Local

AROUND OUR DIOCESE

By STAFF     6/7/2022

GRADUATION SEASON BEGINS!
It’s graduation season within the Diocese of Orange! Santa Margarita High School, Mater Dei High School and Rosary Academy recently held graduation ceremonies on their campuses for graduating seniors. Congratulations and Carpe Diem!

CLASS OF 2022 GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL. ALSO PICTURED: BISHOP VANN, SUPERINTENDENT ERIN BARISANO AND MATER DEI PRESIDENT MICHAEL BRENNAN. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVEN GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE.

ROSARY ACADEMY GRADUATION. PHOTO COURTESY OF KIERNAN COLIFLORES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE.

 

CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH
Juneteenth is the oldest celebration commemorating the abolition of slavery in Texas, on June 19, 1865, that essentially ended slavery in the United States. The day serves as a reminder of the ongoing call to see the image of God in our neighbors and to work for justice within our communities. As Catholics, we mark this day by praying for the conversion of hearts to overcome the sin of racism.

Christ cathedral will commemorate Juneteenth as the June 19, 5:15 p.m. Sunday Mass by welcoming guest presider and preacher, Fr. Claude Williams, O. Praem and guest musicians from St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Costa Mesa and Transfiguration Catholic Church in Los Angeles.

HEISMAN HOMECOMING
Mater Dei High School hosted a special homecoming celebration in the Meruelo Athletic center on May 24 to celebrate the campus’ third Heisman trophy winner.

Bryce Young, class of 2020, is the 2021 Heisman recipient from the University of Alabama.

Young was joined by Mater Dei’s other Heisman winners: John Huarte, class of 1961 who went on to play for the University of Notre Dame; and Matt Leinart, class of 2001 who played for the University of Southern California.

Mater Dei is the only high school in the nation with three alumni who have won the prestigious college football award.

Mater Dei also unveiled an updated “Heisman Lane” street sign on the campus printed with all three winners’ names.

Rob Whalen, executive director of the Heisman Trophy Trust, said, “Millions of student-athletes have played high school football throughout history, but only 85 individuals have won the coveted Heisman Memorial Trophy. Mater Dei High School amazingly has produced three Heisman trophy winners, which speaks volumes about its athletic excellence. Bryce, Matt and John are exceptional representatives of the Heisman trophy fraternity. We are honored to share in Mater Dei’s pride by recognizing the accomplishments of these three outstanding Heisman trophy winners.”

BRYCE YOUNG, MATER DEI CLASS OF 2020 AND THE 2021 HEISMAN RECIPIENT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA, IS JOINED BY JOHN HUARTE, CLASS OF 1961 WHO PLAYED FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME AND MATT LEINART,CLASS OF 2001 WHO PLAYED FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. PHOTO COURTESY OF MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL.