Virtual Reality Cathedral Tour will Highlight the Anniversary
Garden Grove, calif., (Sep. 1, 2016) – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange is ranked twelfth among all North American Catholic Communities and serves the spiritual and social needs of over 1.3 million registered Catholics. To understand the journey, consider the world on the eve of the decision to create the Diocese of Orange from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1976.
A Look Back: The World in 1976
- Dow Jones Average: 1,000
- Interest Rates: 6.25%
- Average New Home Cost: $43,400
- Average Yearly Income: $16,000
- Gasoline: 59 cents per gallon
- First Class Stamp: 13 cents
- The United States Celebrates its Bi-Centennial.
- The Concorde makes its first Commercial Flight.
- In World Series play, The Reds beat the Yankees.
- “Rocky” and “Taxi Driver” top the box office.
- A start-up tech company established by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak seeks to create something called the ‘personal computer’…they name the company, APPLE.
Looking Forward: A Cathedral for the Future
Such were the conditions when Pope Paul VI established a new American diocese. Over the succeeding decades, the world and Orange County have experienced unimagined change. With the 40th anniversary celebration, looking back is less important than looking forward. Here, a new cathedral campus heralds the future, and a remarkable opportunity will be presented to those attending the Sept. 18 anniversary celebration.
“Many in the Diocese – and most of those who will benefit from our continued growth – had not been born when Pope Paul VI appointed our first Bishop. That decision was made well in advance of the technological revolution that we take for granted today. By comparison, the Diocese of Orange will invite all attending the anniversary celebration to tour Christ Cathedral in VIRTUAL REALITY,” said Ryan Lilyengren, Director of Communications, Diocese of Orange.
Using complex software and high-tech equipment, MEDIA and the PUBLIC will be invited to tour the remarkable new interior designs while seated in the cathedral space. A simpler VR tour will also be shared with all attendees, presented in a 3D format that will be mobile-phone enabled.
“We may be the first Catholic Diocese to introduce a new cathedral by inviting congregants and media into a Virtual Reality experience. The fully immersive program will be a breakthrough for Church communications and further evidence of how the Diocese cherishes its past but is clearly focused on the future,” he added.
A Pastor’s Perspective
What should be noted when comparing history to present times should be obvious: The once-marginal Diocese of Orange is today a critical part of the Roman Catholic American Church.
“I am a pastor first and a Bishop by appointment. Any growth we have enjoyed over these first 40 years has been the result of work by others. […] It is they who will carry the Diocese into the future – not technology or expanded services or new buildings. A diocese is people. This anniversary reflects their commitment to our faith and has already outlasted four-decades of challenge and change. I’m confident they will continue that success,” said the Most Rev. Kevin Vann, Bishop of Orange.
Anniversary Celebration Program – September 18
- 7:30 a.m. – 5K Run/Walk & 1 Mile Fun Run
- 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. – Carillon Concert
- 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. – 40th Anniversary Mass
- 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Family Fun Zone with Real Snow Sledding Area, games, rides, etc.
- 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – VR Cathedral Tour
- 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. – Food vendors and beer garden
- 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Live Music on the Plaza Stage & Speakers Series in the Freed Theater
- 3:00 – 9:30 p.m. – Music Festival (Doors open at 3 p.m.) featuring Matt Maher, Colton Dixon, and others.
- All Day – Photo Exhibit in Cultural Center
Pastoral Center: Communications Department
13280 Chapman Ave. Garden Grove, CA 92840
Office: 714-282-3075
Fax: 714-282-3029