OC CATHOLIC - DECEMBER 10, 2023

DECEMBER 10, 2023

MY HOLY ITALIAN TRAVELS

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

MATER DEI FOOTBALL: MORE THAN ‘JUST ATHLETES’

MONARCHS MAKING STRIDES TO BROADEN THEIR HORIZONS WITHIN THE ARTS PAGE 6 MATER DEI’S FOOTBALL TEAM HAS MANY PLAYERS WHO ALSO SING IN THE SCHOOL CHOIR. PHOTO COURTESY OF MATER DEI FOOTBALL

SELECT DAYS

DEC. 2 - 30, 2023

Join Franciscan Fr. Mario DiCicco for his 2024 Tours DECEMBER 10, 2023

CONTENTS

7 A MARIAN APPROACH TO ADVENT 8 11

Japan and Korea A Far East Adventure • April 5-23 Exploring the Eastern Balkans: Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Prague, Budapest • May 15-31

Advent is a time when we prepare for the coming of Christ, just as Mary prepared to welcome her baby.

Holy Land Pilgrimage • September 7-18 (My 48th year of leading pilgrims there)

MY HOLY ITALIAN TRAVELS

The Silk Road Exploring Central Asia • October 10-28

Contributor Rosalia Ripullo was recently in the country and visited some of the most famous locales for faith, food and fun.

REUNITED!

Mater Dei High School’s class of ’74 is planning its 50th reunion.

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

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For a brochure, write or call: Fr. Mario DiCicco, O.F.M. 110 West Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 888-1331 • mmdicicco@gmail.com website for brochure: FrMarioTours.weebly.com

GUEST COLUMN

COACHED & INSPIRED

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BY FR. JOHN HENRY, O.PRAEM

OOKS OF SURPRISE COME my way when people learn of my devotion to St. Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975), the Spanish priest who founded Opus Dei. What might be even stranger is that I would write a book highlighting his role as a spiritual “coach.”

Since I am a religious priest, a Norbertine, it might seem odd that I would find inspiration and guidance from a saint whose hallmarks include secularity and lay holiness, finding God in the midst of the world and not in a monastery. Now, I live in a monastery. I can tell you that God is here and may be found here by anyone with even a marginal interest in finding Him. Monasteries make it easy to find Him. They exist for that reason: Not only are they places

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for living the vowed life, consecrated to prayer for the Church and world, but they also stand as beacons to attract anyone and everyone, with or (as yet) without faith, to find the Lord.

What does St. Josemaría Escrivá have to do with all of this?

When we look to the saints for inspiration, we should focus mainly on how they responded to God in their lives. Everything else, it seems to me, is secondary to that. What did their “yes” look like? Did they ever struggle or resist His will? Where did their surrender lead them, and what fruits did that surrender yield? These are daily questions for all Christians, and daily points of examination of conscience for those who, like me, are especially consecrated to His service.

I know how to answer these ques-

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tions for St. Josemaría: His surrender to God led him to attract multitudes of people from all walks of life to follow the Lord in daily and professional life, without change of location or profession, but with structure, discipline and the intentionality to grow in holiness by means of the work and relationships of their state in life.

These are the blessings that St. Josemaría’s “yes” brought into the Church and, indeed, into the world.

But the question of our surrender to God and the fruits of that surrender remain open ones for us. What the Lord did with St. Josemaría’s willingness to form Opus Dei is clear. What the Lord will do with our willingness to follow Him is still unfolding. But we look to Escrivá’s example to help us let it unfold without hindering it.

If St. Josemaría emphasized finding God in the world, it must be said that even with all the helps the monastery affords, effort is still required to seek and find Him. The art and architecture, the sacred liturgy, our observances— all of these explicitly point to the Lord. They make no sense without Jesus. But they do not CONTINUES ON PAGE 13

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

AROUND CAMPUS

“

The God of peace never brings about war, never incites hatred, never

”

supports violence.

— Pope Francis

SAINT PROFILE

I

GREGORY III

DIED 741

T

HIS HOLY AND LEARNED Syrian was elected pope by acclamation at the funeral of his predecessor in 731. Growing tensions between Rome and Constantinople had come to a head over the significance of holy pictures and statues. Emperor Leo III, in power in Constantinople, campaigned against the veneration of sacred images and relics. Gregory III convened a synod in Rome that condemned this iconoclasm, or image-breaking, and sanctioned the veneration of sacred images and relics. Leo then seized papal estates in Italy, taking a step toward the eventual schism between East and West. Pope Gregory also focused on missionary work and church administration in the West.

T’S THAT TIME OF year! After a few years of not having one, Christ Cathedral parish recently set up a giant 30-foot Christmas tree on its Great Plaza, bringing a festive air to the Garden Grove grounds.

Other parts of the campus also have Christmas touches, like lights on the palm trees, poinsettias at the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine and wreaths on the Cathedral Cultural Center. The entire Diocese of Orange community is invited to visit by taking a tour, celebrating Mass or attending a concert!C

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

IS 35:1-10; PS 85:9AB AND 10, 11-12, 13-14; LK 5:17-26

ZEC 2:1417; JUDITH 13:18BCDE, 19; LK 1:26-38

IS 40:25-31; PS 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 AND 10; MT 11:28-30

IS 41:13-20; PS 145:1 AND 9, 1011, 12-13AB; MT 11:11-15

IS 48:17-19; PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6; MT 11:16-19

SIR 48:1-4, 9-11; PS 80:2AC AND 3B, 15-16, 18-19; MT 17:9A, 10-13

IS 61:1-2A, 10-11; LK 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54; 1 THES 5:16-24; JN 1:6-8, 19-28

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FEATURE

MATER DEI FOOTBALL: MORE THAN ‘JUST ATHLETES’ MONARCHS MAKING STRIDES TO BROADEN THEIR HORIZONS WITHIN THE ARTS

BY CAM KAUFFMAN

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S ONE OF THE top-ranked high school teams in the country, the Mater Dei Monarchs need no introduction when it comes to their athletic prowess and consistent dominance on the football field.

Mater Dei had one regular season loss to league rival St. John Bosco, but found redemption in the post-season — with a score of 34-17, they clinched the CIF-SS-Division 1 championship on Nov. 24 at the Coliseum in Los Angeles.

The team has historically been known for its size, speed and ability. The fourtime California state champions (They will attempt to win their 5th championship on Dec. 9 against Serra of San Mateo) have produced six undefeated seasons, countless Division I athletes and three Heisman Trophy winners — the only high school to ever do so.

Because of Mater Dei’s national acclaim, people unfamiliar with the program often think that Monarch football players care about athletics first, with academics and extracurriculars miles behind. The team, however, has 17 young men who have a passion for something in addition to football – singing in the school choir.

“We’re pretty much known as football players,” defensive lineman Semi Taulanga said of the outside perception many people have of his team. “People within the school who really know us for who we are, they know we’re not just that.”

Taulanga, a junior and one of the Mater Dei captains, joined choir his sophomore year to expand his horizons and meet new people. Now, he has found a home.

On the field, Taulanga is “a disruptor up front” with “violent hands” and a great attitude, according to associate head coach

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MATER DEI CO-CAPTAIN SEMI TAULANGA (NO. 89), CURRENTLY A JUNIOR, JOINED CHOIR HIS SOPHOMORE YEAR TO EXPAND HIS HORIZONS AND MEET NEW PEOPLE. PHOTO COURTESY OF MATER DEI FOOTBALL

Khaled Holmes, a former USC and NFL center who handles the offensive line.

When he’s in the choir room, however, Taulanga’s 6-foot, 313-pound frame translates into a beautiful voice, according to Mater Dei Choir Director Jodi Reed.

Holmes, a 2008 Mater Dei graduate, said he and his fellow coaches encourage their players to get involved in activities outside of football to build them up as young men.

“It’s important to be a well-rounded person and to develop multiple interests, especially at a young age,” Holmes said.

“We really enable that here.”

Linebacker Mata Uiagalelei said he thinks the football program does exactly that.

“They don’t just push football,” Uiagalelei said. “They invite you to enjoy other parts of life to get started for life after football.”

Mater Dei requires freshmen such as Uiagalelei to take some sort of arts course,

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but after that, it’s up to each student whether he wants to return. Taulanga said he wanted to stay in part because of a song that his choir sang last year that hit home for him.

Taulanga is Polynesian and grew up surrounded by music, as did many of his Polynesian teammates who are also in the choir with him. Because music plays a significant role in Polynesian culture and connection, when Reed introduced a non-English piece traditionally sung in Samoan, Tongan and Fijian cultures, it was an instant success with the choir members and everyone who heard them perform.

“Even other choir groups were really excited for us,” Taulanga said. “After we sang our song, we got a standing ovation from most of the crowd.

Beyond connecting with just the Polynesian students through music, Reed said she attempts to bond with her student-athletes through their love of sport.

“Athletics are a super-competitive

environment, so I try to tap into that competitive edge,” Reed said, “because it’s something they relate to and enjoy.”

Reed recently called upon her students’ “competitive edge” when she had her classroom of around 40 boys in Taulanga’s choir, the Kingsmen, audition for solo tryouts.

More than 15 of the boys, including Taulanga and senior defensive lineman Hanu Atuatasi, stood up to each sing a 30-second snippet from one of the songs they were set to perform at their then-upcoming concert in hopes of obtaining a coveted solo spot.

Like football, choir also requires constant repetitions to get things as perfect as possible before the big performance.

During that same session, Reed also had the boys practice lining up on the risers in perfect unison, but when it took more than three tries to get things right, encouraging shouts of “lock in” and “come on, guys!” rang out throughout the room – words that the football players often use during pracCONTINUES ON PAGE 7

FEATURE / CATHOLIC FAMILY LIVING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

tices to keep their teammates focused.

“They’ve got that work ethic that comes from being part of a Mater Dei athletic team,” Reed said. “When they come to the arts and they learn these soft skills, it is even more beneficial to them.”

Starting center Cristian Fallani, a member of Mater Dei’s most prestigious choir, the Chamber Singers, said he participates because he enjoys the parallels between athletics and the arts.

“It’s just like varsity football, you can’t miss a day of practice,” Fallani said. “I joined because I wanted to compete with the best of the best, just like the reason why I went to Mater Dei.” Reed said she understands that football may be higher on the football players’ priority list than choir, but the arts “can still be part of another aspect of their personality” in conjunction with athletics, not a contradiction to it.

In fact, sometimes athletics and the arts collide before Friday night home games when football-playing choir members sing the national anthem together before rejoining their team on the sideline.

Before teaching student-athletes at Mater Dei, Reed had never been to a football game. Now, she is a huge supporter of the program and enjoys getting to watch her students every Friday night from the stands.

At a school like Mater Dei that has excellent academic, athletic and arts programs, it can be easy for high schoolers to choose one activity to focus their time on. But for now, Taulanga is content being more than just a football player.

“Everybody has their own part in the song that they use to work together to turn it into something beautiful,” Taulanga said. “It’s the same thing with football. Everybody has their own position to play, and when everybody does their own job, we’re successful.” C

A MARIAN APPROACH TO ADVENT

BY JOAN PATTEN, AO

“I

N THE CHURCH’S LITURGY, Advent is a Marian season. It is the season in which Mary made room in her womb for the world’s Redeemer and bore the expectation and hope of humanity. To celebrate Advent means: to become Marian, to enter into that communion with Mary’s Yes which, ever anew, is room for God’s birth, for the ‘fullness of time’.”

This lovely excerpt is from “Mary: The Church at the Source” by Pope Benedict XVI and Hans von Balthasar offers us a guide as we journey through this Advent season.

As we advance through December, we pause to honor Our Lady several times and ask for her intercession. On Dec. 8, we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary in the womb of her mother St. Ann. We thank God for preserving Our Lady from the stain of original sin from the moment of her conception. This special privilege made her a worthy dwelling place for Jesus to enter into the human race and gives us a hopeful example of what God’s grace is meant to magnify in each of us.

On Dec. 12, we celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, rejoicing that Our Blessed Mother appeared to Juan Diego and assured him of her motherly protection and assistance. As Patroness of the Diocese of Orange, we are drawn to Our Lady of Guadalupe and seek her guidance so we, too may be faithful disciples of her Son, Jesus.

On the fourth Sunday of Advent, we encounter the Annunciation of Mary

PHOTO BY JOANNA B.

in the Gospel reading. Here, the Gospel invites us to receive the fruit of Mary’s “Yes” and imitate her trust in God’s love and plans for our good. As her children, we can turn to Mary and ask her to teach us how to pray and listen to the Lord speaking to each of us in our hearts.

We see the presence of Our Lady throughout the Church’s prayers, especially in the Liturgy of the Hours. The daytime prayer antiphons remind us that Mary is the Mother of Our Savior and lead us to meditate on the Angel Gabriel’s greeting to her.

The Office of Readings gives us a variety of beautiful reflections from the saints and Church Fathers who point out Mary’s humble presence at the center of the drama of Christ’s coming into this world.

In the Office of Readings on Dec. 20, St. Bernard of Clairvaux offers a vivid mediation of all of Heaven and Earth awaiting Mary’s reply at the moment of the Annunciation. Although Mary was free from original sin, she still had free

will and the ability to say “no” to God. However, we can imagine that after the Angel Gabriel relayed God’s mission and message to Our Lady, she paused to consider everything in her heart.

In the moment of silence before the Angel Gabriel, the tension of the moment is highlighted by St. Bernard in his mediation.

He says, “We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion; the sentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon us.”

The mediation ends with the triumph of Mary’s fiat, that is, her surrender to God in declaring, “May it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk. 1:38) There was never a “no” in Mary’s heart.

Let the Church’s liturgy and Our Lady guide you closer to her Son this Advent.

Let us ask Mary to teach us how to pray and trust in the Lord’s love as she did, even when she did not understand. We will reflect Mary’s love and peace when we seek the Lord’s healing and direction through prayer and the sacraments. Only then will we be able to respond like her in freedom and joy. C

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FEATURE

MY HOLY ITALIAN TRAVELS

BY ROSALIA RIPULLO

I

TALY IS FAMED FOR its stunning architecture, culturally thriving cities and crave-worthy foods, but truly, there’s no holier land in Europe than the pastoral landscape of Italy.

Her vistas are peppered with beautiful cathedrals where previously hundreds of city-states thrived and survived the flow of the Greeks, Turks, Spaniards and other invaders passing through a country that today touts, “la dolce vita.”

For Catholics, a good vacation living “the sweet life” starts with knowing where to go for holy Mass. Rome and the famed Vatican City get top billing as the holiest part of Italy and while Rome is a popular spot to begin as a tourist, continuing down south to the regions of Basilicata, Puglia and Sicily, the former boasting Europe’s oldest city, reveals ancient cathedrals waiting to be revealed to eager travelers.

If walking around the most ancient city on the continent of Europe sounds exciting, then look no further than the region of Basilicata’s Matera. A diamond at night, with twinkling lights hiding daytime’s revelation of hundreds of caves or “Sassi,” cave-curious visitors can now explore the museums in these wonders that have been around since Paleolithic times.

If you’re there on a Sunday like I was, you can attend a beautiful inspirational Mass offered by the local bishop in the stunning Duomo di Matera across from the 15th century Palazzo Gattini, a perfectly restored 15th century stone palace.

The cathedral, built in the 13th CONTINUES ON PAGE 9

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THE FACADE OF BASILICA DI SANTA CROCE AND ITS RIGHT SIDE, SHOWCASING A STATUE OF FORTITUDE.

LOOKING DOWN FROM CIVITA HILL, MATERA’S TALLEST POINT, ONTO THE NIGHTTIME HOUSE LIGHTS WHICH HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR CENTURIES. PHOTOS BY ROSALIA RIPULLO

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FEATURE

THE FULL FACADE OF BASILICA DI SANTA CROCE WITH ITS BAROQUE PILLARS, STATUES AND FINISHES.

NIGHTTIME IN FRONT OF THE CATTEDRALE DI SANTA MARIA SANTISSIMA DELLA BRUNA.

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structures of all time.

Make sure you take time to grasp every symbol, each whispering their own unique allegories while enjoying the city’s most popular dish, Ciceri e Tria, pasta with chickpeas topped with fried pasta.

When it comes to the south of Italy, many think of Sicily so it is only fair we finish off with the most southern church on our list. We are traveling to this island scattered with Greek and Roman artifacts alike to a place most famous for its luxurious hotels and picturesque beaches.

In Taormina, there is no shortage of five-star properties, Magna Grecia remains– and churches. Il Duomo di Taormina is the city’s cathedral and is not only dedicated to St. Nicholas of Bari, but also reps a rather uncommon architectur-

century, was devoted to Madonna della Bruna and Saint Eustace. Madonna della Bruna is a testament to Matera’s ancient roots and own apparition of the Virgin Mary. The stunning Apulian Romanesque cathedral sits atop the highest point, dividing the two Sassi sites.

Spend the day being observant, go to Mass and take in the views but don’t forget the “dolce vita” means to take time to taste all of life’s great foods, one of which is a healthy dish of chicory with orecchiette, a specialty of Matera.

But as far south as this spot may seem, another beautiful cathedral and Baroque masterpiece lies further down into Puglia’s gem, Lecce. Famed as the Baroque capital of the world because of its cathedral, Ba-

silica di Santa Croce, this intricate church is a testament to Italy’s glory for God, shone through centuries of architecture.

Speaking of centuries, this symbolic church which features a series of mythical beings triumphed by angels and nature under the balustrade took over 100 years and three architects to complete. Originally set forth by the Celestine Fathers, a branch of the Benedictines, this building boasts massive columns, statues of San Benedetto and San Celestino V, statues of faith and fortitude incarnate and an impressive 17 altars.

At a point in the 19th century, the designs of over 30 creatures and statues were even deemed too much for the city.

But in recent times, this basilica stands recognized as one of the greatest baroque

al style in its Sicilian Romanesque Gothic design.

Having been built in the 15th century, this church is surprisingly recent when juxtaposed with the city’s establishment by the Greeks in 700 BC. What was once a medieval basilica, now resembles a fortress because of its stone facade and single rose window.

But anyone who stops by knows to check out the fountain in front of the cathedral, which is fashioned in the shape of Taormina’s symbol, the centaur.

Since it sits in the Piazza del Duomo, there are several cafes to choose from to enjoy something pistachio or almond flavored because both are equally loved amongst Sicilians and their many foreign colonizers. C

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SPORTS

THREE’S A CHARM

JSERRA’S GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM WINS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR

BY LOU PONSI

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T’S BEEN A SEASON of “threepeats” for the JSerra girls cross country team.

At the CIF State Cross Country Championships held on Nov. 25 at Woodward Park in Fresno, JSerra won its third consecutive Division 4 state championship.

Summer Wilson and Sophie Polay were second and third, respectively, and were among four Lions to finish among the top 10 along with Kaylah Tasser (eighth) and Brynn Garcia (10th).

The Lions set Woodward Park records in both score (40 points) and team time (89:41).

On Nov. 18, the Lions captured their third consecutive Division 4 Southern Section title at the CIF SS Championships at Mt. San Antonio College with the same four runners finishing among the top 10.

“This season has honestly been crazy,” Garcia said. “I think we’ve been reaching all of our goals and surpassing it in so many of our races. Every practice I’m just amazed at what we can do on the track, the times that we’re hitting.”

The Lions have been winning or placing high in prestigious events all season.

JSerra captured first place at the ASICS Cool Breeze Evening Invitational on Sept.

2 at the Pomona Fairplex.

And at the Woodbridge Classic on Sept.

16, one of the premier cross country meets in the nation, the Lions finished second to Air Academy of Colorado Springs, but were the highest placing California team.

On Oct. 13, the Lions won the talent laden sweepstakes race at the Orange

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JSERRA GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM IS PICTURED AFTER WINNING THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AT WOODWARD PARK IN FRESNO ON NOV. 25. PHOTO COURTESY OF JSERRA ATHLETICS

County Championships at Oak Canyon Park in Silverado.

JSerra easily won the ASICS Clovis Invitational on Oct. 7 at Woodward Park.

Garcia credits much of the team’s success over the long haul to the leadership of coach Chase Frazier, who she said, “is one of the best running coaches ever.”

Frazier fosters an atmosphere of mutual support and camaraderie, Garcia said, and encourages the runners to derive strength from each other.

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“He’s always telling us, pressure’s a privilege,” Garcia said. “He’s always just giving us little words of wisdom throughout the season so that we’re confident.”

Faith has also played a huge role in shaping the team’s identity, said Frazier, who took over at JSerra in 2019 as head cross country coach and head track & field coach for boys and girls.

“This group knows how important faith is and how, not everything is in their control,” said Frazier, a two-time Orange

County Coach of the Year. “A lot of it is in God’s control. They pray before every meet. They make sure they check all the boxes.”

The JSerra boys cross country team also returned from Fresno with some hardware.

The Lions took second place in the Division 4 race, the team’s best performance at the state meet in school history.

Bradley Arrey and Saul Orozco finished 10th and 11th respectively to lead the Lions to the podium. C

SCHOOLS

REUNITED!

MATER DEI’S CLASS OF ’74 PLANS 50TH REUNION

BY LOU PONSI

F

OR A GROUP OF graduates from Mater Dei High School’s Class of 1974, planning for the 50-year reunion has been a true bonding experience and as much fun as the reunion itself.

A small committee of Class of ‘74 members began meeting a more than a year ago and meet once a month to plan the reunion, which is taking place July 20.

But beyond the actual planning and dividing up tasks for the festivities, planning meetings have allowed the 50-year graduates to socialize and form new friendships with old classmates, said Linda Ruiz, who heads the eight-member committee along with Mater Dei classmate Joanne

Hutter Fierro.

Fierro and Ruiz have attended every reunion except the 10-year reunion.

And food and beverages are a staple of every meeting.

“Believe it or not, I did not hang around with one of these classmates in high school,” Ruiz said of her fellow committee members. “I didn’t even know several of them.”

The committee meets monthly and then weekly as the reunion draws near, but committee members talk and exchange emails almost daily, Ruiz said.

Class of ‘74 graduates are living across the country and around the world and social media has been a useful tool in locating classmates, always the most difficult part of the planning process.

Classmate Marla Frazer has lived in several states since graduating and recently traveled from her current home in Colorado to attend a planning meeting held at Mater Dei High School.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 14

MATER DEI CLASS OF 1974 MEMORABILIA IS ON DISPLAY DURING A RECENT 50TH REUNION PLANNING MEETING.

JOANNE HUTTER FIERRO, A MEMBER OF THE MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1974, SHOWS OFF HER GRADUATION CAP DURING A RECENT PLANNING MEETING FOR THE UPCOMING 50-YEAR REUNION. PHOTOS BY LOU PONSI/DIOCESE OF ORANGE D E C E M B E R 10 , 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.

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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.

FR. JOHN HENRY POSES WITH HIS NEW BOOK, “COACHED BY JOSEMARÍA ESCRIVÁ.” PHOTO COURTESY OF FR. JOHN HENRY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

substitute for faith. Nor do they exempt us from choosing to surrender ourselves each day to His will.

I find in St Josemaría as “coach” the motivation to begin each day with renewed confidence and vigor to follow the Lord. He is tough and uncompromising, but at the same time, so completely understanding of human weakness. As he writes in “Christ is Passing By”: “I know that the moment we talk about fighting we recall our weakness and we foresee falls and mistakes. God takes this into account. As we walk along it is inevitable that we will raise dust; we are creatures and full of defects. I would

almost say that we will always need defects. They are the shadow which shows up the light of God’s grace and our resolve to respond to God’s kindness. And this chiaroscuro will make us human, humble, understanding and generous.”

By culling into a short book all of the headings under which I take inspiration from St. Josemaría, I hope to introduce (or reacquaint) readers with the vitality of his example and message for living as holy disciples wherever in the world the Lord has placed them.

Fr. John Henry’s book, “Coached by Josemaría Escrivá” is available through Scepter Publishers (https://scepterpublishers.org/) or from Amazon. C

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SCHOOLS PAGE HEADING

MEMBERS OF MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL’S CLASS OF 1974 POSE FOR A PHOTO IN THE SCHOOL’S ICONIC GROTTO. PHOTOS BY LOU PONSI/DIOCESE OF ORANGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

Frazier, who learned about the reunion from Class of ‘74 Facebook page, hadn’t attended a reunion since 1994.

“When you’re at our age there’s so much to look back on,” said Frazier. “I maybe missed out on this or that or I wish I’d done this differently or that differently.”

She continued, “This is like redemption to become friends with people who maybe I wasn’t friends with in high school. It’s awesome.”

Fierro, who last attended the 45th reunion, said she discovers new classmates at every planning meeting.

“Trying to track down classmates has been the more challenging,” Fierro said.

“Now the fun part really starts where we get to plan the actual event.”

Of the approximately 425 members

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of the Class of ‘74, 32 have died and a memorial takes place at every reunion to remember those who’ve passed away.

There are also several notable members of the Class of ‘74.

One is Most Reverend Bishop Jaime Soto, bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento.

Bishop Soto always attends the reunion on Saturday and then celebrates Mass on the Mater Dei campus on Sunday.

“He comes to all of his reunions too, so he’ll be there,” Ruiz said.

Another notable Class of ‘74 member is Maurice Sanchez, who made history in 2022 when he was unanimously confirmed as associate justice of California’s 4th District Court of Appeal, Division 3, becoming the first Latino and first person of color to serve on the bench.

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Ric Olsen, lead guitarist from the 1980s band, Berlin, is a member of the class.

Planning committee member Rose Alvarado Monsanto of Oceanside has attended several reunions and been part of the committee since the 40th reunion.

Monsanto said she had to work to help her family pay for the tuition, so she didn’t get the opportunity to get involved in social activities outside of school.

Reuniting with old friends and making new ones is the main reason she stays involved.

“I feel that having communication or friendship with people who we have lost touch with is really important,” Monsanto said. “My goal for the 40th, when we had it, was to say hello to every single person who came because I wanted to feel that I met everybody. I think our class was so close because we were so small.”

If you’re a graduate from Mater Dei’s Class of ‘74 or know a graduate who would be interested in attending the reunion, send an email to materdei74@gmail.org.

Planning committee members are Joanne Hutter Fierro, Linda Stockhausen Ruiz, Rose Alvardo Monsanto, Patti Gay Buoy, Sylvia Mora Munion, Marian Ryan, Denise Dee Knack, Leslie Tennyson and Marla Frazer Hendershot.C

MARLA FRAZER HENDERSHOT, LEFT, AND DENISE DEE KNACK, MEMBERS OF MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL’S CLASS OF 1974, LOOK AT CLASSMATES’ PHOTOS IN AN OLD YEARBOOK DURING A RECENT PLANNING MEETING FOR THE CLASS REUNION.

Moments MomentsininourourJourney Journey

Irish eyes (and Italian eyes) were smiling when Arthur and Mary (Kelly) Stabile traveled to Ireland to visit Tom Kelly, eldest of the 12 Kelly children of Tustin. Tom received the Anointing of the Sick and the entire Kelly family thanks you and appreciates your prayers.

—Submitted by Karen Kelly, St. Cecilia parish

Send your photos that capture Catholic life in your parish community to: editor@occatholic.com D E C E M B E R 10 , 2 0 2 3 ■ O C C A T H O L I C

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