OC CATHOLIC - APRIL 12, 2026

St. John's Seminary Offers Full-Tuition Fellowships for Hispanic Lay Ministers

St. John’s Seminary has fully-funded fellowships for Hispanic lay ministers interested in being formed to minister in parishes, Newman centers, Catholic K-12 schools, or campus ministries.

We offer fellowships for our new online M.A. in Pastoral Ministry that allows you to receive your entire education from the comfort of your home.

This program will help lay ministers, increase their knowledge of the Catholic intellectual tradition and improve their ministerial skills for the life of the Church. Students will be prepared to work in different areas of ministry and make professional and personal connections with others of the same mind and spirit.

A studio with professional video, audio, and lighting equipment has been built to allow our students to have an enjoyable technological experience.

We prepare our program to serve our students with the highest quality of education. For more information, please contact us.

Watch a brief video about the program.

APRIL 12, 2026

TALE AS OLD AS TIME

St. Junipero Serra Catholic School’s performance of “Beauty and the Beast” pulled out all the stops.

SPRING INTO DATING

Orange County presents a plethora of dating venues and options. 10

SEIZE THE DAY AS “NEWSIES”

St. Francis of Assisi students presented their spring musical “Newsies Jr.” last month.

DIVINE MERCY

Do you recognize opportunities for gratitude?

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

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ROSARY BEADS

READER CALL-OUT

My grandchildren attended St. Bonaventure Catholic School in Huntington Beach and as proud grandparents we attended as many activities as we could. For Christmas and other gift giving holidays, the school set up gift shop and my grandson Jacob loved being able to pick out his own gifts for family. We received many wonderful things over the years but nothing as special to me as this Rosary given by Jacob.

This was over 20 years ago, and they touch my heart every day.

—Judy Crimmins

If you would like to share a photo of your Rosary Beads with our readers, please send a photo and brief description (include your name and parish) to: Editor@ occatholic.com

“ May our prayer be a comfort to those who suffer”

— Pope Leo XIV

SAINT PROFILE

TERESA OF LOS ANDES 1900-1920

JUANA ENRIQUETA, OR JUANITA, as she was called, was born to a well-off Chilean couple and had a happy and pious childhood. During a bout of appendicitis, she believed Our Lord told her to accept pain in memory of his sufferings. At 15 she made a private vow of celibacy and began to consider religious life. She joined the Carmel in Los Andes at 19, taking the name Teresa of Jesus and focusing on contemplative prayer. She caught typhus and died within a few days.C

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY

ACTS 4:23-31; PSALM 2:1-3, 4-7A, 7B-9; JOHN 3:1-8

TUESDAY

ACTS 4:32-37; PSALM 93:1AB, 1CD-2, 5; JOHN 3:7B-15

WEDNESDAY

ACTS 5:17-26; PSALM 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; JOHN 3:16-21

THURSDAY

ACTS 5:27-33; PSALM 34:2 AND 9, 17-18, 19-20; JOHN 3:31-36

FRIDAY

ACTS 5:34-42; PSALM 27:1, 4, 13-14; JOHN 6:1-15

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

SATURDAY

ACTS 6:1-7; PSALM 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19; JOHN 6:16-21

SUNDAY

ACTS 2:14, 22-33; PSALM 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11; 1 PETER 1:17-21; LUKE 24:13-35

PRO VOLLEYBALL PLAYER SHANNON SCULLY SAYS CATHOLIC EDUCATION HELPED HER FIND PURPOSE

BY LOU PONSI

FOR PROFESSIONAL volleyball player Shannon Scully, her upcoming induction into the Parochial Athletic League (PAL) Hall Fame has provided an opportunity for reflection and gratitude.

A faith-based sports league within the Diocese of Orange, the PAL established a hall of fame in 2022 to honor athletes, coaches, and others who have served the league and its mission.

Scully, an outside hitter for the San Diego Mojo of the Major League Volleyball League, not only looks back on her accomplishments within the sport, but also for the values she developed as a product of a Catholic education from elementary through high school.

“It was such an honor when I found

out,” Scully said. “It kind of shows how far I’ve come in my career. I feel like just having a Catholic education helps students figure out their purpose. It’s not just about getting ready for a job, but it’s about becoming a good person who lives with a purpose.”

The Golf Tournament and PAL Hall of Fame Induction ceremony takes May 12 at the Tustin Ranch Golf Club.

To be considered for induction into the PAL Hall of Fame, an athlete must have competed in the PAL in any offered sport before becoming a professional athlete, an athlete that competes for a national team or in the Olympics or is involved in professional sports in some capacity.

“When I contacted her, she was really excited, which makes me happy, too,”

CONTINUES ON PAGE 6

said Russ Smith, diocesan director of elementary athletics for the PAL.

Scully attended St. Bonaventure Catholic School in Huntington Beach, where she cultivated her passion for volleyball.

“I knew I wouldn’t be where I am today without St. Bonaventure volleyball,” she said. “St. Bonaventure just gave me a great foundation in my Catholic faith.”

Scully played volleyball at Mater Dei High School, where she continued to grow as a player under the guidance of longtime Monarchs volleyball coach Dan

O’Dell and as a person embracing Mater Dei’s core principle of Honor, Glory and Love.

She was a member of the Monarchs squad that won the CIF Southern Section Division 1AA volleyball title in 2015.

Scully went on to an accolade-filled college career playing for Pepperdine and USC, playing a key role in the Trojans’ National Championship season in 2022.

She was named to the U.S. Women's Collegiate National Team that same year and made her professional debut in France in 2022 in the Ligue A Féminine.

Then, Scully returned to the U.S. in 2024 as a member of the Grand Rapids Rise of Major League Volleyball.

She spent 2025 with the Orlando Valkyries and is now back in Southern California playing for the Mojo.

Smith said Scully’s induction highlights PAL’s broader efforts to show students that long term athletic pathways exist, particularly in girls’ sports, with emerging opportunities such as professional indoor volleyball.

“We're opening that door to any kid who reads OC Catholic or when their parents do and say, ‘oh wow, look at this.’

We’ve had girls in the WNBA so it’s just promoting the league, promoting the schools.”

Now, Scully’s career has come full circle.

Scully has returned to St. Bonaventure as a volunteer volleyball coach, guiding young athletes just beginning their own journeys.

I felt like I wanted to pay it forward,” Scully said. “I knew I wouldn’t be where I am today without St. Bonaventure volleyball. You can see the kids learning, improving and having fun. It is a really cool experience. C

TALE AS OLD AS TIME

BY BRITNEY ZINT

AFTER COUNTLESS HOURS

of rehearsing lines, practicing songs and learning choreography, the classic fairy tale of “far-off places, sword fights, magic spells and a prince in disguise” was brought to life on the stage.

St. Junipero Serra Catholic School debuted its spring musical, Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast Jr.,” on March 27 to a full house in its St. Serra Theatre.

The Rancho Santa Margarita school put on the classic tale with a cast and crew of 116 students from first grade up to eighth.

“I think the kids did their best and they really had a great time performing,” said theater director Janess Sifers, who also serves as student services coordinator and choir director. “They worked together as a team to get the job done.”

The show featured the same beloved characters as the animated classic, like the Beast (Dashel Plazak), Belle (Rowan Graham), Gaston (Bryson Plazak), Lefou (Brody Gilmore), Lumiere (Jayme Lawrence), Cogsworth (Jaclyn Medeiros) and Mrs. Potts (Sabrina Campo).

The chance to play the iconic Disney princess was a lot of pressure to live up to, but also a chance to fulfill a childhood dream, Graham said.

“It’s like a dream come true, because this is like my mini-self’s dream come true,” the 13-year-old said.

The seventh grader said she auditioned for the part of Belle, as well as other parts, but was really hoping for the Disney princess role. She said she was shocked and surprised when she got the role.

Graham, who takes voice and dance lessons, in addition to acting in the spring musicals, said she loves to perform.

“It’s a surreal experience,” she added. “You get to be a different person, and you also know what you are doing. A lot of the time in real life, I just don’t know what I am doing, so I like that I know what to do on stage.”

Dashel Plazak, 14, who plays the Beast, said playing such a well-known character takes a lot of responsibility. He took pride in his part, feeling it was also important for him to be a positive role model for the many younger students in the cast and crew. Having been in the spring musical since first grade, Dashel said he has been in their shoes.

“I would just help them out because I’ve been there before, I’ve done that,” he added. “So, if they are not in the right position, if they are not saying the right line, I would nudge them, let them know what they need to do and be an example of what they should be doing.”

Sifers said she loves watching the students across grade levels become friends. She chose “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” for its ensemble numbers that allow all the students to be showcased and have an important role in the show.

“I think theater for young students helps build friendships, gain responsibilities and give them a different kind of experience,” she said. “Whether it be onstage or backstage, I think they learn how to work as a team to accomplish a goal. If they can find happiness in that for themselves, it’s very rewarding for all.”

For the eighth graders, this was their final spring musical before graduation and leaving for high school. Dashel Plazal said he isn’t ready to go yet.

“It is going to be emotional; it is going to be sad,” he said, “but I am going to try to live it as much as I can right now and just have as much fun as I can right now.” C

A GOOD TIME OF YEAR FOR YOUNG ADULTS TO SPRING INTO DATING

BY GREG MELLEN

TENNYSON WROTE, TO paraphrase: In spring, a young man’s (and woman’s) fancy turns to thoughts of love. For young Catholics entering, re-entering or thinking about deepening the dating experience, there is no better time of year. And what better place to do so than Orange County? With its stunning landscape and diverse cultural opportunities, the OC is blooming with date-night ideas. When it comes to dating as a young adult, “There are a lot of ways to be creative,” said Tricia Tembreull, coordinator of the Young Adult Ministry and Evangelization for the Diocese of Orange.

In her role, Tembreull helps guide young adults in their faith journey, discernment, formation and relationship with faith, God and each other, including dating.

“In Orange County there are so many great options,” said Emily Wilson Hussem, a Catholic speaker, author and co-founder of Sacred Spark, a Catholic dating and matchmaking app.

However, before diving full-on into the search for romance and a soulmate, both Tembreull and Wilson Hussem said one should take a moment of reflection and prayer.

“You should ask yourself, ‘Why do I want to date?’” Tembreull said. “Make sure this is the place you want to be and ask yourself, ‘Why I’m single?’”

Wilson Hussem, whose dating app includes a Dating 101 section, as well as

advice, including from peers and other tools, said of young adults, “So many jump in without guidance. They haven’t prayed about what they’re looking for, the kind of person they want to meet. It’s important to pray, to discern.”

It’s not just about dating, but “dating well,” she said.

The diocese is in the process of expanding its young adult ministry efforts not only at the diocesan level, but at the parish level also. This is where young adult groups are flourishing, and more groups are on the horizon.

Such groups can help ease young adults into like-minded communities before taking the leap to one-on-one relationships.

“We’re trying to create environments and relationships where they can network with other young adults,” Tembreull said, noting many young adults entered dating age during COVID-19 and lacked the opportunity to develop face-to-face human relationships.

CONTINUES

The diocese recently hosted a speed dating event, which it hopes to make a periodic feature, with about 40 attendees between the ages of 25 and 35. The diocese also offers periodic “Date Night Kits” for couples, which offer selected items and a list of local date ideas. There is even childcare available for young married couples with kids.

Here are a few places and concepts for young Catholics to consider for dating:

GO ON A MISSION

You don’t have to be Catholic to be entranced by Mission San Juan Capistrano; hundreds of visitors from all faiths visit there each year. With 10 acres of manicured grounds and gardens, including the Sacred Garden adjacent to the Serra Chapel, the Mission is abloom with spring flora.

This is also the time to look for the legendary swallows, who nest in the mission eaves March through October. Although the number of the small cliff dwellers has declined over the years, it can be fun to search them out.

This is also the 250th anniversary of the Mission with special programming and displays scheduled.

After visiting the Mission, you can explore historic and cultural sites, such as the Los Rios Historic District, with an array of shopping and antiquing opportunities. And talking about a foodie paradise, SJC has it all from coffee to high-end eateries. There’s even a Metrolink station that will drop you downtown.

While San Juan Capistrano may be the crown jewel of the Missions, it is not the only one.

“Any one of the missions is an amazing option,” Wilson Hussem said. “And usually there are eateries nearby.”

