OC Catholic 7.4.21 by OCCatholic

JULY 4, 2021

FREEDOM TO WORSHIP

PAGE 7

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

CHRIST CATHEDRAL REOPENS WITH PRIEST ORDINATION THREE NEW SHEPHERDS JOIN THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE ON THE SAME WEEKEND CHURCHES REOPEN. PAGE 6

THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE’S THREE NEWEST PRIESTS WERE ORDAINED AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL ON JUNE 12, 2021. PHOTO: CHARLES BENNETT

TRIBUTE

JULY 4, 2021

CONTENTS

SUMMER PRINT SCHEDULE

OC Catholic will be on a summer hiatus. We will be printing July 4 and July 18 issues and returning to our weekly schedule on August 29.

TURN THE PAGE

WAKE-UP CALL

MESSAGE FROM ARCHBISHOP JOSE GOMEZ

Summer reading brings an opportunity to focus on developing your faith.

Lisa Nollette, director of Adult Faith Formation at Our Lady Queen of Angels in Newport Beach, brings daily reflections to listeners. The archbishop of Los Angeles and president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops comments on the state of the Eucharist.

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: Kimberly Porrazzo, webeditor@occatholic.com New Ideas: storyideas@rcbo.org Delivery Problems: occatholicsupport@occatholic.com

BISHOP KEVIN W. VANN JOINS EDITOR KIM PORRAZZO AS THE FIRST OC CATHOLIC COMES OFF THE PRESSES ON NOVEMBER 6, 2013. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

OC CATHOLIC THANKS KIMBERLY PORRAZZO FOR EIGHT YEARS AS EDITOR

FTER EIGHT YEARS at the helm, Kim Porrazzo, editor of OC Catholic, is retiring. We thank her for her years of dedication in illuminating and animating the journey of faith for Catholics in Orange County, and for building a deeper understanding and involvement in the mission of Christ. Through the timely sharing of news, features and commentary, Kim’s editorial oversight and passion for evangelizing through this publication will be sorely missed. May God bless her in the new moments in her journey. We bid her a fond farewell. C With gratitude, The executive editor and staff of OC Catholic

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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. 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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O C C AT H O L I C

GUEST COLUMN

‘HOLY GOD, WE PRAISE THY NAME’ BY JOHN GARVEY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VERY 12 MONTHS OR SO, I’ll remind my wife that I would like the recessional at my funeral to be “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.” I mentioned this to a friend last week and he said, with some surprise, that he had just had the identical conversation with his wife. This was probably a coincidence. I doubt that aging men the world around are making the same epicedial plans. But it got me thinking about why I love the hymn so much. In part it’s because the music is beautiful, as it is with so many old German hymns (“Now Thank We All Our God”; “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”; “Silent Night”). The English translation by Clarence Walworth is also memorable. Mostly words of one syllable; mostly verses of one sentence. The hymn is a restatement of the “Te Deum,” an early (fourth century) Christian hymn. It begins with

praise to God the Father. It joins our song to the angel choirs, ending, like the “Te Deum,” in the Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy, Lord”). The version we hear in church concludes with a doxology -- “Holy Father, Holy Son, Holy Spirit, three we name thee.” I am sorry we have traded this for the tunes in the Glory & Praise hymnal. I can’t listen to Willard Jabusch’s “The King of Glory” without picturing Stephen Colbert doing a manic liturgical dance. Check it out on YouTube. My attachment isn’t just about aesthetics, though. I recall first hearing the hymn when I was a boy of about 7. In those days, the Holy Name Society at St. Joseph’s, my family church, adopted it as a kind of anthem. We would sing it on the feast of the Holy Name and on Sundays when the society sponsored father-son Communion breakfasts. That was a simpler time, when most Catholics attended church and parochial school and devotional CONTINUES ON PAGE 13

JOHN GARVEY, PRESIDENT OF THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA, WRITES THE CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE COLUMN “INTELLECT AND VIRTUE.” PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA / 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.

