OC CATHOLIC - JULY 5, 2026

Holy Sacraments

If you would like to share a photo of your Holy Sacraments with our readers, please send a photo and brief description. Baptisms, First Communions, Weddingswe want to see your special day! Include your name and parish to: editor@occatholic.com

Please note that OC Catholic will not be printing a paper edition on the following Sundays: Aug. 23, Aug. 30, Sept. 6, Sept. 13

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.

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HISTORY ON DISPLAY

A new showcase exhibit documenting the history in the Diocese of Orange is on display at Santiago de Compostela Catholic Church.

“SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS!”

Rosary Academy and Servite High School brought a beloved classic to to life on the stage.

ST. HEDWIG SCHOOL HONORS ITS ATHLETES

The teams from the 2025-26 school year are among the most successful at the Los Alamitos school.

“FAITHFUL CITIZENS”

Fifty years of the Diocese of Orange coincides with our nation’s 250th anniversary.

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

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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.

SACRAMENTS

READER CALL-OUT

Brianna celebrates her First Holy Communion at St. Norbert Catholic Church in Orange on May 9, 2026.

—Tracy Heim

OC Catholic is looking for photos of our readers receiving their Holy Sacraments. Baptisms, First Communions, Weddings — we want to see your special day!

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

MONDAY

HOSEA 2:16, 17C-18, 21-22; PSALM 145:23, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; MATTHEW 9:18-26

“ If Jesus calls us to be friends, let us not leave this call unheeded ” — Pope Leo XIV

SAINT PROFILE

SAINT PIER GIORGIO FRASSATI 1901-1925

THE SON OF AN ITALIAN statesman and newspaper founder, Pier Giorgio was active in the Italian Catholic University Federation and anti-fascist movement. His ardent socialist politics led to his arrest during the 1921 Congress of Catholic Youth in Rome. Deeply spiritual also, he joined the Confraternity of the Rosary and St. Vincent de Paul Society and became a Dominican tertiary in 1922. After his sudden death from polio, he became an inspiration to university students. He was beatified on 20 May, 1990, and he was canonized on 7 September, 2025.C

TUESDAY

HOSEA 8:4-7, 1113; PSALM 115:34, 5-6, 7AB-8, 9-10; MATTHEW 9:32-38

WEDNESDAY

HOSEA 10:1-3, 7-8, 12; PSALM 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; MATTHEW 10:1-7

THURSDAY

HOSEA 11:1-4, 8E-9; PSALM 80:2AC, 3B, 15-16; MATTHEW 10:7-15

FRIDAY

HOSEA 14:2-10; PSALM 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-13, 14, 17; MATTHEW 10:16-23

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

SATURDAY

ISAIAH 6:1-8; PSALM 93:1AB, 1CD-2, 5; MATTHEW 10:2433

SUNDAY

ISAIAH 55:10-11; PSALM 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14; ROMANS 8:18-23; MATTHEW 13:1-23

ONCE AGAIN, A SLAM DUNK

BY LOU PONSI

THE RECENT NBA DRAFT surely missed out on some golden prospects coming out of the Diocese of Orange.

As spectators can attest to, this year’s diocesan priests vs. seminarians basketball game did not disappoint.

The gymnasium at Mater Dei High School’s Meruelo Athletic Center was filled to near capacity, as is the case every year, for the annual event.

And once again, the crowd was charged up and erupted loudly for virtually every basket, high-jumping rebound, bullet pass and steal.

Held June 12, 2026, on the Gary McKnight Court, named for the Monarchs’ legendary basketball coach, the contest pitted priests and seminarians from North Orange County parishes within the Diocese of Orange against priests and seminarians from South County parishes.

The South all-stars broke open a close game in the final minutes, going on to a 65-57 victory over the North all-stars.

“The people of the Diocese of Orange really love their priests and seminarians,” said Fr. Cheeyoon Chun, director of priestly vocations for the Diocese of Orange. “We’re so grateful we can put on a show like this.”

