Wednesday, April 24, 2024     

Sign Up for Our Newsletter!

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

PODCASTS

EPISODE#261
OC CATHOLIC RADIO: THE FAITH WALK OF AN ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY SERGEANT

Welcome to another episode of Orange County Catholic Radio, featuring host Rick Howick.

On this week’s show, Rick welcomes a gentleman named Joe Avalos to the studio. A first-time guest to our program, Joe was born and raised in Placentia, CA. He worked for several years as a sheriff’s deputy sergeant here in the OC, and he retired in 2020. On this podcast episode, he and Rick discuss some of the trials and tribulations of being a law enforcement officer as well as a practicing Catholic. In addition, we will talk about the recent Blue Mass celebrated at Christ Cathedral. This mass honors law enforcement, fire-rescue and emergency personnel who serve in Orange County. This is a truly fascinating conversation. Be sure to share this podcast with a family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker!

 

 

 

 

 

Originally broadcast on 9/24/22

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

HEALTHY HOLIDAY

Holidays are special times, often associated with memories and traditions that we share with family and friends. While many events and occasions during 2020 have been upended, the holidays are not canceled! However, our celebrations this year will take on a new look as we continue to practice measures to stay safe and reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19. 

 

Consider these tips to stay safe and healthy throughout the holidays: 

 

1. GET YOUR FLU SHOT IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO ALREADY 

While we do not yet have a vaccine for the coronavirus, flu vaccines are readily available. Avoid the flu and keep your body as healthy as possible. The only way to actually “boost” your immune system is to get the flu vaccine. Free flu shots are available through the Orange County Health Agency. ochealthinfo.com/phs/about/family/flu/  

 

2. STAY ACTIVE 

We know that exercise, including walking, helps to keep us physically and mentally healthy. It’s tempting to let physical activity slide during a busy holiday season, however that’s when it’s even more important to include! Try this twist: Take an “Awe” walk. Go somewhere new, by yourself or with others. Pay attention to the details, looking at everything with fresh eyes. Maybe it’s the fall leaves, the ocean waves or a neighbor’s holiday decorations. Look for the “awe” in the world around you. 

 

3. EAT YOUR VEGETABLES 

Good nutrition helps to keep us healthy, but you may be tired of cooking at home. Coordinate a soup exchange instead of a cookie exchange. Make a big pot of soup, full of vegetables, beans and/or lean meat. Portion into 1-quart containers. Place in an ice chest by your front door and invite neighbors to stop by and take a container, leaving a container of their soup for you. Just add a green salad or fruit and crusty bread for an easy meal! 

 

4. HOST OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES 

Indoor gatherings pose more risk for spread of the virus. Fortunately, the mild weather in Southern California allows us to gather in backyards and parks. How about a Thanksgiving tailgate? When gathering indoors, increase ventilation by opening windows and doors. Be mindful of these guidelines in all locations: wear a mask except when eating, stay at least 6 feet away from people who do not live in your household, wash your hands often, preferably with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds. 

 

5. KEEP GATHERINGS SMALL AND BRIEF  

Risk of spreading the virus increases as the number of people and time spent together increases. California health officials recommend no more than three households gather for up to two hours. Celebrate with members of your household, inviting others to join you virtually. Share recipes, tell stories, even cook together via Zoom or Facetime. 

 

6. RETHINK THE MENU AND SHOP EARLY 

With smaller celebrations, you may decide to prepare only the dishes that are really special to you. Or it may be the year to try something new. Consider a brunch instead of a big dinner. Brunches are conducive to buffets where you can provide each guest with their own serving spoon or mini tongs to reduce handling of utensils. Regardless, don’t wait until the last minute to shop for food. Grocers are as puzzled as the rest of us regarding what people will buy this year and supplies may vary. 

 

7. CELEBRATE CLOSE TO HOME  

Travel increases the risk of spreading COVID-19. The CDC states that staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others. If you do travel, wear a mask in public settings, avoid close contact from anyone not in your household, wipe surfaces such as airline seats and trays with sanitizing wipes and wash your hands often. Do not travel if you are sick or if you have been around someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. 

 

8. PRACTICE GRATITUDE 

Plan a gratitude scavenger hunt. A perfect way to engage family of all ages to focus on the good around us. Make a list of things to be thankful. Take photos and share with family and friends near and far. 

 

9. SHOP ONLINE OR AT OFF-PEAK HOURS 

Avoid crowded stores especially just before and after Thanksgiving. Many retailers are offering sales throughout the fall/winter months rather than the traditional Black Friday specials. Take advantage of free shipping! 

 

10. MAKE YOUR OWN ADVENT CALENDAR 

 Choose one aspect of your health to focus on; physical, mental or spiritual. Spend 10-15 minutes daily on your goal and mark it on a calendar. Use the Advent season to prepare for the coming of the Christ Child on Christmas. 

Stay safe. Do your part to avoid spreading the coronavirus so that we all can look forward to a happy, healthy new year! 

 

SAFETY A PRIORITY AS VATICAN MUSEUMS EYES REOPENING, OFFICIAL SAYS

ROME (CNS) — As Italian authorities prepare to slowly relax lockdown restrictions in the country, a Vatican City official said it will enact new measures and protocols to ensure the safety of visitors to the Vatican Museums.

In an interview with Vatican News published May 9, Bishop Fernando Vergez Alzaga, secretary general of the Governorate of Vatican City State, said that due to ongoing health and safety preparations, the museums “do not yet have a definite date on reopening.”

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced April 26 that libraries, exhibitions and museums would be allowed to open nationwide May 18 with limited entrance if they could guarantee visitors would observe social distancing and if the institutions followed health regulations designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Following the lead of the Italian government, the Vatican had announced March 8 that it was closing the Vatican Museums, the necropolis under St. Peter’s Basilica and the museum at the papal villa at Castel Gandolfo — all of which normally draw a large number of international visitors to closed and crowded places.

Bishop Vergez told Vatican News that since then, the limited staff are obliged to wear protective gloves and masks and have their body temperatures measured daily. He also said the installation of thermoscanners to measure the body temperatures of visitors is nearing completion.

Once they reopen, “the museums can only be accessed with a reservation,” he said. “This will allow us to stagger the entrances during opening hours” and “visitors will be required to wear a mask.”

The Vatican Gardens, as well as the museum at the papal villa at Castel Gandolfo, will also open with similar protocols in the hopes that local visitors taking weekend trips, “which today seems almost a luxury,” would visit the summer residence of the pontiffs, he said.

While the pandemic has forced many institutions to rethink their business models to attract customers, including easier access on the web through virtual tours, Bishop Vergez said the museum preferred not to publicize its exhibitions and instead chose to remain in “silence.”

“We saw Pope Francis alone in a deserted St. Peter’s Square. Every day we see the rooms and galleries of the museums empty of people. The silence calls for prayer. That’s why we preferred to stay a little aside, reduce our communication to a minimum and give a testimony in this sense,” he said.

Bishop Vergez also said that while the Vatican Museums’ website already provides virtual access to its collections, in this day and age “we have a great need for reality, a desperate need.”

“Let’s not forget that it is the people who make the museums alive and only the real experience of the museum makes people alive,” he said. “Virtuality can never replace reality; to enjoy art you need eyes and heart, not screens to touch — or at least, not only those!”