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AROUND OUR DIOCESE

11/23/2022

ST. CECILIA CATHOLIC CHURCH CELEBRATES FR. BAO
St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Tustin recently organized a gala to celebrate their former pastor, Fr. Bao Thai, on his birthday and appointment this year as rector of Christ Cathedral. The gala included a fundraising auction, and Fr. Bao wanted all the auction proceeds to benefit priests’ retirement.

On Wednesday, Nov. 9 in the cathedral campus’ Chapel in the Sky, St. Cecilia parishioners presented a $5,000 check of funds raised from the auction to donate to The Orange Catholic Foundation (OCF) in support of retired priests.

Also present were Bishop Timothy Freyer, who celebrated the noon Mass; Fr. Bruce Patterson, episcopal vicar for priests whose office takes care of retired priests; and Carrol Nuss, the event producer of Fr. Bao’s gala and auction.

Currently, there are about 40 retired priests in the Diocese of Orange. In the next eight years, 80 priests will have reached retirement age. Many people may not realize that the priests of our Diocese live independently in retirement.

After active ministry, they no longer rely upon their parish for housing and other needs. They need to support themselves when they retire, relying on personal savings, a modest social security and pension from the Diocese.

To support our retired priests, OCF has an endowment that is funded by many benefactors throughout the Diocese. This endowment provides resources that can be allocated to where the need is greatest: underwrite costs for assisted living and skilled nursing; renovate underutilized properties for housing; and secure additional housing for retired priests.

 

12TH ANNUAL MASS OF REMEMBRANCE
On Saturday, Nov. 5 the Diocese and Bishop Kevin Vann celebrated the 12th annual Mass of Remembrance at Old Mission Historic Cemetery in San Juan Capistrano.

The small private cemetery dates to the 1830s and is maintained by the Diocese.

The special Mass incorporates traditional Catholic traditions as well as Native American traditions.

THE 12TH ANNUAL MASS OF REMEMBRANCE WAS CELEBRATED ON NOV. 5 AT OLD MISSION HISTORIC CEMETERY IN SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO. PHOTO BY DREW KELLEY/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL HONORS VETERANS
St. John the Baptist Catholic School and parish proudly hosted a very special event, honoring veterans, on the morning of November 11.

Fr. Damien Giap, O.Praem., school rector, celebrated Holy Mass in honor and appreciation of our veterans, active military, reservists and their families who were present.

The school choir provided beautiful music, including the singing of the National Anthem, “God Bless America,” and “My Country Tis of Thee.”

Students served as lectors and brought up the bread and wine. The school’s seventh and eighth grade Red Team served the Mass and ran the livestream provided for students and parents who couldn’t attend. Immediately after Mass, Corporal Ronald Brown, USMC (retired), gave an inspiring talk to the assembled veterans, families, students and teachers.

THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH HALL WAS THE SITE FOR A SPECTACULAR MUSICAL “SALUTE TO THE USA ARMED FORCES” PERFORMED BY THE SCHOOL’S FIFTH-GRADE CHORISTERS, WHO INVITED THE VETERANS IN ATTENDANCE TO STAND WHEN THE CHOIR HERALDED THEIR BRANCH OF THE MILITARY (ARMY, NAVY, MARINES, COAST GUARD, AIR FORCE). PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL