OC CATHOLIC - JUNE 19, 2022

JUNE 19, 2022

YOUTH LEADERSHIP IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

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

HONORING FATHERS!

IN HONOR OF FATHER’S DAY, THE OC CATHOLIC ASKED SEVERAL OF OUR RELIGIOUS WITHIN THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE TO SPEAK A BIT ABOUT THEIR DADS PAGE 8 BISHOP KEVIN W. VANN IS PICTURED WITH HIS FATHER, WILLIAM VANN, CIRCA 2003. COURTESY OF THE VANN FAMILY

Congratulations, Cardinal-designate McElroy!

Bishop Kevin W. Vann and the Diocese of Orange congratulate San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy who will be created a Cardinal by Pope Francis on August 27, 2022.

JUNE 19, 2022

CONTENTS

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A FOND FAREWELL

Msgr. Colm Conlon has retired to his homeland in Ireland following 60 years of serving Southern California’s faith community.

FOR FATHERS FOREVER

Fatherhood is a noble calling, with St. Joseph serving as a biblical model.

CHARTER’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY CALLS FOR ‘CONTINUED VIGILANCE’

The USCCB passed the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” in response to a wave of allegations of sexual assault of minors by Catholic clergy.

PLUS

Guest Column, Weekly Readings, Moments In Our Journey

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

ADVERTISING Director of Custom Content: Caroline Wong, cawong@scng.com

SCNG CUSTOM CONTENT Managing Editor: Caitlin Adams

Art Director: Kenneth Abbott

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.

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BISHOP’S COLUMN

DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE LORD AND FRIENDS ALL

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

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AM CURRENTLY ON A WEEKEND break from my summer course work at Mt. Angel Seminary near Portland, Oregon, where I am working to obtain the Doctor of Ministry degree. On this Sunday morning, June 12, Trinity Sunday, I am at my home praying. As we are approaching Corpus Christi, another one of these great post Easter solemnities, we are also approaching Father’s Day. I shared recently about my mother on Mother’s Day, and so I would like to share a few words about Dad, some of which I have already communicated to some of you about.

For me, as time “marches on” and I am now 41 years a priest, I have come to realize more and more the vocation of priests to be a spiritual father. Dad taught me a lot about that, and my brothers and I speak about him a lot. I had the blessing to be with him when he passed away and I CONTINUES ON PAGE 13

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BISHOP KEVIN VANN IS PICTURED BY OUR LADY OF LA VANG SHRINE ON JULY 14, 2021. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVEN GEORGES/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.

DAILY READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

“ THE GIFT OF THE EUCHARIST

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ODAY WE HEAR HOW ABRAM encounters Melchizedek, “king of Salem . . . and a priest of God Most High” (Genesis 14:18). Melchizedek appears nowhere else in scripture, but is nonetheless significant. Psalm 110 declares of the great King David, “You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek,” a description later given (in the letter to the Hebrews) to Christ as High Priest.

Early Christians saw in Melchizedek’s bread and wine the bread and wine of the Eucharist; Paul’s account of the Last Supper (in today’s second reading) is the oldest one in scripture. In the Gospel, Luke describes Jesus providing bread for a crowd in words similar to Paul’s, words still used by the Church: Jesus takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it. Together, these three readings reveal how Christian priesthood, Christ’s Real Presence, and the call to serve those in need are all found in the gift of the Eucharist.

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. C

Let us open our hearts to welcome the surprise that Jesus brings us.

— Pope Francis

SAINT PROFILE

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JOSEMARIA ESCRIVÁ DE BALAGUER 1902-1975

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ORN IN BARBASTRO, SPAIN, Josemaria was ordained a priest in 1925. In 1928, he founded Opus Dei, Latin for “God’s work,” as an apostolate in the ordinary circumstances of life, especially work, focusing on the universal call to holiness. It includes laypeople, priests and seminarians. Msgr. Escrivá died in 1975 in Rome, where he had lived, directing the international organization, since 1946. In 1982 Opus Dei was given the status of a personal prelature, the equivalent of a nonterritorial diocese. Its founder was beatified in 1992 and canonized in 2002. C

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

2 KGS 17:5-8, 1315A, 18; PS 60:3-5, 12-13; MT 7:1-5

2 KGS 19:9B-11, 1421, 31-35A, 36; PS 48:2-4, 10-11; MT 7:6, 12-14

2 KGS 22:8-13; 23:1-3; PS 119:3337, 40; MT 7:15-20

IS 49:1-6; PS 139:13, 13-15; ACTS 13:22-26; LK 1:5766, 80

EZ 34:11-16; PS 23:1-6; ROM 5:5B-11; LK 15:3-7

LAM 2:2, 10-14, 18-19; PS 74:1B-7, 20-21; LK 2:41-51

1 KGS 19:16B, 19-21; PS 16:1-2, 5, 7-11; GAL 5:1, 13-18; LK 9:51-62

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FEATURE

A FOND FAREWELL

“Then I learned that the bishop wanted me to start a parish in Irvine,” he said. “And in December of 1978, St. John Neumann was declared a parish.”

Groundbreaking for the church which is named after St. John Neumann, the first MONSIGNOR COLM male canonized saint from the US, took CONLON HAS RETIRED place in 1980. The first Mass was celebrated TO HIS HOME COUNTRY there in late 1981. The church was officially dedicated in June 1982 with Bishop OF IRELAND AFTER William Johnson, Archbishop Tomas Clavel SERVING THE DIOCESE and Cardinal John Krol from Philadelphia FOR 44 YEARS celebrating. It was the second parish to be established in Orange County.

BY NICOLE GREGORY “It was quite an undertaking,” said HE END OF AN ERA HAS Msgr. Conlon of establishing the church. come for St. John Neumann “I wouldn’t call myself a businessman, but Catholic Parish in Irvine. Its God is good, and the people were great. The founder and longtime pastor, parishioners made the hard work light.”

Monsignor Colm Conlon, returned to his Over the years he helped raised money for home country of Ireland on May 30, after numerous new buildings, including a youth 60 years of service in parishes in Southministry building and a parish rectory. ern California.

“We can’t thank him enough for all he’s Fr. Jeff Droessler, pastor of St. John done,” said Fr. Jeff.

Neumann Church, made sure the After his official retirement in 2009, 87-year-old priest was given a warm Msgr. Conlon spent a few years in Laguna and sometimes tearful send-off from the Woods. parish he helped build, with multiple “Then Monsignor Don Romito invited receptions attended by friends, clergy and me to come back to St. John Neumann,” parishioners who came to express their said Msgr. Conlon. thanks and good wishes.

During his time there, he would visit “He is a wonderful priest,” said Fr. Jeff. the sick at Kaiser Permanente in Irvine two “He was founding pastor 44 years ago of days per week, anoint the sick, distribute this church in 1978. What a great examholy communion and provide pastoral care ple he’s been for me as a priest, especially to the patients. He would also celebrate his commitment to the people, which Mass at the parish and regularly hear concontinued even well after he retired in fessions.

2009. He’s been an incredible presence.”

When trying to describe Msgr. Conlon, HEADING HOME Father Jeff said, “He is introverted but Father Conlon has visited Ireland often, very friendly. He likes being around and as he’s gotten older his family in Ireland people.” have urged him to come home. Then he had a fall that partially debilitated him, making LOOKING BACK it hard to walk easily.

ON 60 YEARS “His siblings have been asking for many Msgr. Conlon’s priesthood began years for him to move back,” said Fr. Jeff. “It more than six decades ago. was a difficult decision. He loves being here.

“I was ordained in 1959,” he said in His siblings are very happy—their gain is an interview before he left. His appoint- our loss.” ments took him to parishes in Santa He leaves a vital parish with approxiBarbara, Los Angeles and Lakewood, as mately 4,000 registered families, and is “al- MSGR: COLM CONLON HAS BEEN A PRIEST FOR 60 YEARS AND FOUNDED ST. JOHN NEUMANN PARISH IN 1978. well as Costa Mesa and Tustin.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 7 PHOTO: OC STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY

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FEATURE / CATHOLIC FAMILY LIVING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

most back to normal,” after the years of COVID lockdown, said Fr. Jeff.

After flying from Los Angeles to Dublin, Msgr. Conlon returned to live on the very farm he grew up on, which is located in the country near the town of Athlone in the County of Westmeath. His plan is to live there with his brother who was a priest from the Diocese of Plymouth in England. The farm once had cattle and sheep, but now it’s just cattle, he explained.

Msgr. Conlon has another brother, whose sons have taken over the cattle farm. He also has two sisters and his family includes “umpteen grandchildren,” said Msgr. Conlon.

“It’s bittersweet, looking forward to going home,” he said. “They’ve been asking me for years to go home.

All of us are aged now.”

HEARTFELT MEMORIES

Msgr. Conlon said he has countless and wonderful memories from his years in Southern California.

“It’s been an honor and privilege being the founding pastor,” he said.

“The people were so supportive and encouraging. COVID has been the biggest problem. But it’s everyone’s problem, no one was alone.”

He spoke highly of the bishops and priests he worked with - nam­ ing Monsignor Romito, Father Jeff and Father Anthony Hien Vu. “I always received great support from the bishops. I have very happy memories of them, and the fellow priests of the Diocese. I enjoyed it and was blessed with priests who serve here. It has been a wonderful, grace-filled ministry.”

In his last sermon to the parish of St. John Neumann, Msgr.

Conlon spoke about the peace of Jesus, an inner peace - and wanted everyone to know that he feels that now as he ventures forth to a new chapter of life. C

FOR FATHERS FOREVER ON FATHER’S DAY, LET’S THANK GOD FOR OUR DADS

KEVIN W. VANN PICTURED WITH PARENTS THERESA AND BILL ON CHRISTMAS 1951.

COURTESY OF THE VANN FAMILY

BY CATHI DOUGLAS

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HEN YOU MARRY, it’s impossible to predict what kind of parent your spouse will become.

No matter how many years you’ve been together, your shared values or parenting discussions, you won’t know for sure – until the 3 a.m. feedings, midnight panic over a high fever or weeks of sleep deprivation with a newborn.

Happily, my husband proves to be a champion father. Our three kids revel in his care, humor, discipline, advice and enthusiasm. Now young adults, they continue to seek his counsel and appreciate his insight.

In celebrating Father’s Day, we reflect on the qualities, characteristics and values that shape the best dads, especially those in our Catholic community.

With St. Joseph as inspiration, the most dedicated fathers are concerned with the safety and well-being of their families to the exclusion of their own needs.

Sacrificing their own comfort and suppressing selfish desires, they ensure their spouses and children are fed, clothed, housed, schooled and loved. Only then do they perhaps settle in the recliner to read a good book or kick back to watch a ball game with some cheese and crackers.

My dad was a perfect role model for Catholic fatherhood. Not only did he raise me as Catholic and send me to 12

years of parochial schools – he went to Mass with me every Sunday and holy day, marked Lent with sacrificial reverence and encouraged me to fully participate in the sacraments.

Beyond our shared faith, I could count on Dad for guidance no matter how tired he was after a long workday or how much he really wanted to watch Monday Night Football. His sense of humor, big hugs, and obvious love were a constant presence in my life.

Even when suffering from depression, he put on a smile and went to work every day. A pharmaceutical salesman, he met with doctors, pharmacists and nurses to ensure they had the information necessary to prescribe and stock his company’s medications.

Dad’s engaging personality and love of people were two important reasons for his sales success. Over four decades, he leaped in and out of his car, visiting hospitals, medical offices and pharmacies.

After a long day he would spend hours in his home office studying medical journals so he could be an informed resource for his company and products.

With that kind of dad in mind for my own children, I’ve been pleased that my husband’s unfailing moral compass and dedication have ensured our family’s strength in good and bad times. He’s always there to listen as we voice our challenges, and his measured counsel offers our family steady leadership in tumultuous times.

During the pandemic, I came to treasure my husband as father even more as I watched him soothe and comfort our kids and my mother through the long months of illness and isolation. Via forced togetherness, it became obvious that he’s unfailingly patient, kind and funny.

So, this Sunday and for the year to come, let’s celebrate fathers – our own dads, husbands and children’s fathers, our grandfathers, uncles and surrogate dads – for their constant presence in our lives. And let’s thank God for our fathers, for all they do and have done for us. 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

HONORING FATHERS!

BY STAFF

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N HONOR OF FATHER’S DAY, the OC Catholic asked several of our Religious within the Diocese of Orange to speak a bit about their dads – specifically what kind of influence their fathers had on their spiritual lives and what makes their fathers special. The OC Catholic wishes all the dads in our Diocese and beyond, a happy and blessed Father’s Day!

FATHER DANIEL SEO

(DIRECTOR OF OUR LADY OF PEACE KCC)

What three words best describe your father?

Selfless, Dedicated, Hidden How has your father inspired your faith life?

My father has taught me that God always comes first, no matter what challenges we face in life. If we invite God into our challenges, He will always sort them out the best way imaginable.

What is the best advice your father has given you?

“Think before you do.” — I always had an assertive temperament. While not necessarily a bad trait to have, sometimes I have made rash decisions due to impatience and pride. But my father has reminded me time and again that correct choices come from observation and listening. While I grew up hearing this in Scripture, I got to see it lived by my father.

SR. CHRISTEN NGUYEN, LHC (LOVERS OF THE HOLY CROSS OF LOS ANGELES)

What are three words that describe your father best?

CONTINUES ON PAGE 9

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SR. CHRISTEN NGUYEN, LHC IS PICTURED WITH HER FATHER, TIEN NGUYEN AND MOTHER, THINH NGUYEN. PHOTO COURTESY OF SR. CHRISTEN NGUYEN, LHC

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FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Faithful, Loving, and Hardworking How has your dad influenced your spiritual life?

My father is a man of faith and deep trust in God. Growing up, I was always reminded to pray and believe in God’s merciful love and providence, and that with God, anything is possible. As a permanent deacon, my father also modeled that faith and trust in God through his prayer life, and service in the Church. When I said “yes” to joining religious life at the young age of 18, my father was the one who fearlessly encouraged me to follow God’s will, and to trust in His guidance. Indeed, my father’s love for God, love for his family and love to serve others, has shaped me into who I am today as a religious sister.

SR. GEMMA HUGOBOOM, S. PRAEM WITH HER FATHER, MATTHEW HUGOBOOM. PHOTO COURTESY OF SR. GEMMA HUGOBOOM, S. PRAEM

QUAN VU, FATHER OF FR. MARTIN VU, SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA CATHOLIC CHURCH, LAKE FOREST. PHOTO COURTESY OF FR. MARTIN VU. FR. DANIEL SEO IS PICTURED WITH FROM LEFT TO RIGHT HIS GRANDFATHER BYUNGDUCK SEO AND FATHER PAUL SEO. PHOTO COURTESY OF FR. DANIEL SEO

What is the best advice your dad has given you?

“Be humble and be thankful for what God has given you.”

SR. GEMMA HUGOBOOM, S. PRAEM. (NORBERTINE SISTERS)

What three words that best describe your father?

Devout, loving, committed.

How has your father influenced your faith life?

My father’s example of faithfully attending daily Mass, making holy hours and praying the rosary inspired me to do the same. When I was a little girl he would make me hot chocolate to motivate me to get up early for Mass, and eventually I fostered a love for Jesus in the Eucharist.

What is the best advice your father has given you?

My father once told me that when God sends crosses and afflictions it disposes us to love Him and others with a more purer quality of love.

FATHER MARTIN VU

(SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA CATHOLIC CHURCH)

What three words best describe your father?

Faithful, hard-working, devoted How has your father inspired your faith life?

When we were younger, every day after school my dad would take me and

my siblings to visit the church and pray before the Blessed Sacrament before going home. Then at night before going to bed we would pray the Rosary together as a family. And every Sunday after Mass, we would stay a little while longer to give thanks to God for the graces we received. Because of his example, I continue to pray the Rosary, visit the Blessed Sacrament and give thanks to God after Mass. If it wasn’t

for the spiritual habits and foundation that my dad gave me, I likely wouldn’t be a priest today.

What is the best advice your father has given you?

The best advice my dad has given me is to put God at the center of my life, to always be on guard against temptation and to always focus on doing what God asks of me. C

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DIOCESAN NEWS

YOUTH LEADERSHIP IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS SPOTLIGHT ON MELINA GONZALEZ, CHRIST CATHEDRAL ACADEMY

BY MIKE ZINN

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ALKING ONTO THE campus of Christ Cathedral Academy (CCA) is a truly breathtaking experience. The beauty, majesty and immense history of this magnificent campus makes it one of the most storied properties in all of California. The beautiful Cathedral Memorial Gardens lead CCA students down a holy path to the ninth Station of Mercy and onto the statue of Jesus surrounded by children and etched with the phrase, “instruct those seeking wisdom and knowledge.”

