OC CATHOLIC - NOVEMBER 21, 2021 by OCCatholic

THE SYNOD ON SYNODALITY

NOVEMBER 21, 2021

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

A COMMUNITY MILESTONE PAGE 6

PARISH CELEBRATES THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CATHOLIC CHURCH. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

NOVEMBER 21, 2021

CONTENTS

7 8 13

WHAT ABOUT THANKSGIVING?

While Christmas dominates this time of year, the November holiday is dedicated to an important aspect of Christian faith and cannot be overlooked.

900 YEARS OF SERVICE

St. Michael’s Abbey in Silverado marks nine centuries of the Norbertine order.

POPE: NURTURE HOPE TOMORROW BY HEALING PAIN TODAY

During his homily at a mass for the World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis spoke about the nature of true Christian hope.

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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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

NOT YET THE MARK OF THE BEAST BY RICK HOWICK HOST FOR ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC RADIO

EAVING MASS, I encountered a friend I hadn’t seen in months and we of course caught up on the successes of our children. His zinger was the shock encountered when his son’s fiancé shunned him as a vaccinated Catholic. She cited ties to aborted baby cells, and all vaccinated Catholics had essentially taken the Mark-of-the-Beast. She was resolute, and my friend now finds himself unwelcome at his son’s family functions. Catholics struggle with the vaccination issue. I also have Catholic friends who refuse to vax. Reasons begin with personal freedom, even invoking the ironic phrase, “my body, my choice”, but their center

remains the abortion taint. On the other side of the Catholic fence, some have lost patience with these recalcitrant moralists and believe that no religious exemption can apply to them – the complete Catholic leadership has come out hard for the vaccine. I hosted Bishop Timothy Freyer on the OC Catholic Radio program when he acknowledged significant moral failure in the testing process. The Pfizer and Moderna varieties did use aborted embryo cells in the final testing of the finished product. However, while he condemned the decisions of the companies’ directors, no aborted cells were used in the development of the vaccines themselves. However, the J & J vaccine was developed using these tainted lines and is more problematCONTINUES ON PAGE 12

RICK HOWICK, ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC RADIO HOST. 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.

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DAILY READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

“ CHRIST, THE KING

HE SELECTION FROM THE BOOK of Daniel presented in today’s first reading was part of an attempt to weave a vision of ultimate success for the Jews under persecution. Exactly whom the author had in mind when he refers to “one like a Son of Man” is hotly disputed by scholars today. The fact is, we simply do not know if the author meant anyone in particular or if this is a collective, figurative image of Israel’s triumph. What we do know is that the early Christian community seized upon this passage and recognized it as a messianic prophecy, a foretelling of the ultimate triumph of Jesus as the Christ of God. The Lectionary’s juxtaposition of this text with today’s Gospel narrative of Jesus before Pilate is a wonderful example of how the liturgy “layers” passages with new meaning by inserting them in a particular context. The celebration of Christ the King allows us to hear these passages with a new depth of meaning in light of our contemporary understanding of how, in Jesus and his resurrection and ascension, we have seen the fulfillment of Daniel’s vision of ultimate deliverance. The veiled admission of Jesus before Pilate that he did indeed have a kingdom “not here” takes on new meaning against the cosmic vision of Daniel, who allows us to glimpse the “Ancient One” on his heavenly throne. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. C

Jesus does not ask us to make arguments for God, but to show him… not by words but by our lives. - Pope Francis SAINT PROFILE

”

GELASIUS I DIED 496

T. GELASIUS BECAME POPE IN 492, Immediately he faced several difficult problems. He had to deal with several Arian kings who ruled in the West. And Italy was at war with the Ostrogoths. Gelasius’s rigid approach to the Acacian heresy (a derivative of Monophysitism which held that Jesus was only divine) offended the Byzantine emperor and the Eastern bishops. But he finally backed down and so preserved the unity of the church. Gelasius was the first pope to be called the “vicar of Chris.” He also defined the right relationship between ecclesial and secular authority. Gelasius declared that each was independent in its own sphere, but as the spiritual order brought salvation to the temporal order, the ecclesial authority was superior. C

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

DN 1:1-6, 8-20; DN 3:52-56; LK 21:1-4

DN 2:31-45; DN 3:57-61; LK 21:5-11

DN 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28; DN 3:62-67; LK 21:12-19

THANKSGIVING: SIR 50:22-24; PS 145:2-11; 1 COR 1:3-9; LK 17:11-19

DN 7:2-14; DN 3:75-81; LK 21:29-33

DN 7:15-27; DN 3:82-87; LK 21:34-36

JER 33:14-16; PS 25:4-5, 8-10, 14; 1 THES 3:12 — 4:2; LK 21:25-28, 34-36

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FEATURE

A COMMUNITY MILESTONE PARISH CELEBRATES THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CATHOLIC CHURCH BY NICOLE GREGORY

50TH BIRTHDAY IS a major milestone, whether it’s the life of a person or a church parish. That’s why St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Irvine (SEAS) is celebrating with a variety of events that recognize its long history. Events so far have included a special healing service and a visit from Bishop Timothy Freyer at the 10 a.m. Mass, on Nov. 7 that was followed by a reception and musical performance, according to Deacon Steve Greco, who has been part of the church for more than four decades. He describes the parish of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton as a diverse church community comprised of many cultures including Vietnamese, Korean and Hispanic. “We have around 1,000 families registered here at SEAS,” said Father Paul Trinh. “Our parish accurately reflects the stimulating cultural diversity of Orange County.” Since October 2016, SEAS has also played host to the Catholic Student Ministry at the University of California Irvine. At least twice a week, almost 200 students meet and worship at the SEAS campus with their chaplain, Father Francis Vu, S.J.

ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON

Elizabeth Ann Seton was the first American-born saint, canonized in 1975 by Pope Paul VI. She was born in New York City in 1774 and was married at age 19. She had five children and following her husband’s death, she entered the Catholic Church. After many difficult years, Seton founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s, and then later

BISHOP TIMOTHY FREYER LEADS THE ANNIVERSARY MASS AT ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CHURCH IN IRVINE. PHOTO: COURTESTY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

St. Joseph’s Academy and Free School, which were the beginnings of Catholic education in America. “She was very much an educator and we’re focused on that,” said Deacon Greco. “For us, catechesis and education are really important.”

1994

In the 50-year history of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Irvine, 1994 stands out as a significant year. “It was a very important year for the SEAS parish community,” said Fr. Trinh. “The new church, which had been designed in the shape and style reflecting the expression of Vatican II, was completed and dedicated. The parish hall, that had served as our worship center as well as for all parish activities was redesigned

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and the youth center added.” But there was heartbreak too. “Rev. Kenneth O’Keeffe, one of our pastors, died of Lou Gehrig’s Disease at age 50,” recalled Deacon Greco, which was very hard on the parish. Rev. Tom Pado was named to replace him—and recently retired in 2019, having served as pastor for almost 25 years.

THE CHALLENGE OF THE PANDEMIC

The Covid-19 pandemic presented another monumental challenge. How did the church respond? “We hustled,” said Fr. Trinh. “I was new to this parish, having just been assigned seven months before, and I was determined that our church family would not be deprived of the Sacraments. In the

first days of the lockdown, I videoed Rev. Brandon Dang and myself on my iPhone, saying Mass and Adoration broadcasted via Facebook. The weekend Mass broadcasts are continuing for our homebound.” When restrictions shifted, so did the church. “When we were allowed to gather outdoors with appropriate spacing, we met for Mass on the patio at the front of the church,” said Fr. Trinh. “I created and adapted furnishings to fit our new space. I mounted a table on wheels, and that became our altar. I built a 10-foot-tall Crucifix on wheels, and two 8-foot-tall plywood screens from which we hung holy icons, also mounted on wheels, and these adorned our worship space. The screens also served as the private confesCONTINUES ON PAGE 7

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sionals.” During these challenging times, Fr. Trinh said the parish and staff took care of one another. “Everyone’s efforts were notable,” he said. “The six staff members and volunteers have worked so hard to keep the people safe as they gather back for Masses and other spiritual and material needs.” And the ministries never ceased their work. “Our service ministries continued to assist the needy. Prayer and Bible Study ministries continued, but on Zoom,” F. Trinh added. The pandemic also made it difficult to plan celebrations for the church’s 50th anniversary. “It is because of the pandemic that we have compressed a year’s worth of jubilee activities into the final months of our anniversary year,” said Fr. Trinh. “But the function of planning a joyful jubilee has served as a vitalizing factor during the worst of the shutdown.”

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Fr. Trinh envisions a flourishing future for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. He hopes that parishioners can reconnect and are encouraged to “share their time, talents and treasures, for the good of the parish family.” He hopes to create more opportunities and spaces for devotions, prayers and gatherings; to strengthen the faith of adults, train new young leaders, care for all age groups; and to grow holistically in Mass attendance, devotions, learning our faith and practicing faith with various ministries. The number of people who attend in-person Mass is not yet at the pre-pandemic levels but when they do return Fr. Trinh said there’s a feeling of celebration and reunion. “As one parish member said, ‘You don’t realize how much you love something until you don’t have it anymore.’” C

WHAT ABOUT THANKSGIVING? RITUALS AND RECLAIMING WHAT’S REAL BY KATIE DAWSON

ALLOWTIDE, WITH ITS decorations, and remembrances, is in the rearview mirror. Christmas décor has been set up and on sale at Costco for weeks. The debate in my Mom’s Facebook group is well underway: Should we skip Thanksgiving decorating entirely and go straight to putting up the lights and the Christmas tree? The arguments range from the pragmatic (“let’s get this party started, it’s a lot of work”) to the sentimental and emotional (“I just love Christmastime! Bring it on!”) Some people argue that autumn decor deserves its day(s), while others voice the more practical argument that even Christmas trees get tired and worn after six to eight weeks on display. Somehow, I don’t hear much of an argument for the purpose of Thanksgiving – or the importance it has in feeding our souls as well as our bellies. The reasons for giving thanks are well explained by author Ann Voskamp, who wrote the award-winning New York Times best-seller “One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are.” In her book, Voskamp delves into her losses, tragedies and grief to illustrate how the daily practice of gratitude – recognizing all the small and large gifts of life – has helped heal her soul. Giving thanks, she says, has led her to living

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

joyously. “When you faithfully practice your gratitude muscle, day-in and day-out, your soul remembers what to do in crisis,” Voskamp explained in the book’s introduction. She also points out that the Greek word for giving thanks that we see in the gospels – Eucharisto – is used to describe the actions of Jesus on several occasions. At Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus gives thanks. Before the miracle of the loaves and fishes, Jesus gives thanks. At the Last Supper, Jesus gives thanks. Thanks, precedes any kind of gift, action, or benevolence on God’s part. Eucharisto is a spirit we embrace in the holiday of Thanksgiving. It can become a way of life all year long. In practice, the results of our gratitude are not always what we expect. In many cases, our very selves rather than our circumstances are transformed. Miracles happen, but they are not always the miracles we’re hoping for.

Still, always, God promises to “be with us,” our Emmanuel. When we make space for His presence through the practice of gratitude, when we practice Eucharisto, His presence becomes a sustaining reality rather than an abstract notion. Like Bartimaeus, the blind man healed by Jesus in the Gospel story, we can “see” with eyes of faith the real the presence of God. We believe that God became flesh. This sacramental world view informs us that all of creation is imbued with God’s presence: God is present everywhere, filling all things. This leads us to express His realness through rituals and practices, through which we connect with God’s reality; these actions make God manifest to us. It is a simple thing to say thank you. And of course, God doesn’t need our thanks. But we ourselves very much need to give thanks. As Robert Louis Wilken wrote in “The Church as Culture,” it is our actions that matter. “If we do something for God, in the doing God does something for us.” 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

900 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH NEWLY DEDICATED ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY MARKS THE NORBERTINE ORDER’S 60 YEARS IN ORANGE COUNTY BY CATHI DOUGLAS

T. NORBERT — known, among many other things, for his deep reverence for the Holy Eucharist and faithful devotion to the Blessed Mother – founded his first monastery in 1121. Nine hundred years after the Norbertine community was established in Germany’s Premontre Valley, the 90 members of Orange County’s Norbertine community continue their order’s revered traditions. Providentially, during this jubilee year they have dedicated the stunning new St. Michael’s Abbey in a large complex nestled on 40 acres of tranquil Silverado Canyon hills. On May 4, they formally blessed the abbey, which was financed by a fundraising effort that attracted $120 million. On Oct. 30, the order held a retreat centered on St. Norbert’s life, including the blessing of Norbertine relics from the abbey’s main altar. Even more recently, an icon was installed in the abbey. It depicts St. Norbert surrounded by 12 scenes of his life and order and was commissioned by Abbot Eugene Hayes and produced by Orange County Norbertine Fr. Peregrine Fletcher. After nine centuries, why are the Norbertines still relevant and inspirational to Catholics and important in the life of the Catholic Church? The Norbertines and their way of life have survived and thrived for centuries, acknowledges the abbey’s Father Am-

A WORSHIPPER PRESSES A CROSS AGAINST ONE OF THE RELIQUARIES DURING THE ANNIVERSARY EVENT AT ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY IN SILVERADO. PHOTO: DREW KELLEY

brose Criste, O.PRAEM., novice master and director of formation, because they share a stable charism that God has given to the Catholic Church, through the inspiration of Sts. Augustine and Norbert. “The monastic priesthood is enduring in the Church because the Church needs it, and the Lord always provides it. Common worship, meals at a common table and priests living in community are the central features of our order,” Fr. Criste explained. “We call it the apostolic life, and it’s patterned after the priesthood that St. Norbert reinvigorated in the 11th century.” The young men who join the Norbertines want their lives to be meaningful, to serve others and to dedicate themselves to prayer.

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“These young men want to be heroes,” he said. “They don’t want to live their lives by halves. It’s a difficult, polarizing and lonely world, and these men want to join orders that live a common life and celebrate the liturgy solemnly.” Lay people, he said, appreciate what the Norbertines bring to the Church. “They want us around. They see the faithful celebration of the Mass at the hands of Norbertine priests.” St. Norbert began his work during the time of Pope Gregory VII, who was a leader in the movement to reform the Catholic Church, Fr. Criste said. Norbert was ordained in 1115, giving his possessions to the poor and becoming an itinerant preacher, traveling through Europe barefoot in the middle

of winter, before founding his order. He displayed a gift for living in peace, even with wild beasts. He was made archbishop of Magdeburg in 1126, five years after founding the order. In centuries since, the order has survived many bad periods, including both the French Revolution and the Thirty Years War, among many other travails. Today, the Norbertine order numbers more than 1,300 members worldwide, including priests, sisters, brothers, deacons and novices. Norbertine abbeys, priories and convents are established and active in 23 countries. Locally, the Norbertine fathers operate St. John the Baptist Church and school in Costa Mesa, serve in many parishes, teach and minister to a variety CONTINUES ON PAGE 9

FEATURE orangediocese • follow November 14, 2021 orangediocese Today kicks off Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, a national event that brings people together to draw attention to the issues of hunger and homelessness. Join us this week to learn more about how we can help end homelessness right here in our own Diocese of Orange County. All of our neighbors, regardless of their housing status, are part of our community. #EndHomelessnessOC #HHweek

orangediocese • follow November 12, 2021 orangediocese Are you a grateful person? Fr. Angelos reflects on the gospel reading which teaches about the gratefulness of the leper who was healed by Jesus. Fr. Angelos uses this story as a reminder of the joy that comes with being grateful. Link in bio for full reflection!

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FR. NORBERT WOOD SPEAKS ABOUT THE RELICS FROM THE MAIN ALTAR DURING A RETREAT AT ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY. PHOTO: DREW KELLEY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

of Orange County communities, Fr. Criste noted. “The Church is always in need of reform and renewal,” he said. “We continue to do our best to supply the need for holy priests to renew the church.” Established in 1961, the original St. Michael’s Abbey was in nearby Modjeska Canyon. It was founded by seven priests fleeing communist oppression in Hungary. In Orange County, the order has grown so much that it required the new abbey, which is built on 327 acres of former ranchland and includes a convent for the Rosarian Dominican sisters, monastery, guest wing, conference center, cemetery and cemetery chapel, and vineyards, as well as many acres of trails preserved as wilderness and often used for silent prayer. “God blesses us at this monastery so richly,” Fr. Criste observed. “We have grown so quickly and so much that we had to build this new abbey; we’re already outgrowing it.

