OC CATHOLIC - OCTOBER 10, 2021

SJC HOSTS ANNUAL ROMANCE OF THE MISSION BENEFIT GALA PAGE 10

OCTOBER 10, 2021

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

A MILESTONE ST. MARTIN DE PORRES CHURCH IN YORBA LINDA MARKS 50 YEARS. PAGE 6

THE PARISH COMMUNITY COMES OUT TO CELEBRATE 50 YEARS AT ST. MARTIN DE PORRES CHURCH IN YORBA LINDA. PHOTO: DREW KELLEY

OCTOBER 10, 2021

CONTENTS

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SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

Lay ministers are a vital element to our faith practice.

OUR ROOTS AND OUR TRADITION The St. John Paul II Polish center in Yorba Linda is home to a vibrant Catholic culture.

NEW SCULPTURES ARRIVE AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL

Bishop Kevin Vann received the new bas-relief sculptures by artist Pablo Eduardo.

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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MOUNT TABOR For Christians, Mount Tabor is believed to be the place of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, where Jesus began to radiate light and conversed with Peter, James, and John.

The developed lawn crypt area is named after the three apostles that were with Jesus at the place of transfiguration, Peter, James, and John.

Holy Sepulcher Cemetery offers a place of peace and reflection, a place of prayer, surrounded by stunning hillside views.

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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GUEST COLUMN

DON’T PUSH ABORTION WHEN WHAT WE NEED IS LIFE KATHLEEN DOMINGO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR CALIFORNIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

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HERE IS NO ADDITIONAL consensus on abortion, which makes last week’s vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act in the US House of Representatives unimaginable within the diverse reality of our democracy. There were 218 members of Congress who voted in favor of imposing their values about abortion on the rest of the country, abolishing state laws and decimating conscience protections.

The Women’s Health Protection Act would force abortion on demand in every state, bulldozing hard-won abortion re-

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strictions in places across the country. This means in those states that currently have parental notification, children will lose the counsel of their parents on the life-changing (and life-ending) choice of abortion.

In those states with ultrasound and counseling requirements, women will lose the ability to see their babies in utero and be provided support and resources when they want to parent or place their babies for adoption. Women living in poverty will not be given resources for housing, nutrition or healthcare that would allow them to parent their babies. Women escaping dangerous living conditions will not be told that they and their babies can both be saved.

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CONTINUES ON PAGE 12

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

The Diocese of Orange, through OC Catholic newspaper, presents local, national and world news about the Catholic Church. Our intention is to give our readers access to a variety of perspectives in order to help them to process the information within the framework of our Catholic faith, but also to better understand the perspectives of those with opposing viewpoints.

We hope that ultimately our readers will be better equipped to have constructive conversations that further the growth of the Catholic Church.

DAILY READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

“ The

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

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church is indeed a home; it is your home.”

- Pope Francis

SAINT PROFILE

N TODAY’S READINGS, we discover that material wealth alone does not keep us from discipleship. We will see that there are other gifts more important than material wealth, but even so, it is how we use our gifts that matters most.

Today’s scriptures point to the value of the gifts of wisdom, trusting in God, and letting our actions reflect the love of God from within. It is not gold that causes us to fall, but rather the desire for gold above all other things. From the readings in Wisdom and Hebrews, we find the source of God’s gifts in our lives. Wisdom is more valuable than worldly possessions. In Hebrews, we are challenged to look at our own values and admit honestly what controls our lives.

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. C

FRANCIS BORGIA 1510-1572

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T. FRANCIS WAS A HUSBAND, father of eight, a member of the court of Charles V and the Duke of Gandia. Then he experienced a conversion in 1539. And after his wife died, he joined the Jesuits in 1550. St. Ignatius recognized Francis’ administrative talents and advanced him in the leadership of the society. The Jesuits elected him general in 1565. Francis consolidated the order, founding novitiates in every province. He also expanded the society’s ministry throughout Europe and he introduced bases into the Americas. Francis’ correspondence sparkles with wisdom.

“When you remove your clothes at bedtime,” he once wrote, “crave Jesus’ pain when he was stripped just before his crucifixion, so that he may strip us of our evil habits of mind.” C

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

ROM 1:1-7; PS 98:14; LK 11:29-32

ROM 1:16-25; PS 19:2-5; LK 11:37-41

ROM 2:1-11; PS 62:2-3, 6-7, 9; LK 11:42-46

ROM 3:21-30; PS 130:1B-6AB; LK 11:47-54

OM 4:1-8; PS 32:1B2, 5, 11; LK 12:1-7

ROM 4:13, 16-18; PS 105:6-9, 42-43; LK 12:8-12

IS 53:10-11; PS 33:4-5, 18-20, 22; HEB 4:14-16; MK 10:35-45 [42-45]

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FEATURE

MARKING A MILESTONE ST. MARTIN DE PORRES CHURCH IN YORBA LINDA MARKS 50 YEARS

BY NICOLE GREGORY

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T. MARTIN DE PORRES Church in Yorba Linda has been celebrating its 50th anniversary for the last year, culminating in the Sept. 26 Mass with previous clergy members in attendance—all while staying safe and following current health rules.

This parish has endured through the pandemic, as it has for many decades, and remains strong. Cardinal Timothy Manning established it in 1970 in Yorba Linda, which then had a population of about 10,000 people (today the city’s population tops 67,000). The church itself was built in 1982 and stands today on Yorba Linda Boulevard, home to a vital, flourishing Catholic community.

“We have a thriving parish of 4,000 registered families,” said Deacon Denis Zaun proudly, “and 60 ministries, some of which have been going for decades.”

Active ministries at St. Martin de Porres include the Ministry of Moms, grief support, home visits ministry, Filipino community ministries, skid row ministry, a seniority club, a faith and fitness group and many more. Some are older than the church building itself.

“The women’s ministry, WINGS, which stands for Women in God’s Spirit, has been going for 43 years,” said Deacon Denis, “and the children’s day camp, called Us in the Son, has been going for about 40 years.”

All these outreach efforts reflect the character of the parish’s patron saint, Martin de Porres. Born in Lima, Peru in

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MSGR. STEPHEN DOKTORCZYK LEADS THE SERVICE AT THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY MASS AT ST. MARTIN DE PORRES CHURCH IN YORBA LINDA. PHOTO: DREW KELLEY

1579, the illegitimate child of a Spanish gentleman and a freed African slave, he was abandoned and outcast because of his mixed race. Yet as a teenager, he became a Dominican brother and grew up to be a compassionate, forgiving and generous man. He started an orphanage, grew fruit trees for the poor and healed the sick with his knowledge of herbal medicines. His feast day is Nov. 3.

The year-long celebration of St. Martin de Porres church has featured events acknowledging its devoted parish.

“In one event, we recognized longtime original parishioners,” said Elena Chupinsky, business manager of the

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parish. “And last November we offered a Mass for those original parishioners who had passed away.”

But possibly the most dramatic celebration of the church has been the renovation and modernization of its interior spaces, a project initiated by Rev. Sy Nguyen.

“The church building was constructed in an era when the emphasis was more on the worshipping community— the industrial architecture style made it dark, cold and stark,” explains Rev. Sy. “As we became the only parish in the Diocese of Orange that has 24/7 adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the last nine

years, the focus has shifted to the Real Presence of God in the Holy Eucharist.

This means that the church building is not simply a sacred gathering place of God’s people, but more importantly, the House of God. It is this idea of beautifying the House of God that is at the core of the renovation of the interior of our church.”

The interior has been completely refurbished with new seating, new altar, new ambo and new floor covering. A new tabernacle has been transferred from the chapel to behind the altar. Even the windows have been updated.

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FEATURE / CATHOLIC FAMILY LIVING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

“In the past two years all of the stained-glass windows have been replaced,” said Don De Jesse, chair of finance at the church, who oversaw the work. “The bare cement walls were painted in a white faux marble look, and we will have new low-energy lighting.”

The renovation has all been paid for—a huge achievement and a testament to the parish.

“I believe the beauty that the renovation brings to the interior of our church is pleasing to God,” said Rev. Sy. “I am thankful for the generosity of the parishioners that we completed a $1.2 million project with having no debt.”

Like many churches, streamed services have been available to parishioners for many months, and now new health rules allow in-person gatherings.

“We have almost returned to our previous attendance level,” said Deacon Denis. “People who are still nervous about being inside can watch the service on large-screen TVs outside.”

As the parish begins another year in its history, Rev. Sy Nguyen will conclude his second six-year term in July 2022 and Deacon Denis may step away from some of his responsibilities.

“I have been in the parish for 36 years,” said Deacon Denis, adding, “I am beyond retirement age.”

Through the many challenges of 2020 and 2021, St. Martin de Porres has remained vital, and the fact that it has arrived at this 50th anniversary indicates it will continue to be a strong part of the Yorba Linda community for the years ahead.

“The parish is thriving through the crisis and continues to grow and become younger,” said Rev. Sy. “God’s willing, St. Martin de Porres Parish will be a place of blessing for many in many, many years to come.” C

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION LAY MINISTERS HELP BRING CATHOLICS CLOSE TO GOD, DISCERN VOCATIONS, IMPROVE PRAYER LIVES

BY CATHI DOUGLAS

“The spiritual director is concerned with the whole person, for the spiritual life is not just the life of the mind, or of the affections, or of the ‘summit of the soul’ – it is the life of the whole person. A spiritual director is, then, one who helps another to recognize and to follow the inspirations of grace in his life, in order to arrive at the end to which God is leading him.” – Thomas Merton

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N OLD TRADITION, spiritual direction has roots in the ancient monasteries and today is practiced by many people in various denominations.

For Catholics, spiritual direction begins with clergy, but now can include guidance from trained lay directors.

“One important thing to remember is that we are amateurs who help people aspire to reflect God’s love in their lives,” explained Cathy Roby, spiritual director at St. Timothy Church in Laguna Niguel. “We are often called midwives of the soul.”

Roby – a leader in the Diocese of Orange’s Called & Gifted program of discernment for lay Catholics – formerly worked in airline sales and marketing. A married mother of three and a member

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

of St. Edward Church in Dana Point, Roby was trained at the Sisters of St. Joseph Center for Spiritual Direction.

She prayed for more than 10 years as her children grew up, finally discerning her gift or charism for spiritual direction.

Not surprisingly, Roby had a spiritual director herself for 17 years.

“I finally realized this was something I wanted to do in my life,” she said.

Her formation period at the St. Joseph Center spanned three years, Roby said, with each year emphasizing a different way to walk in intimacy with the Lord.

During the program, aspiring spiritual directors meet with directors and teachers, learning about personality types, different approaches to prayer, spirituali-

ty and myriad subjects.

As a ‘soul companion,’ Roby noted, it’s critical that aspiring spiritual directors themselves have a full, deep prayer lives and relationships with God. “You can’t give what you don’t have,” she said.

In a typical 55-minute session, spiritual direction begins with silence or prayer.

The director then listens as the directed person shares.

We look at ourselves as companions,” Roby noted. “We help those we direct to look honestly at their relationship with God.” When everything else is stripped away, after all the layers of sharing, she added, God is what the directed wants in the end.

“They come for a lot of different reasons – large transitions in lives, faith crises, or trying to discern change and discovering where God is in their lives,” she noted. “We’re not therapists or psychiatrists. We are not directed toward fixing people’s problems, but more on deepening their relationship with the sacred dimension of their lives.”

She added, “We hold a safe and sacred space; people share sacredness each time we meet.”

While the Orange-based St. Joseph program is convenient to Diocese of Orange Catholics, training in spiritual direction is available through many monasteries and even online.

Individuals seeking spiritual direction may begin with their parish priest. In addition, a list of spiritual directors is available through the St. Joseph program, 714-744-3175, or online at Spiritual Directors International.

“Spiritual direction is a wonderful ministry of presence to really listen to and help another person,” Roby observed.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

OUR ROOTS AND OUR TRADITION THE ST. JOHN PAUL II POLISH CENTER IN YORBA LINDA IS HOME TO A VERY DEVOUT COMMUNITY

BY GREG MELLEN

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N A STAGE and dressed in full 17th century-style regalia, Darak and Grace Swiatkowski, the ceremonial Lord and Lady of the Manor, handed out loaves of fresh rye bread to the faithful. All around the smells of kielbasa, pierogi and golabki mingled in the air. At the front gate, people posed for photos, poking their heads through cutouts in a mural depicting farmers in the fields. Meanwhile, the beer garden did brisk business to the sounds of polka and mazurka music and dance.

These were among the sights, sounds and smells of the 42nd annual Dozynki, or Harvest Festival, on the grounds of the Saint John Paul II Polish Center in Yorba Linda.

While the Harvest Festival is the most public and outward display of Polish heritage and culture in Orange County, it is backstopped and buttressed by the Catholic Church and Diocese of Orange, which helped create the Center in 1983.

While the Diocese of Orange supports ministries and conducts Masses in more than a half-dozen languages for ethnicities, ranging from Latin to Asian, the Polish Catholic population is a unique group.

“Catholicism is very important in the Polish community,” said Father Zbigniew Fraszczak, the pastor for the Center. He jokes that he was chosen because he had the rare ability to communicate in English, Spanish and Polish.

“A lot of Polish traditions are centered around Catholic holidays,” said Swiat-

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THE ST. JOHN PAUL II POLISH CENTER FOUND ITS HOME IN YORBA LINDA IN 1982. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

kowski, who joined the church in 1990.

Currently the Center is the spiritual home to about 1,800 families, mostly of Polish descent. It is home to weekly Polish-language Masses, plus First Fridays.

There are also Polish-language classes, along with instruction in Polish history and culture at the Helena Modrzejewska Polish School. Youngsters can also learn Polish dancing and music.

There are also traditional and cultural events, speakers and various club meetings such as the Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko Council No. 9599 of the Knights of Columbus.

YORBA LINDA?

The location of the Center is more a matter of serendipity than due to large numbers of Polish in the city. After years of bouncing around to different Orange County locales, community leaders jumped when the Seventh Day Adventists put up the property in Yorba Linda for sale, gaining late Bishop William Johnson’s approval in 1982. So excited was the congregation, a Christmas Eve Mass was celebrated in 1982 while the

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sale was still pending. The first official Mass was celebrated on January 16, 1983.

The need for a home for expats and refugees from Poland, where nearly 90 percent of the population is Catholic, had grown over the years.

Poles had been fleeing the devastation, privation and poverty of the country in the wake of World War II and through the rise and fall of communism, many landing in Southern California.

As the community spread through the Southland, Poles began congregating at churches in Long Beach and Orange County, even the chapel of an Anaheim funeral home. For a while, monthly Masses in Polish were held at St. Anthony Claret in Anaheim.

When the Diocese of Orange was established in 1976, an early goal was to find a spiritual, social and cultural home for the Polish Catholic community.

Yorba Linda, in Northern Orange County, is centrally located and accessible to many areas.

Fr. Zbigniew said parishioners from Los Angeles to Long Beach to Palm Des-

ert attend Masses and events.

Rev. Joseph A. Karp was appointed the first spiritual director for the Polish Community in Orange County. The aim, according to the Diocese, is “to keep alive in the hearts of the Polish Faithful the rich religious and cultural heritage and traditions of their forefathers; to preserve the Polish language among the first and second generations; and to allow full participation in the Liturgical functions for the newly arrived into this area.”

“It’s our roots and our tradition,” said Conrad Wyszomirski, a second-generation Polish-American church congregant.

The Center was named after the then-pope, John Paul II, who was born and raised in Poland. The church’s patroness is Our Lady in Częstochowa, Poland, who is among a small group of Black Madonnas recognized throughout the world.

The Center is also made available to the Latino, Slovak and Czech communities for Eucharistic celebrations and CONTINUES ON PAGE 9

FEATURE orangediocese • follow October 3, 2021 orangediocese Lord, we pray for a quick stop of the oil spill, for those working on mitigation efforts, for the affected wildlife, shoreline, and all those impacted. Amen.

On the eve of St. Francis of Assisi’s feast day (patron of animals and the environment), we ask for his intercession.

Let us know you’re praying in the comments below.

orangediocese • follow October 2, 2021 orangediocese October 2 begins our monthly Masses right in front of the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine!

Starting tomorrow, the first Saturday of every month will hold a special Mass and Rosary said in Vietnamese starting at 8:30 a.m.

Celebrated by Bishop Thanh Thai (currently the only Vietnamese Bishop in the United States), this Mass holds a 120-person choir, prayers for its donors and their 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

THE DOZYNKI HARVEST FESTIVAL IS ONE OF MANY POLISH CULTURAL EVENTS HOSTED BY THE CENTER THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. PHOTO: STEPHEN GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

various church and school sites before making the John Paul II Center its permanent home.

DOZYNKI One of those in attendance at the For all it does for Polish Catholics, festival was Rafal Stachura, 46, who the Harvest Festival, which draws more was dressed in full Polish garb topped than 5,000 visitors each year remains by a jaunty highlander cap with a large the church’s main attraction. Ever since feather. Like many of his fellow immiPolish descendant and TV personality grants, he fled poverty and privation in Pat Sajak did a live segment on the the early 2000s.

KNBC Sunday Program, the station “This is like to keep tradition alive, has run annual spots from the event yah?” he said. “You have Cinco de through the years.

Mayo and St. Patrick’s, so Poles can The festival actually predates the have a day too to celebrate their hard church by several years and was held at work.” C CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

other activities.

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DIOCESAN NEWS

AROUND THE DIOCESE

BY STAFF

NEW BRONZE SCULPTURES ARRIVE AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL

“ROMANCE OF THE MISSION” BENEFIT GALA

A recent gala at Mission San Juan Capistrano raised more than $650,000 for the historic site.

On Friday, Sept. 24, the first of four The Sept. 17 “Romance of the Misnew bronze bas-relief sculptures that sion” event, which featured singer and will go inside Christ Cathedral arrived actress Loren Allred, attracted some at the campus, and Bishop Kevin W. 350 attendees. In light of the ongoing Vann was there to see it get unboxed for pandemic, limited attendance and the first time. health protocols were in place for safety.

“It’s beautiful, just beautiful,” said Connie and Dr. Peter Spenuzza were Bishop upon seeing the artwork. noted for their longtime philanthropy Created by Bolivian artist Pablo Edu- and support of the mission. Connie has ardo, the sculptures will go up in the served on the board of the Mission Presinterior walls of the cathedral. ervation Foundation for over 15 years.

They are of images taken from the The foundation is a fundraising entity Gospel that reflect the divinity of Christ, committed to ensuring education and including the baptism of the Lord by preservation of the mission, as well as John the Baptist and the wedding feast the site’s long-term historic and reliof Cana. The sculptures will replace gious significance. some temporary Biblical messages that “This year’s benefit gala held a deeper have been inside the cathedral since the meaning in what it portends and rep2019 dedication.

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THE ANNUAL ROMANCE OF THE MISSION GALA INCLUDES THE CEREMONIAL RINGING OF THE MISSION BELLS. PHOTO:LISA RENEE PHOTOGRAPHY

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BISHOP KEVIN VANN RECEIVES THE NEW BRONZE SCULPTURES THAT WILL BE DISPLAYED INSIDE THE CATHEDRAL. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

DIOCESAN NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

resents to finally be able to host the ‘Romance of the Mission’ in 2021,” Mechelle Lawrence Adams, Mission San Juan Capistrano’s executive director, said in a statement. “On behalf of the board, we extend a gracious thank you to our collective of angels for supporting this historic landmark and acting as gracious advocates and stewards.”

“Romance of the Mission” also featured a ringing of the bells by Juaneño Band of Mission Indians members Nathan Banda and Michael Gastelum.

Known as the “Jewel of the Missions,” Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded on Nov. 1, 1776, by St. Junipero Serra as the seventh of California’s 21 missions established by Spain.

The Diocese of Orange owns the mission, though it is self-funded.

ST. POLYCARP’S FAMILY FESTIVAL

FATHER DAMIAN GIAP CELEBRATES THE ALL-SCHOOL MASS FOR MERCY DAY AT ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL. PHOTO: ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL SISTERS AND STAFF PREPARE TREATS AT THE ST. POLYCARP FAMILY FESTIVAL. PHOTO: COURTESY OF ST. POLYCARP CATHOLIC CHURCH

St. Polycarp Catholic Church in Stanton recently had its traditional Family Festival on Sept.

17, 18 and 19. The festival featured live musical performances, kids magician and games, food and cash prize raffles.

MERCY ALIVE AND WELL AT ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL

On Friday, Sept. 24, St. John the Baptist Catholic School celebrated Mercy Day with an All-School Mass that emphasized the legacy of the loving community impact that the Mercy Sisters have fostered for nearly two centuries.

Beginning back in 1827, Founder Mother Catherine McAuley launched an initiative to serve the poor, sick and uneducated, a movement that continues around the world today and is alive and thriving within the faith community at St. John the Baptist.

“The tradition of mercy and love is strong here at our school,” said Principal Paula Viles.

“We work tirelessly to respond to the Corporal Works of Mercy throughout the school year, both as individuals and as a community united in love.”

Students and their families are encouraged to create and participate in service projects and local efforts and the campus faith community offers numerous opportunities for its members to serve God and his people who are most in need. C O C T O B E R 1 0 , 2 0 2 1 n O C C AT H O L I C

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GUEST COLUMN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

In those states that currently have restrictions based on fetal criteria, female babies could be aborted just for being girls and children with Down syndrome will be eliminated when what they really need is to be welcomed by parents who are prepared and supported to raise a special child.

The Women’s Health Protection Act would likely obliterate all conscience protection measures, compelling healthcare providers to perform or refer for abortion against their deeply-held beliefs and would require all Americans to support abortion through their tax dollars.

For a bill with such dramatic and sweeping federal effect on states’ autonomy, one might imagine that it had overwhelming constituent support.

That is not the case.

According to an AP poll this summer, 49% of respondents hold that anyone should be able to obtain an abortion at any time, and 50% hold that should not be the case. Further, while a majority of Americans support abortion in the first trimester, 65% hold that it should be illegal in the second trimester and 80% in the third trimester.

Thirty-eight states have some abortion-restriction laws, including protection for minors, ultrasound or counseling requirements or laws around viability. Twelve states have laws that would ban abortion outright, if Roe v Wade were overturned. In 2021 alone, 28 new state abortion-restricting laws were enacted in a single week in April, making this year the “worst legislative year ever for US abortion rights” according to the Guttmacher Institute.

The Women’s Health Protection Act is far out of step with the values most Americans hold regarding abortion.

Thankfully, it is highly unlikely the Women’s Health Protection Act will pass the Senate during this Congress.

The vote in the House of Representatives was, therefore, more symbolic than

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KATHLEEN DOMINGO MEETS WITH BISHOP KEVIN VANN AT THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

effective. But, symbolic of what?

The Women’s Health Protection Act does not remedy maternal health inequities, expand prenatal care, provide research for women’s cancers or fund mental health intervention. It only offers abortion. Abortion at all costs.

In a world where women repeatedly state that they are not able to have the children they desire, and where birthrates are falling to below replacement in the United States, lawmakers are not listening to women who want children and families. Rather than asking the right questions, they offer abortion as the only solution.

Abortion proponents insist that access to abortion is the key component to securing economic freedom and equality for women. This singular view means they see no need to build structures that encourage women to keep

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and parent their children. Progressives’ guarantee of abortion access, in effect, discourages solutions for women who choose to parent their children amidst economic or personal hardship.

Women don’t want abortion. When asked, they will tell you that they want to be respected. They want choices they can live with, not quick fixes that cover up underlying problems. They want friends and mentors who encourage and support their motherhood, even amidst difficulty. They want to be able to have families and careers, with flexibility that allows them to thrive in both roles. They want practical resources that alleviate stress, particularly if they are single mothers. Most of all, women want to be affirmed that they are strong and capable and that their womanhood and their motherhood is valued.

Where abortion is not an option,

communities rally to provide resources to help moms and babies thrive—often taking the form of material assistance (diapers, car seats) and referrals to resources (WIC, Medicaid, housing) or helpers (childcare, mentors, parenting classes).

What we need at this moment is the imagination to see what a caring community could be. Can we listen to women and families? Are we willing to walk with others through difficulties?

Will we do what it takes to meet needs?

Do we truly understand our interconnectedness?

We can and should take time now to hold our lawmakers accountable for voting for a terrible bill that is not only ideologically reprehensible but a bad public policy precedent. At the same time, let’s recommit now to leading with mercy so that love and life can flourish. C

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POPE FRANCIS GREETS PEOPLE DURING AN AUDIENCE WITH MEMBERS OF THE “FOI ET LUMIÈRE” MOVEMENT AT THE VATICAN OCT. 2, 2021. EVERYONE, BUT ESPECIALLY THE LEAST AND MOST FRAGILE, IS LOVED BY GOD AND HAS A PLACE IN THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD, THE POPE TOLD MEMBERS OF THE MOVEMENT. PHOTO: VATICAN MEDIA / CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

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Bishop Kevin W. Vann and Father Walter Jenkins are pictured before Mass on Sunday, Sept. 26 during which Father Walter was officially installed as Mater Dei High School’s fourth president.

—Courtesy of Mater Dei High School

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BANKING BY NAME, NOT BY NUMBER. EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE.

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