Catholic Relief Services’ presence in schools educates young adults on the program’s message.
A DISTINGUISHED YOUNG WOMAN
Valerie Noria of Mater Dei was recognized at the state level of the Distinguished Women scholarship program competition.
TRANSFORMING POWER OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
God has given us the means to be one with Him.
ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC MISSION STATEMENT
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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
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AROUND CAMPUS
OFFERTORY TABLE
Donor: Donald R. Alves in memory of Patricia A. Alves. 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
“ We are called to be a church that worships a Jesus who is poor and that serves him in the poor.” — Pope Francis
THIS SPANIARD STUDIED LAW at the University of Lerida and was ordained a priest in 1583, despite his father’s hope that he would be a soldier. He became vicar general of a Spanish diocese, but in 1592 left for Rome, where he joined the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and worked with neglected children. In 1597 he established the first free school in Rome with three other priests. This work led him to found the Clerks Regular of the Religious (or Pious) Schools, known as Piarists. He overcame internal and external opposition and served as superior general of the order. He was canonized in 1767, and in 1948 Pope Pius XII named him the patron saint of Christian schools. He is also a patron of students.C
BY JOE SWOBODA, CRS CLUB MODERATOR, SANTA MARGARITA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
(CRS) is the official organization of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) for serving those in need overseas. The CRS Club at Santa Margarita Catholic High School has been operating for about three years and is accomplishing great things.
The purpose of this article is to introduce and highlight CRS’s work, political advocacy and hope for growth.
WHAT DOES CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES DO?
Overcoming world hunger is one of CRS’s key goals. As Pope Francis highlighted on World Food Day 2021, “Overcoming hunger is one of humanity’s greatest challenges.”
This is why CRS pursues a multi-sectoral approach to tackling hunger and malnutrition. Additionally, CRS continues to expand its global footprint, touching the lives of more than 140 million people in need across 115 countries worldwide in 2020.
I originally thought that education about people’s needs in other countries and giving money for Rice Bowl was mostly what CRS did. While those are central ways of participating, I found its scope of work to be so much more.
A huge emphasis of CRS is inspiring and equipping high school and university students to engage in advocacy. We all understand the need for relief services for those suffering from war or natural disaster. However, what is even more challenging is to build long term local solutions to hunger, food insecurity and poverty.
I have heard firsthand conversations between CRS representatives and local farmers, ranchers, educators and program managers. CRS is making the world more just by helping people create solutions to
food insecurity, education attendance and climate change.
About a year after we started our club, I found myself at lunch with Congresswoman Young Kim when she visited the community. I was asked by CRS to represent its advocacy for the Farm Bill. While the great majority of the Farm Bill - up for renewal every five years - is about domestic poli-
cies, CRS advocates for the Title III portion of the Bill which funds programs aimed at assisting people experiencing hunger and poverty around the world to develop long term solutions.
HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY: CRS AT CORNELIA CONNELLY
Before coming to Santa Margarita
Catholic High School, the only Catholic High School to work with CRS that I could find in research, was Cornelia Connelly, an all-girls school which is now closed. Bishop Vann was a hearty proponent of CRS Rice Bowls there, which is the Lenten Alms program.
SANTA MARGARITA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL’S CRS CLUB PRESENTS A CHECK TO FR. DUY LE (LEFT), PASTOR OF SAN FRANCISCO SOLANO CATHOLIC CHURCH, FOR THE PARISH’S FOOD PANTRY. ALSO PICTURED: GRACE KELLEN OF SANTA MARGARITA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL AND JOE SWOBODA, CRS CLUB MODERATOR AT SM HIGH SCHOOL. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE SWOBODA
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
SMCHS CRS CLUB – RICE BOWL INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL NEEDS PLUS ADVOCACY
For the last 50 years, CRS has asked Catholics in the United States to give Lenten Alms to support people and programs in different countries. Starting in November 2021, our CRS Club gathered 10 to 15 core student leaders to bring CRS Rice Bowl to SMCHS. This past Lenten season, the countries supported were El Salvador, Uganda and Indonesia. Theology classes asked students for alms which the CRS Club collected, counted and deposited with the school. Over the past three years, SMCHS has given $10,436 in Lenten Alms. Also, every year CRS returns 25% of the alms to the Diocese for people locally in need. This year, our alms resulted in $500 being given to San Francisco Solano Catholic Church for its food pantry.
Our Club also had the honor of visiting with Congresswoman Young Kim on-line in May of 2023 and then in person on our campus in January 2024 to discuss the United States Farm Bill and an alternate Bill called American Farmers Feed the World. Our advocacy with CRS supports Title III parts of the Farm Bill and opposes AFFW, because “that could make Food for Peace long-term development programs inoperable and could reach 2.3 million fewer people with support.” (CRS)
Students from Mock United Nations and club leaders joined in the discussion with the Congresswoman.
Our club has also led Fair Trade Fridays several times at school. We purchase free trade hot chocolate and give it out free. Our educational hope is to promote fair trade practices.
FOR THE FUTURE
Building Lenten Alms through CRS Rice Bowl and advocacy for legislation such as the Farm Bill is what we hope to do. Personally, I think it’s a matter of calling. Which students feel called to learn about and engage in changing the world for the better?
Will you join in supporting CRS by Lenten Alms to Rice Bowl? We Catholics speak enthusiastically about solidarity with the poor and subsidiarity (local solutions to local problems) as guiding principles of justice. If we do join in supporting CRS for its international work, we will put both into action. C
PHOTO BY ANNIE SPRATT ON UNSPLASH
FEEDING NEIGHBORS WITH LOVE
AT ST. KILIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH’S FOOD PANTRY, FEEDING FAMILIES IS ONLY ONE RECIPE FOR A SUCCESSFUL MINISTRY
BY MIKE VULPO
AS THE LEADER OF St. Kilian Catholic Church’s food pantry in Mission Viejo, parishioner Debbie Little has learned to pivot as the world around her changed.
As the country shut down during the coronavirus pandemic, Little and her team of volunteers saw airline pilots and individuals from a variety of occupations needing help for the first time. Before that, Little noticed more and more seniors stopping by on distribution days as grocery store prices started to come up.
Now, St. Kilian’s Food Pantry is serving close to 200 families from a variety of backgrounds every week as expenses continue to rise.
“Across the board, everybody is affected today because everything’s so expensive,” Little said. “A box of cereal that I would once buy for $1.25 is now nearly $6. It can be anybody in need.”
Fortunately, the St. Kilian Food Pantry is here to help. For two days, the outreach ministry invites neighbors to receive basic groceries and items from local stores provided through the Grocery Rescue program.
While necessities like fruits and vegetables, milk and eggs, pasta and canned goods are important, St. Kilian tries to take it one step further.
“We find a lot of our guests find that we’re better than other pantries,” Little said. “Our volunteers help individuals out to their cars and have dialogue with them. They’re not just handling food. They’re actually a friend. That sets us apart. Plus, we have a variety of items unlike other pantries.”
During some distribution days, guests can walk away with flowers, toiletries and other household goods donated by generous parishioners and neighboring businesses.
For Christmas, families can have kids fill out wish lists and have their holiday dreams become a reality. During the summer, the food pantry will also provide school supplies for students hoping to start a brand-new year with fresh items.
“I believe we have about 40 or 45 kids that we’re giving out a backpack and supplies to,” St. Kilian parishioner and volunteer Sandra Trueman. “When you share, you care. To me, that’s what Catholics do. We love each other.”
Behind the scenes, Little, Trueman and nearly 80 volunteers work seven days a week to ensure there is enough food for anyone who visits the pantry and needs a hand.
While certain items can run low, the team is amazed at how things can magically end up working out.
“It’s been really interesting when we run out of something and how God gives us that in a different way,” Trueman explained. “Maybe if we’re out something, we’ll get an unexpected delivery from a store or a restaurant. There are a lot of donations that are made from the people in the local area that help with the clients that we have at St. Kilian.”
For Little, who discovered the food pantry when she first became Catholic and joined St. Kilian in 1995, she stays committed to the work nearly 30 years later for a variety of reasons.
As Pope Francis continues to stay focused on his passion for helping those in need and reaching out to the peripheries, Little can’t help but “see God’s work every day” at the pantry.
“I sometimes see holes and I think, ‘Oh my gosh, how are we going to make that?’ And lo and behold, somebody comes up
SANDRA TRUEMAN REORGANIZES FOOD DONATIONS AFTER SERVING NEARLY 100 FAMILIES IN ONE DAY. PHOTO
BY MIKE VULPO/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
and says, ‘Hey, I’ve got that for you,’” she said. “I see the families that have needed help come back and be volunteers. I get cold chills when I think about it.”
She also gives credit to her dozens of volunteers who she says are not looking for recognition or praise. Instead, they simply want to assist others.
“They all want to help, and they would go out of their way,” she said. “When we put a call out for school supplies, people come in with bags and bags to help us get it done. At Christmas, we sometimes have more toys than kids from the parishioners who want to help. People want to help, but they just don’t know where to go.”
As St. Kilian’s food pantry continues its mission of helping others, its leaders encourage others to get involved with their local organizations. Whether it’s the gift of time, finances or donations like toothpaste, cereal or pasta, every little bit helps.
“There’s so much good,” Little said, “and we have it here all the time, every day.”
Trueman added, “Think about the canned items you use on a weekly basis. Next time you’re at the store, see if you can buy one additional one for your local pantry. One can truly make a difference.”
If you would like your parish food pantry featured in OC Catholic, email editor@ occatholic.com C
RICHARD GOUGEON AND JIM GENTILE FILL UP SHOPPING CARTS WITH DONATIONS FOR THE NEXT FOOD PANTRY GUEST.
JAMES TOGNAZZINI UNLOADS FOOD AFTER PICKING UP DONATIONS FROM A NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET. PHOTOS BY MIKE VULPO/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
A DISTINGUISHED YOUNG WOMAN
MATER DEI’S VALERIE NORIA EARNS A TOP NOD IN STATE COMPETITION
BY REBECCA NASSAR AND CHRISTINA VAUGHAN
EARLIER THIS SUMMER, Valerie
Noria, a rising senior at Mater Dei Catholic High School, competed in the Distinguished Young Women scholarship program in Bakersfield, CA. In this competition, she was evaluated holistically on a number of talents, and went on to win Distinguished Young Women of Irvine and received recognition on the state level in the fitness category.
The Distinguished Young Women program is a scholarship program that evaluates scholastic, interview, talents, fitness and self-expression. As part of the competition, contestants compete locally and then move on to a state-wide competition.
State Director Susan Finch described the program:
“Along with providing scholarship opportunities, our program also surrounds each participant with young women like herself: motivated leaders and high achievers who are looking toward college and beyond, providing a positive community where girls can make friends, have a sense of belonging and be inspired.”
The Distinguished Young Women program is so much more than just a competition.
Finch added: “We prepare these young women in a number of different ways. We first emphasize education, providing scholarship opportunities to these outstanding, college-bound young women. We also encourage personal development in our participants through our life skills workshops (public speaking, interview, etc.) and the Be Your Best Self program.”
The program has a rich history of supporting ambitious young women. The oldest and largest scholarship program for young women in the United States, it began in 1958 in Mobile, Alabama, the home to
its current national program. For decades, many talented young women like Valerie Noria have competed in this program and have shown off their talents and accomplishments.
Noria has spent her high school years committed to being involved in her community both at school and at large. She is involved in a multitude of activities such as Campus Ministry, Assiteens of Irvine, and the STEM Distinction program.
When asked which act of community service has been the most impactful in her life she shared, “My time at the Farm and Food Lab, where we harvest food and help tend to the farm there, has been the most fulfilling because all that food gets donated to local pantries and helps people with food insecurity. I think that connects with me because food is so important to being healthy and it warms my heart to know I can help other families with providing that opportunity.”
Along with God, Noria named her parents as her main support system.
“My parents and my relationships with God motivate me in all that I do,” she said.
“I feel so blessed and so privileged to be where I am in my life, my parents have provided me with so many opportunities and my faith helps shape who I am. I also feel that my school community has been supporting and encouraging me through this whole process.”
Noria’s faith has played an undeni-
able role in all of her achievements. Her relationship with God has allowed her to open up and serve the community on a larger scale.
“The Catholic Church teaches us to serve others with the skills God has provided,” Noria said.
Support from her high school also helped Valerie tremendously when navigating competing in the Distinguished Young Women program.
Scott Melvin, vice president of School Relations at Mater Dei, shared: “We firmly believe that the students at Mater Dei are the best of the best and we are proud of the beauty and love they bring to this world. We are grateful for the Distinguished Young Women program as it provides the stage where we can celebrate in a meaningful and powerful way this beauty and love.”
First introduced to The Distinguished Young Women program by her mom, Noria set out to compete in this at-large program in order to represent her hometown Irvine.
She said Irvine has given her the ability to involve
herself in many community-centered activities.
“I think it was a really good opportunity and I was really happy to represent Irvine because Irvine has given me a lot of opportunities.”
Being able to participate in the Distinguished Young Women program has also given Noria the opportunity to act as a role model to many young girls.
Passing on advice to other young girls who aspire to accomplish achievements similar to hers, Noria expressed, “My advice to other girls is to really put yourself out there because opportunities won’t just show up at your doorstep–you need to put yourself out there and make those connections.”
Throughout her high school journey, Noria has accomplished many of her goals and has been able to showcase her talents through the existence of the Distinguished Young Women program. There is no doubt she is a proficient young woman whose grounded faith will guide her through her college years and beyond. C
MATER DEI STUDENT VALERIE NORIA RECEIVED RECOGNITION IN THE STATE LEVEL FITNESS CATEGORY OF THE DISTINGUISHED YOUNG WOMEN COMPETITION. PHOTO BY B PITTS PHOTOGRAPHY
VALERIE NORIA IS A RISING SENIOR AT MATER DEI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL. PHOTO COURTESY OF VALERIE NORIA
AROUND OUR DIOCESE
BY STAFF
FAITH OLYMPICS
Cathedral campus on Aug. 10. Treasure of the Church was a time for prayer, fellowship and assistance to those facing financial hardship, homelessness and food insecurity.
More than 500 guests of the event were treated to food and games, as well as clothes, take-home food boxes, children’s backpacks, supplies and lunch bags. The mariachi band from St. Anne Catholic School in Santa Ana performed. Hickory and Spice BBQ, 608 Dahlia and Estrella de Mexicali provided food.
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On Aug. 10, more than 100 young adults from throughout Orange County gathered for the second annual Faith Olympics, held at Huntington State Beach.
The event united everyone in a series of friendly competitions, such as tug-ofwar and volleyball, as well as food, fellowship and prayer. The Faith Olympics was a beautiful opportunity to witness the coming together of each ministry, feeling the Lord present.
Please keep our young adults in prayer so that we may always encounter our Lord in all the ways He brings us together.
TREASURE OF THE CHURCH
The day coincided with the Feast of St. Lawrence, who was martyred in AD 258. He is the patron saint of deacons, orphans, widows, schoolchildren and the poor, to name a few. St. Lawrence was said to present to Emperor Valerian, who wanted to spare St. Lawrence’s life in exchange for the “treasures of the church,” the sick, needy and marginalized. These people, St. Lawrence contended, were the real treasures of the church.
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The Office of the Permanent Diaconate and Catholic Charities of Orange County co-hosted the third annual Treasure of the Church on the Christ
Prior to Treasure of the Church, the diaconate community celebrated a special Mass in Christ Cathedral, where they renewed their ordinations vows of charity, word (proclamation, preaching and teaching) and altar (liturgical service). Their wives also received a special blessing from Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen for their service and support of their husbands.
báo cáo cho nhà chức trách địa phương.
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IN MEMORIAM
BY STAFF
FR. ROBERT VIDAL, affectionately known as “Fr. Bob,” passed away on July 15 at the age of 88. A visitation and vigil were held at St. Anne Catholic Church in Seal Beach and his funeral Mass was celebrated at Christ Cathedral.
Fr. Bob was born in Santa Ana in 1936 and spent his formative years in the San Fernando Valley. He was ordained a priest in 1966 in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Fr. Bob was a priest for 58 years – and most of those years were spent in Orange County. At the time of his passing he was pastor emeritus at St. Anne Seal Beach, where he had previously served as pastor for 18 years. Fr. Bob also served at Our Lady of the Rosary in Paramount, St. Martin de Porres in Yorba Linda and St. Juliana in Fullerton.
Fr. Bob was recently featured in a special “Legacy” issue of Orange County Catholic where he talked about his years in the Diocese administering to the faithful. He was also a much-loved mentor to many of our priests over the years.
“I wouldn’t be the priest I am without him,” said Fr. Duy Le, pastor of San Francisco Solano in Rancho Santa Margarita.
Fr. Bob told the article’s author, Greg Hardesty, that his favorite story in the Bible was the walk to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). In the story, the risen Christ appears to two disciples and opens their eyes to his presence.
“I guess that’s maybe my journey of walking along with the Lord,” Fr. Bob had said at the time. “And recognizing Him and being aware of His presence every day of my life.” C
FR. ROBERT VIDAL, PASTOR EMERITUS AT ST. ANNE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN SEAL BEACH, DIED ON JULY 15 AT THE AGE OF 88. PHOTO BY STEVE GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
ST. ANTHONY MARY CLARET HOSTS ILLUMINATION FOUNDATION’S CARNIVAL FOR KIDS
BY LOU PONSI
SERVING THE POOR AND those in need is a principal tenet of the Catholic Church as stated by Jesus throughout the Gospels.
Among the most widely quoted Bible verses that exemplify Christ’s edict is Matthew 25:40:
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
And so, Fr. Bill Cao, pastor of St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic Church in Anaheim, said it was his parish’s obligation to host — for the second year in a row — hundreds of families in need for the Illumination Foundation’s free Carnival for Kids.
The July 27 event was held to raise
awareness and garner support for the nonprofit Illumination Foundation which provides housing, healthcare and other services to the most vulnerable individuals and families.
In 2023, the nonprofit served nearly 7,000 people experiencing homelessness, and the foundation’s five family emergency homes served more than 300 children and parents.
The carnival featured rides, a petting zoo, DJ, hands-on activities, a stilt walker, live music, interactive games and refreshments.
“We evangelize not by word only but through our charitable actions, our love,” Fr. Cao said. “So, Jesus asked, ‘Who are my mother and brother and sister to me?’ Those who hear the word of God
CONTINUES ON PAGE 13
FR. BILL CAO, PASTOR OF ST. ANTHONY MARY CLARET CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ANAHEIM, SNAPS A PHOTO DURING A SPECIAL CARNIVAL FOR KIDS HELD ON JULY 27. PHOTOS BY YUAN WANG/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
A STILT WALKER GREETS GUESTS DURING THE ILLUMINATION FOUNDATION’S FREE CARNIVAL FOR KIDS HELD
ST. ANTHONY MARY CLARET CATHOLIC CHURCH CAMPUS IN ANAHEIM.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
and put it to practice. As in Matthew 25, when you see me hungry, thirsty, naked, you fed me … infirmed or in prison you visited me. So, we take that seriously.”
Several public officials were also on hand, including Congressman Lou Correa of California’s 46th District, who presented an $850,000 check from a federal Community Project Funding grant for Illumination Foundation’s Richard Lehn Intergenerational Campus, which will provide supportive housing for both families and seniors.
Correa, who grew up in Anaheim, said St. Anthony Claret was his home parish for years and the senator thanked
his character.
“I’m so grateful for that,” the actor said.
According to the 2024 Point-In-Time Count, 347 families — 443 adults and 685 children — are experiencing homelessness in Orange County.
These families often live in crowded rooms, motels, cars or in public spaces.
Other nonprofits and public agencies organizations were also present promoting their services,
Those included the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Orange County Fire Authority and the Dragon Kim Foundation, an Irvine nonprofit which
supports youth which helps youth to pursue their passions while providing a service to the community.
“We want to not only respect, but we want to honor all the kids, wherever they come from,” Dragon Kim founder Daniel Kim said. “We do happen to have a lot who are Catholic, and who come from a Catholic background.”
Children received backpacks filled with school supplies from Karina’s Backpack Project, toys from Mattel Children’s Foundation, and booster seats from the Orange County chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. C
Fr. Cao for opening up the campus for the carnival.
“This is the kind of stuff he does on an everyday basis because this is caring,” Correa said. “All of us caring for each other.”
Actor and musician John Stamos, known for his role Uncle Jesse Katsopolis on the ABC sitcom “Full House,” along with numerous other roles in TV and film, also attended the carnival.
Growing up, Stamos attended St. Irenaeus Catholic Church in Cypress, where he played the drums during Sunday Masses.
Stamos, whose mother taught Catechism classes, said his Catholic upbringing and attending church helped to shape
CHILDREN PET COWS DURING THE ILLUMINATION FOUNDATION’S FREE CARNIVAL FOR KIDS HELD AT ST. ANTHONY MARY CLARET CATHOLIC CHURCH CAMPUS IN ANAHEIM. PHOTOS BY YUAN WANG/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
ST. ANTHONY MARY CLARET HOSTED A SPECIAL CARNIVAL FOR FAMILIES IN NEED DURING THE ILLUMINATION FOUNDATION’S FREE CARNIVAL FOR KIDS.
TRANSFORMING POWER OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
BY DANIELLE TAYABAS
WE WERE MADE FOR marriage, a holy marriage, a marriage with God. God, who is love, has loved us from all eternity. He created humanity in His image and likeness (Gn 1:26-27) with marriage in mind and communion at heart.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (Jn 3:16)
God, the Father, gifted humanity with Jesus, who founded the Catholic Church.
As high priest, Jesus instituted the Sacraments to establish His bride in a life of holiness. He did this to prepare His bride for the eternal wedding feast of the lamb so that she will reign with Him in the heavenly Jerusalem as a gift for the heavenly Father. God’s love, mercy, graces and gifts flow out upon humanity from Jesus’ humble, hidden and living Presence in the Holy Eucharist. All of whom Jesus is, from all eternity, is truly present in His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Holy Eucharist.
All of humanity is called to enter into the New Covenant with God through Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation and to live a sacramental life within the Catholic Church through a specific vocation.
Jesus instituted the holy priesthood and the Holy Eucharist so that His presence would remain here on earth in order to transform sinful mankind into the children of God by giving them “a new heart and a new spirit.” (Ez 36:26)
We must cooperate with God’s plan of salvation and strive to become a holy bride of Christ, a saint and encourage others to do so “that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without
spot or wrinkle…that she might be holy and without blemish.” (Eph 5:27)
“[The Church’s] structure is totally ordered to the holiness of Christ’s members. And holiness is measured according to the ‘great mystery’ in which the bride responds with the gift of love to the gift of the bridegroom.” Mary goes before us all in the holinessthat is the Church’s mystery as “the bride without spot or wrinkle.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 773)
The Blessed Virgin Mary is our humble model who we can imitate. She is the surest way to enter into a deeper relationship with Jesus, as His bride. The more time we spend in prayer and meditation in Jesus’ Eucharistic presence, the more we will be able to ponder and contemplate, so as to emulate the Life of Christ and to be transformed by the Holy Spirit.
Every Holy Communion we receive on earth prepares us for our communion with God in heaven and our eternal
contemplation of His glory. In heaven we will contemplate God for all eternity and even in an eternity of beholding His almighty magnificence we will never fathom the totality of who God is because He is incomprehensible.
To benefit from the Holy Eucharist, it is spiritually advantageous for all Catholics to attend Mass every Sunday and on holy days of obligation, and to receive Jesus in Holy Communion in the state of grace. Spend time in quiet prayer in Eucharistic Adoration a few times a week until you can go daily. Go to weekly Confession. Pray the Divine Office. Meditate on Holy Scripture and pray the Rosary daily. Read the about the lives of the saints and pray for their intercession.
The transforming power of the Holy Eucharist is to bring about the transformation of the bride of Christ, who lives, moves and has her being in her bridegroom, for the one goal of redemption, the salvation of all souls. C
PHOTO BY JOSH APPELGATE ON UNSPLASH
OC Catholic Afar
Phil Di Rosa and his wife Rose Di Rosa visited Uspenski Cathedral in Helsinki, Finland in early June. The cathedral has 13 green-andgold cupolas representing Christ and the Twelve Apostles.
Phil and Rose are parishioners at St. Irenaeus Catholic Church in Cypress.
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.
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Join a sisterhood where values align with school mission. Register for a campus tour, shadow day, and open house today.
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