OC Catholic - January 30, 2022

JANUARY 30, 2022

AROUND OUR DIOCESE

PAGE 11

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

EDUCATION AND FAITH ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS PROVIDE AN EDUCATION FOR THE WHOLE CHILD, WITH A SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION PAGE 8

STUDENTS AT SANTA MARGARITA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL IN RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA SHOW OFF THEIR COMFORT CROSSES. PHOTO COURTESY OF SANTA MARGARITA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

JANUARY 30, 2022

CONTENTS

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MATER DEI WELCOMES MIKE BRENNAN

Long-time Educator and Administrator Comes Home to OC.

CHOICE EDUCATION

Catholic schooling can be tailored to children’s individual needs.

POPE: PREACHING MUST AWAKEN SOULS

Pope Francis said that long, ‘spiritually empty’ homilies may put the soul to sleep.

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

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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.

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GUEST COLUMN

LED BY PRAYER, HOPE AND LIGHT: CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2022

BY DR. ERIN BARISANO, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

A

S WE APPROACH Celebrate Catholic Schools Week and reflect on the last couple of years in our Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Orange, I am reminded of a famous quote from St. Mother Teresa: —I used to pray for answers, but now I’m praying for strength. I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things.

Traditionally, parents have sent their children to school to educate them in various subject areas: English, math, science and history to name a few. At our OC Catholic Schools, however, our parents know that education goes far beyond

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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.

secular subjects. It’s about prayer. It’s about strength. It’s about love and service. And it is about our children learning that prayer changes us so that our children can change the world. As Pope Benedict XVI memorably said, Catholic schools are “a place to encounter the living God.” We believe and affirm this with all our hearts.

Like St. Mother Teresa, we may not have all the answers, but I have been praying daily for strength. Not strength for myself but strength for all our school administrators, teachers, parents and students. I truly believe that these prayers have been answered and must continue.

There are countless examples of these answered prayers: the devoted Principal who steps in for a teacher when sick; the

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CONTINUES ON PAGE 12

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

DAILY READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

TO BE A PROPHET

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ODAY’S READINGS SHOW us what it is like to be a prophet. As Jeremiah recounts his call, God warns him that he will need strength and perseverance to withstand the hostility he will face from “Judah’s kings and princes” and “its priests and people” (Jeremiah 1:18b). God also assures him that they “will not prevail over you, for I am with you” (1:19). The psalm reflects both of these struggles as well as deliverance from them (“salvation”).

This is exactly what Jesus experiences in today’s Gospel.

After he claims that his own mission is the same as what Isaiah proclaimed, at first the people marvel at his “gracious words” (Luke 4:22). Soon, however, they become suspicious, skeptical, and hostile, even threatening to kill him.

But just as God promised to deliver Jeremiah, so Jesus “passed through the midst of them and went away” (4:30).

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. C

We “must say ‘No more’ to war.’”

— Pope Francis

SAINT PROFILE

FRANCIS-XAVIER BIANCHI 1743-1815

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ORN IN SICILY, HE WAS educated at Naples and wanted to enter religious life, despite his father’s opposition. But he persevered and entered the Congregation of Clerks Regular of St. Paul, or Barnabites, though the conflict prompted a long illness. He was ordained in 1797, serving as superior of two colleges for 15 years and in other posts.

More and more he exercised his priesthood by hearing confessions, and his health was affected. He was seen as a living saint; one miracle attributed to him was stopping the flow of lava from an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1805. C

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

2 SM 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13; PS 3:2-7; MK 5:1-20

2 SM 18:9-10, 14B, 24-25A, 30 — 19:3; PS 86:1-6; MK 5:21-43

MAL 3:1-4; PS 24:710; HEB 2:14-18; LK 2:22-40 [22-32]

1 KGS 2:1-4, 10-12; 1 CHR 29:10-12; MK 6:7-13

SIR 47:2-11; PS 18:31, 47, 50, 51; MK 6:14-29

1 KGS 3:4-13; PS 119:9-14; MK 6:30-34

IS 6:1-2A, 3-8; PS 138:1-5, 7-8; 1 COR 15:1-11 [3-8, 11]; LK 5:1-11

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FEATURE

MATER DEI WELCOMES MIKE BRENNAN LONG-TIME EDUCATOR AND ADMINISTRATOR COMES HOME TO OC

BY STAFF

W

HEN MICHAEL BRENNAN steps onto the Mater Dei High School campus on Feb. 1, he not only starts a new job, but also a new challenge, as the 72-year-old school undergoes an independent safety assessment by an outside law firm.

“I will begin by spending time listening and learning before collegially determining next steps, said Brennan.

“I’m mission-driven,” he added. “The mission of [Mater Dei] has been -- and will always be -- to form young people into Monarchs by teaching each student the principles of Honor, Glory and Love.”

In announcing his appointment on Jan. 7, Dr. Erin Barisano, superintendent of OC Catholic Schools, said, “We are very pleased that Mike has returned to us here in Orange County, where we know he will continue the legacy of excellence at Mater Dei, just as he did at Servite.”

Born and raised in Anaheim, Brennan went to Chapman College (now Chapman University) on a basketball scholarship and was studying sports medicine when his professor and mentor, Monte Smith, suggested that he consider being a teacher.

“I loved the idea of being able to work with young people – not just in athletics, but to help them grow academically,” said Brennan. “My first teaching job at Anaheim High was exactly that mix as I taught science and served as their athletic trainer and strength coach.”

It was at his next campus, Anaheim’s Western High School, that he made a profound personal decision that ultimately opened a new career path as well.

While serving as an assistant principal

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NEW MATER DEI PRESIDENT MIKE BRENNAN ASSUMES HIS NEW ROLE ON FEB. 1. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

at Western, Brennan began the process of becoming Catholic. While he was raised in a Protestant and Catholic household, his extended family members also practiced Judaism.

“I felt a calling to become Catholic and join the Catholic Church,” Brennan said. “My father was born and raised Catholic. My mother, brother and sister had already joined the Church. My family and closest friends were excited. Everyone supported my decision. As I went through the RCIA process, not only did it deepen my Catholic Christian faith, but I found a welcoming and new community in the Church.”

Later, when Brennan learned of the principal opening at Servite High School, he saw an opportunity to serve his Cath-

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olic faith as well as utilize academics and extracurricular activities to form students into the people God has created them to be.

“I was new to the Church and was worried that I did not have enough Catholic experience,” he said. “A close friend and Servite graduate, Jack Bauerle convinced me to apply for the position at Servite. I had only been in the public school system and had not considered Catholic school until I was encouraged to do so. Moving from public to Catholic education has been a great blessing.”

Brennan led Servite for 15 years.

During this time, he also took on the role as president of Trinity League and, due to his high school sports background, experience and positive relationship with

many school leaders, was named chairperson for CIF Southern Section Orange County League Placement.

Roxanne Barrera, the executive administrative assistant at Servite, worked with Brennan during his tenure there.

She said during their time working together, Brennan demonstrated himself to be a faith-filled leader who had a lot of compassion for his students.

“He is honest and believes in every student,” she said. “He’s a very sincere individual and a huge motivator.”

Barrera said Brennan’s strong faith, positive attitude and belief in students and staff alike, make him a stand-out educator and administrator.

“He just has so many good qualities CONTINUES ON PAGE 7

FEATURE / CATHOLIC FAMILY LIVING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

and I wish him the best,” she said.

When he left Servite to join St. Anthony High School in Long Beach, Servite President Randall Adams credited Brennan with modeling and instilling “desire, dedication, discipline and determination” in its student body. He also noted that he played a pivotal role in developing Servite’s formation and academic programs as well as helping the school avhieve its status as a sports powerhouse in the Trinity League and California.

It was during his time as president of St. Anthony’s, when the call from Mater Dei came.

The prominence of Mater Dei’s athletic program, his own athletic experience (both personally and at Servite), all made Brennan uniquely qualified for his new role. However, he believes that it was his collegial and mission-driven when work creating Servite’s formation program that had the biggest influence on him being selected as Mater Dei’s next president.

It’s Brennan’s understanding of how to lead Mater Dei by its core principles -- and his experience of weaving these principles into every facet of faith formation, academics, arts, service and extracurricular activities -- that has Mater Dei administration excited for his arrival.

“Mike’s focus on mission, Catholic identity and formation of the whole person will lead the Mater Dei community to live out their tradition of Honor, Glory and Love,” Superintendent Barisano said.

“I am deeply humbled and grateful to have been selected for this position,” Brennan added. “I have always had a great respect for the entire Mater Dei community. I look forward to developing life-long friendships and collaboratively working to help Mater Dei become the best version of itself.” C

CHOICE EDUCATION

ized attention, he said, the Diocese of Orange Catholic schools offer myriad choices for parents seeking an education best suited for their child. Most convenient is the opportunity to switch schools at any time during the school year.

“Years ago, there was an admission season during Catholic Schools Week or later,” he recalled. “Maybe your child is struggling in the public school; our schools can accommodate transfers even mid-year.”

PARENTS CAN TAILOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLING TO THEIR STUDENTS’ INDIVIDUAL NEEDS

BY CATHI DOUGLAS

P

ARENTS WHO THINK a Catholic education is too expensive or otherwise unobtainable for their children should think

again.

Today’s Catholic schools are accessible, provide a comprehensive range of services and offer unparalleled opportunities for spiritual growth and development, according to Mike Schabert, associate superintendent of Marketing and Enrollment for the Diocese of Orange Catholic Schools.

SUCCESS IS MEASURABLE

According to Schabert, 99 percent of Catholic school graduates go on to attend college, and many of them go directly to fouryear universities.

In a testament to the excellence of Catholic schools, Schabert added, most parents who sought them out during the coronavirus pandemic when public schools closed have chosen to remain even when the public schools reopened.

EASY TO LOCATE, SIMPLE TO COMPARE

Unlike in the past, parents today have the choice of sending their kids to the local parish school or to any number of Catholic schools throughout the Diocese.

BENEFITS OF A CATHOLIC EDUCATION

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

“Much like families who are able to decide which parish to join and where to worship, people are driving all over the place for any number of reasons to find the best school communities for their children,” Schabert said. “A lot of times they are referred by friends or neighbors.”

The best place to start when determining the right educational fit for your child is to contact him at [mschabert@ rcbo.org; 714-282-3056]. Each of the Diocese’s schools has a website, including phone numbers for the principals and dates of upcoming events that welcome prospective students and parents.

“All our schools are great options,” Schabert noted. “Many parents choose to stick with their parish school, or the Catholic school located nearby.

But every one of our schools offers different opportunities, and it’s important to get to know the school with a personal tour or to visit an open house.”

With everything from larger campuses with excellent athletics programs to smaller schools offering individual-

“The whole reason for our existence is to help young people have a wonderful, faith-filled life,” Schabert observed.

“Dr. Erin Barisano, our superintendent, says that Catholic schools lead students to heaven, college and career – in that order.”

While it’s well known that Catholic schools provide excellent academic opportunities, they also provide an education in the faith, a community of like-minded peers and families and a sense that everyone is working together.

AN EDUCATION THAT’S ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE

Students with special needs or behavioral issues receive the focused attention necessary for them to progress, he said.

“What we lack in resources we make up for in personalized education.”

Even families with multiple kids find Catholic schools affordable, he noted.

“For families with demonstrated need, we’re able to work with them to find sources of financial aid; we also offer discounts for larger families, and our schools work with parents to make Catholic education possible.” 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

EDUCATION AND FAITH ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS PROVIDE AN EDUCATION FOR THE WHOLE CHILD, WITH A SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION

BY JENELYN RUSSO

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HE WEEK OF Jan. 30, 2022 through Feb. 5, 2022 marks National Catholic Schools Week across the U.S., and this year’s theme is, “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.

Here we highlight a few of the many special events that take place throughout the academic year on Orange County Catholic school campuses which celebrate the value a Catholic education provides to the community and the nation.

“While all our schools participate in Celebrate Catholic Schools Week each year, we celebrate, all year, the amazing communities of faith at all of our schools,” said Diocese of Orange Associate Superintendent of Catholic Schools Marketing and Enrollment, Mike Schabert. “We celebrate our dedicated administrators and teachers who have put themselves on the “front line” for our children. We celebrate parents who chose a Catholic school wanting a values-based, faith-filled community for their children in a world so desperate for the light of Christ. And we celebrate our beautiful children who brighten our world with their love of life and God.” At St. Hedwig Catholic School in Los Alamitos, sixth graders complete their Ancient Greek unit each year by hosting their version of the Greek Games. The day of competition begins with a processional of students wearing a Greek “chiton”. Team and individual events such

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STUDENTS AT ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN SANTA ANA SING WITH MRS. MARTIN AS PART OF THE POSADAS. PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL

as the underarm Frisbee toss, the pool noodle throw, or the backpack sprint, showcase the students’ physical skills.

Good sportsmanship is also rewarded in the point totals.

After they finish jumping, dashing and throwing, the teams enjoy a Mediterranean banquet featuring hummus, grape leaves, lamb kabobs and baklava. In the spirit of the ancient Olympic Games, first, second and third place winners receive an olive wreath, while all the participants walk away with a lifetime of memories.

The Dragons of St. Joseph Catholic School in Santa Ana end each calendar year with a celebration of the Posadas, the journey of Mary and Joseph as they traveled to Bethlehem prior to the birth of Jesus. Accompanied by the music of Mrs. Martin, the eighth graders visit each classroom to sing the traditional song of the Pelegrinos. The younger students

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follow in the procession, and all receive hot chocolate and sweet bread at the end of the journey.

To kick off the new year, the Dragon community hosted their first ever Loteria Game Night. Family and friends from the school and surrounding community purchased tickets, played games, won prizes and shared a fun night while welcoming in 2022.

All Saints Day at St. Barbara Catholic School in Santa Ana featured an allschool Mass hosted by the eighth-grade class where students were encouraged to dress as the saint who has been the most influential in their lives. The students also presented oral reports on saints such as St. Anne, St. Michael and St. Francis of Assisi.

In December, a campus-wide celebration was held in honor of the school’s patron, St. Barbara. The eighth-grade

class once again led the celebration by performing a play about the life of St. Barbara. The entire student body honored the school’s namesake through games, a fashion show and an art contest.

Enjoyed by families, grandparents and alumni alike, St. Cecilia Catholic School’s Spring Show is annual campus event that brings together generations of St. Cecilia graduates. The eighth-grade class takes the lead while each grade participates with a class song. Former students, young and old, reunite and reminisce about their time at the Tustin campus.

At the high school level, Rosary Academy’s senior class hosted “Christmas in Paris” last November, a winter formal event for high school students with special needs. In partnership with RAD Camp Orange County, Down Syndrome Association OC and the Special Needs CONTINUES ON PAGE 9

FEATURE orangediocese • follow January 23, 2022 orangediocese Today, we pray for the Legal Protection of the unborn.

Let us pray.

ST. CECILIA CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS PERFORM AT THE SCHOOL’S SPRING SHOW, AN ANNUAL TRADITION. PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. CECILIA CATHOLIC SCHOOL

orangediocese • follow January 21, 2022 orangediocese Do you read the Bible? Listen as Fr. Angelos reflects on the importance of reading the scripture and how it can completely transform your life.

Listen to his full reflection through the link in our bio.

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 Crisis Counseling Hot Line (24/7): 1 (714) NEW–HOPE or 1 (714) 639–4673

and prayer cards for comfort, the sisters began repurposing wood from their faMinistry in the Diocese of Orange, Rother’s company that has been blessed by sary students provided hair and makeup shaping the crosses and etching them for the attendees and even joined them with the SM logo. on the dance floor.

Out of this act that honors their Also in November, Rosary’s sophograndmother, the Comfort Cross Club more class hosted a community dance was born. The Murdock twins, along at Sunnycrest Retirement Home in with club members and classmates LoFullerton. Dinner, dancing and games gan Bryant, Nicky Garofalo and Sonia were part of the festivities, and special Gupta, distribute the Comfort Crosses patriotic boutonnieres and corsages with accompanying prayer cards to were provided for the residents. faculty and staff throughout the school Earlier this month, senior Royals to offer comfort and remind them that attended Kairos 61 at Mission San Luis they are never alone.

Rey, a retreat program that has been “In the Diocese of Orange, Catholic part of Rosary’s history for more than schools play a vital role in the evangeliz20 years. At the retreat, seniors take ing mission of our Church,” said Supersome time before they transition into intendent of Diocese of Orange Cathcollege to deepen their faith and focus olic Schools, Erin Barisano. “We form on their relationship with God. students’ whole being: body, mind and During their freshman year, twins soul so they may become the people Brooke and Emma Murdock lost their God is calling them to be. Through grandmother to cancer. To honor her Catholic faith formation, academic legacy and give back to the communiexcellence and service, our students find ty, the Santa Margarita High School joy in their own lives and share this joy sophomores came up with the idea of with others.” making comfort crosses.

For more information on Orange Inspired by how their grandmother County Catholic schools, visit occathoused to carry pendants, crosses, pillows licschools.org. C CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

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DIOCESAN NEWS

AROUND OUR DIOCESE

Catholic Church as a parochial vicar. He was also a chaplain for the FBI and the Orange County Sheriff ’s Department.

Reflecting on his nearly 30 years of service, Fr. Heath said, “When I was

BY STAFF asked to be a chaplain in Tustin, I was FR. CHRISTOPHER HEATH excited because I wanted to support RECOGNIZED what police do for our community. I was Fr. Christopher Heath, director of also honored to follow in the footsteps of archives for the Diocese of Orange, reMsgr. John Sammon, who too was a Tuscently received a commemorative police tin chaplain as well as an Orange County badge recognizing his years of service sheriff ’s and fire department chaplain as chaplain of the Los Alamitos Police long before chaplaincies were an acceptDepartment. ed part of these agencies’ protocols.”

Chief Eric Nunez and Capt. Maria Fr. Heath added, “Being a chaplain O’Connell came to Christ Cathedral to for first responders is very interesting, recognize Fr. Heath, who served the sometimes exciting, rarely scary and department from 2014 to 2021 when always rewarding. First responders deal he was pastor of St. Hedwig Catholic with many difficult situations and someChurch in Los Alamitos. times need someone safe to talk to. I enHe stepped down from the position courage priests and deacons to consider when he left St. Hedwig in July 2021. this ministry, and to contact your local Fr. Heath has been a law enforcement police, sheriff or fire department and see chaplain for many years, starting in 1994 how you can support them.”

CONTINUES ON PAGE 11 in Tustin while serving at St. Cecilia

LOS ALAMITOS POLICE CHIEF ERIC NUÑEZ AND REV. CHRISTOPHER HEATH AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS IN GARDEN GROVE. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

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CHIEF ERIC NUNEZ AND CAPT. MARIA O’CONNELL CAME TO CHRIST CATHEDRAL TO RECOGNIZE FR. HEATH, WHO SERVED THE DEPARTMENT FROM 2014 TO 2021 WHEN HE WAS PASTOR OF ST. HEDWIG CATHOLIC CHURCH IN LOS ALAMITOS.

DIOCESAN NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

OUR LADY OF LA VANG SHRINE

Completion of the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine at Christ Cathedral is progressing this month with the careful and artistic placement of a medallion around the base of the Virgin Mary statue.

The basalt stone tiles, which were sourced from Vietnam, replace a temporary, circular wooden floor that has been around the statue since its installation and blessing last year.

The medallion is expected to be completed later this month.

WORLD DAY OF THE SICK MASS

The World Day of the Sick Mass, sponsored by the Order of Malta, will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. The Mass will include the sacramental Anointing of the Sick which is offered to Catholics who are dangerously ill due to sickness, injury or old age. The sacrament is for serious mental or emotional illness as well. Casual participation in the sacrament should be avoided in good conscience.C

FLOOR CONSTRUCTION IS CURRENTLY IN PROGRESS FOR OUR LADY OF LA VANG ON THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS IN GARDEN GROVE.

BISHOP VANN CELEBRATES THE 2020 WORLD DAY OF THE SICK MASS AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL.

FLOOR CONSTRUCTION IS CURRENTLY IN PROGRESS FOR OUR LADY OF LA VANG ON THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS IN GARDEN GROVE. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

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heroic teacher who puts herself on the “front line” during a pandemic, dedicating countless hours in and out of the classroom; the supportive parent who serves as teacher and tutor after a long day of work; and the dedicated student who has experienced a whole new world these past couple of years. Without God’s strength and answered prayer, these days might be even darker, and yet, we exist in the light.

While many believe there is light at the end of the tunnel, I am inspired and confident that the light is already here in our Catholic Schools.

I believe that, through all our prayers, we have been changed. We are no longer just focused on getting the problem or question right but, rather, have also become people of love and service, people of prayer, people of

strength, and people who offer light to a world of darkness.

As we join nationally with all Catholic schools for Celebrate Catholic Schools Week, I am ever so grateful to our school leaders and teachers for their unwavering strength. I am grateful to our parents for their patience and for entrusting their precious children to our care. I am so filled with hope for the future as our children grow in faith and prayer. For those parents looking for a special, faith-filled, community of strength and prayer which changes the lives of children, I invite you to visit your local Catholic school, take a tour, and meet our amazing faculty, staff and students.

May God continue to give us all strength and, through prayer, we may be changed in order to change our world. C

CATHOLIC NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

FRANCISCAN FRIARS PRAISE YOUNG CATHOLICS FOR STANDING UP FOR LIFE AT ANNUAL MARCH

BY MAISY SULLIVAN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Though not every participant at the annual March for Life in Washington is Catholic, the faithful presence of those who are is made abundantly apparent every year.

Among the annual marchers are Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, and this year was no exception.

They were among the thousands of people from all walks of life who came together in unity to show their support for the lives of unborn children Jan. 21 for the 49th annual march and rally marking the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

The Franciscan friars traveled to Washington from multiple locations in New York and New Jersey, bringing with them lay associates and young people to gather on the National Mall to listen to rally speakers and then march as a group up Constitution Avenue.

“To be here and gather together with young people and old people, and to be encouraged by the witness. ... We are here to promote the dignity of life. I want to be a part of that movement,” said Brother Thomas McGrinder, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal for the past 25 years.

“I am encouraged by what I see with all of the young people, it is always a great grace to be here with them and support their witness as well,” he said.

He referred to the current culture that surrounds youth as an “anti-witness to life,” because the lifestyles and habits they consume through social media and school does not, he said, promote the dignity of human life.

“To come here to D.C. for the March for Life is a beautiful gift because we see the magnitude of young people who show up. They see they are not alone, so praise God for that,” explained the brother, who for many years was director of the Alive Youth Group at the Most Blessed Sacra-

PRO-LIFE ADVOCATES ATTEND THE ANNUAL MARCH FOR LIFE IN WASHINGTON JAN. 21, 2022.

PHOTO TYLER ORSBURN / CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

ment Friary in Newark, New Jersey.

Through Alive, the religious order teaches young Catholics how to live out the true faith. With prayer, retreats and service to the poor, kids ages 12-18 get a glimpse into the life of a friar.

Opportunities for prayer as a group include saying rosaries outside abortion clinics in the friary’s surrounding neighborhood.

On a larger scale, members of the youth group are able to travel to Washington each year for the March for Life, an opportunity that exposes them to the size of the pro-life movement. They find inspiration in seeing the number of people marching for one cause.

One veteran of the Alive Youth Group is 15-year-old John Mustard. Like most teenagers at the March for Life, he attended this year to protest the evil of abortion.

The friars have played an integral role in his faith formation, including his choice to be pro-life, he said. He sees

them as role models who have changed the way he and his family view God. “In some ways, our generation is going in a bad direction. People coming to things like the March for Life can open their eyes to what is actually going on in the world,” Mustard told Catholic News Service.

Like Brother Thomas, Mustard is aware of the negative culture influencing the younger generation.

Even though he is just one individual among many at the March for Life, he said, he feels he is a symbol of the pro-life movement and an example of fortitude amid moral adversity his generation is facing.

Brother Simeon Sinoski recently succeeded Brother Thomas as the Alive Youth Group’s youth ministry director.

He said he was already experiencing the blessings that come from inspiring young people, especially through participating in March for Life.

“We live in a world that is very com-

fortable. Particularly for young people, comfort and convenience is sort of the air that we breathe,” Brother Simeon told CNS. “Standing up for being pro-life is so necessary, but on top of that, I think it is important to partake in something like protest or resistance.

“Presenting the young generation as people who will stand up for something rather than just going with the flow and living comfortably is really important.”

He believes it is essential for the younger generation to defy the label of “comfortable” in their everyday lives. They need to be willing to stand up for what matters, in this case the pro-life cause, even if that means experiencing discomfort, he said.

Brother Simeon also discussed the blessings that come from being in a brotherhood like the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.

Founded in 1987 by just eight Capuchin Franciscans, the religious community has grown to over 100 members with friaries in five countries. Their work focuses on working with the poor in impoverished areas, yet their support and presence on the Catholic pro-life scene is evident.

The late Father Benedict Groeschel, one of the co-founders of the community, was a leading pro-life figure.

Those to whom Brother Simeon and his brother friars minister are their family -- since as vowed religious they give up having children and a family of their own.

This is “the family that the Lord has given me instead,” he said, which includes the young people they join for the pro-life march in the nation’s capital.

“To come here and fight for life with them and see that extended family ... to see the way that the brothers bring together the family of the church and the family of the pro-life generation ... it’s such a joy to look around and see my brothers,” Brother Simeon explained. C

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CATHOLIC NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

PREACHING MUST AWAKEN SOULS, NOT PUT THEM TO SLEEP, POPE SAYS

BY JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Preaching long, spiritually empty homilies can reduce the Word of God to a mere set of abstract concepts that fail to awaken one’s soul, Pope Francis said.

“Even many homilies -- I say it with respect but with pain -- are abstract, and instead of awakening the soul, they put it to sleep. When the faithful start looking at their watches (and say), ‘When is this going to end?’, they put the soul to sleep,” the pope said Jan. 24 during his Sunday Angelus address.

“Preaching runs this risk,” he said.

“Without the anointing of the Spirit, it impoverishes the Word of God and descends to moralism and abstract concepts; it presents the Gospel with detachment, as if it were outside time, far from reality. And this is not the way.”

After celebrating Mass for Sunday of the Word of God, the pope addressed a crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the midday Angelus prayer and reflected on the Sunday Gospel reading from St. Luke in which Jesus preaches for the first time.

Jesus’ proclamation that “today this scripture has been fulfilled” still resonates and “indicates a ‘today’ that runs through all ages and always remains valid,” he explained.

“The Word of God is always ‘today.’ It begins with a ‘today;’ when you read the Word of God, a ‘today’ begins in your soul, if you understand it well,” he said.

“It is not like ancient history, no. Today, it speaks to your heart.”

While those who listened to Jesus’ words were “clouded by prejudice” and didn’t believe, the pope said they still could sense “that there is more to Jesus” because he has “the anointing of the

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POPE FRANCIS GREETS THE CROWD AS HE LEADS THE ANGELUS FROM THE WINDOW OF HIS STUDIO OVERLOOKING ST. PETER’S SQUARE AT THE VATICAN JAN. 23, 2022.

PHOTO: VATICAN MEDIA / CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Holy Spirit.”

That anointing, which can move one’s soul, is sometimes lacking in many sermons today, he added.

“Sometimes it happens that our sermons and our teachings remain generic, abstract; they do not touch the soul and the life of the people,” the pope said.

“Yes, at times one hears impeccable conferences, well-constructed speeches, but they do not move the heart and so

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everything remains as before.”

If those who preach want to give lectures or conferences, he added, “let them do so but elsewhere; not at the time of the homily, where they must give the Word in a way that rouses hearts.”

Pope Francis thanked “preachers and proclaimers of the Gospel” who know how to awaken the hearts of those who listen, and he encouraged Christians to

carry a pocket-size Gospel with them and read it because “the Word of God transforms an ordinary day into the today in which God speaks to us.”

“In time, we will discover that these words are made especially for us, for our life,” the pope said. “They will help us to welcome each day with a better, more serene outlook, because when the Gospel enters into today’s world, it fills it with God.” C

Moments MomentsininourourJourney Journey

Bishop Kevin W. Vann is pictured with Cardinal Timothy Dolan following Mass on Jan. 16 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City along with the Mater Dei basketball team members who were in the city for a basketball tournament.

—Photo Submitted by Bishop Kevin W. Vann

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

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