EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
On Sept. the 14 of each year, the Byzantine Church celebrates the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The feast celebrates the finding of the True Cross by St. Helen, the mother of St. Constantine the Great, Equal of the Apostles. In addition to the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated by a procession in which the holy cross is carried, along with basil. In addition to the procession, the celebration also includes the lighting of a bonfire. These two particular
customs, the basil and the fire, are rooted in the ancient tradition of the Church.
Present at this year’s celebration at Holy Cross Melkite Catholic Church in Placentia were Bishop Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Orange, and the outgoing pastor of Holy Cross, Bishop-elect François Beyrouti of the Melkite Eparchy of Newton. Additionally, the celebration was attended by 80 pilgrims who will soon be departing for the Holy Land, as well as the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulcher.
Bishop-elect François Beyrouti will be ordained bishop of the Diocese of Newton for the Melkite Catholic Church in the United States of America on Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. at St. Anne Melkite Catholic Cathedral in North Hollywood. If you wish to attend the ordination or the banquet after, please contact the church office at 714-985-1710.
ROMANCE OF THE MISSION GALA
The Mission Preservation Foundation held its benefit gala on Friday, Sept. 16. This year’s theme was called “Love Endures,” with close to 400 guests in attendance at historic Mission San Juan Capistrano.
Local residents Joan and Bill Cvengros were honored for their longtime commitment to Mission San Juan at the black-tie affair with gross proceeds of $772,000 benefiting the care and stewardship of the nearly 245-year-old landmark.
Highlights included a live concert in the Ruins of The Great Stone Church (Circa 1812) featuring Broadway award-winning artists Vonzell Solomon and Terron Brooks.
Mission San Juan’s historic bells were rung by members of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation Nathan Banda and Michael Gastelum as guests made their way into the Central Courtyard for dinner.
The Most Reverend Bishop Kevin W. Vann attended the event and gave the dinner blessing.
For more information or to learn about how to pledge for next year’s gala on Sept. 15, 2023, or to get involved, contact Mechelle Lawrence Adams at 949-234- 1311 or visit www.missionsjc.com.
BISHOP KEVIN W. VANN, MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MECHELLE LAWRENCE ADAMS AND MONSIGNOR J. MICHAEL MCKIERNAN. PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA RENEE PHOTOGRAPHY
AUTUMNFEST
St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Los Alamitos held its annual Autumnfest on Sept. 23 to 25. It featured food, midway games, live entertainment and a host of carnival rides.
The festival last occurred in 2019 but had been canceled the last two years because of the pandemic. It is one of the largest events put on in the city of Los Alamitos.
ST. HEDWIG CATHOLIC CHURCH HELD ITS ANNUAL AUTUMNFEST ON SEPT. 23 TO 25. PHOTO BY KIERNAN COLIFLORES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
EDUCATORS’ CONVOCATION
The Department of Catholic Schools hosted its Educators’ Convocation on Sept. 19 on the Christ Cathedral campus. There were more than 1,300 educators in attendance from across the Diocese’s 35 Catholic schools, as well as high schoolers who helped facilitate the day.
The featured included Mass with Bishop Kevin Vann, a welcome address from Superintendent Dr. Erin Barisano and the Rev. R. Tony Ricard, a priest from the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
This year’s theme for Catholic schools is “Journeying Together into Discipleship.”
THE DEPARTMENT OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS HOSTED ITS EDUCATORS’ CONVOCATION ON SEPT. 19, ON THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS. PHOTO BY KIERNAN COLIFLORES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE