AS A CHILD OF MEXICAN immigrants, Irene Tienda-Raumbaut and her family experienced many hardships including the unexpected death of her mother at a young age, the death of her brother who was killed in a car crash, living in poverty and experiencing discrimination.
BETTY KUHN, CENTER, ONE OF THE HONOREES, IS JOINED BY FELLOW PARISHIONERS AND FRIENDS FROM ST. BONAVENTURE PARISH IN HUNTINGTON BEACH. PHOTOS BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
These experiences have served as motivation for Tienda-Raumbaut, a parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Irvine, to fight for those who have been wronged, experiencing discrimination and people who are “just doing everything they can to survive” and “to be there for those who are feeling alone and abandoned and just needing someone to console them and spend time with them.”
Tienda-Raumbaut was among 21 women who were honored for serving their parishes and communities by embracing the “heart of Mary” at the annual Inspirational Catholic Women benefit dinner held May 16 at the Arboretum on the Christ Cathedral campus.
Honoree Rosie Muñoz, a parishioner at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Irvine for more than 20 years, was recognized for her service to the bereavement ministry, as well as other ministries and acts of service.
Muñoz said she performs service as a gift to Jesus.
SANDRA CHARLESWORTH, RIGHT, ONE OF THE HONOREES, AND HER ESCORT ARE WELCOMED WITH APPLAUSE.
“He’s just been my rock,” Muñoz said. “So, I’m dedicating myself to him by whatever I can do for the ministry.”
The event was hosted by the Catholic Charities Auxiliary, a group that supports Catholic Charities of Orange County through outreach, fundraising and community service. Funds raised support one Catholic Charities most vital programs, the New Hope Counseling Services, which provides support to children in Orange County Catholic Schools.
Through its Human Dignity Curriculum, an initiative designed to “affirm the intrinsic value of every individual, the program empowers children to understand and respect their own dignity and that of others, promoting a culture of empathy, resilience and support,” said Ellen Roy, executive director of Catholic Charities of Orange County.”
Many schools in the Diocese don’t have the resources to hire a counselor or have only enough funding to hire a part time counselor, said Fr. Mike Rizzo, chairman of the board of Catholic Charities of Orange County.
“There are many more children who are in need of care who do not get it at our schools, and they need it,” Fr. Rizzo said. “For them to be fulfilled in their lives, for them to feel loved, for them to feel at home in their schools, comfortable in their schools, in a learning environment where they can actually learn, they need this counseling. And they’re in our schools to be formed in their faith, to be formed in their academics, to be formed socially.”
Several members of the counseling team were recognized at the dinner.
FR. MIKE RIZZO, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ORANGE COUNTY, OFFERS WORDS OF INSPIRATION DURING THE EVENT.
Roy praised the efforts of the Hew Hope Counseling Services and the women who were honored.
“When you think about all the incredible things that are going on around the Diocese and how these women contribute to it, it’s just amazing,” Roy said.
Honoree Arlene Zonni, a parishioner at St. Anne Catholic Church in Seal Beach, said she derives her inspiration to serve from the love of Christ and by the example of Mother Teresa.
“She was just one person,” Zonni said. “And I look at all the good that she did in the world, and she would say to us, ‘Be the one. Be the one that makes the difference.’”
God’s love must be shared, not kept inside, Zonni said.
“You’ve got to let it out,” she shared. “You’ve got to get out and share it with everybody in big ways and in small.”
INSPIRATIONAL CATHOLIC WOMEN 2025
Mimi Brehmer, Orange County Cursillo
Lynn Campbell, St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, Yorba Linda
Fabiola Castillo, St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, Dana Point
Sandra Charlesworth, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Placentia
Evangeline Crabtree, St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, Yorba Linda
Christa Crafts, St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, Dana Point
Cathy De Guzman, Holy Family Catholic Church, Orange
Colby Gray, St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, Dana Point
Betty Kuhn, St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, Huntington Beach
Lilly McHenry, San Antonio de Padua del Cañon Catholic Church, Anaheim Hills
Linda McMahon, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ladera Ranch
Rosie Muñoz, St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Irvine
Elsa Ortega, St. Kilian Catholic Church, Mission Viejo
Toan Thi Pham, Christ Cathedral, Garden Grove
Tess Quiaoit, Diocese of Orange San Jose Filipino Ministry
Tracey Rocha, St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, Yorba Linda
Nancy Shanafelt, Christ Cathedral Parish, Garden Grove
Irene Tienda-Raumbaut, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Irvine
Lydia Yostanto, San Antonio de Pauda del Cañon Catholic Church, Anaheim Hills
Linda Ziemba, St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Irvine
Arlene Zonni, St. Anne Catholic Church, Seal Beach