Dr. Vincent Nguyễn and his wife Linh renewed their wedding vows at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
STOCK DONATION BENEFITS CHURCH PROJECT
A parishioner of St. Thomas More contributed to the campaign to build a new permanent church in Irvine.
FOOD FOR THE JOURNEY
The bread of life nourishes our spirit and soul.
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
DAILY MASS CHALICE
Donors: Art and Gaye Birtcher. The chalice, or Communion cup, is a sacred vessel used to hold the Blood (wine) of Christ. If you are interested in learning about additional naming opportunities for yourself, a loved one or a special occasion on Christ Cathedral’s campus, contact the Orange Catholic Foundation at (714) 282- 3021 or info@OrangeCatholicFoundation.org C
“ The church must be the place where one draws hope, where one finds the door always open, where one receives consolation and encouragement.”
— Pope Francis
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
EZ 1:2-5, 24-28C; PS 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14; MT 17:2227
THOUGH 10 YEARS YOUNGER than her townsman, Francis of Assisi, Clare was drawn to his radical message of serving God in abject poverty. Despite objections from her aristocratic family, who wanted her to marry, she gave up the world with Francis’ help and founded the Second Order of St. Francis, known worldwide as the Poor Clares. For 40 years, she guided the San Damiano community, whose nuns included her sister and widowed mother. She served the other nuns who went out to beg, was often sick because of their hard life, and was proclaimed a saint just two years after she died. C
FRIDAY
EZ 16:1-15, 60, 63; EZ 16:59-63; ISAIAH 12:2-3, 4BCD, 5-6; MT 19:3-12
PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK
SATURDAY
EZ 18:1-10, 13B, 30-32; PS 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19; MT 19:13-15
in Santa Ana is planting a bright future for its students, teaching them everything they need to know about nutrition, economics and sustainability in a hands-on way — by taking care of their own garden.
Mr. Rogelio Barrera, or as his students like to call him, Mr. B, decided to revamp St. Joseph Catholic School’s garden. Although the garden is still in its early stages of becoming fully flourished, it brings incredible joy and excitement to the students. Mr. B explained the students are always asking to plant new fruits or vegetables, and how it adds something special to their day.
The dedicated teacher and role model thought of this project as a way for the students to connect with nature, while providing a pragmatic way for them to learn where food comes from, the benefits and details of nutrition and the economic factors of owning a garden.
“Our approach was rooted in teaching students the fundamentals of entrepreneurship,” said Mr. B. “We structured our class to help students understand key concepts like budgeting, marketing and sales. Each student group was tasked with developing a product or service to sell in a fundraising event we called Entrepreneur Day. The proceeds from this event were then used to support the garden.”
He went on to describe the future
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ORANGE COUNTY
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ORANGE COUNTY AND CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF CALIFORNIA VISIT ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL FOR CCOC’S CALFRESH HEALTHY LIVING NEW SUMMER PROGRAM. PHOTOS BY SLAV ZATOKA/CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ORANGE COUNTY
PRINCIPAL OF ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL, SONIA RAMIREZ, GIVES CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ORANGE
impacts this project can have for the students.
“This experience gave students valuable entrepreneurial skills that will benefit them in the future, such as problem-solving, teamwork and financial literacy.”
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food insecurity affected about 15% of households with children in 2020, and one in six children in America struggle with hunger. This new garden project paves a way for children to learn how to create resources to grow food, highlighting health and sustainability, while being a possible pathway to help children with food security.
Catholic Charities of Orange County’s (CCOC) CalFresh Healthy Living Team created a program to educate the students of St. Joseph Catholic School about soil, roots and the world of gardening. This initiative supported by Catholic Charities of California, was an approved pilot summer program that will lead to an ongoing partnership during the 2024-2025 academic year.
The first few classes of the program were held during the new stages of the re-envisioned garden, providing insight and hands-on experience for the students.
Catholic Charities of California scheduled a site visit and was excited to see the program in action, and how the new garden at St. Joseph Catholic School is transforming the way the students see education and learning. Natalie Lanning, Nutrition Programs Senior Manager of Catholic Charities of California, described CCOC’s CalFresh Healthy Living programs’ overall goals and objectives when it comes to the students of St. Joseph Catholic School.
“This initiative is something new for Catholic Charities of Orange County to really work with youth in the capacity to connect gardening and where food is grown,” said Lanning. “We see
the kids now learning where the food comes from and how that impacts their health. And how to grow food and have those hands-on experiences. So, they are getting time in the garden but also learning about nutrition. That goes hand in hand in improving their food security in the long-term going forward and bringing that information home to their families. We are seeing not just an impact with our students but with our families as a whole.”
Lanning went on to say, “I am most impressed with the involvement from everyone. From the principal to the teacher that leads this effort, to the students’ involvement. Really what makes this a successful gardening initiative at schools is the involvement of everyone.”
St. Joseph’s Catholic School’s principal, Sonia Ramirez, expressed her excitement for this initiative.
“We are very overwhelmed by the interest from the students, parents and even teachers,” she said. “And at the school, we try and nurture our students to find their God-given gifts and talents.”
She also expressed her gratitude for Mr. B’s hard work and creativity.
“I’ll give the credit to him…he has been the pioneer for this project,” Ramirez added. “I think that is his gift. You can see the glow. He comes on Saturdays or Sundays; you don’t really see teachers doing that unless this is really their gift.”
Mr. B. also shared his thoughts on what he thinks the garden will bring to the school community.
“I believe this project has a lasting impact by fostering a sense of responsibility and community involvement in our students,” he said. “It also demonstrates the practical application of their education, making their learning experience more meaningful and relevant.”
His dedication to St. Joseph Catholic School and the community shines through this beautiful garden and impactful initiative. C
ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS HELP WATER THE NEW GARDEN. PHOTO BY SLAV ZATOKA/CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ORANGE COUNTY
RENEWING WEDDING VOWS AT THE VATICAN
BY MEG WATERS
WHEN DR. VINCENT Nguyen and his wife Linh married in 1992 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Westminster, he was a childhood immigrant from Vietnam, and she was a former Buddhist who converted to the Catholic faith. Together, they made a sacramental commitment to love and honor each other for as long as they both lived, to accept children lovingly from God, and to raise them according to the law of Christ and his Church.
Like all marriages, the Nguyens have had challenges and also much joy, including three beautiful daughters, Victoria, Ashley and Elizabeth.
According to Dr. Nguyen, “A sacramental marriage is not between two people. It is a commitment between two people and God. I have always viewed our relationship with God as an equilateral triangle. We are each a point in that triangle; as we draw closer to God, the triangle becomes closer together. The covenant makes it special, forming a perfect triangle with equal sides. So, as my wife and I draw closer to God, we also draw closer to each other. It isn’t a perfect union, but we are working toward that, walking
with my wife and God; we will come to a perfect point someday.”
Linh Nguyen added, “Vincent and I have always believed that our anniversary is more important than our birthdays, so we always celebrate. We believe it’s important to renew our vows, rekindle romance and thank God. Celebrating our marriage also shows our children that marriage is an important priority for us.”
Last year, the Nguyens visited Rome and met Sr. Suzanna, a lovely sister who worked at the Vatican. She suggested that the couple return to the Vatican to renew their wedding vows the following year. The Nguyens looked at each other and said, “We’ve got to go.”
The Nguyens, including their daughters and Victoria’s husband, Michael Muller, headed to Rome in June this year for the big day.
Sr. Suzanna made the arrangements for the June 25 Mass.
“It was an unbelievable opportunity,” recalled Linh.
The ceremony was held in The Basilica’s Chapel of the Choir (Cappella del Coro), which is often used for weddings. Its gilded stucco, marble and artwork sit
at the confluence of Michelangelo’s Renaissance paintings and Domenico Fontana’s Baroque style.
Fr. Patrick Dorelus, from the Diocese of Brooklyn and currently taking past ordination studies in the Vatican, officiated at the Mass and renewal of vows. Within the breathtaking corner of St. Peter’s, Fr. Patrick celebrated a private Mass just for the Nguyens and their family in the chapel that could accommodate 300 people; no other couples were there. There was also an organist, singer and photographer present.
“The priest was wonderful,” recalled Linh. “When it was time for communion, our children all knelt respectfully before the priest to receive the body of Christ. Fr. Patrick said that seeing the children kneel to receive the Eucharist almost brought him to tears.”
Dr. Nguyen added, “We found it amazing that we were able to renew our vows in front of our children, who were obviously not there 32 years ago. Our children said the readings and prayers of the faithful, and Fr. Patrick gave a beautiful sermon. I am so grateful that we were able to celebrate our vows and marriage with our children and especially blessed that we were able to do it in the very home of the Catholic Church.”
He added, “I just feel like God is giving us blessings after blessings, and it makes us better Catholics. It helps us to be more
humble and grateful because of this special gift from God for our family. I’m still on a high and do my work with more joy.”
Today, the Nguyens are members of Our Lady Queen of Angels parish in Newport Beach. Dr. Nguyen is the Program Medical Director of Palliative Care Services at Hoag Hospital. Linh Nguyen worked in her family’s denim manufacturing company but became a full-time mother when the children arrived.
The Church has always offered some form of marriage preparation to help young couples prepare for a lifetime commitment. The Diocese’s Office of Family Life has introduced a new program called “Witness to Love,” which has an even better marriage success rate than prior programs. To learn more visit https://www.rcbo.org/ ministry/office-for-family-life/
According to Mark Gray, senior research associate for the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate’s (CARA) most recent public national poll about marriage and Catholics, CARA found that only 9% of all those who were married in the Catholic Church divorced. By comparison, of all those who had married but did so outside the Church, 30% had experienced divorce. Marriage outside the Church with convalidation (a later blessing by the Catholic Church) is also associated with a much lower likelihood of ever divorcing (4%). C
DR. VINCENT NGUYEN AND HIS WIFE LINH WERE MARRIED IN 1992 AT BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH IN WESTMINSTER. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE NGUYEN FAMILY
STOCK DONATION HELPS PUSH CHURCH PROJECT FORWARD
BY LORI ROSEHART
IT’S BEEN A DREAM in the making for years—and with a lot of sacrifice and a community full of generous hearts, St. Thomas More parish is making big strides toward building its new, permanent church in Irvine. Most recently, one parishioner looked beyond the gift of cash and maximized his impact by donating stock through The Orange Catholic Foundation (OCF).
The anonymous donor contributed more than $440,000 to St. Thomas More Catholic Church’s Building Fund and Capital Campaign. Eugene Lee, the church’s pastor, said, “I struggle to fully express how much in awe I am and how humbling it is to see such amazing generosity and faith of the people.”
The donor mentioned how easy it was to make this transformational gift:
“I learned sacrificial giving from my parents, and we want to teach our children the same. The donation of appreciated stock allowed us to give more effectively to our church, while reducing our tax bill. After connecting OCF and my broker, I did very little.”
The anonymous donor continued: “It’s incredibly important that we build this house of worship. It will serve our current needs but also be a sacred place where we can administer the sacraments for generations,” the anonymous parishioner continued. His generous stock donation and additional stock gifts from other parishioners gave the St. Thomas More community the boost it needed. After years of attending Mass in the hall, the parish is expected to break ground in late 2025.
“We love Jesus,” Fr. Eugene added. “The community wants to offer our very
best to our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave up everything for us, to build a church is to glorify and honor His majesty and His kingship in our lives.”
Even though the church project is moving forward, the hard work isn’t over because the parish is still working toward the $24 million capital campaign goal. With a recent push for new pledges, Fr. Eugene is appreciative of the partnership with OCF and for “the donors who took this approach because we can use them as a great example.”
HOW STOCK DONATIONS AMPLIFY YOUR IMPACT
With about 97% of U.S. household wealth being held in non-cash assets, contributing to your parish or other Catholic causes with stocks will increase your impact and your tax benefits
YOUR GIFT OF STOCK MAKES YOUR GIVING GO FURTHER
Donating appreciated stock or other investments can be a strategic way to bypass the Federal and California capital gains tax that you would’ve paid if you
sold it on your own and donated the cash. Your tax savings could boost your gift by as much as 37%.
YOUR GIFT OF STOCK HELPS YOU STEWARD WISELY
Your appreciated assets can be a tool for stewarding a legacy of generosity, opening the door for conversations with your loved ones about values, giving and the causes close to your heart.
Ready to start exploring your opportunities to “…do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share” (1 Timothy 6:18) with your non-cash assets? Download OCF’s stock donation form at OrangeCatholicFoundation.org or Schedule a meeting with our Philanthropy Team at (714) 282-3021 or info@ OrangeCatholicFoundation.org
Please note that The Orange Catholic Foundation does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material is prepared and made available for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide or be relied upon for tax, legal or accounting advice. Every donor should always consult a tax professional.C
ANTHONY VULTAGGIO, OCF’S PHILANTHROPY OFFICER, PRESENTS A RECENT STOCK DONATION TO FR. EUGENE LEE ON BEHALF OF A ST. THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC CHURCH PARISHIONER. PHOTO COURTESY OF OCF
PARISHIONERS OF ST. THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC CHURCH ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE BELIEVE AND BUILD CAPITAL CAMPAIGN DURING THE PLEDGE COMMITMENT WEEKENDS IN JULY. PHOTO BY STEVE RIN/ST. THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC CHURCH
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The Problem: Aging in place is truly complex 1 in 5 Californians will be age 65 or older, according to the nonprofit Public Policy Institute of California. The state will be facing a shortage of as many as care workers by then.
The US is facing an epidemic of senior loneliness and social isolation which is associated with about 50% increased risk of dementia and other serious medical conditions. NASEM reported that more than 30% of adults aged 45 feel lonely, and nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated.
Home Care Pulse’s 2023 Benchmarking Report states that Home Care Industry's turn-over rate soars to 77.1%
Caregivers are overworked and undervalued. The Low Wages, Lack of Benefits, Recognition and Appreciation, Limited Career Advancement are a huge driving force for workers to go “gray" and gray workforce is becoming a growing problem for the long-term care industry, PHI National estimates that there are 4.6 million direct care workers nationally.
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BISHOP JAIME SOTO JOINS FELLOW ALUMNI TO MARK 50 YEARS
BY LOU PONSI
EACH YEAR, MATER DEI High School awards a spirit trophy to the class with the most school spirit.
The Monarchs’ class of 1974 captured that trophy as freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors.
The class of ‘74 held its 50th reunion on July 20 at the LeVecke Center on the Mater Dei campus and even five decades later, the class was as spirited as they were a half-century ago.
The enthusiasm began kicking in during the actual planning of the festivities, which got underway about two years ago when a nine-member planning committee met once a month to go over details and then met weekly as the date of the reunion drew closer.
“For some classmates, this was their first reunion and the look on their faces when they walked into the hall was magical,” said committee member Linda Ruiz. “We all felt this was the best reunion ever.”
One of the most notable of the 100 or so graduates who attended was Bishop Jaime Soto of the Diocese of Sacramento and former Auxiliary Bishop of the of Diocese of Orange from 2000 to 2007.
Bishop Soto, who delivered a blessing to kick off the festivities, had been considering entering religious life even before attending Mater Dei, but said his desire to become a priest was strengthened during his years at the school.
“I got a lot of support here for doing that,” said Bishop Soto, who also served as associate director of Catholic Charities of Orange and Episcopal Vicar for the Hispanic Community in the Diocese of Orange. “I remember our retreats
together. Those were opportunities where not only did I have a chance to bond with some of my classmates, but I also drew closer to Christ.”
Another accomplished graduate from the class of ‘74 in attendance was Maurice Sanchez, Associate Justice of California’s 4th District Court of Appeal, Division 3, the first Latino and first person of color to serve on that bench.
“This is a great place to go to school,” said Sanchez, an active parishioner at Santiago de Compostela Church in Lake Forest. “It really opened my horizons because I got to know people from all over the county. It’s just wonderful.”
Debbie Hopke, valedictorian from the class
BISHOP JAIME SOTO OF THE DIOCESE OF SACRAMENTO BLESSES HIS FORMER CLASSMATES AT THE START OF THE CLASS OF 1974’S 50TH REUNION HELD JULY 20 AT MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL. AT LEFT IS CLASS MEMBER LINDA RUIZ, WHO SERVED ON THE REUNION’S ORGANIZING COMMITTEE.
THE MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1974 HELD ITS 50TH REUNION ON JULY 20 AT THE LEVECKE CENTER ON THE MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS. PHOTOS BY LOU PONSI/ DIOCESE OF ORANGE
of ‘74, was among the attendees, and addressed her former classmates, even reciting a line from the valedictorian speech she delivered at her graduation.
“My opening lines were, ‘It has been said there is no time like the present because the present can only last a moment before it becomes the past,’” Hopke said. “‘And those moments we have not yet experienced are the future.’”
Hopke recalled being the only girl in Mater Dei’s relatively new math and computer club and going into programming after college, working on the first ever ATM machines.
Hopke said she received a superior education and developed her work ethic at Mater Dei.
“I learned how to really focus and do my work,” she said. “And just the solidarity of the school and the spirit. This class of ‘74 was a wonderful class.”
Of all the committee members, Ruiz singled out the efforts of fellow 1974 graduate Joanne Hutter Fierro who was involved in planning the 20-, 30-, 40-, 45- and 50-year reunions.”
“Without her leadership I don’t know if we could have pulled them off and have them be so successful,” Ruiz said.
Committee members were Fierro, Ruiz, Marian Ryan, Sylvia Mora Munion, Rose Alvarado Monsanto, Maryalice Bourdelais, Patti Gay-Buoy, Marla Frazer Hendershot, Denise Dee Knack, Sue Hines Farano, Leslie Tennyson and Tom Hammer. C
A MEMORIAL HONORING THOSE GRADUATES FROM MATER DEI’S CLASS OF 1974 WAS ON DISPLAY AT
RECENT 50TH REUNION.
UNIFORMS, YEARBOOKS AND OTHER MEMORABILIA WERE DISPLAYED AT THE MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1974’S 50TH REUNION HELD ON JULY 20.
DEBBIE HOPKE, VALEDICTORIAN FOR MATER DEI’S 1974 GRADUATING CLASS, SPEAKS TO HER FORMER CLASSMATES AT THE START OF CLASS THE REUNION HELD JULY 20 IN THE LEVECKE CENTER ON THE MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS. PHOTOS BY LOU PONSI/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
AROUND OUR DIOCESE
NOTRE DAME’S VOLLEYBALL COACH VISITS OC
Women’s Volleyball Coach Salima Rockwell, who leads the University of Notre Dame squad, was the keynote speaker at the annual Notre Dame Club of Orange County (NDCOC) University of Notre Dame Celebration held on July 18 at JSerra Catholic High School.
Now into her third season at ND, Coach Rockwell brought a solid background as a former valuable member of the Penn State team: a program with a history of 10 NCAA tournament appearances reaching the Final Four in 2023, beating Texas A&M in the first round.
Off the court, Rockwell is a highly recognized broadcast analyst on ESPN, and is a member of the women’s and men’s broadcast team for volleyball games of the Paris Olympics.
Coach Rockwell said she works tirelessly to instill in the student ath-
letes’ improvements in their skills with determination and enthusiasm for their chosen sport, at the same time, “doing it the right way.”
She explained that at a university such as Notre Dame with its high academic standards, team players must never shortchange their classroom demands. Rockwell proudly announced that last year’s team achieved an average 3.47 GPA.
The coach answered she is hoping to recruit some of the top women’s volleyball players in the nation and added that many are right here in California.
Submitted by Irv Cuevas
EVER ANCIENT EVER NEW
On July 27 and 28 the Christ Cathedral campus hosted the second annual Ever Ancient Ever New (EAEN), a young adult event sponsored by our Diocese alongside the dioceses of San Diego, San Bernardino and Los Angeles.
The event, themed as “This is My Body,” brought more than 500 attendees from throughout Southern California for a faith-filled environment. They heard nationally recognized speakers, celebrated two Masses, participated in Adoration and confessions and felt a renewed mission to “become what we receive in the Eucharist.”
“Revival isn’t just about believing in Jesus, but it’s about being transformed by Jesus,” said Tanner Kalina, mission outreach manager for the National Eucharistic Revival.
FAMILY SUMMER CAMP
Our Lady of Peace Korean Catholic Center in Irvine hosted their annual Family Summer Camp on July 26 and 27.
The event brought more than 400 campers for a cook-off, karaoke, a bonfire with s’mores, a community Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration. It was an opportunity to gather and meet new friends in a community spirit before the academic year begins. C
BY STAFF
CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS HOSTED THE SECOND ANNUAL EVER ANCIENT EVER NEW (EAEN), A SPECIAL EVENT GEARED TO YOUNG ADULTS. PHOTO BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Masciel
FAMILIES ROAST MARSHMALLOWS BY THE CAMPFIRE DURING A SUMMER FAMILY EVENT HOSTED BY OUR LADY OF PEACE KOREAN CATHOLIC CENTER IN IRVINE. PHOTO BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
NEW KOC PRESIDENT FOLLOWS IN HIS FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS
BY RON KUZLIK
THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Orange County Chapter held its Installation of 2024-2025 Officers Dinner and Mass at Christ Cathedral on July 20.
Brother Knight Jeff Rice was appointed as chapter president by Knights of Columbus California State Deputy James Larson.
“I have known and worked with Brother Jeff for many years,” Larson said. “Jeff’s election to chapter president of the Orange County Chapter is a true blessing to me and our State Council.”
Larson also officiated as Brother Knights Louis Gardner (Vice President), Patrick Murach (Secretary), Ralph Ruiz (Treasurer), Steven Martinez (Marshall), Zenaldo Zilva (Marshall) and Ronald Knowles (Advocate) were appointed to their new positions.
Rice’s father, Richard E. Rice, was chapter president when the Diocese of Orange was installed by Pope Paul VI in 1976. They are the first legacy father/ son to serve in this role within Orange County.
The elder Rice was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the escort aircraft carrier USS Sitkoh Bay (CVE-86) during the Korean War and subsequently worked in the aerospace industry before moving to Garden Grove and becoming a Knight in 1964. He served a variety of local council and Orange County Chapter offices before his selection as chapter president.
He later was district deputy for two terms in the mid-1980s.
Richard Rice died in 2018 at age 86.
“As a child,” Jeff rice recalled, “I remember the family times at the old Garden Grove Council 4581 and going to Chatsworth for the Boys Ranch Fundraiser carnival and the annual Brothers of St. Patrick picnics.”
He added: “As an adult, there was the Corporate Masses with my brothers and
their families, and, of course, the Day of Sharing carnivals for those with intellectual and special needs.”
Jeff Rice became a Knight in 2004. He too has served in a variety of local council and chapter positions, including Grand Knight of Fr. Peter JJ Juba Council 4922 in Orange, as well as chapter treasurer, vice president, and now as chapter president.
“My father was quite proud that I was a District Deputy over his former council, Garden Grove Council 4581,” the younger Rice said. “He would have been beaming to see me become the Orange County Chapter President.”
Jeff is married to Shellie Rice, née Cook, of Orange. He was previously a city planner for various municipalities in Southern California. Currently, he is on the executive committee for the Santiago Retreat Center and its summer camp in Silverado.
At present, there are 47 councils, eight Fourth Degree assemblies and over 6,500 Brother Knights in the Orange County Chapter.
Rice’s plans for the future include increasing the number of Chapter councils by two plus a College Council at the Santiago Trade School at Santiago Retreat Center and a Byzantine/Maronite/Coptic Council in one of the many Eastern Rite Catholic parishes.
“Good communication allows the Columbianism and faith of our Order to reach all corners of the Diocese so that all Knights here in Orange County can serve our bishops and clergy who tirelessly serve us.”
Very Rev. Bao Thai, rector of Christ Cathedral and chaplain of the Knights of Columbus Orange County Chapter, shared this statement:
“I am glad to see this take place at Christ Cathedral,” Fr. Bao said. “On behalf of Bishop Vann, the shepherd of the Diocese and the pastor of Christ Cathedral, I congratulate all the new officers and thank you so much for your zealous service.”
For more information on the Knights of Columbus Orange County Chapter, visit https://ockc.net/ C
JEFF RICE IS PICTURED WITH HIS FATHER, THE LATE RICHARD RICE, AT A 2017 KOC GOLF TOURNAMENT. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF RICE
BROTHER KNIGHT JEFF RICE AND HIS WIFE SHELLIE PROCESS INTO CHRIST CATHEDRAL DURING THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS OFFICERS INSTALLATION MASS CELEBRATED ON JULY 20. PHOTO BY JACK HANEY
NEWLY INSTALLED KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER PRESIDENT JEFF RICE AND HIS WIFE SHELLIE PRESENT THE GIFTS AT THE OFFICERS INSTALLATION MASS AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL ON JULY 20. PHOTO BY JACK HANEY
RICHARD RICE CIRCA 1970. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF RICE
FOOD FOR THE JOURNEY
BY REBEKAH VALDERRAMA
ICAN COUNT THE NUMBER of times I’ve shed tears when receiving the Eucharist on one hand.
My First Holy Communion as a child, probably my wedding. But I also remember the tears of joy at that first in-person Mass in June 2020, my first time receiving since the beginning of the pandemic. They were tears of reunion, of the completion of something that had been incomplete for so long. They were the tears you cry when reunited with a loved one after a long absence.
The year 2020 was the lesson we all needed in the importance of the Eucharist in our lives. The importance we’d let ourselves forget when we took for granted the ability to attend Mass every week. Might we have let ourselves forget once again?
If absence makes the heart grow fonder, does ubiquity make the heart grow complacent?
Today’s reading from First Kings strikes poignantly in 2024.
“This is enough, O Lord! Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
It feels like the cries of many of our hearts as we read the headlines and bemoan the state to which our society has fallen. We feel so powerless in the face of it.
The advice of the angel to Elijah, “Get up and eat” could be read by the cynical as simply good life advice for a depressive episode. But we’ve listened to the Gospel as well. “I am the bread of life,” Jesus tells us in John. And even our own experience has shown us how important the Eucharist is to our daily lives. How did we forget so quickly?
In the busyness of our hectic lives, in the despair we might feel for the world around us, let us remember to value the physical presence of God among us. Have you ever been to a Protestant
church? Or if you’re a convert, have you been back since you became Catholic? I often find it a somewhat eerie experience. There’s a lack in the air that draws attention to itself when you know about it, and that lack is the Eucharist. I can almost feel the empty tabernacle on Good Friday, just like I can feel the absence of Christ’s sacramental presence in the churches of our separated brethren. And they don’t even know what they’re missing!
As Catholics, we have been given the greatest gift—the physical and sacramental presence of Jesus among us.
In the light of the American Church’s Eucharistic Revival efforts this year, I think it’s time to reignite our fervor for the Eucharistic presence of Christ in our hearts again. Approach the altar today with a renewed appreciation for this gift of Himself. Make continual efforts to keep that flame of desire burning.
As the psalmist says, “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord, blessed the man who takes refuge in him.” C
OC Catholic Afar
A group of friends visited St. Wilfrid Catholic Church in London this past May.
From Left to right: Bong Ventura and Elsa Ventura from Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Habra; Cristina Colegado from St. Pius V Church in Buena Park; Thelma Galit from St. Cecilia in Tustin; Malissa Carbajal, Ruben Carbajal and Isabel Maguncia from St. Columban in Garden Grove; Erlinda Salazar from San Antonio de Padua in Anaheim Hills; Lourdes Gutknecht from Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove and (not shown) Mr. and Mrs. Reynaldo Reyes from St. Thomas More in Irvine.
This church was built between 1880 and1884.
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