MARCH 27, 2022 BISHOP KEVIN W. VANN LEADS MASS DURING ST. JOACHIM CATHOLIC CHURCH’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY MASS ON MARCH 13. PHOTO: DREW KELLEY DIAMOND JUBILEE ST. JOACHIM CELEBRATES HISTORIC MILESTONE OF 75TH ANNIVERSARY PAGE 6 THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ORANGE n OCCATHOLIC.COM OURAROUNDDIOCESE PAGE 13
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MARCH 27, 2022 1487 FROM THE HEART Giving is a core tenet of our faith, as is instilling generosity and charity in children. SWALLOWS DAY RETURNS The annual San Juan Capistrano tradition welcomes the iconic birds back to the Mission. POPE CONDEMNS ‘SACRILEGIOUS’ WAR ON UKRAINE Pope Francis visited Ukrainian refugee children being treated at Rome’s children’s hospital. PLUS Bishop’s Column, Weekly Readings, Moments In Our Journey
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The Orange County Catholic Newspaper seeks to illuminate and animate the journey
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 DirectorADVERTISINGofCustomContent: 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
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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 con structive conversations that further the growth of the Catholic Church.
4 OC CATHOLIC n MARCH 27, 2022
Studies show that 1 in 4 or 5 women
Fittingly, the Walking with Moms Initia tive provides action steps and planning tools for parishes. It empowers parishes to be aware of local resources, to attend to wom en’s experiences facing unexpected preg nancies throughout the parish, to educate and pray, and to knit ministries together to become “artisans of peace” in the “field hospital” of which Pope Francis speaks.
BISHOP’S COLUMN
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
CONTINUES ON PAGE 13
WALKING WITH MOMS –ANNUNCIATION
Catholic healthcare and parish minis tries of accompaniment and prayer. We have walked with women, children, men and families since long before this initia tive began two years ago at the start of the pandemic (and during, through our Serve+Hope Helpline).
I
N THE LIGHT OF THE Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord (March 25), I highlight a beautiful opportunity for Gospel accompaniment and evan gelization called the “Walking with Moms in NeedTheInitiative.”Annunciation marks the moment that Mary conceived Jesus in her womb, after consenting to God’s word. It’s a wonderful time to remember with joy what the Church teaches and scientific advances have allowed us to confirm: life begins at conception.IntheDiocese of Orange, we work with local pregnancy centers, clinics, shelters,
BY THE MOST REVEREND KEVIN W. VANN, JCD, DD
JER 11:18-20; PS 7:2-3, 9BC-12; JN 7:40-53
SAINT PROFILE
LOST AND FOUND
PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK
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MONDAY
IS 49:8-15; PS 145:8-9, 13CD-14, 17-18; JN 5:17-30
EX 32:7-14; PS 106:19-23; JN 5:31-47
IS PS65:17-21;30:2,4-6, 1113B; JN 4:43-54
HE PARABLE OF THE FATHER and his sons is one of the most familiar of all of Jesus’ stories. The father in the parable is lavish in forgiveness and revels in the return of his young son, who was lost and now is found. The older son is also lost—lost in his refusal to forgive, lost in his failure to grasp his fa ther’s generous spirit. The Israelites spent many years lost in the desert, seeking the land of milk and honey, yet often failing to seek the God who delivered and fed them. We are sometimes lost as well. We lose sight of the Lord and the Lord’s ways. God never loses sight of us, however. God waits, ready for us to come to our senses, ready to welcome us back with open arms.
— Pope Francis
WEDNESDAY
FRIDAY
HIS ARISTOCRATIC PIEDMONTESE ITALIAN aban doned a military career for mathematics. Following studies at the Sorbonne in Paris, he began teaching at Italy’s University of Turin and doing charitable work among domestic servants, female apprentices and un married mothers. At the urging of St. John Bosco and despite episcopal opposition, Francesco was ordained a priest at age 51. In 1881 he founded a religious order to carry on his work, especially among young women, and continued to lecture at the university until his death. He was beatified in 1988. C
Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. C
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SATURDAY
“ andfundamentalisFraternityoneoftheuniversalvalues…”
SUNDAY IS 3:8-14;PS43:16-21;126:1-6;PHILJN8:1-11
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
TUESDAY
EZ 47:1-9, 12; PS 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; JN 5:1-16
MARCH 27, 2022 n OC CATHOLIC 5 DAILY READINGS AND REFLECTIONS 1825-1888FAAFRANCESCODIBRUNO
THURSDAY
WIS 2:1A, 12-22; PS 34:17-21, 23; JN 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
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Amongfields.the visiting priests was Father Kevin Sweeney, currently the pastor at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Huntington Beach, who attended St. Joachim school and parish as a child.
“Hero” feature in its bulletin in January, honoring the legacies of past parishio ners. Thus far, honorees have included St. Joachim’s founding pastor, Mon signor Thomas Nevin; Judge Frances Munoz, who was active in promoting educational opportunities and citizen ship services to immigrants; and Huo Chung, an immigrant from Hong Kong who served as the parish’s custodian for nearly 30 years.
The parish launched a “75 for 75”
A parish committee dedicated to the 75th anniversary celebration has planned a number of initiatives to highlight the occasion throughout the year. The parish kicked of its celebration during Advent with commemorative
THE COSTA MESA PARISH WAS FOUNDED IN 1947. ITS FIRST CHURCH BUILDING WAS A CHAPEL RELOCATED FROM THE DECOMMISSIONED SANTA ANA ARMY AIR BASE. PHOTO: DREW KELLEY
In 2005, the parish received a $4
BY BILL QUINNAN
In 1949, Monsignor Nevin asked the Sisters of St. Joseph to come to the par ish to run its new school. As pastor, he oversaw the completion of the school’s construction in 1954 and the current church structure in 1965.
CONTINUES ON PAGE 7
6 OC CATHOLIC n MARCH 27, 2022 FEATURE
ST. CELEBRATESJOACHIM HISTORIC MILESTONE OF 75TH ANNIVERSARY
St. Joachim’s current pastor, Father Michael Hanifin, noted that the par ish has changed significantly since its founding, when Costa Mesa was still a largely rural area known for its lima bean
CELEBRATING YEAR-ROUND
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Kevin Vann presided over a bilingual Mass marking the occasion, with 10 fellow priests concelebrating, in cluding current and former pastors and parochial vicars of the parish. The Mass was preceded by a procession honoring the numerous ministries serving St. Joachim and followed by a reception in the parish hall.
campaign at Sunday’s celebration, asking families to donate $75 toward new restroom facilities throughout the parish.
The story of St. Joachim Catholic Church begins with that of Monsignor Thomas Nevin, who had emigrated from Ireland as a young priest in 1930. Mon signor Nevin was informed on March 8, 1947, that he was to be the pastor of the yet-to-be-built St. Joachim Catholic Church, which would initially serve the entire city of Costa Mesa as well as parts of Newport Beach.
“This has always been a home to me, and that’s why I keep coming back for events like this,” Father Sweeney said.
The parish’s first church building was actually a chapel that Monsignor Nevin purchased and had transferred from the
recently decommissioned Santa Ana Army Air Base in time for Christmas Mass that same year.
By 1960, St. Joachim had grown so big that a second parish was needed, and Monsignor Nevin oversaw the establish ment of St. John the Baptist in Costa Mesa. He served as St. Joachim’s pastor for 35 years before retiring in 1982 and remained in residence as pastor emeri tus until he passed away in 1989.
ARISHIONERS FROM St. Joachim Catholic Church in Costa Mesa gathered Sunday, March 13 to celebrate a historic milestone for the parish. Sunday marked 75 years almost to the day since the first Mass was held at St. Joachim on March 16, Bishop1947.
JUBILEEDIAMOND
Christmas ornaments and will offer ad ditional keepsakes throughout the year. In February, the parish hosted a free concert featuring its Spanish- and En glish-speaking choirs as well as a variety of instrumentalists.Theparishintroduced a monthly
Her quick response inspires me to think more deeply about the ways Catholic families can respond to those in need.
MARCH 27, 2022 n OC CATHOLIC 7 FEATURE / CATHOLIC FAMILY LIVING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6
Followingloved. his lead, I’ve served my home parish in hospitality outreach, at the parish fiesta, as a Eucharistic min
As a kid, we had little cardboard boxes on our desks that we were encour aged to fill with change in support for helping ‘pagan babies.’ Today’s charities have more politically correct names –but the idea is the same.
As we create meatless meals each Friday, attend Stations of the Cross and weave more penance into our busy lives, Lenten sacrifices offer many opportuni ties to pray for others.
Lent is the perfect time to begin teaching our kids the value of giving, and that includes family prayers and other Lenten sacrifices that can be ‘giv en up’ for the less fortunate.
Whatever form our giving takes, it’s imperative for the future of our Church, culture, and society that Catholic par ents and their children make generosity a lifetime priority. C
Another giving opportunity close to home is the Orange Catholic Foun dation, which supports local Catholic schools.Other giving opportunities tug on the heartstrings. For instance, I support the Indiana-based Sisters of Providence, who built and staffed my beloved but now-defunct Marywood High School.
Prayer, Penance, and Sacrifice
THE GIVING HABIT
Parish offerings include an Alpha program for those wishing to learn more about the faith, a large Neo catechumenal Way group, a seniors group, a Knights of Columbus council, a daily Rosary group and a hospitality ministry. Through an arrangement with Hoag Hospital, a registered nurse visits the parish weekly to offer health services that some parishioners would not other wise be able to afford.
Father Hanifin, who has served as pastor since 2014, was originally hired by Monsignor Nevin as the parish’s youth minister. Among the features of the parish that stand out to him is its thriving Hispanic com munity. He recalled that in the early 1980s, the parish learned that many Spanish-speaking parishioners living within its boundaries were attend ing Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Santa Ana. St. Joachim soon established a Spanish Mass, its priest knocking on doors to person ally invite local residents to attend. Today, about 72 percent of the parish’s 3,000 families are Hispanic.
ECENT TELEVISION NEWS coverage of the savage and unprovoked Russian attacks on Ukraine made me weep. They prompted our daughter to act: She identified several organizations that are helping Ukrainian families and immediately signed over an entire paycheck to one of them.
Giving electronically or in person to our home parish every week is a good start. Encouraging our kids to support causes and people close to their hearts is another way to make giving a habit. Showing family support for the needy through volunteerism – individually and as a family – puts our values into action.
BY CATHI DOUGLAS
“People come here because they think they are part of a family,” said Kathy Lewis, a St. Joachim pa rishioner since 1977 and its former faith-formation director. “There is warmth here, caring … I just found it as a very welcoming parish.” C
SHARING OUR TREASURE
My late father set a wonderful exam ple of giving. Once he retired, he spent many evenings delivering groceries to needy families through the St. Vincent de Paul society. He appreciated the opportunity to give back to the church he
Instilling gifts of ‘time, talent, and treasure’ to the Catholic Church must be a top priority for Catholic parents, but it also requires repetition to become a permanent family value.
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.
HANDS-ON GIVING
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
R
“It’s like Archbishop Jose Gomez said: ‘The Church exists to evangelize.’ And we’re committed to evangelizing at St. Joachim’s,” Father Hanifin said.
THEFROMHEARTFORCATHOLICFAMILIES,GIVINGMUSTBECOMEANDREMAINATOPPRIORITY
million grant from the John and Dor othy Shea Foundation, enabling it to perform much needed construction, including that of a new multipurpose facility, named Nevin Hall in honor of the parish’s founder.
Whether we volun teer to serve soup to the homeless or provide long-dis tance financial aid, giving to others must be an ongoing commit ment for Catholic parents and one of the deeply held values we instill in our children – now and always.
Charity begins at home. That’s why supporting our home parish is where Catholic families should start when considering financial giving. The pan demic hit churches hard since no one was there to pass or fill the donation plate.
year tutoring homeless kids after school each week through School on Wheels, which a partner of the Illumination Foundation.
The parish’s commitment to evangelization is another quality that stands out for Father Hanifin.
AN EVANGELICAL PARISH
ister and as a lector. I know firsthand that our parishes need volunteers to function in the ways they must.Catholic Charities of Orange Coun ty always Myassistance.andimmigrationfamilies,toopportunitiesoffersforhands-onvolunteers,aswellasacriticalneedfordonationsfeedneedybolstereffortsprovideemergencydaughterandIspenta
“We also host a St. Josephs’ Day table which features the opportunity for the public to make donations to help feed the poor and hungry in our com munity,” said Adams. “This is a newer tradition that has great merit and is well received as people recognize that it is a Catholic feast day that also calls us to view it as an opportunity to do good works and come together as a commu nity for others.”
The returning swallows, along with the liturgical feast day of St. Joseph and approach of spring, were celebrated with tours and family-friendly festivi ties at the Mission. A St. Josephs’ Day Mass was held in the Mission Basilica, on the same campus.
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“This is a day we welcome back the faithful, the weary, families, friends, to come together in joy for an experience rooted in tradition, purpose and mean ing,” said Mechelle Lawrence Adams, executive director of the historic San Juan Capistrano chapel, landmark and museum. A Swallows Day parade was held on March 12, and the March 19 events featured demonstrations, tours, performances, activities for kids and food.“We are excited to offer families con venient opportunities for on-site dining from local restaurateurs Las Olindias and 3:16 Bakery Shop,” Adams said.
SWALLOWS DAY RETURNS
time Mission supporters and friends,” explained Adams.
“His lectures are always well re ceived, and he speaks to the tradition of the famed birds’ migratory habits and the state of the environmental impacts on the Mission’s swallows,” said Adams.
THE ANNUAL TRADITION AT THE HISTORIC MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO RETURNS
A new exhibit entitled “Journey to Renewal” was on display, featuring “his toric and liturgical artworks that have been conserved as a result of the gener osity of Jan and Warren Siegel, long-
Demonstrations of Native American basket weaving took place, as well as dancing, though in smaller groups than in previous years for the safety of the entertainers.SaintJoseph, the devoted and loving father of Jesus, was also honored.
A virtual talk about the swallows was given by Charles R. Brown, Ph.D., of the University of Tulsa.
8 OC CATHOLIC n MARCH 27, 2022 FEATURE
BY NICOLE GREGORY
The historic Serra Chapel, where St. Serra celebrated Mass, was open for quiet reflection, since the season of Lent has already begun.
“Most people who visit on this day
HE SPRING ARRIVAL OF CLIFF swallows at the Mission San Juan Capistrano after their migration journey of thou sands of miles from Argentina has been celebrated for decades—and after a hiatus due to COVID, the celebrations resumed once again on March 19. Leg end has it that Father St. John O’Sulli van invited the swallows to come to the Mission San Juan Capistrano sometime around 1920, with the promise that they would be protected and cared for, and they’ve come ever since.
SAINT JOSEPH WAS HONORED AT HISTORIC MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO ON MARCH 19.
CONTINUES ON PAGE 9
And a new five-language audio tour called “Finding Inspiration: The Gar dens at Mission San Juan Capistrano” was also available. This helped visi tors appreciate the 10-acre grounds of gardens, water fountains and preserved adobe architecture.
Many visitors who come for Swal lows Day have never before seen Mis sion San Juan Capistrano.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
This year the event began with a 10 a.m. welcome by Adams and members of the local Acjachemen (Indigenous) community for visitors to the Mission, which was established in 1776.
MARCH 27, 2022 n OC CATHOLIC 9 FEATURE
“We welcome the public at large to put the visit to the Mission on March 19 on their bucket list,” said Adams.
are usually new to the old Mission,” said Adams. “Many are Catholic and want to do something special on St. Joseph’s Day.”
SWALLOWS DAY AT HISTORIC MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRAO ON MARCH 19 FEATURED TOURS, DEMONSTRATIONS, LOCAL VENDORS AND FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES.
At the heart of it all is the phenom enon of returning swallows.
“The birds have done a great favor to the Mission by reminding people that it is truly worth a visit,” said Adams, “and one that can be made any time of the year, and of course on special traditional events.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
As COVID cases decline, Adams is looking ahead to a full season for the Mission. “Saint Joseph’s Day 2022 marks the first of many events to re turn, including our Mariachi Festival, summer concerts, outdoor theatre with South Coast Repertory and more. We even host a special Memorial Day “Field of Honor” featuring 400 Amer ican flags sponsored to celebrate those who have served in our nation’s mili tary or are first responders. The return of the swallows and St. Joseph’s Day bodes well for our Mission’s future.”
To learn about the Mission, visit www.missionsjc.com C
It is a free member event, she explained, meaning there is no extra charge for the members of the Mission Preservation Society.
“The noon bell ringing, singing of the National Anthem, the virtual lecture, station tours, food and sweet treats featured by local vendors and business make this a wholesome fam ily experience,” said Adams. “Behind the Mission walls, guests can find inspiration, education and see pres ervation in action. The highlight, she said, is “the ringing of the majestic Mission bells.”
tine sisters, who are helping to teach Latin, asked the students, “Why Learn Latin?” The students were interested to learn that Latin is the “mother tongue” of European languages. More impor tantly, Latin, the liturgical language of the Church, unites Catholics in prayer. With their new understanding of Latin, students can understand prayers of the Mass in any part of the world. Further, studies show that students who mas ter Latin score consistently higher on college entrance exams.
chanting Ave Maria.
N CHRIST ALL THINGS are ever ancient and ever new, even ancient languages. Latin has been used in the Roman Catholic Church since 600 AD, but it is new to the students at St. John the Baptist Catholic School. At first some students expressed uncertainty when they were asked how they felt about Latin, but as the school year has progressed, they have discovered that Latin has a beauty and relevance that brings it to life.
The sisters are encouraged by the positive response to Latin. Some students consider it their new favorite subject and ask their teachers to recite their prayers in Latin, which some refer to as “God’s Language.” Many of those who were “uncertain” now enjoy learning Latin and appreciate how it is expanding their language skills. Others express their appreciation simply by greeting the sisters on the playground with “Salve Soror!” The students at SJB are definitely giving this “dead lan guage” new life. C
10 OC CATHOLIC n MARCH 27, 2022 DIOCESAN NEWS
sisters use a variety of engaging activ ities. The students learn vocabulary with games such as Jeopardy!, Memory Match, and Statues. They study Roman and Church History, using Latin in context with our cultural and Catholic heritage. In one lesson, students learn about education in Ancient Rome from St. Augustine, who describes his school years in the Confessions. The students, in turn, write a letter incorporating Lat in vocabulary as if they were students in Ancient Rome. The students love when the sisters teach them Gregorian chant, and it is not unusual to hear students
The nuts-and-bolts of learning a language can become tedious, so the
MATER ET MAGISTRA: LEARNING ‘GOD’S LANGUAGE’
I
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL’S THIRD GRADE STUDENTS SHOW THEIR LETTERS ABOUT A DAY IN LUDUS (SCHOOL) IN ANCIENT ROME. PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL
On the first day of class, the Norber
BY FATHER DAMIEN GIAP
OURAROUNDDIOCESE
local fishing club, Kiwanis volunteers and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. At Carr Park, the group taught the children how to bait hooks and fish and presented other fun facts about the fish.
Mental Health First Aid USA is an evidence-based training that teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to someone who is experi encing a mental health or substance-use
BY STAFF
In addition, St. Bonaventure re cently participated in the Fish with the Force event, which paired them with Huntington Beach police officers, a
STUDENTS AT ST. BONAVENTURE SCHOOL ARE PICTURED WITH SEVERAL FIRST REPONDERS FROM HOAG HOSPITAL. PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. BONAVENTURE SCHOOL
MENTAL HEALTH
Students at St. Bonaventure School in Huntington Beach recently wrote letters to first responders, such as firefighters, police officers and hospi tal workers, for their service and care during the pandemic. Hoag Hospital was so touched by the letters that they brought special teddy bears and toy stethoscopes for St. Bonaventure stu dents to enjoy.
MARCH 27, 2022 n OC CATHOLIC 11 DIOCESAN NEWS
ST. BONAVENTURE STUDENTS RECENTLY PARTICIPATED IN THE FISH WITH THE FORCE EVENT. PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. BONAVENTURE SCHOOL
FIRST AID FOR ADULTS
Mental health first aid for adults will be offered on April 2 at the Pastoral Center on the Christ Cathedral campus. Sign-ups should be submitted by March 24 to receive the online pre-work. The class is being offered by Catholic instructors to help train those who want to be involved in mental health ministry.
ST. BONAVENTURE SCHOOL, HUNTINGTON BEACH
CONTINUES ON PAGE 12
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in
On April 22, author Fr. Quan Tran will discuss his topic on Chaper 11,”De sire, and Efforts in Holiness.”
POTLUCK BOOK STUDY
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
This year’s gala will honor the Walker family of Farmers & Merchants Bank and Dr. Vincent Nguyen for their involvement, devotion and commitment to the Faith and to the community of Orange County and beyond. The gala will be held on Saturday, April 2 at the Christ Cathedral campus.
OUR LADY OF GUADALOUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH, LA HABRA. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR MENTAL
St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Irvine has started a new grief support group that meets weekly for 13 sessions. It is offered by volunteers and it
La Habra invites you to a free night of meaningful conversation and delicious food. Alpha is a series of interactive sessions that explore the Christian faith. Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation.Theprogram will run in both English and Spanish. The church is located at 900 W. La Habra Blvd.
The event will begin with Mass at 4:30 p.m. in Christ Cathedral, followed by a cocktail reception, then dinner and ending the night with dancing. Enter tainment is by Gary LeVox, lead singer of Rascal Flatts.
OF THE ORANGE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION
The study will take place in Quinn Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the potluck at 6:30 p.m. and the discussion at 7:15 p.m.
For more information visit www. stmirvine.org C
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Retreat: Saturday, April 30, 9 a.m. May 6, 13, 20, & 27 | June 3
For any questions, please email Gen nifer Billish or call (714) 282-3138.
.
ILLNESSCOURTESY
challenge.Whyis mental health literacy import ant? What people in a parish know and believe about mental illness will have a direct impact on a parish’s ability to minister to people with a mental illness and their families. If there is a broad understanding that mental illness is, in fact, an illness that is not the fault of the person with the mental illness, then more compassion, empathy and com panionship can be found in the parish community.Formore information, visit catholic mhm.org or email marnold@rcbo.org
Participants are invited to contribute to the potluck.
“A NIGHT OF COUNTY UNDER THE STARS’
The popular potluck book study of the book The Imitation of Mary: Keys to Growth and Grace returns to St. Hed wig Catholic Church in Los Alamitos.
12 OC CATHOLIC n MARCH 27, 2022 DIOCESAN NEWS
ALPHA SERIES’
It meets Monday evenings, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., starting April 25. It also meets Tuesday mornings from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., starting April 26.
To register, visit org/register-for-alphawww.olglahabra.
There is still time to become a part ner or to purchase tickets for this event. Proceeds from the gala’s special appeal will provide support to the Priests Re tirement Fund.
is Christ-centered and Biblical. Each session consists of a video, small group discussion and at-home workbook ac tivities. The public is invited to attend.
ST. THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC CHURCH, IRVINE. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
FridaysScheduleat 7 p.m. in the Coleman CenterApril 1, 8, 15 & 22
The Orange Catholic Foundation’s gala for 2022, “A Night of County Under the Stars,” is in less than a month!
Together, we pray for women facing an unexpected pregnancy, for every good help, resource, and encouragement to be brought to bear in their situation, such that they may lovingly accept the pre cious life God has entrusted to their care. We pray for a strengthening of commit ment to cherish all human life.
Political parties give lip service to human dignity and freedom even as they find unique ways to undermine protections and support for women and children.
The same is true here in California, where my brother bishops and I have written a statement on Working for Better Futures for California’s Women, Chil dren, and Families. Church teaching is clear but the challenge to establish what Saint John Paul II called a “culture of life” remains urgent.
Mary, Queen of Peace, save us from the madness of war and from this throw away culture. As we walk with moms in need, walk with us and show us the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
We fast to shed false idols and learn to live by God’s word.
moms.Finally, we pray in a special way this Lent for women in need in Ukraine and Russia and those forced to flee with their children as refugees.
MARCH 27, 2022 n OC CATHOLIC 13 BISHOP’S COLUMN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 I work with Clergy and successfully!ParishionersEasy&Safe.GilYurly714-206-0443
Together, we give to help all struggling with poverty, homelessness, migration, racism, intimate partner violence, lack of health care or any other needs. We give to our parishes and to life-affirming centers, shelters, and clinics that help walk with
If you have been touched by abortion, we invite you to reach out to our Hope and Healing After Abortion ministry. For more on the initiative, go to Walking WithMoms.com; with questions on how your parish can become more involved, please contact Greg Walgenbach, in our Life, Justice, and Peace Office, at gwal genbach@rcbo.org C
will have had an abortion between ages 15 and 44. The numbers are similar for women identifying as Catholic. These women are not only teens or college students or singles establishing career goals, but also married with children and struggling to imagine a way forward.
Together, we fast for an end to “throw away culture” in all its manifestations, to an economy that rewards greed and kills, and to our temptations to avoid genuine solidarity, communion, and accompa niment, choosing instead self-serving outrage, political ‘wins,’ or ‘getting mine.’
These inconsistencies are visible in President Biden’s stance of increased promotion of abortion, on the one hand, while at the same time proposing and promoting life-affirming safety net re sources, on the other.
The daily witness of our parishes and communities to walking with all in need will make the essential difference. After all, this Lent we prepare to celebrate the Paschal Mystery - the death and resur rection of Jesus Christ, our abundant Life -- by simple acts of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Political polarization and inconsisten cies of “throwaway culture” compound challenges faced by women and families.
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
More recently, it said, the hospital has been providing care for those injured in thePopewar.
He specifically mentioned Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the Lithuania-born nuncio to Ukraine, “who since the begin ning of the war has remained in Kyiv” and is a sign of the pope’s closeness “to the tormented Ukrainian people.”
“There is no justification for this!” he told an estimated 30,000 people who had come to the square to pray with him.
“Thank you, dear brothers and sisters, for this witness and for the concrete sup port you are courageously offering to so many desperate people,” the pope said.
MARCH 19, 2022. THE NEXT DAY, POPE FRANCIS TOLD PILGRIMS GATHERED FOR THE ANGELUS PRAYER THAT AMONG THE PATIENTS THERE WAS A CHILD WHO IS MISSING AN ARM AND ANOTHER WITH A HEAD WOUND AS A RESULT OF THE RUSSIAN BOMBING OF UKRAINE. PHOTO: VATICAN MEDIA / CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Pope Francis once again urged inter national leaders to work together to put an end “to this repugnant war.”
“All this is inhuman,” he said. “In deed, it is even sacrilegious, because it goes against the sanctity of human life, especially against defenseless human life, which must be respected and protected, not eliminated, and which comes before any“Dostrategy!”notforget,” the pope said, “it is cruel, inhuman and sacrilegious!”
who have stayed with their people, living “under the bombs.” They are “living the Gospel of charity and fraternity.”
Pope Francis urged everyone to con tinue to pray for peace, to pray for the people of Ukraine and to offer concrete assistance to them.
“So many grandparents, sick and poor, are separated from their families,” the pope said; “so many children and fragile people are left to die under the bombs without receiving help and without find ing safety even in air-raid shelters,” some of which have been bombed.
“Sadly, the violent aggression against Ukraine does not stop, a senseless massa cre where each day slaughter and atroci ties are repeated,” the pope said March 20 after reciting the midday Angelus prayer with visitors in St. Peter’s Square.
“And, please, let’s not get used to war
VATICAN CITY (CNS) —Pope Fran cis again condemned Russia’s war on Ukraine, calling it a “senseless massacre” and “sacrilegious” attack on human life.
Finally, the pope asked “every com munity and every believer to join me on Friday, March 25, the feast of the Annun ciation, in making a solemn act of conse cration of humanity, especially of Russia and Ukraine, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, so that she, the Queen of Peace, may obtain peace for the world.” C
Since Russia invaded Ukraine Feb. 24, missiles and bombs have continued to fall “on civilians, the elderly, children and pregnant mothers,” he said.
BY CINDY CATHOLICWOODENNEWSSERVICE
Francis also drew attention to the almost 3.4 million people who have fled Ukraine, according to the U.N. Refugee Agency.“And I feel great sorrow for those who don’t even have the chance to escape,” he said.
POPE FRANCIS GREETS A UKRAINIAN CHILD AS HE VISITS UKRAINIAN REFUGEES BEING TREATED AT THE VATICAN-OWNED BAMBINO GESÙ CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL IN ROME
Pope Francis also expressed his grati tude for the bishops, priests and religious
14 OC CATHOLIC n MARCH 27, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS AROUND THE WORLD
“I went to see the wounded children here in Rome. One of them is missing an arm, the other has a head wound,” he said. That happened to “innocent children.”Thepope had gone March 19 to the Vatican-owned Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital where some 50 Ukrainian chil dren had been cared for since the war be gan. Initially, the Vatican said, most of the young Ukrainian patients were brought to Rome for treatment for cancer, neuro logical or other diseases.
POPE: ‘THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION’ FOR ‘SACRILEGIOUS’ WAR ON UKRAINE
The assistance will need to continue for “weeks and months to come,” especial ly for the women and children forced to flee without their husbands and fathers and without work, which makes them targets of human traffickers, whom the pope called “vultures.”
and violence,” he said. “Let’s not tire of welcoming them (the refugees) with generosity, as we are doing.”
Moments in our JourneyMoments in our Journey
MARCH 27, 2022 n OC CATHOLIC 15
—Photo submitted by Joan Patten
Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen recently visited the Missionaries of Charity in Santa Ana and blessed their new Stations of the Cross.
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