“Today we have 39 men studying for the priesthood, expanding ministries, and more vocations to serve God’s people in this beautiful way of life,” he added. The canons regular, or Norbertine fathers and novices, pray seven times a day in St. Michael’s Abbey, beginning at 5:45 each morning and ending at 9:45 each evening. “Our job is to be the professional prayer powerhouse of the Church,” Fr. Criste explained. Officially, their jubilee is marked on Christmas Day, when the Orange County Norbertines will vest nine new novices and worship with a beautiful new monstrance commissioned for exposing the Blessed Sacrament. The order will continue to celebrate their anniversary with special Advent and Christmas activities. Catholics gain indulgences by praying in the holy abbey. “We want to welcome everyone to celebrate with us all that God has done for us recently and in the last 900 years,” Fr. Criste declared. C

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FEATURE

THE SYNOD ON SYNODALITY IN THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE BY FR. WILLIAM GOLDIN, S.TH.D., AND KATIE DAWSON, DIOCESAN COORDINATORS FOR THE SYNOD ON SYNODALITY

INCE THE EARLIEST moments in the Church’s history, the “assembly” (σύνοδος, synodos) of her bishops as shepherds of the faithful, and in union with them, has been a mechanism for discernment both of God’s will for the Church and of the meaning of the Deposit of the Faith (the saving truth revealed to the apostles by the Lord, and committed to their care). The earliest “Synod” can be found in the so-called “Council of Jerusalem” (cf. Acts 15:2-35) at which, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Apostolic College, with St. Peter and under his headship, discussed the integration of Jewish and Gentile believers in the one Christian community. This earliest assembly of the Church’s hierarchy provided a Scriptural basis for later developments in Synods, both local and universal. Since Scripture itself attests to the ability of the Church to gather in Synod with and under St. Peter’s primacy, so the Catholic Church in both East and West has continued this anointed means by which we may call on the Lord for guidance: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt 18:20, NAB). The most recent successors of St. Peter—Pope St. Paul VI, Pope St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis—have each held “Synods of Bishops” at which the bishops as successors of the Apostles, in union with the pope, have discussed issues of great importance for the life of the Church. Following upon these discussions, the popes have then promulgated their “Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortations”. These teaching documents are the authoritative decrees that conclude the work of each Synod, and in the recent

BISHOP KEVIN W. VANN PROCLAIMS THE DECREE OF THE DIOCESAN PHASE OF THE SYNOD IN THE PRESENCE OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT AT OUR LADY OF LA VANG SHRINE ON OCT. 24. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE VANN FAMILY

past these exhortations have been notable both for their profundity and for the effect they have had on a wide range of issues such as, proclaiming the Gospel (Paul VI, Evangelii nuntiandi); family and married life (John Paul II, Familiaris consortio; Francis, Amoris laetitia); the lay vocation and mission in the Church (John Paul II, Christifideles laici); the formation of priests (John Paul II, Pastores dabo vobis); the importance of the Bible, God’s word, in the Church (Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini); the Church in Africa (Benedict XVI,

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Africae munus); young people (Francis, Christus vivit); and most recently, the Church in Amazonia (Francis, Querida Amazonia), to name just a few. And now once again, the Holy Father has called for a “Synod of Bishops” on the question of “Synodality” itself. In this Synod, Pope Francis asks the whole Church to discern the meaning of “journeying together” as the pilgrim people of God, and how our shared stories and life experiences can help the Episcopal College to follow the action of the Holy Spirit in guiding us into all

truth. This Synod on Synodality has three main phases, two preparatory and one final: (1) the preparatory diocesan phase (October 2021-August 2022) in each diocese/eparchy or ordinariate throughout the world; (2) the preparatory national phase at the level of the Episcopal Conferences and Eastern Catholic Patriarchal/Episcopal Synods (August 2022-March 2023); and (3) the Synod of Bishops itself in Rome (October 2023). As the Vademecum, or handbook, CONTINUES ON PAGE 11

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for the Synod describes it, the diocesan phase “is an opportunity for parishes and dioceses to encounter, experience, and live out the synodal journey together, thus discovering or developing synodal tools and pathways that are best suited for their local context, which will ultimately become the new style of the local Churches on the path of Synodality” (V §3.1). As such, during the global diocesan phase, the voices of Catholics of all walks of life—lay people, religious, and clergy—will be heard, according to the manner set up by each diocesan/eparchial/ordinariate bishop. Each diocese is different, and it is the task of the local ordinary—in our case, Bishop Kevin W. Vann—to discern the best method of organizing this consultation of the faithful. As a means of fulfilling this synodal mandate, Bishop Vann has determined that each of the seven deaneries (groupings of parishes) will conduct a “consultation” with the faithful in early 2022, to which each parish will send a group of six individuals selected by the pastor. These parochial representatives will speak to the joys and hopes, worries and desires, of individuals in similar walks of life (married ((including the divorced/ annulled)), single, young, old, and those with special needs or interests). Through this consultation across the entire Diocese, we hope to learn from the real-life experiences of the faithful in Orange County, and to present these findings in the ten-page final “synthesis” document that the Holy See requires of each local church. The Diocese is also developing a webpage to highlight the synodal process, and to provide access to its relevant documents. On this webpage, the Diocese will include a survey with three basic questions about “communion”, “participation”, and “mission”, which will allow a broader degree of participation from Catholics throughout Orange County. Finally, the Holy Father asks all of us to pray in a particular way to the Holy Spirit during this time, using the ancient

prayer, Adsumus Domine Sancte Spiritus (We are present before thee, O Lord Holy Spirit). Pope St. John XXIII asked that the Council Fathers at the Second Vatican Council recite this venerable prayer in Latin daily as a means of invoking the presence of the Spirit in the Church’s deliberations. In the Diocese of Orange, we are providing an original translation of this traditional prayer into English exactly as it was said at Vatican II, and we would like to encourage everyone to join in this prayer together as we begin our synodal journey as the Church of Orange. We are present before thee, O Lord Holy Spirit We are present though we are weighed down by the gravity of our sins. Yet in thy name, we are gathered for a special task. Come to us, be with us, and deign to enter our hearts. Teach us what we should do and where we should go, and show us what we ought to accomplish, that with thy help we may have the strength to please thee in all things. Be thou the only inspiration and perfecter of our judgments, thou who alone with God the Father and His Son hast a glorious name. Suffer us not to disturb the order of justice, thou who lovest equity above all else. Let not ignorance draw us into darkened ways; let not partiality sway us; let not the taking of gifts nor the respect of persons corrupt our minds. But unite us to thee efficaciously by the gift of thy grace alone, that we may be one in thee and in nothing deviate from the truth. Wherefore, being gathered in thy name, may we hold fast in all things the course of justice by the rudder of piety, so that even here our verdict may dissent from thee in nothing, and in the age to come our good deeds may obtain for us an everlasting reward. Amen. C

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ic than Pfizer or Moderna. Bishop Freyer reasoned that the companies had certainly failed morally, but their failure occurred after the vaccine was finished, and the tainted testing does not transfer backward to the development process. He stated that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith stated that the moral failure was therefore too remote for vaccine recipients to incur moral taint. The situation deserves prayer and penance for those who conducted these horrible tests, but no sin incurred to receive the vaccine. Bishop Vann has taken this same moral position, as have all Diocesan Bishops of California, and Pope Francis. The Church authorities agree the vaccines are morally permissible, and that carries great weight. However, that does not entirely settle the religious exemption issue. Abortion is a consuming issue for many, and the companies reap tremendous profit from worldwide vaccine distribution, which raises the morality of rewarding such companies. The bishops acknowledge that if other effective options were available without any taint, then that option would be preferred. However, since the issues are literally life and death, denying profits to the offending companies is less important than saving lives. Not rewarding the vaccine companies (by not taking their product) does create

a second horrible consequence: people will likely die. So, does that settle the issue? Not entirely. New treatments such as monoclonal antibodies show promise. Certain disputed preventive measures may be more effective than originally reported. The vaccine effectivity declines over time. And anyone who survived the virus is apparently also well protected. All that must be weighed against the very real, rapid and deadly onset of the disease if contracted. So far, the Bishops side with the vaccine. I am fully vaccinated, and I believe that the Bishops’ moral arguments are sound, though I am no moral theologian; yet, I am entitled to my opinion, and that is a core value to our faith. Our leaders have declared the vaccines morally permissible, yet informed Catholics of well-formed consciences are morally obligated NOT to violate their consciences, even if all other Catholic moral theologians disagree, even the Pope. So where does this leave conscientious objections to vaccine mandates? A Catholic may refuse the vaccine on religious grounds IF they have fully formed consciences, and have thoroughly reflected on the issues. The rest of us “vaxers” have NOT taken the Mark-ofthe-Beast. Those who conscientiously object, should be respected. However, the moral decision to take the vaccine is founded on good Catholic principles and saves lives. C

CATHOLIC NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

NURTURE HOPE TOMORROW BY HEALING PAIN TODAY, POPE SAYS

POPE FRANCIS GREETS A WOMAN AS HE LEAVES AFTER CELEBRATING MASS MARKING WORLD DAY OF THE POOR IN ST. PETER’S BASILICA AT THE VATICAN NOV. 14, 2021. PHOTO: REMO CASILLI, REUTERS / CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE BY JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The gift of hope becomes tangible in people’s lives through concrete actions that seek to relieve the suffering of the poor and console the downtrodden, Pope Francis said. In his homily at a Mass for the World Day of the Poor Nov. 14, the pope said

that true Christian hope is not “the naive, even adolescent optimism of those who hope things may change” but is instead built daily through concrete gestures that manifest “the kingdom of love, justice and fraternity that Jesus inaugurated.” “We are asked to nurture tomorrow’s hope by healing today’s pain,” he said. “The hope born of the Gospel has nothing to do with a passive expectation

that things may be better tomorrow, but with making God’s promise of salvation concrete today. Today and every day.” The Mass capped a series of events marking the annual world day, including a Nov. 12 pilgrimage to Assisi with hundreds of poor men, women and children from across Europe. Several Catholic charitable organizations helped in bringing pilgrims to Assisi as well as organizing local events.

Fratello, a France-based charity, also organized a worldwide prayer meeting Nov. 14 dedicated to the poor. During the meeting, the group shared a video message sent by Pope Francis to mark the occasion. In it, the pope asked the poor for forgiveness “in the name of all Christians who have wounded, ignored or humiliated you.” “Every man and every woman is CONTINUES ON PAGE 14

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CATHOLIC NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

POPE FRANCIS USES INCENSE AS HE CELEBRATES MASS MARKING WORLD DAY OF THE POOR IN ST. PETER’S BASILICA AT THE VATICAN NOV. 14, 2021. PHOTO: TEFANO SPAZIANI, POOL PHOTO VIA CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

a temple of God, you are the temple of God, you are the treasure of the church,” the pope told them. “Your place is not at the door of the churches, but instead in the heart of the church. Know that you are God’s favorites. Among you there are hidden saints.” In his homily for the Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope reflected on the Sunday Gospel reading from St. Mark, in which Jesus describes the days of tribulation when “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light.” While the grim description may “leave us bewildered,” the pope said Christ also invites his followers to hope in the salvation that is to come. However, he added, it is also a word of consolation for the poor who are often forced into poverty and are “victims of injustice and the inequality of a throwaway society that hurries past without seeing them and, without scruple, abandons them to their fate.” “The World Day of the Poor, which we are celebrating, asks us not to turn

aside, not to be afraid to take a close look at the suffering of those most vulnerable,” the pope said. While Christian hope is fundamental, he continued, it must translate into decisions and actions of “concern, justice and solidarity” with the poor and with the environment, through tenderness and compassion. “It is up to us to overcome the temptation to be concerned only about our own problems; we need to grow tender before the tragedies of our world, to share its pain. Like the tender leaves of a tree, we are called to absorb the pollution all around us and turn it into goodness,” the pope said. After Mass, the pope greeted pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his Sunday Angelus address and reminded them of the need to help the poor who are the presence of Jesus in the world. “Humanity progresses, develops, but the poor are always with us,” he said. “There are always the poor, and in them Christ is present, Christ is present in the poor.” C

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Moments MomentsininourourJourney Journey

Bishop Kevin Vann presides over the 11th annual Mass of Remembrance on Nov. 6 at San Juan Capistrano’s Old Mission Historic Cemetery. Caretaker Jerry Nieblas also takes part in the service. —Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Orange

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