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
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SPECIAL ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS
WRITERS: The Most Rev. Kevin W. Vann, The Most Rev. Timothy Freyer, The Most Rev. Thanh Thai Nguyen, Bradley Zint, Greg Hardesty, Very Rev. Bao Thai, Very Rev. Christopher Smith
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Everett Johnson, Ian Cabrera, Steven Georges, Drew Kelley, Kaylee Toole, Patrick T. Fallon, Mark Rightmire, Sean Hiller, Ian Tran, Joshua Sudock
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Dom Almario
A LETTER FROM OUR BISHOPS
TWELVE YEARS AGO, our Diocese changed its future forever when, by the grace of God and many faith-filled believers, we completed our purchase of the Crystal Cathedral. Soon thereafter, we began our transformation of what was already a tremendous place: a 34-acre campus of art and architecture renowned the world over. What was the Crystal Cathedral, a Protestant megachurch, became Christ Cathedral — the spiritual home of the faithful gathered around our Bishop and a major center of Catholic worship for the West Coast.
While doing so, we carefully navigated the delicate balance of maintaining the campus’ rich history and heritage while also accommodating the important needs of our Catholic community as we gather for liturgy, formation and service.
Like many new homeowners, we remodeled. We rearranged and added. We restored and renewed. We made ourselves a new home, essentially a new and vibrant downtown for our Diocese. The last decade-plus has been a momentous time, one whose journey and successes we can all be proud of.
We remain eternally grateful to the multitude of people who shared their skills and dedication, but one
group we’d like to particularly thank are the people of St. Callistus parish. In order to make Christ Cathedral a Place for Christ Forever, we asked the faithful of that Garden Grove parish to sacrifice what had been their home for decades. Moreover, we asked them to leave behind a church building which they only got to enjoy for some 10 years. The people and priests of St. Callistus showed remarkable trust, flexibility and faith as they helped transform our campus into the vibrant community of faith it is now.
The legacy of the people of St. Callistus parish should never be forgotten. Many of us involved can remember that sense of loss when St. Callistus was closed down and the congregation made that first trek down to the Crystal Cathedral — only to experience a new joy of mariachis playing and singing once we arrived there. A new campus welcomed us all, and this was a joy to be repeated many times into the future in the life of Christ Cathedral.
On your way into the St. Callisus chapel today and always, look to your right. We have placed St. Callistus’ cornerstone plaque that once was a fixture of that parish. May that tribute serve, to us all, as a reminder that their dedication is indeed a cornerstone of a sanctuary we so reverently enjoy today.
On this dedication day for the St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts, may we always remember them among the many who have helped make the Christ Cathedral campus, truly, a Place for Christ Forever.
THE MOST REV. KEVIN W. VANN, J.C.D., D.D., D.MIN.
THE MOST REV. TIMOTHY FREYER, D.D.
THE MOST REV. THANH THAI NGUYEN, D.D.
NEW HOME, NEW BEGINNING
ST . CALLISTUS CHAPEL AND CRYPTS, HOUSED UNDERNEATH THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL, HELPS BRING HEALING FOR DISPLACED PARISHIONERS AND AN ETERNAL HOME FOR DIOCESE OF ORANGE BISHOPS, OTHERS
BY GREG HARDESTY
FR. CHRISTOPHER SMITH, rector emeritus of Christ Cathedral, took in the expanse of the new space — with its marble floors, brilliantly colored wall mosaics and hand-crafted wood furniture and ceiling, all designed in Romano-Byzantine style — and declared, with a satisfied look on his face:
“I love it when things turn out better than you imagined.”
Just a couple of years ago, the area Fr. Christopher stood in was a completely gutted footprint that previously was used by Crystal Cathedral Ministries for offices and choir practice.
Now, it’s the new St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts, a sanctuary for Masses, weddings, funerals and other gatherings that doubles as a sacred burial space for up to 40 bishops of the Diocese of Orange as well as 1,000-plus Catholics who can purchase niches for their cremated remains.
The dedication and blessing of the nearly 11,000-square-foot chapel on Oct. 14, 2024, marks the completion of Christ Cathedral’s transformation from the Crystal Cathedral campus, the Protestant megachurch property the Diocese of Orange purchased from the late Dr. Robert H. Schuller in 2012.
“It was a long path to get to this moment,” said
Bishop Kevin Vann. “There were bumps along the road, but the Lord gets us to where we need to be, and I’m grateful to everybody who participated in this, from beginning to end.”
And the milestone marks a new beginning for parishioners of St. Callistus, which was founded in 1961 in a roller rink in Garden Grove before finding its sanctuary home — not far from Christ Cathedral on Lewis Street — that eventually got shuttered in 2013 as part of the Diocese’s purchase of the 34-acre campus.
A PROMISE FULFILLED
The naming of the chapel and crypts after St. Callistus ensures that the legacy of that multiethnic parish forever will be enshrined at Christ Cathedral — fulfilling a promise made by Bishop Vann to acknowledge the difficult and emotional transition parishioners had to make in seeing their church and school razed and then becoming initial parishioners of Christ Cathedral.
“We will not be erased,” said Maria del Carmen Rivas Rozatti, a longtime St. Callistus parishioner who was married in the former church and celebrated the funerals of her parents and the baptism of her grandchildren there, among other
THE DEDICATION AND BLESSING OF THE NEARLY 11,000-SQUARE-FOOT CHAPEL MARKS THE COMPLETION OF CHRIST CATHEDRAL’S TRANSFORMATION FROM THE CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL. PHOTO BY EVERETT JOHNSON
THE OVAL-SHAPED LEGACY CHAPEL, A DEVOTIONAL SIDE CHAPEL OF THE NEW ST. CALLISTUS CHAPEL AND CRYPTS, CONTAINS HAND-PAINTED ART DEPICTING, FROM LEFT, BISHOP WILLIAM JOHNSON AND BISHOP NORMAN MCFARLAND (IN FRONT OF HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL, THE DIOCESE’S CATHEDRAL FROM 1976 TO 2019); POPE ST. PAUL VI (THE REIGNING PONTIFF WHEN THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE WAS ESTABLISHED ON JUNE 18, 1976); ST. JUAN DIEGO WITH OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE (THE PATRONESS SAINT OF THE DIOCESE) ON HIS TILMA; A GUARDIAN ANGEL HOLDING THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE CREST; BISHOP TOD BROWN AND BISHOP KEVIN VANN (IN FRONT OF CHRIST CATHEDRAL). NOT PICTURED, BUT ALSO PAINTED IN THE CHAPEL, ARE JUANEÑOS ALONGSIDE ST. JUNÍPERO SERRA (FOUNDER OF MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO) AND MOTHER BERNARD GOSSELIN, FOUNDER OF THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF ORANGE. PHOTO BY EVERETT JOHNSON
momentous occasions.
“I’m very thankful that St. Callistus will be remembered for as long as Christ Cathedral stands here in Garden Grove,” she added.
Fr. Christopher, who was involved from the start in the purchase of the Crystal Cathedral and its transformation into a major center of Catholic worship for the entire West Coast, said there always were plans to build a chapel and crypts under the cathedral.
Selecting its name was easy, he said.
“It was a huge project that was very, very difficult, because the parishioners had to leave their church of more than 50 years and come here, and we always wanted them to have a legacy here,” he said.
A NEW PLACE OF WORSHIP
The St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts becomes the newest major place of worship on the Christ Cathedral campus. It can seat 220.
Msgr. Arthur Holquin, who was ordained a priest two years before the Diocese of Orange was established in 1976, also was very involved in the design of the St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts as well as the Christ Cathedral.
Originally, the idea was to design the chapel to reflect the Spanish colonial heritage of California, with thick, stucco walls and deep, arched door openings, among other architectural elements that reflect the state’s 21 missions built between 1769 and 1823.
Then, it hit him and other Diocese of Orange officials: Why not design the chapel and crypts to reflect the
period in which St. Callistus lived?
Pope St. Callistus I was the bishop of Rome from circa 218 to his death, believed to having occur in 222 or 223. And Byzantine architecture, in vogue soon after that, was styled after late Roman architecture, with churches featuring arches, vaults and domes with interiors of marble, wood and wall mosaics.
“Bishop Vann studied in Rome, and he thought it was a great idea,” recalled Msgr. Holquin, who retired in 2014 but still concelebrates a Mass every Sunday at Mission Basilica in San Juan Capistrano.
PIECES OF THE PAST
Diocese officials also made the decision to physically bring parts of the former St. Callistus church into the new chapel, which is full of sacred art made by Talleres De Granda of Madrid, Spain.
Four etched glass panels hang in the rear. A total of 10 panels, which depict the seven Sacraments, served as interior windows of St. Callistus’ Blessed Sacrament Chapel. The panels can be switched out.
Another notable design element in the new chapel is a large altar mosaic that depicts, on one side, Pope St. Callistus I and, on the other side, a guardian angel holding people who are symbolic of the St. Callistus parishioners.
Some orange trees are in the mosaic, for local color.
“The best part (of the chapel) is that it’s continuing the legacy of the St. Callistus parish,” said parishioner Nanette Abritia.
Another parishioner, Kevin Gleason, grew up in the parish with his family. His son’s wedding was the last one to be held at St. Callistus Church.
“I’m grateful to God for giving us this continuation,” Gleason said.
AN EMOTIONAL TRANSITION
Karen Rote recalled when she, her parents and three sisters began attending St. Callistus when Masses were held in the roller rink.
“My two younger sisters were 6 and 4,” Rote shared. “We were trying to keep their attention on Mass when there were all these Disney characters running along the walls.
“Just knowing we were going to be starting our own church, one that was all ours, was a memorable moment to me.”
Rote later would become very involved at St. Callistus, teaching catechism for nearly four decades.
But on June 29, 2013, parishioners, priests and staff said goodbye to their church at 12921 Lewis St., after it was canonically suppressed and deconsecrated.
Rote, 81, still chokes up at the memory.
Fr. Rudolph Preciado and Bishop Vann led a procession from the church to its new home down the street.
Some of the older parishioners, who for decades had attended Masses at St. Callistus in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, couldn’t manage the walk so they carpooled.
At the end of the procession, the keys from St. Callistus were exchanged for the keys that would become Christ Cathedral.
Mass was celebrated that day — the feast of Saints Peter and Paul — in front of the Cultural Center.
“There were certainly feelings of sadness of losing St. Callistus,” Bishop Vann recalled, “and when we got there, the mariachis were singing and playing and welcoming us. So, the whole sense of the paschal mission, to go from sadness to joy, is what I remember.”
On June 8, 2014, St. Callistus Parish officially became Christ Cathedral parish, with Masses held in the Arboretum before the remodeled cathedral was dedicated on July 17, 2019.
“I was amazed at how receptive and excited the people of St. Callistus were at being the first parishioners of the new cathedral,” Msgr. Holquin recalled. “It was quite an honor for them.
“But the transition had to be handled very delicately. Fr. Christopher and others were very sensitive in handling this transition.”
Said Rote, a retired schoolteacher with two daughters who served on the committee to raise funds for the new chapel and crypts: “There needed to be some memory of something that was so important to so many of us in Garden Grove. I am pleased the Diocese did this, and I look forward to attending Masses in the new chapel.”
Rote will be at the Oct. 14 dedication.
“I have been known to drive down a mountain campsite to go to Mass,” she said. “It doesn’t matter to me where I go to Mass. But I’m glad St. Callistus has a new home.”
ST. CALLISTUS PARISH, WHICH WAS FOUNDED IN 1961 IN A ROLLER RINK IN GARDEN GROVE BEFORE FINDING ITS SANCTUARY HOME ON LEWIS STREET, WAS SHUTTERED IN 2013 AS PART OF THE DIOCESE’S PURCHASE OF THE 34-ACRE CAMPUS. PHOTO COURTESY BY THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
A GROUNDBREAKING FOR ST. CALLISTUS CHAPEL AND CRYPTS WAS HELD ON JULY 5, 2023. BISHOP VANN BLESSED THE SPACE AND CALLED THE GROUNDBREAKING THE “MO MENTOUS AND LAST STEP” IN THE COMPLE TION OF THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL. PICTURED (LEFT TO RIGHT) ARE STEVE PELLEGRINI, FR. CHRISTOPHER SMITH, FR. BAO THAI, FR. CHRISTOPHER PHAM, BISHOP KEVIN VANN, FR. TUYEN NGUYEN, FR. ANGELOS SEBASTIAN AND BISHOP TIMOTHY FREYER.
PHOTO BY IAN TRAN
STARTING THE PROJECT
After a public announcement about the St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts project launched in early 2023, by that summer, a groundbreaking ceremony was held.
On July 5, with anticipation and interest growing every day in seeing the beautiful new worship space come to fruition, supporters gathered both inside the empty chapel space and upstairs on the Christ Cathedral floor to watch the event, which was also livestreamed.