From there, the students find their entrance to the CCA campus and their time for learning, growing and having fun. What a tranquil and welcoming path to begin each school day!

Starting each day with the vision of seeking wisdom and knowledge is a very powerful phrase for the students of CCA. Since the first graduating class of 2014, staff and parents have collaborated on implementing this vision to develop students into actively empowered learners. Through this approach, it is apparent that CCA students strive to become leaders by making good choices, demonstrating self-control and interacting fairly with others. CCA is continuing the celebrated history of this campus that took many acts of leadership to build into its present form.

This vision is embodied by eighthgrade student Melina Gonzalez who represents the potential of our Orange County Catholic education system.

Gonzalez is a top student in her class and serves as the student council president and captain of both the volleyball and basketball teams. Her roles demon-

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PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIST CATHEDRAL ACADEMY

strate leadership at its highest level.

While interviewing Assistant Principal Becky Brady and eighth-grade teacher Alexsee Wilcox about Gonzalez, many of Gonzalez’s personal qualities were discussed and applauded. The

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one quality that came to the forefront is her ability to be laser focused on her thinking and planning for her future, including the upcoming fall enrollment at Rosary High School. That focus has put plans in place to not only partic-

ipate in traditional activities such as student council, volleyball, lacrosse and golf, but also start new (yet to be determined) groups on campus, where a need emerges. This visionary thinking and planning are yet other examples of leadership in the making.

In true Gonzalez fashion, determination thinking and planning don’t stop with Rosary High School. It goes beyond to her aspirations of attending an Ivy league college and studying to become a lawyer, engineer or cardio thoracic surgeon. These are exciting visions for the future — a vision not many others possess at this early stage of education.

Brady and Wilcox both emphasized that Gonzalez cares not only about her own future, but for her classmates’ futures as well. She encourages them to become involved in CCA activities and her lead-by-example mentality creates momentum for increased student involvement, including proactively engaging students to work with her on the school newspaper.

For Melina Gonzalez, inspiration comes in various forms. When asked who her biggest role model was, Gonzalez quickly pointed to her mom.

Along with her older sister, her mother encouraged her to be outgoing and involved when she was younger which has had a significant impact on creating the leader she has become. Her family “lit the fire” in Gonzalez that has positively impacted dozens of students at CCA. When asked in what ways she is an “everyday leader” at CCA, Gonzalez said she brings the school together through various extracurricular activities. With a keenly focused approach and community outlook, Rosary High School and down the road, a lucky Ivy League school, will have a highly engaged and active student body with this featured Orange County Catholic School student as one of their leaders. C

DIOCESAN NEWS

AROUND OUR DIOCESE

BY STAFF

CYPRESS KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HELP VETERANS

The Cypress Knights of Columbus Council 8599 at St. Irenaeus Catholic Church just completed its Memorial Day weekend’s successful drive to provide wheelchairs to military veterans in need of the extra mobility.

Parishioners generously contributed nearly $22,000, sufficient to purchase 120 wheelchairs to be donated to military veterans in the area.

The Knights’ wheelchair program began in 2013, and since then, St. Irenaeus parish donations have resulted in the purchase of nearly 1,500 wheelchairs for veterans.

Knights of Columbus Grand Knight Rick Tkach expressed heartfelt thanks to St. Irenaeus parishioners for their generosity, and added that donations for additional wheelchairs are still being accepted. You can donate online at the St. Irenaeus website https://sticypress.org/ and click on the KofC Wheelchair Drive.

— Submitted by Irv Cuevas

WOMEN’S SILENT RETREAT

Are you searching for meaning and purpose in your life? Perhaps you’re feeling lost or restless?

Come, uncover your purpose, and discover authentic joy through this silent retreat hosted by the Lovers of the Holy Cross!

Single women, ages 17 to 30, are invited to spend some quality time with Jesus during June 23-29, at the Lambertian Retreat Center in Orange County.

It is in the silence where one can truly say, “Speak Lord, for I am listening.”

ST. IRENAEUS PARISHIONER AND EMPLOYEE VICTOR TLASECA AND ONE OF THE SPECIAL WHEELCHAIRS PURCHASED THANKS TO PARISH DONATIONS DURING THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 8599’S ANNUAL DRIVE. PHOTO COURTESY OF IRV CUEVAS. SISTERS FROM THE ORDER OF LOVERS OF THE HOLY CROSS GATHER AT THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS IN SEPTEMBER 2019 TO CELEBRATE THE 350TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORDER’S FOUNDING. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

CONTINUES ON PAGE 12

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DIOCESAN NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

For more information, call 213-944-3095.

ST. HEDWIG CHURCH CELEBRATES FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI

St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Los Alamitos will celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi on June 19 at the noon Mass. A procession and adoration will follow, as well as a talk from Fr. Quan Tran.

All are welcome to celebrate the real presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

CHRIST CATHEDRAL RECOGNIZED

Bishop Timothy Freyer met with two representatives from the Orange County Fire Authority on June 1 at the Christ Cathedral campus to receive a special certificate of appreciation on behalf of the cathedral.

Division Chief Ron Roberts and Elizabeth Denney, community relations education specialist, were also treated to a short visit in the cathedral, where Bishop Freyer talked about its renovation and changes since its Crystal Cathedral days.

The certificate honored Christ Cathedral’s assistance and support during the American Red Cross’ 2022 “Sound the Alarm” event in May, which promoted fire safety and installed free smoke alarms. The event was also aided by the Fire Authority and city of Garden Grove. C

ST. HEDWIG CATHOLIC CHURCH, LOS ALAMITOS. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE.

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ON BEHALF OF CHRIST CATHEDRAL, BISHOP TIMOTHY FREYER RECENTLY RECEIVED A SPECIAL CERTIFICATE FROM ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY DIVISION CHIEF RON ROBERTS AND ELIZABETH DENNEY, COMMUNITY EDUCATION SPECIALIST. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE.

BISHOP’S COLUMN

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BISHOP VANN AND HIS PARENTS DURING HIS FIRST CELEBRATION OF MASS AS A PRIEST IN 1981. COURTESY OF THE VANN FAMILY. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

am so grateful for those from here who made the long trip back to Springfield to be with me for his funeral.

My father always taught us to do the “right thing” even if it was not easy. I have tried to live by that lesson. Dad grew up during the Great Depression, and in a home where his own father had abandoned the family. For him doing the “right thing” meant not repeating what he himself had experienced, as is so often unfortunately the case. He would get up early, often at 4 a.m. to go to work at the Parcel Post Station in Springfield. On top of that, he would help us with the delivery of papers. He became Catholic because of my mother and her family’s example of living the Faith. He often worked two, sometimes three jobs to provide for his family.

He obtained employment with the US Postal Service because he knew that it would be a way of providing for his fam-

ily, even though there were long hard hours. He never complained, not once.

He always supported my mother in her furthering her education as an OBGYN nurse and instructor at St. John’s Hospital School of nursing in Springfield, Illinois. (She obtained a bachelor’s and two master’s degrees in nursing while she and Dad raised all of us).

He quietly lived his Faith “behind the scenes” and gave us all a great example of living his Faith and his values as a family man and a man of Faith.

There were six of us siblings, spread out over a 20-year period, from 1951 – 1971.

I had the privilege and blessing of being with him when he passed away and presiding at his Mass of the Resurrection at Blessed Sacrament Church in Springfield, Illinois. As I prayed at his funeral Mass in November of 2014, “Well done good and faithful servant, enter now into the joy of your Lord.” C

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Congratulations, Bishop Dolan!

Bishop Vann, Bishop Freyer and Bishop Nguyen rejoice with our good neighbor and friend, Bishop John Dolan, being appointed as the Bishop of Phoenix, Arizona by Pope Francis.

The Dioceses of San Diego and Orange have been blessed by our ministerial and fraternal endeavors through the California Catholic Conference and other venues. In particular, Phoenix being the Diocese where Bishop Vann had family for many years, including his godmother, Rita.

Our prayers are with Bishop Dolan and Bishop Olmstead these days.

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Moments MomentsininourourJourney Journey

Docent tours of Christ Cathedral are returning this summer!

Tours begin again starting July 25. Currently, the Diocese has a team of around 40 docents, who each wear distinctive orange ties or scarves.

—Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Orange

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

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