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AROUND OUR DIOCESE

By STAFF     10/25/2022

EVANGELIZE NOW CONFERENCE
More than a thousand people attended the Evangelize Now Conference on Oct. 15 at the Christ Cathedral campus. The event, formerly known as the Diocesan Ministry Celebration, featured a trilingual Mass, keynote speakers and opportunities to meet with ministries and Diocesan departments.

The guest speakers were Sr. Regina Marie Gorman, O.C.D.; Sr. Gwen Đỗ Ngọc Huyền, C.M.R.; and Padre Miguel Angel Sanchez.

As part of the National Eucharistic Revival, there was also Eucharistic Adoration in the campus’ Large Gallery and Eucharistic procession around the cathedral.

Save the date! Next year’s event is going to be a Diocesan Eucharistic Congress scheduled for Oct. 21, 2023.

SPECIAL INSTALLATION MASS
The Diocese of Orange community celebrated a special installation Mass, with Bishop Kevin Vann presiding, on Oct. 16 for the Very Rev. Bao Thai as Christ Cathedral’s new rector.

Fr. Bao is the second rector of the Garden Grove cathedral, officially succeeding the Very Rev. Christopher Smith in July. Fr. Christopher retired from his rector role this summer but continues to serve the Diocese as rector emeritus and episcopal vicar of special projects.

The installation Mass was trilingual, and the livestream is available for viewing on YouTube. Fr. Bao’s parents, family and seminary classmates attended the Mass, which also included a festival with dancers and a reception.

THE INSTALLATION MASS FOR FR. BAO THAI, NEW RECTOR OF CHRIST CATHEDRAL IN GARDEN GROVE, WAS CELEBRATED ON OCT. 16, WITH BISHOP KEVIN VANN PRESIDING. PHOTO BY STEVEN GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

ST. IRENAEUS’ BOOTH TO STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING
The St. Irenaeus’ Health Ministry booth at the Cypress Community Festival on Saturday, Oct. 1 shed light on this heinous crime of sex trafficking. Bridge of Light: Human Trafficking to Human Triumph Ministry raised awareness of human trafficking by providing a variety of information to Festival attendees. Everyone is urged to call 1-888-
3737-888 to report suspected human trafficking or request information and training. If you are interested in St. Irenaeus’ Bridge of Light Ministry or have questions, please call Monica Kovach at 310-490-6113.

CAROL REED AND ELAINE BREWSTER ARE PICTURED AT THE ST. IRENAEUS’ HEALTH MINISTRY BOOTH AT THE CYPRESS COMMUNITY FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY, OCT. 1. COURTESY PHOTO

INTRODUCING THE OLLV FOUNDATION
With the blessing of Bishop Kevin Vann, a new independently run nonprofit in the Diocese of Orange has been formed that will help with project management and fundraising for the Christ Cathedral campus.

The OLLV Foundation has been tasked with completing the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine and the creation of the St. Callistus Chapel, to be located in the cathedral undercroft.

The OLLV Foundation takes its name from the success of the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine, a testament to the 1798 Vietnamese Marian apparition. In its first year, the shrine has quickly become a major site of Catholic worship and reverence for the Christ Cathedral parish and the region at large. Diocesan priests and countless volunteers who helped fundraise more than $17 million for the shrine are looking to replicate that success to complete the shrine’s second phase and create the St. Callistus Chapel.

Heading the OLLV Foundation is its new chief executive and board chairwoman, Dr. Elysabeth Nguyen, a Christ Cathedral parishioner, longtime Diocese committee member and volunteer.

The OLLV Foundation will be based in the Pastoral Center. It will complement the work of The Orange Catholic Foundation, which fundraises for Catholic schools, priest retirement funds and the Hazel Wright Organ.

DR. ELYSABETH NGUYEN. PHOTO BY BRADLEY ZINT/DIOCESE OF ORANGE