OC CATHOLIC - DECEMBER 5, 2021

LIFETIME LEGACY Special Issue No. 4 THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ORANGE • OCCATHOLIC.COM

The Lifetime Legacy series is sponsored by Gabriel Ferrucci, the first individual honored in this series.

DECEMBER 5, 2021

LEGACY OF SERVICE DEACON FRANK CHAVEZ TO RETIRE AFTER 20 YEARS AS DIRECTOR OF THE DIACONATE FOR THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE. PAGE 6

DEACON FRANK CHAVEZ PRECEDES BISHOP KEVIN VANN DURING THE DEDICATION EVENT FOR CHRIST CATHEDRAL ON JULY 17, 2019. COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE.

DECEMBER 5, 2021

CONTENTS

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THE CANDLE OF PEACE

The second week of Advent leads us to contemplate the gifts of peace.

COLLECTION FOR AGING RELIGIOUS

The Diocese of Orange will hold the parish-based fundraising appeal for senior religious this week.

PLUS

Guest Column, Weekly Readings, Moments In Our Journey

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

ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC

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

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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

DEACON FRANK AND MARY CHAVEZ: A RECIPE FOR JOY

BY DEACON THOMAS SAENZ

O

N JUNE 2, 1984, Deacon Frank Chavez and his wife Mary Chavez, said yes to a life of service, when he was ordained a permanent deacon.

For Deacon Frank and Mary, saying yes was not an easy decision, because this pathway of service was largely unknown to them, and as a young family, they truly had their hands full while raising their young children and working to provide for the family’s needs. Through God’s providence, they received an outpouring of support from their family, parishioners, formators and community of faith that enabled them to move forward in their new life of service. Deacon Frank and Mary said yes to what God

was asking of them; this included putting their doubts and fears aside, growing in their faith, serving others, following Jesus and bringing Jesus to those in need.

Deacon Frank and Mary share their joy with all they encounter, and with a sense of love and compassion, they come to the assistance of those in need. In 2019, when I was a deacon aspirant, my father passed away.

During the evening vigil service, Deacon Frank was there. He had likely spent a full day working, and likely had another full day ahead of him, but he chose to be with us that night.

He prayed with us, as part of our family and that is a gift that I’ll never forget. I have observed that he makes every effort to do this for all members CONTINUES ON PAGE 13

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.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

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

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

Religious. to

retiredreligious.org retiredreligious.org

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

Visit retiredreligious.org/2021photos to meet the religious pictured. ©2021 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington DC • All rights reserved • Photo: Jim Judkis ©2021 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington DC • All rights reserved • Photo: Jim Judkis

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Please donate donateat atyour yourlocal localparish parish donate Please at your local parish December 11–12 or by mail at: December 4-5 or by mail at: December 11–12 or by mail at:

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

Make check payable to Retirement Fund for Religious.

Make check payable to Retirement Fund for Religious.

DAILY READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

“

A DEEP CHANGE OF HEART

W

HEN JOHN PROCLAIMED A BAPTISM OF repentance, as today’s Gospel relates, he called people to a deep change of heart.

For John the Baptist, repentance was not simply regret for past failings, but a commitment to orient life around God’s desires and purposes. What might living in alignment with God’s desires look like? Our readings offer some clues. Baruch indicates that when mercy and justice are embraced like a royal garment, we may see the fruits of repentance. Paul notes how the Holy Spirit has been active within the church in Philippi, forming them to live in a loving and united community of faith, so they may witness to the love of God. And John himself suggests that a repentant heart clears a path for God to enter, leveling the mountains and valleys of our resistance, so that God might dwell within.

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. C

Jesus instead invites us to look at life…from our heart.

- Pope Francis SAINT PROFILE

” SABAS

439-532

B

ORN IN CAPPADOCIA (TURKEY), SABAS was a disciple of St. Euthymius, living as a hermit in Palestine. In 478, he founded a “laura,” or semi-eremitical community, in a wild gorge near Jerusalem. The patriarch of Jerusalem ordained Sabas as a priest in 491, and in 493 appointed him archimandrite of all Palestinian monks living in separate cells. Sabas was twice sent on ecclesiastical missions to Constantinople, and gained a reputation for hard work and holiness. With funds from his mother, he built a hostel for strangers and a hospital for the sick. His relics were returned to his laura, Mar Saba, by Pope Paul VI in 1965. C

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

IS 35:1-10; PS 85:9-14; LK 5:17-26

IS 40:1-11; PS 96:13, 10AC, 11-13; MT 18:12-14

GN 3:9-15, 20; PS 98:1-4; EPH 1:36, 11-12; LK 1:26-38

IS 41:13-20; PS 145:1, 9-13AB; MT 11:11-15

IS 48:17-19; PS 1:1-4, 6; MT 11:16-19

SIR 48:1-4, 9-11; PS 80: 2AC, 3B, 1516, 18-19; MT 17:9A, 10-13

ZEP 3:14-18A; IS 12:2-3, 4, 5-6;PHIL 4:4-7; LK 3:10-18

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FEATURE

LEGACY OF SERVICE DEACON FRANK CHAVEZ TO RETIRE AFTER 20 YEARS AS DIRECTOR OF THE DIACONATE FOR THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

BY BILL QUINNAN

F

RANK CHAVEZ HAS adopted a simple motto that has buoyed him through 37 years as a deacon and the last 20 as Director of the Diaconate of the Diocese of Orange.

“We take the grace of the altar to the streets and the needs of the streets to the altar,” Chavez often says.

It’s an aphorism he carries in theory and practice.

Chavez steps down as Director, after giving his successor, Deacon Tom Saenz a crash course in leading the vital ministry.

In his 20 years at the helm, Chavez shepherded – “fathered” is an expression that fellow deacons use - 10 classes of permanent deacons through to ordination and postings at parishes throughout the Diocese. Overall, 141 deacons under Chavez were ordained to carry out much of the church’s most important work.

As he moves on to the next stage, he will remain a parish deacon at Christ Cathedral, and Chavez says the overwhelming emotion he feels is thankfulness.

“I’m very grateful. I think I have gained an appreciation and knowledge of the goodness of people,” he said. “They’re such good people doing good stuff.”

DEACONS IN CHURCH

The word deacon comes from the Greek diakonos, meaning “servant,” and originated with the selection of seven men by the apostles to assist with the charitable work of the early church.

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DEACON FRANK CHAVEZ STANDS AT THE ALTAR WITH BISHOP KEVIN VANN DURING THE FIRST MIDNIGHT MASS AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL ON DECEMBER 25, 2019.

COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

That tradition extends from the church grounds to the community. It can be serving food to the hungry, working in jails or providing aid to the suffering. It can be assisting priests at the altar during Holy Communion, performing baptisms or presiding over funerals and burials outside the church. From cradle to grave, altar to street, deacons are an invaluable part of church ministry.

Deacons are the foot soldiers in the ranks of ordained men in the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis called deacons “the guardians of service in the church.”

The Pontiff added, “The generosity of a deacon who spends himself with-

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CONTINUES ON PAGE 7

DEACON CHAVEZ AND HIS WIFE MARY AT THE ANNUAL MEMORIAL MASS AT ST. ANTHONY CLARET IN NOVEMBER 2016. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEACON FRANK CHAVEZ

FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

out seeking the front lines smells of the Gospel and tells of the greatness of God’s humility that takes the first step to meet even those who have turned their backs on Him.” Chavez came to the diaconate when it was in its early stages of returning to church life. The Second Vatican Council recommended reviving the diaconate as a permanent vocation for married men and in 1967 Pope Paul VI re-enacted the practice. At the time, deaconry was transitional: one-year positions for men entering priesthood.

“It was still very, very new,” Chavez said of the resumption of permanent deacons.

Today deacons spread throughout Orange County offering services and evangelization. According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, there are around 19,000 permanent deacons in the United States.

In the Diocese of Orange, candidates are nominated biennially by parish priests and interviewed by a board.

More than 90 percent are married men. Single men are allowed to be candidates but take a vow of celibacy.

After acceptance and a period of prayer and reflection with family, those who continue go through a rigorous five-year program with classroom work, including Bible study, theology and canon law. They also provide service to the needy, including working in jails and hospitals. And they spend time developing their personal spirituality, through prayer, retreats and evangelization.

Upon completion, class members are recommended to Bishop Kevin Vann.

Chavez says to date no graduate has been denied ordination.

By that point Chavez said, “We have really gotten to know that they have the vocation.”

STARTING YOUNG

Chavez remembers a pastor suggested deaconry in either 1979 or 1980. Although he was only in his early 30s with

DEACON CHAVEZ SPEAKS FROM THE PODIUM DURING CHRIST CATHEDRAL’S INAUGURAL MASS ON JULY 20, 2019. COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

school-aged children, and was considered a callow age for the vocation, the priest saw something.

Born and raised in Orange county in a bilingual family, Chavez had been close to the church his whole life. A former altar boy, he was baptized in the same church, St. Joseph’s in Placentia, where he and his wife, Mary, now married for 51 years, exchanged vows.

While Chavez had the credentials of a good and faithful Catholic, becoming a deacon was a completely different order of service.

“I was surprised they took me,” he says. “I say I backed into it. I’m happy.”

As important as the personal decision, CONTINUES ON PAGE 8

DEACON CHAVEZ OFFERS COMMUNION DURING MASS ON JULY 21, 2019. COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE N O V E M B E R 2 8 , 2 0 2 1 n O C C AT H O L I C

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FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

Chavez says, was the support of Mary, who became almost an equal partner in the process.

At the age of 37, Chavez was ordained.

Chavez says Mary attended classes and events with him before and after ordination.

For many years, Frank and Mary Chavez were co-directors of the St. Vincent de Paul summer camp for at-risk kids.

Around 2000, Sister Jo Ann Tabor, CSJ, with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, who was director of the Office of the Diaconate for the diocese for more than nine years, remembers thinking the time had come for a change in leadership.

Chavez immediately filled the boxes of what she was looking for.

“Frank was one of the youngest deacons ordained in L.A.,” she said, but also someone with a track record and experience.

Because of the diversity in the church, she wanted someone bilingual, as well as organized, with interpersonal skills and a background in education.

Chavez’s relationship with Mary and women in general helped put him over the edge.

“He was very respecting of women,” Tabor said. “I knew his wife was supportive and honest and participated. She also added humor to things.”

For Chavez, accepting the job was no slam dunk. He was successful in business and had to consider finances. Luckily, the Diocese of Orange is among about 42 percent of dioceses that make the director’s job a full-time position.

One of Chavez’s first tasks was to strengthen the process of formation for deacons. When Tabor became director she said there wasn’t even a handbook for becoming a deacon.

“There was a good foundation but it still needed development,” she said.

Under Chavez, the curriculum and process grew and became more rigorous.

He likes to joke that he’s glad he didn’t have to undergo formation under the

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DEACON CHAVEZ PRESENTS THE BIBLE DURING THE ALL SOULS DAY MASS AT HOLY SEPULCHER CHURCH IN ORANGE ON NOVEMBER 2, 2019.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE.

process he developed.

“The time had come for a deacon to become the director,” Tabor said. “I was happy with my choice.”

This year, Chavez was allowed to hand-pick his successor, with the approval of the Bishop, and raised some eyebrows.

Deacon Saenz, was only ordained in October with the newest class of ordinates.

“He has a beautiful spiritual life,” said Chavez, who also noted Saenz’s bilingual skills and business acumen as factors in his favor.

No one was more stunned than Saenz,

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CONTINUES ON PAGE 9

DEACON CHAVEZ SPEAKS AT THE PODIUM DURING CHRIST CATHEDRAL’S FIRST MIDNIGHT CHRISTMAS MASS ON DECEMBER 25, 2019.

FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

who was approached by Chavez in June and asked about his interest.

“It was quite a surprise,” he said. “I wasn’t even ordained. From there the conversation began and I talked it over with the bishops.”

After prayer and discussions with his wife, Bianca, Saenz said, “It seemed like a calling, even though it wasn’t part of my plan. I had a different vision of what the diaconate would be.”

SUPPORT OF PEERS

Descriptions of Chavez from fellow deacons are overwhelmingly positive.

Those who went through ordination under Chavez share many of the same words: kindness, humility, attentiveness, calmness, peace, empathy.

Deacons Matt Calabrese and Ramiro Lopez were both members of the first class to be ordained under Chavez in 2003.

“We called them mom and dad,” Calabrese jokes about the Chavezes. “He was like a father to our group and subsequent groups.”

“I am glad we were his first class,” said Lopez, 71, of St. Polycarp. “He was willing to give of himself and learn and help us out. He never failed to lead me in the BISHOP KEVIN VANN AND DEACON CHAVEZ, WITH OTHER PRIESTS, PRAY OVER THE EUCHARIST DURING THE MIDNIGHT CHRISTMAS MASS ON DECEMBER 25, 2019. right direction.”

COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE. “He was very compassionate and interested in what we had to say,” recalled Doktorczyk said.

Calabrese, 74, a congregant at St. Simon He gives credit for Chavez’s success and Jude in Huntington Beach. “And that and length to Mary Chavez. wasn’t just me. He was definitely inspir“It’s not uncommon for his wife to be ing.” involved in parts of his ministry,” Msgr.

To Monsignor Stephen Doktorczyk, to Doktorczyk said. “It helps them relate to whom Chavez has reported since 2018, couples. It’s the whole package. one of the head of deacons’ overarching One observation that Calabrese had qualities is his calmness. about Chavez occurred one day when “He’s very patient and level-headed. the deacons were gathered in Chavez’s He doesn’t over-react. He understood daughter’s backyard, which was planted the challenges a deacon can have,” the with olive trees. monsignor said.

“I had an image of Psalm 128,” CalHe said Chavez is good at recruiting, abrese said of the Song of Ascents in the teaching and placing deacons where they Bible that tells of the rewards and fruits will have the best success. bestowed on man who is obedient and a “He has good instincts. If there are good and faithful servant.

DEACON FRANK WITH DEACON LARRY LEONE OF ST. POLYCARP CHURCH AT THE ANNUAL DIACONATE RETREAT IN CONTINUES ON PAGE 10 TEMECULA IN SEPTEMBER 2019. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEACON FRANK CHAVEZ. concerns, he will address them,” Msgr.

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FEATURE

DEACON FRANK AND HIS WIFE MARY DURING MARRIAGE INITIATIVE: ROMANTIC WALK ON THE BEACH AT OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL IN JULY 2021. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEACON FRANK CHAVEZ

said he has always encouraged her in projects and classes she has undertakThose who work for Chavez have en. high praise as well.

For example, she received encour“He’s just the best boss I’ve ever had,” agement and guidance to create a minsaid Lucy Dominguez, who has been istry for the wives of deacons.

Project Manager for the Diaconate for “It’s been really successful, and we’ve nine years with Chavez. “He’s a servant helped open them in other dioceses,” leader and attentive to the needs of she said. others.”

“Because of his kindness, he has Dominguez, who broke into tears allowed me to grow in ways no one had when she learned Chavez was retiring, allowed me to be. I learned about my CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

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gifts and talents.”

She said Chavez is a major force in her life.

“Deacon Frank married my husband, Oliver, and me and baptized my son, Francis,” she said.

Dominguez added that Chavez allowed her to take a month to walk the 500-mile Camino Santiago de Compostela, in Europe where she met Pope Francis.

“I’m not sure another boss would

have given me the time off,” she said.

When Chavez reflects on his time as a deacon, he said he has been touched and humbled in the ways people have allowed him to be part of the most personal and profound moments in their lives: whether it’s the joy of marriage or baptism, or difficult times of sickness and death.

About it all he said simply, “I get to enter into people’s lives in very personal ways -- what an honor.” C

CATHOLIC FAMILY LIVING

CANDLE OF PEACE THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE? STRIVING FOR FEARLESS CALM AMID THE HOLIDAY STORM

BY CATHI DOUGLAS

I

N THIS SECOND WEEK of Advent, beginning December 5, we light the candle of Peace.

Jesus, the ultimate peacemaker, urges us over and over again to be unafraid. Unfortunately, finding peace in every sense is difficult in a modern world that’s as big and scary as it is beautiful and full of wonder.

Still, as we anticipate embracing Him as the Christ Child on Christmas Day, we must clear our minds and spirits, hearts and homes, to be fully ready and at peace.

REPENTING AS A GATEWAY TO PEACE

In Sunday’s Scripture, we hear John the Baptist proclaim, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

His challenge prompts us to confess our sins, rededicate ourselves to helping the less fortunate and committing to bringing harmony into our families.

As writer Sarah Reinhard notes in her CatholicMom.com blog, “We bring peace to the world when we bring peace to our world.”

Reinhard reminds us that Jesus came to bring peace. “He tells people, over and over, not to be afraid,” she

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

writes. “But peace begins at home, within our walls and within ourselves.”

And because repentance brings peace, she says, making a good and thorough confession during Advent opens us fully to experience the glory of Christmas. “Jesus offers us peace, but we have to be willing to take the step to rid ourselves of all that gets in the way of that peace.”

BECOMING A PEACEMAKER

Another way to live peacefully, of course, is to mend fences with those we’ve quarreled with; to bring together family and friends who might have become alienated from one another; to reach out with charity to the lonely old

neighbor who seems angry all the time.

Incorporating peacefulness into our lives, adopting the ideal of becoming a Christ-like peacekeeper, is a profound way to change for the better.

Perhaps I should remember the virtue of peace when I am tempted to curse at other drivers on the freeway.

It’s certainly something to strive for.

of the ‘perfect’ Christmas.

ANTICIPATION AND WONDER

When our three children were little, we counted down the days to Christmas by opening each door of the Advent calendar. Each door’s illustration showed a different part of the Christmas story; sometimes inside there was a treat.

As in my childhood, the Advent PEACE AS PATIENCE calendar underscores our anticipation of When I was a child, the time bethe Christ Child’s arrival, prompting us tween Thanksgiving and Christmas to prepare our hearts for His birth. The Day seemed painfully long and the days Advent wreath, with its purple and pink passed slowly. As an adult, the same pe- candles, serves to remind us of the peace riod seems to pass in the wink of an eye. that Jesus brings.

While children find it hard to wait In lighting the second candle of the for Christmas because it means good Advent wreath, we pray for peace — in things, good food and good times, we our hearts, our homes and our world. Oh, adults are impatient for those reasons Come, Emmanuel! C and more. We have long to-do lists: The Maria Ferrucci Catholic Family Gifts to buy, goodies to bake, travel to Living feature is intended to inspire plan, houses to clean, meals to make. families to live their faith in the way Many of us have impossibly high expec- Maria Ferrucci did throughout her tations of ourselves and others in search earthly life.

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DIOCESAN NEWS

COLLECTION HELPS AGING SISTERS, BROTHERS, PRIESTS IN RELIGIOUS ORDERS

BY STAFF

T

HE DIOCESE OF ORANGE will hold the Retirement Fund for Religious collection Dec. 4-5.

The parish-based appeal is coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) in Washington, D.C. Proceeds help religious communities across the country to care for aging members.

Last year, the Diocese of Orange donated $227,176.60 to the collection. In 2021, the Order of the Company of Mary Our Lady and the Poor Clare Missionary Sisters received financial support made possible by the Retirement Fund for Religious.

“I am continually heartened by the generosity of U.S. Catholics,” said NRRO Executive Director Sister Stephanie Still, a member of the Sisters of the Presentation of San Francisco. “Even in difficult times, they find a way to give back to those who have tirelessly served our Church and our world.”

Hundreds of U.S. religious communities face a large gap between the needs of their older members and the funds available to support them. Historically, Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests—known collectively as women and men religious—served for little to no pay. As a result, many communities now lack adequate retirement savings.

At the same time, health-care expenses continue to rise, and an increasing number of older religious require specialized services. NRRO data shows that 26,330 women and men religious in the United States are older than age 70. The total cost for their care exceeds $1 billion annually.

To help address the deficit in retirement funding among U.S. religious orders, Catholic bishops of the United

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PHOTO: RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS

States initiated the Retirement Fund for Religious collection in 1988. Distributions are sent to each eligible order’s central house and provide supplemental funding for necessities, such as medications and nursing care. Donations also underwrite resources that help religious communities improve eldercare and plan for long-term retirement needs.

Religious orders typically do not

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receive diocesan funding but rather are financially autonomous and thus responsible for the support and care of all members. While many dioceses hold separate appeals for their retired priests’ fund, the once-yearly Retirement Fund for Religious collection is for members of U.S. religious orders and benefits both men and women religious.

The 2020 appeal raised $20.7 mil-

lion, and funding was distributed to 321 U.S. religious communities.

“We are blessed by countless supporters who share our mission to ensure all religious can enjoy a safe and modest retirement,” said Sister Still.

Visit https://www.rcbo.org/ resource/consecrated-life/retirement-for-religious-collection/ to learn more. C

DIOCESAN NEWS

AROUND OUR DIOCESE

BY STAFF

THE SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS JOY

St. Mary’s by the Sea Church in Huntington Beach will hold its annual Christmas Concert and dinner party on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 5 p.m. The concert will honor the Immaculate Conception. Dinner will be provided

by St. Mary’s by the Sea Ministries.

OUR LADY OF FATIMA

The International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, the most traveled statue in the world, will visit St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Los Alamitos Dec.15-17. The procession begins at 8:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 15 followed by Mass at 8:30 a.m.

CHRISTMAS LESSONS & CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT

A Christmas concert will be held at Christ Cathedral, 13280 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove on Friday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. The concert will feature the Diocesan children’s and adult choirs, the Cathedral Schola, the Cathedral Brass Quintet and Percussion as well as English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Chinese choirs from the Cathedral. This event is free and open to the public.

SAINT MARY’S BY THE SEA CATHOLIC CHURCH. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

DONATION DRIVE

Military Children’s Charity, an Irvine-based group founded by Mater Dei alumnus Isaiah Navarro, is hosting several donation drives.

The 12th Annual Stem Toy Drive and the 12th Annual Backpack & School Supply collection drive being held through Dec. 16 on behalf of American Servicemembers’ children.

For more information, please visit www.militarychildrenscharity.org. C

THE NATIONAL PILGRIM STATUE OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA VISITS ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH IN FONTANA, CA, IN MARCH 2017. PHOTO: JENNIFER CAPPUCCIO MAHER/ INLAND VALLEY DAILY BULLETIN/SCNG

THE CREAN TOWER, WHICH CONTAINS A CHAPEL AND CARILLON, IS LOCATED NEXT TO CHRIST CATHEDRAL. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIST CATHEDRAL N O V E M B E R 2 8 , 2 0 2 1 n O C C AT H O L I C

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GUEST COLUMN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

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of the community as well. Whether it’s an illness, a death in the family or a more joyous occasion, Deacon Frank and Mary journey without hesitation to support their diaconate family.

The respect that Deacon Frank and Mary enjoy comes from their humble and servant-oriented approach to leadership. They do not look for seats of honor, but rather, they look to sit with the people, and they speak with compassion and humility through their actions and words. In Deacon Frank and in Mary, we see Jesus, the King of the world, born in the humblest of settings inspiring them to love and serve as He does.

Deacon Frank’s foundational teaching point made to everyone in the diaconate community is that a Deacon’s role is to bring the grace of the altar to those in need, and the needs of the people to the altar.

This teaching exemplifies a deep respect and love for the people of God and His church and speaks to the importance of the diaconate. His other famous teaching point is to add “God Willing” after every mention to the potential ordination of deacon aspirants and candidates. Everyone who was formed as a deacon under

Deacon Frank, will remember these words for years to come! This speaks to a total trust in God and willingness to say yes to whatever He calls us to do.

When we take our eyes off Christ, we tend to get lost, but we rejoice when we find Him. During our pandemic shutdown we saw Deacon Frank, with eyes fixed on Christ, rise to the occasion in leading our community to serve those in need, including the homeless, the sick, the poor, the lonely and those on the margins of society. He also kept our diaconate formation program going, showing us that with our eyes, hearts and minds, oriented towards Christ, we can thrive and experience peace, even in the worst storms of life.

Deacon Frank and Mary Chavez, now married for over 51 years, strive to live out the gospel and to follow our one true leader, Jesus Christ. This is a recipe for joy, and those who have met this wonderful couple know that they are truly filled with joy! As we approach the close of one chapter in their lives of service and the start of another, with sincere hearts, we thank you Deacon Frank and Mary.

May God grant you continued joy and all the graces you need to continue in your ministry as you “Go, and Announce the Gospel of the Lord”. C

Moments MomentsininourourJourney Journey

The Nativity Scene has been set up inside Bishop Vann’s office in preparation for Christmas.

—Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Orange

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

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