OC CATHOLIC - NOVEMBER 28, 2021

NOVEMBER 28, 2021

US BISHOPS APPROVE STATEMENT ON EUCHARIST

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

‘TIS THE SEASON FAITH-INSPIRED GIFTS AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL. PAGE 8

SHOPPERS WILL FIND A VARIETY OF HOLIDAY GIFTS AVAILABLE AT THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL SHOP. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

NOVEMBER 28, 2021

CONTENTS

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FOR THE LONG TERM

John Russell is the longest-serving lay employee in the Diocese.

JESUS IS COMING

Advent is the season that gives meaning to our faith.

PENANCE SERVICES

Faithful looking for penance services will find them at a number of parishes across the diocese.

PLUS

Guest Column, Weekly Readings, Moments In Our Journey

ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC MISSION STATEMENT The Orange County Catholic Newspaper seeks to illuminate and animate the journey of faith for Catholics within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange – building solidarity among the faithful and inviting a deeper understanding and involvement in the mission of Christ – through the timely sharing of news, commentary and feature content in an engaging, accessible and compelling format.

ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC

The Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange Diocese of Orange Pastoral Center, 13280 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove 92840 Publisher: The Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of Orange Executive Editor: Tracey Kincaid, tkincaid@rcbo.org Editor: Patricia Mahoney, editor@occatholic.com News Ideas: storyideas@rcbo.org Delivery Problems: occatholicsupport@occatholic.com

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SCNG CUSTOM CONTENT Managing Editor: Caitlin Adams

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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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OCCatholicNews

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GUEST COLUMN

THANKSGIVING 2021 consumed or the drowsy aftermath of so much tryptophan. We just enjoyed.

I hear the happy chatter of family OR SOME REASON, I carry gathered around the table, the excitedistinct memories of Thanksment of seeing loved ones after long giving Day from my childhood absences, the elder brother back from here: the cool autumn air college, the cousins, aunts and uncles heavy with clouds; the rain-soaked field only seen on these occasions, the silly where we would gather for a wild footbanter of younger siblings and the inball game we dubbed the Mud Bowl; evitable admonition of adults for us to the warmth of home on return, sopping stop playing with our food. wet, to dry off, change clothes and await I see Mom deftly maneuvering the coming feast; the scent of roasting from kitchen to table and back again, turkey mingled with apple, cinnamon, brushing aside our urging her to “sit nutmeg and allspice – the crisp scent of down and eat” with a cheerful “In a cranberry sauce, the distinctive sweetminute,” which actually meant, “I’ll eat ness of candied yams and pumpkin pie, after everyone else is finished.” Mostly, and my perennial favorite, the stuffing. I remember the contagious laughter, We never concerned ourselves with the echoing in my mind and heart as an insanely unhealthy level of carbs we CONTINUES ON PAGE 12 PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

BY REV. BRUCE PATTERSON EPISCOPAL VICAR FOR PRIESTS DIOCESE OF ORANGE

F

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.

Retirement Fund for Religious Please give to those who have given a lifetime.

Like the women and men religious shown here, thousands of elderly sisters, brothers, and religious order priests spent decades ministering in Catholic schools, hospitals, and more— usually for little pay. Today, many religious communities lack retirement savings so struggle to care for aging members. You can help by donating to the Retirement Fund for Religious.

Please donate at your local parish December 11–12 or by mail at:

National Religious Retirement Office/ORAS 3211 Fourth Street NE Washington DC 20017-1194

Make check payable to Retirement Fund for Religious.

retiredreligious.org Visit retiredreligious.org/2021photos to meet the religious pictured.

©2021 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington DC • All rights reserved • Photo: Jim Judkis

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DAILY READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

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WATCHFUL CONFIDENCE

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E THE CHURCH ENTER into Advent and the new liturgical year with a call for a watchful confidence. Our readings were originally addressed to communities undergoing great loss and confusion. Jeremiah speaks confidently of God fulfilling the ancient promises to Israel, even during a time of foreign invasion. Paul speaks of God leading the Church into holiness, while the community longs for the coming of Jesus. In the Gospel passage from Luke, Jesus speaks of powerful signs and of great confusion to come, but emphasizes that we may look forward knowing that God brings not cause for despair, but hope. We celebrate Advent to remind each other of God’s faithfulness.

We are to be watchful, to see how God is stirring up our world. God disturbs both our pride and our complacency, and brings us healing and justice. We prepare ourselves to welcome Jesus, confident that God indeed fulfills all these divine promises.

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. C

Let us ask in prayer for the grace not to waste time polluting the world with complaints…

- Pope Francis SAINT PROFILE

”

FRANCIS ANTHONY OF LUCERA 1681-1742

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IOVANIELLO FASANI’S FOSTER FATHER SENT him for his education to the Franciscans in Lucera. At fifteen he joined the order and took the name Francis Anthony after the great sainted friars. In 1705, he earned a doctorate in theology. Then he began to teach at the Franciscan college in Lucera, where he spent the rest of his life. Renowned for his preaching and teaching, the townspeople called Francis Anthony “Padre Maestro.” And his reputation for mercy drew many to his confessional.” I was indulgent, I don’t deny it,” he said, “but it was You who taught me to be so.” Francis Anthony showed particular concern for the well-being of prisoners. And he initiated an annual Christmas collection of goods for the poor. C

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

IS 2:1-5; PS 122:1-9; MT 8:5-11

ROM 10:9-18; PS 19:8-11; MT 4:18-22

IS 25:6-10A; PS 23:1-6; MT 15:29-37

IS 26:1-6; PS 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27A; MT 7:21, 24-27

IS 29:17-24; PS 27:1, 4, 13-14; MT 9:27-31

IS 30:19-21, 23-26; PS 147:1-6; MT 9:35 — 10:1, 5A, 6-8

BAR 5:1-9; PS 126:1-6; PHIL 1:4-6, 8-11;LK 3:1-6

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FEATURE

FOR THE LONG TERM DIOCESE’S LONGESTSERVING LAY EMPLOYEE STILL THRIVES ON THE JOB

BY BILL QUINNAN

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HEN FATHER DESMOND Quinn hired John Russell as St. Hedwig Catholic School’s part-time athletic director, he admonished the young, inexperienced Russell that he had “better stick around a while.” Nearly 60 years later, it’s fair to say that Russell has held up his end of the deal.

“I can really say this – I’ve enjoyed coming to work every day. I don’t think a lot of people can say that,” said Russell, who continues as athletic director at the Los Alamitos K-8 school. Russell previously served as vice principal at the school for 45 years, in addition to teaching physical education, history and family life, as well as coaching.

“I retired 12 or 13 years ago, sort of,” he said. “I retired for one day, and the principal called and said, ‘Now, we do want you to stay,’ so I stayed.”

According to Kevin Larson, Director of Administrative Services at the Diocese of Orange, Russell is the longest-serving lay employee of the Diocese of Orange, which was founded in 1976. However, Russell’s tenure at St. Hedwig predates the Diocese’s founding by about 14 years, while the school was still part of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

STARTING FROM SCRATCH

St. Hedwig was only about two years old when Russell was hired, but it was growing rapidly, adding a second unit of classrooms that year. From its inception

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JOHN RUSSELL HAS HELD A NUMBER OF POSITIONS AT ST. HEDWIG CATHOLIC SCHOOL SINCE HE STARTED WORKING THERE IN 1963.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

in 1960 until 1996, the school was run by the Religious Sisters of Charity under the supervision of the pastor of St. Hedwig Catholic Church.

Russell never considered himself a particularly gifted athlete but working for the recreation department in his hometown of Long Beach had sparked an interest in a career in physical education.

The mother of two former high-school classmates had learned about an opening for an athletic director at St. Hedwig through the parish and recommended that Russell apply. Still a college student when he was hired, Russell was tasked with building the school’s athletics program from scratch.

“Whatever is here is mine, good or

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bad,” Russell said. “We’ve been very fortunate here for all these years. It’s really been a wonderful program.”

St. Hedwig alumni athletes include former Major League Baseball pitcher Dennis Lamp and, more recently, professional golfer Patrick Cantlay.

Russell has shared his own passion for golf with the students and their families, and the John R. Russell Golf Classic has been a St. Hedwig tradition since 2006.

CONNECTING WITH STUDENTS

St. Hedwig principal Erin Rucker observed that Russell can frequently be found chatting with students or cheering up those who might be struggling.

“One thing that stands out is how much (Russell) cares about the kids,” she said.

Business manager Carole Wilson recalled, “I used to do yard duty with him, and he always knew where to look. He always had this keen sense – he knew the lay of the land like nobody else.”

Wilson added, “he is amazing as a coach and a leader and people just love him. We have our field named after him for that reason.”

WINNING, BUT NOT AT ALL COSTS

So many trophies have been added to St. Hedwig’s collection over the years unCONTINUES ON PAGE 7

FEATURE / CATHOLIC FAMILY LIVING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

der Russell’s leadership that the school ran out of space to store them and gave many away to alumni, keeping only the more recent ones. However, winning trophies has never been the athletic program’s sole focus.

“Russell ran a tight sports program and taught the kids fairness and that it’s okay if you don’t make that basket,” said St. Hedwig secretary Bonnie Finn, who has worked with Russell for decades. “He made sure everyone had a good time and had fun.”

While St. Hedwig’s football, volleyball and basketball teams have long been solid competitors in the Parochial Athletic League of the Diocese of Orange, the school also offers a strong recreational intramural sports program.

“We’ve had an afterschool kickball program here for more than 50 years with six to 10 teams in grades 3 to 5 only,” Russell said. The program runs about two months, offering the younger students a balance of competition and fun.

“It’s my favorite thing,” he added.

KEEPING THE FAITH

As a practicing Catholic, Russell recognizes the importance of instilling Christian principles such as charity and integrity in the students amid the heat of competition.

“It really is hard to be a good Christian, Catholic person when a lot of people you work with are not that way in sports. They want to win; they’re aggressive; they’re not kind,” he said.

The diocesan league has a tradition of having opposing teams come together for prayer prior to every game.

“That’s only come along in the last few years,” he reflected. “The impression it makes upon a parent sitting there when it’s early in the year and they haven’t seen it yet – it’s amazing what that might be bringing to them to see their kids praying with a group of kids they don’t even know.” C

JESUS IS COMING! ADVENT IS A SATISFYING, NO-COST SEASON OF SPIRITUAL PREPARATIONS

BY KATIE DAWSON

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HE HOLIDAY CATALOGS are piling up in my mail basket.

They’re full of Christmas cheer and words like “cozy” and “comfort” and “warm fuzzies,” and remind me that it’s time to GET READY for the MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR! The “must have’s” and the “must do’s” are multiplying. Unique gift wrap suggestions and delicious recipes and décor ideas are running through my Insta feed. Maybe I should get some Christmas sheets and comforters for all the beds, and a red Dutch oven and a new Christmas wreath and paint the house before everyone shows up.

I’m starting to feel a little overwhelmed.

Everything should be PERFECT! God sees this season differently.

Preparation, anticipation, celebration. Check, check and check.

Gifts galore. Those too.

But no supply chain worries. No frantic, frenetic pressure to be PERFECT. The coming season of Advent is an invitation to a different, deeper and more satisfying kind of preparation.

Preparation that is a gift rather than demand. Anticipation of a Presence rather than all the presents. Celebration of redemption and restoration in the

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

coming of our Savior, God made small.

We travel the road of preparation, anticipation and celebration every year, each liturgical cycle, so that we can enter the wonder that God is coming to save. Jesus is COMING! Humans are funny. We are busy with many things. Often, we get distracted from the really important things.

Martha, like us, was busy with many things. You may remember the story: Jesus came to Martha’s house and she was overwhelmed with preparations for dinner. She complained that her sister Mary wasn’t helping; Mary was sitting with Jesus. And Jesus told Martha that Mary had “chosen the better part.”

I have great sympathy for Martha – and her resentment – because someone has to cook dinner and get all the things ready. But maybe dinner would have come together with more ease (and more help?) if Martha chose the better part as well. Mary understood what Martha did not – choosing time with Jesus was the priority.

I want to choose the better part.

Observing Advent can help me.

Four candles on my dinner table remind me it’s Advent, one for each week between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Pink and purple – or white from the grocery store – we light them before dinner and read the day’s Scripture and prayer.

Each week focuses us on a different theme – Hope, Love, Joy, Peace. These are the gifts on God’s list. No matter how demanding the day has been, this short moment re-aligns my attention.

Last year, small grandchildren were here and when we would come to the table, little Jack would remind us of the candles. Eagerly, he and his little sister would watch as the candles were lit, and the prayers were said. Each week there were more candles lit. When dinner was over, they would compete to blow them out. They understood that something special, something mysterious, was coming even if they didn’t recognize exactly what it was.

Advent requires no extra time, energy or money. It merely requires attention and intention – and recognition that the mystery of God’s presence is coming to us in the Christ Child. Advent is – just like Christmas – a gift, immeasurable and timeless. ” 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

CATHOLIC GIFT GUIDE 2021 CREATIVE, WHIMSICAL GIFTS, MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES AND SPIRITUAL BOOKS TOP THE LIST

BY CATHI DOUGLAS

A

S WE BID FAREWELL to Thanksgiving, it’s now time to create our Christmas shopping lists. While choosing the right gift can be challenging, myriad choices abound for thoughtful Catholic gift-givers.

From spiritual books to Catholic experiences, from handmade Advent calendars to Christian-themed home décor, there are suitable, creative and thoughtful presents for even the most discerning recipient, from Mom and Dad in Newport Beach to Aunt Mabel in Missouri.

SPIRITUAL READING

Appropriate for adults interested in deepening their Christmastime experiences, a DVD and journal set from Ascension Press, “Rejoice! Finding Your Place in the Advent Story,” features Father Mark Toups with Sister Miriam James Heidland and Father Josh Johnson in videos that accompany a journal with the same name. The journal contains daily reflections for Advent following a weekly theme and accompanying daily prompts for prayer and journaling. [ascencionpress.com] “The Great Adventure Catholic Bible” integrates the Bible Timeline Learning System, which is featured in the “Bible in a Year” Catholic podcast.

It’s great for those of us who want to not only read but understand the

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THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL GIFT SHOP OFFERS A WIDE SELECTION OF ITEMS AT DIFFERENT PRICE POINTS. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

Bible. It is available in leather-bound or paperback versions and in Spanish. [ascencionpress.com]

HOME DÉCOR

Wayfair offers a colorful wall hanging of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a wooden crucifix, a red-flowered version

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of the sacred heart and other Catholic and Christian home decorations. A beautiful, large angel tree-topper would be the crowning glory of any Catholic home’s Christmas tree. [wayfair.com] Two dozen holy images honoring the sacred seasons of Advent and Christmas are available in paper and canvas

prints to decorate your home for the holidays. [rejoiceprogram.com]

EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS

Organizations such as Dynamic Catholic offer religious pilgrimages to historic and spiritually significant shrines like CONTINUES ON PAGE 9

FEATURE Diocese of Orange November 24 at 8:00 am Tag a musician you know and wish them a happy St. Cecilia day!

Today’s the feast day of St. Cecilia - patron saint of musicians and music.

St. Cecilia, pray for us!

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Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange @OrangeDiocese • December 18

Be part of a greater purpose through our Fall Charity Drive!

When: Tomorrow, Nov 19 or Friday, Dec 3 / 9AM -12PM: Items needed: Apple sauce, canned corn, canned fruit, canned meat/tuna, dry/canned beans, fruit juices, instant noodles, peanut butter, instant noodles, rice.

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

JEWELRY, ICONS AND ART PIECES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL GIFT SHOP. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Lourdes and Fatima and Medjugorje, as well as tours of the Holy Land, Poland and Italy. It would be the gift of a lifetime to provide a loved one with the opportunity to hike the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain or celebrate in Germany by attending this decade’s performance of the passion play in Oberammergau. [dynamiccatholic. com] Closer to home, one might consider springing for a couple of tickets to the Orange Catholic Foundation’s April 2022 gala, “A Night of Country Under the Stars,” which includes a special Mass, gourmet dinner and country music performance by Gary LeVox, lead singer of Rascal Flatts. The program will include the presentation of the foundation’s inaugural President’s Award to Dr. Vincent Nguyen and recognition of the Diocese of Orange’s retiring priests. [orangecatholicfoundation.com]

RELIGIOUS ITEMS AND FUN PRESENTS

You can’t go wrong purchasing a medal [on a necklace, bracelet, key chain or lanyard] honoring your recipient’s patron or favorite saint, and many of them are available at various price ranges at the Christ Cathedral Shop. The shop also offers a wide selection of rosaries, statuary, prayer books and Catholic-themed décor. [christcathedralshop.com] Many whimsical gifts, including socks and Christmas ornaments with saints’ images, are available online.

A quick glance revealed originally designed Advent calendars, a signed print of “saint moms” and a hand-crafted St. Joseph prayer bench.

[Etsy.com] The Abiding Together podcast website offers an array of clever apparel, coffee mugs and more, all of them suited to the spiritual woman in your life. [abidingtogetherpodcast.com] C

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DIOCESAN NEWS

AROUND OUR DIOCESE

BY STAFF

ST. NICHOLAS: A TRUE ADVENT SAINT

Learn about St. Nicholas, make a craft and enjoy a continental breakfast. Adults welcome too! Sunday, Dec. 5, after the 7:30, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Masses, St. Mary’s by the Sea Church, 321 10th Street, Huntington Beach.

CHRIST CATHEDRAL CELEBRATES TRILINGUAL MASS

The Cathedral Memorial Gardens cemetery at the Christ Cathedral campus in Garden Grove celebrated the Trilingual Mass on Nov. 13, with more than

1,000 people in attendance. The names of more than 500 people who passed away this year were called out in remembrance during the Mass. Families also placed flowers on the altar and witnessed the release of 100 doves into the sky.

ST. COLUMBAN SCHOOL HONORS VETERANS

St. Columban School in Garden Grove celebrated Veterans Day on Nov. 11. The Colts’ kazoo & drum corp, choir and color guard performed. There was a table of honor where students displayed photos of family members who served in the military as well as a very moving POW/ MIA ceremony. All branches of the U.S. military were represented during the celebration. The school was honored to have WWII veteran Mr. Dodd Bleckert who served in the Navy, present for the ceremony. C

ST. NICHOLAS GREETS A PARISHIONER. PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. MARY’S BY THE SEA.

FLOWERS WERE PLACED ON THE ALTAR DURING A TRILINGUAL MASS HELD ON NOV. 13. AT THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

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ST. COLUMBAN SCHOOL’S VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION ON NOV. 11 INCLUDED THE PRESENTATION OF FLAGS BY EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS. PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. COLUMBAN SCHOOL.

DIOCESAN NEWS

PENANCE SERVICES

BY STAFF

D

URING ADVENT WE prepare ourselves for Christ’ birth through preparation and Penance.

Here’s a list of our parishes offering a Penance service this year: If your parish isn’t listed below, feel free to double-check their website or give them a call as they likely are offering confessions during their regular schedule.

Monday, November 29 at 7:00 PM San Francisco Solano, RSM Wednesday, December 1 at 7:00 PM Holy Spirit, Fountain Valley Monday December 6 at 7:00 PM Santiago De Compostela, Lake Forest

A PRIEST HEARS CONFESSION. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

Sts. Simon and Jude, Huntington Beach St. Edward the Confessor, Dana Point Tuesday, December 7 at 7:00 PM

Corpus Christi, Aliso Viejo Thursday, December 9 at 7:00 PM St. Timothy, Laguna Niguel

Monday, December 13 at 7:00 PM St. Kilian, Mission Viejo St. Mary’s by the Sea, Huntington Beach Tuesday, December 14 at 7:00 PM St. Anthony Mary Claret, Anaheim Wednesday, December 15 at 7:00 PM Holy Spirit, Fountain Valley Our Lady of Fatima, San Clemente St. Joachim, Costa Mesa Blessed Sacrament, Westminster Thursday, December 16 at 7:00 PM St. Thomas More, Irvine Wednesday, December 22 Blessed Sacrament, Westminster (10:00 AM) St. Barbara’s, Santa Ana (7:00 PM) Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Newport Beach (7:00 PM) St. John the Baptist, Costa Mesa (7:00 PM) Thursday, December 23 at 7:00 PM St. Barbara’s, Santa Ana C

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GUEST COLUMN

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Huntington Beach Downstairs 1250sf 3BR/2BA, Lrg bkyrd gar, Beach/Warner, $1950. Call Anthony 714-331-3799

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

expression of being family.

I share this because I tie Thanksgiving to the deep, almost inexpressible joy of belonging. Sharing a common meal, spending time together and expressing gratitude to God for the gift of each other is not only a human experience but a spiritual one as well, most fully realized in the Eucharist. Gathering in

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God’s house and sharing a divine meal prepared by the Lord Himself, conflict and division cease as we begin to see ourselves for who we truly are: one family united in Christ, joined to the Father by the power of his Holy Spirit. May the sweet fragrance of eternal thanks fill your hearts and homes this year and always. C Fr. Bruce

CATHOLIC NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

COMMUNION STATEMENT AIMS TO ‘RETRIEVE AND REVIVE’ UNDERSTANDING

BY CAROL ZIMMERMANN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

BALTIMORE (CNS) — The U.S. bishops approved their statement on the Eucharist with 222 “yes” votes Nov. 17, the second of two days of public sessions during their Nov. 15-18 fall general assembly.

Their OK came a day after their discussion of the document -- a discussion that took a drastically different tone than their previous debate about what the document could potentially contain during their virtual assembly five months ago.

At that June gathering, a major focus highlighted whether it would address denying Communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion.

Some bishops said a strong rebuke of President Joe Biden, the nation’s second Catholic president, should be included in it because of Biden’s recent actions protecting and expanding abortion access, while others warned that this would portray the bishops as a partisan force during a time of bitter political divisions across the country.

The document the bishops discussed and approved does not specifically call out Catholic political leaders, but it does more generally point out the seriousness of the sacrament.

The discussion, just prior to the vote, focused on some of the statement’s wording. Specific amendments were approved and additional comments about wording changes, that were raised on the floor, did not.

One of the bishops, for example, wanted to add the word “etcetera” after a list of vulnerable people the church was responsible for in order to show its broad inclusion, but the bishops, who had already added to the list to include

FATHER JOHN C. MARIA PRAYS OVER THE EUCHARIST AT THE ALTAR OF THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. CATHARINE OF SIENA IN ALLENTOWN, PA., MARCH 9, 2020. ACCORDING TO CATHOLIC TEACHING, THE BREAD AND WINE, UPON CONSECRATION, BECOME THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST. PHOTO: CHAZ MUTH / CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

the unborn, chose not to add the additional descriptor.

As points of discussion, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, outgoing chairman of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life committee, stressed the prelates must not forget the responsibility they have to “take care of the souls” of Catholic politicians who do not publicly support church teaching on abortion.

And Bishop Donald E. DeGrood of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, noted that there is a healthy tension for the

bishops, to call out what isn’t right but to do so in love and to be united as they find ways to apply this new document in their dioceses.

The document on the Eucharist states: “One should not celebrate Mass or receive holy Communion in the state of mortal sin without having sought the sacrament of reconciliation and received absolution.”

It also says that if a Catholic in his or her personal life has “knowingly and obstinately” rejected the doctrines of the church or its teaching on moral

issues, that person should refrain from receiving Communion because it is “likely to cause scandal for others.”

Back in June, at the end of the bishops’ discussion of the document, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, chairman of the bishops’ doctrine committee, said the draft would not focus on denying Communion to people but would emphasize the importance of the sacrament.

And in his Nov. 16 presentation of the 26-page statement titled “The MysCONTINUES ON PAGE 14

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CATHOLIC NEWS AROUND THE WORLD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

tery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church,” Bishop Rhoades said it “addresses the fundamental doctrine about the Eucharist that the church needs to retrieve and revive.”

In his short presentation to U.S. bishops, followed by just a handful of comments from the floor, the bishop said the document is addressed to all Catholics in the United States and “endeavors to explain the centrality of the Eucharist in the life of the church.”

He also said it is intended to be a theological contribution to the bishops’ strategic plan and to the bishops’ planned eucharistic revival “by providing a doctrinal resource for parishes, catechists and the faithful.”

Just after the bishops voted to approve the document, which had eight dissents and three abstentions, a few bishops spoke with Catholic News Service about the process from the virtual June meeting -- where the proposal to draft this statement was presented -until now.

Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori said the June discussion was a valuable one and that “even on Zoom, I think the Holy Spirit can operate.”

He said the lengthy discussion at the time led the bishops to “what kind of a document we actually needed and wanted, and it emerged clearly, for me at least, that it was to be pastoral document.”

Bishop John E. Stowe of Lexington, Kentucky, said it was “hard to have a good debate virtually” and that in the months between the two meetings, the document’s language “changed from being about the presidential election to about the introduction of a eucharistic revival.”

“I don’t think anyone wants to see the division in the conference being headlined and unfortunately that became the narrative,” he said.

The lack of debate on the document during the November meeting didn’t surprise him because, he said, “it’s been

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A MONSTRANCE HOLDING THE BLESSED SACRAMENT FOR EUCHARISTIC ADORATION IS SEEN AT THE BASILICA OF THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION IN WASHINGTON MARCH 11, 2021, AMID THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC. PHOTO: TYLER ORSBURN / CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

moving in that direction.” He also said there was a desire among the bishops for unity and that their executive session before the public sessions gave them the chance to discuss and work things out among themselves.

“Some of us are simply relieved that we’re not getting into the debate about who can receive Communion,” he added.

Archbishop Lori said many media outlets portrayed the document as one that would “deny holy Communion to politicians who oppose the church’s teaching on abortion.”

“Certainly, we are very cognizant of that challenge.” he said, “but at the same time, this had an eminently pastoral intent and it deals with the question of worthiness to receive holy Communion in a way that applies to all of us.”

“It’s something all of us ought to be thinking about, myself very much included,” he added.

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Discussion from the floor included a request from Bishop Peter Baldacchino of Las Cruces, New Mexico, that the document include more about the paschal mystery, or the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Bishop Richard F. Stika of Knoxville, Tennessee, wondered how the document would be understood by college students, high schoolers or children, noting that “a lot of it’s over their heads” and they would have to have some kind of theological foundation to grasp it.

“We have these beautiful, beautiful documents that sometimes are just ignored,” he said, suggesting that it should be made “more readable and understandable.”

In response, Bishop Rhoades said the document “as it stands is really meant for adults,” but he could see it being used in high schools with a teacher who would explain it better. He also said it

could be developed by publishers as a resource for catechesis for grade school students.

Bishop Timothy L. Doherty of Lafayette, Indiana, said the work put in “laboring over texts should not discourage us,” pointing out that often language falls short but that the church has many other means at its disposal to express the faith such as music, dance, poetry and visuals.

The document explains the importance of Communion, often calling it a gift, and uses references from Scripture, prayers of the church and Second Vatican Council documents to back this up. It also explains, citing words of the saints, how Communion is not just a symbol but the real presence of Christ.

This transformation of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, the document says, is “one of the central mysteries of the Catholic faith” which is a “doorway through which we, like the saints and mystics before us, may enter into a deeper perception” of God’s presence.

It notes, almost halfway through, that the Vatican II document “Lumen Gentium” (The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church) describes the Eucharist as “the source and summit of the Christian life.”

It also says that as Catholics understand what the Eucharist means, they should more fully participate in Mass and also reach out to serve those in need, citing the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which says: “The Eucharist commits us to the poor.”

It concludes with examples of saints who were transformed by their reception of the Eucharist and their deep understanding of what it means.This heavily footnoted statement also has a pastoral message urging those who have left the church to come back. It ties this return back to the Eucharist quoting St. Teresa of Kolkata, who said: “Once you understand the Eucharist, you can never leave the church. Not because the church won’t let you but because your heart won’t let you.” C

Moments MomentsininourourJourney Journey

A scroll honoring deceased members of the community hangs by the altar of St. Boniface Church in Anaheim.

—Photo Submitted by Shawn Nguyen

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

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