IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL night at Mission San Juan Capistrano as one of the premiere social events of the year – the “Romance of the Mission” benefit gala – was held amidst the historic Ruins and sacred grounds.
Over 400 guests gathered on Sept. 13 to honor Claudia and Randy Redwitz for their decades-long support of the Mission.
MECHELLE LAWRENCE ADAMS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, STANDS WITH RANDY AND CLAUDIA REDWITZ, WHO WERE HONORED AT THIS YEAR’S MISSION GALA. PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA RENE PHOTOGRAPHY
Randy founded his accounting firm Robert R. Redwitz & Co. in 1975, and the Mission became a client not long after. Claudia and Randy have spearheaded several educational and preservation projects at the Mission including the Gate Preservation House Project and the Mission Store.
Randy was honored in a 2022 special Legacy issue of Orange County Catholic for his unwavering dedication and support of the Diocese of Orange. For decades, Randy has donated his accounting talents to various initiatives – from the financial management and development of Santa Margarita Catholic High School, to financial systems and audits of parishes and schools within the Diocese. He also oversaw the financial aspect of the restoration of the former Crystal Cathedral to the Christ Cathedral campus and as well as other capital campaigns within the Diocese of Orange.
MUSICAL GUESTS PERFORM IN FRONT OF THE HISTORIC MISSION BELLS IN SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO. PHOTO BY PATTY MAHONEY/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Mechelle Lawrence Adams, executive director of the Mission, told the gala crowd that Claudia and Randy are the only two honorees to have both attended the Mission School.
Randy, who is from Laguna Beach, and Claudia, who grew up in Tustin, both made the trek to San Juan Capistrano, back before there was a freeway to shorten the commute, to attend the Old Mission Parish School which temporarily housed both their Catholic elementary schools.
Although they don’t remember meeting then, their relationship blossomed in the late 1960s after Randy started a youth program at his home parish of Catherine of Siena in Laguna Beach.
“Part of the activities of our youth group was to sing at Mass,” Redwitz told Orange County Catholic. “The problem was, we had the kids but no one who could play an instrument.”
A parent told him there was a young woman named Claudia Gillespie who could play the piano and organ. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Guests of the gala were treated to an intimate concert by the operatic trio Forte, who were finalists on “America’s Got Talent.” The vocalists performed in the Ruins of The Great Stone Church (circa 1812). A highlight was their rendition of “When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano,” complete with a digital mapping/projection display of swallows in flight.
THE OPERATIC TRIO FORTE PERFORMS DURING THE SEPT. 13 MISSION GALA. PHOTO BY PATTY MAHONEY/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
The night also featured the ringing of the historic Mission bells and dinner in the Central Courtyard provided by Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano.
The Reverend Monsignor J. Michael McKiernan, rector of Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano parish, offered the dinner blessing.
The evening was made possible due to the generosity of major underwriters including George and Eden O’Connell/O’Connell Family Foundation, the Moiso Family and many more Mission Preservation Foundation supporters. Roger’s Gardens in Newport provided the beautiful floral décor while Lugano of Newport Beach gifted exquisite flower stud diamond earrings valued at $18K for the opportunity drawing.
For more information and a complete listing of donors, friends and supporters visit www.missionsjc.com. To learn about how to pledge for next year’s gala on Sept. 19, 2025, contact Mechelle Lawrence Adams at (949) 234-1311.