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DAILY READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

“ The

NO BAD NEWS

HERE ARE MANY TIMES WHEN we say, “Tell me what I want to hear, and don’t confuse me with facts.” And we don’t take kindly to someone who might be bold enough to snuff out our expectations. The biggest problem with such an attitude is not that we miss out on the truth or the facts, but that we miss out on the new and surprising gifts others can give us. Like the townspeople in today’s Gospel story, we too often refuse to allow others to display the talents that can be good news for us. Today’s readings call for hospitality and faith and discernment. Hospitality opens the doors of our hearts and minds to the “stranger” among us, no matter how familiar he or she may seem to be. Faith enables us to accept the gifts of others, no matter how alarming or “strange” they may seem to be. Discernment helps us discover the prophets in our midst, no matter how amazing they may seem to be. Hospitality, faith, and discernment—cultivate these. Then, nobody can bring bad news. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. C

Lord is always — always — close to us.” - Pope Francis

SAINT PROFILE

BLESSED PIER GIORGIO FRASSATI 1901-1925

HE SON OF AN ITALIAN STATESMAN and newspaper founder, Pier Giorgio was active in the Italian Catholic University Federation and anti-fascist movement. His ardent socialist politics led to his arrest during the 1921 Congress of Catholic Youth in Rome. Deeply spiritual also, he joined the Confraternity of the Rosary and St. Vincent de Paul Society and became a Dominican tertiary in 1922. After his sudden death from polio, he became an inspiration to university students. He was beatified in 1990.C

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

GN 28:10-22A; PS 91:1-4, 14-15AB; MT 9:18-26

GN 32:23-33; PS 17:1B, 2-3, 6-7AB, 8B, 15; MT 9:32-38

GN 41:55-57; 42:57A, 17-24A; PS 33:2-3, 10-11, 18-19; MT 10:1-7

GN 44:18-21, 23B29; 45:1-5; PS 105:16-21; MT 10:7-15

GN 46:1-7, 28-30; PS 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40; MT 10:16-237

GN 49:29-32; 50:15-26A; PS 105:1-4, 6-7; MT 10:24-33

AM 7:12-15; PS 85:9-14; EPH 1:3-14 [1:3-10]; MK 6:7-13

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FEATURE

CHRIST CATHEDRAL REOPENS WITH PRIEST ORDINATION THREE NEW SHEPHERDS JOIN THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE ON THE SAME WEEKEND CHURCHES REOPEN BY GREG MELLEN

ELL THIS WAS more like it. A year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic nearly scrubbed the ordination of a class of four priests to the Diocese of Orange, Christ Cathedral officially fully reopened on Saturday, June 12, by admitting three new fathers into the fold. With Ethan Chow, cathedral organ scholar, at the keys of the Walker organ, parishioners flowed through the doors, filling more than half of the 2,700-seat cathedral. Churchgoers were on hand to welcome newly ordained fathers Cheeyoon Chun, Michael Fitzpatrick and Brandon Lopez into the priesthood. A main event on the annual calendar, this year’s ordination drew throngs to the 10 a.m. service. By 9 a.m., a line snaked around the cathedral in a multi-cultural mélange of knights and nuns, priest and parishioners This was in stark contrast to a year earlier. With California in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Bishop Kevin Vann proceeded with the ordination of priests and deacons it was a strippeddown, sanitized and socially distanced version of the ancient and sacred ceremonies. Only a few invited guests were allowed into the cathedral confines, with the service streamed on video. Others, such as the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, suspended ordinations. “The bishop was very strong that they need to be ordained,” said Father Brandon Dang, director of vocations at the

FROM LEFT, FATHER MICHAEL FITZPATRICK, FATHER CHEEYOON CHUN AND FATHER BRANDON LOPEZ RECEIVE BLESSINGS. PHOTO: CHARLES BENNETT

Pastoral Center. At the inaugural ordination of priests at Christ Cathedral in 2019, the church was stuffed with an overflow crowd, including most of the diocesan clergy. On the plaza, thousands greeted the newly robed clerics. This year, although slightly slimmed down from 2019, the scene was every bit as joyous, and included the Korean Martyrs Catholic Center drummers on hand. However, until a few weeks ago, this year’s ceremony was in flux. “There have been different layers of planning,” said Father Dang, due to the uncertainty around COVID. As the virus waned, restrictions were loosened. Front and center was the latest class of priests, all of whom were grateful to share

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the experience, after going through last year’s subdued deacon ordination. The trio were given several sustained ovations during the Mass: when they accepted election to the priesthood; when they were vested in their new robes; when they received their first assignments; and when they stood at the front of the altar prior to the recessional. There were also touching moments, such as when, for the first time as priests, the three gave blessings to family members. Father Michael Ftizpatrick embraced his family before individual blessings and Father Brandon’s mother, Theresa Lopez, buried her face in her son’s hands. For Cathy Fitzpatrick, the ordination of her son was the fulfillment of a promise made more than 31 years ago.

Cathy recalled she was in a prayer over the crib of her infant son, whom she and her husband, Mike, had adopted from Seoul, South Korea. That’s when, she says, God spoke to her. “‘This one will be my priest,’” the Lord told me,” she said. On Fr. Michael’s 32nd birthday, the proclamation came true. He will return to Rome, Italy, for a license in spiritual theology and then receive his parish assignment. “I hope I can teach parishioners how to pray,” he said. Eventually he would like to teach in a Catholic school or seminary. Father Cheeyoon, 35, had a slightly longer path to the priesthood, after earning a master’s degree and starting a career CONTINUES ON PAGE 7

FEATURE / CATHOLIC FAMILY LIVING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

as an architectural designer. “I have the usual story; I got a whisper in my ear,” he says of his calling. “I was content, but the idea of being a priest seemed so right.” Added inspiration came from his younger sister, Yeeyoon Chun, when she became a nun with Our Lady of Perpetual Health in South Korea. “She’s been a huge influence on me. She’s my first spiritual influencer,” he said. “She’s always been smarter than me.” He was grateful that the ordination ceremony would be open to the public. “How appropriate to reopen the cathedral with an ordination,” he said. In particular, before the Mass Fr. Cheeyoon said he was looking forward to the litany of saints, when the new priests lie prostrate before the altar. “It symbolizes the dying of the self, giving your life to God and calling on the saints.” Fr. Cheeyoon is assigned to Holy Family Church in Orange. Fr. Brandon had been chomping on the bit through his diaconate year. During his final year at St. John Seminary, Fr. Brandon said he would return to St. Pius V in Buena Park to participate in baptisms, funerals and whatever else he could do. “I’m looking forward to doing first blessings and confessions,” Fr. Brandon said. “To be able to execute the sacraments and bring our people back, that’s what I look forward to most.” Fr. Brandon will start at St. Pius V. As he awaited his ordination, the then-deacon said, “It’s surreal. To see the name Father Brandon and see it on the church schedule. It’s really surreal.” Cathy Fitzpatrick succinctly summed up what many family members and parishioners felt while welcoming new priests and emerging from the pandemic when she said, “My heart is overflowing.” C

FREEDOM TO WORSHIP INDEPENDENCE DAY CALLS CATHOLICS TO CONTEMPLATE RELIGIOUS RIGHTS WORLDWIDE BY KATIE DAWSON

NDEPENDENCE DAY IS a favorite time for family picnics, community barbecues, and fireworks extravaganzas. The Fourth of July’s meaning goes well beyond picnics and the rocket’s red glare: We are invited to consider as we celebrate the dawn of the United States of America, all our hard-won rights, including the precious choice to worship as we choose. As dear as our religious freedoms are to Americans, regrettably many of our brothers and sisters throughout the globe do not share our religious freedoms -- and many suffer greatly when they pray the way they wish. That kind of suffering is a big reason our nation was founded. It’s worth a look back at our country’s history to recall how we Catholics and followers of other faiths were persecuted for our beliefs. The New World truly offered a new beginning, and for many pilgrims the chance to worship freely meant freedom from persecution for themselves and their families. Catholics were the majority of residents who settled in Maryland, for instance, led by George Calvert in 1632. While life-threatening and difficult,

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

in enduring the arduous journey across the sea, Catholics in the colonies treasured their new religious refuge. When we attend Sunday Mass, we can thank our forebears for acting on the courage of their convictions. Still, even as Americans largely take religious freedom for granted, persecution against Christians worldwide is a critical concern -- and Pope Francis urges action in the form of activism, prayer, and financial support in the fight for such freedoms. According to a May 2019 document reported by the BBC, oppression of Christians worldwide is at “near genocide” levels. The report, led by the Bishop of Truro, estimates that one in three people suffer religious persecution, and Christians are the most-persecuted religious group. Worse, the Bishop adds, is that “political correctness” has caused people to look the other way rather than confront the issue. The report warns that Christianity is “at risk of disappearing” in some parts of the world. “Evidence shows not only the geographic spread of anti-Christian persecution, but also its increasing severity,” the Bishop wrote. The purpose of Catholic organizations

like Aid to the Church in Need is to draw worldwide attention to the link between human freedom and human dignity, notes Thomas Heine-Gerldern, executive president of the international papal foundation. “Pope Francis, as well as his immediate predecessors, have all stressed that religious freedom is a fundamental human right rooted in the dignity of man,” says Heine-Geldern. Visit churchinneed. org for details on the ways the organization works to combat worldwide religious persecution. In addition to Aid to the Church in Need, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops recommends supporting other organizations providing direct aid to those who are persecuted for their faith, including Catholic Relief Services, the Knights of Columbus, and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association. It’s fitting that on Independence Day we pray for religious freedoms to extend to every country, region, and continent. As Pope Francis says, God is a father who never ignores his children when they call to him in times of suffering, loneliness and despair. “Prayer, prayer always changes reality, let us not forget that. It either changes things or changes our hearts, but it always changes,” the Holy Father notes. 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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B C B

FEATURE

TURN THE PAGE A WEALTH OF CATHOLIC AND SECULAR BOOKS OFFER MANY SUMMER READING OPTIONS BY CATHI DOUGLAS

HE VERY REVEREND Scott Borgman, it should be noted, is a remarkably busy man. As Diocese of Orange judicial vicar, Father Borgman oversees several boards, directs the tribunal, offers spiritual direction, and fulfills the usual duties of a priest, such as offering Mass. Still, he found time last year to read 55 books. His inspiration was a professor he met when studying in Rome who set a goal of reading a book each week. “It took me a couple of years to ramp up to that level,” explains Fr. Borgman, who is in residence at St. Columban Church in Garden Grove. “It’s been an extraordinary journey.” From French literature to the Russian masters, he consumes an array of fiction, nonfiction, and spiritual books. “Reading is my outlet,” he says. “It’s my chance to get away and feed my imagination.” Like Fr. Borgman, Fr. Damien Giap, rector of St. John the Baptist School in Costa Mesa, has eclectic tastes, enjoying classics like “Jane Eyre” as an audiobook and adding spiritual books, such as “Francis of Assisi” by G. K. Chesterton. Author Fr. Quan Tran, administrator at St. Hedwig Church in Los Alamitos – who penned “The Imitation of Mary: Keys to Growth in Virtue and

PARISHIONERS CAN SHOP FOR THEIR SUMMER READS AT THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL GIFT SHOP. CREDIT: CHALLENGE RODDIE

Grace” [$17.95, catholicfreeshipping. com] – centers his reading on spiritual literature. Recent favorites available on amazon.com include “Mary of Nazareth: History, Archaeology,” by Michael Hesemann [$29.95] and 2014’s “The Life of Mary as Seen by the Mystics,” compiled by Rafael Brown [$12.95]. In addition to Fr. Quan’s recent book, Steve Peters, manager of the

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Christ Cathedral Shop says visitors like three selections: “The Life of St. Joseph,” by Maraia Cecilia Baij, O.S.B. [$16.95], “The Catholic Guide to Miracles,” [$18.95], and “Our Lady’s Wardrobe,” by Anthony DeStefano [$17.95]. All are available in the store or online at christcathedralshop.com. The sometimes-slower pace of summertime beckons Katie Dawson, dioc-

esan director of Parish Evangelization and Faith Formation, to spend time with intriguing stories. “I recently read ‘The Secret History,’ by Donna Tart and I’m thinking of reading it again – there are some layers to it,” Dawson says. “After reading it, I’m looking forward to reading her prize-winning book, ‘The Goldfinch,’ which tells the story of an CONTINUES ON PAGE 11

SOCIAL MEDIA / FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Diocese of Orange June 24 at 2:50 PM Fr. Michael Khong Weekly Reflection “St. John the Baptist was born to identify Jesus for us…and we are called to do the same” - Fr. Michael Khong. Reflect on how the readings for today can apply to your life - as we celebrate The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist!

Comment

orangediocese • follow June 24, 2021 orangediocese Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

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

accidental art theft and its repercussions. Last summer I read ‘How Dante Saved My Life,’ by Rod Dreher, also another book worth a second read. It may seem impossible to read as much as he does, but Fr. Borgman offers ways to wedge reading into a busy life. “I fit it into the cracks,” he notes. “I ‘read’ an Audible book while I’m in the car and listen to an audiobook as I walk. During the day it’s nice to just sit and read – on my day off I’ll take half the day and read.” He recommends Thomas Woods’ “How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization” [$14.99, amazon. com], a 2012 book he calls “a masterpiece,” in which Woods discusses how modern science, free-market economics, art, music, and the idea of human rights come from the Catholic Church. Another recent favorite is by Franz Werfel, author of “The Song of Bernadette,” a novel of the life and visions of the French saint Bernadette Soubirous, which was made into a Hollywood movie. Werfel’s 1933 novel, “The Forty Days of Musa Dagh” [$7.58, amazon.com] is based on events that took place during the Armenian genocide of 1915. Fr. Borgman notes that classics by authors such as Leo Tolstoy, including “The Death of Ivan Ilyich,” and Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” have meaning even in modern times. In the same spirit, he says it is worth revisiting works by Mark Twain, who wrote “Joan of Arc” and classic works of Catholic literature, including Evelyn Waugh’s “Brideshead Revisited,” a masterpiece written after the author’s Catholic conversion. A book to look forward to is “Life is Messy,” the forthcoming work by Matthew Kelly, founder of Dynamic Catholic. Available via preorder for $16.77 at dynamiccatholic.com, it is based on Kelly’s personal journals. At Ave Maria Press, two authors explore current events from unique per-

“MARY OF NAZARETH: HISTORY, ARCHAEOLOGY, LEGENDS” BY MICHAEL HESEMANN, IS AVAILABLE AT AMAZON, GOODREADS, AND OTHER RETAILERS. PHOTO: AMAZON.COM

spectives. Fr. Daniel P. Horan, O.F.M, writes “A White Catholic’s Guide to Racism and Privilege,” [$17.95] and grieving mother Jennifer Hubbard addresses why God lets the innocent suffer in her memoir, “Finding Sanctuary: How the Wild Work of Peace Restored the Heart of a Sandy Hook Mother” [$15.95], both available at avemariapress.com. Fr. Horan’s book – especially relevant in the wake of high-profile killings of black women and men at the hands of white police officers – is a candid critique and reflection that dissects the difference between what white privilege means, the Catholic Church’s teachings about racism, and how we can combat racism. Hubbard explores the aftermath of her six-year-old daughter Catherine’s killing in the 2012 elementary school massacre and demonstrates how Christ’s redemptive suffering provides a path of hope, even in the darkest moments of our lives. C

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DIOCESAN NEWS

WAKE-UP CALL

LISA NOLLETTE’S MORNING REFLECTIONS ON THE WORD OF GOD COMFORT, SUPPORT AND INSPIRE

an impact. “When everything shut down at the HERE ARE SO MANY apps, beginning of the pandemic, we wanted and just as many podcasts, to reach out and find a way to support that try to grab our attention our parish community,” she said. “I think with messages regarding the some of the first reflections were simple scripture readings for the day that it can ways to let folks know that we were still be overwhelming. Notable bishops with here and they were not alone and to prohuge followings, authors and scholars vide some words of encouragement.” all weigh in with different styles and inBut the pursuit can be a lonely one. terpretations of the Word. One woman, “Some days I feel like I was talking to however, has captured my attention. She myself and trying to encourage myself,” is not a religious, a scholar or a celebrity. she said. “The scriptures were full of She is Lisa Nollette, Adult Faith Forgrace and wisdom during those early mation director for Our Lady Queen of days. I would also try to find a quote that Angels Parish in Newport Beach. And helped me and pass that on to others.” she has my ear. Nollette prepares herself before Each morning, as I lay in bed waking producing her audio recordings, which to the day, I do what most of us do. I grab are sent via email or available on the Our my phone from the nightstand to check Lady Queen of Angels website at olqa. for texts from family, to check the weath- org. She begins by praying for everyone er forecast and then to listen to Nollette’s who will receive her email, she says, and one- to two-minute morning email mes- then for God to guide her writing so that sage that can set my course for the day. her words console, support or inspire the In her audio message, her calming voice recipient. and her conversational delivery are what Nollette said, “I say what I need to make her daily messages so accessible. hear or what I wish someone would say There is no music, no over-produced pre- to me.” amble and no pitch to sign up for more. She posted her first reflection on St. It’s as if I am talking with a good friend Joseph’s Day, March 19, 2020. Over more who is helping me focus on what is most than a year her following has grown to important each day. well over 1,000. I contacted Nollette to learn more “Many people outside the parish reabout her. ceive the daily email. People write to me “I am the director of Adult Faith For- and ask if I can send it to their friends mation and I have been at the parish for and families all over the country. I know 7 years,” Nollette said. “I facilitate prothat many folks send it on to others,” she grams and activities in faith formation said. “Every time I think about quitting, and sacrament preparation for adults. I someone will stop me after Mass or send like to think of my role as a companion me an email thanking me for saying just and a fellow traveler in the journey of what they needed to hear that day. That faith.” keeps me going.” As with most things last year, when To sign up for Lisa Nollette’s daily COVID arrived everything changed. reflections visit: https://www.olqa.org/ Nollette had to adapt, but still make today C BY KIMBERLY PORRAZZO

LISA NOLLETTE, DIRECTOR OF ADULT FAITH FORMATION AT OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS IN NEWPORT BEACH, PREPARES TO RECORD ONE OF HER DAILY AUDIO REFLECTIONS. PHOTO COURTESY LISA NOLLETTE.

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GUEST COLUMN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

practices were common and public. The Holy Name Society practiced a form of corporate male piety. My father was not much of a joiner. I think he felt uncomfortable with the enthusiasms of fraternal organizations. But he believed wholeheartedly in the ideals for which the church and its sodalities stood. He took me to Communion breakfasts not because he relished the company of society members, but because he hoped it would prompt me to make a habit of frequent Communion. So early on I developed a sentimental attachment to the hymn. And something of my father’s ambition for his children carried over from that early introduction. I see it in the picture I sometimes form of those funeral rites, where I will be the center of attention. I don’t envision anything very elaborate. They will have to offer free beer if

they want to fill the church. But I hope that our children and grandchildren will come (the boys wearing ties). In raising our family, my wife and I had a few rigid rules. We gave way on hair and clothes, even tattoos and piercings. But everyone went to church, no excuses, no exceptions. That was because the first step on the ladder to heaven is awe at the majesty of God. It is the recognition that his vast domain is infinite, his reign is everlasting; that all creatures on earth claim his scepter; all in heaven above adore him. Nothing else we do compares in significance to this. That’s what is so sweet about my dream -- that our children might see me off singing “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.” If that really happens, it will mean we have succeeded in teaching them the most important lesson in life. They will have kept the faith. C

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CATHOLIC NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

STATEMENT OF ARCHBISHOP JOSÉ H. GOMEZ OF LOS ANGELES, PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS

LOS ANGELES (USCCB) — “Last week, my brother bishops and I voted overwhelmingly to issue a teaching document on the beauty and power of the Eucharist. The doctrine committee of the bishops’ conference will now begin drafting this document and, in the months ahead, the bishops will continue our prayer and discernment through a series of regional meetings and consultations. In November, the bishops will gather to discuss the document draft. “The Eucharist is the heart of the Church and the heart of our lives as Catholics. In the Holy Eucharist, Jesus Christ himself draws near to each one of us personally and gathers us together as one family of God and one Body of Christ. “As bishops, our desire is to deepen our people’s awareness of this great mystery of faith, and to awaken their amazement at this divine gift, in which we have communion with the living God. That is our pastoral purpose in writing this document. “I invite everyone in the Church to pray for the bishops as we continue our dialogues and reflections. I pray that this will be a time for all of us in the Church to reflect on our own faith and readiness to receive our Lord in the Holy Eucharist.”

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON THE U.S. BISHOPS’ VOTE TO DRAFT A DOCUMENT ON THE MEANING OF THE EUCHARIST IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH

Since the conclusion of the Spring Plenary Assembly of the U.S. bishops last week, there has been much attention on the vote taken to draft a document on the Eucharist. The question of

and Hope. This important document on the Eucharist will serve as a foundation for the multi-year Eucharistic Revival Project, a major national effort to reignite Eucharistic faith in our country. It was clear from the intensity and passion expressed in the individual interventions made by the bishops during last week’s meeting that each bishop deeply loves the Eucharist. n Did the bishops vote to ban politicians from receiving Holy Communion? No, this was not up for vote or debate. The bishops made no decision about barring anyone from receiving Holy Communion. Each Catholic regardless of whether they hold public office or not - is called to continual conversion, and the U.S. bishops have repeatedly emphasized the obligation of all Catholics to support human life and dignity and other fundamental principles of Catholic moral and social teaching. n Are the bishops going to issue a national policy on withholding Communion from politicians? No. There will be no national policy ARCHBISHOP JOSE H. GOMEZ OF LOS ANGELES SPEAKS DURING A LECTURE AT THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA IN WASHINGTON FEB. 6, 2019. PHOTO: BOB ROLLER / CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE on withholding Communion from politicians. The intent is to present a clear whether or not to deny any individual on the responsibility of every Catholic, understanding of the Church’s teachor groups Holy Communion was not including bishops, to live in accordance ings to bring heightened awareness on the ballot. The vote by the bishops with the truth, goodness and beauty of among the faithful of how the Eucharist last week tasked the U.S. Conference the Eucharist we celebrate. can transform our lives and bring us of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on DocBelow are a few commonly asked closer to our creator and the life he trine to begin the drafting of a teaching questions on the meeting and on this wants for us. document on the Eucharist. topic at issue. n Did the Vatican tell the bishops The Eucharist is the source and sumn Why are the bishops doing this not to move forward on drafting the mit of Christian life. The importance of now? document? nurturing an ever deeper understandFor some time now, a major concern No. The Holy See did encourage ing of the beauty and mystery of the of the bishops has been the declining be- the bishops to engage in dialogue and Eucharist in our lives is not a new topic lief and understanding of the Eucharist broad consultation. Last week’s meetfor the bishops. The document being among the Catholic faithful. This was ing was the first part of that process. drafted is not meant to be disciplinary a deep enough concern, that the theme It is important to note that collabin nature, nor is it targeted at any one of the bishops’ strategic plan for 2021oration and consultation among the individual or class of persons. It will in- 2024 is Created Anew by the Body and bishops will be key in the drafting of clude a section on the Church’s teaching Blood of Christ: Source of Our Healing this document. C

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The Our Lady of La Vang statue, the centerpiece of the shrine on the Christ Cathedral campus that commemorates her apparition to the Vietnamese people in 1798, is shown peeking out of the crate in which it has been stored since arriving from Carrara, Italy. The 16,000-pound statue was later uncrated and installed in its place in the shrine. A Solemn Blessing Day is set for July 17. —Photo by Bradley Zint

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