MARIAN DAYS
JULY 19, 2026
PAGE 12
THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ORANGE ■ OCCATHOLIC.COM
FAITH IN SERVICE: OUR LADY OF FATIMA SUPPORTS CAMP PENDLETON MARINES
PAGE 5 THE TEAM AT OUR LADY OF FATIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH IN SAN CLEMENTE, INCLUDING PRIEST-IN-RESIDENCE FR. ED BECKER, PROVIDES SACRAMENTAL AND PASTORAL SUPPORT TO THE MARINES STATIONED AT CAMP PENDLETON. PHOTO COURTESY OF FR. ED BECKER
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JULY 19, 2026
CONTENTS
7 8 10 11 14
DEDICATION MARKS ANNIVERSARY OF POONG JESUS CATHOLIC CENTER
The first and only Filipino Catholic center of its kind in the country marks its first anniversary this month.
KNIGHTS HONOR CLERGY AT ANNUAL EVENT
The organization recognized the ordained during the annual event at Christ Cathedral last month.
AROUND OUR DIOCESE
A scholarship, law enforcement recognition and seminary honorees are among this week’s news.
ROSARY RESCUE
Parishioners at St. Anne Seal Beach undertake a colorful mission.
CONVERSION: RETURN TO ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART
In turning away from temptation we live more fully in Jesus.
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: Jarryd Gonzales Managing Editor: Patricia Mahoney, editor@occatholic.com News Ideas: editor@occatholic.com Delivery Problems: occatholicsupport@occatholic.com
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Delivered weekly to parishes and homes throughout Orange County, Calif., Orange County Catholic is published by SCNG Custom Content, a division of Southern California News Group that offers content development and design expertise to businesses and nonprofit institutions. The Orange County Catholic editorial staff and editorial council are responsible for the content contained herein. Events and products advertised in Orange County Catholic do not carry the implicit endorsement of the Diocese of Orange or SCNG Custom Content.
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DAILY READINGS AND REFLECTIONS
PRAYER SPOT
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Effective equality is not simply formal equality before the law.
SAINT PROFILE
PHOTO COURTESY OF DIANE CHAVIRA
READER CALL-OUT
— Pope Leo XIV
MACRINA
S
327-379
T. MACRINA ruled the roost in a family of saints: St. Basil the Elder and St. Emmelia, her parents, the younger St. Basil, St. Gregory of .Nyssa and St. Peter of Sebaste. As the eldest child of ten, Macrina exercised a formative influence on her more famous brothers and even on her mother. She trained her siblings in a classic education with a focus on Scripture. When Basil returned from Athens University all puffed up with self-importance, Macrina put him in his place. And she persuaded him to become a monk and to subordinate his gifts to God's purposes. Later, she and her mother renounced their high standard of living. They formed a small monastic community of nuns on the family's estate. C
I have established a prayer area in my home featuring a holy water font of St. Joseph which we use to bless ourselves when entering and exiting the house. Additionally, I have a dedicated space where I pray the Rosary daily at 5 p.m. while following along with Fr. Rocky on Relevant Radio 930 AM. —Diane Chavira, St. Polycarp Parish in Stanton. Do you have a favorite prayer spot? Please include a brief description of the photo and why it is special to you. Include your name and home parish, and send to: editor@occatholic.com.
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
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PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MICAH 6:1-4, 6-8; PSALM 50:5-6, 8-9, 16BC-17, 21, 23; MATTHEW 12:38-42
MICAH 7:14-15, 18-20; PSALM 85:2-4, 5-6, 7-8; MATTHEW 12:4650
SONG OF SONGS 3:1-4B; PSALM 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9; JOHN 20:1-2, 11-18
JEREMIAH 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13; PSALM 36:6-7AB, 8-9, 10-11; MATTHEW 13:10-17
JEREMIAH 3:14-17; JEREMIAH 31:10, 1112AB, 13; MATTHEW 13:18-23
2 CORINTHIANS 4:7-15; PSALM 126:1BC-2AB, 2CD3, 4-5, 6; MATTHEW 20:20-28
1 KINGS 3:5, 7-12; PSALM 119:57, 72, 7677, 127-128, 129-130; ROMANS 8:28-30; MATTHEW 13:44-52
O C C A T H O L I C ■ J U L Y 19, 2 0 2 6
FEATURE
FAITH IN SERVICE: OUR LADY OF FATIMA SUPPORTS CAMP PENDLETON MARINES BY RON KUZLIK
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HILE APPROXIMATELY 25% of U.S. service members identify as Catholic, fewer than 8% of the U.S. Military Chaplain Corps are ordained Catholic priests. As a result of this shortage, Marines assigned to the School of Infantry–West (SOI-West) at Camp Pendleton have been without a Catholic chaplain for some time. To help fill the gap, the team at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in San Clemente—including Priest-in-Residence Fr. Ed Becker, Pastor Fr. Antonio López-Flores and other staff members and parishioners—has stepped up to provide sacramental and pastoral support to these Marines. “The parish has always had a fair number of Marines coming to Sunday Mass and participating in other parts of the parish, such as joining the Knights of Columbus, going to Stations of the Cross during Lent, and even coming to us for the Sacraments of Initiation, that is Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion,” said Fr. Ed. “However, about a year ago, Fr. Antonio and I sat down and discussed opening a dialogue with the Marines and how we could serve them better. Furthermore, it was parishioners asking, ‘Isn’t there something that we can do other than having them come to Mass?’” Fr. Ed continued, “We talked about Bible studies or Alpha sessions that we can have here at the parish, or we even go on base to do it. But the real need, especially at North Camp Pendleton (where SOI-West is located) is offering Mass for Marines who are going through training at SOI-West.” With that, the Our Lady of Fatima Ministry to the Marines was born.
FR. ANTONIO LÓPEZ-FLORES, PASTOR OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH IN SAN CLEMENTE, CELEBRATES MASS AT CAMP PENDLETON. PHOTO COURTESY OF FR. ED BECKER
However, many of the Marines at SOIWest have limited time available because of their liberty (free time) and training schedules. Some of the services offered include regular Sunday Mass at 9 a.m., and dates and times for Marines that want to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fr. Ed explained that many of the Marines are here for varied periods of time, depending on their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), it could range from 29 days to 14 weeks. “Because of this scheduling, many Marines had been wanting to receive the
Sacraments of Initiation but were often told that they had to wait because RCIA (now OCIA) only met on Wednesday or Thursday nights or whatever. But Our Lady of Fatima doesn’t work that way.” In one instance, Fr. Ed explained that there was a Marine who was set to deploy in the fall. He conferred with Zach Conley, the parish catechist for the Sacraments of Initiation. Now that process is moving forward with this Marine and another Marine who are soon to be baptized. Between them, they were able to work out a schedule that takes the unusual schedule of the Marines
into account when attempting to serve the sacramental needs of these and other Marines. Conley himself is a former Marine, having served 2021 to 2025 as a Marine mortarman, an infantryman responsible for providing accurate and responsive indirect fire support to other Marines on the battlefield. “Especially with the shortage of Catholic chaplains in the military, it is essential that parishes within proximity to military bases step up and meet the needs of these service members,” said Fr. Ed. CONTINUES ON PAGE 6
J U L Y 19, 2 0 2 6 ■ O C C A T H O L I C
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FEATURE
he Office of Vocations The Office of Vocations presents presents The Office of Vocations presents The Office of Vocations presents
FR. ED BECKER OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA PARISH IN SAN CLEMENTE CELEBRATES MASS AT CAMP PENDLETON. PHOTO COURTESY OF FR. ED BECKER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
Celebrate the performing and artistic gifts Celebrate the performing and artistic gifts of ourof our Priests, Seminarians and Religious in a musical stage Celebrateand the performing gifts of our Priests, Seminarians Religious and in aartistic musical stage Priests, Seminarians and Religious in a musical stage performance and art exhibit. performance and art exhibit. performance andand art exhibit. Celebrate the performing artistic gifts of our Priests, Seminarians and Religious in a musical stage performance and art exhibit.
aturday, July 6pm – 9pm rday, July 25,25, 2026 • 6pm – –9pm Saturday, July 25, 2026 2026 ••6pm 9pm Saturday, July 25, 2026 • 6pm – 9pm Christ Cathedral, Arboretum Christ Cathedral, Arboretum
Christ Cathedral, Arboretum 6:00 PM – ArtExhibit Exhibit 6:00 –Exhibit Art & Refreshments Refreshments 6:00 PM – PM Art & Refreshments Christ Cathedral, Arboretum 7:30 PM––Talent Talent Showcase 7:30 Showcase 7:306:00 PM –PM Talent Showcase PM – Art Exhibit & Refreshments 7:30 PM – Talent Showcase Get your tickets! Get your tickets!
Get your tickets! Tickets: $20-$30
Get $20-$30 your tickets! Tickets: rcbo.org/talent-showcase Tickets: $20-$30 rcbo.org/talent-showcase Tickets: $20-$30 rcbo.org/talent-showcase All proceeds from the event will help support the development of the new Diocesan rcbo.org/talent-showcase
House of Discernment, a future home dedicated to prayer, formation, fellowship
oceeds from the event will help support the development of the new Diocesan and vocational discernment for young men discerning God’s call. Your presence m the event willwill help support the development of thealso new Diocesan e of Discernment, a future home to prayer, formation, and not onlyevent encourage our performers, but help a place Allsupport proceeds from the willdedicated help support the development ofbuild the fellowship new Diocesan ment, a future home dedicated to prayer, formation, fellowship where future vocations can be nurtured and formed generations to come. ocational discernment for men discerning God’s call. Your presence House of Discernment, a young future home dedicated tofor prayer, formation, fellowship iscernment foronly young men discerning God’s call. presence and vocational discernment for young men discerning God’s call. Yourapresence upport will not encourage our performers, butYour also help build place andvocations support will not only encourage ourformed performers, but also help build a place only encourage our performers, but also help build a place enot future can be nurtured and for generations to come. where vocations canformed be nurtured and formed forto generations ations canfuture be nurtured and for generations come. to come.
“This is now part of our parish rhythm. I’m very happy about and very proud of this.” Frances Cahanding is currently the sacristan at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and assists with the ministry at SOI-West. She comes from a large military family. Her father served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 30 years, her husband is a retired Marine gunnery sergeant, her brother was a command sergeant major and her two sons have served in the Army and Army Reserve. Finally, her grandson is a recently commissioned second lieutenant in the Army after graduating from West Point. “I help train these young Marines to be altar servers and lectors,” Cahanding said. “Most of them are 18 to 21 years old. They are very faith-filled and are serious about their faith. They have said they feel blessed and grateful that we have come to bring Mass and the sacraments to them.” SOI-West trains approximately 10,000 Marines every year. Camp Pendleton itself
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is approximately 20 miles from north to south and the massive base encompasses about 125,000 acres (or about 195 square miles). “We hope to continue our current ministry to the Marines with the possibility of expanding our role in the future,” shared Fr. Ed. Marine Corps Total Fitness (MCTF) is a holistic approach and focuses on four pillars that contribute to overall readiness: Physical (strength/mobility), Mental (resilience/stress management), Spiritual (core values/purpose) and Social (unit cohesion/healthy relationships). Bishop Kevin Vann recognizes the importance of the role this ministry plays in fostering and sustaining mental and spiritual readiness. The ministry to the Marines is a team effort with Bishop Vann and the Bishop's Office. “I commend Fr. Ed and Fr. Antonio for the work being done with military families,” shared Bishop Vann. “I have, on occasion, celebrated Mass with them and have gotten to know the Marines and their families too.” C
DIOCESAN NEWS
CHURCH AND ALTAR DEDICATION MARKS FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE POONG JESUS NAZARENO FILIPINO CATHOLIC CENTER BY NANCY CESAR, DOSJFM
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ISHOP KEVIN VANN will officiate at the solemn dedication of the church and altar of the Poong Jesus Nazareno at the Filipino Catholic Center on Tuesday, July 21, at 5 p.m. The dedication of churches and altars is one of the earliest liturgical traditions of the Catholic Church and is an integral event for a newly built or acquired building and altar to be consecrated as a place of worship. The first and only Filipino Catholic Center of its kind in the United States, the PJNFCC, was inaugurated by Bishop Vann exactly a year ago on July 21. The property was purchased by the Alagad ni Maria (Philippine Disciples of Mary) with assistance from the Diocese of Orange San Jose Filipino Ministry (DOSJFM). Partnering with the Alagad ni Maria will enable the DOSJFM to achieve its goal of providing cultural experiences for the younger Filipino generations as well
as to enrich their Catholic heritage. The DOSJFM was established at the initiative of the Alagad ni Maria and is recognized as part of the Ethnic Ministries of the Diocese of Orange in a decree issued by the Bishop of Orange in June 2021. The Alagad ni Maria priests obtained a replica of the Poong Jesus Nazareno (the Black Nazarene) from Quiapo, Manila, which was eventually housed in the Alagad ni Maria chapel on Magnolia Street in Anaheim when it arrived in March 2024. The image has visited various parishes in Southern California for some time, but the idea of finding a suitable permanent home for the Poong soon became a priority. The Poong’s home was also envisioned to become the Filipino Catholic Center for the cultural programs and activities of the DOSJFM. And so, the search for a suitable property site began. The search ended in February 2025, and escrow closed on the property in Anaheim three months later, in May 2025.
Finding the erstwhile Vietnamese Christian Church on 3700 W. Orange Ave., Anaheim was literally a godsend, and being able to raise almost 50% of its asking price was another blessing. On June 1, 2025, Fr. Peter Lavin, on behalf of the Alagad ni Maria priest community in the Diocese of Orange, received the keys as new owners of the property. The lifesize replicas of the Poong Jesus Nazareno and Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (popularly known as Our Lady of Antipolo) now permanently reside in the church at the property. Some necessary repairs and improvements were made to convert the church into a Catholic worship place. The church has a seating capacity of 200. The existing church pews have recently been refurbished with new upholstery and new
kneelers added. Masses are regularly held every day, except on Mondays when the center is closed. Masses in English are held on Tuesday through Friday at 6 p.m., and in Tagalog on Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The center’s facilities also include a fellowship hall with a 200-person capacity as well as three classrooms. These are utilized for folk dance and rondalla rehearsals, retreats, seminars, language classes, fellowships, social and cultural events and other religious gatherings. The Alagad ni Maria priests serving the Diocese of Orange also call the place home. Please join us in this milestone event. As many devotees are expected to attend the dedication ceremonies, parking may be an issue; therefore, carpooling is highly encouraged. C
Be a companion to others on their spiritual journey. The Art of Spiritual Direction (ASD) program trains individuals for the fulfilling ministry of spiritual direction. Discover more about this certificated program offered 10 Saturdays per year at St. Joseph Center in Orange.
PHOTO BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE J U L Y 19, 2 0 2 6 ■ O C C A T H O L I C
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Visit TheCSD.org/ASD
DIOCESAN NEWS
DIOCESAN PRIESTS AND DEACONS ATTENDED THE ANNUAL CLERGY MASS AND DINNER ON JUNE 19, WHICH WAS HOSTED BY THE ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. PHOTO BY RON KUZLIK
KNIGHTS HONOR CLERGY AT ANNUAL EVENT BY RON KUZLIK
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HE ORANGE COUNTY Chapter of the Knights of Columbus hosted its annual Clergy Appreciation Dinner June 19 on the campus of Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. Bishop Kevin Vann celebrated Mass before the dinner, which was attended by a few dozen diocesan priests and deacons. Current Chapter President Louis Gardner reported that the annual event has been going on for almost 40 years. “The difference is, in the past, the dinners were being held at various local parishes," Gardner said. “About three years ago, Bishop Vann and Steve Pellegrini, the diocese’s chief financial and administrative officer, asked, ‘Have the
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Knights considered turning this dinner into a gala of sorts and holding it at Christ Cathedral?’” As a result, the event has been held on the campus of Christ Cathedral for the past three years. In addition to the clergy, nearly 200 Knights, spouses and friends attended to celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices that these clergy make in their service to the faithful. “It’s a time for Knights to come together with Bishop Vann and other clergy to enjoy a beautiful evening and have a really good time," past chapter president Jeff Rice said. “It’s really awesome to see all the clergy and laity celebrating and coming together,” said Brother Knight Laith Cotta from Stella Maris Council 3772 in
San Clemente. “The food is great and the atmosphere is outstanding. It’s something I look forward to each year.” The guest speaker for the evening was former NFL quarterback Vince Ferragamo. He is perhaps best known for leading the Los Angeles Rams against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIV at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena in 1980. “I was raised in the Catholic faith and from an early age I learned the values of prayer, humility, service and trust in God,” shared Ferragamo. “Those lessons stayed with me long after the stadium lights, dimmed and the cheers faded.” Bishop Vann has been attending the dinner ever since being installed as the Bishop of Orange in 2012. The Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by Blessed Michael McGivney,
a young parish priest in New Haven, Connecticut. Based on the founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity, the Knights of Columbus originally began as a small fraternal benefit society and has since grown into one of the world’s leading international charitable organizations. They remain committed to strengthening Catholic families and parishes and to practicing faith in action through service to all in need. The Orange County Chapter of the Knights of Columbus is a union of more than 6,600 Knights representing 55 different Orange County councils including two college councils. For more information about the Orange County Chapter of the Knights of Columbus, visit ockc.net C
SUMMER BREAK FOR ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC
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ATION OF GOLD: A CELEBR GOING FOR THE T CATHEDRAL ACADEMY RIS CH AT S CULTURE E5 PAG
CHRIST CATHEDRAL ACADEMY
! Super Bowl in Santa Clara made it to the Levi’s Stadium OC Catholic on Feb. 8 at um. Bowl LX held d at SoFi Stadi wks for Super when it’s playe Seattle Seaha rnia next year off against the n trip to Califo nd Patriots faced Ranch. make a retur ch in Ladera The New Engla st game will Chur lic bigge Catho NFL’s ty The ney, Holy Trini — Bill Maho
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s interesting place ches and other h. ng Catholic chur their home paris or friends visiti in the photo and of you, family n(s) featured olic Afar” — of “OC Cath name of the perso your pictures the photo, the OLIC photos! Send description of O C C AT H your brief ■ a 6 de 2 want 0 2 We , Please inclu MARCH 8 catholic.com. — to editor@oc
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GOLD: AN OLYMPIC CELEBRATIO
ON FEB. 6. PHOTO BY
ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE
OF ORANGE
LET TRADITION RING
ONLY A SELECT FEW SINCE THE LATE 1880 RINGERS AT MISS S HAVE SERVED AS ION SAN JUAN CAP OFFICIAL BELL ISTRANO ON SPEC OCCASIONS. MEE IAL CELEBRATORY T THE LATEST TWO NATHAN BANDA, THE TRIBAL . PAGE 5 DURING THE ANNUAL ST. CHIEF FOR THE JUANEÑO BAND OF MISSION JOSEPH’S DAY AND INDIANS, ACJACHEMEN RETURN OF THE SWALLOWS
NATION, AND AN OFFICIAL CELEBRATION ON MARCH 19, 2026. PHOTO BY JEFFBELL RINGER AT MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO ANTENORE/DIOCESE OF , STANDS IN FRONT OF ORANGE
THE BELLS
15 Claire Wilso n traveled to Antarctica with “polar desert, a copy of OC ” it is the highe Catholic in tow. st, driest, colde Known as a st and windiest —Claire is a continent on parishioner at St. Nicholas Earth. Catholic Chur ch in Laguna Woods.
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Photos must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 7 (Labor Day) to be entered to win. Only high-resolution photos will be considered for publication in the print edition of OC Catholic. Photos become the property of the Diocese of Orange and may be used for publication in OC Catholic or by the Diocese for print or online publication or social media purposes. Three gift card winners will be randomly selected by OCC staff. Only photos depicting locations outside of Orange County are eligible to win.
The print edition will return weekly starting September 20. In the meantime, go to occatholic.com for important news and updates from the Diocese of Orange and stories of faith and community. The Sunday OC Catholic newspaper is a FREE addition available to all Sunday Orange County Register print subscribers and is also available at parishes across Orange County, thanks to the Diocese of Orange and valued OC Catholic advertisers.
DIOCESAN NEWS
AROUND OUR DIOCESE BY STAFF
LOCAL PARISHIONER AWARDED CATHOLIC SCOUTING SCHOLARSHIP
A member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Irvine and Mater Dei High School has won a $2,000 scholarship from Catholic Scouting America. The Bill and Kay Davies Scholarship was given to Joseph Woore of Tustin, who is a member of Troop 33 in the Orange County Council. Woore truly embodies the idea of servant leadership. When asked why volunteering is important to him, he responded: “In the Gospel of Luke, we are reminded that ‘to whom much is given, much will be required.’ I have been given faith, an amazing family, an education and the foundation of Scouting. Volunteering is how I respond to what I have received.” At St. Thomas More, Woore has volunteered as an altar server, usher and Vacation Bible School teacher, contributing more than 350 hours of service.
LT. JARED STREETER PRESENTS THE RECOGNITION AWARD TO DEACON CARL SWANSON ON JULY 4. PHOTO COURTESY OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA PARISH
Woore earned two Catholic religious emblems offered by Catholic Scouting America, completing Parvuli Dei and Ad Altare Dei. At Mater Dei, Woore served as an officer for the Associated Student Body, the choral and vocal music program, television club, Model United Nations and campus ministry. He also served as vice president of the Entrepreneurship Club and competed on the varsity track and field team for two years. For his Eagle Scout project, Woore led a team of volunteers in constructing a memorial garden honoring Josef D’Heygers, a longtime custodian at Mater Dei who served the school from 1956 until his passing in 2010. The team cleared a neglected site, built a reinforced concrete platform, installed a stone bench and plaque, planted flowers and grass, and rebuilt the irrigation system.
OC SHERIFFS THANK OUR LADY OF FATIMA PARISH
JOSEPH WOORE OF TUSTIN IS A MEMBER OF TROOP 33 IN THE ORANGE COUNTY COUNCIL. PHOTO COURTESY OF CATHOLIC SCOUTING AMERICA
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The Orange County Sheriff's Department recently presented Our Lady of Fatima Parish with a glass trophy in recognition of the parish's longstanding
O C C A T H O L I C ■ J U L Y 19, 2 0 2 6
support of local law enforcement. The parish sponsors a police substation on its campus, providing Orange County Sheriff's deputies and California Highway Patrol officers with a place to rest, refresh and complete reports. Through donations from school families, Our Lady of Fatima Academy also provides refreshments and snacks for law enforcement personnel. In addition, the sheriff's department utilizes the parish campus for command post operations and emergency response efforts while also providing security for the school.
the San Fernando Pastoral Region of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Hicks, the pastor of St. Basil’s Church in Los Angeles, Rev. Steven G. Sallot, the retired pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in Newport Beach, and Rev. Vaughn P. Winters, the pastor of St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church in Santa Clarita. The seminary’s Evangelii Gaudium (“Joy of the Gospel”) Award will be presented to Margaret G. Graf, General Counsel for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The Master of Ceremonies for the event will be the Most Reverend Matthew Elshoff, OFM, Cap., the Auxiliary Bishop of the Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. It is hoped that the gala will help to better connect the Archdiocesan Catholic community with the men who are studying to be future priests while raising funds to support the seminary. The gala will be held on the Cathedral Plaza with a Sunday Vigil Mass at 5 p.m., and a reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner. For more information on sponsorships and tickets or to receive an invitation, please email gala@stjohnsem.edu; call (805) 482-2755, ext. 1016; or visit the website at stjohnsem.edu/gala C
FR. STEVE SALLOT AMONG ST. JOHN’S SEMINARY HONOREES
St. John’s Seminary has announced the individuals to be honored at this year’s Annual Gala. Set for Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the gala recognizes the seminary’s distinguished alumni and dedicated Catholic leaders. The seminary will present Distinguished Alumni Awards to the Most Rev. Albert Bahhuth, an Auxiliary Bishop of
FR. STEVE SALLOT, RETIRED PASTOR OF OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS IN NEWPORT BEACH, IS BEING HONORED BY ST. JOHN’S SEMINARY WITH ITS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD. PHOTO BY THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
DIOCESAN NEWS
ROSARY RESCUE T
BY THE MISSIONARY DISCIPLE APOSTOLATES GROUP OF ST. ANNE CATHOLIC CHURCH, SEAL BEACH
HE MISSIONARY DISCIPLE Apostalates group of St. Anne Catholic Church, Seal Beach held a successful Rosary Rescue drive in May, inviting parishioners
to donate extra rosaries for Catholics in Uganda and Mexico, where there is a heightened need. Volunteers sorted, cleaned, packaged and distributed more than 600 rosaries collected during the drive. The Missionary Disciple Apostolates group hopes the initiative will deepen
devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary among parishioners and recipients alike, while strengthening their faith in Jesus Christ through the daily praying of the Rosary. They also hope the Rosary Rescue drive will inspire other parishes to launch similar outreach efforts. C
PHOTO BY THE MISSIONARY DISCIPLE APOSTOLATES GROUP OF ST. ANNE CATHOLIC CHURCH, SEAL BEACH J U L Y 19, 2 0 2 6 ■ O C C A T H O L I C
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DIOCESAN NEWS
MARIAN DAYS 2026 BY STAFF
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HOUSANDS FLOCKED TO Garden Grove for the fifth annual Marian Days, held July 9 to 11, 2026, on the Christ Cathedral campus. With the theme of “Always Forward With Mary: Siempre Adelante,” the much-anticipated event coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Diocese
of Orange. Marian Days is an opportunity to grow in our love for the Blessed Virgin Mary and deepen our faith in Jesus Christ, her Son. The three-day-long celebration features workshops, guest speakers, processions, food, entertainment, as well as youth and young adult events. Next year's Marian Days, themed "Mary, Model of Our Call to Holiness," will be held July 8 to 10, 2027. C
PHOTOS BY THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
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O C C A T H O L I C ■ J U L Y 19, 2 0 2 6
CONTINUES ON PAGE 13
DIOCESAN NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
J U L Y 19, 2 0 2 6 ■ O C C A T H O L I C
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CATHOLIC FAMILY LIFE
CONVERSION: RETURN TO ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART BY SR. DIANE HEISS, SDSH
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CCORDING TO THE dictionary, conversion is the “act, process or instance of changing from one form, state or purpose to another.” Thus, a tourist driving in a foreign country needs to know if the posted speed limit is miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h), while baking contest contestants need to be able to change ingredients from the Imperial system used in the United States to the Metric system used in many other countries. While these meanings of the word “conversion” are important, there is another deeper meaning to this word that is essential for our eternal life. In this context, conversion means to turn away from a sinful way of life and turn to God, trusting in His infinite love and mercy. In the Bible, the idea of conversion is expressed as repentance or returning to God. God continually sends prophets to His Chosen People to try to draw them back to Himself, such as when God spoke through Ezekiel and said “… As I live … I swear I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.” Jesus came precisely because God loves each of us personally and desires our eternal salvation, thus we find Jesus proclaiming, “Repent and believe the Good News.” Many saints in the past two thousand years have taken His words to heart and have done so. St. Mary Magdalen, whose feast day we celebrate on July 22, knew Jesus personally and wholeheartedly responded to His love and mercy after he expelled seven demons out of
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THIS IS "CHRIST'S APPEARANCE TO MARY MAGDALENE AFTER THE RESURRECTION" BY THE RUSSIAN PAINTER ALEXANDER ANDREYEVICH IVANOV. OSV NEWS PHOTO/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
her (Mk. 16 & Lk. 8). Her conversion led her to accompany Jesus and His apostles along with other women who helped support them from their own means. All four of the Gospels speak of her presence at the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (Mt. 27 & 28; Mk. 15; Lk. 8; Jn. 19), and she is considered the “Apostle to the Apostles” for being the first to tell them of Jesus’ resurrection. St. Paul, formerly Saul, was a Jewish Pharisee who was on his way to Damascus to arrest and imprison Christians. He fell to the ground as he heard a voice say to him “‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied (Acts 9: 4-8).” After three days spent in prayer, Saul/Paul was baptized and became a faithful follower of Jesus, fearlessly pro-
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claiming Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We celebrate his feast day on Jan. 25. C
CLASSIFIED ADS
For Your Family:
■ Attend Mass on the feast days of
St. Mary Magdalene and St. Paul. ■ Read the Resurrection accounts in the four Gospels to find Mary’s role, then say a prayer thanking her for telling this Good News to the Apostles. ■ In your search bar, find and do a craft for St. Mary Magdalene's feast day. ■ Ask for St. Paul’s help to notice ways in which you are harming others rather than helping them. ■ Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to know in what ways you need conversion.
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OC Catholic Afar
We traveled to St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, Ventura County, for its annual Open House and met up with Seminarian Ivan Lopez, former resident seminarian at San Francisco Solano. We toured the chapel, library, classrooms, living quarters, recreation room, canteen and grounds. We also learned what a typical day is like for a seminarian, including hours for prayer and meditation and classroom instruction. —Bob and Angie Dimayuga, San Francisco Solano Parish, Rancho Santa Margarita.
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. J U L Y 19, 2 0 2 6 ■ O C C A T H O L I C
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