FR. CHRISTOPHER HEATH RECOGNIZED
Fr. Christopher Heath, director of archives for the Diocese of Orange, recently received a commemorative police badge recognizing his years of service as chaplain of the Los Alamitos Police Department.
Chief Eric Nunez and Capt. Maria O’Connell came to Christ Cathedral to recognize Fr. Heath, who served the department from 2014 to 2021 when he was pastor of St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Los Alamitos. He stepped down from the position when he left St. Hedwig in July 2021.
Fr. Heath has been a law enforcement chaplain for many years, starting in 1994 in Tustin while serving at St. Cecilia Catholic Church as a parochial vicar. He was also a chaplain for the FBI and the Orange County Sheriff ’s Department.
Reflecting on his nearly 30 years of service, Fr. Heath said, “When I was asked to be a chaplain in Tustin, I was excited because I wanted to support what police do for our community. I was also honored to follow in the footsteps of Msgr. John Sammon, who too was a Tustin chaplain as well as an Orange County sheriff ’s and fire department chaplain long before chaplaincies were an accepted part of these agencies’ protocols.”
Fr. Heath added, “Being a chaplain for first responders is very interesting, sometimes exciting, rarely scary and always rewarding. First responders deal with many difficult situations and sometimes need someone safe to talk to. I encourage priests and deacons to consider this ministry, and to contact your local police, sheriff or fire department and see how you can support them.”
OUR LADY OF LA VANG SHRINE
Completion of the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine at Christ Cathedral is progressing this month with the careful and artistic placement of a medallion around the base of the Virgin Mary statue.
The basalt stone tiles, which were sourced from Vietnam, replace a temporary, circular wooden floor that has been around the statue since its installation and blessing last year.
The medallion is expected to be completed later this month.
FLOOR CONSTRUCTION IS CURRENTLY IN PROGRESS FOR OUR LADY OF LA VANG ON THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS IN GARDEN GROVE.
WORLD DAY OF THE SICK MASS
The World Day of the Sick Mass, sponsored by the Order of Malta, will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. The Mass will include the sacramental Anointing of the Sick which is offered to Catholics who are dangerously ill due to sickness, injury or old age. The sacrament is for serious mental or emotional illness as well. Casual participation in the sacrament should be avoided in good conscience.
BISHOP VANN CELEBRATES THE 2020 WORLD DAY OF THE SICK MASS AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL.