Sunday nights at San Francisco Solano Catholic Church are dedicated to a unique youth program.
CATHOLIC ORGANIZATIONS BRING THANKSGIVING JOY
The Order of Malta and Catholic Charities of Orange County work together to provide a happy holiday for those in need.
18
OUR IMMACULATE MOTHER
There’s no such thing as a perfect mother, with one exception.
ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC MISSION STATEMENT
The Orange County Catholic Newspaper seeks to illuminate and animate the journey of faith for Catholics within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange – building solidarity among the faithful and inviting a deeper understanding and involvement in the mission of Christ – through the timely sharing of news, commentary and feature content in an engaging, accessible and compelling format.
ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC
The Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange Diocese of Orange Pastoral Center, 13280 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove 92840
Publisher: The Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of Orange
Director of Custom Content: Caroline Wong, cawong@scng.com
SCNG CUSTOM CONTENT
Managing Editor: Caitlin Adams Art Director: Ryann Beveridge
Delivered weekly to parishes and homes throughout Orange County, Calif., Orange County Catholic is published by SCNG Custom Content, a division of Southern California News Group that offers content development and design expertise to businesses and nonprofit institutions. The Orange County Catholic editorial staff and editorial council are responsible for the content contained herein. Events and products advertised in Orange County Catholic do not carry the implicit endorsement of the Diocese of Orange or SCNG Custom Content.
HOME ALTARS
READER CALL-OUT
Betta David has several home altars, including this one in her living room.
“We take pride in our altars at home,” she shared. “Most of my religious items are given to me as gifts and I always find ways to fit them in.”
Betta attends St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Laguna Woods.
Do you have a special Nativity Scene you’d like to share with OC Catholic? Please send a photo and include your name, parish and a brief description to: editor@occatholic.com C
“ Let us ask the Lord for the grace of always accepting to go to his feast, which is free.” — Pope Francis
SAINT PROFILE
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 19TH CENTURY
THE CATHOLIC DOGMA THAT Mary, the mother of Jesus, was free from original sin from the moment of her conception and preserved from all sin throughout her earthly life was declared by Pope Pius IX in 1854. However, for centuries Catholics had believed in Mary's exceptional holiness as a divine favor in anticipation of her role in salvation; by the eighth century, the Eastern church believed her holiness was flawless and immense, and this belief gradually spread throughout the Western church. The feast is fixed nine months before the feast marking Mary's birthday on Sept. 8. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is the patron of the United States and 10 other nations in South America, Africa, Asia and Europe.C
PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK
TUESDAY IS 40:1-11; PS 96:12, 3 AND 10AC, 1112, 13; MT 18:12-14
WEDNESDAY IS 40:25-31; PS 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 AND 10; MT 11:2830
THURSDAY
ZEC 2:14-17; JUDITH 13:18BCDE, 19; LK 1:26-38
FRIDAY
IS 48:17-19; PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6; MT 11:16-19
SATURDAY
SIR 48:1-4, 9-11; PS 80:2AC AND 3B, 15-16, 18-19; MT 17:9A, 10-13
SUNDAY
ZEP 3:14-18A; IS 12:2-3, 4, 5-6.; PHIL 4:4-7LK 3:10-18
PHOTO COURTESY OF BETTA DAVID
REMEMBERING FR. ENRIQUE SERA
BY JOAN PATTEN, AO
FR. ENRIQUE SERA PASSED away on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, at the age of 73. His funeral Mass was celebrated on Oct. 4 at Christ Cathedral with numerous friends and family in attendance. The first priest ordained for the Diocese of Orange, Fr. Sera spent 44 years in ministry before retiring in 2022. He leaves a lasting legacy of faith, love and service.
“We ask that the Lord guide us to always be faithful, to be able to carry out the word not merely in preaching, but in actions in the world. Our Lord says…that we have a commandment to love one another, and that truly is the most important thing we can do if we are going to be followers of the Lord. We hope You will reward us with all the blessings that come after death for those who have been faithful to him…I hope to meet the great apostle Matthias, the quiet apostle Matthias, that we so know so little about other than he was faithful…that’s what we have to show for our lives when we come before the throne of God. Have we been faithful to the commandments? Have we loved one another?”
Fr. Enrique “Ric” Sera shared these heartfelt words in a homily on May 14, 2021, as he celebrated his 43rd anniversary of priestly ordination and anticipated retirement from active priestly ministry. Only three years later, the Diocese of Orange mourns Fr. Sera’s death but thanks the Lord for Fr. Sera’s faithfulness and witness of God’s love. Fr. Sera touched many souls, and our memories of him tell the story of his life.
Fr. John Shimotsu, Episcopal Vicar for Priests, recalled Fr. Sera’s early history and his unique entrance into the United States as a young boy.
“Fr. Sera was born in Holguin, Cuba
in 1950. In 1962, he was one of the over 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban minors who, under the U.S. Government’s Operation Peter Pan, were sent by their parents to the United States to avoid communist indoctrination. He lived with a host family in Yakima, Washington, until he was reunited with his parents when they emigrated to Southern California. He graduated from Queen of Angels Seminary High School, St. John’s Seminary College, and St. John’s Seminary.”
Bishop Kevin Vann, the fourth bishop of Orange, gave thanks for Fr. Sera and noted that Fr. Sera was the first priest ordained in the newly established Diocese of Orange on May 14, 1978.
“Fr. Sera will be remembered for his love for our Diocese and for other priests. He reminded me of my own father because of his dedicated service to others. He offered his availability to many additional ministries, including leading his secular institute, serving as chaplain to Courage Ministry in the Diocese of Orange and being a staff chaplain for OC Probation. He also served 12 years on the Diocesan Priest Personnel Board for the Diocese."
Fr. Sera’s first assignment was as an associate pastor at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Placentia. Fr. Steve Correz, pastor of St. Mary’s in Fullerton, remembered,
“I have known Fr. Sera since the beginning of his priesthood back in 1978, since he was assigned to my home parish of St. Joseph in Placentia. It was there that I received many of my Sacraments from him, not just Holy Communion, but many confessions, blessings, prayers and especially celebrating the Holy Mass with him as part of his flock. Fr. Ric, as we knew him, would often run around the field to exercise, and many of the students, myself and my twin brother, Stuart would follow him, perhaps as a reminder that I have done so with him
throughout my life.”
In 1980, Fr. Sera joined the Institute of the Priests of the Heart of Jesus (Cor Unum). This secular institute for diocesan priests was founded in Paris in 1791 by Fr. Pierre Cloriviere. Members make vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and follow a rule of life. The priests who are members
remain incardinated in their own diocese but meet regularly for formation and to foster priestly fraternity. Fr. Scott Jones is a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the current national director of the Institute of the Priests of the Heart of Jesus. He professed his final vows in the Institute with the assistance of Fr. Sera, in 2022.
With gratitude, he recalled how Fr. Sera helped develop their institute in the United States, “In addition to serving the last several years as national director, in the past, Fr. Ric served on our international leadership team and helped draft the new Constitutions after the 1983 Code of Canon Law came out. He made many trips to Paris to meet with our international leadership and attended chapter every six years. He was well-loved by our international members.”
From 1982 to 1987, Fr. Sera served as an associate pastor at St. Mary Catholic Church in Fullerton. Shortly after arriving, he decided to take marital counseling class-
FR. ENRIQUE SERA. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
es so he could offer assistance to the people he encountered in ministry. He studied at Cal State Fullerton and earned a master’s degree and a marriage and family therapist license while he remained in ministry at St. Mary’s.
Norma and Mucio Sanchez were one of the first couples whose wedding he witnessed at St. Mary’s.
“He was very friendly and he would invite himself over for dinner at our house, Norma shared. “I didn’t even know how to cook, but I learned fast! He gave good advice and encouraged us to trust each other.”
The Sanchez family maintained a close relationship with Fr. Sera throughout the years. One of their sons became a police
such as the Neocatechumenal Way, Third Order Dominicans (for whom he was the local chaplain) and Magnificat, a ministry to women, to name a few. He permitted these groups to meet at St. Joachim. He led the Courage ministry for decades, always in quiet ways. He was seen as a pastor to whom a newly ordained priest could be assigned and have a positive experience. Several seminarians were assigned as interns at St. Joachim (Jeff Droessler, Quan Tran, Anthony Tran, Brandon Dang and others at St. Mary’s in Fullerton). Known to be a balanced man, he was able to keep his cool while others may have panicked. It must be stated also that he was the primary (and in effect only) caretaker for his younger brother Miguel, who was severely affected as a result of a horrible motorcycle crash. He was a kind man.”
officer, and Fr. Sera kept him in constant prayers. Forty years after their wedding, Fr. Sera blessed Norma and Mucio for their wedding anniversary after he returned to St. Mary’s as pastor.
Myron and Debra Schuster, from the first English community of the Neocatechumenal Way at St. Mary’s, also met Fr. Sera over 40 years ago. They encountered his gentle pastoral care and deep concern for those who were suffering, especially young people and those who were experiencing homelessness.
“He was a man who gave his life to the Church 100%, and he saw Jesus Christ in everyone,” recounted Myron.
Even after he retired, Fr. Sera supported Neocatechumenal communities and celebrated Mass for them.
While at St. Mary’s, he became a chaplain in the U.S. Navy Reserves. From 1986 to 1999, Fr. Sera found joy in ministering to the military and pastoring those stationed in Puerto Rico, Panama, and Bermuda.
Fr. Sera was the pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Santa Ana from 1987 to 2004. He oversaw a $4 million construction project for the church building there but never lost his pastoral touch with people.
Jamie Casarian remembered when he met Fr. Sera there.
“I was searching for my own place in the Church and Fr. Sera encouraged my participation in different ministry groups. I found my place in a charismatic prayer group and appreciated how Fr. Sera trusted the participants and allowed our ministries to grow at the parish. He empowered us and gave room to people. He offered the simple message of God’s love and to be kind to others. Fr. Sera became my son's godfather and accompanied him through difficult moments of my son’s life.”
While assigned to Immaculate Heart of Mary, Chaplain Sera was mobilized with his SeaBee Battalion for one year for Operation Desert Storm.
Fr. Sera served as pastor at St. Joachim Catholic Church in Costa Mesa from 2004 to 2014, overseeing significant church building projects, including the school upgrade and Nevin Hall.
Msgr. Stephen Doktorczyk served as parochial vicar under Fr. Sera for four years and fondly remembered his pastoral care of the ministries in the parish. “From experience, Fr. Sera knew that there are different ways of growing closer to the Lord and did his best to be open to different approved movements in the Church,
Fr. Sera’s final assignment was to return to St. Mary’s in Fullerton where he served as pastor from 2014 to 2022. There, he ministered to many parishioners and mentored seminarian interns.
Fr. Ian Gaston gave thanks for Fr. Sera’s witness and guidance. “Fr. Sera was my internship supervisor when I served as a seminarian at St. Mary's. He was always very fatherly to me, and one particular manifestation of his fatherhood came a few months before my ordination to the priesthood. He and St. Mary's Parish refurbished an old chalice for me as an ordination gift. He blessed that chalice during a Mass as well as shared some special words, comparing that day to the moment in medieval times when apprentices were given the tools of their trade, blessed by their fathers and then sent to be journeymen. It was a special moment of spiritual fatherhood — he, the father, handing one of his new priestly sons (he had many) the necessary means of the ‘trade’: a chalice to lift at Holy Mass.”
Fr. Ian also shared something Fr. Sera wanted to be remembered for. “One of those things was his role in helping the Norbertine Canonesses of Bethlehem Priory in Tehachapi during their early years. I believe that he housed their first members
FR. SERA IS PICTURED AT THE 2016 PRIEST ORDINATION AT ST. COLUMBAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN GARDEN GROVE.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
A FUNERAL MASS FOR FR. ENRIQUE SERA WAS CELEBRATED ON OCT. 4 AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL. PHOTO BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
HUNDREDS ATTEND THE FUNERAL OF FR. ENRIQUE SERA ON OCT. 4 INSIDE CHRIST CATHEDRAL. PHOTO BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
FEATURE
at a convent attached to Immaculate Heart of Mary during his pastorate, and today the sisters still use a monstrance he gave them to adore the Lord. They affectionately call him their ‘godfather.’”
Johnson Bui, currently in Theology III at St. John Seminary in Camarillo, spent a year as a seminarian intern at St. Mary’s after Fr. Sera retired. Fr. Sera was already sick, and Johnson assisted in his care along with Fr. Steve Correz and others at St. Mary’s. “Fr. Sera's priesthood was unlike any other I had encountered before; he was one that always sought to care for and look after the marginalized, a man with a huge heart for helping those in need. But beyond caring for those who had nothing but the shirt on their back, one of the things I appreciated the most about his priesthood was the joy that emanated from him. From waking up and hearing him speak about the interactions he had with a parishioner to his joy in celebrating mass, his priesthood was one full of humility and thanksgiving, it can be said that through him, I found my own vocation invigorated.”
Shelia Hoban met Fr. Sera when he was first assigned to St. Mary’s and she was happy when he returned to be pastor in 2014. Her children grew up knowing and trusting Fr. Sera, who accompanied them through profound life moments. Her family watched Fr. Sera’s dog when he left for his service as a military chaplain. “He
felt very comfortable around us and was a close friend. He gave good guidance but was not judgmental. He gave people time to talk and was a good listener.”
There are so many more stories that could be shared. Fr. Sera truly loved God with all his heart, soul and mind, and faithfully loved his fellow neighbor as himself. His encounters with others revealed that he was humble and a man of integrity. We give thanks for the life and vocation of Fr. Enrique Sera and continue to pray for the repose of his soul. Fr. Steve Correz offered a final word of thanks. “Thank you, Fr. Sera, for all that you have done for us, and all that you will continue to do for us as you intercede and pray for us to help us to follow your inspiring example of service to our Lord Jesus, whom you loved so much and witnessed by the service of your life as our spiritual father.”
But the final word goes to Fr. Sera. On Jan. 2, 2022, Fr. Sera offered these words in his homily for the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. “The Lord calls us in mysterious ways…offering whatever it is we bring from our life’s history, from our journey…Ask God to dispel the darkness that overshadows our own hearts. That we look for the light in Our Lord Jesus Christ in whatever mysterious way we discern, and we look for that day when we will come face to face with Him, with His mother in heaven as we are allowed into our eternal life.” C
With Deep Gratitude to Fr. Enrique Sera
Who assisted our first sisters during the founding of our community, and whose continuing support through the years has encouraged us as we have grown.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
FR. SERA AT THE 2022 DEACON ORDINATION AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL.
BISHOP KEVIN VANN CELEBRATED THE FUNERAL OF FR. ENRIQUE SERA ON OCT. 4 AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL. PHOTO BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Saint Mary’s Catholic Church Gives
thanks for the life of Fr. Sera
St. Augustine humbly invites us, “This is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections.” As we reflect upon the life of our pastor emeritus, Fr. Enrique Sera, we are reminded that our physical lives are filled with growth and change. This growth is not only physical which we undergo from being a child to an adult, but also about the maturity that we hopefully experience from this change. During this process, perhaps this change allows us to learn more about ourselves and become the person that God expects us to be when He created us. By striving to achieve this we are reminded of the words of St. Catherine of Sienna that we can make a difference, “If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze!”
However, as we are reminded that our growth in holiness cannot only be intern, since we must be aware of how we can be witnesses of our faith and be inspirational in encouraging others to do the same. Yet, this public witness must reflect the sincere motivation and true intention that we hold in our hearts, otherwise it is simply an empty display for others to admire us but does not inspire them to imitate Christ. St. Edmund encourages us, “It is better to say one Our Father fervently and devoutly than a thousand with no devotion and full of distraction.”
As we celebrated the life of Fr. Sera, I am reminded of his life especially with the prayer of St Francis of Assisi which offers us not only peace but invites us to be instruments of God’s peace. Appropriately we celebrate Fr. Sera’s funeral Mass on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Take care and God bless,
Fr. Steve Correz and
St. Mary’s parish in
Fullerton
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen
MEET THE SUMMIT OF YOUTH MINISTRY
SAN FRANCISCO SOLANO
CATHOLIC CHURCH’S YOUTH GROUP HAS TRANSFORMED THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF COUNTLESS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
BY MIKE VULPO
FOR MANY HIGH SCHOOL students, a Sunday night is typically dedicated to homework, studying and preparing for a jam-packed week of school activities.
But for more than 80 kids at San Francisco Solano Catholic Church in Rancho Santa Margarita, Sunday evening is the perfect time for prayer, worship and spending quality time with peers who feel like family.
“I didn't know what my faith was when I first attended, I was just coming to hang out with friends,” El Toro High School student Edgar Puentes shared. “Summit really sparked when I met the leader Matt Franklin, who was this loving guy who brought you in not just as a friend, but almost as a family member, as another son. Just to see him introduce himself and just be this loving guy who always opens his door for everyone and anyone, it was really nice to have that invitation.”
As Solano’s Youth Ministry Coordinator, Matt Franklin helped create a weekly event that starts with games, dinner and prayer and continues with worship, small groups and a reflection on the Gospel.
“I try my very best to make it palatable so they can understand it,” Franklin explained. “They can chew on it. They
can apply it to their own life and their space in high school.”
Another unique element of Summit is the opportunity for students to lay down their burdens and share the highs and lows of life around them.
“We send them out either in twos or threes to honestly share the things that they have going on in their life, things that they would like to see God move in and just show up in a big way or even small way,” Franklin shared. “They go out together and then they take turns just praying for the needs of the individual in that little group.”
Fr. Duy Le, the church’s pastor, has witnessed countless students growing in their faith every weekend. He especially applauds the current group of attendees who dealt with isolation during the coro-
navirus pandemic.
“They're thirsting for community,” he shared. “They're hungry for our Lord and something that's greater than what this world offers. We love them. We want them to feel at home.”
El Toro High School student Salvador Macias is quick to praise parish leadership for what they have provided to kids curious about their faith. In between studying for school and football practice, the senior makes it a priority to attend Summit every Sunday.
“I just look at everything differently,” he explained about his faith journey. “When I'm experiencing challenges or just kind of hit a rough patch, I have a home and a place here. I know that there's something greater for me than just this life.”
After graduating from Trabuco Hills High School, Evan MacLean enrolled at Saddleback College with plans to transfer to UC Irvine. Thanks to a positive experience at Summit, he decided to pay it forward and become a leader.
“I started going out of my comfort zone and talking to new people, making new friends,” he shared about his journey with the youth group. “Now, I don't even know what I would do without them. Even just a week without them, I'm just longing for that again. It's just built me up so much over the past few years, just growing my faith and I've never been happier.”
Focusing on youth is something Fr. Duy has always been passionate about. In his young adult life, he remembers being
SAN FRANCISCO SOLANO’S YOUTH MINISTRY COORDINATOR MATT FRANKLIN SPEAKS TO STUDENTS DURING SUMMIT. PHOTO BY CALEB FRANKLIN
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
positively impacted by youth mass and youth ministry.
As a result, he wants to make sure kids have an opportunity to open their hearts to whatever God is calling them to do.
“I think we have neglected the young generation,” Fr. Duy shared. “I think that we don't speak their language and we don't try to because we want them to come to us instead of the church coming to them. I want to first apologize for that. We need to try harder for them.”
For students who may have a desire to ask questions, explore and learn more about their faith, Fr. Duy invites any and all students to Solano.
“We want them to know that we are listening,” he shared. “They are everything. They are the present and they are the future. … No matter what, God loves
you. No matter what, he's proud of you. No matter what, this is your church. No matter how far you've gone away, no matter what you've done, this place belongs to you.”
Franklin is grateful to Fr. Duy and Solano’s clergy including Parochial Vicar Fr. Cole Buzon and seminarian Ivan Lopez for actively participating with Summit and the youth ministry.
He also continues to be inspired by students who show up to support their peers and build a stronger relationship with God.
“They're just like every single one of us when we were in high school when we had so many questions,” Franklin shared.
“We had so many outside voices telling us what we should and shouldn't do. What we should and shouldn't wear. What we should or shouldn't believe. They're just like us. They're all wanting the same
things and they're all asking the same questions. They want to know that there are people that care enough. And the bigger question is, is there a God that sees them, knows them and loves them even when they're maybe in a messy situation.”
When reflecting on the success of Summit, Franklin said he can’t take all of the credit. Instead, it’s the students who
deserve praise for making Sunday nights a powerful experience.
“They want to be seen,” he added. “They want to be known. They want to be loved. I think students are showing up because other students are being bold and inviting their peers to come and explore and ask questions and get a chance to experience the love of God.” C
MATT FRANKLIN AND A GROUP OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GATHER IN PRAYER DURING SUMMIT. PHOTOS BY MIKE VULPO/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
STUDENTS EDGAR PUENTES, EVAN MACLEAN, SALVADOR MACIAS AND JOEL FRANKLIN ATTEND SAN FRANCISCO SOLANO’S SUMMIT PROGRAM.
OLLV FOUNDATION TO HOST CHRISTMAS MARKET AND CONCERT
BY BRADLEY ZINT
THE OLLV FOUNDATION is hosting its Christmas Market and Concert on Dec. 13 at the Sisters of St. Joseph campus in the city of Orange.
The community event will feature live music, a Christmas market in the European tradition, food, raffles, prizes and gift bags. The market is open from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with the concert portion starting at 7 p.m.
Tickets to attend are free, but guests are asked to register with the link at OLLVFoundation.org
At the Christmas Market and Con -
cert, families will be able to enjoy the crafts tables, making stockings, hats and decorating pinecones. Music is being provided by volunteer singers and instrumentalists, who will perform inside the Sisters of St. Joseph auditorium.
The spirit of the Christmas Market and Concert is giving, organizers said.
“We wanted to spend the holiday giving something to the community, and to spiritually prepare our supporters for the Coming of Christ this season,” said Fr. Quang Chu, pastor of St. Mary’s by the Sea parish in Huntington Beach who’s helping organize the event.
The event will also feature a toy drive for Children’s Hospital of Orange
County (CHOC) and the Ronald McDonald House, both based in the city of Orange. More than 300 toys have been collected so far.
The Christmas Market and Concert is the OLLV Foundation’s first event hosted outside the Christ Cathedral campus in Garden Grove. The foundation, founded in 2022, is tasked with raising money for three projects on the cathedral campus: the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine, Marian Gardens and St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts. All three projects are completed and open to the public, but the three-year campaign for St. Callistus continues through 2026.
The OLLV Foundation started with
a modest group of Vietnamese supporters but has since grown to include many groups and ethnicities throughout the diverse Diocese of Orange.
"The Vietnamese community has been an important part of our congregational life since 1974, when we welcomed them as refugees," said the Sisters’ general superior, Sister Mary Beth Ingham, CSJ. "We are very happy to host this event and look forward to celebrating the Christmas season with all our friends in the Diocese of Orange."
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange campus is located at 440 S. Batavia St., Orange. C
PHOTO BY TOA HEFTIBA ON UNSPLASH
ORDER OF MALTA AND CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF OC TEAM UP TO BRING THANKSGIVING JOY
BY MARIAJOSE GARORTI, CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ORANGE COUNTY
FOR HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES in need, Thanksgiving isn’t just a holiday—it’s a reminder of community, compassion and hope. On Nov. 22, the Order of Malta Western Association U.S.A. and Catholic Charities of Orange County brought this spirit to life by distributing over 34,000 pounds of food at their annual Thanksgiving drive, a tradition that has touched lives since 2005.
The Thanksgiving distribution took place at Catholic Charities' Food Distribution Center, also known as Cantlay. This center is open three days a week— Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays—from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Since the pandemic, food distribution has transitioned to a drive-through model to better assist the overwhelming number of families in need. Due to its efficiency and far-reaching impact, this method has been retained even after the pandemic. In addition to regular distribution days, there are special events such as Easter and Thanksgiving distributions, as well as initiatives during the holidays such as the Christmas tree distribution in December and toy giveaways during the Three Kings Day celebration in January.
Catholic Charities of Orange County partners with several Catholic groups in the Diocese of Orange to provide assistance based on specific needs. Since its inception in 2005, the Thanksgiving distribution has grown into a cherished annual tradition thanks to the leadership of the Order of Malta and Catholic Charities of Orange County.
Preparations involve selecting the menu, securing food supplies and launching a multilingual marketing campaign tailored for Cantlay clients, with marketing materials available in Spanish and Vietnamese, as well as
CHARITIES OF ORANGE COUNTY
organizing volunteers.
Volunteers play a crucial role in managing traffic, stuffing food bags, recycling boxes, moving pallets and spreading holiday cheer. This year, more than 20 members of the Order of Malta joined Catholic Charities staff to help distribute food. The distribution included items like apple juice, mixed canned fruits, peanut butter jars, mixed canned
"It's so joyful when people come to you and say, 'Hey, that food you are giving means a lot to my family...’ Just to hear that is a satisfaction that a salary can't give you," said Michael Tijerino, senior director of the Cantlay Food
Distribution Center.
The event is generously supported by the Order of Malta Western Association U.S.A. This year, 927 families were served during the Thanksgiving distribution for a total of 5,562 individuals. This Christmas, you can help brighten a family's holiday season. Visit ccoc. org to contribute to these life-changing initiatives. C
RAMIRO SALGADO, CLIENT SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, CCOC; JANNETTE INGARDIA, DM, ORDER OF MALTA; AND MICHAEL TIJERINO, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF CANTLAY OPERATIONS, CCOC. PHOTOS BY SLAV ZATOKA/CATHOLIC
AN ORDER OF MALTA MEMBER READIES WHOLE TURKEYS TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO THOSE IN NEED.
A GROUP SHOT FEATURING SOME OF THE ORDER OF MALTA MEMBERS THAT VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME DURING THE THANKSGIVING DISTRIBUTION DAY ON NOV. 22.
AROUND OUR DIOCESE
BY STAFF
BREAKFAST WITH SAINT NICHOLAS
St. Mary’s By the Sea Catholic Church is hosting Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 8 following each morning Mass. Children will learn about the real Santa Claus during this sweet traditional event. St Mary's By the Sea is located at 321 10th St., Huntington Beach. (714) 536-6931.
CAPISTRANO LIGHTS: MISSION IN LIGHTS
On select days through Dec. 29, visit the Mission in San Juan Capistrano for holiday programming and fun. The grounds will be aglow with holiday cheer,
including a festive tree lighting, photo op with Santa, carolers, a large-scale Nativity in the historic Ruins and more. For ticket information visit https://www.missionsjc. com/capistrano-lights/
BELL PEALING FOR NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL
On Saturday, Dec. 7, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., will peal its bells at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT), coinciding with the Rite of Opening the Doors of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, whose doors had been closed since the devastating fire of April 15, 2019.
The Basilica invited dioceses to join the celebration by pealing cathedral and shrine bells throughout the United States.
Bishop Kevin Vann accepted this invitation on behalf of Christ Cathedral.
“Let’s let the bells continue to play!” shared Bishop Vann. C
ST. MARY’S BY THE SEA CATHOLIC CHURCH’S BREAKFAST WITH SANTA TAKES PLACE ON DEC. 8. PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. MARY’S BY THE SEA CATHOLIC CHURCH
PHOTO OF PARIS, FRANCE BY ALEXANDAR ON UNSPLASH
MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO’S CHRISTMAS TREE IS VISIBLE FROM THE STREET IN DOWNTOWN SAN JUAN
CAPISTRANO. PHOTO BY PATTY MAHONEY/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
BRIGHT LIGHTS, BUSHY TREE
WHERE DID THE CHRISTMAS TREE COME FROM, AND WHY DO WE DECORATE IT WITH LIGHTS?
BY GREG HARDESTY
BY NOW, MANY PEOPLE have taken out and decorated their Christmas trees as Dec. 25 nears.
When should Catholics put their trees up and take them down?
We’ll get to that.
But first, why a Christmas tree?
THE MEANING BEHIND THE TREE
Fr. Christopher Smith, rector emeritus of Christ Cathedral, notes that the Christmas tree traditionally is an evergreen.
“The evergreen is a symbol of everlasting life,” Fr. Christopher said. “This promise of everlasting life was given to us by Jesus, whose birth we celebrate on Christmas. Its presence in the home at Christmas stands as a reminder of that promise of everlasting life that we hope to share in fully one day.”
No Christmas tree would be complete without lights.
But what’s the meaning behind them?
“The candles adorning Christmas trees before electricity were a sign of Jesus, the light of the world,” Fr. Christopher explained. “The present-day lights symbolize the same thing.”
He notes a Scripture passage read at Christmas from Isaiah 9:
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.
“The great light points to Jesus who broke through the darkness of sin in the world through his death and resurrection,” Fr. Christopher explained. “At Christmas time, the lights on trees and other places invite us to be lights to other
people through our acts of kindness and love.”
THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE
The story of the Christmas tree is part of the story of the life of St. Boniface, whose name was originally Winfrid.
Catholic Straight Answers, the website of the Rev. William P. Saunders, of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Arlington, Virginia, gives a detailed explanation.
In short, St. Boniface, born about the year 680 in Devonshire, England, “discovered” the Christmas tree when he was evangelizing to Germans who held on to pagan beliefs and superstitions. At the time, much of northern and central Europe still had not been evangelized.
As the story goes and as recounted by Catholic Straight Answers, St. Boniface and his followers, while traveling through the woods, came across some Germans bent on sacrificing a child at the foot of an oak tree to please the false god Thor.
It was Christmas Eve.
After preventing the sacrifice of the child, St. Boniface picked up an ax and whacked away at the tree. A strong wind helped topple it, splitting it into four pieces.
Behind the oak stood a young fir tree, “pointing like a cathedral spire toward heaven,” as the story goes.
St. Boniface declared the tree a holy symbol and the group carried it to a nearby village. People placed candles on its branches, and thus a cherished Christmas tradition was born.
ABOUT THE TIMING
So, when should Catholics put their trees up and take them down?
A story in Catholic Review offers many suggestions.
Because a Christmas tree is neither sacramental nor part of a liturgy, there
A WORKER PUTS THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON THE
WORKERS ASSEMBLE A 30-FOOT-TALL CHRISTMAS TREE ON THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS ON NOV. 29, 2023. PHOTOS BY EVERETT JOHNSON/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
are no strict right or wrong answers, the story explained.
Right after Thanksgiving is fine. But for other families, waiting until Christmas Eve to set up a tree could be a helpful way of respecting the season of Advent as a time of quiet and even penitential preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas, the story explained.
In contrast to the secular emphasis on pre-Christmas celebrations, waiting until Christmas to set up a tree makes it clear that Advent is not Christmas, but rather its own important season of waiting, Catholic Review noted.
The story also says Catholics can wait to put up their tree until Gaudete Sunday — the “pink” Sunday of the third week of Advent, which this year falls on Dec. 15. The Church’s prayers that day specifically tell worshippers to rejoice at the closeness of Jesus’ upcoming birthday.
Another liturgically fitting day to set up a Christmas tree would be Dec. 17, a week before Christmas Eve, Catholic Review advises. This is when the Church starts praying the “O antiphons” before the Gospel at daily Mass, marking a shift in the Church’s liturgy where Christmas is anticipated with a more immediate sense of urgency.
It’s good to keep in mind, Catholic Review noted, that for Catholics, Christmas Day is just the very beginning of a whole Christmas season. The Church celebrates the “octave,” or the eight days following Christmas, so Jan. 2 — the day after the octave concludes — could be a good day to take down a Christmas tree.
Officially, the Christmas season doesn’t end until the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which the Church celebrates the Sunday after Jan. 6 (in 2025, that day is Jan. 12).
However, the latest feast in the celebration of the Incarnation is the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on Feb. 2. This is the last day that the Vatican keeps up its Christmas tree and crèche in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Catholic Review points out. C
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VISITORS MARVEL AT THE BEAUTIFULLY LIT, 30-FOOT-TALL CHRISTMAS TREE ON THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS. PHOTOS BY EVERETT JOHNSON/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
THE COMPLETED CHRISTMAS TREE AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS.
GOBBLE, GOBBLE, GO!
ST. PIUS V CATHOLIC SCHOOL
HOSTS TURKEY TROT
BY BRITNEY ZINT
FOURTEEN LITTLE “TURKEYS”
giggled and stretched as they prepared to waddle as fast as they could. In orange tutus, or striped socks, turkey hats or feathers, the flock warmed up by jogging in place and stretching up, up on their tippy toes.
Then with a cheer, the transitional kindergartners were off, racing along the loop at their school’s second annual Turkey Trot Jog-A-Thon.
“It’s pretty good. I like running some races,” said kindergartener Hanson Chang, 5. “There’s, like, everyone running, and I like racing them.”
St. Pius V Catholic School in Buena Park got into the Thanksgiving spirit early with its biggest fundraiser of the year on Nov. 20. The TK-through-eighth -grade school had students dressed up in autumnal-colored T-shirts — each personalized and decorated for the season — and running laps with the hope of raising $20,000.
“This opportunity is a fundraiser,” said Principal Shannon Kwan. “We have to have fundraisers, but it’s also about the wellbeing of our students. This is an opportunity to emphasize taking care of your body and wellness. So, we’re glad to partner them together with taking care of our school and taking care of our students at the same time.”
The hoped-for $20,000 would bring musical instruments to the campus. Currently, students in grades three through five learn to play the recorder, which parents purchase. There is also a piano and keyboard.
“And that’s it,” said Kwan, adding they are hoping to purchase hand-held percussion instruments as a start to building the program up to eventually offer string instruments.
Second-grader Desiree Almejo, 7, said she wants to learn to play the violin someday, but she already loves music class.
“I can dance, I can sing and I can make music,” Desiree said.
Adding musical instruments to the program would better round out the students’ education, Kwan explained.
“We always emphasize math and language arts, and they’re important subjects, of course,” she shared. “But when you add in a component of music, you get math out of it, and you see students open up a little bit more. We’ve always been a little heavy on athletics, but not every student wants to play football after school or basketball after school. That’s just not their talent. So, I want to reach all the talents of our students. Music education can bring a lot out of a student that maybe hasn’t found their talent or voice yet.”
The donations will also bring funding to physical education classes. The school has no soccer nets. It needs to replace outdated basketball hoops and also wants to offer pickleball as well.
St. Pius V is a known basketball school, however. Fr. Wayne Adajar, the parish’s parochial administrator who played college basketball in the Philippines, can be found from time to time playing with the students. But soccer is on the upswing, said PE teacher Phil Knapp.
The school has five basketball teams this year and will offer a soccer league in the spring. Knapp said the children are competitive and want to play all the time.
“It’s very essential for us to get this equipment so they can have fun, and also so I can teach,” Knapp said.
St. Pius won’t find out how much it raised until after Thanksgiving break, but the Jog-A-Thon’s theme, which started last year, has been a hit.
LIAM MENDEZ, 6, RUNS A LAP DURING THE ST. PIUS V TURKEY TROT AND JOG-A-THON FUNDRAISER ON WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20. PHOTOS BY SCOTT SMELTZER/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
KINDERGARTENERS RUN ON THE FIELD DURING THE START OF THE ST. PIUS V TURKEY TROT AND JOG-A-THON FUNDRAISER.
“The turkey costumes make the day,” said second-grade teacher Valerie Bell.
One of Bell’s students, Luciana Segoviano-Carbajal, said she loved dressing up as a turkey.
“I like how you can wear crazy socks, crazy skirts and crazy tops,” she said.
While a fun event for the younger students, the Turkey Trot was one of many lasts the soon-to-be St. Pius V alumni will have. For eighth graders, their final time running is very emotional, Knapp said. Elizabeth Duarte volunteered to work
at her son Antonio’s final Jog-A-Thon before he goes off to high school. A mother of two, Duarte said the annual event is touched with sadness, as it’s her family’s final one. But still, Duarte added, her family has made good friends and St. Pius has been a good experience for them all.
“These kinds of activities are just really fun for families to get together, talk to each other and just support our kids,” said Duarte, “because at the end of the day, we’re all here because we love our kids and want to make memories for them. So, we take lots of pictures.” C
AMBER FREEMAN CHEERS ON STUDENTS DURING THE ST. PIUS V TURKEY TROT AND JOG-A-THON FUNDRAISER. PHOTOS BY SCOTT SMELTZER/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN TEACHER AIMEE WESTERLUND, LEFT, AND TK AIDE JENNIFER CARRICO PREPARE THEIR STUDENTS FOR THE ST. PIUS V TURKEY TROT AND JOG-A-THON FUNDRAISER ON WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20.
SERAFINA SANCHEZ, LEFT, ZHABLYZ CISNEROS, CENTER, AND THANIA CISNEROS CHEER ON DESIREE ALMEJO DURING THE ST. PIUS V TURKEY TROT AND JOG-A-THON FUNDRAISER.
OUR IMMACULATE MOTHER
BY REBEKAH VALDERRAMA
NOT LONG AGO, I started to experience a phenomenon common to most women at some point in their adult lives. I realized I was turning into my mother.
Now don't get me wrong. My mom is a wonderful person, and I'm proud to be anything like her. But just like with anyone you've lived with for a long time and gotten to know well, she's not perfect. And I share some of her human flaws. It felt like finally admitting to myself that I was a grownup.
I think most of us have experienced this to one degree or another. No matter how perfect, how patient and loving our parents are, we slowly come to recognize their flaws as we age. I remember a particularly shocking experience when I was young, and my dad swore in front of me for the first time. It shocked me because I looked up to him, and, as all children do, held him to an impossibly perfect standard.
As babies, our parents are our whole world, and as young children, we think they can do no wrong. It's a sign of growing up to gradually recognize that our parents are their own people with their own strengths and weaknesses, virtues and vices.
For some of us, our mothers trigger complicated feelings. Death, strained relationships, mental illness or addiction can make loving our imperfect mothers a heartbreaking challenge.
And this is why God has given us perfect heavenly parents to look up to, lean on, and emulate.
God, our perfect father in heaven, sent us His son in full humanity, with a human mother. And in His wisdom,
preserved Mary, from her very conception, from the stain of original sin. This is known as the Immaculate Conception, which we celebrate on Dec. 8.
Mary is the only perfect mother in history. Remember that when you're having a difficult day with your own kids and cut yourself some slack.
Then turn to your mother Mary when you're struggling in a way that your own earthly mother can't meet. She's always there to offer peace and consolation in trying times.
virgin Mary move in her heart, because she came over to me, gave me a hug, said, "that was from your mother", and then walked away.
I got a hug from Mary.
I had been taught my whole life that Mary was "my mother" but never had an emotional context to place that fact into. It was just words. Never before had I felt it in such a tangible, literal way. I still treasure that moment of consolation and return to it when I meditate on the motherhood of Mary. She holds us each in a very real maternal embrace.
I hope that, wherever your earthly mother is today, and however imperfect she may be, that you can take consolation from Mary, your perfect heavenly mother, and feel her loving embrace in your heart. Don't forget that the feast of the Immaculate Conception has been preempted by the second Sunday in Advent this year and moved to Monday. It's still a solemnity and a holy day of obligation though, so I'll see you back at Mass tomorrow! C
I had the privilege to lead a pilgrimage trip of highschoolers to World Youth Day in Madrid in 2011. I was a young college graduate leading a group of students with adult chaperones, so many of the kids in the group had a parent with them.
We were visiting Lourdes, France on our way to Spain, and spending some time in front of the Blessed Sacrament. One of the mom chaperones, who was accompanying and witnessing her own child on this journey, must have felt the
PHOTO BY JEROEN VAN NIEROP ON UNSPLASH
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