SERVING THE POOR AND those in need is a principal tenet of the Catholic Church as stated by Jesus throughout the Gospels.
CHILDREN PET COWS DURING THE ILLUMINATION FOUNDATION’S FREE CARNIVAL FOR KIDS HELD AT ST. ANTHONY MARY CLARET CATHOLIC CHURCH CAMPUS IN ANAHEIM. PHOTOS BY YUAN WANG/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Among the most widely quoted Bible verses that exemplify Christ’s edict is Matthew 25:40:
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
And so, Fr. Bill Cao, pastor of St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic Church in Anaheim, said it was his parish’s obligation to host — for the second year in a row — hundreds of families in need for the Illumination Foundation’s free Carnival for Kids.
The July 27 event was held to raise awareness and garner support for the nonprofit Illumination Foundation which provides housing, healthcare and other services to the most vulnerable individuals and families.
In 2023, the nonprofit served nearly 7,000 people experiencing homelessness, and the foundation’s five family emergency homes served more than 300 children and parents.
FR. BILL CAO, PASTOR OF ST. ANTHONY MARY CLARET CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ANAHEIM, SNAPS A PHOTO DURING A SPECIAL CARNIVAL FOR KIDS HELD ON JULY 27.
The carnival featured rides, a petting zoo, DJ, hands-on activities, a stilt-walker, live music, interactive games and refreshments.
“We evangelize not by word only but through our charitable actions, our love,” Fr. Cao said. “So, Jesus asked, ‘Who are my mother and brother and sister to me?’ Those who hear the word of God and put it to practice. As in Matthew 25, when you see me hungry, thirsty, naked, you fed me … infirmed or in prison you visited me. So, we take that seriously.”
Several public officials were also on hand, including Congressman Lou Correa of California’s 46th District, who presented an $850,000 check from a federal Community Project Funding grant for Illumination Foundation’s Richard Lehn Intergenerational Campus, which will provide supportive housing for both families and seniors.
Correa, who grew up in Anaheim, said St. Anthony Claret was his home parish for years and the senator thanked Fr. Cao for opening up the campus for the carnival.
“This is the kind of stuff he does on an everyday basis because this is caring,” Correa said. “All of us caring for each other.”
Actor and musician John Stamos, known for his role Uncle Jesse Katsopolis on the ABC sitcom “Full House,” along with numerous other roles in TV and film, also attended the carnival. Growing up, Stamos attended St. Irenaeus Catholic Church in Cypress, where he played the drums during Sunday Masses.
Stamos, whose mother taught Catechism classes, said his Catholic upbringing and attending church helped to shape his character.
“I’m so grateful for that,” the actor said.
According to the 2024 Point-In-Time Count, 347 families — 443 adults and 685 children — are experiencing homelessness in Orange County. These families often live in crowded rooms, motels, cars or in public spaces.
Other nonprofits and public agencies organizations were also present promoting their services, Those included the Orange County Sheriff ’s Department, Orange County Fire Authority and the Dragon Kim Foundation, an Irvine nonprofit which supports youth which helps youth to pursue their passions while providing a service to the community.
“We want to not only respect, but we want to honor all the kids, wherever they come from,” Dragon Kim founder Daniel Kim said. “We do happen to have a lot who are Catholic, and who come from a Catholic background.”
Children received backpacks filled with school supplies from Karina’s Backpack Project, toys from Mattel Children’s Foundation, and booster seats from the Orange County chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.