If you’re game for a road trip, the Old Mission Santa Barbara is "the Queen of the Missions." Or there’s Mission San Luis Rey de Francia in Oceanside. Both are steeped in history, classic architecture, noted for their gardens and feature proximity to dining and entertainment.

CHRIST CATHEDRAL

The diocesan seat is not just for worship, it is also a destination for visitors. Docents offer tours with insider views and history of the home church. Or feel free to stroll the grounds on your own and take in the statuary and sights spread across the campus, including the Our Lady of La Vang Marian shrine.

If you come at the right times, you can hear the world-famous Hazel Wright organ filling the Cathedral with sacred sounds either during a Mass or in concert. We suggest www.christcathedralcalifornia.org as a good launch spot.

The campus is also playing host to the acclaimed “Shroud of Turin: An Immersive Experience."

Wilson Hussem suggested bringing a picnic and spreading out in one of the many grassy areas or at a table in the courtyard.

OTHER THOUGHTS

Sometimes, it makes sense to be gradual about working faith early into dating until you have a sense whether a budding relationship has roots.

Or you can combine a little of both.

How about Confession followed by a coffee, or an aperitif after Adoration, or perhaps attending Mass followed by a meal at a local restaurant?

Otherwise, there are countless options in Orange and Los Angeles counties where young adults can see if they

mesh. From world-class museums to entertainment venues, to shopping and downtown destinations, the possibilities abound. An escape room, cooking, dancing or craft classes. Beaches, parks, sports, hiking trails or a standby like dinner and a movie.

Tembreull and Wilson Hussem suggested the best activities are those where you can get to know the person you are dating one-on-one without stress or expectation.

Save the big stuff for later and don’t sweat it.

“It’s important to trust in the Lord and His timing,” Tembreull said. “Bring it to the Lord and trust He has your back.” C

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI STUDENTS

SEIZE THE DAY AS “NEWSIES”

BY BRITNEY ZINT

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI Catholic

School presented its spring musical “Newsies Jr.” on March 26-29 at the Curtis Theatre in Brea. The show is an adaptation of the hit Broadway musical inspired by the newsboys’ strike of 1899, said director Janice Kraus, owner of the Starlight Family Productions nonprofit theater production company.

“One of the things I love most about these kids is that every time I think they can’t get any better, I come to another show, and they just keep getting better CONTINUES ON PAGE 11

Mater Dei High School offers Summer Camps for incoming, returning, and Future Monarchs in arts, academics, and athletics.

Summer School is open to current and incoming MDHS students, as well as high school students from surrounding communities, with courses in enrichment, advancement, and remediation. www.materdei.org/summer

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

and better and better,” said Principal Jacqueline Sienkowski. “And not only that, but they really love what they are doing and they love one another. You can really see that on the stage.”

Set in New York City at the turn of the 20th century, the musical follows newsies Jack Kelly (Sophia Carpio), Crutchie (Mary Catherine Morrison), Davey (Fletcher Freimann) and Les (Alexander Haralampopoulos) as they decide to stop selling newspapers when owner Joseph Pulitzer (William Murdock) raises prices. With the help of reporter Katherine (Alyssa Worley) and Vaudeville star Medda Larkin (Lorelai Wing), the newsies form a union for better rights and working conditions.

St. Francis of Assisi started its theater program in 2017 in partnership with Starlight, said Gina Gidden, assistant principal of technology and innovative learning. About 70 students in the school signed up that first year. Now, the cast of “Newsies Jr.” is 130 students, Gidden said.

“It’s a great way for them to try something new,” she added. “We have sports, we have academic decathlon, but this is a way for them to participate in the arts no matter what their level is.”

The students started the process in October with auditions, then once- or twice-weekly practices starting in January, said eighth-grader Abigail Hill, who plays two roles in the show, Pat and a newsie.

“Practices are super-duper fun because you get to see your role and you’re like, ‘Oh, what am I doing onstage?’” Hill said. “It’s fun to figure out what persona you are going to bring instead of yourself.”

Getting to step into someone else is Hill’s favorite part of acting. For fellow actor Austen Shandra, who plays Oscar Delancey and Theodore Roosevelt, he also loves getting deep into a role.

Shandra, a seventh grader, said he was especially excited about this production because while he had heard about it, he had never seen the film or the Broadway version. He liked that “Newsies” would be something new for him.

For third-grader Jocelyn Martinez, 8, who plays a newsie dancer, she consid-

ered how much dancing would be in the show, but she was going to perform either way.

“I like dancing, doing a lot of activities, so I knew this would be a good play for me,” Martinez said. “I also wanted to do every single play the school is going to have here.”

Fifth-grader Ethan Camba, 11, who plays a Brooklyn newsie, is relatively new to the St. Francis theater program. This is his second play, but he has big dreams.

“My brother used to do it,” Camba said. “He was in eighth grade last year and he’s the reason I began to come here. He was a lead role, and I want to do what he did. I want to follow in his footsteps.” C

FAITH & LEADERSHIP

BY MEG WATERS

BISHOP KEVIN VANN recently welcomed nearly 1,000 business, religious, academic and philanthropic leaders to the 23rd annual Conference on Business & Ethics.

Hosted by The Orange Catholic Foundation, in partnership with Farmers & Merchants Bank, the March 20 event, held at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine, honored exemplary Orange County business leaders whose lives and business practices reflect their faith in action.

“You are the light of the world,” said Bishop Vann. “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. That’s what so many of you do for us.”

The honorees, representing law, banking and technology, reflected the breadth of the Orange County business community.

Laura Meier, founder of Meier Law Firm, received the Bishop’s Award for Exemplary Business Integrity for her contributions to faith and community, highlighting her selflessness and impact through her book “Guided by Grace.” The book, which deepened her own faith, weaves spiritual principles into estate planning. Through Laura’s initiatives, millions of dollars have been raised for the Church, directly supporting its mission.

The Bishop’s Award also went to Dan Walker, executive chairman of the board of Farmers & Merchants Bank, in recognition of his long-standing commitment to integrity and service in business, as well as his significant contributions to major community projects, including Christ Cathedral and the Conference on Business and Ethics, which he helped establish.

The Farmers & Merchants Bank Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Susan and Henry Samueli for their transformative philanthropic work in Orange

County. The Samuelis are owners of the Anaheim Ducks, H&S Ventures, the Samueli Foundation and OCVibe Development. Following Broadcom's public offering, the Samueli Foundation was established and has since made landmark gifts in areas such as homelessness, housing, and STEM education. Katie Rodin, president of H&S Ventures, accepted the award on behalf of the Samuelis.

Rand Sperry, chair of the conference and CEO of Sperry Equities and Sperry Commercial, moderated a lively discussion that examined the ethical nexus between sports and business.

Panelists included Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer, Santa Margarita High School’s star quarterback and current coach, and former USC Trojan and #1 draft pick, who enjoyed a 15-year NFL career.

Lawyer, business executive, Chapman University undergraduate and law school alumnus, Katie Rodin, President of H&S Ventures, for the past 16 years has been legal counsel for the Anaheim Ducks and the Honda Center, and is executive vice president and chief legal officer at OCVibe, a sports, entertainment and cultural center in Anaheim.

Ryan Tollner, co-head of Excel Football at Excel Sports Management, one of the top five sports management companies in the United States, was named to the Sports Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list in 2016.

The panel explored how business and ethics intersect in sports, leadership and community life.

Tollner described leaving investment banking to build a sports agency grounded in Catholic values and integrity. In a recruiting culture prone to cutting corners, he commits to total honesty and equal service to every client, even when it costs him lucrative contracts. He defines “winning” not as profit, but as players later saying he genuinely improved their lives. He stressed that character attracts character, and that agents shape both athletes’ careers and their impact on communities.

Palmer linked character to sustained success: short-term winning can come from cutting corners, but lasting winning requires integrity in daily habits— finishing every rep in the weight room, behaving well on campus and honoring the “name on the front and back of the jersey.” He noted that ethical choices arise daily, and he leans on prayer and conscience when the right path is costly. As a coach, he watches for performance drops as red flags for deeper issues and intervenes pastorally.

Rodin focused on ethical culture in-

FEATURE

side organizations. Leaders must “walk the walk,” create psychological safety so people feel comfortable admitting mistakes, and treat errors as learning opportunities, provided they are not repeated. She emphasized alignment with the mission over short-term financial gains and the need for transparency to prevent hidden problems from compounding. As a female executive and mother, she openly discussed work and family tension, the importance of supportive partnerships at home and modeling a realistic, ethical path for women entering the sports industry.

All three cautioned that social media amplifies both virtue and failure, making character, consistency and clear boundaries more critical than ever for ethical leadership in high-visibility roles.

On July 1, Kathleen Hurtt (current executive vice president) will assume the role of OCF’s executive director, as Steve Cameron transitions from executive director into becoming a member of the Foundation’s board of directors. Both spoke of the lasting legacy of the Foundation and of a fruitful future of giving and change making.

“Success is what we build for ourselves,” said Hurtt. “Impact is what we build for others.”

The emcee for the morning was Lucy Dunn, CEO emeritus of the Orange County Business Council. She announced that early tallies indicated the event raised $1.2 million for Catholic Schools student scholarships.

OCCF’s primary mission is to support Catholic education in Orange County. Fittingly, students from local Catholic high schools served as ushers for the event, and the bright young voices of St. Cecilia’s children’s choir provided musical entertainment, underscoring the conference’s focus on faith, formation and the future of Catholic education.

To learn more, visit orangecatholicfoundation.org C

DIVINE MERCY

BY REBEKAH VALDERRAMA

WHY IS GRATITUDE such a hard reaction to foster?

So often, my response to a difficulty is to stress out first. I'm a planner and a controller, so my instinct is always to try to solve my own problems. I let the difficulties of life send me into a loop of distraction while I brainstorm how to pull myself out, quickly forgetting how many of my problems have already been solved by Jesus.

No matter how difficult your current situation might feel, there's always someone who has it worse. This is not to dismiss your crosses, but only to point out a truth. “There, but for the grace of God, go I,” as the saying goes. My kneejerk reaction to this realization is to be offended that God didn't think I was strong enough to handle more difficulties. Then I quickly turn back to gratitude and humility that he has given me a relatively easy life. He knows exactly how much I could (or couldn't) handle and leads me daily on my narrow path. Today, on this Divine Mercy Sunday, let's focus with gratitude on the merciful love of Jesus that saves us repeatedly in this chaotic, sinful world.

I often imagine how far afield I'd be if I hadn't been born into a faithful Catholic family and raised with a strong religious education. It's only the mercy of God that placed me in a Catholic home, because otherwise, I don't think I'd ever have had the courage to convert to the Faith later in life.

As St. Josemaria Escriva put it, “Be grateful to your parents for bringing you into this world, thus enabling you to become a child of God. And be all the

more grateful if it was they who placed in your soul the first seeds of faith and piety of your Christian way, or of your vocation.” Thank God for his merciful invitation for you to be a part of his Church.

I wonder how badly I might have strayed in my walk if God hadn't placed my good and faithful Catholic husband

cared for, not knowing of the mishap from which his father's hand has saved him, naturally will not show him any gratitude, and will love him less than if he had cured him of a grievous wound. But suppose he heard the whole truth, would he not in that case love him still more?”

How many times in your life have you been saved from a sin before you even encountered the temptation? Praise God for this great mercy, even if you're unaware of it.

Whether your faith life has been blessed or a struggle, Jesus' mercy has been with you every rocky step of the way. As St. Paul expressed in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Let us praise our merciful Lord for his many graces towards us, and beg his mercy on our fallen world, and on those who carry heavier crosses than we do. “Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.” C

in my path when he did. I was saved from so many temptations to immorality by God's mercy and generosity. It reminds me of a quote from St. Therese of Lisieux in “A Story of a Soul”:

“The father, aware that a dangerous stone lies in his son's path, is beforehand with the danger and removes it, unseen by anyone. The son, thus tenderly

OC Catholic Afar

Alan and Desiree Wendell recently traveled to Southeast Asia. Here they are seen at an elephant sanctuary near Bangkok spending time with Thailand’s gentle giants.

—The couple attends St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Huntington Beach.

We want your photos! Send your pictures of “OC Catholic Afar” — of you, family or friends visiting Catholic churches and other interesting places — to editor@occatholic.com. Please include a brief description of the photo, the name of the person(s) featured in the photo and their home parish.