Latest Stories HIT THE BEACH! The sport of beach volleyball, already popular among indoor volleyball players at many Orange County high schools, is now sanctioned... by LOU PONSI FAITHFULLY THRIVING Nearly 2,000 Filipino Catholics from parishes throughout Orange County gathered at Christ Cathedral on April 23 for the closing festivities... by BILL QUINNAN MOTHER’S DAY 2022 As I am here at my home, I am reflecting on the fact that the month of May is upon... by THE MOST REVEREND KEVIN W. VANN, J.C.D., D.D. TRUE RICHES IN THE GOLDEN STATE: A CALL TO ACTION What are the riches of the Golden State? California’s beauty, landscapes, diversity, industry and influence are unparalleled. It is the... by THE MOST REVEREND KEVIN W. VANN, J.C.D., D.D. MOTHER MOST PURE Since the earliest days of the Church, the month of May has been dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Some... by MEG WATERS Search RECENT STORIES LESSONS IN SUCCESS MOMENTS IN OUR JOURNEY AROUND OUR DIOCESE A PORTRAIT OF DEVOTION HIT THE BEACH! SPRING CLEANING: HOUSE AND HEART MOMENTS IN OUR JOURNEY AROUND OUR DIOCESE THE MUSICAL SOUL OF ST. ANNE’S A MISSION TO SERVE Local MOMENTS IN OUR JOURNEY Patrick Kelly, an altar server and sixth-grade student at St. Jeanne de Lestonnac school Tustin, is pictured prior to the… AROUND OUR DIOCESE IT’S CONFIRMATION AND FIRST COMMUNION SEASON! Confirmation and First Communion season has arrived in the Diocese of Orange. Thirty-one students… MOMENTS IN OUR JOURNEY Honoree Adam Hawley ‘93 and his family celebrate during the Servite High School Excellence in Leadership Dinner recently held at… Read More Articles From Local Christ Cathedral LONG JOURNEY OF FAITH Doctors told the mother there was no hope for her 9-year-old son. It was early summer 1979, and a severe… ‘MY LIFE HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED’ From his 11-floor office in the Tower of Hope, Father Christopher Smith can savor a panoramic view of Orange County… GOING VIRTUAL With its stunning architecture and rich history, the Christ Cathedral campus is undoubtedly one of the most iconic cathedrals in… Read More Articles From Christ Cathedral Sports THE RETURN TO SPORTS For the first time in two years, back to school also means back to sports as Diocese of Orange Catholic… ON THE RISE Prior to saying goodbye to the Class of 2021, several senior high school athletes were recognized this spring for their… SANTA MARGARITA HOLDS VIRTUAL SIGNING DAY In the final collegiate signing day period of the school year, Santa Margarita Catholic High School honored nine athletes from… Read More Articles From Sports VIEW THE LATEST PRINT EDITION OF OC CATHOLIC Local Headlines AROUND OUR DIOCESEHOLY FAMILY TO HOST GALA Holy Family Catholic Church in Orange, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, is having a... MOMENTS IN OUR JOURNEYFr. Bao Thai, who will be the next rector of Christ Cathedral on July 1, met Pope Francis on April... DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY AT ST. COLUMBAN IN GARDEN GROVEFriday, April 22 proved to be a night filled with friends, music and laughter, thanks to the volunteers from St.... Opinion Headlines HOW TOM BRADY CAN INSPIRE OUR LENTEN DISCIPLINETom Brady has retired. Even as I write these words, I can still hardly believe it. The “greatest of all... HOW TO HELP THE ELDERLY AND THOSE WHO SERVE THEMSoon after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Pope Saint John Paul II initiated the celebration of World Day of... CELEBRATING WORLD MARRIAGE DAYWorld Marriage Day is celebrated every second Sunday in February, coinciding with Valentine’s Day. In today’s world, most couples begin... National FILM LETS DEVOTEES PROVIDE VISUAL, EMOTIONAL SUBSTANCE OF LOURDES’ STORY NEW YORK (CNS) — In the documentary “Lourdes” (Distrib Films), filmmakers Alban Teurlai and Thierry Demaiziere present a moving portrait… MIAMI CATHOLIC PARISH SAYS 10 OF ITS FAMILIES STILL MISSING AFTER COLLAPSE MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (CNS) — It is an understatement to say the people and staff of St. Joseph Parish will… U.S. BISHOPS WILL GATHER VIRTUALLY FOR THEIR JUNE 16-18 SPRING ASSEMBLY WASHINGTON (CNS) — When they gather virtually for their annual spring assembly June 16-18, the U.S. bishops will be asked… Read More Articles From National National Headlines PHILADELPHIA ARCHBISHOP: ‘NOTHING COMPARES’ TO BEING PHYSICALLY PRESENT AT SUNDAY MASSWashington D.C., May 25, 2021 / 04:01 pm (CNA) - The Archbishop of Philadelphia this week invited Catholics back to Sunday Mass, emphasizing the importance of in-person attendance. GRAD STUDENTS LIFT ELDERLY PARISHIONERS’ SPIRITS ONE CONVERSATION AT A TIMESAN DIEGO (CNS) — In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Wendell Callahan became aware of two demographic... ST. JOSEPH’S DAY CAN HAVE ITS CAKE — AND MEAT WITH IT TOOWASHINGTON (CNS) — St. Patrick’s Day has its corned beef and cabbage and St. Joseph’s Day has zeppoles — Italian... CATHOLIC HEALTH CARE OFFICIALS AIM TO GET COVID-19 VACCINE TO EVERYONEWASHINGTON (CNS) — To make sure COVID-19 vaccines reach everyone, Catholic health care officials are working to overcome hurdles of... World CATHOLIC NEWS AROUND THE WORLD BALTIMORE (CNS) — The U.S. bishops approved their statement on the Eucharist with 222 “yes” votes Nov. 17, the second… AFGHANISTAN: POPE LAUNCHES APPEAL FOR FASTING, PRAYERS FOR GOD’S MERCY VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With increased violence unfolding in Afghanistan, Pope Francis appealed to all Christians to fast and intensify… AS BISHOPS BEGIN LIFTING DISPENSATION, CATHOLICS RETURN TO IN-PERSON MASS INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) — As Catholic parishes across the country are loosening pandemic Mass restrictions and several bishops are lifting the… Read More Articles From World World Headlines Vatican’s electric vehicle fleet now includes a LeafVATICAN CITY (CNS) — Marking World Environment Day and preparations for a major global meeting on climate change in November,... POPE ASKS ALL CATHOLICS TO STEP UP COMMITMENT TO SAVING CREATIONVATICAN CITY (CNS) — To help lead the world’s Catholics along a journey of intensified action in caring for creation,... SHROUD OF TURIN TO GO ON VIRTUAL DISPLAY FOR HOLY SATURDAYRome Newsroom, Mar 4, 2021 / 03:00 am (CNA) – For the second time, the Shroud of Turin will be... POPE FRANCIS PRAYS FOR A RENEWAL OF THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATIONVatican City, Mar 3, 2021 / 05:00 am (CNA) – Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of March is... Education HONDA CENTER HOSTS SMCHS GRADUATION Santa Margarita Catholic High School’s class of 2021 had the rare opportunity to graduate on stage at The Honda Center,… SUPERINTENDENT BARISANO JOINS PONTIFICAL UNIVERSITY’S ACCOUNTABILITY WEBINAR Last month, Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Orange, Dr. Erin Barisano, participated as a panelist in a… A STRONG COMMUNITY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE What started out as effort to generate funds for new school sports and PE equipment turned into a big opportunity to renew community spirit at St. John the Baptist Catholic School. Read More Articles From Education Education Headlines ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL RECEIVES TECHNOLOGY GIFTThe staff at St. Joseph Catholic School in Santa Ana received some unexpected gifts recently when a generous donation provided... ST. BONAVENTURE TACKLES INTERSECTION OF SCIENCE AND FAITHScience and faith – can they coexist in the same space? In our present Covid-era world, it seems that the two belief systems might forever remain in conflict. SENIORS SIGN UPThe celebration of high school senior athletes who have committed to playing their respective sports at the collegiate level continued... HEALTHY CHILDREN OF GOD AT SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCHWith a continued emphasis on supporting the needs of the whole student, St. John the Baptist Catholic School encouraged its...