Along with giving the public a chance to see their priests and seminarians without their vestments and outside of traditional settings, the game serves as a fundraiser for diocesan vocations.

The MVP of the South squad was Frater Athanasius Inman, who was playing in the game for the second year in a row and scored a team-high 23 points.

“It is really beautiful, everyone coming out to support us,” said Frater Inman, who will be ordained a deacon on June 27 and assigned to St. Michael's Abbey, in

Silverado. “It was a ton of fun. We are all one big Church.”

The MVP for the North team was seminarian Travis Ang, who scored a gamehigh 27 points with seven 3-pointers.

“I was just sending the Holy Spirit with every shot,” said Seminarian Ang, who is assigned to St. Boniface Catholic Church in Anaheim. “This is something I look forward to every year. The people are so, so supportive of the seminarians and priests and we always want to put on a good show for everyone.”

Fr. Brandon Dang, who is the pastor at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in

Aliso Viejo after serving as director of vocations for the diocese, helped start the game.

While studying for the priesthood at St. Patrick’s Seminary & University in Menlo Park, Fr. Brandon and another seminarian found out about the annual “Revs vs. Sems” basketball game held in the Diocese of San Jose that drew large crowds.

Initial attempts by another seminarian to organize the game in the Diocese of Orange were unsuccessful. Eventually, Fr. Brandon and other organizers were given the go-ahead.

The inaugural game was played at the Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School gymnasium in Tustin with Bishop Kevin Vann getting the contest started by tossing the ball in the air for the tipoff.

The game was held annually from 2015 to 2018 but didn’t take place in 2019 due to administrative changes in the diocese.

Then, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the game to be canceled in 2020 and 2021 before returning in 2022.

The game has now been held for five consecutive years.

THE SOUTH COUNTY TEAM DEFEATED THE NORTH COUNTY TEAM IN THE JUNE 12, 2026, BASKETBALL GAME. PHOTOS BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

A JOURNEY TOWARD PRIESTHOOD

Before the contest even tipped off, another all-star performed on the court. Servite High School graduate Jakob Flores sang the national anthem.

interview before entering the Bishop White Seminary in Spokane, Washington.

As the oldest of 12 children from faith-centered family, Flores began singing in church at age 13.

He sang at school Masses at Servite and in the church choir at his parish.

Flores said he has felt drawn to the priesthood for most of his life, but the call intensified during his junior year at Servite as he taught confirmation classes

and became more active at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

“I saw more of my love for service,” he said. “That's something that I enjoyed, and I think I just wanted to go deeper into giving myself to God. And I kind of saw that in the priesthood, I can do that more fully.”

Singing the national anthem along with Flores was Angelina Soria, daughter of Elizabeth Sandoval-Soria, vocations coordinator for the diocese. C

Having graduated on May 29, Flores is already on the verge of entering the seminary to begin his journey toward priesthood.

Flores has been provisionally accepted as a seminarian for the Diocese of Orange and is preparing for his final

HISTORY ON DISPLAY

BY LOU PONSI

FOR THE FIRST TIME in its 50-year history, the Diocese of Orange is showcasing a treasure trove of historical documents, relics, holy books and artifacts — many documenting the history of the diocese and other items pertaining to Orange County as a whole.

“Faith, History & Heritage: An Archives Exhibition” will be on display for free to the public at Santiago de Compostela Catholic Church in Lake Forest through July 8.

The exhibition was previously presented at Holy Family Catholic Church in Orange and on the Christ Cathedral campus.

“The goal was to make the archives public-facing for the first time, rather than producing another commemorative book,” said Fr. Christopher Heath, director of diocesan archives, who has overseen the task of gathering and organizing items for the exhibition. “Selection focused on items that would be interesting and recognizable, especially to longtime Catholics.”

The Code of Canon Law mandates that every diocese must establish a diocesan archive.

Among the artifacts are the diocese’s founding documents, which are hand-written from the Holy See — the central governing authority of the worldwide Catholic Church, embodied in the pope as the Bishop of Rome.

Old guestbooks from Mission San Juan Capistrano and documents connected to the installation of Bishop William Johnson as the first Bishop of Orange in 1976 are also part of the exhibit.

Notable signatures on display include the signature of President Abraham Lincoln, penned by the president just three weeks prior to his assassination. The signed document returned Mission San Juan Capistrano to the Catholic Church, ending its private ownership.

Signatures of silent film actress Mary Pickford, St. Junípero Serra and President Richard Nixon are also on display.

Items connected to Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, a pioneering Catholic bishop considered one of most influential religious figures of the 20th century were recently discovered and included in the exhibition, Fr. Heath said.

Their discovery coincided with news of Archbishop Sheen’s upcoming beatification in September, Fr. Heath said.

Relics of St. Junípero Serra, St. John Neumann and St. Pius X were showcased along with a graduate school class photo of Bishop Kevin Vann with future Pope Leo XIV.

Oddities included a Mother Teresa comic book and a moon rock given to a priest by the Apollo 15 astronauts and “Bill the Bear,” a talking bear who belonged to the first Bishop of Orange.

The archives featured several items related to organist Frederick Swann, who presided over the iconic Hazel Wright Organ at the Crystal Cathedral, beginning in 1982 during Robert Schuller’s “Hour of Power” and then Christ Cathedral after the diocese purchased the property in 2012.

The Most Rev. Timothy E. Freyer, auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Orange, was impressed by many items in the collection especially the biographies of each of the diocesan bishops.

“That was great because I remember Bishop Johnson a little bit,” Bishop Freyer said. “But remembering each of the bishops and learning a little bit, relearning a little bit about their histories was wonderful.”

Items related to Orange County history featured vintage citrus crate labels, a piece of a railroad that once ran through Huntington Beach, old O.C. Fair buttons and old Orange County postcards.

Fr. Heath and Daniela Mosqueda, assistant archivist for the diocese, and their

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본당내의

“SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS!”

BY BRITNEY ZINT

LEADING UP TO THE close of another school year, high school students brought a beloved Disney movie to life with fantastical dances, clap-along songs, professional-level singing and, of course, a spoonful of sugar.

Rosary Academy and Servite High School’s award-winning Trinitas Arts Conservatory presented its final show of the year, “Mary Poppins,” with its closing night on May 9 in the Servite High School theater in Anaheim. Trinitas’ performance garnered 11 John Raitt Awards for Youth (JRAY) high school musical theater award nominations, including Best Musical and Best Leading Actor in a female role for Rosary senior Samantha DiCrisi, 18, who plays Mary Poppins.

“I hope the audience feels inspired to imagine and to enjoy life to its fullest,” said DiCrisi. “I hope that people feel

drawn to loving the people in their life, and to knowing that anything can happen if you let it.”

The Broadway musical follows the troubled Banks family as governess Mary Poppins joins parents George Banks (Michael Ghebrial) and Winifred Banks (Molly Betance) and takes siblings Jane (MaryJane Simmons) and Michael (Bella Ambata) on magical adventures with Bert (played by Joseph Doornek and Robbie Muñoz on different nights) that teach the family to cherish each other.

Trinitas Executive Director Michael Betts said he loves watching the students’ growth “from the exact moment that Sami DiCrisi found her version Mary Poppins, to the night that Ryan Pelonis as Robertson Ay defeated his nerves and got a huge round of applause in the lead-up to ‘A Spoonful of Sugar,’ to our stalwart ensemble members like Apia Sims and Abby Rauterkus who give full-fledged performances every

moment they’re on stage. As a director I know exactly what I’m getting, and we get to shape and play a lot in rehearsals because of this.”

For Servite senior Ghebrial, 17, playing the role of George Banks has been one of the biggest theater challenges due to his character’s arc.

“I start from being a very angry character, full of hatred and who isn’t able to see the others for who they are,” Ghebrial said. “Throughout the show, my character learns to love his family … the way this show is written, there’s so many allegories and pieces of symbolism that are so meaningful to the story.”

Servite senior Connor Pelonis, 18, who served as production stage manager, said the show presented its own challenges behind the scenes. Pelonis made sure everything ran smoothly backstage, from the sound and lighting cues to handling any problems that arose.

“Mary Poppins” featured a larger production with larger moving set pieces than is typical, he noted.

A former actor, Pelonis said he found his calling helping others shine onstage. Although this was his final Trinitas production, he isn’t done with theater.

“I really want to make sure that theater stays a part of my life, because I really love theater,” he said. “It’s what drives me. In high school, it’s what kept me going and all these people that I’ve met. It’s very important to me.”

DiCrisi isn’t done with theater, either. She’s been accepted in Syracuse University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts Musical theater program this fall.

“As long as I’m part of the theater community in some way for the rest of my life,” she said, “I’m happy.” C

OC CATHOLIC TAKES TOP PRIZE

BY STAFF

ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC

took home a top prize at this year’s Catholic Media Awards. The paper won first place for Best Diocesan Weekly.

Judges had this to say about the paper:

“This is a really great newspaper. There is a wide variety of diocesan-relevant stories to gain the attention of an array of readers. This newspaper adds to the knowledge of what is going on in the Catholic world. The writing was very enjoyable and informative. Great visuals — colorful, lively, emotional — to grab the reader’s attention. Most articles would probably be of interest beyond the Catholic community and, therefore could serve as an evangelistic device. Kudos to everyone involved in producing the Orange County Catholic!”

The recognitions from the Catholic Media Association were presented during the association’s annual conference, held June 16 to 19 in Atlantic City, N.J.

The diocesan Office of Communications received 17 Catholic Media Awards, including eight first-place wins, for work completed in 2025.

The awards were for various communications and marketing efforts, such social media, video, newspapers and podcasts. A complete list of awards was published in the June issue of The Catholic Journalist.

The communications team was recognized for the following:

FIRST PLACE

■ Best Social Media Account – Diocese or Archdiocese

■ Best Newspaper – Diocesan Weekly

— Orange County Catholic

■ Best Podcast — “OC Catholic Radio”

■ Best Video – Ordination — “Ordination of Fr. Oliver”

■ Best Use of Video on Social Media –

Liturgical Season — “Second Week of Advent Reflection w/ Fr. Ian Gaston”

■ Best Video – Catechesis — “Most Catholics

Get This Wrong About the Eucharist”

■ Best Diocesan Video Fundraising Appeal

— "Bringing Hope to Those Who Need It Most"

■ Best Diocesan/Parish Directory — 202526 Diocese of Orange Directory

SECOND PLACE

■ Social Media Professional of the Year — Paige Brooks

■ Best Feature Writing – Diocesan Weekly

— “Kilt Society Provides Safety, Camaraderie at St. Hedwig Catholic School” Orange County Catholic

■ Best Print Special Supplement — Orange County Catholic, “Diocese Salutes Its Grads”

THIRD PLACE

■ Best Print Special Supplement: OneTime Special Issue — Orange County Catholic issue, “Who Is the Man of the Shroud?”

■ Best Initiative or Campaign — “The Shroud of Turin: An Immersive Experience Opens at Christ Cathedral”

HONORABLE MENTION

■ Best Video – Religious Life — “Two Brothers, One Calling: The Making of a Priest”

■ Best Video – Religious Life — “Becoming a Gift: Life in the Seminary”

■ Best Use of Photos in Social Media — “Korean Youth Day at Christ Cathedral 2025”

■ Podcaster of the Year — Rick Howick C

ST. HEDWIG CATHOLIC SCHOOL HONORS ITS ATHLETES

BY LOU PONSI

ATHLETIC TEAMS AT ST.

Hedwig Catholic School in Los Alamitos have earned enough hardware over the years to fill a large trophy case.

So many, in fact, that the school ran out of space to store them a few years ago and gave some to St. Hedwig alumni.

The athletes and teams that competed in the 2025-26 school year have been among the most successful at St. Hedwig, if not the most successful in the 60-plusyear history of athletics at the K-8 school.

Every athlete on every team, along with the cheer squad, was honored at the St. Hedwig Sports Awards celebration held on May 20, in the school gymnasium.

All six varsity teams (boys football, girls football, boys basketball, girls basketball, boys volleyball and girls volleyball) won Division 1 Coast League titles, and five of the six captured Division 1 diocesan championships.

Celtics teams also won five tournament championships around Orange County.

“They dominated in their division, they dominated in the playoffs and they all worked really hard,” said boys football coach Glenn Ohno, who guided his team to a perfect 14-0 record. “They were focused, and they dominated.”

All St. Hedwig teams compete in the Parochial Athletic League (PAL) within the Diocese of Orange.

“You represented our school well, with pride and energy and determination,” said St. Hedwig Principal Chris McGuiness, kicking off the festivities. “So, whether you were a starter, a captain, a role player or someone who just showed up every day and worked hard, you helped build something meaningful.”

The principal recognized the coaches for devoting their time to the student-athletes and praised the parents for every action they take to ensure their kids get to practice and compete.

“Parents, somebody’s got to get up and get them to practice,” McGuiness said. “Thank you for getting them here, driving them here, waking them up, get-

selves in various ways.

The female Athlete of the Year Award was presented to Addison Haynes and Blair Williams, and the male Athlete of the Year Award went to Carter Frogner.

Athlete of the Year honors go to at least one eighth-grade boy and one eighthgrade girl who competed in three sports.

Along with their athleticism, Athlete of the Year honorees are chosen for their resilience, ability to lead and their ability to foster the spirit of teamwork.

The John R. Russell Scholar Athlete Award, given to the athlete who has competed in at least two PAL sports and has the highest cumulative GPA, went to A.J. Foy and Samantha Burke.

The Engelhaupt Award is presented to male and female eighth-graders for exhibiting “competitive fire,” putting forth “unyielding effort” and being “committed to a solid team attitude.”

The recipients were Kai Ohno and Logan McKennon, Brooke McCleod and the varsity cheer team.

The award is named for Jim and Joe Engelhaupt, who graduated from St. Hedwig in 1986 and contributed greatly to the success of the school’s athletic program.

Jim and Joe died at ages 18 and 20, respectively, and their father died while the brothers were still at St. Hedwig. The family continues to support the school.

McGuiness also took a moment to acknowledge John Russell, who was hired as athletic director in 1963 and is the architect of the Celtics sports program.

Russell, who is still active in managing athletics, was traveling and unable to attend the awards ceremony.

ting them to camp, paying for it, washing their uniforms, et cetera, et cetera.”

Several awards were also given to student-athletes who distinguished them-

“Your organization, your commitment, your time, your energy, your steadfast and steady voice keeps this program going,” the principal said. “Mr. Russell, I know we couldn’t do it without you. You’re doing this because you love this school, and you love these kids, and you love these programs. So, thank you for everything.” C

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

team spent close to six months planning and collecting items to include in the exhibition.

“The team began with a dream list of items they hoped to include,” Fr. Heath said. “We brainstormed about what we could put in… I think we put in most of what we wanted.”

After the exhibition concludes, many items will be returned to their original locations, but Fr. Heath hopes to organize rotating displays at the Christ Cathedral campus

The diocese wants a permanent display

DIOCESAN

for Archbishop Sheen relics, given his historic connection to the campus, Fr. Heath said.

“Because he actually preached on that campus,” the archivist said.

For Mosqueda, the exhibition’s charm also lies in its smaller treasures, such as 18th and 19th century religious books, a 1775 Morocco leather almanac and personal volumes once owned by early mission pastors.

“I always like finding the marginalia inside the books,” Mosqueda said. “And it was really interesting to learn all the history behind some of these items.” C

WITH GRATITUDE & REMEMBRANCE: DIOCESE LOOKS BACK ON 50 YEARS

BY BRITNEY ZINT

BISHOP KEVIN VANN presided over a Jubilee Mass to commemorate the Diocese of Orange’s 50th anniversary on June 18, 2026, taking the occasion to look back with gratitude and remembrance.

More than 650 parishioners celebrated the multilingual Mass held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Orange — which served as the first diocesan cathedral — and enjoyed a reception afterward. The event also included the opening of “Faith, History & Heritage: An Archives Exhibition.” In addition to Bishop Timothy Freyer and Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen, around 100 priests from around Orange County joined in the festivities, as well as members of religious orders and deacons.

“Today we give thanks to God as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Orange,” Bishop Vann said. “Grateful hearts, remember the bishops, priests, deacons, religious and lay faithful whose faith, sacrifices and service have built up the church in Orange County. We rejoice in the many blessings God has bestowed upon us throughout these 50 years and we look forward with confidence to the future He continues to prepare for us.”

June 18 was chosen for the event because it coincided with June 18, 1976 — the day the first Bishop of Orange, the Most Rev. William Johnson, was installed at Holy Family. With his installation the Diocese of Orange was no longer part of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. This resulted, of course, in its own church governance, infrastructure, cathedral and diocesan bishop.

Bishop Vann shared his memories of his beginnings with the Diocese of Orange and how his life changed the first time he walked into the sacristy at Holy

Family. Fr. Christopher Smith, one of the diocese’s first ordained priests, also reminisced about his own significant experiences at Holy Family, particularly on the day of Bishop Johnson’s installation in 1976.

Fr. Christopher, then a seminarian in his early 20s, served at the Mass. The event was dubbed “the Genesis of a Diocese,” and he recalled how it still felt like “only yesterday.”

“I remember Bishop Johnson process-

ing into his new cathedral with a smile that embarrassed all the candles in the church that day with its brightness,” said Fr. Christopher. “That smile, for me, continued to symbolize the enthu-

siasm and joy with which he shepherded his new diocese. Now, 50 years in the making, the Diocese of Orange has carried out a wonderful mission of supporting and creating generations of faithful Catholics whose lives of faith are part of the very fabric of Orange County and also beyond.”

Bishop Freyer said that beyond looking back with gratitude at the blessings God has bestowed upon the diocese, the jubilee year will be focused on “cultivating a deeper life of prayer” and everyone drawing closer to the Lord.

Holy Family Office Manager Stephanie Hernandez, who has served at the parish since 1985, said it was exciting to have her church host the diocesan 50th anniversary celebration. The day brought back memories, particularly when she was confirmed by Bishop Johnson. Hernandez added that it was also exciting seeing many people who have been a part of Holy Family parish over the years returning for the Jubilee Mass.

“Everyone was just excited to be a part of something that is so big and so wonderful,” she said, adding later, “Being able to see others come back, seeing everybody and the excitement that

FEATURE

was going on before Mass — they couldn’t wait to get into the church.”

During the reception, Fr. Al Baca, episcopal vicar for ecumenism and inter-religion, said the diocesan 50th anniversary was about looking to the future: a celebration of the opportunity to proclaim Christ even more.

“Something’s happening all over the United States, maybe even all over the world,” Fr. Al said. “There’s a new impetus and a new spirit that’s drawing people back to the Catholic Church. I think this is a golden moment for us, and we need to recognize it. We need to cooperate with God and really see what He wants, what His plan is for our diocese.”

Sr. Leticia Salazar of the Sisters of the Company of Mary, O.D.N. said she wanted to be a part of the joyful celebration: “To join memories, to join the celebration of faith and the faith journey of many, many pilgrims that have been here, who are already in Heaven, and the others who are here.”

The 50th Anniversary Jubilee Mass can be watched online on the Diocese of Orange YouTube channel, @OrangeDiocese. C

“FAITHFUL CITIZENS”

BY DAVID HOANG AND JOAN PATTEN, AO

SOME 250 YEARS AGO, two major events unfolded on opposite sides of what is now the United States. On the West Coast, Fr. Junípero Serra established Mission San Juan Capistrano, a landmark of California’s history and spiritual legacy. On the East Coast, the signing of the Declaration of Independence established the new nation that would eventually encompass both coasts. No one could have imagined that these two monumental events would converge in the same year that the Diocese of Orange celebrates its 50th anniversary. As we commemorate these foundations and the birth of this nation, we are invited to reflect on how this remembrance impacts us, our families and our communities. Such reflection leads us to give thanks for the Judeo-Christian values and principles upon which our nation was founded: faith, freedom, justice and the inherent dignity of the human person. The Pledge of Allegiance calls us back to these ideals:

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

As we proclaim these words, we are struck by the beauty of the ideal they set before us. Yet this oneness, this indivisibility, has its source in God. God is the source of unity because it comes from His very being. It is His nature. In the First Letter of John, we read, “God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him” (1 John 4:16). Our unity begins in God and finds its

goal in Him, leading our hearts toward the fullness of unity that waits for us in Heaven, our final home.

Let us live out this beautiful vision by imitating the citizens of Heaven, the saints! This imitation is twofold: love of God and love of neighbor. God is calling us to love all people, even those who disagree with us politically. Perhaps we’re called to reach out to a family member who has lost connection with everyone. Maybe our call to love is something as easy as smiling at our neighbor or being patient with family. Each of us is called to discern how we can serve the poor, the abandoned and the forgotten, following the example of the saints who lived charity with heroic generosity.

As an example of this heroic love, we need only look to St. Junípero Serra, a Franciscan missionary who devoted his life to bringing the Gospel to the people of California. He founded missions that became centers of faith. He made Christ visible through his tireless love for God and others, walking thousands of miles to evangelize, teach and care for those entrusted to him. His life shows us that the saints build unity not through power or politics, but through sacrificial love and faithful service.

Decades after the missions on the West Coast advanced under St. Junípero Serra’s care, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton began her work on the opposite side of the country. She faithfully served the children of poor

and immigrant families, helping to lay the foundation for Catholic education in the United States. By shaping young minds with Christian values, she helped form the moral conscience of the nation, reminding us that a nation becomes “under God” when it safeguards the dignity of others.

Our call to live as faithful citizens, inspired by the witness of the saints, is beautifully expressed in the ancient Letter to Diognetus, as found in the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours:

“Christians… play their full role as citizens, but labor under all the disabilities of aliens. Any country can be their homeland, but for them their homeland, wherever it may be, is a foreign country… They live in the flesh, but they are not governed by the desires of the flesh. They pass their days upon earth, but they are citizens of heaven. Obedient to the laws, they yet live on a level that transcends the law.”

May we live this identity with courage, helping our nation become ever more truly “one nation under God.” C

OC Catholic Afar

Henry Bui joyfully visited the Statue of Liberty in New York City with a copy of OC Catholic in hand.

A gift from France, the statue was dedicated in 1886.

Made of copper, the statue holds a torch above her head with one hand, and in the other carries a tabula ansata inscribed JULY IV MDCCLXXVI which translates to "July 4, 1776," written in Roman numerals), the date of the country’s Declaration of Independence.

The statue became a symbol of freedom, welcoming immigrants arriving to America via Ellis Island. —Henry and his family attend St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Huntington Beach.

ALL PRAISE TO OUR MIGHTY RESURRECTED LORD JESUS for decisively achieving our true liberty from sin and death.

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.

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.