The celebration of the Eucharist is at the center of the life of the Church and each member. It is in the Mass that we encounter Jesus’ redemptive power, and the mysteries of redemption are made present. Receiving Christ in the Eucharist unites the Body of Christ and is our source of strength as we are sent forth to proclaim the Gospel to the world.
Deacon Modesto Cordero, Director of the Office of Worship, explains that we do this by actively participating in each diocesan liturgy, which is our call as baptized Christians and members of the Diocese of Orange community of faith. Through our participation, we are becoming mystical ambassadors of Christ the High Priest in our Diocese and communities.
Since the celebration of the Eucharist is so crucial to the life and mission of the Church, utmost care is taken to persevere the dignity and order of the liturgy. These sacred mysteries are entrusted to the Diocesan Bishop who is the chief shepherd of the Diocese. He is the moderator, promoter and guardian of the whole liturgical life of the Diocese. While this duty is primarily the Diocesan Bishop, he relies on competent assistance from others, especially the Director of Worship and the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.
The Diocesan Liturgical Commission, (DLC) is under the direction of the Diocesan Bishop and is entrusted with promoting the liturgical life among the people of the Diocese to nurture their lives as missionary disciples. The Diocesan Bishop appoints 8-10 members and 4-5 ex-officio non-voting members to the Commission, chosen from nominees with special competence in liturgy, theology, the arts or related fields.
The functions of the DLC include 1.) acquainting themselves with the state of pastoral liturgical activity in the Diocese; 2.) executing liturgical plans put forth by the Bishop and the diocesan leadership; 3.) being fully informed by the Office for Worship on the liturgical activities and practices in the Diocese and in the United States; 4.) suggest and promote practical ways to contribute to evangelization and the advancement of liturgical life while faithfully following and implementing the liturgical norms of the Church. The DLC also serves in an advisory capacity to the Diocesan Bishop regarding liturgical matters. In this capacity the DLC creates an important bond, and partnership with the Office for Worship, serving as the eyes, ears and voice of the people of the Diocese in every
aspect of our diocesan liturgical life, notes Deacon Modesto.
In order to better serve the Diocesan Bishop and the local Church, the DLC listens to the priests, deacons and liturgical leadership of the Diocese in their collaboration with the Diocesan Bishop in this area of liturgy. Fr. Ruben, encourage and invite people to contact the members below regarding liturgical matters and needs.
The members of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission are listed below.
The Most Reverend Timothy Freyer is an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Orange. He oversees the Director of the Office of Worship.
Deacon Modesto Cordero is the current Director of the Office of Worship in the Diocese of Orange.
Deacon Thomas Saenz is the current Director of the Diaconate in the Diocese of Orange.
Rev. Ruben Ruiz is a Parochial Vicar at St. Bonaventure Church in Huntington Beach, CA. He was appointed by Bishop Vann as the Chairperson for the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.
Rev. Vincent Pham is the Director of the Vietnamese Catholic Center in Santa Ana, CA. He is the Vice Chair of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.
Miss Joan Patten is the Delegate for Consecrated Life in the Diocese of Orange. She is the Secretary of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.
Rev. Michael Khong is the Priest Secretary and Master of Ceremonies for Bishop Kevin Vann in the Diocese of Orange.
Rev. Nicolaus Thai is the Parochial Vicar at St. Martin de Porres.
Rev. Quyen Truong is a Parochial Vicar at Christ Cathedral.
Dr. Patricia Lamb is the Director of Music Ministries and Organist at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in Newport Beach, CA.
Mr. David Ball serves as Cathedral Organist and Head of Music Ministry at Christ Cathedral.
Deacon Ken Hobbs is a permanent deacon assigned at St. Timothy Church in Laguna Nigel, CA.
Mr. Paul Gerrard is the Adult Faith Formation Coordinator and RCIA Director at Corpus Christi Parish in Aliso Viejo, CA.
Sr. Bertha Rafael, MC is a religious sister of the Poor Clare Missionary Sisters in Santa Ana and the Spanish Faith Formation Coordinator and Coordinator for Spanish Ministries at St. John the Baptist in Costa Mesa