LEGACY OF SERVICE THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ORANGE • DECEMBEROCCATHOLIC.COM5,2021 DEACON FRANK CHAVEZ PRECEDES BISHOP KEVIN VANN DURING THE DEDICATION EVENT FOR CHRIST CATHEDRAL ON JULY 17, 2019. COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE. LIFETIME LEGACY Special Issue No. 4 The Lifetime Legacy series is sponsored by Gabriel Ferrucci, the first individual honored in this series. DEACON FRANK CHAVEZ TO RETIRE AFTER 20 YEARS AS DIRECTOR OF THE DIACONATE FOR THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE. PAGE 6
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4 OC CATHOLIC n NOVEMBER 28, 2021
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
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GUEST13
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 fami ly’s needs. Through God’s providence, they received an outpouring of sup port 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 Deaconneed.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 dea con aspirant, my father passed away. During the evening vigil service, Dea con 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
Please
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.
COLUMN
retiredreligious.org
CONTINUES ON PAGE
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 con structive conversations that further the growth of the Catholic Church.
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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
Retirement Fund for Religious
BY DEACON THOMAS SAENZ
DEACON FRANK AND MARY CHAVEZ: A RECIPE FOR JOY
Please give to those who have given a lifetime. Visit retiredreligious.org/2021photos to meet the religious pictured. ©2021 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington DC • All rights reserved • Photo: Jim Judkis
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.
Visit retiredreligious.org/2021photos to meet the religious pictured. ©2021 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington DC • All rights reserved • Photo: Jim Judkis
A DEEP CHANGE OF HEART
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IS LKPS35:1-10;85:9-14;5:17-26
IS MTPS48:17-19;1:1-4,6;11:16-19
ZEP 3:14-18A; IS 12:2-3, 4, 5-6;PHIL 4:4-7; LK 3:10-18
SATURDAY
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
SUNDAY
PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK
IS 40:1-11; PS 96:13, 10AC, 11-13; MT 18:12-14
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
Copyrightwithin.©J.S. Paluch Co. C
MONDAY
WEDNESDAY
GN 3:9-15, 20; PS 98:1-4; EPH 1:36, 11-12; LK 1:26-38
IS MTPS41:13-20;145:1,9-13AB;11:11-15
FRIDAY
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
TUESDAY
- Pope Francis
THURSDAY
“ ourlife…frominvitesinsteadJesusustolookatheart.”
W
SAINT PROFILE
NOVEMBER 28, 2021 n OC CATHOLIC 5 DAILY READINGS AND REFLECTIONS 439-532SABAS
SIR 48:1-4, 9-11; PS 80: 2AC, 3B, 1516, 18-19; MT 17:9A, 10-13
FEATURE
BY BILL QUINNAN
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.”
RANK CHAVEZ HAS adopt ed 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.“Wetake the grace of the altar to the streets and the needs of the streets to the altar,” Chavez often says.
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
It’s an aphorism he carries in theory andChavezpractice.steps down as Director, after giving his successor, Deacon Tom Saenz a crash course in leading the vital ministry.
“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.”
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The Pontiff added, “The generosity of a deacon who spends himself with
As he moves on to the next stage, he will remain a parish deacon at Christ Ca thedral, and Chavez says the overwhelm ing emotion he feels is thankfulness.
LEGACY OF SERVICE DEACON FRANK CHAVEZ TO RETIRE
F
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.
6 OC CATHOLIC n NOVEMBER 28, 2021
DEACON CHAVEZ AND HIS WIFE MARY AT THE ANNUAL MEMORIAL MASS AT ST. ANTHONY CLARET IN NOVEMBER 2016. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEACON FRANK CHAVEZ
DEACONS IN CHURCH
AFTER 20 YEARS AS DIRECTOR OF THE DIACONATE FOR THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
In his 20 years at the helm, Chavez shepherded – “fathered” is an expression that fellow deacons use - 10 classes of permanent deacons through to ordina tion 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.
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.
“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.
DEACON CHAVEZ OFFERS COMMUNION DURING MASS ON JULY 21, 2019. COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
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In the Diocese of Orange, candidates are nominated biennially by parish priests and interviewed by a board.
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NOVEMBER 28, 2021 n OC CATHOLIC 7 FEATURE
STARTING YOUNG
FROM PAGE 6
Upon completion, class members are recommended to Bishop Kevin Vann.
As important as the personal decision,
Chavez remembers a pastor suggested deaconry in either 1979 or 1980. Al though he was only in his early 30s with
Chavez says to date no graduate has been denied ordination.
DEACON CHAVEZ SPEAKS FROM THE PODIUM DURING CHRIST CATHEDRAL’S INAUGURAL MASS ON JULY 20, 2019. COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
More than 90 percent are married men. Single men are allowed to be candi dates but take a vow of celibacy.
school-aged children, and was considered a callow age for the vocation, the priest sawBornsomething.andraised 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.“Iwassurprised they took me,” he says. “I say I backed into it. I’m happy.”
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 develop ing their personal spirituality, through prayer, retreats and evangelization.
By that point Chavez said, “We have really gotten to know that they have the vocation.”
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 ChavezHim.” 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.
Under Chavez, the curriculum and process grew and became more rigorous.
Chavez’s relationship with Mary and women in general helped put him over the“Heedge.was very respecting of women,” Tabor said. “I knew his wife was support ive and honest and participated. She also added humor to things.”
Chavez says, was the support of Mary, who became almost an equal partner in theAtprocess.theage of 37, Chavez was ordained.
Chavez says Mary attended classes and events with him before and after ordina tion.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.
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process he developed.
This year, Chavez was allowed to hand-pick his successor, with the ap proval of the Bishop, and raised some eyebrows.Deacon Saenz, was only ordained in October with the newest class of ordi nates.“He has a beautiful spiritual life,” said Chavez, who also noted Saenz’s bilingual skills and business acumen as factors in hisNofavor.one was more stunned than Saenz,
“Frank was one of the youngest dea cons ordained in L.A.,” she said, but also someone with a track record and experi ence.Because of the diversity in the church, she wanted someone bilingual, as well as organized, with interpersonal skills and a background in education.
8 OC CATHOLIC n NOVEMBER 28, 2021 FEATURE
“There was a good foundation but it still needed development,” she said.
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 direc tor’s job a full-time position.
“The time had come for a deacon to become the director,” Tabor said. “I was happy with my choice.”
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.
DEACON CHAVEZ SPEAKS AT THE PODIUM DURING CHRIST CATHEDRAL’S FIRST MIDNIGHT CHRISTMAS MASS ON DECEMBER 25, 2019.
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.
Chavez immediately filled the boxes of what she was looking for.
He likes to joke that he’s glad he didn’t have to undergo formation under the
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who was approached by Chavez in June and asked about his interest.
BISHOP KEVIN VANN AND DEACON CHAVEZ, WITH OTHER PRIESTS, PRAY OVER THE EUCHARIST DURING THE MIDNIGHT CHRISTMAS MASS ON DECEMBER 25, 2019. COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE.
SUPPORT OF PEERS
He said Chavez is good at recruiting, teaching and placing deacons where they will have the best success.
Doktorczyk said.
DEACON FRANK WITH DEACON LARRY LEONE OF ST. POLYCARP CHURCH AT THE ANNUAL DIACONATE RETREAT IN TEMECULA IN SEPTEMBER 2019. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEACON FRANK CHAVEZ.
CONTINUES ON PAGE 10 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
Monsignor Stephen Doktorczyk, to whom Chavez has reported since 2018, one of the head of deacons’ overarching qualities is his calmness.
“It’s not uncommon for his wife to be involved in parts of his ministry,” Msgr. Doktorczyk said. “It helps them relate to couples. It’s the whole package.
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.
“Hedirection.”wasvery compassionate and interested in what we had to say,” recalled Calabrese, 74, a congregant at St. Simon and Jude in Huntington Beach. “And that wasn’t just me. He was definitely inspir ing.”To
“He has good instincts. If there are concerns, he will address them,” Msgr.
He gives credit for Chavez’s success and length to Mary Chavez.
NOVEMBER 28, 2021 n OC CATHOLIC 9 FEATURE
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.”
“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.”
“He’s very patient and level-headed. He doesn’t over-react. He understood the challenges a deacon can have,” the monsignor said.
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,” Cal abrese jokes about the Chavezes. “He was like a father to our group and subsequent groups.”“Iam 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 right
One observation that Calabrese had about Chavez occurred one day when the deacons were gathered in Chavez’s daughter’s backyard, which was planted with olive trees.
“I had an image of Psalm 128,” Cal abrese said of the Song of Ascents in the Bible that tells of the rewards and fruits bestowed on man who is obedient and a good and faithful servant.
“He’s just the best boss I’ve ever had,” said Lucy Dominguez, who has been Project Manager for the Diaconate for nine years with Chavez. “He’s a servant leader and attentive to the needs of others.”Dominguez, who broke into tears when she learned Chavez was retiring,
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She said Chavez is a major force in her“Deaconlife. Frank married my husband, Oliver, and me and baptized my son, Francis,” she Dominguezsaid.added that Chavez allowed her to take a month to walk the 500-mile Camino Santiago de Com postela, in Europe where she met Pope Francis.“I’mnot 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 per sonal and profound moments in their lives: whether it’s the joy of marriage or baptism, or difficult times of sickness andAboutdeath.it all he said simply, “I get to enter into people’s lives in very personal ways -- what an honor.” C
Those who work for Chavez have high praise as well.
gifts and talents.”
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
“It’s been really successful, and we’ve helped open them in other dioceses,” she“Becausesaid. of his kindness, he has allowed me to grow in ways no one had allowed me to be. I learned about my
10 OC CATHOLIC n NOVEMBER 28, 2021 FEATURE
PAGE
said he has always encouraged her in projects and classes she has undertak en.For example, she received encour agement and guidance to create a min istry for the wives of deacons.
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 calendar underscores our anticipation of the Christ Child’s arrival, prompting us to prepare our hearts for His birth. The Advent wreath, with its purple and pink candles, serves to remind us of the peace that Jesus brings.
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.
In lighting the second candle of the Advent wreath, we pray for peace — in our hearts, our homes and our world. Oh, Come, Emmanuel! C
And because repentance brings peace, she says, making a good and thorough confession during Advent opens us fully to experience the glory of Christ mas. “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.”
OFCANDLEPEACETHISWEEK’SMESSAGE?STRIVINGFORFEARLESSCALMAMIDTHEHOLIDAYSTORM
BECOMING A PEACEMAKER
Another way to live peacefully, of course, is to mend fences with those we’ve quarreled with; to bring togeth er family and friends who might have become alienated from one another; to reach out with charity to the lonely old
BY CATHI DOUGLAS
I
NOVEMBER 28, 2021 n OC CATHOLIC 11 CATHOLIC FAMILY LIVING
N THIS SECOND WEEK of Advent, beginning December 5, we light the candle of Peace.
Still, as we anticipate embracing Him as the Christ Child on Christmas Day, we must clear our minds and spir its, hearts and homes, to be fully ready and at peace.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
When I was a child, the time be tween Thanksgiving and Christmas Day seemed painfully long and the days passed slowly. As an adult, the same pe riod seems to pass in the wink of an eye.
Sarah Reinhard notes in her CatholicMom.com blog, “We bring peace to the world when we bring peace to our Reinhardworld.”reminds us that Jesus came to bring peace. “He tells people, over and over, not to be afraid,” she
In Sunday’s Scripture, we hear John the Baptist bringingandtheselvesrededicateconfesspromptsHisenKingdom“Repent,proclaim,fortheofHeavisathand.”challengeustooursins,ourtohelpinglessfortunatecommittingtoharmony into ourAsfamilies.writer
PEACE AS PATIENCE
of the ‘perfect’ Christmas.
ANTICIPATION AND WONDER
writes. “But peace begins at home, with in our walls and within ourselves.”
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.
Jesus, the ultimate peacemak er, 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.
REPENTING AS A GATEWAY TO PEACE
While children find it hard to wait for Christmas because it means good things, good food and good times, we adults are impatient for those reasons and more. We have long to-do lists: Gifts to buy, goodies to bake, travel to plan, houses to clean, meals to make. Many of us have impossibly high expec tations of ourselves and others in search
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.
12 OC CATHOLIC n NOVEMBER 28, 2021 DIOCESAN NEWS
States initiated the Retirement Fund for Religious collection in 1988. Distri butions are sent to each eligible order’s central house and provide supplemental funding for necessities, such as medica tions 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
BY STAFF
“We are blessed by countless support ers who share our mission to ensure all religious can enjoy a safe and modest retirement,” said Sister Still.
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.
T
lion, and funding was distributed to 321 U.S. religious communities.
COLLECTION HELPS AGING SISTERS, BROTHERS, PRIESTS IN RELIGIOUS ORDERS
The 2020 appeal raised $20.7 mil
Last year, the Diocese of Orange do nated $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.“Iamcontinually heartened by the generosity of U.S. Catholics,” said NRRO Executive Director Sister Stephanie Still, a member of the Sisters of the Presenta tion 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.”
PHOTO: RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS
To help address the deficit in re tirement funding among U.S. religious orders, Catholic bishops of the United
Hundreds of U.S. religious communi ties 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 com munities now lack adequate retirement savings.Atthe same time, health-care ex penses continue to rise, and an increas ing 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.
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 Wash ington, D.C. Proceeds help religious communities across the country to care for aging members.
Visit ment-for-religious-collection/resource/consecrated-life/retirehttps://www.rcbo.org/to learn more. C
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 Ca thedral Brass Quintet and Percussion as well as English, Spanish, Viet namese and Chinese choirs from the Cathedral. This event is free and open to the public.
OURAROUNDDIOCESE
THE CREAN TOWER, WHICH CONTAINS A CHAPEL AND CARILLON, IS LOCATED NEXT TO CHRIST CATHEDRAL. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIST CATHEDRAL
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 be gins at 8:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 15 followed by Mass at 8:30 a.m.
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’ chil dren.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
NOVEMBER 28, 2021 n OC CATHOLIC 13 DIOCESAN NEWS
St. Mary’s by the Sea Church in Huntington Beach will hold its annual Christmas Concert and dinner par ty 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
SAINT MARY’S BY THE SEA CATHOLIC CHURCH. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
THE SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS JOY
Military Children’s Charity, an Irvine-based group founded by Mater Dei alumnus Isaiah Navarro, is hosting several donation drives.
BY STAFF
DONATION DRIVE
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.
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 ap proach 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 HeDeacondoes. 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 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 An nounce the Gospel of the Lord”. C
14 OC CATHOLIC n NOVEMBER 28, 2021 GUEST COLUMN LOSE 15-30 LBS IN 30 DAYS! I work with Clergy and successfully!ParishionersEasy&Safe.GilYurly714-206-0443 Merchandise Fitness-WeightLoss
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The Nativity Scene has been set up inside Bishop Vann’s office in preparation for Christmas.
26351 Junipero Serra Road / San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 / 949.493.9307 ext. 2 / admissions@ jserra.org #LionNation / FAITH • INTELLECT • CHARACTER been school in OC with all students on campus ever y day last year — and we’re excited to do it again this year! JOIN US FOR A SHADOW DAY OR PRIVATE TOUR! LEARN MORE AT JSERRA .ORG/ VISIT. ee thvo haoud ta is prJSerr only olic highCath ool OC with students yy da ORF AYW DA SHADO