Bishop Vann blessed the space and called the groundbreaking the “momentous and last step” in the completion of the Christ Cathedral.
A reading at the ceremony was from Isaiah 28:16: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.”
The Gospel was from Luke 6:46: “Those who act on Jesus’ words are like a man who builds a house on a rock foundation. When a flood comes, the house is well-built and can withstand the torrent.”
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Just like the Christ Cathedral, the St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts has its own organ.
In August, two men practicing a centuries-old craft were calling out names like Frank, Charlie and George in an empty St. Callistus chapel. Only these weren’t people being sought by name; they were notes. F for Frank. C for Charlie. G for George.
For Jack Bethards and Timothy Fink of Schoenstein & Co. Organ Builders, it’s easier — and clearer — to say the names rather than just single letters. And for this duo, absolute precision — meticulous, note-by-note perfection — is of the utmost importance. That summer morning, under the cathedral, they were many hours deep in the tonal finishing process for the chapel’s newly refurbished pipe organ.
Tonal finishing involves careful listening and adjustment for how each tone is being delivered. Are they too loud or soft? Muddy or clear? Delayed or prompt?
“We have to match the organ to this space,” Bethards said. “Although we get it roughed out in the factory, we have to polish it up here in the church.”
Bethards was sitting at the two-manual console. Fink was across the chapel, standing inside the cabinet-like box where the organ’s sound is produced. Outside the box are decorative pipes, giving worshippers an idea that the organ is there, but only from inside does the sound originate.
“It’s amazing how much detail work is involved in this,” Bethards said. “Some notes are perfect, but not very many. Most you have to massage into being correct for the particular building.”
Bethards is owner, chairman and tonal advisor of Benicia, Calif.-based Schoenstein, which was founded in 1877 and owned by Bethards since 1977. Fink serves as the head voicer and technical director.
Schoenstein has pipe organs all
over the United States, including the massive instrument at the Conference Center for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City. The company also recently completed the organ for St. Michael’s Abbey in Silverado.
St. Callistus’ 405-pipe organ is boutique compared to the 17,000 pipes of the thunderous Hazel Wright Organ above on the cathedral’s main floor. But boutique is what the chapel needs. The organ’s eight ranks, which are like eight groups of instruments, perfectly accommodate the needs of the roughly 11,000-square-foot space.
“The organ is really an orchestra played by keyboards,” Bethards said. “This room is a perfect size for an eight-piece orchestra.”
The organ was originally built for a private home for a Southern California couple who later moved with it to New York state. Christ Cathedral was able to purchase it and bring it back to its home state — a “perfect homecoming,” said David Ball, the cathedral’s principal organist and head of music ministry.
Later, as the tonal finishing pressed on, Bethards called out: “Can you soften George sharp a little bit?”
Fink then grabbed the pipe and made tiny adjustments, which, depending on the scenario, could be tasks like tapping a hammer and cutting away metal. This time, he adjusted the pipe so less air came rushing through.
“Is there any more? It’s a little unsteady now,” Bethards replied. The
note was coming out without pop, and with an ooze-like quality. Bethards noted that organists need to have each note responding the same. Otherwise, it’s very difficult to play a beautiful phrase with musicality.
The organ’s pipes range from as small as three quarters of an inch to 16 feet long. The smaller the pipe, the higher the pitch. The pipes are made of zinc, wood, and lead and tin, each of which will produce a different tone quality.
One special quality of this organ is the crystal draw knobs on the console — a nod to Christ Cathedral’s former identity as the Crystal Cathedral. Above each draw knob is the name of the stop in intricate lettering that was hand-drawn by a San Francisco-based calligrapher.
The St. Callistus organ is the campus’ fourth: Hazel Wright in the cathedral, the Frederick Swann organ in the Arboretum and Bob Tall Rodgers organ in the Chapel in the Sky.
“This wonderful Schoenstein instrument will enhance and serve both liturgical and cultural events that take place in our newest worship space,” said Ball. “I first experienced the exceptional work of Schoenstein during my time at the Juilliard School, where I spent many hours practicing on the school’s own Schoenstein instrument. Even for a simple practice room organ, Jack Bethards and his team delivered a work of art — from the console’s first-rate craftsmanship to the beautiful woodwork of the façade and the warm, subtle tones of the pipework.
“Schoenstein certainly delivered
CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
IN THE LEGACY CHAPEL IS A MAJOR ECUMENICAL TRIBUTE TO THE CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL AND ITS FOUNDERS DR. ROBERT AND ARVELLA SCHULLER. NEXT TO THEM IS THE VENERABLE ARCHBISHOP FULTON SHEEN WHO
ONE SPECIAL QUALITY OF CHAPEL’S ORGAN IS THE CRYSTAL DRAW KNOBS ON THE CONSOLE, WHICH IS A NOD TO CHRIST CATHEDRAL’S FORMER IDENTITY AS THE CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL.
PHOTO BY EVERETT JOHNSON
PREACHED ON THIS CAMPUS FOR THE SCHULLERS’ “HOUR OF POWER” BROADCAST IN THE 1970S. PHOTO BY EVERETT JOHNSON
again that same quality in the St. Callistus chapel installation. The craftsmanship is apparent in the beautiful console, the architect-designed pipe chamber and the pipework’s strong, mellow tones that are perfectly voiced, pipe by pipe, for our intimate sanctuary.”
SOME CHAPEL HIGHLIGHTS
Before visitors enter the wooden doors of the St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts — doors that can automatically open with sensors — they likely will notice a plaque embedded in a nearby marble wall that is another nod to the shuttered church.
The names of Pope John Paul II, Bishop Tod Brown and the Rev. Rudolph Preciado are on the plaque dated Oct. 15, 2000, when the main sanctuary of St. Callistus Church was dedicated after years of Masses being held in an assembly hall.
The ceiling inside the chapel contains 24 sets of wooden quatrefoils, a nod to the year 2024 when the chapel is being dedicated. Their inclusion in the chapel mimics the quatrefoils upstairs in Christ Cathedral. The ceiling also contains red and blue pinstriping — colors representing Jesus’ divinity and humanity.
The reliquary will have a relic from Pope St. Callistus I that was originally at St. Callistus parish in Garden Grove after being brought to the United States from Rome.
Msgr. Holquin donated from his personal sacred art collection the crucifix that hangs above the altar.
He acquired it in Assisi, Italy, about 13 years ago. It is hand-painted on wood in the style of the medieval artist Giovanni Cimabue.
The new worship space has two devotional chapels.
The Universal Call to Holiness Chapel contains artwork of saints, lay people, religious and children, while the Legacy Chapel honors in a hand-painted mural key figures in the history of the Diocese leading up to Christ Cathedral, including Crystal Cathedral founder Schuller and his wife, Arvella.
Next to the Schullers is the Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, who preached on the campus for the Schullers’ “Hour of Power” broadcast in the 1970s. Archbishop Sheen was a major inspiration not only to Catholics, but to Protestants like Dr. Schuller, an ordained minister of the Reformed Church in America.
A SENSE OF GRATITUDE
Bishop Vann said he feels a great deal of satisfaction that Christ Cathedral’s transformation is completed. The transition started 12 years ago; around the same time, he was installed as bishop of Orange.
He noted that the Byzantine-style art in the St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts also is a nod to the heritage of Eastern Orthodox churches.
“We have so many Eastern churches here in the Diocese and so many great relationships with the Eastern churches, and that style of art is theirs as well,” he noted.
Bishop Vann loves Byzantine art.
“It gives a great sense of history
and faith,” he said. “I believe that folks will be very pleasantly surprised when they see how classical, how Byzantine this is.”
Bishop Vann noted that the modernity of the cathedral above complements the classic, Romano-Byzantine style of the chapel below. Both feature design work by Johnson Fain, a Los Angeles-based architectural firm.
Msgr. Holquin agreed.
“They did an exquisite job with the architecture,” he said. “I’m very
pleased.”
What does Bishop Vann hope people will feel when entering St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts?
“I hope they feel a sense of gratitude,” he said. “I hope they have a sense of art — the history of art. Art reflects worship. I hope they can understand all that heritage that we have here.” C
Editor’s note: Bradley Zint also contributed to this story.
THE RELIQUARY WILL CONTAIN THIS RELIC OF POPE ST. CALLISTUS I THAT WAS ORIGINALLY AT ST. CALLISTUS PARISH IN GARDEN GROVE AFTER BEING BROUGHT TO THE UNITED STATES FROM ROME SEVERAL YEARS AGO. PHOTO BY DREW KELLEY
Warmest Congratulations to Bishop Kevin W. Vann and the Diocese of Orange from Gabriel Ferrucci and his family for the completion of the beautiful St. Callistus Chapel being the final phase of Christ Cathedral Campus development.
May God bless you abundantly, Bishop, for this sign ificant accomplishment and for your continuing dedication to shepherd God' s people in our diocese.
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CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS TIMELINE
BY BRADLEY ZINT
IN 2012, the Catholic community of Orange County — and, by extension, Southern California — changed forever when the sale of Dr. Robert Schuller’s Crystal Cathedral was finalized to the Diocese of Orange. In what were assuredly unusual circumstances, what had been a Protestant megachurch changed ownership to the Catholic Church.
Then, in 2019, what had been the Crystal Cathedral was dedicated as Christ Cathedral, spiritual home of the Bishop of Orange. While the instantly recognizable glass panes of the cathedral stayed largely the same, inside the iconic Philip Johnson building were substantial changes needed
2012
On Feb. 3, the sale of the Crystal Cathedral campus was finalized to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange. Despite not being the highest bidder, the Diocese prevailed in court for the $57.5-million sale, thanks to the wishes of Dr. Robert Schuller. He wished for his life’s work of art and architecture to remain a church — not a university campus or new housing, as some bidders were gearing to do.
“It is time for all believers not to focus on differences, but on respect and appreciation for our common goals,” Dr. Schuller said at the time of the sale. “Today is not an ending; rather, it is a divine continuance of a beautiful, sacred campus that was dedicated to the greater glory of God.”
Under Catholic stewardship, Dr. Schuller envisioned the campus remaining a place “for Christ forever.” The phrase became the motto of the Diocese’s capital campaign to acquire the funds to buy and extensively renovate the 34-acre campus in Garden Grove.
to accommodate Catholic worship needs. But the renovations were not limited to just the cathedral.
For the past decade-plus, the Catholic church has improved and altered various parts of the 34-acre campus. As the Crystal Cathedral of yesteryear and the Christ Cathedral of today, the campus was, and remains, an impressive collection of art and architecture unparalleled in most parts of the world.
We invite you to remember, or perhaps learn anew, the major developments and moments of the Christ Cathedral campus from 2012 through today, a place that welcomes an estimated 1 million visitors and worshipers annually.
Thanks to the generosity, kindness and contributions of many faith-filled believers, Christ Cathedral remains a place for Christ forever.
Bishop Tod D. Brown, who led the Diocese from 1998 to 2012, retires. Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann, having led the Diocese of Fort Worth for over seven years, was installed fourth Bishop of Orange on Dec. 10. He began his tenure with the years-long project of transforming the Crystal Cathedral to Christ Cathedral.
The campuswide renovation began this year with Richard Neutra’s historic Arboretum and Tower of Hope. The two 1960s-era, mid-century modern buildings received seismic upgrades and other updates. For the Arboretum, the job also included new energy efficiencies but required an extensive, top-to-bottom restoration. The endeavor was completed in just six months and was recognized by the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California with an award.
2013
As part of the Crystal Cathedral sale to the Diocese, the CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
THE CREAN TOWER, PICTURED, WAS ONE OF MANY ARCHITECTURAL MARVELS THAT CAME WITH THE CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL PURCHASE BY THE DIOCESE IN 2012. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Crystal Cathedral congregation needed a new place to worship. So, it was decided that they could temporarily use St. Callistus parish, located just down the road, until they could find a permanent space. This meant, though, that the St. Callistus faithful would have to relocate too, and in doing so they became the initial congregation of the Christ Cathedral campus. On June 29, the St. Callistus move began with a ceremonial procession up Lewis Street and the first Mass ever celebrated on campus.
SCAFFOLDING WENT UP IN THE CATHEDRAL IN JULY 2017. IT CONSISTED OF 11 MILLION PARTS, WEIGHED APPROXIMATELY 1 MILLION POUNDS AND PEAKED AT 120 FEET HIGH. PHOTO BY IAN CABRERA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16
Though the parish was founded in 1961, St. Callistus’ main church building was only about 10 years old before its faithful left it for the cathedral campus. Bishop Kevin Vann promised to always remember the St. Callistus people’s resilience, patience and trust, so he announced that he would name the to-be-constructed cathedral undercroft chapel after them.
