VALENTINE’S DAY EVENT
Register now to attend a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend Experience Feb. 11-12 at the Heart of Jesus Retreat Center in Santa Ana. Worldwide Marriage Encounter is a weekend for married Christian couples who value their relationship and desire a richer, fuller life together. Attend a Marriage Encounter weekend and learn the tools needed to keep your marriage strong.
Register online at OCWWME.org or call 714-873-5136.
EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL MUSICAL COMPETITION
The The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) invites Catholic composers, hymn-writers and poets to submit entries for the Eucharistic Revival Musical Competition. Marilyn Santos, associate director of the USCCB’s secretariat of evangelization and catechesis, noted, “Throughout the ages, music has been a beautiful way of expressing our faith.”
According to the USCCB, there will be two categories: hymn-writing and theme song. Winners will receive a $2,500 prize. One winning submission will be selected in each category and will be featured at the National Eucharistic Congress, taking place in Indianapolis in 2024. Dioceses in the United States will be encouraged to use the winning hymn at liturgies and events marking the Eucharistic Revival in their areas.
Submissions will be judged on “poetry, musicality, creativity, theological and doctrinal soundness, beauty, appropriateness for liturgical use and expression of the mission of the Eucharistic Revival (as applicable).”Entries will be considered by a panel of judges, including representatives from Oregon Catholic Press, the Society for Catholic Liturgy, Source and Summit, the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions and GIA Publications/World Library Publications. Submissions are being accepted through
April 21, with winners announced June 9. There will be a $25 entry fee to cover logistics- related expenses, such as travel costs for judges.
For more information, including guidelines and submissions, visit eucharisticcongress.org/musicalcompetition
WORLD DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE
World Day for Consecrated Life was celebrated in the Church on Thursday, Feb. 2, and will be celebrated in parishes over the weekend of Feb. 5.
According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: “In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted
a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on Feb. 2. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.”
Please pray for all those who have made commitments in the consecrated life and be sure to thank them on their special day. May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God’s gift of their vocation.
A MASS WAS CELEBRATED IN HONOR OF WORLD DAY OF CONSECRATED LIFE ON FEB. 5, 2022, AT ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY IN SILVERADO CANYON. PHOTO BY MARISA TRUJILLO/DIOCESE OF ORANGE