The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange

In ministry with youth and young adults, we the Diocese of Orange, seek to awaken the faith and increase the active participation of our youth in the life of the Church. We do this by creating and sustaining faith-centered programs and ministries for them and with them.

Objectives

We commit to learn. We will educate ourselves with regard to the wants and needs of our youth and young adults.

We will encourage exploration of the development of youth councils and young adult councils at all levels of Church life and youth representation on pastoral councils.

Making use of current technologies and methods of social networking, we will foster systems of engagement with youth and young adults to promote social, spiritual and service activities.

For some, Baptism’s call to discipleship includes a call to ministry and community in the form of ordination, consecration and lay ecclesial ministry. We will work intentionally to promote these vocations among youth and young adults.

“Ministry with adolescents helps young people learn what it means to follow Jesus Christ and to live as his disciples today, empowering them to serve others and to work toward a world built on the vision and values of the reign of God.”

USCCB: Renewing the Vision

We, the Diocese of Orange, support excellent communication between diocesan offices and parishes and among all the people of the Diocese.

We use the deanery structure to enhance and promote our collaborative efforts.

Objectives

We will identify the challenges and blocks to communication and by means of clear processes and modern technology create a clear flow of information throughout the organization.

We will create a management system to facilitate communication in an effective manner among deaneries.

We will increase awareness of the resources that are available throughout the Diocese.

Vatican II: Inter Mirifica

III: Liturgy

We, the Diocese of Orange, deepen our appreciation and participation in the liturgical life of the Church. We worship as one body while valuing our diversity in the celebration of the richness of our cultures, ages, and life callings.

Objectives

We will support “the work of the people” the Liturgy, calling ourselves to roles that are active and engaged, creative and inspiring.

We will continue to ensure rich diverse opportunities for liturgy throughout the Diocese.

We will encourage an exchange of ideas at deanery levels about good liturgical practices.

“The Liturgy daily builds up those who are in the Church, making them a holy temple of the Lord, a dwelling place of God in the Spirit to the mature measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Vatican II: Sacrosanctum Concilium

IV: Stewardship and Lay Leadership

We, the Diocese of Orange, embrace stewardship as a way of life. We encourage, educate and empower the laity in our roles as leaders and ministers.

Objectives

We will continue to provide education, formation and training opportunities in the areas of stewardship and lay leadership.

We will continue to identify individuals with leadership qualities to take advantage of the “Called and Gifted” process and other discernment processes that increase awareness of one’s baptismal call, responsibilities to minister and the gifts to respond.

We will provide information and the means for implementation of comprehensive and adequate formation programs to use the gifts appropriately and effectively.

We will embrace the challenge to significantly and measurably increase the contribution of time and talent in every parish, focusing our service especially for and with the oppressed, disenfranchised and underserved.

A cathedral stands at the heart and center of a diocese, under the direction of the Bishop, who presides as shepherd in worship, evangelization and service. We will develop support for the work of building Christ Our Savior Cathedral—its sacred space for worship and its site for works of justice, education, healing and solidarity.

“In the Church, there is diversity of ministry but unity of mission....The Holy Spirit sanctifies the People of God through the ministry and the sacraments and for the exercise of the apostolate and gives the faithful special gifts besides, just as the Spirit chooses, so that, putting at the service of others the grace received, all may be good stewards for the building up of the whole body in charity.”

Vatican II: Apostolicam Actuositatem

V: Faith Formation

As an important part of the work of evangelization, we, the Diocese of Orange, offer faith formation opportunities to support life-long spiritual growth and catechesis for the Catholic community and the individual Catholic Christian. We commit to a faith that is real, relevant and relational.

Objectives

We will increase awareness of training, resources and opportunities to provide faith formation as an on-going conversion to the person and discipleship of Jesus Christ.

We will create more opportunities to experience faith in our diversity of cultures.

We will support continuous faith formation for all stages of a Catholic’s life.

We will find creative and generous ways to support, strengthen and improve our Catholic Schools and Religious Education programs.

We will encourage the faithful, with excellent communication and personal witness, to avail themselves of the opportunities provided by the Institute for Pastoral Ministry for formation and training.

Because of our mutual humanity before a loving God, we will encourage the faithful of our Diocese, to develop knowledge and understanding of those who are part of ecumenical and interfaith traditions, nurturing relationships of prayer, trust and service in areas of mutual concern.

“Adult faith formation, by which people consciously grow in the life of Christ, through experience, reflection, prayer, and study, must be the central task of the catechetical enterprise, becoming the axis around which revolves the catechesis of childhood and adolescence as well as that of old age.”

USCCB: Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us.