2014
Among the many gifts of the Crystal Cathedral was its impressive array of instruments, the most glorious of which has long been the Hazel Wright Organ. This instrument of more than 17,000 pipes was in a state of disrepair, however, when the diocese purchased the campus.
To get it playing fully again, a complete pipe-by-pipe restoration of the iconic instrument began this year, with many of its major parts shipped to Italy for refurbishment. The $3-million job of restoring Hazel — which was named after Hazel Wright, a Chicago philanthropist who donated the money to get it built — was a major priority of Bishop
Kevin Vann, an organist himself.
2015
Dr. Robert Schuller dies on April 2 at age 88. His memorial services were held at Christ Cathedral and, alongside his wife Arvella (who died in 2014), he was buried at the Cathedral Memorial Gardens cemetery. The cemetery remains an ecumenical space on campus, available to both Catholics and non-Catholics.
2016
On Sept. 18, in what was among the first of many large-scale events on campus, thousands descend to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Diocese of Orange, founded in 1976. The event highlighted the Diocese’s tremendous growth of 1.3 million Catholics. The day included a 5K, fun run, outdoor Mass and live music.
— Per the dream of Bishop Dominic Mai Thanh Lương, plans to build a shrine on campus to Our Lady of La Vang was announced on Dec. 7. The shrine promises to be significant to the Vietnamese Catholic
faithful, but also to many other nationalities in the diverse Diocese of Orange. The shrine was envisioned as the central draw of the Marian Court, one of four new themed courts surrounding Christ Cathedral. It would feature a giant statue of Our Lady of La Vang, a Marian apparition said to occur in Vietnam in 1798.
2017
The architectural firm Johnson Fain was retained this year to transform Christ Cathedral into a place of Catholic worship. RIOS (formerly known as Rios Clementi Hale Studios) was also hired to work on other elements of the expansive campus. The job began with seismic retrofitting and installing air conditioning in the cathedral, as well as other improvements.
Resembling a giant Erector Set, scaffolding went up in the cathedral in July.
Altogether, it consisted of 11 million parts and weighed approximately 1 million pounds. Peaking at 120 feet high, it was said to be the second-largest scaffolding installation next to what was needed to renovate the Statue of Liberty.
2018
On June 29, the feasts of Sts. Peter and Paul, Bishop Kevin Vann declares this year a “Holy Year of Preparation” in advance of the dedication of Christ Cathedral in summer 2019.
Then, on Oct. 13, the milestone of completing the new quatrefoils (which number to more than 11,000) was celebrated. These specially made devices make the cathedral aesthetically beautiful, but also help with keeping the building cooler, improving the acoustics of the organ,
CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
ON JUNE 29, 2013, BISHOP KEVIN VANN CELEBRATED THE FIRST MASS EVER ON CAMPUS IN FRONT OF THE CATHEDRAL CULTURAL CENTER. PHOTO BY PATRICK T. FALLON
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17
and holding lights. Notably, attendees were awed by the timely appearance of a rainbow during the celebration.
2019
Christ Cathedral became the new seat of the Bishop of the Diocese of Orange at its Solemn Mass of Dedication on July 17. The dedication was attended by 2,100 people, including cardinals, bishops, deacons and priests from all over the world.
The four-hour Mass included sprinkling holy water in the cathedral, the anointing of the altar and church walls with holy oil, the interring of the holy relics in the reliquary beneath the altar, a first-ever
joint homily delivered by Bishop Kevin Vann and Fr. Christopher Smith, and the celebration of the first Eucharist in the cathedral.
2021
The Our Lady of La Vang Shrine was dedicated on July 17 to an estimated crowd of 8,000 people. The celebratory day coincided with the two-year anniversary of Christ Cathedral’s dedication as a Catholic cathedral.
The shrine depicts the Virgin Mary as she is believed to have appeared before a group of persecuted Vietnamese Catholics in 1798. The statue of Italian marble is an impressive 18 feet tall and includes
an altar and cloud. Since its dedication, the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine has become a multicultural destination, serving as the focal point of large Masses and other events in multiple languages.
After an extensive $18.5-million expansion, the Cathedral Memorial Gardens cemetery at Christ Cathedral was blessed by Bishop Kevin Vann and other Diocese leaders on Nov. 2. The expansion took two years to complete and included a new office, more burial grounds, and thousands of additional glass and marble niches.
The project roughly doubled the size of the cemetery, which dates to 1991 when the campus was the Crystal Cathedral. The highlight of the project was its new mausoleum, called the Sanctuary of Eternal Life, and its elaborate art glass depicting Jesus Christ rising.
2022
choir and biblical readings. From Rome, Pope Francis also sent a special apostolic blessing and the papal organist, Josep Solé Coll, gave a special performance.
After nearly 10 years of planning, delays and meticulous work, the process of restoring the Hazel Wright Organ (affectionately nicknamed “Hazel”) was finally completed. The renovation included re-voicing Hazel’s 17,000plus pipes and sending most of them back to Italy for refurbishment.
Bishop Kevin Vann blessed Hazel on June 10 during a special ceremony that featured the organ, a 100-person
A special dedication concert with organist Hector Olivera took place on Sept. 30, kicking off the “Year of Hazel” — the cathedral’s 2022-23 concert season that highlighted the full capabilities of the organ.
Today, Hazel is in regular use for Masses, celebrations, recordings and special concerts.
— The Christ Cathedral campus hosted the inaugural Marian Days celebration on July
CONTINUED ON PAGE 19
THE OUR LADY OF LA VANG SHRINE WAS DEDICATED ON JULY 17, 2021, WHICH COINCIDED WITH THE TWO-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF CHRIST CATHEDRAL’S DEDICATION.
PHOTO BY IAN TRAN
CHRIST CATHEDRAL BECAME THE NEW SEAT OF THE BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE AT ITS SOLEMN MASS OF DEDICATION ON JULY 17, 2019. PHOTO BY SEAN HILLER
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
1 and 2, a festival-like event honoring the Virgin Mary that attracted more than 13,000 people over two days. The festivities were modeled after an annual Vietnamese Catholic celebration that has taken place in Missouri since 1978.
Marian Days featured Masses with the bishops, workshops, food, vendor booths, live entertainment and a procession that brought thousands onto the streets around the cathedral. The theme was “With Mary, Giving Thanks to God.”
