Latest Stories

AT HOME WITH BISHOP VANN

Bishop Kevin W. Vann’s love of the piano began at age 10 when he started taking lessons from his beloved... 

by PATTY MAHONEY 

PRAISING OUR LADY

As Christian music played from large outdoor speakers, Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen stood in the shade of the Christ Cathedral... 

by GREG HARDESTY 

75 BLESSED YEARS

Pastors and parishioners of Blessed Sacrament Church in Westminster gathered together on June 18 for a joyous celebration marking the... 

by NICOLE GREGORY 

MEN OF SINCERITY

In what is usually a kind of penultimate step on the road to priesthood, three seminarians recently became transitional deacons... 

by GREG MELLEN 

JOIN THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO — OC ROUTE!

The Camino de Santiago. You’ve likely heard of the fabled pilgrimage — an inspiration to Catholics and non-Catholics alike for... 

by MARY JEAN DURAN 

Local

LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST

This is the first in a series that looks at living life to its fullest post-retirement. Whether it’s adopting new…

AROUND OUR DIOCESE

SUMMER PRINT HIATUS OC Catholic will not be published on the following dates: August 7 and August 14. We will…

AROUND OUR DIOCESE

SISTERS CELEBRATE RELIGIOUS JUBILEES The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, are pleased to announce the religious jubilees of…

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Christ Cathedral

MARIAN DAYS

For the Vietnamese Catholic faithful in the United States, there are several different annual Marian Days throughout the year, such…

MOMENTS IN OUR JOURNEY

The Christ Cathedral parish community celebrated the retirement of Fr. Christopher Smith, the cathedral’s rector and episcopal vicar since 2012,…

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…

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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…

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Local Headlines

AROUND OUR DIOCESE
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH HOLDS EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION St. John the Baptist parish, in response to the call from Bishop...

MOMENTS IN OUR JOURNEY
The Sisters from the holy order Lovers of the Holy Cross (LHC) pray the Rosary to save the unborn once...

SOWING THE SEEDS OF HOPE
Behind the Cantlay Food Distribution Center, on an unremarkable street in Santa Ana, stands the shining and beautiful Catholic Charities’...

Opinion Headlines

THE WORLD’S BROKENNESS
The season of Lent begins just as we have watched in horror the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As the world...

LOVE’S GENIUS AND CHOOSING LIFE OVER WAR: ON PRAYING FOR PEACE IN UKRAINE
As full-scale war breaks out by Putin’s Russian invasion, in Ukraine there are sadly now Christians, who share in the...

HOW TOM BRADY CAN INSPIRE OUR LENTEN DISCIPLINE
Tom Brady has retired. Even as I write these words, I can still hardly believe it. The “greatest of all...

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…

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National Headlines

PHILADELPHIA ARCHBISHOP: ‘NOTHING COMPARES’ TO BEING PHYSICALLY PRESENT AT SUNDAY MASS
Washington 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 TIME
SAN 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 TOO
WASHINGTON (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 EVERYONE
WASHINGTON (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…

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World Headlines

Vatican’s electric vehicle fleet now includes a Leaf
VATICAN 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 CREATION
VATICAN 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 SATURDAY
Rome 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 RECONCILIATION
Vatican 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.

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Education Headlines

ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL RECEIVES TECHNOLOGY GIFT
The 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 FAITH
Science 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 UP
The 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 CHURCH
With a continued emphasis on supporting the needs of the whole student, St. John the Baptist Catholic School encouraged its...