Hosted Events
May 2024: Orthodox/Catholic Pentecost
April 2024: St. Jude Relic
Visit of the Relic of St. Jude to the Diocese of Orange – 2024
Part of preparing for the visit of the relic of St. Jude Thaddeus to the Diocese of Orange from April 27 – May 2, 2024, was this podcast with the Very Rev. Alfred S. Baca, Episcopal Vicar of the Office of Ecumenism and Inter-religion, and Fr. John Monestero, a member of the diocesan Commission for Ecumenism. Special thanks to Rick Howick, who hosted the conversation, and as always, asked good and thought-provoking questions and to Jim Governale for contributing his production expertise to create this podcast.
OC Catholic Radio: A St. Jude Relic and the Official Opening of the Marian Gardens
The Very Rev. Alfred S. Baca, Episcopal Vicar of the Office of Ecumenism and Inter-religion for the Diocese of Orange and organizer of the relic pilgrimage in Orange County, estimated 23,000 faithful venerated the relic at six churches (four Catholic and two Orthodox churches), reaching an additional 15.5 million through social media and livestreaming. Below is an article written by James Day of the National Catholic Register of the blessed visit of the St. Jude Relic under the guardianship of Fr. Carlos Martins.
Day’s National Catholic Register article and photos of the visit of the St. Jude relic at Christ Cathedral on April 30, 2024, can be viewed at: St. Jude Relic Tour The Apostle of the Impossible Touches Scores of Catholic Hearts in California
Fr. Carlos Martins has taken the St. Jude relic across the United States, beginning in Chicago in September 2023, and continues to bring him to parishes on the West Coast, including the Diocese of Orange, through August 2024. The current schedule to view the relic of St. Jude may be found at the Apostle of the Impossible website.
January 2024: Nicene Creed Concert
Community Gatherings
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.
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.