2023
The Diocese of Orange hosted the I AM Diocesan Eucharistic Congress on Oct. 20 and 21, an event that brought 6,000 parishioners from throughout our Diocese to the Christ Cathedral campus for fellowship, worship, prayer speakers and more. The congress was part of the National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year grassroots revival of devotion and belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
I AM also included youth activities, live music, a procession from Holy Family parish in Orange, and processions around the campus. Events were presented in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, reflecting the diverse Catholic cultural communities of Orange County.
“There’s no greater gift that we could ever have been given than the gift of salvation that comes from the Eucharist,” said Bishop Timothy Freyer during the opening Mass.
2024
More than 1,000 celebrated Mass and the opening of the Marian Gardens and Garden of Gethsemane on May 29. The day featured a blessing with Bishop Kevin Vann as well as live entertainment and a donor dinner.
The approximately 3,500-square-foot Marian Gardens, located behind the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine, are a walkthrough experience focusing on the Mysteries of the Rosary. The spaces allow for peaceful reflection, prayer and small groups. The gardens also feature an Our
Lady Queen of Heaven statue and handcrafted artwork from the Peruvian Andes, as well as other symbolic touches that are meaningful to the Catholic faith. The Garden of Gethsemane, like the one in Israel, features mature olive trees.
On Oct. 14, the Diocese of Orange completed its renovation and transformation of the cathedral campus with the opening of the St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts. The chapel was designed in a classic Romano-Byzantine style. It features a refurbished pipe organ, devotional side chapels, artwork from Spain and an elaborate tabernacle. The crypts portion of the roughly 11,000-squarefoot chapel has resting places for 40 bishops and about 1,000 additional niches for all the faithful. C
BISHOP KEVIN VANN PLAYS THE HAZEL WRIGHT ORGAN BEFORE BLESSING IT DURING A SPECIAL CONCERT ON JUNE 10, 2022. PHOTO BY STEVEN GEORGES
THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE HOSTED THE I AM DIOCESAN EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS ON OCT. 20 AND 21, 2023, BRINGING 6,000 OF THE FAITHFUL FROM THROUGHOUT OUR DIOCESE TO THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS. PHOTO BY KAYLEE TOOLE
St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts
QUICK FACTS
•The St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts was designed in an ancient Romano-Byzantine style with festal colors, contrasting with the neutral palette and contemporary aesthetics of Christ Cathedral above.
•The chapel and crypts are approximately 11,000 square feet.
•St. Callistus was designed by Johnson Fain, a Los Angeles-based architectural firm that also worked on Christ Cathedral. Driver SPG was the general contractor.
• As per Bishop Kevin Vann’s promise, the chapel was named in honor of St. Callistus parish in Garden Grove, which was founded in 1961 but closed in 2013 as part of the Crystal Cathedral sale to the Diocese of Orange. St. Callistus’ congregation was the initial parishioners of the Christ Cathedral campus.
•The sacred art was made by Talleres de Arte Granda, which is based in Madrid, Spain.
LEGACY CHAPEL
The oval-shaped Legacy Chapel contains hand-painted art depicting historic moments and people in the Diocese of Orange, including its first four bishops: Bishop William Johnson and Bishop Norman McFarland (in front of Holy Family Cathedral, the Diocese’s cathedral from 1976 to 2019); and Bishop Tod Brown and Bishop Kevin Vann (in front of Christ Cathedral) Also in the chapel are Juaneños alongside St. Junípero Serra (founder of Mission San Juan Capistrano); Pope St. Paul VI (the reigning pontiff when the Diocese of Orange was established on June 18, 1976); St. Juan Diego with Our Lady of Guadalupe (the patroness saint of the Diocese) on his tilma; a guardian angel holding the Diocese of Orange crest; and Mother Bernard Gosselin, founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange.
•The chapel will add more worship space to the cathedral campus for Masses, weddings, funerals and other gatherings. It has livestreaming capabilities as well as screens to display multimedia.
•The St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts marks the completion of Christ Cathedral’s transformation from the Crystal Cathedral, a Protestant megachurch, to a major center of Catholic worship for the entire West Coast.
SCHULLER CONNECTIONS
In the Legacy Chapel is a major ecumenical tribute to the Crystal and its founders Dr Robert and Arvella Schuller Next to them able Archbishop Fulton Sheen who preached on this campus for the Schullers’ “Hour of Power” broadcast in the 1970s. Archbishop Sheen was a major inspiration not only to Catholics, but to Protestants Schuller, an ordained minister of the Reformed Church in America.
COLUMBARIA
On either side of the crypts are two columbaria. These have niches for approximately 1,000 of the faithful and are available for purchase. They were designed in a similar style to the niches in the Sanctuary of Eternal Life at the cathedral’s Memorial Gardens cemetery.
BISHOPS’ CRYPTS
Catholic cathedrals around the world are the final resting places for their bishops, and the St. Callistus chapel will now serve that purpose for the Diocese of Orange. There are 40 wall crypts to contain future generations of Orange’s deceased bishops.
CRYPTS MOSAIC
The mosaic in the crypts depicts Jesus as the good shepherd, defending His sheep from a wolf. He wears red and blue, symbolic of His divinity (red) and humanity (blue)
ORGAN
St. Callistus’ pipe organ was made by Schoenstein & Co., a Benicia, California-based organ builder. The instrument was originally in a private home before it was repurposed for the chapel. It has eight ranks and 405 pipes. All its sounds come from within the cabinet-like structure in the corner of the chapel. The pipes outside the box are decorative.
ORGAN CONSOLE
The two-manual console for St. Callistus’ pipe organ has crystal draw knobs — a nod to the building’s former identity as Crystal Cathedral. Above the knobs are the names of the stops in ornate lettering, which was hand-drawn by a San Francisco calligrapher.
BACK GLASS PANELS
The etched glass panels in the rear of the chapel depict the Seven Sacraments and were originally used in St. Callistus church, functioning as the interior windows of the church’s Blessed Sacrament Chapel. There are 10 panels total, four of which can be displayed at once.
UNIVERSAL CALL TO HOLINESS CHAPEL
This chapel contains artwork of lay people, religious and children. Its octagon shape is symbolic: seven days for creation and the eighth day for new creation, which are the current times.
ENTRANCE STATUES
VESTIBULE PLAQUE
See pages 22 and 23 for more information on the different elements of the altar area, including the altar, reliquary, altar mosaic and tabernacle.
The chapel’s vestibule contains the cornerstone dedication plaque from October 2000 that was originally at St. Callistus parish in Garden Grove.
The wooden statues of St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus (who has a globe in His hand) were hand-carved in the Beuronese style, which comes from Benedictine monks in Beuron, Germany, in the mid-19th century who were inspired by Egyptian art. Notably, St. Joseph holds a tiny carving of his family home.
PEWS
The pews were made by the Marshall Company, the same Idaho-based firm that built Christ Cathedral’s pews and those for the Crystal Cathedral. The chapel can hold approximately 220 people.
CEILING
The ceiling contains 24 sets of quatrefoils, a nod to the year 2024 when the chapel is being dedicated. The wooden quatrefoils have embedded LEDs and were made by Taber, a millwork company in Irvine. Their inclusion in the chapel mimics the quatrefoils upstairs in Christ Cathedral. The ceiling also contains red and blue pinstriping — colors representing Jesus’ divinity and humanity.
CRUCIFIX
crucifix was handmade in Assisi, Italy, from the personal sacred art collection of ur Holquin, who gifted it to the chapel. hand-painted on wood in the style of the al artist Giovanni Cimabue (c. 1240 to 1302). Its brilliant lapis lazuli color that frames the crucified Lord mirrors the blue pillars supporting the altar. On the back is John 3:16 in Latin: “Sic enim dilexit Deus mundum” (For God so loved the world)
ALTAR
The square-shaped altar contains five crosses symbolic of the five wounds of Christ during His Crucifixion. It is made of the same Italian marble as the altar on the main floor of Christ Cathedral.
ALTAR PEDESTAL
RELIQUARY
St. Callistus chapel’s reliquary, which is behind a golden door on the back of the altar pedestal, contains relics from saints.
The front-facing side of the altar’s four-sided pedestal base contains the Chi Rho, a Christogram symbol for Jesus used since early Christianity. The right side has the fish and anchor, a symbol of hope. The left side has rectangles reminiscent of the chapel’s design. The rear side, facing the mosaic, has a golden door that opens up to where the reliquary is stored. All four sides also contain a scalloped shell, the symbol of baptism.
TABERNACLE PEDESTAL
Fronting the tabernacle pedestal is a relief of angel wings, stars and connecting circles, a rendition adapted from ancient Byzantine representations. These represent the angelic choir of thrones upon which God sits, as described in the vision of Ezekiel 1:16-19.
ALTAR MOSAIC
The left side of the mosaic behind the altar contains Pope St. Callistus I, who reigned circa 218 to 222. To the right is a guardian angel holding people who are symbolic of the Callistus parishioners. There are also orange trees a nod to Orange County’s historic groves as well as marigolds (considered signs of hope) and Easter lilies (symbolic of life). In addition, the gold pattern on the mosaic background changes just behind the tabernacle to adopt the shape of an eight-pointed star halo. This is traditionally used in Byzantine iconography for the Trinity, with the eighth point representing the Resurrection that occurred after the Sabbath (the eighth day).
TABERNACLE
The design of the tabernacle is inspired by 12-century masterpieces of medieval goldsmithing. It is similar to one built circa 1180 in Cologne, Germany, that’s currently on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It also has design inspiration from items in the German cathedrals of Aachen and Brunswick.
The tabernacle resembles the old basilica over the dome of the Church of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. It is made of gold-plated brass, copper and vitreous (porcelain) enamel, all held together by more than 800 tiny nuts and screws.
The walls, columns and roof are decorated with fire enamel panels, alternating between floral and geometric motifs. These represent the complexity and order of God’s creation of the cosmos. The tabernacle’s dome contains small figures of Christ with the Apostles. Each holds a scroll with dialogue from Matthew 16:15 - 23. The tabernacle is held up on the backs of two turtles and two tortoises, which symbolize eternity.
The three visible facades of the tabernacle contain cast ivory reliefs depicting central episodes of the story of salvation. Each relief has two prophets holding scrolls that foretell an aspect of the episode. On the front is Jesus’ Crucifixion on the cross, also with the Virgin Mary and St. John On the sides are the prophets Daniel (9:26) and Zechariah (12:10)
The left-side relief features the Incarnation with the Holy Family, flanked by the prophets Micah (5:2) and Isaiah (7:14). On the right side is a scene of the Resurrection, with the Three Holy Women approaching the empty tomb where an angel tells them that “He is not here.” Above, Roman soldiers sleep. On the sides are the prophets Hosea (13:14) and Ezekiel (37:27)
The rear façade, facing the mosaic out of public view, has a small commemorative plate, engraved with the motto of Fr. Felix Granda (founder of Granda): Instaurare omnia in Christo (To restore all things in Christ). It also has a prayer inscription in Latin that loosely translates as: “Oh, Lord our Maker, Redeemer and Vivifier, may the work of the hands, minds and hearts of these thy servants proclaim your glory to the future generations.”
Inside the tabernacle is a polygonal plane with a starry dome, resembling the original edicule built by St. Helena over the Church of Holy Sepulchre. On each side is a relief angel representing the nine angelic choirs, and beneath is the inscription of angelic trisagion. On the center of the dome, the Holy Spirit descends The inner side of the door features the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) surrounded by the Evangelists.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange
AN ABUNDANCE OF ALL THINGS
BY VERY REV BAO THAI, RECTOR, AND VERY REV CHRISTOPHER SMITH, RECTOR EMERITUS
WHEN CHURCH BUILDINGS are talked about, often someone is quick to note that while the church building is important, after all, what makes a church a Church is the people. The community of people united in their one faith in Jesus Christ is what the Church is all about. While this is certainly true, the physical space where the people gather to be that Church is a significant factor in their life together.
As the two priests who at this point have ever served as rectors of Christ Cathedral, we know how important both aspects of being Church are. Over 50 years ago, when St. Callistus parish was formed, carved out of the geographic boundaries of surrounding parishes, there were no doubt oceans of emotion. Certainly, sadness over no longer being a part of the parish out of which the new parish was born and excitement over the prospect of forming a new community of faith. In all of it, the home of the buildings one is familiar with and the households of the community of people who live their faith together is a powerful experience.
What is now Christ Cathedral parish continues to be built upon the firm foundation of the original St. Callistus parish out of which Christ Cathedral was born. Entrusted with the pastoral leadership of Christ Cathedral parish, we have experienced the breathtaking reality of being part
of a story of biblical proportions. In Scripture, when God called persons and communities to something new, it usually involved a change in name and in location. Abram became Abraham moving from his familiar home of Ur of the Chaldees to become the father of all those believing in one God. The fisherman Cephas became Peter, the rock upon whom Jesus would build his Church. The Jewish zealot Saul was literally knocked off his horse to become Paul, the greatest apostle the Church has ever known.
In a modern-day story of transformation, the parish of St. Callistus would be asked to move to a whole new campus, leaving their familiar church and campus behind. They would be given a new name, Christ Cathedral parish, unique now among all parishes as the mother church of the Diocese of Orange. There are few priests who are privileged to offer leadership and accompaniment to a community undergoing such a significant transformation. Through this journey, we have been transformed.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
On July 17, 2019, Christ Cathedral was dedicated. The dedication celebrated the profound faith of a people, building on the legacy of Dr. Robert Schuller and the Crystal Cathedral, determined to follow the Holy Spirit in fashioning a new cathedral community and a renovated cathedral church. From the very beginning, it was determined that the parish once known as St. Callistus would be forever honored by the presence of a chapel in the undercroft of the cathedral to be known as the St. Callistus Chapel. Through the presence of this chapel, St. Callistus would always be included as part of Christ Cathedral.
The St. Callistus Chapel echoes centuries of custom that cathedrals include an additional worship space, usually in the undercroft of the cathedral. These chapels provide devotional areas as well as accommodate smaller celebrations such as daily Mass, weddings and funerals. Another ancient custom is the provision of crypts as the final resting place for bishops beneath the main altar of the cathedral. In line with this hallowed practice, adjacent to the St. Callistus Chapel, are crypts where bishops of the Diocese will be interred for generations to come. This area also features columbaria available to the faithful as their final resting place.
The chapel and crypts are now ready to be dedicated and will officially be known as the St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts. The dedication is Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, the feast of Pope St. Callistus I. This event is taking place during the fifth anniversary year of the dedication of Christ Cathedral and marks the completion of Christ Cathedral.
When the Diocese of Orange acquired what is now the Christ Cathedral campus in 2012, who could have ever known how it would blossom into the beautiful, vibrant, faith filled place it is? In a way, though, we did know, because the thousands of people involved in this transformation trusted in the presence of the Holy Spirit with us.
In the third century, Pope St. Callistus I wrote, “In the Lord’s hand, there is an abundance of all things…” How magnificent these 18 centuries later, that a chapel bearing his name is part of the abundance which is Christ Cathedral in the Diocese of Orange! By the grace of God and the steadfast faith of God’s people, Christ Cathedral, now including the St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts will continue to be a place for Christ forever. C
THE OUTGOING RECTOR OF CHRIST CATHEDRAL, FR. CHRISTOPHER SMITH, RIGHT, SHARES A HUG AND WELL WISHES TO FR. BAO THAI AFTER FR. BAO WAS ANNOUNCED TO BE THE NEW RECTOR OF THE CATHEDRAL IN 2022. PHOTO BY MARK RIGHTMIRE
MEMORIES OF ST. CALLISTUS PARISH
HONORING THE PAST…
What is your best memory from the early years of St. Callistus parish?
“My time as pastor at St. Callistus parish was filled with cherished memories of a vibrant, multilingual community where we established Christian Services, the Council of Knights of Columbus and various community-based ministries and events. It truly became my home away from home. I began my journey as pastor there in 2003, and it was heartbreaking to close the doors in 2013. Throughout the process, I prayed deeply, but the question of ‘Why St. Callistus parish? Why us?’ continued to linger. However, with the dedication of St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts, I feel a sense of healing and closure. Knowing that the legacy and memories of St. Callistus parish will live on brings me comfort. This is a momentous occasion, and I am deeply grateful to Bishop Kevin Vann for providing a place where we can pray and feel ‘at home’ in the presence of St. Callistus.”
Fr. Tuyen Nguyen, former pastor of St. Callistus
“My parents started with St. Callistus back when Mass was celebrated at the roller rink. My two sisters were quite a bit younger; we were trying to keep their attention on Mass but there were all these Disney characters on the walls. Just knowing at the time that we were going to be starting our own church, one that was all ours, was a memorable moment for me.”
- Karen Rote
“Seeing my family grow up at St. Callistus, my kids going to school there and the fact that my son’s was the last wedding celebrated there.”
- Kevin Gleason
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE … How do you feel about the Chapel being built?
“It’s nice to have St. Callistus again.”
- Jojo Penning
“It’s beautiful and perfect. The best part is that it’s continuing the legacy of the St. Callistus parish.”
- Nanette Abritia
“I am very thankful that St. Callistus will be remembered here at Christ Cathedral. We will not be erased. St. Callistus will be remembered for as long as Christ Cathedral stands here in Garden Grove. Thank you for this opportunity. Thank you for all the priests from St. Callistus and all the beautiful people who attended there. And especially for the beautiful, spiritual experiences, all the Masses we attended, all the beautiful sermons, all the priests we interacted with and the community.”
- Maria del Carmen Rivas Rozatti
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Christ Cathedral invites all to see and venerate the relic of Pope St. Callistus I on Oct.14, the Feast Day of St. Callistus. Veneration hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside the cathedral. After veneration, the relic will be placed in the reliquary inside the new St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts. C
PHOTO BY DREW KELLEY
One Family, Four Generations, One
Location, For Nearly a Century
All of us at Hilgenfeld Mortuary send our most sincere congratulations to the Diocese of Orange on the Dedication and Blessing of Christ Cathedral's St Callistus Chapel and Crypts. May it serve as a revered place of worship for Orange County's parishioners for generations to come.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange and OLLV Foundation on the opening and dedication of the St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts. The beauty of this sacred space is a testament to the hard work, faith, and dedication of all involved. We pray that it serves as a place of peace, reflection, and reverence, and that God’s grace and presence fill the hearts and minds of all who enter for generations to come.
With joy and blessings from your friends at JSerra Catholic High School
On this joyous and momentous of Dedication and Blessing of the Christ Cathedral’s St Callistus Chapel and Crypts, Saint Barbara Parish and School invoke prayer and blessings upon Bishop Kevin Vann, and the Diocese of Orange
730 S. Euclid St., Santa Ana. CA 92704 • 714.775.7733
Our warmest greetings and congratulations to the faith community in the Diocese of Orange upon the blessing and dedication of the St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts.
Congratulations to Christ Cathedral on the Dedication of St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts. Let this place and every part of it be used to glorify your loving and divine presence.
St. Polycarp Parish
Sisters of St. Joseph oseph of Orange
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PIONEERING
Congratulations
We are joyful for the completion of the Saint Callistus Chapel & Crypts at Christ Cathedral! May Our Lady & all the Angels bless everyone who enters here.
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
(Psalm 91:11)
Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church Newport Beach, California
