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EPISODE#206
OC CATHOLIC RADIO: GUEST DEACON STEVE GRECO SPEAKS ON OUR CURRENT PANDEMIC

Each week, we bring you compelling conversation with church leaders and laity. Our host and primary speaker is Rick Howick.

Today’s guest is Deacon Steve Greco, the host of the weekly radio show EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT, heard on Sundays at 12 noon on Relevant Radio. He’s also the founder and president of Spirit-Filled Hearts Ministry.

Deacon Steve has just written a very timely book for these times. It’s called “Be Not Afraid.”

Give us a listen and spread the word!

 

 

 

 

Originally broadcast on 7/18/20

EPISODE#203
OC CATHOLIC RADIO: GUEST IS LAUREN McCAUL – MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL

Host Rick Howick is thrilled to welcome Lauren McCaul to our studio for today’s program.

If you have ever attended mass at Christ Cathedral or watched a livestream, you have surely seen Lauren and heard her beautiful voice leading us in song.

Today she shares about her position at the cathedral; and, how the music ministry has been impacted by COVID-19.

You are sure to be inspired by her stories, her words, and her powerful testimony of faith!

 

 

 

 

Originally broadcast on 6/20/20

EPISODE#201
OC CATHOLIC RADIO: SPECIAL EDITION “OUR JOURNEY BACK..”

This is a very special podcast-only edition of Orange County Catholic Radio!

Lend an ear as host Rick Howick welcomes Auxiliary Bishop Timothy Freyer back to the studio – to discuss the re-opening plan for our parishes in the Diocese of Orange.

Listen and SHARE.

 

 

 

 

Originally broadcast on 6/5/20

EPISODE #239
EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT: WHAT IS THE REAL MEANING OF EASTER?

Even amidst the COVID-19 crisis we are all dealing with right now, we must remember that we are an EASTER people!

Deacon Steve Greco is delighted to welcome our very own Bishop Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Orange for our Easter program.

Be sure to share this podcast with a friend.

 

 

 

 

Originally broadcast on 4/12/2020

EPISODE#195
OC CATHOLIC RADIO: GUEST IS BISHOP TIMOTHY FREYER – KEEPING YOUR FAITH STRONG IN THIS TIME OF CRISIS

Host Rick Howick welcomes our own Auxiliary Bishop Timothy Freyer back to the studios of OC Catholic Radio.

In this lively conversation, we’ll be talking about having hope in this time of great crisis all over the world. You will no doubt feel better after listening to this podcast.

Be sure to SHARE with a friend!

 

 

 

 

 

Originally broadcast on 4/4/20

POPE FRANCIS: IT IS BEAUTIFUL WHEN BABIES CRY AT MASS

Vatican City, Jan 12, 2020 / 04:30 am (CNA) – Pope Francis baptized 32 babies in the Sistine Chapel Sunday, telling parents not to worry if their children cry at Mass.

“Let the children cry,” the pope said. “It is a beautiful homily when a child cries in church, a beautiful homily.”

On the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Pope Francis celebrated Mass on Jan. 12 with the parents and godparents of 17 boys and 15 girls, who were baptized surrounded by Michelangelo’s frescoes.

“Just as Jesus went to receive baptism, you bring your children,” Francis said. “The power of the Holy Spirit comes to defend them for the rest of their lives.”

“This is why it is so important to baptize them as babies because they grow with the power of the Holy Spirit,” the pope added.

Pope Francis said that he wanted to keep his homily short because the babies might not feel comfortable in their baptism gowns and in a new environment. “Babies are not used to coming to the Sistine Chapel,” he joked.

The pope reminded the parents that their personal example at home will help their child to grow in faith. He said that baptizing a child is an act of justice because the child receives the pledge of the Holy Spirit through the sacrament.

Each of the 32 baptized infants are children of Vatican employees born in 2019. St. John Paul II began the papal tradition of baptizing  children in the Sistine Chapel on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Following the Mass, Pope Francis prayed the Angelus prayer from the window of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

“As soon as Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove, while a voice rang out from above saying: ‘This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased,’” he said.

The pope said that it is important for each Catholic to know and remember the date of their own baptism. This is a date to be celebrated, he said, because it is when we received the Holy Spirit that remains with us.

“On the feast of the Baptism of Jesus we rediscover our baptism. As Jesus is the beloved Son of the Father, we too, born of water and the Holy Spirit, know that we are beloved children … invested in a great mission to testify and announce to all men the boundless love of the Father,” Pope Francis said

CATHOLICS IN SERVICE IN THE DIOCESE

Service is the oxygen of faith. Belief in the risen Christ will save us, but service to that faith validates and proves what we believe.  

In St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians 2:16, he tells us that a person is not justified by works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ. But later in Romans 2:6-7, St. Paul says God will repay everyone according to his works.  

Rather than argue over faith or works, the Catholic Church says it is both. Going to Sunday Mass doesn’t automatically check off the “faith” box any more than donating to a worthy cause checks off the “works” box.  For salvation, God asks that we focus both our faith and our works into dynamic affirmation of our commitment to Him.  

Every parish in the Diocese of Orange has its own ministries and outreach programs that give members a chance to put their faith into action. Most of these projects are highly localized and driven by the interest of the parishioners. This is a great thing.  

However, there are a lot of projects that are county-wide in scope or too large for one parish to take on. Under the leadership of Director Greg Walgenbach, the Diocese of Orange Office of Life, Justice and Peace is the command center for Diocesan outreach in the county.   

“Service is the mission of the Diocese of Orange as we are the local Church which is made up of all the parishes,” says Walgenbach. His office facilitates parish involvement in the work of a number of Catholic charitable organizations that together have a significant impact on Catholic outreach to people in need.   

For example, several years ago food distribution centers in North Orange County were noticing that more and more people were coming for help to make ends meet and put food on the table. According to Walgenbach, “Our office supported clergy and parish leaders from three churches in Fullerton – St. Philip Benizi, St. Juliana Falconieri and St. Mary’s – to effectively engage with the community to find answers. The Diocese role was to help the parishes connect to organizations such as the Illumination Foundation, which provides shelter and support services for homeless families, and individuals in Orange County and St. Vincent de Paul.    

The parishes began monthly meetings with Fullerton City staff and councilmembers to address community service gaps that were not being met and to advocate for solutions.  As the discussions progressed the Fullerton City Council started to make policy decisions that moved the discussion from charity to change. 

While most local nonprofits focus on a single mission, the Diocese is involved in many important initiatives.  

The Life, Justice and Peace Office distributes grants from 25% of the funds raised locally by the USCCB Catholic Campaign for Human Development, a national Catholic anti-poverty effort. Some of the organizations that have received funding include Obria, a crisis pregnancy clinic; Justice and Education; Higher Ground Youth and Family Services; Thomas House Family Shelter; Creer Comunidad Familia, and American Family Housing. 

There is always a need for people to become involved. 

More than 600 people work in jails with the Restorative Justice Ministry to the incarcerated. The Lights On program, which is part of St. Vincent DePaul, stations people outside jails to help prisoners who are released in the middle of the night with no one to meet them.   

Food pantries such as the Doris Cantlay by Catholic Charities and St. Vincent De Paul are connected with a network of food pantries throughout the county.  

Unfortunately, a plurality of children in foster care come from families that identify as Catholic. The office provides resources for parishes to recruit foster parents through the county and Olive Crest. 

Another increasing problem in Orange County is human trafficking and labor trafficking, otherwise known as slavery.  The office helps parishes build awareness by distributing materials and information prepared by the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force.  

The Pro-Life movement supports one of the most foundational principals of our faith – the respect for all human life from conception through natural death.  Precious life shelter, Casa Theresa, Mary’s path, Horizon Pregnancy Center, the Viet Respect Hotline and three Obria locations are all supported by the Diocese to embrace women during and after their pregnancies. 

On the other end of the life spectrum, the End of life ministry embraces a whole person care initiative offering clarity and support in conformance with Catholic teaching so that people can say yes to life in all its forms.  

For Catholics, we are called to respond when we see suffering. “Faith and service is what God created us for – to care for creation and the common good,” said Walgenbach. “I can’t imagine worshiping God without serving others as well.”   

Anyone who wants to learn more about the Diocese Office of Life, Justice and Peace can subscribe to the newsletter at rcbo.org/resource/about-life-justice-and-peace.

EPISODE#184
OC CATHOLIC RADIO: GUESTS ARE TWO NEWLY ORDAINED DEACONS AND THEIR WIVES

The Diocese of Orange welcomed 17 new deacons Saturday, Oct. 19, in the first such ordination service at Christ Cathedral since its dedication in July. Bishop Kevin Vann led the solemn ceremony.

Joining the 141 existing deacons serving in parishes throughout Orange County, the men made up the biggest graduating class in 40 years.

Today’s guests include David and Stephanie Hernandez; and, John and Amy Silberstein.

Be sure to share this podcast with a friend!

 

 

 

 

Originally broadcast on 10/19/19

EPISODE#10
CATHEDRAL SQUARE: HOMILY HIGHLIGHTS FROM CORPUS CHRISTI & PENTECOST

Get ready for another wonderful episode of Cathedral Square featuring our host, Fr. Christopher Smith.

Today’s program includes more homily highlights from the Sunday morning masses that we livestream on video for our Facebook feed.

The first half of the program will feature Fr. Chris’ message on the feast of Corpus Christi. Then, we will conclude with his dynamic words shared on Pentecost Sunday.

Be sure to share this inspiring podcast with a friend!

 

 

 

 

Originally broadcast on 7/27/19

EPISODE#9
CATHEDRAL SQUARE: HOMILY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE THIRD AND FIFTH SUNDAYS OF EASTER

We have a very special treat to share with you on today’s podcast episode of Cathedral Square. As you may or may not be aware, each Sunday we air a ‘live stream’ of the 9:30 AM Mass at Christ Cathedral. There are several such presentations that are archived on our Facebook page.

Today, we bring you the messages that Fr. Chris delivered on the 3rd and 5th Sundays of the Easter season.

Be sure to share this inspiring podcast with a friend!

 

 

 

 

Originally broadcast on 7/13/19