OC CATHOLIC - DECEMBER 19, 2021

DECEMBER 19, 2021

A CHRISTMAS TASTE OF HOME: PARISHIONERS SHARE RECIPES

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

OUR DEVOTED SISTERS

SAINT FRANCIS HOME OFFERS A CARING AND SPIRITUAL HOME FOR THE ELDERLY. PAGE 6 SISTER ELIA CARO IS THE NEW SUPERIOR AND ADMINISTRATOR OF SAINT FRANCIS HOME IN SANTA ANA. PHOTO: DREW KELLEY

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DECEMBER 19, 2021

CONTENTS

10 12 14

AROUND OUR DIOCESE

Don’t miss the Capistrano Lights at the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano, now through Dec. 30.

REMINDER

The fourth Sunday of Advent prepares us for the coming of Christ.

POPE: PREPARE FOR CHRISTMAS

BY HELPING OTHERS

During his Sunday Angelus address, Pope Francis urges the faithful to observe Christmas by doing good for others.

PLUS

Bishop’s 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

ADVERTISING Director of Custom Content: Caroline Wong, cawong@scng.com

SCNG CUSTOM CONTENT Managing Editor: Caitlin Adams

Art Director: Fernando M. Donado

Delivered weekly to parishes and homes throughout Orange County, Calif., Orange County Catholic is published by SCNG Custom Content, a division of Southern California News Group that offers content development and design expertise to businesses and nonprofit institutions. The Orange County Catholic editorial staff and editorial council are responsible for the content contained herein.

Events and products advertised in Orange County Catholic do not carry the implicit endorsement of the Diocese of Orange or SCNG Custom Content.

OCCatholic.com

OCCatholicNews

@OCCCatholicNews

BISHOP’S COLUMN

A MESSAGE FROM BISHOP VANN: A CATHOLIC RESPONSE TO STATE REPORT ON ABORTION

BY THE MOST REVEREND KEVIN W. VANN, JCD, DD

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HE CALIFORNIA FUTURE of Abortion Council issued their report last week on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. In it, the Council outlined a 45-point plan for expanding abortion access in our state, which already boasts some of the most liberal abortion policies in the world.

We celebrate two significant Marian feasts in December, the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe, both highlighting God’s plan for salvation through maternity. St. Ann’s maternity gave us the Immaculate Mother of God. Mary’s maternity, so beautifully portrayed in the apparition of Guadalupe, brought us

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Our Savior. The juxtaposition between our faith’s reverence for motherhood and the report’s veneration of abortion could not be more clear.

The report’s 45 legislative recommendations include spending state tax dollars to bring out-of-state women to CA for free abortions, paying medical students’ loans if they become abortion doctors, and forcing Catholic hospitals to perform abortions. There is stated support for these recommendations from Governor Newsom and many in our state legislature.

The Catholic response looks different, like my own family. I was blessed with a wonderful example. My mother, after having six children went back to college

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CONTINUES ON PAGE 13

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

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

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

DAILY READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

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AUDACITY

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HERE IS A SPIRIT OF AUDACITY in our readings today. During a time of injustice and threat of invasion, the prophet Micah boldly announces that the God of insignificant Israel will raise up a leader from backwater Bethlehem, and this leader will bring justice and peace to the whole world. In the Gospel, Elizabeth and Mary, marginalized women, brazenly celebrate that their sons will be world-changing instruments of God. We further learn that this audacity is rooted in trust in God. The author of Hebrews describes the faithful obedience of Jesus. Mary is shown as the exemplar of faithful trust in God. This is the way God often seems to work, in the ordinary and marginalized in our world. Those who seem weak have learned to trust in God’s strength. These have the audacity to become instruments of God’s peace and justice.

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. C

…Good politics is indispensable for universal fraternity and social peace.

- Pope Francis SAINT PROFILE

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BLESSED URBAN V 1310-1370

G

UILLAUME DE GRIMOARD WAS BORN IN THE Languedoc region of France, and studied at Montpellier and Toulouse before joining the Benedictines. In 1352 he was elected abbot of the monastery at Auxerre. He was on a mission to Naples for Pope Innocent VI when the pope died, and he was elected as his successor because of his reputation for goodness. Urban V was pope from 1362 until his death, during the “Babylonian captivity,” when the papacy was installed at Avignon, France, not Rome.

