OC CATHOLIC - DECEMBER 3, 2023

DECEMBER 3, 2023

SEASON OF GIVING

PAGE 4

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ORANGE ■ OCCATHOLIC.COM

“MISSION FOCUSED” DIOCESE OF ORANGE LAUNCHES SECOND STAGE OF ITS STRATEGIC PLAN PAGE 6 THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS, GARDEN GROVE. PHOTO BY RODOLFO BIANCHI/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

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DECEMBER 3, 2023

CONTENTS

6 MISSION FOCUSED

The Diocese of Orange launches the next stage of a strategic plan first introduced by Bishop Kevin Vann in 2018.

7

O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL

Sister Diane Heiss discusses preparing our hearts and homes for the prayerful season of Advent.

8 MATER DEI TAKES STATE

Coach Dan O’Dell reflects on the Lady Monarchs’ winning volleyball season.

ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC MISSION STATEMENT The Orange County Catholic Newspaper seeks to illuminate and animate the journey of faith for Catholics within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange – building solidarity among the faithful and inviting a deeper understanding and involvement in the mission of Christ – through the timely sharing of news, commentary and feature content in an engaging, accessible and compelling format.

ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC

The Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange Diocese of Orange Pastoral Center, 13280 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove 92840 Publisher: The Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of Orange Executive Editor: Monsignor Stephen Doktorczyk Editor: Patricia Mahoney, editor@occatholic.com News Ideas: editor@occatholic.com Delivery Problems: occatholicsupport@occatholic.com

ADVERTISING Director of Custom Content: Caroline Wong, cawong@scng.com

SCNG CUSTOM CONTENT Managing Editor: Caitlin Adams

Art Director: Ryann Beveridge

Delivered weekly to parishes and homes throughout Orange County, Calif., Orange County Catholic is published by SCNG Custom Content, a division of Southern California News Group that offers content development and design expertise to businesses and nonprofit institutions. The Orange County Catholic editorial staff and editorial council are responsible for the content contained herein. Events and products advertised in Orange County Catholic do not carry the implicit endorsement of the Diocese of Orange or SCNG Custom Content.

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OCCatholicNews

@OCCCatholicNews

DIOCESAN NEWS

THE SEASON OF GIVING CATHOLIC CHARITIES’ CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS PROGRAM

BY CATHERINE GRATTAN

Christ Cathedral campus.

With the help of volunATHOLIC CHARITIES OF Or- teers and Santa’s elves, ange County is gearing up for each family is verified to this year’s Christmas Blessings make sure every family Program. Each year, families in receives their personalneed across Orange County are matched ized gifts. In addition, any with benefactors who purchase personfamily unable to submit alized gifts and gift cards for hundreds of their application or not families. adopted by a benefactor Benefactors are provided with each is able to pick from an child’s wish list and the names of stores array of toys and gifts at the family shops at to ensure families the Cantlay Food Distrireceive gifts specific to their needs, bution Center at CCOC’s maximizing the program’s gift-giving Three Kings Day event in potential.

January.

Families who are matched with a Last year’s Christmas CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ORANGE COUNTY’S CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS PROGRAM MATCHES benefactor pick up their gifts in mid-De- Blessings Program was FAMILIES IN NEED WITH BENEFACTORS WHO PROVIDE THEM WITH GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS. cember at the Cultural Center on the CONTINUES ON PAGE 13 PHOTO COURTESY OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ORANGE COUNTY

C

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O C C A T H O L I C ■ D E C E M B E R 3 , 2 0 2 3

The Diocese of Orange, through OC Catholic newspaper, presents local, national and world news about the Catholic Church.

Our intention is to give our readers access to a variety of perspectives in order to help them to process the information within the framework of our Catholic faith, but also to better understand the perspectives of those with opposing viewpoints. We hope that ultimately our readers will be better equipped to have constructive conversations that further the growth of the Catholic Church.

DAILY READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

SACRED ART

“

May we not forget the many displaced persons and refugees who knock at our door in search of

”

some comfort.

— Pope Francis

SAINT PROFILE

FRANCIS XAVIER

1506-1552

K

NOWN AS THE APOSTLE to the Indies and to Japan, Francis was born in Spanish Navarre, the youngest in a large family. He studied at the University of Paris, where he met St. Ignatius of Loyola, and was among the first seven Jesuits who vowed to be spiritual soldiers for Christ. They were ordained as a group in 1537. For 11 years, from 1541 until his untimely death after only two weeks on the Chinese coast, Francis evangelized in the East Indies, Mozambique, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Japan. A missionary prone to seasickness who had trouble learning foreign languages, Francis is the patron saint of missionaries, Borneo, the East Indies, India, Pakistan, Japan and Outer Mongolia.

“I

BRING THE EUCHARIST TO a beautiful woman named Kay Ross Reul who currently resides in Huntington Beach. She has painted many amazing pictures. I am sharing an oil painting of her Blessed Mother and Child.”

—Submitted by Jody King (Sts. Simon and Jude parish) C

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

IS 2:1-5; PS 122:12, 3-4B, 4CD-5, 6-7, 8-9; MT 8:5-11

IS 11:1-10; PS 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; LK 10:21-24

IS 25:6-10A; PS 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6; MT 15:29-37

IS 26:1-6; PS 118:1 AND 8-9, 19-21, 25-27A; MT 7:21, 24-27

GN 3:9-15, 20; PS 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4; EPH 1:3-6, 11-12; LK 1:26-38

IS 30:19-21, 23-26; PS 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; MT 9:35–10:1, 5A, 6-8

IS 40:1-5, 9-11; PS 85:9-10-11-12, 13-14; 2 PT 3:8-14; MK 1:1-8

D E C E M B E R 3 , 2 0 2 3 ■ O C C A T H O L I C

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FEATURE

“MISSION FOCUSED” DIOCESE OF ORANGE LAUNCHES SECOND STAGE OF ITS STRATEGIC PLAN

BY GREG HARDESTY

F

OLLOWING AN EXTENSIVE process of consulting with key stakeholders, the Diocese of Orange has launched the second stage of a strategic plan first introduced in 2018 by Bishop Kevin Vann that provided a five-year roadmap to guide the Diocese into the future.

An executive summary of the new strategic plan, unveiled to Diocese staff on Nov. 6, soon will be available on the diocesan website, rcbo.org. Future stories in OC Catholic will take a closer look at the five areas of focus in the new strategic plan:

• Our Parishes and the Mission of the Diocese • Youth and Young Adult Outreach • Catholic School Identity • Governance and Communications • Financial Resources and Stewardship

In 2018, Bishop Kevin Vann promulgated the first strategic plan.

“He realized that we’ve made great strides in many areas, and we need to build on those successes and that it’s time to look at what we’ve achieved and become even more vibrant and more faithful to our mission,” said Bishop Timothy Freyer, who is shepherding the new effort.

Dr. Erin Barisano, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese, will direct implementation of the new strategic plan.

“One, we’re trying to ensure our

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BISHOP TIMOTHY FREYER (PICTURED DURING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF ST. ANNE’S PARISH ON SEPT 2) IS SHEPHERDING THE SECOND STAGE OF THE DIOCESE’S STRATEGIC PLAN. PHOTO BY KAYLEE TOOLE/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

parishes are mission focused — that they are not inward focused but outward focused,” Bishop Freyer said of the new plan. “The mission of the Diocese is to always be going out. Some parishes are very good at it, while others are kind of stagnant.”

Added Bishop Freyer: “We want to make sure we care for the spiritual needs

O C C A T H O L I C ■ D E C E M B E R 3 , 2 0 2 3

of members of each parish in the best way possible and equip them to be missionary disciples.”

The second focus of the strategic plan is on youth ministry.

“A worry I commonly hear from parishioners is that their grandchild or son or daughter is not practicing the faith,” Bishop Freyer said.

To better encourage and keep youth in the Catholic fold, the strategic plan calls for the Diocese to make a large investment in providing high-quality youth ministers at each parish.

The Diocese will provide money to needier parishes to ensure they can hire top young adult ministers.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 7

FEATURE / CATHOLIC FAMILY LIVING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

“We’re not just putting stuff on paper; we are going to be funding a lot of this work,” Bishop Freyer said, adding: “We also want to make sure students, parents, siblings and faculty all fall in love with the Lord and want to share the good news with brothers and sisters everywhere.”

The new strategic plan is not specifically a five-year extension, Bishop Freyer said. The hope is to develop another one in a few years based on the results of this one.

A key element of the new plan is making sure progress on goals can be measured.

“Dr. Barisano is a great gift to the Diocese,” said Bishop Freyer, who selected her to implement the new plan because of her leadership in the education workgroup in the 20182023 stage.

“She’s very good on metrics,” Bishop Freyer added. “I want to make sure we have goals that can be quantified and to stay focused on them so we can evaluate whether we are being successful.”

In late 2016, Bishop Vann initiated Project Fidelium and the Strategy Task Force, a response to dynamic growth in the Diocese coupled with the 2012 purchase of the former Crystal Cathedral.

Bishop Vann, in unveiling the new strategic plan to diocesan staff, expressed gratitude to everyone involved for their hard work.

The work included reaching out to several other dioceses to learn their best practices, conducting one-on-one interviews with Diocese personnel and sending out surveys to priests, school principals, teachers and others.

“I’m very proud and grateful to be associated with all of you,” Bishop Vann told Diocese staff members. “Always move forward, never backward – that’s our philosophy.” C

O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL

BY SR. DIANE HEISS, SDSH

“I

’M COMING, I’M coming!”

Have you ever heard those words before, especially from one who is consistently late?

What emotions are stirred up? Frustration? Irritation?

Many families have such a member, and although these and other feelings are valid for 11 months of the year, I invite you to set them aside this month, for such a person is an “Advent person.”

The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word “Adventus” which means “coming, to come.” Advent always begins four Sundays before Christmas, Dec. 3 this year, and is the start of the new Liturgical (church) year. The season of Advent is a prayerful time of preparing our hearts and minds to celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas.

Purple is the liturgical color of this season; therefore, on those days during Lent that are not a liturgical memorial, feast or solemnity outside of Sunday, priests will wear purple vestments when offering Holy Mass. On the third Sunday of Advent, the priest will don a rose colored vestment. An Advent wreath of evergreens with three purple and one pink candle will be near the altar. The wreath will be blessed the first Sunday of Advent, and the first purple candle will be lit for Mass, with two purple candles lit the following Sunday. However, on the third Sunday of Advent we will see two purple and one pink candle lit, followed by all four on the fourth Sunday. Through His Incarnation and out of a personal love for each of us, Jesus emptied Himself of His infinite glory and majesty to become one of us. What gifts of love will we offer Him? Rose is a liturgical color representing joy, and this

AN ADVENT WREATH DISPLAYED AT ST. BONIFACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, ANAHEIM. COURTESY PHOTO

third Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday, for we rejoice that Jesus’ birth is drawing nearer. Jesus said that whatever we do to others we do to Him, and our poor world is so wounded and broken. In what ways will we bring joy to others, especially the lonely, neglected and rejected?

Many stores begin displaying their Christmas wares in October or early November, anxious to utilize as many shopping days as possible. It’s hard to avoid getting sucked into the commercialism of the holiday. So, how about “baptizing” what the business world presents to us?

May the following suggestions help spur your imagination.

FOR YOUR FAMILY:

■ Soon we will hear daily announcements of the number of shopping days until Christmas. An Advent calendar (handmade or purchased) will help us focus on the number of days left to prepare our gifts of love for Jesus and others.

■ Secular Christmas songs will be

playing in malls and elsewhere. Learning and singing traditional religious Christmas carols will help lift our minds and hearts to God. ■ Instead of purchasing Christmas gifts, give handmade ones and donate the money saved to charity.

■ Set up a Nativity Scene in your home. Instead of placing the figure of Baby Jesus into the manger, put it away for now. Place a container with small pieces of straw near the manger and throughout Advent, each time a family member does a good deed, another piece of straw may be placed into the manger, thus making it soft. On Christmas Eve, the family can gather there, placing the figure of Baby Jesus into the manger and singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus.

■ Cut quite a few strips of paper all the same length and width to make a “Prayer Chain.” Each time a family member prays for others, add a strip to the chain. When you decorate your Christmas tree, add the chain to your tree.

■ Make handmade Christmas cards and send to your family, friends and the elderly.C

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SPORTS

MONARCHS TAKE STATE

BY LOU PONSI

M

ORE THAN A YEAR before the start of the 2023 volleyball season, Mater Dei volleyball coach Dan O’Dell felt that with one more year of maturity, the young Monarchs would be good enough to win a state championship.

O’Dell’s forecast was spot on.

The Monarchs defeated Archbishop Mitty of San Jose in four sets to win the CIF State Open Division Championship on Nov. 18 at Santiago Canyon College.

Mater Dei finished the season with a 43-2 record and ranked No.1 in the nation and the state by MaxPreps.com.

The Monarchs proved they were worthy of those rankings by defeating some of the top teams in the nation during the regular season and then dominating teams in the elite Open Division on the path to the second state championship in school history.

“I had this year circled on the calendar,” said O’Dell, who has guided the Monarchs to seven consecutive appearances in the CIF Southern Section finals, winning the title four times.

“You know they’re capable of it, but to be able to do it against the teams we had to play to get here is just absolutely amazing. I can’t credit them enough for their ability to stay focused for so many matches in a row and to go out there and win that many in a row. It’s really hard to do and I’m just in awe by what they did.”

The Monarchs also captured the CIF Southern Section Division 1 title without losing a set throughout their playoff run.

Mater Dei lost only three sets CONTINUES ON PAGE 9

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THE MATER DEI VOLLEYBALL TEAM CELEBRATES ON THE COURT AFTER WINNING THE CIF STATE OPEN DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP ON NOV. 18. PHOTO BY CALEB BROWN

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SPORTS

THE MATER DEI VOLLEYBALL TEAM POSES WITH THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY AFTER DEFEATING ARCHBISHOP MITTY IN FOUR SETS IN THE CIF STATE OPEN DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP NOV. 18 AT SANTIAGO CANYON COMMUNITY COLLEGE. THE STATE VOLLEYBALL TITLE IS THE SECOND IN SCHOOL HISTORY. PHOTO BY CALEB BROWN

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

of San Diego. “How you’re playing is because they’re your best friends and in eight Trinity League matches and everything flows easily.” rode15-game league winning streak into Another intangible thing that can the playoffs. be the difference between a good team But talent alone isn’t always enough to and a great team is the ability to handle win championships. adversity.

The camaraderie on the team was also Mater Dei had to battle from behind a huge factor, said outside hitter Isabel to win some key matches, including Clark, who led the team in kills. the State Regional semifinal against “When you’re playing with your best Huntington Beach, when the Monarchs friends and people you enjoy playing trailed 2-1 before coming back to win the with and there’s no drama, then how next two sets to clinch the match. the team plays is basically how your In the state championship match friendship is with them,” said Clark, who against Archbishop Mitty, the Monarchs has committed to play at the University were ahead 2-1 and had a 19-10 lead in

the fourth set when Mitty went on a 9-1 run to get to within a point.

But the Monarchs never panicked and went on a run of their own to close out the set and the match.

“I’ve said it from the beginning of the year,” senior libero Malyssa Cawa said, “this team is probably one of the grittiest teams that I’ve played on. Whenever we face adversity or whenever our backs are pushed up against the wall, everyone finds their own way to step up and help out.”

Cawa, who led the Monarchs in digs, has committed to play at Stanford in the fall and seniors Julia Kakkis and Cymar-

ah Gordon have committed to play at Brown and Michigan respectively.

The Monarchs came into the match 1-3 in state championship games, winning their last state championship in 2018.

“I’m always most thankful that the girls get to experience this,” O’Dell said.

“To me, it’s satisfying. It’s great. But for these girls to be state champs and national champs … I think we were close the last three times and we could never quite go over the edge, but it just seemed like with one more year of maturity, this group was capable of something very special.”C

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DIOCESAN NEWS

EL MERCADO DEL NIÑO JESUS

THEME DAYS:

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN LA HABRA TO HOST CHRISTMAS MARKET

■ FRIDAY, DEC. 8 – CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING (7 P.M.)

■ SATURDAY, DEC. 9 –

CRAFTERS AND VENDORS SHOWCASE

BY BRITNEY ZINT

O

UR LADY OF GUADALUPE Catholic Church in La Habra will be celebrating its namesake’s feast day with its first ever European-style Christmas market, but with a unique twist.

El Mercado del Niño Jesus will be a free market open to all that features a rotating selection of around 25 food, shopping, crafts and game booths. It starts on Friday, Dec. 8 and runs daily through Dec. 17.

The Christmas market is free and will take place in front of the school at the parish.

Each day will showcase its own theme, from a North Pole visitor day to First Five Kids giveaway day, where diapers and car seats will be given out.

“While you do your shopping, you can eat and drink,” said Fr. William Goldin, the parish’s parochial administrator. “What could be better?”

He added: “My goal is that we try to replicate, but with a La Habra and Our Lady of Guadalupe spin, the experience of a German, Austrian or Swiss Christmas market.”

The La Habra parish’s market will also include lit Christmas trees surrounded by lights, a creche and tables for socializing.

Tents, one dubbed Santa Claus’ Tavern, will host a beer hall, hot alcoholic drinks and non alcoholic drinks, while the other will host entertainment. Vendor booths will offer Christmas-themed and everyday items, artisanal wares and stocking stuffers.

There will also be appearances by Santa

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■ SUNDAY, DEC. 10 – CRAFTERS AN ARTIST’S RENDERING OF EL MERCADO DEL NIÑO JESUS, A EUROPEAN-STYLE CHRISTMAS MARKET TO BE HELD AT OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN LA HABRA FROM DEC. 8 THROUGH DEC. 17. PHOTO COURTESY OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE PARISH

and Mrs. Claus.

“This is going to be a new tradition,” said Scott Miller, Our Lady of Guadalupe’s director of outreach. “This will be the first of many years of markets. The community support for it has already been outstanding.”

El Mercado del Niño Jesus will reflect the flavor of the community with ponche, a Mexican alcoholic drink with spices and fruit, and canela, a cinnamon-based alcoholic beverage. The food booths will showcase a rotating list of offerings from Mexican and Italian fare to burgers and hot dogs. There will also be dessert booths.

“We are getting little mugs produced with our logo so people can walk around with their hot drinks as they are shopping, milling about and having a good time with friends,” said Fr. William.

Fr. William, who has family in Austria, has visited Christmas markets in the past.

So, when a former colleague, Deacon Gerard Wallace at St. Vincent de Paul parish in Huntington Beach, brought up the idea to him to host a German-style Christmas market, Fr. William thought about taking that idea with him to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

“I said to him, ‘That’s a fantastic idea.

O C C A T H O L I C ■ D E C E M B E R 3 , 2 0 2 3

Do you mind if I steal it?’” Fr. William said.

“And it just turned out that he and I both shared this love of Christmas markets.

They are one of my favorite things because my family is there. I go to markets from time to time, and it’s just really fun to get the community together celebrating the Lord.”

El Mercado del Niño Jesus replaces the parish’s longtime annual fiesta that ended during the pandemic.

“It was a wonderful event, but it was just time for something new for our community,” Miller said. “When Fr. Will mentioned it that first month, I just jumped on it. I embraced the idea. I loved the idea.”

The market will be open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday with a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony and continue from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday; noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday; 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 11 through Dec. 14; 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Dec. 15; noon to 10 p.m. on Dec. 16; and noon to 9 p.m. on Dec. 17. For more information, email outreach@olglahabra.org.

“We would love to see people from near and far,” Fr. William said. “Come celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe, our patroness of the Diocese, and the child Jesus, who is the reason for the season!”C

AND VENDORS SHOWCASE

■ MONDAY, DEC. 11 – FEAST

OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE FESTIVITIES

■ TUESDAY, DEC. 12 – FEAST

OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE FESTIVITIES

■ WEDNESDAY, DEC. 13 –

ENGLISH ADVENT MISSION (7 P.M.)

■ THURSDAY, DEC. 14 –

ENGLISH ADVENT MISSION (7 P.M.)

■ FRIDAY, DEC. 15 – ALUMNI AND COMMUNITY DAY

■ SATURDAY, DEC. 16 – FIRST 5 KIDS 0-5 GIVEAWAYS

■ SUNDAY, DEC. 17 – SURPRISE VISIT FROM NORTH POLE

DIOCESAN NEWS

EVERY DAY IS A GIFT SR. ILUMINADA TURNS 106!

BY STAFF

F

OR MOST OF US, birthdays are milestones, seen both as the accomplishment of completing another year of our lives and as an opportunity to consider what we desire for the years to come. For Sr. Iluminada Soto, O.S.F., every day is a gift.

On Oct. 31, Sr. Iluminada celebrated her 106th birthday at the St. Francis Home for the Aged in Santa Ana. Bishop Kevin Vann and Joan Patten, Delegate for Consecrated Life, joined Sr. Iluminada and her community for a birthday

celebration with her community and the residence of the St. Francis Home. She was given a special lunch and then entertained by a Mariachi band and dancers. She also received a Certificate of Special Recognition from the United Stated Congress House of Representatives.

Sr. Iluminada Soto, O.S.F. has been a Franciscan Missionary Sister of the Immaculate Conception for 82 years. She is most grateful for “the love of God which has been with me always and who invited me to move into my vows so I could serve Him. My vocation is a privilege.”

The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception have served the elderly at the St. Francis Home for the Aged for over 80 years in Santa Ana. They are also present in Mexico and throughout California.C

BISHOP KEVIN VANN HELPED CELEBRATE SR. ILUMINADA’S 106TH BIRTHDAY. SHE HAS BEEN A FRANCISCAN MISSIONARY SISTER OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION FOR 82 YEARS.

SR. ILUMINADA SOTO, O.S.F., CELEBRATED HER 106TH BIRTHDAY AT THE ST. FRANCIS HOME FOR THE AGED IN SANTA ANA. PHOTOS BY DREW KELLEY/DIOCESE OF ORANGE D E C E M B E R 3 , 2 0 2 3 ■ O C C A T H O L I C

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Savoring our Faith 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 Disclaimer: Only high resolution photos will be considered for publication in the print edition of OC Catholic. Orange County Catholic, the Diocese of Orange and Southern California News Group reserve the right to publish all submitted materials, including recipes, photos and personal anecdotes. Photos become the property of the Diocese of Orange and may be used for publication in OC Catholic or by the Diocese of Orange for print or online publication or social media purposes. Only recipes submitted by parishioners living in the Diocese of Orange will be considered.

DIOCESAN NEWS

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To report sexual abuse by clergy or church personnel please call: 1 (800) 364-3064 Healing and Hope After Abortion: 1 (800) 722-4356 New Hope Peer-to-Peer Support Line | Mon - Fri 7:30 AM - 9:30 PM | Sat - Sun 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM: 1 (714) NEW-HOPE or 1 (714) 639-4673 BÁO CÁO LẠM DỤNG TÌNH DỤC Nếu bạn là nạn nhân bị lạm dụng tình dục bởi một linh mục/ tu sĩ hay một thành viên trong Giáo Hội gây ra, xin hãy gọi và báo cáo cho Giáo phận ở số điện thoại miễn phí sau đây: 1-800-364-3064, và đồng thời báo cáo cho nhà chức trách địa phương. 본당내의 성적학대 신고 성직자나 성당 사목을 대표하는 관리자에 의한 성적 학대의 피해자 인 경우, 교구청의 무료 신고 전화 번호, 1-800-364-3064 및 관할 지역 법 집행 기관에 전화하십시오.

LAST YEAR, OVER 2,000 CHILDREN RECEIVED CHRISTMAS GIFTS THROUGH CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ORANGE COUNTY’S CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS PROGRAM AND THREE KINGS DAY EVENT. PHOTO COURTESY OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ORANGE COUNTY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

a resounding success. Each individual received approximately $100 in gift cards which totaled approximately $282,093 gift cards donated. In total, 1,549 children received gifts, each child receiving two to five toys or individualized items such as bikes, scooters, dolls and games.

The value of the gifts combined totaled $271,075.

At CCOC’s Three Kings Day event in January of 2023, 518 additional children received gifts.

That’s over 2,000 children in Orange County who received gifts at CCOC’s Christmas Blessings and Three Kings Day Events, and over $553,168 in gift cards and toys given to families!

CCOC is extremely grateful for the volunteers and groups who volunteer their time and effort each year to ensure

the program is a success. Jack Abajian, a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus at San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church, recalled the meaningful work poured into last year’s Christmas Blessings program.

“I supervised the gift bagging team, assured the number of items going into the bags were correct and signed off the numbers for everyone who had received a bag,” he said. “Plus, I organized the floor where everything was to be placed.

Looking forward to another year of supporting the Catholic Charities team.”

As times remain challenging, CCOC looks forward to helping even more families in need this year, with the goal of helping over 3,000 children this holiday season.

One client, a single mom of two chilCONTINUES ON PAGE 14

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DIOCESAN NEWS PAGE HEADING

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ORANGE COUNTY’S CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS PROGRAM MATCHES FAMILIES IN NEED WITH BENEFACTORS WHO PROVIDE THEM WITH PERSONALIZED GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS. PHOTO COURTESY OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ORANGE COUNTY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

dren, is among the families being served this year. She and her children were forced to flee their home due to domestic violence and spent last Christmas in a shelter. Yet, with hard work, generous hearts, and trust in God, her situation improved, and they were able to move from the shelter to an apartment. While she is grateful to have a roof over her head, she has little means to provide gifts for her kids this Christmas. Thanks

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to the Christmas Blessings Program, she was able to be matched with a benefactor, ensuring her children will have gifts to open on Christmas Day. For this year’s Christmas Blessings Program, families matched with benefactors will pick up their gifts at the Christmas Blessings Event on December 16, 18 and 19 at Christ Cathedral campus, and all families with children are welcome to pick up toys at the Three Kings Day Celebration on January 5 at

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the Cantlay Center.

Catholic Charities of Orange County is still in need of benefactors looking to adopt families in need this Christmas. If interested in becoming a benefactor, please scan the QR code to complete the benefactor form or email Madeline Fugate at mdibb@ccoc.org.

Any gift, no matter how small or large, will surely add to the harvest of blessings received by hard-hit families and individuals this Christmas.C

OC Catholic Afar

Sr. Diane Heiss, SDSH, reads an issue of OC Catholic in front of the Old Mission Santa Inés in Solvang, CA. Sr. Diane is a contributing writer to our Catholic Family Living column.

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.

D E C E M B E R 3 , 2 0 2 3 ■ O C C A T H O L I C

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