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JUNE
30, 2024
CONTENTS
JOURNEY TO HOPE
The California Catholic Conference hosted a day of dialogue focusing on the Restorative Justice Ministry.
GUIDED BY VIRTUES
Service and charity are the guiding principles of the Young Ladies’ Grand Institute.
IN GOD WE TRUST
Celebrate Independence Day with family, friends and faith in God.
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
Director of Custom Content: Caroline Wong, cawong@scng.com
SCNG CUSTOM CONTENT
Managing Editor: Caitlin Adams Art Director: Ryann Beveridge
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.
AROUND CAMPUS
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE MOSAIC
Donors: Bill and Helen Close, In Honor of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of the Diocese of Orange as well as the patroness of the Americas. Christ Cathedral’s mosaic is by the Valerio Lenarduzzi Studio of Fontanafredda, Italy. It stands 10 feet by 7 feet and is made up of more than 55,000 tiles of gold and opaque glass. If you are interested in learning about additional naming opportunities for yourself, loved one or special occasion on Christ Cathedral's campus, contact the Orange Catholic Foundation at 714-282- 3021 or info@OrangeCatholicFoundation.org C
“ We all have defects but if we walk together, we leave the defects aside.”
— Pope Francis
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
AM 2:6-10, 13-16; PS 50:16BC-17, 18-19, 20-21, 2223; MT 8:18-22
TUESDAY
AM 3:1-8; 4:11-12; PS 5:4B-6A, 6B-7, 8; MT 8:23-27
WEDNESDAY
EPH 2:19-22; PS 117:1BC, 2; JN 20:24-29
THURSDAY
AM 7:10-17; PS 19:8, 9, 10, 11; MT 9:1-8
PROTOMARTYRS OF ROME D. 64-68
AFTER A RAGING FIRE destroyed two-thirds of Rome in 64, Emperor Nero blamed Rome’s Christians to divert suspicion from himself. Those acknowledging their Christianity were arrested and executed. Some were covered in wax and set afire as torches; some were sewn into animal skins and cast into the arena with wild animals; others were crucified. Sts. Peter and Paul died in the same persecution. The feast of these earliest martyrs of the Roman church is celebrated a day after the joint feast of Peter and Paul. The Roman historian Tacitus said the protomartyrs were to be pitied “for it was felt that they were being sacrificed to one man’s brutality.” C
IN TERMS OF SHEER excitement and enthusiasm, few sporting events at any level could match that of the annual showdown on the basketball court featuring the Diocese of Orange priests and seminarians.
Close to 3,000 spectators filled both sides of the charged-up gymnasium at Mater Dei High School on June 14 – the largest crowd ever in the nine-year history of the contest – to witness a down-to-thewire battle won by priests and seminarians from North Orange County by a score of 52-50 over priests and seminarians from South Orange County.
Seminarian Francis Ang, who was playing in the game for the first time, grabbed an offensive rebound off a teammate’s missed shot and then hit a basket from the low post with 3.1 seconds remaining in the game to lift the North squad to the victory.
“It went between Fr. Wayne’s legs, and it’s like the heavens opened up and the ball just went in the hoop, and it was like a miracle,” said Seminarian Ang, who attends St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo. “It was like time was in slow motion. I’m just happy that the ball went in the hoop.”
Along with giving the public a chance to see their priests and seminarians without their vestments and outside of traditional settings, the game serves as a fundraiser for diocesan vocations.
“It’s definitely the Holy Spirit,” Seminarian Ang said. “You have all these families, these friends, the parishioners, the people of God, and they’re all here just supporting, showing their love for their priests, for the vocations of the priesthood, so it’s a different kind of energy.”
PRIESTS AND SEMINARIANS FROM NORTH ORANGE COUNTY WON THIS YEAR’S BASKETBALL GAME BY A SCORE OF 52-50. PHOTOS BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
FEATURE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
Over its first few years, the annual contest pitted the priests against the seminarians.
But starting with the 2023 game, the format changed, with priests and seminarians from North OC parishes competing against priests and seminarians from South OC parishes.
“I think this really created a great camaraderie,” said South squad member Fr. Brandon Dang, director of Priestly Vocations for the Diocese of Orange. “So, there wasn’t like a clear-cut favorite, but this one was just like everybody was rooting for everyone.”
Fr. Brandon helped start the game, which was held annually from 2015-2018. There was no game in 2019, due to administrative changes and the COVID 19 virus caused the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 games.
While studying for the priesthood at St. Patrick’s Seminary & University in Menlo Park, Fr. Brandon and another seminarian found out about the annual “Revs vs. Sems” basketball game held in the Diocese
of San Jose that drew large crowds.
Initial attempts by another seminarian to organize the game in the Diocese of Orange were unsuccessful.
Eventually, Fr. Brandon and other organizers were given the go-ahead.
The inaugural game was played at the Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac School gymnasium in Tustin with Bishop Kevin Vann getting the contest started by tossing the ball in the air for the tipoff.
Laura Schuberg, program coordinator for the Diocese of Orange Youth Ministries, attends the game every year.
“This is actually one of my favorite things and I just root for everybody,” Schuberg said. “It’s just fun to watch them duke it all out. I think part of the energy is that these are men that we love dearly and that we support them dearly and it’s really fun to see them in such a different perspective and a different light. Even if you may be really passionate for one of your sides, you still see the joy in the other side and at the end of the day there’s just so much fun having this game. Why not go absolutely bananas?” C
JOURNEY TO HOPE
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE BRINGS HEALING TO THOSE IMPACTED BY CRIME
BY MEG WATERS
IN EVERY ELECTION YEAR, public safety is always high on the list of voter concerns. The rancorous debate centers on how to prevent it and deal with the consequences of criminality for the criminal, the victim and society.
The California Catholic Conference (CCC) has a long track record of success in ministering to victims and offenders. The CCC states, “Through Jesus, God reaches out to the broken, the poor, the sick and the imprisoned. We seek a Restorative Justice model to empower the Church to heal our communities damaged by crime and violence. This includes the reconciliation and healing of victims of crime and their families, prisoners and their families, and all those who serve in the criminal justice system.” (https://cacatholic.org/)
In his book, “More God, Less Crime: Why Faith Matters and How It Could Matter More,” Baylor University social science professor Byron R. Johnson, Ph.D., states, “Clear and compelling empirical evidence exists that religiosity is linked to reductions in crime.”
Unfortunately, secularism and increasing efforts to keep religion out of state-funded programs have made it challenging to incorporate religion into programming.
But it’s not impossible.
For many years, the Diocese of Orange’s Restorative Justice Ministry has played an integral role in county-wide efforts to address crime and all its consequences. The Diocese’s Restorative Justice Ministry works closely with the county sheriff’s department, probation, the Public Defender’s office, various social service
agencies and nonprofits to craft policy changes that effectively end recidivism and support crime victims’ healing.
Fred LaPuzza has served the ministry for 35 years, currently as director of the Restorative Justice Ministry. He participates in numerous state and county initiatives to heal victims and keep the formerly incarcerated focused on rebuilding their lives positively.
As part of this, LaPuzza was integral to the CCC’s recent conference, “Journeying with Hope, Restorative Justice: A Day of Dialogue.” Held in the Diocese of San Diego back in April, the conference was done in partnership with Restorative Justice directors from most of the state’s dioceses, who brought guests from their county’s criminal justice system, social services, prison chaplains, clergy, community nonprofit reentry services, law professors and judges. Most importantly, many formerly incarcerated individuals
THE MOST REVEREND JOSEPH BRENNAN, BISHOP OF FRESNO, ALSO SERVES AS THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIR FOR THE CALIFORNIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE’S RESTORATIVE JUSTICE.
THE CALIFORNIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE’S “JOURNEYING WITH HOPE, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: A DAY OF DIALOGUE” WAS HELD IN THE DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO IN APRIL. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO
and crime victims attended. It was a rare and vital opportunity for all parties to talk candidly about the criminal justice system from their respective experiences.
The Diocese of Orange hosted participants from the OC Sheriff’s Office, Probation Department, OC Public Defenders; OC District Attorney, Social Services; and nonprofits, Human-Works, Project Kinship; and Phoenix Arise, provide supportive services to help the formerly incarcerated overcome barriers to community reentry.
LaPuzza moderated a panel on Hope and Success, focusing on the efforts of individuals to redirect their lives. He noted, “With successful reentry, there is a ripple effect that also helps restore harm done to the family and the community. But we need more public recognition of what Restorative Justice does, and demonstrate what people are capable of if they have the opportunity.”
For people with a criminal record, getting the necessities can be so challenging that rebuilding a life outside can seem impossible.
Said one panelist, “We all have our self-imposed prisons from which we need to be released. When I see the transformation, it shows me the power of Restorative Justice. What has been done can’t be undone, but that’s not restoration.”
A common saying in Restorative Justice is, “Hurt people hurt people. In other words, people who are hurt will hurt others.” However, “Healed people heal people.” Restorative Justice goes beyond the conviction and incarceration to focus on healing within the circle of pain caused by crime. The goal is to restore everyone involved and lead them to a more positive life. This is rarely done without addressing spiritual matters, which experts like Johnson say is nearly impossible without some discussion of God and Faith.
At the end of the day, the most important outcome of the bishop’s conference was dialogue. A judge in attendance talked to the criminal he had sentenced. A victim’s family member was able to
talk about her healing process through forgiveness.
“I received a lot of positive feedback about the conference and suggestions about possibly hosting a regional event,” said LaPuzza. “The result of the conference was the recognition that we need more dialogue like this.”
Whether they were in law enforcement, formerly incarcerated or victims, participants walked away energized and hopeful. Bishop Joe Brennan, leader of the Diocese of Fresno and advisory committee chair for the CCC Restorative Justice, commented how profoundly moved he was by the honesty and depth of the dialog sessions he participated in. A formerly incarcerated man talked about his accountability, restoration and his resolve to resolve his issues to move forward in a positive direction — for himself, his family and the victim.
Most importantly, all participants realized that they couldn’t make a change without each other. C
THE APRIL CONFERENCE BROUGHT GUESTS FROM THE STATE’S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS, SOCIAL SERVICES, PRISON CHAPLAINS, CLERGY, COMMUNITY NONPROFIT REENTRY SERVICES, LAW PROFESSORS AND JUDGES. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO
FRED LAPUZZA, DIRECTOR OF THE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE MINISTRY IN THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE, MODERATED A PANEL ON HOPE AND SUCCESS DURING A RECENT CONFERENCE IN SAN DIEGO.
AROUND OUR DIOCESE
BY STAFF
MATER DEI INTRODUCES NEW HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
Mater Dei High School hosted a media day on June 15 to introduce new head football coach Raul Lara to news outlets.
A native of Long Beach, Lara spent 13 years as head football coach of his alma mater, Long Beach Poly. While there, the program earned five CIF championships and Lara was named CIF Southern Section Division I Coach of the Year in 2001, 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2012. He most recently coached at St. Anthony High School in Long Beach.
During the media day, Coach Lara referenced his strong Catholic faith several times and his desire to continue the tradition of excellence at Mater Dei.
FROM THE OFFICE OF CONSECRATED LIFE
The Diocese of Orange gives thanks to God for calling Dalia Zakhary on June 15 to be the first consecrated virgin consecrated by the hand of Bishop Kevin Vann in the Diocese of Orange. Dalia’s presence gives a fuller expression of consecrated life in the Diocese, and her vocation is a living image of the Church as the Bride of Christ.
As a consecrated virgin, Dalia is
not given a specific assignment in the Diocese. Instead, she is called to live her consecration in the world and continue to work at her job in Orange County. She participates in the life of the local church by offering her prayers, penance, charitable service and apostolic activities according to her capacities and gifts.
Bishop Vann expressed gratitude for Dalia’s calling and proclaimed in his homily that “Dalia’s witness of consecrated life will strengthen all of us as we respond to the call to love ever more deeply in this often cold and broken world.”
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
As an ode to mental health awareness, a bench was installed on the Christ Cathedral campus on May 28 as a part of the Green Bench OC- Promise to Talk campaign, a mental health stigma reduction initiative that is being implemented by the three Providence Orange County hospitals: Mission Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital and St. Jude Medical Center.
The bench has been painted green, the color of mental health awareness, and was blessed by Bishop Timothy Freyer at the May 28 unveiling ceremony. It is now a permanent fixture on campus, demonstrating our ongoing commitment
to supporting and accompanying those in need of support in our parishes and communities.
For more information on this initiative and others visit https://www.rcbo.org/ ministry/office-for-family-life/ C
BÁO CÁO LẠM DỤNG TÌNH DỤC
Nếu bạn là nạn nhân bị lạm dụng tình dục bởi một linh mục/ tu sĩ hay một thành viên trong Giáo Hội gây ra, xin hãy gọi và báo cáo cho Giáo phận ở số điện thoại miễn phí sau đây: 1-800-364-3064, và đồng thời báo cáo cho nhà chức trách địa phương.
성적학대 신고
BISHOP TIMOTHY FREYER (WITH DEACON MODESTO CORDERO ON HIS LEFT) BLESSES A MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS BENCH ON MAY 28 AT THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS. PHOTO BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
DALIA ZAKHARY AND BISHOP KEVIN VANN ARE PICTURED ON JUNE 15 AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL. PHOTO BY KAYLEE TOOLE/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
MATER DEI HEAD FOOTBALL COACH RAUL LARA. PHOTO BY DREW KELLEY/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
HOLY TRINITY UNVEILS NEW MURAL
BY MEG WATERS
FR. MICHAEL ST. PAUL, pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ladera Ranch, recently unveiled a new work of art at the parish known for its stunning paintings of the crucifixion, the Virgin Mary and many saints. But this time, the art results from a parish-wide collaboration meant to envision what the future of Holy Trinity might look like.
Holy Trinity is a vibrant and diverse parish comprised of both young families and retirees and is one of the newer Orange County parishes. Bishop Kevin Vann celebrated its solemn dedication on Nov. 11, 2017.
While the church structure is long complete, Fr. Michael is tasked with finishing the future parish hall, rectory, offices and all the accouterment of a thriving church community. The challenge is helping the parish community see the possibilities and embrace coming attractions.
The answer to his visioning challenge came in a rusty old storage container the Knights of Columbus used to store their equipment. He could see the container, whimsically painted with a vision of the future, inspiring what the parish would become when the hammers go quiet and the dust settles.
“If we paint it, they will come,” quipped the pastor, who spent 25 years as an executive with Disney’s Magic Kingdom before becoming a priest.
This was not a new idea for Fr. Michael. He had done this kind of visioning before when he was pastor of St. Polycarp in Stanton.
“We were able to transform an unsightly utility box in front of the church and paint it to show the church and gardens. It took a couple of years to get permission to paint it, but the result made something beautiful at the entry to
the church,” said Fr. Michael.
And so, on Saturday, June 15, the inspiration for the future vision of Holy Trinity was unveiled on the side of a 40-foot metal shipping container planted at the far end of the church parking area. But the backstory of how this came about is a lesson in parish community building.
“From the beginning, the parish was invited to participate in the visioning,” Fr. Michael added. “In the bulletin, we asked young people at the parish to submit their ideas about what should be painted on the side of the container. We received several really wonderful drawings and decided to blend the ideas into
CONTINUES ON PAGE 11
FR. MICHAEL ST. PAUL, PASTOR OF HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH IN LADERA RANCH, RECENTLY UNVEILED A NEW MURAL ON THE PARISH CAMPUS. PHOTO BY YUAN WANG/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
PARISHIONERS AND STAFF OF HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH IN LADERA RANCH POSE FOR A GROUP PHOTO IN FRONT OF THE PARISH’S RECENTLY DEDICATED MURAL. PHOTO BY DREW KELLEY/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
FEATURE
a cohesive portrait.”
The children’s ideas were turned over to Sarah Mikhail, who was an active Holy Trinity youth ministry member for many years and now attends Chapman University. Sarah took all the wonderful ideas and combined them into a concept drawing.
Daniel Catania, Business/Facilities
Manager for Holy Trinity, coordinated the project.
“The mural came together so beautifully, with the cooperation of the whole parish, that it really was a work of the Holy Spirit,” recalled Catania.
Finding the right artist who could grasp the intention of the project was a big challenge.
“I had no idea how to find an artist
who could paint murals,” he added, “But I happened to talk to an old high school artist friend who recommended I contact his girlfriend, Tara Luther, who is a muralist for the Laguna Sawdust Festival, among many other assignments.”
Luther moved to Laguna Beach from Chicago several years ago, and her father, Leonard Luther, is a long-time Knight. It wasn’t an easy commission.
Painting on the side of corrugated sheet metal had unique challenges, recalled Luther.
“Getting lines to look straight on wavy surfaces is tricky,” she said. “I first drew the outline in chalk on the container to make sure that rooflines looked straight; then I painted it in sections.”
To withstand the weather and sunlight, Luther hand-mixed the mural with quality exterior paint to achieve the color.
Veteran Knight of Columbus and parishioner Lou Gabriel led the effort to prepare the container as an art canvas. He assembled a team of Knights to volunteer and procured donations for tools such as sanders to smooth and prepare
the surface.
“We were excited about the project,” said Gabriel, “We started at 8 a.m. on a Saturday to sand, patch and paint a base color on the container to get it ready for the artist. We had a great team, and the work was done by 1 p.m.”
Then there were the donations. Parishioners and Knights were able to get donations for most of the materials, from power tools to paint.
“It was definitely a team effort,” said Gabriel.
What would a parish celebration be without the Knights and their barbecues? The unveiling ceremony was followed by a parish barbecue with hot dogs and refreshments.
The Catholic Church has long been known for using beauty and art to convey important messages and images, and at Holy Trinity – they demonstrated how an old shipping container can become a thing of beauty with a little nudge from the Holy Spirit, and as Fr. Michael always likes to remind everyone, “it’s all about hospitality at Holy Trinity, a place we call home.” C
MURALIST TARA LUTHER PAINTED HOLY TRINITY’S NEW WORK OF ART. PHOTO BY YUAN WANG/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
ON JUNE 15, FR. MICHAEL ST. PAUL, PASTOR OF HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH IN LADERA RANCH, BLESSED A NEW MURAL ON THE PARISH CAMPUS. PHOTO BY DREW KELLEY/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
DIOCESE OF ORANGE ANNOUNCES DELEGATION TO NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS IN INDIANAPOLIS
BY DEACON MODESTO CORDERO, DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE FOR WORSHIP IN THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE is proud to announce its delegation to the upcoming National Eucharistic Congress (NEC) scheduled for July 17-21, 2024, in Indianapolis. This pivotal event marks a significant moment in both American history and the legacy of the Catholic Church, bringing together thousands of Catholics from across the nation to celebrate and deepen their understanding of the Eucharist.
The delegation from the Diocese of Orange is a diverse and representative group, selected from various parishes across the Diocese. This esteemed group will accompany Bishop Kevin Vann, Bishop Timothy Freyer, Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen and the Very Reverend Angelos Sebastian, Vicar General, to the NEC. Their participation underscores the Diocese’s commitment to fostering a profound reverence and love for the Eucharist among its faithful.
Upon their return from the NEC, the delegation will be formally commissioned by Bishop Vann to serve on the Diocesan Liturgical Commission, specifically focusing on the Eucharist subcommittee. This subcommittee will play a crucial role in guiding the bishops on matters related to Eucharistic devotion within the Diocese. They will also be tasked with creating programs and developing initiatives aimed at rekindling the importance and love for the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist across all parishes.
The members of the delegation, representing a broad spectrum of the Diocese’s vibrant Catholic community, include:
■ Mr. Alvin Ayusa, Christ Cathedral (Garden Grove)
■ Mrs. Jacqueline Rudy, St. Joseph Church (Placentia)
■ Mr. Jason Baek, St. Thomas Korean Center (Anaheim)
■ Deacon Jose Mercado, St. Mary’s Church (Fullerton)
■ Mr. Joseph Russell, St. Angela Merici Church (Brea)
■ Mr. Julian Venegas, St. Pius V Church (Buena Park)
■ Ms. Kellie De Leo, St. Catherine of Siena Church (Laguna Beach)
■ Mrs. Kimberlee Russell, St. Angela Merici Church (Brea)
■ Mrs. Kimberly Stromswold, San Francisco Solano Church (Rancho Santa Margarita)
■ Mrs. Kristine Pham, St. Bonaven-
ture Church (Huntington Beach)
■ Mr. Matthew Taylor, St. Vincent de Paul Church (Huntington Beach)
■ Ms. Mary Beth Maffucci, Holy Family Church (Seal Beach)
■ Ms. Mercy Eslinger, St. Anthony Claret Church (Anaheim)
■ Mr. Moses Nuñez, St. Cecilia Church (Tustin)
■ Ms. Sofia Jarski, St. Vincent de Paul Church (Huntington Beach)
■ Ms. Shannon Trott, St. Angela Merici Church (Brea)
■ Mrs. Socorro De Santos, St. Nicholas Church (Laguna Woods)
■ Mr. Rene Del Cid, St. Vincent de Paul (Huntington Beach)
Additionally, several members will join the delegation by virtue of their office, including:
Deacon Modesto Cordero, Director of Office for Worship
Mrs. Martha Arenas, Office of Evangelization and Formation
Deacon Peter Morales, Director, Campus Facilities
This gathering at the NEC is more than a significant religious event; it represents a moment of unity and spiritual renewal for the Catholic community. By participating, the Diocese of Orange reaffirms its dedication to the Eucharist, the source and summit of Christian life. The delegation’s involvement will ensure that the Diocese remains at the forefront of promoting Eucharistic devotion and understanding.
We ask for your prayers and support for our delegates as they embark on this spiritually enriching journey. Their experiences and insights will undoubtedly enhance our Diocese’s efforts to deepen Eucharistic devotion and bring renewed spiritual vigor to our parishes. Together, let us look forward to the fruits of their mission and the ways it will bless our Diocese. C
PHOTO BY KIERNAN COLIFLORES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOR
ST. CECILIA’S DEDICATES
NEW MSGR. SAMMON
BY LOU PONSI
AFTER DECADES OF planning
and a grassroots fundraising campaign, the Msgr. Sammon Center at St. Cecilia parish in Tustin was blessed and dedicated on June 22.
The Most Reverend Kevin Vann walked through and blessed the 10,138 square-foot, two-story parish center with holy water.
Prior to the blessing, Bishop Vann was the main celebrant of Mass in the church adjacent the center, which will serve a variety of purposes for the 67-year-old parish.
Other celebrants included current and former St. Cecilia staff and clergy from throughout the Diocese.
Nearly every pew inside the church was filled.
“We give thanks to everybody who was part of this project,” Bishop Vann said.
“Thanks to you, we have this wonderful new parish center, which is so much needed. You will really enjoy it. It’s another step in the journey.”
Situated immediately adjacent to St. Cecilia church, the Msgr. Sammon Center is named after the late Msgr. John Sammon, the parish’s second pastor, who served at St. Cecilia from 1960 to 1976, the year the Diocese of Orange was established.
Msgr. Sammon was then appointed Vicar for Pastoral Community Affairs for the Diocese, a position that came with multiple responsibilities, said Fr. Christopher Heath, director of Diocesan Archives.
“He was the bishop’s representative to the fire departments, the police departments, the scouting programs, secular organizations and religious organizations,” Fr. Christopher said. “He was the chaplain for ev-
erything. But he was doing that while he was at St. Cecilia, so he was very well known in Orange County long before 1976, and his reach was already pretty wide. He had to be everywhere because people were constantly asking for his help.”
During his 16 years at St. Cecilia, the longest tenure of any of the parish’s eight pastors, Msgr. Sammon launched several parish programs and oversaw the construction of St. Cecilia School in 1961and the construction of the parish’s new church, which opened in 1964.
Deacon Bill Weeks, the Business
Services Manager at St. Cecilia, was put in charge of the capital campaign for the project about seven years ago by Very Reverend Bao Thai, pastor of St. Cecilia at the time, before being appointed to his current position as rector of Christ Cathedral.
Fundraising for the construction of the parish center began in 1993 and involved selling two homes owned by the parish to help meet the rising building costs.
But much of fundraising has been a true grassroots effort, Deacon Weeks said.
“From bake sales to selling pho to Fiesta Sundays,” the deacon said. “The list goes on of how many different events got us to today. We were happy to raise over $4 million for it from over 1,200 donors.”
The parish center is comprised of six meeting rooms on the top floor and a 4,900-square-foot assembly room downstairs, which can be partitioned into four separate rooms.
“We can celebrate Mass inside, overflow Masses on Christmas, on Easter, or special occasions,” Deacon Weeks said. “We are a melting pot of so many different wonderful ethnicities and it’s a beautiful testament to every single one of them, because every one of them contributed to this building.” C
BISHOP KEVIN VANN BLESSES THE NEW MSGR. SAMMON CENTER AT ST. CECILIA PARISH ON JUNE 22.
BISHOP KEVIN VANN AND MEMBERS OF DIOCESAN CLERGY ARE PICTURED OUTSIDE OF THE NEWLY DEDICATED MSGR. SAMMON CENTER AT ST. CECILIA PARISH IN TUSTIN. PHOTOS BY KIERNAN COLIFLORES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
FR. BAO THAI, RECTOR OF CHRIST CATHEDRAL AND FORMER PASTOR OF ST. CECILIA CATHOLIC CHURCH IN TUSTIN, GREETS GUESTS DURING THE DEDICATION OF THE NEW MSGR. SAMMON CENTER.
WWII VETERAN’S LIFELONG MOTTO FUELS FAMILY’S LEGACY OF GENEROSITY
BY LORI ROSEHART
NINETY-NINE YEARS OF life, 33 missions, a lead navigator for the 96th Bomb Group, a purple heart, an air medal, the first employee and now retired co-chairman of Behr Process Corporation, a husband, father and grandfather. To say Jack Croul has witnessed a wealth of experiences is an understatement. For the last century, the World War II hero has lived by this motto: “Just do the right thing and think of other people.”
Jack’s willingness to help others transformed into something much bigger when he created the Croul Family Foundation in 1997, which has since
planted the seeds of generosity into his children and grandchildren and has blessed dozens of students with a Catholic education. By partnering with The Orange Catholic Foundation (OCF) for the last several years, the Croul Family Foundation has generously granted more than $1 million in Catholic school tuition assistance.
“He just felt really strongly that it was time to give back,” Jack’s wife, Kingsley Croul, said, “Jack’s created a great legacy.” Jack and Kingsley exchanged their wedding vows 25 years ago at St. John Vianney Chapel in Newport Beach. Jack converted to Catholicism a couple of years later. Kingsley explained, “that’s where he started the journey to give to the Catholic Church and the schools.”
Aligned with the Croul Family Foundation’s mission of helping the economically disadvantaged in Orange County, OCF ensures the funds go to support students at St. Anne School in Santa Ana, St. Joseph School in Santa Ana, St. Barbara School in Santa Ana, St. Justin Martyr School in Anaheim and La Purísima School in Orange.
Jack’s son, Spencer Croul, recognized how blessing these children with an opportunity they may not have otherwise is life changing.
“The Catholic Church is not just about education,” he said. “It’s about lifestyle, goodness and Godliness being instilled into the younger generation and how that is positive for the world.”
Inspired by Jack’s generous heart, Spencer, his wife Susan, their children Dustin and Natalie, as well as Spencer’s brother, Brad, have become the second and third generations of the Foundation.
“When pop created the Foundation, he was thinking legacy. Learning through giving is very rewarding. It’s character building in a very positive way. Through sustainability of the Foundation and bringing Dustin and Natalie both along, we certainly hope the legacy will continue.”
Jack, who is also a car and plane enthusiast and collector, turned 100 years old this month. In recognition of his family’s commitment to giving back, the Croul Family Foundation was honored with the Farmers & Merchants Lifetime Achievement Award at OCF’s 21st Annual Conference on Business & Ethics held in February.
To learn more about The Orange Catholic Foundation, visit https://orangecatholicfoundation.org/
If you want to make an impact like Jack and the Croul family but aren’t sure where to start, let The Orange Catholic
Foundation help you! There are giving strategies you can apply to your home, business, IRA, stock and other highly appreciated assets that will provide for you and your family—all while maximizing your tax savings and making a transformational impact in your parish community, at a Catholic school or other Catholic ministry. For more information, contact a member of OCF’s philanthropy team at (714) 282-3021 or info@OrangeCatholicFoundation.org C
JACK AND KINGSLEY CROUL WITH THEIR FARMERS & MERCHANTS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FROM OCF’S 2024 CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS & ETHICS. PHOTO BY KATHLEEN HURTT
SISTER PARISHES HELP SEND 153 STUDENTS TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL
BY LORI ROSEHART
AHUG, SMILE, TEAR-FILLED
eye and a loud “thank you!”
The children at our Catholic schools are being reunited with friends from their Sister Parishes. The generous men and women from 10 Catholic Church communities contributed more than $368,000 in tuition assistance through The Orange Catholic Foundation’s Catholic Schools Sister Parish Initiative.
This new funding supported 153 students on their journey to sainthood and provided them with a Catholic education during the 2023-2024 school year. Here’s the breakdown: 86 students at St. Anne School in Santa Ana, 41 students at St. Joseph School in Santa Ana, 13 students at St. Justin Martyr School in Anaheim and 13 students at La Purísima School in Orange and their families were gifted with the financial blessings.
For one San Francisco Solano Catholic Church parishioner supporting St. Justin Martyr, the invitation to become a student sponsor was personal. Financial aid opened the door for Paz’s sons to attend Santa Margarita High School, and now, she wants to give back.
Paz is just one of the several donors who were invited to surprise either a TK, kindergarten or first grade class with “Jesus Loves You” teddy bears. These cuddly gifts will serve as a daily reminder that Jesus is always with them and that someone from their Sister Parish loves them too.
During the donor appreciation tour at St. Anne School in Santa Ana, Principal Sr. Teresa Lynch, CSJ, stressed how the students impacted and the transformation of the school over the years
are all “miracles provided through your generosity.”
Frances, a Catholic Schools Sister Parish Initiative donor from St. Kilian Catholic Church, could sense that as she listened to the St. Anne School’s mariachi band, “the children have pride in what they are doing and, in their culture, too.” Frances is no stranger to the St. Anne community in Santa Ana. Years ago, she lived in the area, attended Mass at the church and some of her grandchildren attended school. So, when the Sister Parish Initiative was introduced at St. Kilian’s in January 2024, Frances knew she needed to lend a helping hand.
The students and staff from each school also visited their Sister Parishes in May and June to personally thank the church communities for their support. To further the impact of OCF’s Catholic Schools Sister Parish Initiative and learn how you can cover the cost to educate a student for a month, a year or even for a lifetime, reach out to a member of OCF’s
Philanthropy Team at (714) 282-3021 or info@OrangeCatholicFoundation.org. Thank you to our Sister Parishes for partnering with OCF and our Catholic schools:
■ St. Anne Catholic Church, Seal Beach
■ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Irvine
■ Holy Family Catholic Church, Seal Beach
■ St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Irvine
■ St. Kilian Catholic Church, Mission Viejo
■ La Purísima Catholic Church, Orange
■ St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Laguna Woods
■ Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Newport Beach
■ San Francisco Solano Catholic Church, Rancho Santa Margarita
■ Santiago de Compostela Catholic Church, Lake Forest C
STUDENTS FROM LA PURÍSIMA CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN ORANGE SAY “THANK YOU” TO THEIR FRIENDS AT THEIR SISTER PARISH FOR SUPPORTING THEM, THEIR CLASSMATES AND CATHOLIC EDUCATION. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ORANGE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION
SR. TERESA LYNCH, CSJ AND STUDENTS FROM ST. ANNE SCHOOL IN SANTA ANA VISIT ST. KILIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AND FR. ANGELOS SEBASTIAN IN MISSION VIEJO TO SHARE HOW GRATEFUL THEY ARE FOR THEIR SISTER PARISH.
GUIDED BY VIRTUES OF SELFLESS SERVICE AND CHARITY
THE YOUNG LADIES’ GRAND INSTITUTE
BY LOU PONSI
ABENEVOLENT GESTURE
from three women of faith occurring nearly 140 years ago led to the formation of a Catholic women’s organization that supports the Church and takes up causes, always guided by Christian virtues of selfless service and charity.
Today, the Young Ladies’ Grand Institute has a membership of a bit over 4,800 with Institutes in 67 parishes in California, Oregon, Hawaii and Washington.
In Orange County, St. Juliana Falconieri Catholic Church in Fullerton, St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Irvine and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in San Clemente host Institutes.
Believed to be the oldest Catholic women’s organization in the country, the Young Ladies’ Grand Institute raises money to fund seminarian education, supports pro-life efforts and provides scholarships to young women to help further their education, to name a few of their selfless works of service and charity.
The Grand Institute also takes on new service projects annually and in recent years, has raised funds to help the homeless, support the military and combat ALS and other medical conditions.
Debbie Shimaoka, Grand Director and a member of Institute #188 Corpus Christi at St. Juliana Falconieri Catholic Church, had belonged to other women’s organizations in the past but could never
find one where she felt at home.
Then she found out about the Institute #188, Corpus Christi at St. Juliana’s.
“My faith, my spirituality, my trust in women went higher and I never looked back,” Shimaoka said. “It’s just been a beautiful 19 years. I found my Institute first, which is part of the district with five Institutes, loved the support I received and ended up going to a convention and I was hooked.”
As is the case with many nonprofits and ministries, membership has been declining and the Grand Institute’s current leadership is looking to Catholic women of all ages, 14 years and above, to answer the call.
“Since we’ve been organized for so long, we are now getting to a particular age where we’re losing members faster than we can receive members,” said Debra Ramirez Cruz, the Institute’s grand first vice president, who will step into
the role of grand president in July. “And so, we need to influence these younger generations to come and be with us because the benefits that are available provide promise for their future and for their faith that are tremendous.”
Shimaoka’s 19-year-old daughter, Lauryn Shimaoka, has been a member since age 15 and is among the youngest members in Orange County.
Lauryn Shimaoka belongs to another nonprofit but said involvement in the Grand Institute has helped her to develop a sense of purpose.
“Since I have grown up around them, it’s basically like roots for me,” said Lauryn, a student at Fullerton College. “It’s basically like I can’t really get away from these ladies, because every time I’m far, I have to go back. You always have to go back to your family, and I would say it’s like that.”
The Young Ladies’ Grand Institute
was established in September 1887 in San Francisco when Emily Coogan and Mary Richardson visited the home of their friend, Annie Sweeny, who had been caring for a young woman in her home who was in poor health due to tuberculosis.
Unable to work, the infirmed woman’s finances were depleted.
It was then that Sweeny, Richardson and Coogan were inspired to start an organization through the Catholic Church designed to help women in similar circumstances who needed financial support.
With the blessing of then Archbishop Patrick Riordan of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, the women enlisted the help of Fr. John J. Prendergast, then Vicar General of the Archdiocese, and formed the first branch of what later became the Young Ladies’ Grand Institute.
THE YOUNG LADIES’ GRAND INSTITUTE IS A CATHOLIC WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS THE CHURCH AND TAKES UP CAUSES, ALWAYS GUIDED BY CHRISTIAN VIRTUES OF SELFLESS SERVICE AND CHARITY. PHOTOS BY YUAN WANG/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
IN GOD WE TRUST
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE
Day! With four months until the presidential election, one can bet conversations over family picnics and gatherings will include politics. For most of us, discussions about political parties and their respective platforms generally are points of division and conflict. Before we brace ourselves for a debate over hot dogs and watermelon, it’s good to find a coin or a dollar to help us recall the foundation of our country: “In God We Trust.”
This is the official motto of the United States, and it is printed on the currency we use daily. If we experience anxiety over the state of our nation or frustration by the political scene often distorted by the media, we have lost sight of God. Our freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly are rights that our founding fathers fought for, but the source of these goods is God, and His hands sustain them.
Trust in God is not a passive act. It is an active choice we make every day. As Catholics, we are called to receive these truths with gratitude and recognize that these rights are at the service of our relationship with God and our neighbors. When political platforms divide our nation and cause us to be hostile towards one another, we have lost sight of our neighbor. Our freedom allows us to choose to love and worship God and love and serve our neighbors, who are our brothers and sisters in Christ. As the laity, our baptismal mission is to be Christ’s light, leaven and salt by living and proclaiming the values
of the Gospel into the world. Creating a just society that protects the vulnerable and cares for the poor is the work entrusted to all of us as Christians living in the world.
We will either fail to recognize these needs or be overwhelmed by them and not know how to respond if we do not first form our conscience as the Church directs us. The Church, through our bishops, does not tell us who to vote for but teaches us how to live in God’s truth so we can approach all situations with the mind of Christ (cf. I Cor. 2:16). We take on the mind of Christ by doing what Christ is doing; Christ is always listening to His Father (cf. Jn. 5:30). If we want to think with the mind of Christ, we must make ourselves available to be formed by Christ.
In “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizens” (usccb.org), the United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops encourages us to form our consciences according to God’s revealed truth so we may be equipped to approach the difficult political and social decisions of our times. Our bishops have identified four interrelated principles to guide this formation and our political decisions: the Dignity of the Human Person, the Common Good, Solidarity and Subsidiarity.
In the document, our bishops guide us to form our conscience by turning away from the voices of the media and instead taking time to listen to God. We form our conscience by taking time for prayer and reading Sacred Scriptures, seeking to grow in the virtues of prudence, wisdom and charity. Forming our conscience is not just a duty, and it is a path to peace and fulfillment. It causes us to grow and go beyond forming our opinions based on personal or popular
preferences. Instead, we want to be united to God, who is Truth, so judging a matter rightly, we may promote what is good and renounce what is evil. This formation will give us peace in our hearts and cultivates our desire to seek God and serve Him in our neighbors, especially the vulnerable and poor.
Each year, we gather to commemorate our independence as a country and give thanks to God for the rights proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Let us remember that God is the Giver of these rights and the source of unity that makes our country the United States. C
BY JOAN PATTEN, AO
PHOTO BY STEPHANIE MCCABE ON UNSPLASH
Getting approval of the archbishop or bishop of a diocese is still followed today.
No new institute can form without the blessing at the diocesan level.
Permission is also obtained from the pastor before an institute can form at the parish level.
Institutes typically have meetings once per month and there are opportunities to get involved at all levels.
The Grand Institute also holds an annual convention along with social events.
“We have all professions that we cover,” Ramirez Cruz said. “Our professions consist of medical fields, doctors and nurses, lawyers, well-educated women and females that have been in various areas of the workforce. They’re quite smart and savvy women.”
Each year, the incoming grand president chooses a cause for all Institutes to take up during her year-long tenure.
Esther Vasquez, the current grand president, chose to support libraries through a program called “Libraries are not just for Books.”
FEATURE
At St. Juliana, the Corpus Christi Institute donated money to reopen a branch of the Fullerton Library system, donated books and helped with a school parish library, Shimaoka said.
Julie Kersting, grand second vice president and member of #247 Holy Angels Institute, based at St. Thomas More, shared that their members have been dropping off books and providing snacks for a small library located behind the church.
“And what’s really nice about some of these programs, like my institute in St. Juliana’s, we supported Salute to the Military 10 years ago and we still do it,” Shimaoka said. “We give to Camp Pendleton Wounded Warriors Naval Hospital. So, some of the programs resonate with us and we just keep them.”
For other young women of faith who are looking for a way to serve the Church and the community, Lauryn Shimaoka
would encourage them to consider the Young Ladies’ Grand Institute.
“I guess I would say it will give you more of a reason to believe in the faith of this group, the Catholic faith, the Christian faith,” she said. “And especially for either young women or Catholic women in general, it basically gives you this understanding of why we believe and why we do certain things and it’s important to do these things. It will bring you closer to God, and it will bring you closer to your goal in life and will help you in what you want to do or who you want to be.”
Young Ladies’ Grand Institute is open to Catholic women 14 years and above. These women welcome you to join them and become a member who is guided by the virtues of selfless service and charity.
For information on the Young Ladies’ Grand Institute and to find a local institute, go to www.ylionline.org C
THE YOUNG LADIES’ GRAND INSTITUTE IS BELIEVED TO BE THE OLDEST CATHOLIC WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION IN THE COUNTRY.
GRAND 2ND VICE PRESIDENT JULIE KERSTING, LAURYN SHIMAOKA, GRAND 1ST VICE PRESIDENT DEBRA RAMIREZ-CRUZ, GRAND DIRECTOR DEBBIE SHIMAOKA. PHOTOS
BY YUAN WANG/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
OC Catholic Afar
Susan and Tim Strader brought this issue of the OC Catholic picturing Christ Cathedral Organ Scholars to Sainte Marie Majeure Cathedral in Marseille, France. Perhaps Ethan, Andre, Alyce and Hubert will play this beautiful organ one day!
—Submitted by Susan Strader
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.
Ro me & As sisi
Jubilee 2025 Pilgrimage with
Bishop Timothy Freyer
June 23 - July 4, 2025
INCLUSIONS
Roundtrip airfare in economy
Accommodations (Double occupancy)
(Single= + $750)
• Rome (8N) / Assisi (2N)
• Centrally located
Meals:
• All breakfasts & dinners
- A special farewell dinner
• Three lunches
Guided Tours and Tickets
• Headsets provided
• All activity fees in itinerary
Transportation in Deluxe AC coach.
Dedicated Tour leader:
• 24/7 support from arrival to departure
Itinerary Highlights
June 23 - Depart LAX for Rome
June 24 - Golf cart tour of historic Rome: Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Navona Square, Roman Forum, Colosseum, Circus Maximus + more!
June 25 - Papal Audience, Vatican Museum tour & Sistine Chapel.
July 4 - Depart Rome for LAX $4500
June 26 - Ruins of Pompeii, Neapolitan Pizza lunch, Sanctuary of Our Lady of Pompeii
June 27 - Catacombs of Callixtus, Castel Gandolfo, scenic lunch
June 28 - Tour of St Peter’s Basilica with ascent to the Dome, Church of the Gesu, Church of St Philip Neri, gelato stop, Tiber Island
June 29 - Jubilee Mass, tour of the Colosseum & Roman Forum, Visit the Orange Gardens & Keyhole of Malta
June 30 - Eucharistic miracle of Bolsena, Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi
July 1 - Basilica of St. Francis, Basilica of St. Clare, Carlo Acutis
July 2 - Special lunch, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. Mary Major
July 3 - Free day to explore Rome! Farewell Mass and special dinner.
Join Bishop Timothy Freyer, Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Orange and Deacon Modesto Cordero, Director, Office for Worship on this historic and grace-filled pilgrimage.
Celebrate Mass in some of the most important places in the history of the Catholic Church while enjoying moments of fellowship, fun, and great food
Want to register?
Use the QR code below to register by July 1st, 2024 and we will send you a personal payment link. We look forward to serving you!
