9 10
22, 2024
Christ Cathedral hosts these special Masses to recognize the public servants in Orange County.
Dr. Jose Caceres continues his story of how he came to choose medicine as his vocation and profession.
When: October 5, 2024
Where: The Proud Bird (near LAX) 11022 Aviation Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90045
Mingling is maximized by having diners rotate to different tables at the start of each course.
This is the last luncheon mixer for 2024.
Info: Call Celeste (661) 916-2727
12
LOVE INITIATIVE
Raising a family and nurturing a healthy marital relationship takes patience, love and understanding.
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“ God asks us for sacrifice, sacrifice of the heart, renouncing our will.”
— Pope Francis
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
PRV 3:27-34; PS 15:2-3A, 3BC-4AB, 5; LK 8:16-18
TUESDAY
PRV 21:1-6, 10-13; PS 119:1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44; LK 8:19-21
WEDNESDAY
PRV 30:5-9; PS 119:29, 72, 89, 101, 104, 163; LK 9:1-6
THURSDAY
ECCL 1:2-11; PS 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 AND 17BC; LK 9:7-9
IN THE FIFTH CENTURY, St. Eucherius of Lyons described the legendary martyrdom of Maurice and the Theban Legion, comprised of Christians from Upper Egypt. Maurice was first officer of the legion, sent by Emperor Maximian to Switzerland to put down some rebellious Gauls. When Maximian ordered the soldiers to sacrifice to Roman gods, Maurice and his legion refused. The outraged emperor ordered “decimations” in which one of every 10 men was killed; when the remainder still would not worship Roman gods, Maximian had other soldiers massacre the entire legion of 6,000. Though the number may be exaggerated, a martyrdom of some Christian soldiers seems believable. Maurice is a patron saint of all armies, the Swiss Guard and Austria. C
PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK
FRIDAY
ECCL 3:1-11; PS 144:1B AND 2ABC, 3-4; LK 9:18-22
SATURDAY
ECCL 11:9—12:8; PS 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 AND 17; LK 9:43B-45
SUNDAY NM 11:25-29; PS 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14; JAS 5:1-6; MK 9:3843, 45, 47-48
BY LOU PONSI
WHEN THE CHURCH OF the Madonna was built in the Borough of Fort Lee, N.J. during the 1850s, the it was decided to have the holy edifice constructed on the highest geographical point in Bergen County.
To this day, the church’s 86-foot bell tower is still distinctly visible and stands in contrast to the surrounding high-rise buildings and modern structures lining the Northern New Jersey landscape.
The church tower is in plain view of the motorists traveling east on the adjacent highways making their way towards the George Washington Bridge to cross the Hudson River into New York City.
The Church of the Madonna, also known as Madonna Church, was documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1939 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 for its relevance as an architectural and religious landmark.
For Catholics and all people of faith passing through the New York/New Jersey metropolitan region, a short pilgrimage to the Church of the Madonna will almost certainly be worth the time.
My family attended Sunday Mass in the historic church, which is the oldest Catholic Church in Bergen County and one of oldest extant Catholic edifices in New Jersey.
I’ve attended the funerals of my mother and father, my grandparents and several aunts and uncles, who are interned in a family plot in Madonna Cemetery,
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
which is on church property and has served as the final resting place for the region’s Catholics for more than 150 years.
I had the honor of serving as best man in my cousin’s wedding in this church.
The Church of the Madonna is typical of the early Gothic Revival style of architecture of the mid-19th century in the United States.
According to the nomination form submitted to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, there were only Catholic missions in New Jersey until 1814, when the state’s first Roman Catholic church was established in Trenton.
Over the next 40 years, only a handful of additional Catholic churches were constructed, with the Church of the Madonna being among them.
Worshipers entering the church pass through a large Gothic-arched double door at the base of the tower. The walls of the church are brick covered with plaster and were painted in 1973 to give off a marble stone effect.
The church’s interior features a rear balcony and wooden trusses along the top.
The nomination form states that most of the interior décor is of the early 20th Century and includes a J.H. & C.S. Odell pipe organ, which was donated to the church in 1904 by Andrew Carnegie.
Three marble alters date back to 1903 and 18 stained glass windows completed by A.L. Brink of Mayer and Company were installed from 1909 to 1911, the nomination form states.
“Unlike the other Catholic churches which were built in urban regions, the Madonna Church was constructed in a rural region in anticipation, or perhaps fear, of the development which would follow,” the form states. C
BY MIKE VULPO
Solano Catholic Church parishioner Luann
Kenmore arrives in the campus kitchen, there’s one ingredient she can’t live without.
Whether preparing lunch for staff members or feeding hundreds of hungry high school confirmation students, Kenmore, Solano’s kitchen coordinator, and her team of volunteers make sure everything is made with love.
“I think a lot of people just think the food just shows up, but it's the preparation that we put our love into,” she told Orange County Catholic. “I think about how Jesus broke bread with everybody. You're sharing something together that nourishes our body and our soul and our spirit. I feel like that's the connection, and I never tire of it.”
On Sept. 4, Kenmore and the Rancho Santa Margarita parish staff gathered together to celebrate their renovated kitchen with a blessing from Bishop Timothy Freyer.
The milestone was a reminder of how powerful a strong kitchen ministry can be for a parish and its neighboring community.
“This part of the campus is important,” Bishop Freyer explained. “This is where so many people will come to experience Solano who maybe don't have a relationship with Christ yet. They might come to a fish fry. They might come to an alpha event and be fed through the ministry of this kitchen. Although it may seem at times not as important as what happens in other parts of the campus, this place is a place where people will find the love of Christ manifested in you, your humility, your service, your kind-
thing to take home, and people have written us these beautiful cards saying things like, ‘We were going through my mom's stuff and we all sat down and we had coffee and cookies.’”
Kitchen associate Rosemary Morris has spent nearly four years rolling up her sleeves and cooking alongside Kenmore. While the role has allowed her to make new friends and see her family at church every week, it has also given her the opportunity to serve in ways she never expected.
“What I remember most was we were feeding younger kids for a long period of time, and there used to be this brother and sister that would always come. I always felt that they didn't get enough food at home,” she recalled. “They would come up and they’d say, ‘What are we having for dinner tonight?’ They were so excited. I always gave them a double portion.”
For Solano’s pastor, Fr. Duy Le — who praises the kitchen’s signature chili with Fritos and cornbread — he has seen the connections made at his church over food.
Without the kitchen ministry, his church’s motto of “Belong, Believe, Become,” wouldn’t be as strong as it is today.
At San Francisco Solano, the kitchen is used for joyful events like pancake breakfasts and youth ministry gatherings. At the same time, food made in this space
can also provide great comfort for those suffering.
As San Francisco Solano continues ness and your generosity.”
“After funerals, we make a sweet box,” Kenmore shared. “For your moment that's not so sweet, we try to give you some-
“All are welcome, and this is the easiest way to get people together,” he shared. “Food is something that we all can understand, that we all want and we all need. What Luann and her team do is they create an atmosphere of hospitality, of love, of kindness, of care. We could easily just serve food, but we don't want to serve it by just ordering food from the outside. We want them to know and feel that we have prepared this with the love of our hands and truly, Luann brings that to everyone that walks through these doors.”
raising funds for their kitchen renovation project titled “Feed Solano,” Kenmore is hopeful that she can serve even more meals than the 1,000 she estimates to make every month.
“I envision every Wednesday where we just open the kitchen to the whole community and just serve spaghetti and bring more people to God,” she said. “I think food is the best way because everybody has to eat. When people know that you're not asking anything of them, you just want to give to
them, I think that breaks down a lot of walls.”
Kenmore knows she has the support of Fr. Duy, who has enjoyed everything from empanadas to her signature cookies that have been known to attract lines of hungry parishioners.
“She wants to feed everyone. If she could make the world full and satis-
fied with her cooking, she would,” Fr. Duy said. “What we have started with the kitchen remodel will help her do that a little bit better. There's so much more that we could do … If you read this or you have accidentally stumbled upon this, know that you are welcomed at Solano and that you belong already, and we're here to feed you with love, with food and with Jesus.” C
BY LOU PONSI
ocese of Orange is once again honoring the contributions and bestowing blessings on individuals working in the legal profession and in the field of public safety, by celebrating the Red Mass and Blue Mass.
The Blue Mass, which celebrates police officers, firefighters and other public safety personnel, takes place on Sept. 29 at 5:45 p.m. at Christ Cathedral.
Public safety personnel are encouraged to attend in uniform.
The Red Mass, which celebrates judges, lawyers, law students, law faculty and court personnel, takes place on Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. Christ Cathedral.
The Red Mass is a private Mass for individuals in the legal profession.
Bishop Kevin Vann will be the main celebrant for both Masses, said Deacon Modesto Cordero, director of the Office of Worship in the Diocese.
The origins of the Blue Mass date back to 1934, when Fr. Thomas Dade, a priest based at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. decided to celebrate a Mass to recognize the work of police officers and other first responders, to pray for their fallen brothers and sisters and to seek God’s blessing for their own safety.
The name “Blue Mass” comes from the traditional color of many officers’
uniforms.
The Blue Mass is always held on the feast day for St. Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of military and public safety workers.
In Roman Catholic teachings, St. Michael defeated Satan, casting him out of Heaven and is therefore associated with protection, courage and divine intervention.
“This is a diocesan event to recognize the importance of the work that these individuals do for our community and to pray for them so that they can be safe,” Deacon Cordero said. “They're placing their lives in harm's way every single day for our safety. It's an opportunity for us as a Diocese to share with the community at large and show that we care for them, that we pray for them, that we keep them in our minds and that we thank them for all that they do for us.”
The number of congregants has grown each year since the Diocese began hosting the Blue Mass in 2021, the deacon said.
Firefighters were invited for the first time in 2023.
Public safety personnel will serve as lectors during the Mass and all public safety personnel will be asked to stand and receive a special blessing.
The St. Thomas More Society of Orange County, an independent organization sponsored by individuals working in the legal profession who are practicing mem-
bers of the Catholic Church, is hosting the Red Mass for the 36th consecutive year.
Part of the organization’s mission is to provide opportunities for the Catholic legal community to fortify their faith through prayer, fellowship and education.
The Red Mass at Christ Cathedral is celebrated through a partnership between the Diocese and the St. Thomas More Society of OC.
“They have a very important job on their hands,” Deacon Modesto said of the legal community. “They're dealing with justice, and we want to be sure that we are praying that when they exercise their power, especially the judges, that justice is served, especially for those who are poor and the needy and those who are in harm's way. So, we pray also for them because I know that they have to make decisions that sometimes are not the more popular ones.”
Fr. Al Baca, senior priest at St. Anne Catholic Church in Seal Beach, is serving as guest homilist.
Attorney John C. Peiffer II, a partner with the Irvine law firm of Brown & Streza LLP, will be honored as the St. Thomas More Society Orange County Attorney of the Year.
“As always, there will be a complimentary dinner after Mass,” said William Brown, board member and past president of the St. Thomas More Society of Or-
ange County. “The annual Mass relies on donations, as well as sponsorships from attorneys and law firms.”
In the United States, the first Red Mass was celebrated in 1887 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Detroit.
Judges attending the Red Mass traditionally wear red robes as a representation of a tradition dating back to the 13th century, where the Red Mass has its roots.
At the start of the judicial year in Washington, D.C., the president and members of Congress join with justices of the U.S. Supreme Court to celebrate the Red Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew.
The Red Mass is also celebrated in Sacramento and most other state capitals and major cities throughout the U.S. California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero delivered the closing remarks at the Red Mass celebrated by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Oct. 25, 2023.
In a world that can often seem turbulent, judges must never abandon their duty as guardians of the law, Guerrero said.
“It is a difficult time when we are called to do all that’s in our power in ways, big or small, to create a more just world,” the chief justice said. “We must continue to pursue justice and compassion, uphold the truth, and defend the rights of the most vulnerable.” C
BY DR. JOSE CACERES
IN THE PREVIOUS ARTICLE, I discussed how my journey into medicine, particularly cardiology, was shaped by a profound sense of faith and a deep belief in the harmony between science and spirituality. As I continued my work as a cardiologist, this belief was not only reinforced but also expanded through my encounters with Eucharistic miracles— particularly those involving cardiac tissue. These extraordinary events opened a new dimension in my understanding of both the heart and the Eucharist, revealing a connection between faith and science that is both mysterious and awe-inspiring.
As a cardiologist, my professional expertise has given me a unique perspective on Eucharistic miracles, especially those
that involve the presence of cardiac tissue in consecrated Hosts. These miracles, such as those reported in Lanciano, Italy and Buenos Aires, Argentina, have captured the attention of both the faithful and the scientific community. When I first encountered accounts of these miracles, I approached
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them with both scientific curiosity and deep spiritual reverence.
If you’re not familiar with what occurred at Lanciano, Buenos Aires, and other similar events, rest assured that I will spend time later in this series describing these miracles in greater detail. For now, I invite you to consider the broader significance of these occurrences and how they relate to the intersection of faith and science.
Understanding the significance of finding cardiac tissue in these miracles requires a grasp of the unique properties of the heart. The human heart is not just another muscle—it is a highly specialized organ, composed of cells that are unlike any others in the body. Cardiac muscle cells, or cardiomyocytes, are designed to function in a highly coordinated manner, allowing the heart to beat continuously throughout a person's life. These cells are interconnected by structures called intercalated discs, which enable the rapid transmission of electrical signals, ensuring that the heart contracts as a unified whole.
What makes the presence of cardiac tissue in these Eucharistic miracles so extraordinary is not just that it is human tissue, but that it is specifically heart tissue, often identified as originating from the left ventricle—the chamber responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the entire body. The left ventricle’s role in sustaining life parallels the spiritual nourishment we receive from the Eucharist, which is the heartbeat of our faith.
its human origin, and in many cases, its characteristics have pointed directly to the heart—a fact that resonates deeply with my professional understanding and spiritual beliefs.
For me, these Eucharistic miracles are not just events to be studied—they are signs that point to a deeper reality, where the boundaries between the physical and the spiritual are blurred. They are a powerful testament to the belief that in the Eucharist, we encounter the true presence of Christ, whose heart beats with love for humanity.
The intersection of faith and science in these Eucharistic miracles has deepened my appreciation for both realms. As a cardiologist, I am constantly reminded of the incredible design of the human heart, and as a Catholic, I am moved by the profound symbolism of the heart in these miracles. These events call upon us to look beyond the material world and to recognize the hand of God at work in ways that transcend our understanding.
Looking Ahead: In the next article, Dr. Caceres will explore the challenges he faced when he arrived in the United States, particularly the cultural divide between faith and science, and how these experiences further shaped his understanding of the Eucharist and his vocation as a cardiologist. C
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From a scientific perspective, the preservation of viable cardiac tissue in these miracles, sometimes for centuries, defies the natural processes of decay. This phenomenon invites profound questions about the nature of these events and their implications for both faith and science. The detailed analysis of this tissue has repeatedly confirmed
Join OC Catholic’s Recipe Swap!
Sharing recipes highlights the importance of gathering with family, friends and our broader Diocese of Orange faith community.
Please share your favorite recipes, along with your name and parish. Send your favorite seasonal dish, or a recipe that has special meaning to you or your family. Tell us why it’s important to you! Our editors will pick their favorites to be featured in OC Catholic throughout the year.
Submissions must include a photo of the completed recipe. Categories are entrees, appetizers, side dishes, beverages and desserts. Send your recipes and photos to: editor@occatholic.com
BY MEG WATERS
RAISING OUR CHILDREN while at the same time nurturing our marital relationship can sometimes be a balancing act. During this year, our California bishops invite every Catholic to celebrate the beauty of marriage and family through the Radiate Love Initiative. In light of this, the Diocese is helping out with a series of Date Nights to give couples a worry-free evening out and to encourage couples to rekindle their relationship so they can share their love and God’s love to their children and the world.
Cecilia Phan, the coordinator of Young Adult Ministry and Evangelization in the Diocese of Orange, has assembled the ingredients for a perfect parents’ night out; all the couples need to do is sign up at https://www.rcbo.org/ yya-datenight. Alternatively, couples can contact Enrique Soria at esoria@rcbo.org or (714) 282-4216.
“Date Night is a collaboration between the offices of Family Life and Youth & Young Adults,” said Phan. “This is an effort to respond to the needs of married couples who naturally go through stages in life that require support, prayer and accompaniment. Intentional date nights are vital for a strong marriage. We hope that they will provide an opportunity for engagement that is currently often missed by married couples. This experience incentivizes couples to go on dates and break away from the daily grind to grow in connection and emotional intimacy.”
The evening starts at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, with a visit to the Pastoral Center on the Christ Cathedral Campus at 13280 Chapman Avenue, Garden Grove. Parents can drop off their children and receive a Date Kit.
“The Date Kits are meant as catalysts for meaningful conversation, prayer and
fun,” added Phan. “We hope that the kits will help couples connect deeply and grow together.”
Children need to be picked up by 10 p.m.
Local Catholic school teachers, fully vetted by the Diocese’s Safe Environment standards, will provide free babysitting for potty-trained toddlers from age 2 through middle schoolers aged 12. Simple dinner and snacks will be provided. The teachers will ensure the children have as much fun that evening as the parents. No homework allowed!
Meanwhile, parents will receive a Date Kit that includes a prayer card, story about a married saint and an activity or game to help couples get past the mun-
dane cares of the day and focus on their relationship. The Date Kits are portable and can be used in conjunction with whatever fun plans they make for the evening.
From the Pastoral Center, the parents leave for some well-deserved and quality “us” time.
It’s kind of like a first date, only better. Many married couples fall out of the habit of dating each other, but it’s a really important part of nourishing their relationship.
If a couple can’t make the first Date Night on Sept. 27, they can enjoy a Date Night on any or all of the following evenings:
■ Friday, Dec. 13, 2024
■ Friday, Feb. 7, 2025
■ Friday, May 9, 2025
Linda Ji, director of Office for Family Life in the Diocese of Orange, explained why Date Night and other family-support programs are essential to the work of the Diocese.
“Parents are the most important ministers in the Church because they are the ministers of the family, the most basic building block of the Church,” said Ji. “Founded on sacramental marriage, the Christian family is a sign of God's love in the world and has the mission to bring others to participate in the love of God.”
She continued: “However, if the foundation of the family, the parents' marriage, is not strong, the parents will struggle and not be able to lead the mission of the family. The Church can preach and teach about the importance of marriage and family in words, but the Church must also provide real help for parents to focus on their marriage to strengthen the foundation of their family.”
Ji added: “Providing childcare for date nights is one small way we support parents so they can tend to their own relationship and fortify their marital bond. As stated in our mission, the Office for Family Life ‘supports marriage formation and pastoral care to advance the missionary discipleship of the Domestic Church in the Diocese of Orange.’ These date nights are part of that pastoral care of our parents so that they may become missionary disciples and fulfill our diocesan mission and the Great Commission by evangelizing their children and community.”
The real joy of the date night comes when parents, feeling closer and more connected, reunite with their children and the entire family is a little happier, healthier and holier.
For more information and additional resources about Radiate Love, please visit https://radiatelove.infoC
BY STAFF
On Sunday, Sept. 11, in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and in reparation for the sacrilege to the Eucharist, the Legion of Mary, St. Mary's by the Sea organized a Public Rosary at the Huntington Beach Pier. There were 50-60 people in attendance.
The 90-foot cross of the Tower of Hope was lit on Sept. 10 in teal and purple in recognition of National Suicide
Prevention Month. It will remain in those colors for the rest of the month.
For more information on what our Diocese Office for Family Life is doing to help, and for an extensive list of resources, visit www.rcbo.org/mental-health
Christ Cathedral’s music ministry has released a new live album featuring the music of German composer Max Reger and the cathedral’s Hazel Wright Organ. The featured organists are David Ball, Dr. Emma Whitten, Charles Raasch and Hektor Pitstick.
The digital album is currently available through Apple Music, YouTube and Spotify. The ministry is planning a second album as well. C
BY JOAN PATTEN, AO
DISCIPLESHIP IS A life-long response that begins at baptism.
When children are baptized, the celebrant asks the parents, “What do you ask of God’s Church for this child?” For adults who are baptized later, they are asked this question directly. Regardless of the age, the answer given is the same: “Baptism.” Other responses following this include “faith,” “eternal life” and “the grace of Christ.”
As children grow in their faith and relationship with Jesus, they must be taught to listen to Him and recognize His invitations. This is done by teaching them how to pray and becoming familiar with Sacred Scripture, especially the Gospels. To be a disciple of Jesus Christ simply means responding to His invitation to be with Him.
When the first disciples of John began to follow Jesus, their encounter revealed an interesting exchange of questions. “Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come, and you will see.’ So, they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon” (Jn.1:38-39). Jesus’ answer to their search is an invitation to communion with Him. Encountering Jesus’ desire for them to stay with Him is so transformative that they even remembered the time this encounter occurred!
To raise young disciples requires that we teach them how to listen to the questions of Jesus in the Gospels and realize that He is addressing them as well. Here are some of Jesus’ questions to pray with: ■ “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mk. 10:51)
■ “Who are you looking for?” (Jn. 20:15)
■ “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (Jn. 11:25-26)
■ “But who do you say that I am?” (Lk. 9:20)
■ “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?” (Mk. 14:37)
■ “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” (Mt. 8:26)
■ “Do you want to be well?” (Jn. 5:6)
Jesus makes Himself available to us and invites us to reveal ourselves to Him in the intimate dialogue of prayer. Honestly telling Jesus our thoughts, feelings and desires that come up in our hearts as we are faced with His questions will draw us closer to Him and dispose our hearts to receive His love, freedom and truth.
It takes time to grow in trust and
vulnerability with God, but when we start to grasp His love and mercy for us, we will also want to bring our questions to Jesus. However, God doesn’t always answer our questions with the answers that we think we need. Questions that come from our need to control things are often left unanswered. Even after the Resurrection of Jesus, the disciples asked Him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6) Jesus did not answer their question but assured them of His presence and the power of the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, the first disciples’ question, “Where are you staying?” is a question that seeks communion, and Jesus responds with an invitation to remain with Him. He is the answer to their search.
If it seems that God is not answering the questions we bring to Him, let the Lord refine your search by purifying your motivation. Are we seeking control or communion? C
This photo was taken of Tom Corrigan at the Bray Head Cross at Bray Head in northern County Wicklow, Ireland. Tom is a parishioner at Holy Family Catholic Church in Seal Beach.
The concrete cross was placed atop Bray Head in 1950 during the Holy Year. Annually on Good Friday, the faithful climb up to the cross to mark the final Station of the Cross.
—The photo was taken by Derek Corrigan.
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.
