ASH WEDNESDAY PRAYER SERVICE
The Most Rev. Kevin W. Vann presided at an Ash Wednesday prayer service with a special intention for peace in Ukraine on March 2 at Christ Cathedral.
Orthodox and Eastern Catholic clergy and leaders were invited to join in prayer demonstrating solidarity in the Body of Christ. Pastoral Center, Diocese staff and parishes were also invited to attend, along with others in the broader community, to lift up the people of Ukraine and surrounding nations during this time of conflict. Bishop Vann echoes Pope Francis’ ongoing call for an end to war and the restoration and nurturing of peace: “May the Queen of Peace protect the world from the folly of war.”
SPECIAL SYMPOSIUM HELD AT ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY IN SILVERADO CANYON
St. Michael’s Abbey in Silverado Canyon hosted a special symposium on Feb. 19, which included celebrating the completion of its new library.
In addition to its extensive collection of books, the library is home to 10 stained glass windows and eight bronze reliefs by Danish artist Maja Lisa Engelhardt that celebrate the beauty of God’s creation.
According to promotional materials provided by St. Michael’s, the windows use three primary and three complementary colors. They “represent light going through colored transparent glass and create a space with light which is not touchable.”
In addition, the reliefs, which were made in Italy, are “non-transparent items that possess the heaviness of earth and evoke themes from the Seven Days of Creation and the Eighth Day. Iconic signs from the creation story emerge from the dark patinated bronze with gold, as witness of God’s creation.”
THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS IN THE LIBRARY OF ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY REPRESENT LIGHT GOING THROUGH TRANSPARENT GLASS. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
ST. JOACHIM CATHOLIC CHURCH TO HOST ALPHA PROGRAM
You’re invited to explore life’s big questions! St. Joachim Catholic Church in Costa Mesa will be hosting an Alpha program.
Alpha is a series of free sessions exploring the Christian faith. The series runs approximately 11 weeks starting Wednesday, March 16 from 6-8 p.m. Each talk looks at questions around faith and is designed to spark conversation in an open and safe environment
Weekly sessions involve dinner, watching a video, sharing experiences, asking questions and meeting new friends. Virtual attendance via Zoom is also available.
There is no cost. Please visit https://stjccm.org/alpha or contact Carol Nasr at (949) 439-0226 to register.
ST. JOACHIM CATHOLIC CHURCH, COSTA MESA. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS TO HOST MARRIAGE PREPARATION EVENT
Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in Newport Beach is offering the “Better Together” in-person weekend marriage preparation experience.
Engaged couples can register for either May 14 and 15 or May 21 and 22. The cost is $95 per couple.
For more information and registration online, visit olqa.org/bettertogether.
OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS, NEWPORT BEACH. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE