OC Catholic - January 2, 2022

SAN JOSE FILIPINO MINISTRY

JANUARY 2, 2022

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

2021 YEAR IN REVIEW PAGE 8

BISHOP THANH THAI NGUYEN OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE IS SHOWN BENEATH THE MARBLE STATUE OF THE VIRGIN MARY IN THE OUR LADY OF LA VANG SHRINE LOCATED ON THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS IN GARDEN GROVE ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021. PHOTO: LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER/SCNG

THE ORANGE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION PRESENTS THE 19TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS & ETHICS

FEBRUARY 18, 2022 7:30 AM TO 11:00 AM

JW MARRIOTT, ANAHEIM 1775 S CLEMENTINE STREET, ANAHEIM, CA 92802

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR HONOREES BISHOP’S AWARD FOR EXEMPLARY BUSINESS INTEGRITY HONOREES

AL BALDWIN

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD BALDWIN & SONS

The Conference on Business & Ethics has motivated leaders to grow more responsibly in their personal and professional lives through inspirational keynote speakers and honorees who exemplify integrity and ethical business practices. Designed to inspire, this conference is unique as each year honorees are selected for their influential and ethical business practices in the Orange County community.

PRESENTING PARTNERS BENJAMIN & CARMELA DU

LEGATUS HOLY SPIRIT CEO FORUM

FAMILIA GONZALEZ REYNOSO FOUNDATION

Keynote Speaker

LUKE ZAMPERINI

PRESIDENT AND CEO, THE LOUIS ZAMPERINI FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION

ROGER KIRWAN

CHAIRMAN & CEO WOODSIDE CREDIT

Luke Zamperini is the son of famed U.S. Olympian and World War II hero Louis Zamperini who is the subject of the best selling book Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption

by Laura Hillenbrand, and the film by the same name directed by Angelina Jolie. Luke is also Executive Producer of the film sequel Unbroken: Path to Redemption and President of the Louis Zamperini Foundation, a 501c3 charitable organization that provides curriculum to high schools, youth correctional facilities, and the National Guard Youth Challenge program that teaches resilience, hope and forgiveness based on his father’s incredible life.

Luke is a motivational Christian speaker, musician, avid golfer, Bible teacher and retired Chief Building Inspector for the City of Los Angeles. He resides in Southern California with his wife Lisa.

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HONOREE

2022 DEDICATION - HANK EVERS The 2022 Conference on Business & Ethics will be dedicated in memory of Hank Evers. Evers worked for nearly 10 years with The Orange Catholic Foundation and the Diocese of Orange. His love for the Church and Catholic schools motivated him to make the Conference on Business & Ethics one of the top rated non-profit events in Orange County.

Evers helped raise millions over the years through this conference and other Catholic school campaigns to support students in need.

PROCEEDS FROM THE SPECIAL APPEAL WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE ORANGE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS FUND.

THE GONZALEZ FAMILY (NORTHGATE MARKET)

SCAN QR CODE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO BECOME A PARTNER WWW.ORANGECATHOLICFOUNDATION.ORG/CBE To become a partner today, visit www.OrangeCatholicFoundation.org/CBE. For partnership questions, please contact Gennifer Billish at 714.282.3138 or email GBillish@OrangeCatholicFoundation.org.

JANUARY 2, 2022

CONTENTS

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FAITH, SCIENCE AND REASON

Fr. Robert Spitzer’s Magis Institute brings a unique perspective to the intersection of faith and science.

NEW BEGINNINGS

The start of a new year is an opportunityto reflect on the past and plan for the future.

POPE: THE HOLY FAMILY ALSO FELT STRESS In a letter released on the feast of the Holy Family, Pope Francis drew comparisons between biblical events and the present day.

PLUS

Guest Column, Weekly Readings, Moments In Our Journey

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: Tracey Kincaid, tkincaid@rcbo.org Editor: Patricia Mahoney, editor@occatholic.com News Ideas: storyideas@rcbo.org Delivery Problems: occatholicsupport@occatholic.com

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

SCNG CUSTOM CONTENT Managing Editor: Caitlin Adams

Art Director: Fernando M. Donado

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

GUEST COLUMN

IT’S TIME TO REGENERATE OUR MORAL COMPASS

BY FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

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N INCREASE IN self-centeredness and the deterioration of dignified speech are indicating a malfunctioning moral compass.

