PILGRIMAGE WITH THE VIRGIN MARY
On Dec. 4, St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic Church hosted its 6th annual 8k run called “Pilgrimage with the Virgin Mary.”
The group gathered at Christ Cathedral, where Bishop Timothy Freyer gave them a blessing before they began the run/walk back to their parish in Anaheim.
Participants included St. Anthony parishioners and their pastor, Fr. Bill Cao, who all wore T-shirts that included an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
An image of the Virgin Mary was placed in the front vehicle, following by a caravan of vintage automobiles, runners and walkers. Several participants carried lit torches.
“It represents the Virgin Mary’s light to the word,” said Fr. Bill Cao, pastor of St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic Church.
According to Fr. Cao, traditionally in Mexico people come from hundreds or even thousands of miles away to pilgrimage to the basilica to pay homage to our lady of Guadalupe.
“We thought it would be good to come to Christ Cathedral which is our mother church,” said Fr. Cao.
As the group passed through local neighborhoods, members of the community had set up altars filled with religious relics to be blessed by Fr. Cao.
FR. QUYEN TRUONG, FR. BAO THAI, FR. BILL CAO AND BISHOP FREYER ARE PICTURED WITH PARTICIPANTS IN THE 6TH ANNUAL “PILGRIMAGE WITH THE VIRGIN MARY,” WHICH KICKED OFF AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL ON DEC. 4. PHOTO BY DREW KELLEY/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
St. Kilian Catholic Church’s annual Christmas concert, “The Work of Christmas Begins,” was held on Friday, Dec. 9.
The evening featured the church’s choirs, chamber orchestra and soloists with a repertoire ranging from classic Christmas carols to new seasonal favorites. A light reception followed.