This is another edition of the "California-Texas montage" of recent weeks. I apologize for the lack of entries. The personnel who usually help me with this have been occupied with important matters. Congratulations, especially to Chris Kastner, our Webmaster, for his recent marriage.
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| Lunch Time at Ministry day in Orange |
In recent weeks, I have returned to Orange County to get to know more about the diocese and the ministries in this dynamic diocese. On Saturday, October 13, I was privileged to be present and preside at a Ministry Formation Day at Mater Dei High School to mark the beginning of the Year of Faith. There were over 1,500 people present on Saturday alone. A special thanks to Fr. Gerald Horan, OSM, Shirl Giacomi, Olivia and the staff of the Catechetical Department for their hard work and dedication in the preparation of this day. The next day I was able to be present at a major gathering and Sunday brunch fundraiser for St. Catherine's Military Academy in Anaheim, which is over 125 years old. Thanks to Sr. Johnellen, OP, of the Mission San Jose Dominican Sisters, for their welcome and ministry in this important and historical apostolate of the community and the diocese. Part of the weekend also involved my new portrait being taken at the Mission Basilica of San Juan Capistrano, in front of the beautiful new retablo with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the diocese.
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| The pamphlet for the brunch and fundraiser. |
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| The Sunday brunch and fundraiser for St. Catherine's Military Academy |
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| Bishop Vann with Sr. Johnellen, OP, the President of St. Catherine's Academy |
Returning to Fort Worth, I celebrated with Bishop Mark Seitz, who is the Auxiliary of Dallas, the annual World Youth Day Mass. This is always a great celebration of Faith, and this year the theme was "Walking in Faith" to mark the beginning of the Year of Faith. Over 7,000 youth were present from all over Central and North Texas. Each parish youth group is identified by a different color - hence the colorful display that is seen from the point of view of the Presider of the Mass!
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| World Youth Day at Six Flags |
The Cursillo Movement has been an active and engaged apostolic force in the Diocese of Fort Worth for many years. It is under the leadership of Fr. Francis Fernandez OFM, Cap. There are weekly gatherings to continue the spirit of the Ultreya weekend, and on Monday, October 22, I was able to celebrate Mass for a group of over 300+ from three parishes. This was held at Immaculate Heart Parish in Fort Worth, now under the capable and zealous leadership of the Confraternidad Sacerdotal de los Operarios de Reino de Cristo from Queretaro, Mexico. The theme of this particular ultreya was how to strengthen and live a life of evangelization in this Year of Faith. Again, the Year of Faith is repeating itself both in Fort Worth and in Orange!
+ Bishop Kevin W. Vann, JCD., DD