231 Aliso Viejo Parkway, Aliso Viejo

Wednesday, May 22 6:30 p.m.

St. Columban Church 10801 Stanford Avenue, Garden Grove

Wednesday, May 29 10:00 a.m.

St. Nicholas Church 24252 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods

Tuesday, June 4 9:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.

Santiago de Compostela Church 21682 Lake Forest Dr, Lake Forest

Wednesday, June 5 6:30 p.m.

Christ Our Savior Church 2000 West Alton Avenue, Santa Ana

OC Catholic Afar

Patty Baer reads an OC Catholic article on Jan. 20 while at the 10th annual OneLife LA Walk.

—Patty is a parishioner of St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Tustin.

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.

Happy Easter