Urban tried to reform the Curia, curb lavish practices, restore the papacy to Rome and heal the East-West schism. He was beatified in 1870. C

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

IS 7:10-14; PS 24:16; LK 1:26-38

SG 2:8-14 OR ZEP 3:14-18A; PS 33:23, 11-12, 20-21; A LK 1:39-45

1 SM 1:24-28; 1 SM 2:1, 4-8ABCD; LK 1:46-56

MAL 3:1-4, 23-34; PS 25:4-5AB, 8-10, 14; LK 1:57-66

2 SM 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16; PS 89:2-5, 27, 29; LK 1:67-79

IS 52:7-10; PS 98:16; HEB 1:1-6; JN 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14]

SIR 3:2-6, 12-14 OR 1 SM 1:20-22, 2428; PS 128:1-5

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FEATURE

OUR DEVOTED SISTERS SAINT FRANCIS HOME OFFERS A CARING AND SPIRITUAL HOME FOR THE ELDERLY

BY GREG MELLEN

F

ROM ITS HUMBLE beginnings 78 years ago, when a group of Franciscan Sisters began to care for a pair of elderly women in a small house on 6th Street in Santa Ana, the Saint Francis Home has evolved into a caring and loving home for the elderly.

Since then, the Mexico-based Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception have expanded their mission in Southern California. Saint Francis Home is one of their two assisted living facilities.

Although it remains one of the better kept secrets in the local Catholic community, Saint Francis Home has grown into a two-story, 73-room, 102,000 squarefoot facility with its own chapel and adjacent convent on land that now encompasses an entire block from W. Fifth to W. Sixth and N. Raitt to N. Pacific streets.

It hasn’t always been easy, and never were circumstances more dire than at the height of the COVID-19 outbreak, when a number of residents and nuns were stricken. Many were moved to hospitals or returned to their families. One nun and seven residents passed away.

Earlier this year, Sister Elia Caro was summoned and has taken over both as administrator and Superior. Like most of the Sisters, she has done rotations at Saint Francis Home, in her case dating back to 1992.

Although there is capacity for 90

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ST. FRANCIS HOME IS ADMINISTERED BY THE FRANCISCAN MISSIONARY SISTERS OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, NOW LED BY SISTER ELIA CARO, CENTER. PHOTO: DREW KELLEY

residents, the community dropped to 20 and is working to rebuild and weather the lingering pandemic. Saint Francis Home has openings for residents who are COVID-free and vaccinated.

Saint Francis Home is a private, non-profit 501 (c) retirement residence for the elderly, with affordable rates.

Although not formally affiliated with the Diocese of Orange, the Sisters have separate oversight, they walk similar paths and serve the same population.

That is why, when the situation at the house was at its worst, the Diocese sent volunteers to help care for and feed residents.

The Saint Francis Home relies on donations, fundraisers and income from residents to continue. The pandemic took

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a big chunk out of fundraising efforts, which included chicken, spaghetti and steak dinners in earlier years. This year, the main fundraiser was a yard sale, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4 and 5 on the Home’s grounds.

A TRADITION OF CARING

The devotion of the Sisters shines through in all they do, as it has since 1944.

The Sisters came to Southern California in 1926, fleeing the bloody Cristero War between Catholic loyalists and the Mexican government. Invited to settle in Orange County by Archbishop John J. Cantwell, eight Sisters eventually settled into the little gray house where the convent and Home are now located.

Soon after, they were deeply involved in community and religious activities, including teaching in Spanish and English, visiting the sick and shut-ins and even making altar bread for churches.

But it was the advent of the Home where they eventually found greater purpose.

Marie Michaels, 93, has been a resident for the past four years. She attends daily Mass with other residents in the Home’s chapel at 7 a.m. and never misses her monthly confessions. Fathers from Our Lady of the Pillar Church, run by the Catholic Order of Augustinian Recollects and located across the street, lead the Masses.

“It’s wonderful,” said Msgr. Stephen CONTINUES ON PAGE 7

FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

Doktorczyk of the Diocese of Orange. “It’s a real service.”

The chapel was the main draw for Michaels.

“That’s why I came here,” she said. “I want to be close to Jesus.”

She also prays Rosaries, Chaplet and Stations of the Cross every day.

“I have to make up for 93 years of sin,” she said with a laugh. “I’m just hoping to get into purgatory.”

And she adores the staff.

“The Sisters are like angels,” Michaels said. “It’s like a mission for them, not a job. We’re all special to them.”

A LOT FOR A LITTLE

Although the residents are mostly elderly Catholic women, the Home is open to men and women ages 62 and older.

Religious and spiritual services are optional. Rooms are modest studios mostly for single residents, although some are large enough to be shared. Residents must have some mobility.

Amenities include three meals a day served in a large dining room. Sister Rachel leads the kitchen and fulfills dietary needs and culinary preferences, including eggs for Michaels perfectly cooked and over-easy.

The Home has free housekeeping, linens and clothing laundry. Medications are professionally administered and managed. On-site and offsite activities and transportation are offered. Last but not least, the Home has a free beauty and barbershop.

AN APOSTOLATE

Maricela Alegria has been Activities Director for 14 years. She learned about working in nursing homes by assisting her mother.

“She taught me about working with seniors,” said Alegria, who started at Saint Francis Home as a volunteer.

Alegria said in 2007 when she was looking for a job, she asked Sister Elia for a reference and came out with a job.

“I didn’t have to think about it,”

IN ADDITION TO COORDINATING ACTIVITIES, EXERCISE CLASSES AND ENTERTAINMENT, THE SISTERS PROVIDE BASIC HEALTHCARE FOR THE RESIDENTS AT SAINT FRANCIS HOME. PHOTO: DREW KELLEY

Alegria recalls.

Throughout the week, she leads Rosary prayers, conducts exercise classes, arts and crafts activities and games.

Norma Aslagsen, 90, first brought her mother to Saint Francis Home 20 years ago. She is now a resident.

“I like it fine,” she said. “There’s bingo and several classes.”

Alegria also organizes live entertainment and other events with nonprofits.

Sister Illuminada Soto is 104-yearsold and still gets around and visits with residents.

“I like to work with the ladies and help them,” said the Sister who has been at the Home off and on since 1980.

In between she has taught and done missionary work in El Salvador and Honduras.

In many ways, Sister Illuminada is

emblematic of the sisters at the Home and its adjacent convent, loving, committed and caring.

It is a quality Msgr. Doktorczyk said is invaluable.

“You are cared for by sisters who have dedicated their lives to this,” he said.

When Alegria looks on her involvement she says, “I love this job. It’s not a job, it’s an apostolate.” C

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FEATURE

A TASTE OF HOME: PARISHIONERS SHARE THEIR TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS RECIPES

BY BRADLEY ZINT

Instructions For the fish: n Cut fish into cubes. nMarinade in fish sauce, salt and pepper, minced ginger. n Set aside.

For the congee: nBoil chicken broth, cold water, onion and 4 slices of ginger. n Once boiled, add rice (both sweet and jasmine). n Cook on medium-low heat until rice is “bloomed” (around 30 minutes). nWhile cooking the congee, add oil into new pan and sauté marinated fish until light brown/fragrant (about 5 minutes). Then add to congee after rice has bloomed. n Cook for another 15 minutes. n Season to taste and add toppings as desired.

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HIS CHRISTMAS SEASON, families throughout the Diocese of Orange will celebrate Advent in traditions whose origins span the world. Orange County is an ethnically diverse place, and Catholics here celebrate their faith in varied — and delicious — ways when gathering to eat, drink and enjoy one another’s company.

To help you celebrate and learn something new, Orange County Catholic has invited three parishioner families from different backgrounds — Vietnamese, Mexican and Polish — to share their traditional Christmas recipes.

Enjoy! C Rice congee with sea bass – By Kim Thoa Nguyen, San Francisco Solano Church, Rancho Santa Margarita For many who grew up in Vietnam, rice congee (called cháo in Vietnamese) was a food for times of famine and hardship to stretch the rice ration. It was commonly made because rice was cheap and long-lasting. In Vietnamese culture, cháo is a go-to comfort food when sick.

Now, in the U.S., cháo is enjoyed by people of all ages, young and old, rich or poor, as a casual meal or on special occasions. It can also be made with chicken or pork, but sea bass is a favored option that’s included in this recipe.

Ingredients n 4 cans of chicken broth (14-ounce cans) n 4 cans of water (14 ounces each) n 4 slices of ginger n 1 tsp. of salt n 1 onion n 1 cup of uncooked, rinsed jasmine rice

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KIM THOA NGUYEN, OF SAN FRANCISCO SOLANO CHURCH IN RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA. PHOTO COURTESY OF FR. DUY LE RICE CONGEE WITH SEA BASS. PHOTO COURTESY OF FR. DUY LE

n n n n n

½ cup of uncooked, rinsed sweet rice 2 lbs. of sea bass (or any whitefish) 2 tbsp. of fish sauce 1 tbsp. of olive oil ½ tsp. minced garlic

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n 1 tsp. of chopped shallots n ½ tsp. of salt

Season to taste: sugar, fish sauce, salt For toppings: green onions, cilantro, black pepper, ginger (fine julienne)

Ponche Mexicano – by Alejandra Estrada, Santa Barbara Catholic Church, Santa Ana This is a traditional hot drink popular in Mexico, particularly during the posadas preceding Christmas. It can be served with or without alcohol. Ingredients can vary from region to region.

Ingredients (Serves 15 to 20) n18 cups of water n2 piloncillo cones n 3 cinnamon sticks n10 hibiscus flowers n1 tamarind pod n15 tejocotes n1 ½ green apples (chopped) n1 ½ red apples (chopped) n 5 sugar cane sticks (4 to 5 inches long, cut in four pieces each) n2 stars anise n1 pear (chopped) n 5 guavas (chopped) n½ orange with peel (slices half-inch CONTINUES ON PAGE 9

FEATURE

ALEJANDRA ESTRADA, OF SANTA BARBARA CATHOLIC CHURCH, SANTA ANA. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

BEATA GLOBISZ AND ANIA MACHON, AT THE ST. JOHN PAUL II POLISH CENTER IN YORBA LINDA. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

PONCHE MEXICANO. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCSE OF ORANGE

BEET SOUP RED BORSCHT. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

n Cook for 15 minutes, then add apples,

wide) n 3 cups of pineapple (chopped) n 6 green lemon leaves n1 cup of pomegranate n 6 prunes n2 ounces of raisins n2 cloves n Tequila (optional) Instructions nPlace water in a large stockpot. n Add piloncillo, cinnamon, tamarind pod, hibiscus flowers, stars anise and cloves n Cook for 15 minutes, then add sugar cane sticks n Cook for 10 minutes, then add tejocotes

pineapple, pear, guavas, orange pomegranate, prunes, raisins, green lemon leaves n Simmer for about 30 to 40 minutes on low heat n Serve hot in mugs n Optional addition of tequila

The beet’s brine is optional in this recipe, which also uses mushrooms. However, if you enjoy a sour, savory taste, then it is highly recommended. To create color and essence, you can incorporate baked beets into your soup.

Ingredients n2 pounds of beets (peeled, rinsed and sliced) Beet soup red borscht (with option- n½ pound of root vegetables: carrots, al beet’s brine) – by Ania Machon, parsnip, celery root and one leek, all St. John Paul II Polish Center, Yorba Linda rinsed and sliced in half Polish tradition says that the 12 dishes n2 minced garlic cloves served for dinner on Christmas Eve must n2 cups beet’s brine (optional, or more be vegetarian. One of those classic dishes to taste) is red borscht, which in some homes is nHandful of dried porcinis (or other primed with beet’s brine (zakwas) that is wild mushrooms, but do not use shitake) prepared in the days before. n Salt (to taste)

nBlack pepper (to taste) n1 tbsp. of white vinegar n1 tsp. sugar (or to taste) n1 tbsp. parsley (optional) n One big, sweet apple

(Optional) Beet’s brine n 3 ½ pounds beets (peeled, rinsed and sliced) n A piece of rye bread (preferably a crust) n2 cups of boiled water (lukewarm) nBay leaf n Teaspoon of salt Instructions n Cut the beetroots into medium-sized chunks, then cover them with salted water. n Add spices and leave them for a couple of days to ferment.

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DIOCESAN NEWS

AROUND OUR DIOCESE

BY STAFF

CAPISTRANO LIGHTS RETURNS

Capistrano Lights Returns is now open at Mission San Juan Capistrano on select nights through Dec. 30. Tickets include all-day admission, a multi-language audio tour and evening holiday programming.

The holiday programming runs from 4 to 6 p.m. and includes various activities: Carolers dressed in Dickens era costumes serenade guests with Christmas classics; guests are invited to take selfies with Santa Clause as well as under a 10-foot holiday wreath. Also enjoy the Christmas tree lighting and community Christmas trees throughout the grounds, visit the Serra Chapel after hours, shop for gifts at the Mission Store and make prayers for peace by placing a candle by the largescale Nativity in the Ruins of the Great

Stone Church. Kids craft vendor and sweet treats vendor will also be on hand.

For more information, https://www. missionsjc.com/capistrano-lights/.

ST. POLYCARP CELEBRATES ST. JOSEPH

On Dec. 3, St. Polycarp Catholic Church in Stanton celebrated with Bishop Timothy Freyer the conclusion of the Holy Year dedicated to Saint Joseph. The celebration began with a Eucharistic procession accompanied with the statues of Saint Joseph and the Pilgrim Mary, followed by a Mass.

After Mass, a Eucharistic Procession to St. Polycarp’s hall commenced for the 48-hour adoration, which lasted until 5:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5. Many parishioners participated in the celebration and the 48-hour adoration.

ST. JOACHIM CHURCH CELEBRATES 75TH ANNIVERSARY

St. Joachim Catholic Church is cele-

COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

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CONTINUES ON PAGE 11

COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

DIOCESAN NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

brating its 75th anniversary in 2022. The milestone was officially kicked off on the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of the liturgical year. Some of the planned highlights include: n A commemorative Christmas ornament is being offered for a donation of $5. These are available after all Masses during Dec. 18-19 and in the parish office. n The parish will be highlighting “Heroes of St. Joachim” in the months ahead.

Over the years, the devoted pastors, parochial vicars, staff and parishioners have built up the body of Christ with such dedication to our Lord and His people. n The parish will launch a special fundraiser to reach a capital campaign goal to build a new restroom building.

With “75 for 75,” each family is asked to commit to a donation of $75 before the end of the fiscal year.

national day of remembrance is held on the first day of winter, the longest night of the year.

Each year, thousands of individuals experiencing homelessness die on the streets of our nation due to illness, exposure or violence. Many from our very own community of Orange County.

To provide the name of someone you know who has lost their life on the streets in Orange County this past year so they can be acknowledged during the service, please contact Gina Marie Serial at 949324-0908 or email ginas@ourfatherstable.org.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. JOACHIM CHURCH n The parish will celebrate in differ-

ent ways throughout the year as well as offer mementos in the different liturgical seasons, reminding us of the gifts from God and the friendships we have formed from this community.

HOMELESS PERSONS’ INTERRELIGIOUS SERVICE

Homeless Persons’ Inter-Religious Service will be celebrated on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 7 p.m. at Christ Cathedral, 13280 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove. This

LOCAL NEWS TO SHARE

Is something special happening at your local parish? Do you have news to share with our readers? The OC Catholic wants to hear about it! Please send your submissions to Patty Mahoney at editor@occatholic.com. C

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CATHOLIC FAMILY LIVING

REMINDERS OURS IS A FAITH OF BEAUTIFUL SYMBOLISM, WHICH SERVES TO REMIND US OF WHAT IS IMPORTANT

BY KATIE DAWSON

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HE STANDING BANNER in our reception area at the Pastoral Center reminds us, lest we forget, that we’re in the season of Advent. A beautiful stainedglass image and the words Love, Peace, Joy, Faith greet us as we walk in the door. Remember, remember, remember. Christ is coming. Christ has come, Christ is coming, Christ will come again. This is the message of Advent.

All the signs and symbols, music and readings in this season are reminding us – pay attention! In the midst of our responsibilities and tasks, something greater is here, don’t miss it! Take a breath, lift your hearts, here He comes!

In the final week of Advent, our thoughts are on the story of Mary and Joseph making their way to Bethlehem.

We know how the story culminates – an arduous journey in obedience to the emperor’s demand for a count – will lead them to a small town where there will be “no room at the inn”.

The promised savior will be born in a stable. Historical theologians debate whether that stable was a cave or a structure, whether it was attached to a residence or far from town. The important point for us is that the birthplace was a very humble place, an unexpected location for Him whose “greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth”. (Micah 5:4) No pal-

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PHOTO: LEONARD ORTIZ, SCNG

ace, not even a hovel, but a stable. The lowest place in the most lowly town of Israel.

The prophet foretold it. On this 4th Sunday of Advent we hear from the prophet Micah that it would be from Bethlehem, the one who “too small to be among the clans of Judah” He would come. Despite Bethlehem’s lack of prestige – or perhaps because of it - the Savior will come from her.

The unexpected will not end there.

Jesus’ “origin story” (although we know His origin is eternal) sets the pattern of what is to come. His coming will be announced to the lowest on the social ladder (shep-

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herds) rather than the rulers of the day and it will be anticipated and recognized by outsiders (the Magi) rather than His own people. This may surprise us – but it would have been even more surprising to a first century Jew. God’s prophets foretold it but nevertheless it took God’s action to prove His point.

For this last week of Advent we linger and ponder with Mary (in our hearts) the surprising action of God, what it suggests about God’s approach and how we can respond to His invitation.

Why does God do it this way? What does it mean?

Again and again, Scripture tells us that “God’s ways are not our ways”.

Here, at the heart of the story of salvation we see that concretely. Humility and gratitude trump pomp and circumstance. God chooses the humble, the lowly. Pope Francis tells us: “God surprises us, His ways surprise us for

they differ from our human expectations; they do not reflect the power and grandeur that we associate with him.

Indeed, the Lord likes best what is small and holy”. (Athens, 2021) This is good news for us. This means when we feel small or broken or overwhelmed – God is near. It means when life’s challenges seem too much for us – God is close. Just as St. Paul celebrated that God’s strength was revealed in his own weakness (2 Cor 12:7-10), we can recognize our dependence on God’s grace and mercy and be sustained by supernatural power rather than our own. The message of Christmas is Emmanuel: God with us. Pay attention – Christ is coming! 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.

BISHOP’S COLUMN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

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DIVINE MERCY RETREAT IS FINALLY HAPPENING!

Theme “DIVINE MERCY & THE FAMILY IN THIS CHALLENGING TIME”. Date: February 5, 2022, Saturday, 8am to 5pm.

Venue: Christ Cathedral Campus, Arboretum, 13280 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove, CA 92840. Check-in: 7 am. Holy Mass: 8:30 am.

Speakers FR. ROBERT SPITZER, SJ, Ph.D.; FR. QUAN TRAN; DONNA LEE; and ANGEL & ESTRELLA MIJARES.

Contact Estrella Mijares (562) 972-5675, angelstar73@earthlink.net. Pre-registration Fee: $25.

Deadline: January 5, 2022. Check payable to Holy Name of Mary, and mail to Divine Mercy Ministry, 321 Vallejo St., La Habra, CA 90631. NO on-site registration. Brown bag lunch included but NO special diet. SEATS ARE LIMITED, REGISTER EARLY!

for her master’s degree so that she could help other women in our community receive an education to become nurses.

Many of these students would not have otherwise had the chance to obtain their degrees if it had not been for my mother and her example and convictions of life and children. I also watched my father support her every step of the way. All of us kids pitched in too. It was wonderful that she could pursue her career while being a loving mother to us. It was a blessing for us, too, that we learned how a family works together.

It is a great blessing when families care for one another. In my role as pastor and bishop, I hear from so many women who are alone and frightened.

They do not have the privilege of the family life that I had. My heart goes out to them as they wonder how they can be a mother to a child when they have no one in their lives to support and comfort them. So many women have been treated in a way that they don’t understand they are worthy of love and help.

It is here that Catholics can do our best work of mercy. We can step in and become family through our parishes and ministries. In California, over 150 pro-life pregnancy centers and clinics help women every day with medical care, community referrals and material resources. Most of these centers are heavily supported by Catholic parishes and families. I have visited many here in Orange, including recently. I was very involved in such a center entitled The Care Center in Springfield, Illinois which was founded by three Catholic women who were good friends of mine.

This center was also supported by St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois.

This is a beautiful work of mercy in our Church.

At the same time, we call upon the state to solve systemic poverty for women. In neighboring Los Angeles County, over 5,000 women living on the streets become pregnant every year. We need homes and services that provide

hope to them and their children. Hundreds of pregnant women are jailed in California, and not allowed access to their newborn babies, even if they will be released soon. We need legislation to allow women and their children to be placed on a path of success. Thousands of women and families live in cars in California, trying their best to keep children safe. We need affordable homes built and family placement prioritized.

There are countless other ways California could be serving the needs of women and children. Women regret abortion. Women change their mind about abortion. When offered real help and companionship, few women ever regret having a child. In my experience, most people will choose to be generous if given the opportunity. Now is the time for Catholics to recommit to generosity.

In the Gospel story, we hear of Joseph and his pregnant wife Mary, frantically looking for a place to stay and for help delivering their baby. We read of their flight to Egypt with a newborn, in need of shelter, friendship, work. In my own family, I learned first-hand what it takes to pull together and support every member. By extension, our Catholic family is called to reach out in love to women and families in need, as we would have had we been in Bethlehem or Egypt at the time of the Nativity. We call upon our California family to prioritize the needs of women and children, providing support and care for women that will allow them to be the mothers they want to be.

In these days of Advent, as we contemplate the Holy Family, we ask the intercession of St Joseph, our Mother Mary and the Infant Jesus as we proclaim the beauty and dignity of every human life through both word and deed. C + Kevin V. Vann Bishop of Orange Vice President of the California Catholic Conference

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CATHOLIC NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

PREPARE FOR CHRISTMAS BY SERVING OTHERS, POPE SAYS

BY JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With Christmas just over a week away, Christians should prepare for Jesus’ birth by serving those in need rather than focusing on what awaits them under the Christmas tree, Pope Francis said.

“We are so busy with all the preparations, with gifts and things that pass,” the pope said Dec. 12 during his Sunday Angelus address. “But let’s ask ourselves what we should do for Jesus and for others! What should we do?”

Many children along with their families came to St. Peter’s Square with their baby Jesus figurines for a traditional blessing by the pope.

Assuring them that he would bless their statues after praying the Angelus, Pope Francis greeted the little ones and asked them to take “my Christmas greetings to your grandparents and all your dear ones.”

In his main address, the pope reflected on the Sunday Gospel reading from St. Luke which recalled the crowds of people who, after being moved by St. John the Baptist’s preaching, asked him, “What should we do?”

Their question “does not stem from a sense of duty” but from their hearts being “touched by the Lord,” and their being enthusiastic for his coming.

Just like the preparations people make to welcome a guest to their home by cleaning and preparing “the best dinner possible,” Christians must do “the same with the Lord,” he said.

St. Luke’s Gospel, the pope added, also encourages one to ask, “What should I do with my life? What am I called to? What will I become?”

“By suggesting this question, the Gos-

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THE CHRISTMAS TREE IS SEEN AS POPE FRANCIS LEADS THE ANGELUS FROM THE WINDOW OF HIS STUDIO OVERLOOKING ST. PETER’S SQUARE AT THE VATICAN DEC. 12, 2021.

PHOTO: VATICAN MEDIA / CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

pel reminds us of something important: Life has a task for us. Life is not meaningless; it is not left up to chance. No! It is a gift the Lord grants us, saying to us: Discover who you are, and work hard to make the dream that is your life come true!”

The pope encouraged Christians to prepare for Christmas by continuously asking God what should they do for themselves and others in order to contribute to the good of the church and society.

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St. John the Baptist’s answers, he said, responded to each individual in a way that fit his or her situation in life, a reminder from the Gospel that “life is incarnated” in concrete situations.

“Faith is not an abstract theory, a generalized theory; no!” he said. “Faith touches us personally and transforms each of our lives. Let us think about the concreteness of our faith. Is my faith abstract, something abstract or concrete? Does it lead me to serve others, to help out?”

Pope Francis said there are several

ways people can serve others during Advent, including by doing “something concrete, even if it is small” to help others,” especially by visiting the lonely, the elderly, the sick or someone in need.

Then the pope added to the list: “Maybe I need to ask forgiveness, grant forgiveness, clarify a situation, pay a debt.

Perhaps I have neglected prayer and after so much time has elapsed, it’s time to ask the Lord for forgiveness.”

“Brothers and sisters,” he said, “let’s find something concrete and do it!” C

Moments MomentsininourourJourney Journey

Father Fred Bailey tends to the Christmas poinsettias that will adorn St. Clara de Asis in Yorba Linda during the final weeks of Advent.

—Photo Submitted by Shaun Nguyen

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

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