HONORING ST. JOSEPH

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mosquitos come, they lay their eggs, and everything is corrupted. Everything. The angels help us, they push us to continue on the journey.”

The idea of the guardian angel is grounded in Catholic teaching, says Santos. “As Catholics we believe that everyone, including non-Christians, has an angel assigned to them for guidance on Earth. They are here to help us in our humanity, to protect us from evil and encourage us to do good works. Like God, the angel cannot affect our free will. But your guardian angel will whisper in your ear to remind you of who God meant you to be.”

This enforces the idea that guardian angels are a direct connection to God. “Our angel is not only with us; he also sees God the Father,” Pope Francis said. “He is the daily bridge, from the moment we arise to the moment we go to bed. He accompanies us and is a link between us and God the Father. The angel is the daily gateway to transcendence, to the encounter with the Father: that is, the angel helps me to go forward because he looks upon the Father, and he knows the way. Let us not forget these companions along the journey.”

The pandemic has created tremendous stress and worry for adults. “In the past year my friends and colleagues and I have reached out to our guardian angels more than we had in a long time,” says Santos. “We’re not looking for a magic wand to make everything better. But it’s comforting to know that there is a presence that God uniquely created just for me.”

Reconnecting with one’s guardian angel is possible any time. Santos suggests intentionally revisiting childhood prayers and lessons or speaking to a parish priest about how to renew the relationship with a guardian angel for guidance in today’s challenges and those in the future. C

MYRIAD ACTIVITIES TEACH ABOUT HIS FAITH, STRENGTH, AND LOVE

BY CATHI DOUGLAS

WHEN POPE FRANCIS announced that 2021 is The Year of St. Joseph, he explained his reasons in an Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde:

“Each of us can discover in Joseph – the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble,” the Holy Father writes. “Saint Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation. A word of recognition and of gratitude is due to them all.”

We honor St. Joseph by participating in the many activities offered throughout the Diocese of Orange and at various local parishes during this year honoring St. Joseph. Catholic families and individuals also will find myriad ideas for crafts, activities, prayers, and novenas online.

In “The Catholic Family Handbook,” the Rev. George A. Kelly notes that children can be taught to emulate St. Joseph “for his sense of duty, which impelled him to take such loving care of the Blessed Virgin and the Infant Child.

“Because St. Joseph was a humble carpenter, he is regarded as the patron saint of workers everywhere; and the fact that his trade was not highly regarded by worldly men should teach us that it is more important to develop the spiritual qualities which he exemplified than to strive for material success.”

Thus, suggestions for crafts, projects, and other activities emphasize St. Joseph’s work as a carpenter, his status as the patron saint of Italy, and his

STAINED GLASS WINDOW, FEATURING ST. JOSEPH, AT ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH IN PLACENTIA. PHOTO COURTESY DIOCESE OF ORANGE

dedication to the Holy Family.

Catholicicing.com offers these ideas for family activities:

n Create a St. Joseph’s altar. The site offers suggestions for creating a simple or elaborate altar. n Wear red. Red is the color of Italy and thus a fitting way to honor St. Joseph. n Celebrate with traditional food. Meatless meals appropriate for Lenten celebrations include traditional foods such as lava beans, fancy breads in symbolic shapes, pasta, breads decorated with figs, wine, Italian pastries, and various fruits. n Collect food for the less fortunate. Many parishes and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, as well as the Cantlay and Second Harvest food banks, collect and/or deliver food to the poor. n Bake zeppole. These are the famous pastries traditionally eaten on St. Joseph’s feast day. Filled with cream and featuring ricotta cheese, zeppole are topped with a red cherry. You can find a recipe at goodfoodstories.com/ zeppole-for-saint-joseph.

St. Joseph’s patronage for various places and causes are fodder for other creative drawings and crafts. He is the patron saint of the Catholic Church, unborn children, fathers, immigrants, workers, travelers, carpenters, and realtors, as well as the patron of Canada, Croatia, Korea, Zapotlan, and Vietnam.

In celebrating St. Joseph, families may want to contemplate these thoughts from St. Alphonso Liguori:

“Go, then to Joseph, and do all that he shall say to you;

Go to Joseph, and obey him as Jesus and Mary obeyed him;

Go to Joseph, and speak to him as they spoke to him;

Go to Joseph, and consult him as they consulted him;

Go to Joseph, and honor him as they honored him;

Go to Joseph, and be grateful to him as they were grateful to him;

Go to Joseph, and love him, as they love him still.” C

ROSE RIVER MEMORIAL

CHRIST CATHEDRAL HOSTS A COMMUNITY MEMORIAL THAT HONORS O.C. RESIDENTS WHO HAVE SUCCUMBED TO COVID

BY LARRY URISH

ROSES MEAN A GREAT DEAL to devoted Catholics. Mother Mary is intimately aligned with roses, and the rosary includes a selection of prayers to Mary as a spiritual bouquet, of sorts.

But to internationally renowned artist Marcos Lutyens, roses mean even more. To Lutyens, and to a growing number of people backing him in a grand, noble project that began last August, one rose honors one American who died of COVID-19 during the pandemic. “I like the idea of roses because it’s a symbol used in the U.S. in a lot in funerals,” the native of Britain says. “And they’re used to symbolize courage and valor. Every rose has a beautiful value to it.”

Thus far Lutyens has created five community installations in Southern California, as well as two out of state, displaying hand-made felt roses, each separately attached to mesh netting. The first of Lutyens’ memorial displays, in East L.A.’s Boyle Heights community, included some 200 roses.

The latest Rose River Memorial, now located on the Christ Cathedral campus, includes more than 4,600 of the felt flowers, created by sponsors and community volunteers. They represent the number of O.C. residents who have

BISHOP KEVIN VANN SPRINKLES HOLY WATER TO BLESS THE MEMORIAL. PHOTO: DREW KELLEY

died of COVID to date. A similar display, composed of 4,000 roses, was displayed at the Orange County Museum of Art from March 1-7. Some 600 O.C. residents have died between the beginning of March until the day the Christ Cathedral Memorial was installed. “That’s 600 people in 22 days,” Lutyens says. “And it’s not over yet.”

Lutyens thinks big. When he first envisioned a memorial composed of felt roses, he saw a permanent national display in Washington, D.C., honoring every American who has died of COVID. At the time, the country’s death toll was 170,000. In just seven months, that figure has surpassed 500,000. “If we built the national memorial today, it would spread over three acres,” he says.

However, Lutyens – whose work has appeared in such lofty locales as the Guggenheim, the Royal Academy of Arts and MoMA – remains undaunted. He and his team are working on other memorials to appear in several other states. Grieving volunteers have mailed Lutyens felt roses from throughout the country. As support grows, so will the number of community memorials. He hopes that more than half a million roses will eventually be combined and displayed permanently.

As he saw the COVID death toll rising last August, Lutyens was saddled with an emotion that remains all too common during the pandemic: helplessness. “Although I hadn’t lost anyone close, I saw the front-line workers in crisis, I saw the mental health crisis, all the mourning. I wanted to do something.”

While Lutyens notes that many of the roses used in the installations are made and donated by surviving family members, most are created by those who haven’t undergone a terrible loss. “Making and donating roses helps people to process the grief and do something tangible to counteract that feeling of helplessness,” he says.

The memorial at Christ Cathedral is

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orangediocese • follow

April 4, 2021

orangediocese

“Today we have a reminder of how much God loves us. That he gave us his only son Jesus Christ, who died and rose from the dead. Giving us the promise of eternal life.” An Easter reflection from Bishop Freyer.

orangediocese • follow

April 1, 2021

orangediocese

Let us pray for the victims of the mass shooting yesterday evening in Orange. And let us also remember the families of the victims as they grieve the unfathomable loss of their loved ones.

The Most Rev. Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of Orange

To report sexual abuse by clergy or church personnel please call: 1 (800) 364–3064 Healing and Hope After Abortion: 1 (800) 722–4356 New Hope Crisis Counseling Hot Line (24/7):

1 (714) NEW–HOPE or 1 (714) 639–4673

BISHOP VANN SPEAKS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC DURING THE EVENT. PHOTO: DREW KELLEY

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

sponsored by the O.C. Autism Foundation, an organization that spreads disability awareness throughout the county and globally to the Vietnamese community. It pushes for equal access to health care and education for those living with autism and other disabilities.

“Our community is stronger when we come together for a common cause and lend our support to one another each day, especially in times of need,” says Julie Diep, the O.C. Autism Foundation’s founder and director. “We want to celebrate each person in Orange County, in our community, who has died of COVID. Each individual should be honored. That’s why it was so important to partner with [the Diocese]. Faith-based organizations really help families and communities come together and heal.”

“Julie [Diep] has been amazingly supportive,” Lutyens says. “She originally put us in touch with the Diocese. And everyone here has been super supportive and welcoming.”

The acclaimed artist was also impressed with the Diocese’s home. “Christ Cathedral is such a fitting and nice shelter for this memorial. Most cathedrals feel very heavy, as they’re made of stone, whereas this is made of glass and is light all the way through.”

During a memorial dedication on March 23, Bishop Kevin Vann blessed an example display of roses set up on the Christ Cathedral campus. “Today we offer blessing to these roses as a reminder of all those we have sought to minister to this past year, and have prayed for and been with them as they went to their eternal reward, and to remember them today,” he said. … “Bless these roses, which we offer this day, in thanksgiving.”

The memorial will be on display in the campus’ Small Gallery, near the Arboretum, through June 30. Stories and photos of those who have died from COVID will be included.

To contribute roses and view detailed rose-making instructions, or to help fund the project, visit www. roseriver.memorial. (The web address has no “dot-com”.)

“I’m hoping for more outreach,” Diep says, envisioning a permanent national Rose River Memorial. “Hopefully people will want to say, ‘I want this in my city. And we’ll go to Washington, D.C., to celebrate when it’s done.’” C

SCOUTS RECOGNITION MASS

YOUTH AND ADULTS RECOGNIZED FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO CATHOLIC SCOUTING

BY BERNIE KILCOYNE

THE DIOCESAN CATHOLIC Catholic Committee on Scouting held its Catholic Youth Ministry Recognition Mass at St. Joachim Catholic Church earlier this year. Fr. Mike Hanifin was the celebrant, with Deacon Nick Sherg and Deacon Jorge Sanchez Ph.D. in service on the altar.

Five youth were awarded the Light of Christ medal, designed as a steppingstone to future religious medal programs.

Fourteen youth were awarded the Parvuli Dei medal, centered around the youth learning more about his/her faith through visits to places of interest.

Twenty youth were awarded the Ad Altare Dei medal, a scripture study and project-centered program based on the sacraments related to youth scouting and religious life.

Twenty-six youth were awarded the Pope Pius XII medal, a program to help the teenage youth learn more about his/ her personal vocation as a Catholic now, and his/her career vocation in the future.

Twelve youth received the Pillar of Faith pin, where these youth earned all four scouting youth ministry religious medals.

Six youth received the St. Francis award, presented to youth in scouting providing outstanding service, volunteering their talents to serve the needs of their community and Roman Catholic Church parish.

The Our Lady of Guadalupe award was presented to Jon Bergler, for outstanding service and leadership to the

DEACON NICK SHERG (LEFT) WITH JON BERGLER WHO RECEIVED THE OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE AWARD. PHOTO: BERNIE KILCOYNE

community, scouting and his church, in addition to having earned his Eagle, Summit or Quartermaster scouting award. It was also announced after the awarding of this medal that Jon was discerning entering the seminary.

The Vic Rogers Youth Award recognizes young adults for their continual and dedicated service to the spiritual growth of scouts and was presented to Peter de Grood. Six Catholic partnered scout units were recognized for the Pope Paul VI National Catholic Unit Excellence award. Pack 227 St. Bonaventure; Pack 620 St. Hedwig; Troop 671 St. Hedwig; Troop 691 St. John Neumann; Troop 818 Serra Catholic School; and Crew 1910 The Bishops Crew. Adults were recognized for their contributions and dedicated service to Scouting Youth Ministry. Christopher Curry, Sophia Tran and Jacob Walker were awarded the Bronze Pelican medal. The pelican has been traditionally used as a Liturgical symbol since the early days of Christianity. It denotes the tender care of the young by the parent and the Church, recognizing Catholic spiritual development. Mike Bergler was awarded the St. George medal, a recognition by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, to those who have made a significant contribution to scouting in the field of Catholic relationships. Gerald de Santos was awarded the Monsignor Sammon award, recognizing an adult for extended, dedicated and continuous service to youth, the Diocese and the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting. C

ELIZABETH JENSEN TAPPED TO HEAD USCCB COMMITTEE

THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE CFO NOW LEADS THE USCCB ACCOUNTING PRACTICES COMMITTEE

BY STAFF

DIOCESE OF ORANGE Chief Financial Officer Elizabeth Jensen has been appointed as the new chair of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Accounting Practices Committee.

The committee is comprised of leading finance and accounting experts that help guide accounting practices and financial reporting for the Catholic dioceses in the United States.

The Accounting Practices Committee is a lay-committee that falls under the purview of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Budget and Finance. Its members are diocesan CFOs and financial advisors. Established in 1976, the committee represents the interest of the entities of the Catholic Church in the formulation of accounting principles and reporting practices and in presenting the same before professional standard setting groups and governmental bodies when necessary.

According to Joyce Jones, CFO of the USCCB, “Jensen was invited by the USCCB General Secretary to join the Accounting Practices Committee in July 2018. She was known to many of the existing members as an excellent accountant with dynamic leadership skills. Those two attributes – excellent accountant and dynamic leadership skills – are what made her a superb candidate to chair the committee. Her appointment became effective January 1, 2021. As a well-rounded experienced CFO, she will be looked to, to guide the committee in updating the well-used Diocesan Financial Management: A Guide to Best Practices that resides on the USCCB website.”

Of the appointment, Jensen said, “I am honored to accept the nomination as chair of the USCCB Accounting Practices Committee. I am confident that my experience in both public accounting and as the CFO of one of the largest dioceses will allow me to serve the Church in this important role and to assist dioceses in the United States in adhering to the accounting and financial reporting standards of the industry.”

Jensen began her new role January 1. C

ELIZABETH JENSEN, DIOCESE OF ORANGE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER / PHOTO COURTESY DIOCESE OF ORANGE

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. C

VATICAN CALLS FOR ACTION TO ASSIST PEOPLE DISPLACED BY CLIMATE CHANGE

BY CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Whether people admit it or not, climate change and environmental destruction are forcing millions from their homes, and Catholics have a responsibility to assist them, Pope Francis wrote in the preface to a new document.

“When people are driven out because their local environment has become uninhabitable, it might look like a process of nature, something inevitable,” the pope wrote. “Yet the deteriorating climate is very often the result of poor choices and destructive activity, of selfishness and neglect, that set humankind at odds with creation, our common home.”

The papal preface appears in “Pastoral Orientations on Climate Displaced People,” a document released March 30 by the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

In addition to offering parishes, dioceses and national bishops’ conferences suggestions for offering pastoral care to people forced to move because of rising sea levels, desertification and increasingly strong storms, the document encourages Catholics to study and track climate change and to change their lifestyles to help mitigate some of its effects.

“The climate crisis has been unfolding since the Industrial Revolution,” Pope Francis wrote. “For a long time, it developed so slowly that it remained imperceptible except to a very few clairvoyants.”

“Even now it is uneven in its impact: climate change happens everywhere, but the greatest pain is felt by those who have contributed the least to it,” the pope wrote. “The huge and increasing numbers (of people) displaced by climate crises are fast becoming a great emergency.”

A WOMAN COLLECTS WATER FOR WASHING AS FLOODWATERS BEGIN TO RECEDE IN THE AFTERMATH OF A 2019 CYCLONE NEAR BEIRA, MOZAMBIQUE. MANY CLIMATE SCIENTISTS HAVE ASSOCIATED AN INCREASED NUMBER OF NATURAL DISASTERS AND THEIR SEVERITY WITH CLIMATE CHANGE. PHOTO: MIKE HUTCHINGS, REUTERS / CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

According to the document, “In the course of 2019 alone, more than 33 million people were newly displaced, bringing the total number to almost 51 million, the highest number ever recorded; and of these, 8.5 million (were displaced) as a result of conflict and violence and 24.9 million due to natural disasters.”

“In the first half of 2020, 14.6 million new displacements were recorded; 9.8 million as a result of disasters and 4.8 million associated with conflict and violence,” the document said, citing statistics from the Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Center.

In addition, it said, climate change is “a threat multiplier, intensifying existing conflicts where resources are scarce.” Responding to the needs of people displaced within their home countries or forced to migrate because of climate-related catastrophes is “at the heart of being a credible and witnessing church, a caring and inclusive ecclesial community,” the document said. Many people either do not know about the human cost of climate change or refuse to believe it, the text said. “Blindness about these issues is widespread and its causes are mainly: a) plain ignorance; b) indifference and selfishness vis-à-vis phenomena that endanger the common good; c) the purposeful denial of reality to protect vested interests; d) misunderstanding.” “God gives the means to see, but human beings must be willing to journey from blindness to awareness,” the document said, which is why many of the suggestions in the text involve education at all levels of the church, ecumenical and interreligious cooperation in sensitizing people to the issues and in responding to the needs of people displaced by climate crises and listening to and advocating for the real needs of displaced people and those threatened with displacement.

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