Evil is what ought not to be and is the opposite of goodness. Increasingly dark dispositions are an especially daunting problem today of what ought not to be.

The core of moral compass is our disposition. It is the way events influence us and cause us to go in one direction and avoid another.

To be morally sound requires a disposition that reflects God’s graciousness.

God desires to be one with us and a loving intimate friend. Embracing God’s graciousness is the very heart of being well disposed.

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What is destroying a sound disposition is the exaggeration of the “me society,” which is more about my philosophy, my political beliefs and individuality, and less about being open to another’s views and beliefs. It is a “me-mine rights society” that is splitting inspirational dialogue.

Undoubtedly personal preferences and one’s beliefs are vital. They possess the power to strengthen our faith, increase our hopes and enliven our love. Faith generates commitment and is an anchor keeping us from drifting. Hope enables us to look forward to new horizons, and love warms the heart.

However, when the heart becomes hardened and unable to expand, friendship fades. Chaos then results, and God’s peaceful rule of order falls into disorder, crippling our moral compass.

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CONTINUES ON PAGE 13

FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK WRITES FOR THE CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE COLUMN “THE HUMAN SIDE.” FILE PHOTO: BOB ROLLER / CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

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

JOURNEY TOWARD GOD

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N OUR CELEBRATION OF EPIPHANY, two interwoven themes are present in the readings today. God is beginning something new, and God gathers all of humanity to participate. For Isaiah, God’s bright light, manifested in the people of Israel, attracts and summons people from many nations to Jerusalem. In the letter to the Ephesians, God’s grace makes the Gentiles co-heirs and co-partners in the gospel. Matthew tells the story of the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel through the birth of Jesus, and simultaneously leading foreigners to share in these same promises. With the birth of Jesus, God chose a particular people, in a particular time and place, to enter most directly into the human story. Today’s readings teach that God did this in order to gather all people, all cultures, into unity with God. Like the magi, we are drawn into a journey toward God, becoming co-partners in God’s work.

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. C

Faith “in Jesus is not a bargaining chip; it is salvation…”

— Pope Francis

SAINT PROFILE

MACARIUS OF ALEXANDRIA (THE YOUNGER) FOURTH CENTURY

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CITIZEN OF ALEXANDRIA, Macarius abandoned his work as a confectioner while still young and chose instead a life of asceticism in the deserts of Egypt. He spent some 40 years learning and practicing monastic life in Upper Egypt, beginning about 335, then moved to Lower Egypt, where he moved among hermit’s cells in three different deserts. Desert monks lived alone but worshipped together on Saturday and Sunday. According to his disciple Palladius, Macarius was austere and rigorous. Macarius of Alexandria is recalled in the canon of the Coptic-rite Mass, and is often confused with his namesake, St. Macarius the Egyptian, also the Elder, who lived at the same time and whose feast is also in January. C

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

1 JN 3:22 — 4:6; PS 2:7BC-8, 1012A; MT 4:12-17, 23-25

1 JN 4:7-10; PS 72:1-4, 7-8; MK 6:34-44

1 JN 4:11-18; PS 72:1-2, 10, 12-13; MK 6:45-52

1 JN 4:19 — 5:4; PS 72:1-2, 14, 15BC, 17; LK 4:14-22A

1 JN 5:5-13; PS 147:12-15, 19-20; LK 5:12-16

1 JN 5:14-21; PS 149:1-6A, 9B; JN 3:22-30

IS 42:1-4, 6-7 PS 29:1-4, 3, 9-10; ACTS 10:34-38; LK 3:15-16, 21-22

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FEATURE

FAITH, SCIENCE AND REASON FR. SPITZER BRINGS A NOVEL APPROACH TO EVANGELIZATION

BY NICOLE GREGORY

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ATHER ROBERT J. SPITZER, S.J., Ph.D., has a goal: To demonstrate to young people the existence of God using science and reason, so that they turn toward, not away, from God. He has dedicated much of his life to this purpose, most recently by establishing the Magis (pronounced mah-jis) Center located in the Tower of Hope on the Christ Cathedral campus. The Center produces publications and educational materials for middle and high school students in Catholic schools around the country.

The goal is fascinating, focused and unique, like the Jesuit priest himself.

Fr. Spitzer was born in Hawaii in 1952, near Mount Tantalus, and lived there until he entered Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Even as a young student he was drawn to philosophy, reading all he could—Camus, Sartre, Dostoevsky and Eli Wiesel’s book, “Night.” (Little did he know that he would one day become president of Gonzaga for 11 years.)

His inquisitive nature caused Fr. Spitzer to keep seeking answers. One day while walking down the corridor at Gonzaga University, he heard a professor in a classroom talking about proof of the existence of God and was riveted.

“Slowly but surely evidence came, along with this very deep intuition within me—I wanted to know everything about God and religion.”

A turning point came when he joined a friend in attending Mass every day as a Lenten practice. But after Lent was over,

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PHOTO: DREW KELLEY

he kept going.

“I was hooked,” he said. “I loved the homilies of the Jesuits. I was changing.

My religion was becoming the most important thing in my life.”

From Gonzaga, Fr. Spitzer went to St. Louis University where he received a master’s degree in philosophy, then to Rome for his master’s in divinity (though his father had hoped he would go to law school).

While in Rome, he realized there was something wrong with his eyes. A specialist diagnosed retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative disease which would eventually cause him to go blind.

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“Emotionally I was devastated at first, but then I decided to look at the future and what I could do,” Fr. Spitzer recalled.

He continued on to the Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and then proceeded to the Catholic University of America for his Ph.D., studying under Paul Weiss the well-known philosopher and metaphysician.

“Faith is a mystery, people said, but I wanted some evidence,” recalled Fr. Spitzer. “I was the wandering pest, constantly asking priests questions.”

The journey to becoming a priest himself was not simple.

“I wanted to get married and to have a family, but I wanted to make religion the center of my life,” Fr. Spitzer explained.

Finally, he decided to become a permanent deacon, but eventually became convinced that he should be a priest.

After nine years of studies and teaching he was ordained a deacon in Rome, and then ordained a priest in Seattle in 1983.

He began a career as a teacher, book author, theologian and speaker, connecting science and God. From 1998 to 2009 he was president of Gonzaga University and oversaw the expansion of academic and faith programs.

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FEATURE / CATHOLIC FAMILY LIVING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

Then at age 57, he became completely blind—a potentially debilitating experience. For Fr. Spitzer, it deepened his faith.

“First, it taught me humility. I’m not an arrogant type but I can definitely think I’m smart,” he said. “But when you bash into a few pillars in an airport, that’s a lesson in humility.”

He also learned to rely on other people.

“Nobody is self-sufficient,” he said.

“For a long time, I was a very independent thinker. I thought ‘I can do this myself.’ Now I can’t do it myself.

Blindness helps form a communion of people around you to help get things done. It’s a labor of love and that was a blindness discovery.”

And finally, “The best thing about blindness is that you’re just going to have to trust God. He’s going to help you and take care of you in tough situations.”

As Fr. Spitzer continued his exploration of science and faith, his idea for the Magis Center began to form. He first established it as an organization to facilitate retreats for business and professional leaders, but then he and his colleagues changed the mission of Magis to what it is today—a center that demonstrates the connections between faith and reason, through books, videos, blogs and educational materials. He’s even addressed the possibility of the existence of alien beings—which neither surprises nor alarms him.

“God would have to give souls to those alien beings,” he said.

But his main concern is the younger generation.

“Forty-two percent of church-going Catholic kids leave the Church and God altogether because of a lack of evidence,” said Fr. Spitzer. “The primary purpose of the Magis Center is to bring together faith, science and reason—it is the greatest need that we have in our Church today.” C

NEW BEGINNINGS THE NEW YEAR OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE AND ENHANCE OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES

BY CATHI DOUGLAS

“The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions.

“Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective. Unless a man starts on the strange assumption that he has never existed before, it is quite certain that he will never exist afterwards. Unless a man be born again, he shall by no means enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.”

– G. K. Chesterton

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S CATHOLICS, OUR NEW year starts on the first day of Advent. Still, as 2022 begins, it’s a time for a fresh start and new beginnings.

With that in mind, I’m mulling over the usual resolutions: Get more organized, eat better and stick to a fitness regimen. For my soul, I’m thinking about more meaningful, and lasting resolutions.

A good start is available at catholiccompany.com, where writer Gretchen Filz has collected “Eight Spiritual New Year’s Resolutions for Catholics,” first published in 2017.

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

From increasing spiritual reading to embracing Marian devotion, Filz includes attendance at Mass during the week, penance and stewardship to her suggested list, as well as adding a ‘saint buddy’ to one’s prayer life.

We all recognize that the New Year offers a perfect opportunity to reflect on the trajectory of our lives. We all want to be the best-versions-of-ourselves, as Catholic philosopher Matthew Kelly writes in his Dynamic Catholic books.

As for me, I am woefully lacking as a Christian and a Catholic. I know this is something I must work on in the New Year, so I’ve compiled a number of crucial resolutions I need to address right away: n Stop cursing. All too often I swear, especially on the road. If you haven’t noticed, Southern California drivers are crazy. That’s no excuse for my potty mouth, especially where God is concerned. n Be more patient. As above, I’m usually impatient and nasty when the driver in front of me doesn’t signal or

someone cuts me off. I’m not in a hurry, so why does it get to me? n Enhance my prayer life. I spend too little time with our Lord in prayer. n Increase my penance. In addition to going to confession more often, I must fast and pray much more often, particularly on holy and feast days. n Show Jesus’s love. Although we give regularly to the Sisters of Providence, Holy Family parish and other Catholic charities, I could volunteer more often in service to the Church and our community.

As Deacon Keith Fournier wrote at Catholic Online, “Jesus can make all things new within us – and then continues His work of making all things new through us. “Even though our human freedom was fractured by sin, the splint of the wood of the Cross is the lasting and life changing remedy which brings healing to the wound.”

Fournier notes that Jesus alone can fulfill the desire that is at the heart of New Year’s celebrations. Let us resolve to love Him better in 2022 – the ultimate resolution for us all. C The Maria Ferrucci Catholic Family Living feature is intended to inspire families to live their faith in the way Maria Ferrucci did throughout her earthly life.

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FEATURE

DIOCESE OF ORANGE: 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

BY PATRICIA MAHONEY AND BRADLEY ZINT

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N THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE, 2021 was a busy and eventual year marked by acts of joy and reverence.

Several momentous occasions also allowed the Diocese to embrace and celebrate its remarkable diversity — a feat notably achieved with the blessing of the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine at Christ Cathedral. The striking monument, unveiled in July in an event that drew thousands of the faithful and even Papal Nuncio Archbishop Christophe Pierre, depicts the Virgin Mary and serves as a remarkable testament to the journey of Vietnamese Catholics.

The Diocese also celebrated two major expansions — the Cathedral Memorial Gardens cemetery and a new sanctuary for the Christ Our Savior parish — that showed how Catholicism continues to thrive in the county.

Enjoy this recap of 2021, a year of much celebration throughout the Diocese of Orange.

UNVEILING OF THE OUR LADY OF LA VANG SHRINE

The Our Lady of La Vang Shrine was unveiled to an estimated 8,500 onlookers in an elaborate Solemn Blessing Day at the Christ Cathedral campus on Saturday, July 17. The shrine features an Italian marble statue of the Virgin Mary as she is believed to have appeared before a group of persecuted Vietnamese Catholics in Vietnam in 1798.

The multimillion-dollar project took several years of planning and construction before coming to fruition. The shrine remains a work in progress, with finishing touches on the site happening well into 2022.

Since the summer’s Solemn Blessing Day, the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine has become a holy pilgrimage site for many, particularly Vietnamese Catho-

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OUR LADY OF LA VANG IS UNVEILED AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL IN GARDEN GROVE ON SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2021, AS THOUSANDS OF PARISHIONERS FROM THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GATHER FOR THE EVENT. PHOTO: MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER/SCNG

lics, who can routinely be seen visiting the shrine and praying in front of the Blessed Mother.

CATHEDRAL MEMORIAL GARDENS EXPANSION AND BLESSING

After an extensive $18.5-million expansion, the Cathedral Memorial Gardens cemetery at Christ Cathedral was blessed by Bishop Kevin Vann and other Diocese leaders on Tuesday, Nov. 2. The expansion took two years to complete. It includes a new mausoleum, cemeteries office and thousands of glass and marble niches.

The grounds, which date to the 1990s when the campus was the Crystal Cathedral under the Rev. Robert Schuller, are now roughly doubled in

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BISHOP OF ORANGE KEVIN W. VANN BLESSES THE CATHEDRAL MEMORIAL GARDENS CEMETERY AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL IN GARDEN GROVE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2021.

THE MEMORIAL GARDENS, CREATED IN 1991 UNDER THE REV. ROBERT SCHULLER, UNDERWENT AN $18.5-MILLION EXPANSION DOUBLING THE SIZE SIZE TO 69,150 SQUARE FEET. PHOTO:LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER/ SCNG

FEATURE

ST. MICHAEL’S ABBY DEDICATED THE CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION IN SILVERADO, CA ON TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021. PHOTO: PAUL BERSEBACH, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER/SCNG CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

size. Another highlight of the project is the mausoleum’s new stained glass artwork by artist Elizabeth Devereaux of Jesus Christ’s rising.

DEDICATION OF CHRIST OUR SAVIOR

In a historic day, Bishop Kevin Vann dedicated the Diocese’s newest church, Christ Our Savior, in Santa Ana on Saturday, Sept. 11. The 18,500-square-foot sanctuary is architecturally modern, taking some of its design cues from Segerstrom Hall, a fine arts venue in nearby Costa Mesa.

Christ Our Savior’s church was originally planned to be the Diocese’s new cathedral until the Diocese bought the Crystal Cathedral campus in Garden Grove and renovated it.

Christ Our Savior’s church seats 1,200 parishioners and was even designed to accommodate Masses in American Sign Language.

OPENING THE NEW ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY

The new St. Michael’s Abbey was dedicated on Tuesday, May 4. Located in Silverado Canyon with the Santa Ana Mountains as a scenic backdrop, the 125,000-square-foot facility includes a church, monastery, convent, cemetery chapel and administrative building.

The abbey is home to the Norbertine Order, which also celebrated its 900th anniversary in 2021. The Silverado location replaced the former abbey site in Trabuco Canyon that was founded by Hungarian priests who fled Communist oppression. C

FATHER JOE ROBILLARD TELLS STORIES ABOUT WHAT IT TOOK TO BUILD THE NEW CHURCH DURING ITS DEDICATION MASS OF THE NEW CHRIST OUR SAVIOR CATHOLIC CHURCH IN SANTA ANA. THE CHURCH SEATS 1,200 PARISHIONERS AND HAS ANOTHER 50 SEATS FOR THE CHORUS AND MUSICIANS. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE J A N U A R Y 2 , 2 0 2 2 n O C C AT H O L I C

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DIOCESAN NEWS

SAN JOSE FILIPINO MINISTRY SPONSORS ADVENT EVENTS IN ORANGE COUNTY

BY BECKY TAMONDONG

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N ITS INAUGURAL YEAR, the San Jose Filipino Ministry is on a roll welcoming the holidays with two main events this year – an Advent Retreat and “Paskuhan ng Pamilyang Pilipino.”

The Advent Retreat with Bishop Timothy Freyer was held on Saturday, Dec. 4 at St. Pius Church Parish Hall in Buena Park. Some 200 Filipino faithful from Orange County and neighboring cities attended the retreat which was followed by a Mass celebrated by the bishop.

Bishop Freyer began his talk with a history of the coming of Christianity to the Philippines 500 years ago in 1521.

This is an event that Filipinos all over the world are celebrating this year, and in Orange County this big anniversary celebration at the Christ Cathedral on June 25, 2021 attended by more than 2,000 guests, was sponsored by the SJFM. He also talked about the gift that Christianity brought which is the Good News of our salvation and God’s never-ending love for mankind which is so great that He sent to the world His only begotten Son who died on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice for our redemption.

Bishop Freyer also spoke on a variety of topics such as evangelization and the gift of the sacraments particularly the sacrament of reconciliation and anointing of the sick. We were reminded that Jesus Christ came in humble beginnings as a babe in a manger. We were also reminded to be prepared for His second coming as well.

“I found this Advent recollection very uplifting and appropriate for our preparation for the coming of our Savior,” remarked Liz Juan, a parishioner from Holy Family in Artesia, after hearing the Bishop speak at the retreat.

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BISHOP TIMOTHY FREYER IS PICTURED DURING THE ADVENT RETREAT ON DEC. 4 AT ST. PIUS CHURCH PARISH HALL IN BUENA PARK. COURTESY OF SAN JOSE FILIPINO MINISTRY

The SJFM’s second holiday event, “Paskuhan ng Pamilyang Pilipino,” was held on Friday, Dec. 10 at St. Irenaeus Church Parish Hall in City of Cypress.

“Paskuhan” from the word “Pasko” (Pascua), roughly means “gathering for Christmas.” It is the ministry’s first attempt at a diocesan-wide Christmas event aimed at bringing together Filipinos from parishes all over the Diocese of Orange in one big celebration. Paskuhan began with the Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Binh Nguyen, Pastor of St. Ireneaus.

He commended the SJFM for its goal of unification of Filipinos in the Diocese of Orange. After Mass, festivities were held in the Parish Hall which featured a

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choir caroling contest, giving of gifts to children (“mano po” pamasko for kids), vocal solo from a young singing talent, a short video clip of Filipino artists singing Christmas carols, community singing and a free raffle drawing. A light food fare of pancit, empanada, fruit and coffee was served to some 180 guests in attendance. A modest but good start, according to Fr. Anthony Bautista from Alagad in Maria, the congregation of priests behind the establishment of the SJFM. Paskuhan program emcee Rico Lagman gave a brief background on the founding and organization of the San Jose Filipino Ministry. The newest min-

istry under the Ethnic Ministries of the Diocese of Orange, the San Jose Filipino Ministry was officially established and recognized by the Diocese on June 1, 2021. It was named in honor of St. Joseph, whose jubilee year we celebrated in 2021. The SJFM’s mission is to assist in the spiritual growth, provide resources and help enrich the faith, culture and tradition of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in the Diocese of Orange.

Its vision is to unite and bring together all Filipinos and Filipino Americans to live as witness of the Good News with faith, hope and charity. For more information on the SJFM and its programs, please visit www.dosjfm.org. C

DIOCESAN NEWS

AROUND OUR DIOCESE

BY STAFF

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY

BISHOP VANN CELEBRATES THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

BISHOP VANN CELEBRATES THE RENOVATED SANCTUARY AT ST. PIUS V CATHOLIC CHURCH IN FRONT OF THE NEW MURAL. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE.

Holy Family Catholic Church, the first cathedral in the Diocese of Orange, celebrated its 100th anniversary on Saturday, Dec. 18. Bishop Kevin Vann, Bishop Timothy Freyer, Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen and Bishop Tod Brown, as well as other Diocese leaders, were in attendance.

Holy Family Parish was created in 1921 in the city of Orange to meet the growing needs of the surrounding community. The current church opened its doors in 1958. However, Holy Family didn’t become a cathedral until 1976, the same year the Diocese of Orange

was established.

Holy Family was the Diocese’s cathedral until the dedication of Christ Cathedral (formerly known as Crystal Cathedral) in Garden Grove in 2019.

ST. PIUS V CATHOLIC CHURCH CELEBRATES COMPLETION OF ITS RENOVATED SANCTUARY

St. Pius V Catholic Church in Buena Park celebrated the recent completion of its renovated Sanctuary on Sunday, Dec. 19.

The extensive project, which has been in the works through fundraising and other efforts since 2018, included a new presider’s chair, altar, tabernacle stand, baptismal fount, mosaic and ambo.

On Sunday, the new altar was dedicated by Bishop Kevin Vann and on Dec. 17, the new mosaic was blessed.

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BISHOP VANN CELEBRATES THE RENOVATED SANCTUARY AT ST. PIUS V CATHOLIC CHURCH. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE. J A N U A R Y 2 , 2 0 2 2 n O C C AT H O L I C

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DIOCESAN NEWS

HOMELESS PERSON’S INTER-RELIGIOUS SERVICE HELD AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL. COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

FR. AL BACA. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

HOW TO HELP OUR CHILDREN, FAMILY MEMBERS AND OTHERS CONNECT TO JESUS

Christ Cathedral Parish Adult Faith Formation presents, How to Help Our Children, Family Members and Others Connect to Jesus, on Wednesday, Jan. 12 from 7-9 p.m., inside the Large Gallery, Christ Cathedral campus, Garden Grove. Learn how we can build foundations for our families to be Catholic and stay Catholic. The presenter will be Fr. Al Baca, director, Office for Evangelization & Faith Formation for the Diocese of Orange.

ST. HEDWIG CATHOLIC CHURCH TO HOST TWO UPCOMING EVENTS

St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Los Alamitos will host two events in January.

The first is a continuation of “The Imitation of Mary” book study presented by Fr. Quan Tran on Jan. 21 in Quinn Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m. A

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potluck meal will be served at 6:30 p.m. followed by the discussion at 7:15 p.m.

The second event is a Women’s Weekend Retreat entitled Drawing Closer to the Heart of Jesus, which takes place at Sacred Heart Retreat House in the city of Alhambra, on Jan. 14 to 16.

Fr. Quan Tran will lead the retreat. To register, visit www.sacredheartretreathouse.com

HOMELESS PERSONS’ INTER-RELIGIOUS SERVICE

Bishop Vann and other religious leaders spoke at the Homeless Persons’ Inter-Religious Service held on the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 21 at Christ Cathedral. This national day of remembrance was held on the first day of winter, the longest night of the year. Candles were lit to honor each unhoused person who died in Orange County in 2021. Each year, thousands of individuals experiencing homelessness die on the streets of our nation due to illness, exposure or violence.

Many from our very own community of Orange County. C

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HOMELESS PERSON’S INTER-RELIGIOUS SERVICE HELD AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL. COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

GUEST COLUMN

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PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

The antidote is unselfish camaraderie driven by a warm loving heart, a God-inspired disposition desiring peaceful, productive unity.

Another way to sense an endangered moral compass is the deterioration of rhetoric. Irrational character assassination is replacing character promotion.

Cruel destructive innuendo is used as the preferred weapon of the day. Twisted truth has also been employed as a

destructive weapon.

It is not an exaggeration to say many in exalted leadership positions who should be talking with one another to solve overwhelming postmodern challenges are not doing so. Heart-to-heart communication and dialogue essential to problem-solving are missing.

History has repeatedly shown the downfall of civilizations happened when they deserted their moral compass, when a loving, gracious God was excluded from the conversation. C

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CATHOLIC NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

EVEN THE HOLY FAMILY FELT STRESS, POPE TELLS FAMILIES POPE FRANCIS GREETS A FAMILY DURING A MEETING WITH THE POOR AT THE BASILICA OF ST. MARY OF THE ANGELS IN ASSISI, ITALY, NOV. 12, 2021. DURING HIS DEC. 26 ANGELUS, THE POPE SAID AS A “CHRISTMAS GIFT” HE HAD WRITTEN A LETTER TO FAMILIES. PHOTO: PAUL HARING / CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

BY CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on families, but with extra patience and faith, bonds can grow stronger, Pope Francis wrote in a letter released on the feast of the Holy Family.

“Marriage, as a vocation, calls you to steer a tiny boat -- wave-tossed yet sturdy, thanks to the reality of the sacrament -- across a sometimes stormy sea,” he told couples in the letter published Dec. 26.

Like the disciples who were foundering on the Sea of Galilee, couples must keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, he said.

“Only in this way, will you find peace, overcome conflicts and discover solutions to many of your problems. Those problems, of course, will not disappear, but you will be able to see them from a different perspective.”

Reciting the midday Angelus prayer with visitors in St. Peter’s Square Dec. 26, Pope Francis said he had written the letter as a “Christmas gift” to married couples during the celebration of the “Amoris Laetitia Family” Year, a year dedicated to re-reading his 2016 exhortation on marriage and family life.

In his Angelus talk, the pope commented on the day’s Gospel reading about a 12-year-old Jesus staying behind in Jerusalem and making Mary and Joseph frantic.

“In the Gospel, we see that even in the Holy Family things did not all go well: There were unexpected problems, anxiety, suffering. The Holy Family of holy cards does not exist,” he said.

When Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the temple and ask him why he worried them so, he tells them, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

Mary and Joseph do not understand, the pope said. “They need time to learn to know their son. That’s the way it is with us as well: Each day, a family needs to learn how to listen to each other to understand each other, to walk together,

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to face conflicts and difficulties.”

In his letter to families, like in “Amoris Laetitia,” Pope Francis paid tribute to the strength and tenacity of couples as they face real difficulties together on the journey of life.

Like Abraham, called by God to set out to an unknown land, he wrote, with the pandemic “we, too, have experienced uncertainty, loneliness, the loss of loved ones; we, too, have been forced to leave behind our certainties, our ‘comfort zones,’ our familiar ways of doing things and our ambitions, and to work for the welfare of our families and that of society as a whole, which also depends on us and our actions.”

The pandemic lockdowns, quarantines and periods of isolation “meant that there was more time to be together, and this proved a unique opportunity for strengthening communication within families,” the pope said. But that also demanded patience.

“It is not easy to be together all day long, when everyone has to work, study, recreate and rest in the same house,” he said.

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When nerves are frazzled, the pope said, try to put the needs of others first and re-read the hymn to love from 1 Corinthians 13 “so that it can inspire your decisions and your actions” and “the time you spend together, far from being a penance, will be become a refuge amid the storms.”

Pope Francis also told married couples, “Don’t be ashamed to kneel together before Jesus in the Eucharist, in order to find a few moments of peace and to look at each other with tenderness and goodness.”

And, for couples whose problems were exacerbated by the pandemic and led to a breakup, Pope Francis said, “I would like them, too, to sense my closeness and my affection.”

But he urged them to be civil to one another, especially in front of their children so that the pain of seeing their parents separate is not made worse by seeing them constantly fighting.

“Children are always a gift,” the pope wrote. “They are thirsty for love, gratitude, esteem and trust.”

Parents must pass on to their children

“the joy of realizing that they are God’s children, children of a Father who has always loved them tenderly and who takes them by the hand each new day,” he said.

“As they come to know this, your children will grow in faith and trust in God.” Addressing engaged couples, Pope Francis said he knows the pandemic has been especially hard for those trying to plan a future together.

“In your journey toward marriage,” he told them, “always trust in God’s providence, however limited your means, since at times, difficulties can bring out resources we did not even think we had.

Do not hesitate to rely on your families and friends, on the ecclesial community, on your parish, to help you prepare for marriage and family life by learning from those who have already advanced along the path on which you are now setting out.”

The 85-year-old pope also expressed his affection to grandparents, especially those who are feeling isolated or alone.

He urged families to make greater efforts to be with them or at least be in touch with them. C

Moments in our Journey The students at St. John the Baptist School along with Father Damien Giap enjoy their “Snow Day,” an annual event right before the Christmas break.

—Photo courtesy of St. John the Baptist Catholic School

Send your photos that capture Catholic life in your parish community to: webeditor@occatholic.com

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