IT’S CONFIRMATION AND FIRST COMMUNION SEASON!
Confirmation and First Communion season has arrived in the Diocese of Orange. Thirty-one students from Christ Cathedral Academy celebrated their First Communion inside Christ Cathedral with Fr. Christopher Smith on Saturday, May 7 and on Sunday, May 8, 46 high schoolers and six adults made their Confirmation with Bishop Timothy Freyer at Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano.
Congratulations to all!
BISHOP TIMOTHY FREYER ADDRESSES THE CONFIRMANDS ON MAY 8 AT MISSION BASILICA IN SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO. PHOTO COURTESY OF IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
CATHOLIC CHARITIES AUXILIARY’S EVENT
Catholic Charities Auxiliary’s event, Inspirational Catholic Women 2022, with the theme “Working on their Wings,” was held April 29 at the Arboretum on the Christ Cathedral campus. The event raised approximately $50,000 and will be presented to Ellen Roy, chief executive officer of Catholic Charities of Orange County, in June.
Representing many parishes in the Diocese and escorted by gentlemen “Wingman” to the stage, this year’s honorees were Lennie Arazo-David, Barbara Baldo, Karen Castro, Cris Cordova, Alma Cortes, Patricia Gaby, Rose Girton, Lisa Grace, Hannah Irvine, Patty Keil, Tamie Kosidowski, Mary Murray, Carol Nasr, Janet Prodan, Lotte Rindt., Catharine Scalise, Joan Steen, Kathy Stephens, Kathryn Stoddard, Ellen Vinck, Marie Welsch, Teresa Wyszomirski, Ann Yates, Maria Zarate and Joan Doyle.
The keynote speaker was Emily Wilson, YouTuber, blogger, podcaster and president of Blessed be She ministry. Bishop Kevin W. Vann also attended. The Auxiliary’s event was previously presented as Catholic Woman of the Year, but this year was renovated and reimagined to equally honor as many women as nominated.
BISHOP KEVIN W. VANN IS PICTURED WITH GUESTS AT CATHOLIC CHARITIES AUXILIARY’S “INSPIRATIONAL CATHOLIC WOMEN 2022” EVENT HELD ON APRIL 29 AT THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVEN GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
CHAPEL IN THE SKY
On Monday, May 9, Bishop Kevin W. Vann celebrated a special Mass inside the Chapel in the Sky on the Christ Cathedral campus, during which time he wore a new chasuble given to him by 22 donors of the Orange Catholic Foundation.
The chasuble has the donors’ names embroidered within it. The vestment was custom-made by Chagall and has the image of the Crux Gemmata from Christ Cathedral. Bishop Kevin and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Erin Barisano were also presented with a $150,000 check that will go toward the Diocese’s Catholic schools.
After the Mass, which featured cantor Lauren McCaul and organist David Ball, the foundation hosted a special reception inside the campus’ Cultural Center.
ON MAY 9. BISHOP KEVIN W. VANN AND SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS DR. ERIN BARISANO WERE PRESENTED WITH A $150,000 CHECK THAT WILL GO TOWARD THE DIOCESE’S CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVEN GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON CHRISTIAN UNITY
The Christ Cathedral Campus hosted the National Workshop on Christian Unity on May 3 to 6.
The annual event brings together ecumenical representatives, ecumenist and interested members from all churches who share one faith, one baptism in Jesus Christ.
The keynote speaker was His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Archbishop Elpidophoros presided over a prayer service in the Freed Theater and also met with Bishop Kevin W. Vann. The two exchanged gifts. Bishop Vann gave Archbishop Elpidophoros a copy of the “Book of Kells,” a glass paperweight with Christ Cathedral in it, and a coin from the 2019 cathedral dedication.
The theologian in residence was the Rev. Elaine A. Heath, Ph.D., founding president of Neighborhood Seminary in North Carolina.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP ELPIDOPHOROS OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA IS PICTURED DURING THE NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON CHRISTIAN UNITY ON MAY 4 AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLEN ALTCHECH PHOTOGRAPHY
“THE SOUND OF MUSIC”
The Trinitas Arts Conservatory recently completed a successful production of “The Sound of Music,” with performances from May 5 to 8.
The conservatory, established in 2020 and comprised of students from Servite High School and Rosary Academy, was even aided by Bishop Kevin Vann playing a role onstage!
Congratulations to all for a fabulous show!
BISHOP VANN TAKES A BOW WITH HIS FELLOW CASTMATES IN TRINITAS ARTS CONSERVATORY’S PRODUCTION OF “THE SOUND OF MUSIC” ON MAY 5. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVEN GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE