Orthodox/Catholic Book Club celebrated its 25th anniversary
On May 13, 2025, the Orthodox/Catholic Book Club celebrated its 25th anniversary. Along with the current study and conversation, there was a potluck and a recognition of the Book Club, under the care of Fr Steve Tsichlis, pastor of St Paul, Greek Orthodox Church. Very Rev. Alfred S Baca, Episcopal Vicar for Ecumenism for the Catholic Diocese of Orange and Book Club member, John Hartman, presented Fr Steve with a plaque commemorating the 25 years of the Book Club with a message of congratulations from Bishop Kevin Vann.
In September of 2000, twenty-five parishioners of St Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church and St John Neumann Catholic Church in Irvine, began gathering once a month to explore common roots, engaging in ecumenical dialogue at a grassroots level through books and conversation. Over the past two decades more than 120 books have been read by participants in this ecumenical fellowship. Among them have been modern Roman Catholic writers on the spiritual life like Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, Thomas Keating, Basil Pennington, Paula Huston, Ruth Burrows; and contemporary Orthodox writers like Metropolitan Anthony Bloom, Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, Thomas Hopko, Olivier Clement, Jim Forest and Kyriakos Markides and more recently, Matthew the Poor.
All Catholics and Orthodox are invited to join the Book Club. Meetings happen on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, September through May, from 7pm to 9pm. There is also on-line and zoom participation. The Book Club resumes September 9, 2025. For more information please go to: https://stpaulsirvine.org/orthodox-and-roman-catholic-book-club/
We are grateful for the many years that Fr Steve Tsichlis has given to the Book Club and his dedication to ecumenical progress between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches in Orange County.
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Order of Lazarus
The Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem is an Order of Christian chivalry composed of men and women, lay and clergy, from North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Founded in 1098 by Hospitaller Knights in the Holy Land, the mission and work of the Order was to care for the victims of leprosy.
The Order continues today to work toward the eradication of Hansen’s disease throughout the world, providing relief following natural disasters and promoting organ and tissue donation. The Order is ecumenical and open to all those Christians who accept Baptism, belief in the Most Blessed Trinity and are pledged to the goal of full Christian unity. Members pray and work toward the restoration of the full Christian family now divided.
Each year, a conference of the members of St Lazarus takes place somewhere in the United States. At each gathering, an update on the previous year’s financial donations toward groups and charitable organizations is evaluated. For the new year, donations and financial help are approved for the same organizations or new ones. Investiture of new members happens every year.
Order of St Lazarus members in our region belong to the Commandery of the West. For more information on the work and ministry of the Order of St Lazarus, please visit https://www.st-lazarus.us/
Pictured are members: His Excellency, Bishop Timothy Freyer (Auxiliary Bishop of Orange), Rev. Father Marcos Gonzales (pastor of St Andrew Catholic Church, Pasadena) and Rev. Father Alfred S. Baca, Episcopal Vicar for Ecumenism and Inter-religion for the Diocese of Orange and Secretary for the Pastoral Provision.
Also pictured, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony and Nina Vultaggio, invested in the Order in 2024.
Nicene Creed Basilica Concert
Visit to st. Michael's Abbey
On November 21, 2024, Fr. Al Baca arranged a visit of different Orthodox pastors and lay leaders to visit the new St. Michael’s Norbertine Abbey in Silverado Canyon, California. Norbertine Fr. Edmund Page was our tour guide. We remained for Midday prayer with the fraters enjoying the beauty of the Abbey.
ordination of the new byzantine catholic bishop
Fr. Artur Bubnevych was consecrated bishop and enthroned as the sixth Bishop of the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix in a ceremony at Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church in Anaheim on January 28, 2025. The Apostolic Nuncio, His Eminence Christophe Cardinal Pierre, was the official representative of the Holy See. Bishop Vann also attended the ceremony along with Very Rev. Al Baca and Fr. John Monestero from the Ecumenical Commission.