Latest Stories

SWALLOWS DAY 2023: A FULL-SCALE CELEBRATION ONCE AGAIN

The annual Swallows Day celebration and parade took place on Saturday, March 25, after several years of COVID-19 restrictions and... 

by NICOLE GREGORY 

CHRIST CATHEDRAL CELEBRATES GOSPEL MASS

Denouncing racial injustice as a sin while honoring the contributions of six Black holy men and women on the road... 

by LOU PONSI 

“SHOW ME THE WAY”

At age 30, Steve Dawson had hit rock bottom. With a bottle of Jack Daniels in his hand, he fell... 

by KATIE HUGHES 

“WHEN THE SWALLOWS COME BACK TO CAPISTRANO”

When the swallows come back to Capistrano, that’s the day you promised to come back to me. When you whispered,... 

by LOU PONSI 

A UNIQUE APPROACH TO EDUCATION

Stephen Holte said has benefitted greatly from a lifelong immersion in Catholic schools, both as a student and educator. Holte,... 

by LOU PONSI 

Local

AROUND OUR DIOCESE

UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY GLEE CLUB PERFORMS AT OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS The United States Naval Academy Glee Club…

OC CATHOLIC ABROAD

Danielle Tayabas reads an issue of OC Catholic on steps by the Mama Mary Statue at Co-Cathedral of St. Therese…

MAGNIFICAT MINISTRY LIGHTS A FIRE

For the past 32 years, a loosely knit but closely tied group of Orange County women have met four times…

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Christ Cathedral

CEMETERIES UPDATE

The Cemeteries Department at the Diocese of Orange, under the guidance of its director Michael Wesner, proudly manages four active…

IN MEMORIAM: TRUDY MAZZARELLA

Gertrude “Trudy” Casimira Mazzarella, a former Rosary Academy principal and founder of the Christ Cathedral docent program, has died. Trudy,…

AN INSIDE LOOK

Photos by Ian Tran/Diocese of Orange

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Sports

SPORTS AND FAITH

After a two-year plus hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bob Gibson is back hosting “Catholic Sports View,” a weekly…

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

All three Diocese of Orange High Schools—Mater Dei, Santa Margarita and Rosary Academy—compete in the Trinity League, which boasts some…

THE RETURN TO SPORTS

For the first time in two years, back to school also means back to sports as Diocese of Orange Catholic…

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Local Headlines

MOMENTS IN OUR JOURNEY
Volunteers prepare Vietnamese spring rolls – part of a varied Lenten Fish Fry menu at La Purísima Catholic parish in...

AROUND OUR DIOCESE
EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL CAMPOUT FOR YOUNG ADULTS The Jesus Thirsts for America movement continued March 10 to 12 with the Eucharistic...

MOMENTS IN OUR JOURNEY
With the freshly snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains in the background, Christ Cathedral’s Crean Tower is pictured on March 3. —Photo...

Opinion Headlines

“BE PERFECT, JUST AS YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS PERFECT”
In the Sermon on the Mount, we hear Jesus say, “Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew...

KEEPING THE FAITH
Editor’s note: OC Catholic has invited students from our Catholic high schools to share what their faith means to them....

FALL IN LOVE WITH CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Catholic Schools Week is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the many blessings of our Catholic schools. When I think...

National

FILM LETS DEVOTEES PROVIDE VISUAL, EMOTIONAL SUBSTANCE OF LOURDES’ STORY

NEW YORK (CNS) — In the documentary “Lourdes” (Distrib Films), filmmakers Alban Teurlai and Thierry Demaiziere present a moving portrait…

MIAMI CATHOLIC PARISH SAYS 10 OF ITS FAMILIES STILL MISSING AFTER COLLAPSE

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (CNS) — It is an understatement to say the people and staff of St. Joseph Parish will…

U.S. BISHOPS WILL GATHER VIRTUALLY FOR THEIR JUNE 16-18 SPRING ASSEMBLY

WASHINGTON (CNS) — When they gather virtually for their annual spring assembly June 16-18, the U.S. bishops will be asked…

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National Headlines

PHILADELPHIA ARCHBISHOP: ‘NOTHING COMPARES’ TO BEING PHYSICALLY PRESENT AT SUNDAY MASS
Washington D.C., May 25, 2021 / 04:01 pm (CNA) - The Archbishop of Philadelphia this week invited Catholics back to Sunday Mass, emphasizing the importance of in-person attendance. 

GRAD STUDENTS LIFT ELDERLY PARISHIONERS’ SPIRITS ONE CONVERSATION AT A TIME
SAN DIEGO (CNS) — In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Wendell Callahan became aware of two demographic...

ST. JOSEPH’S DAY CAN HAVE ITS CAKE — AND MEAT WITH IT TOO
WASHINGTON (CNS) — St. Patrick’s Day has its corned beef and cabbage and St. Joseph’s Day has zeppoles — Italian...

CATHOLIC HEALTH CARE OFFICIALS AIM TO GET COVID-19 VACCINE TO EVERYONE
WASHINGTON (CNS) — To make sure COVID-19 vaccines reach everyone, Catholic health care officials are working to overcome hurdles of...

World

POPE BENEDICT: EIGHT YEARS AS POPE CAPPED LONG MINISTRY AS TEACHER OF FAITH

VATICAN CITY (CNS) —Retired Pope Benedict XVI, who had an impressive record as a teacher and defender of the basics…

POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI DIES AT AGE 95

The Diocese of Orange has released a statement regarding the recent passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. The former head…

CATHOLIC NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

BALTIMORE (CNS) — The U.S. bishops approved their statement on the Eucharist with 222 “yes” votes Nov. 17, the second…

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World Headlines

AFGHANISTAN: POPE LAUNCHES APPEAL FOR FASTING, PRAYERS FOR GOD’S MERCY
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With increased violence unfolding in Afghanistan, Pope Francis appealed to all Christians to fast and intensify...

AS BISHOPS BEGIN LIFTING DISPENSATION, CATHOLICS RETURN TO IN-PERSON MASS
INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) — As Catholic parishes across the country are loosening pandemic Mass restrictions and several bishops are lifting the...

Vatican’s electric vehicle fleet now includes a Leaf
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Marking World Environment Day and preparations for a major global meeting on climate change in November,...

POPE ASKS ALL CATHOLICS TO STEP UP COMMITMENT TO SAVING CREATION
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — To help lead the world’s Catholics along a journey of intensified action in caring for creation,...

Education

JSERRA’S ADELANTE INITIATIVE

For years, JSerra Catholic High School administrators have been wanting to reach beyond the walls of the school to connect…

HONORING FALLEN VETERANS

The nonprofit Wreaths Across America’s (WAA) Mobile Education Exhibit’s colorful 48-foot-long trailer rolled into the parking lot of Our Lady…

A MAGICAL NIGHT FOR FATHERS AND DAUGHTERS AT ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL

It was standing room only on Feb. 18, around a very active dance floor, and although tables and chairs were…

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Education Headlines

SANTA MARGARITCATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT-ATHLETES MAKE IT OFFICIAL
Eleven Student-Athletes from Santa Margarita Catholic High School made their futures evident on Wednesday, Feb. 1, as they officially signed...

“GUIDING OUR STUDENTS ON THE JOURNEY”
The 2023 Celebrating Catholic Education Dinner – a special evening to recognize and celebrate teachers and administrators from schools within...

CATCH OF THE DAY
“Such a big fish!” “Woah, is that bait?” “Did you catch one?” “Fish up!” Those excited remarks and many more...

LEADERSHIP IN OC CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
For St. Barbara  student Victoria Gonzalez, the beginning of her fourth-grade year brought great excitement and anticipation – of seeing...