When describing the Easter Vigil Mass, Fr. Brandon Dang is quick to call it “the mother of all liturgies.”
“It’s a liturgy you only see once a year,” the Diocese of Orange’s director of Priestly Vocations said. “To witness it and to see the joy in the people is incredible.”
As a priest in residence at San Francisco Solano Catholic Church, Fr. Brandon has specifically had a front row seat into more than 30 children and adults diving into their faith as they journey into the Catholic Church through RCIA this year. The process is one that rejuvenates his spirits and reminds others about the true meaning of Easter.
(LEFT TO RIGHT): AFSOON CHARM DANESH, AYDIN DANESH JESRAI, ANN SARRAO DOPUDJA, ALICA DANESH JESRAI AND ANDRIA RUIZ POSE AT SAN FRANCISCO SOLANO AHEAD OF EASTER WEEKEND. PHOTO BY MIKE VULPO/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
“It’s my first year here at Solano and I’ve witnessed the vibrancy of RCIA and the pastor, Fr. Duy Le, has done such an amazing job with fostering people’s faith,” he shared. “His motto of ‘belong, belong, become’ bears fruit. There are a lot of blessings there.”
In celebration of Easter weekend, OC Catholic spoke to participants in San Francisco Solano’s RCIA program to get a sense of how they found their way to the Catholic Church. According to Fr. Brandon, their stories may just inspire others to grow closer to God.
“For the people out there that are in between, just take that act of faith, that leap of faith and trust in the Lord and know that the Beloved has our hearts,” he said. “In that spirit, we will experience his belovedness.”
ANDRIA RUIZ
“My husband is Catholic, and my son was very interested in learning more about God and Jesus. It opened the door to me to becoming a Catholic. When we went to Mass with Fr. Duy, Fr. Brandon and Deacon Carl Swanson, we really fell in love with Solano and the community itself. I’m super excited about Easter weekend. I feel like it’s going to wash away a lot of things that have probably stuck with me over the years and it’s a new, fresh journey and start for me.”
ANDRIA RUIZ. PHOTO BY MIKE VULPO/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
AYDIN DANESH JESRAI
“I felt like God called me when I came to St. Serra Catholic School. I really wanted to become Catholic and strengthen my relationship with God. I really like my religion class and I really like all my friends there and it’s the best school ever. I’ve felt calmer and happier since I joined St. Serra and Solano. I’m doing this with my mom and my aunt, and it feels great doing it as a family. On Easter weekend, I think I’ll be feeling cleansed from all my sins and feel anew.”
ALICA DANESH JESRAI
“Usually, it’s a mom who guides the child’s path towards religion. But in my story, Aydin is the reason why I’m becoming Catholic. When he joined St. Serra, he had such an awakened sense of faith in God, and he was so drawn to the religion, so I started going to school Masses with him and watching some religious cartoons and we just became so engulfed in the faith. We met our RCIA sponsor Ann Sarrao Dopudja at Solano, and she is so close to God, and she has brought so much light to all of our lives.
I feel like there’s so much stress being a parent and when having a faith in God, I just feel that everything’s going to work out. I know that everything is for our highest good and I know that every step we take, God is directing our steps and that makes me feel so calm and faithful. I think Easter weekend will be life changing. I think if you’re even pondering taking the first step to becoming Catholic, that is the first step. You’re feeling drawn already and called. I say go all the way in. Join, come to Mass and you’re going to have the best experience.”
AFSOON CHARM DANESH
“I am here today because of my nephew Aydin. He brought me along this journey once he joined St. Serra. His faith grew so strong, and he is just an exemplary role model of what a Serra Bear is. Once he fell in love with Jesus, we all fell in love with Jesus. We love to watch “Superbook” together and I can’t emphasize enough how important Aydin is to our journey and our faith and our lives.
Aydin was truly born to do great things in this world, and he’s already begun. When I think of the Catholic Church, I think of belonging and believing, which is what Solano has really instilled upon us. Start with taking the first step and attending Mass and opening up your heart the way that Aydin has done for us. Read the Bible, pray the rosary and just believe in the journey and if you have someone as lucky as we do to have Aydin guiding us, then all the better.”