Due to an increase in the number of COVID cases, Governor Newsom has moved Orange County back to the purple tier, as of November 16, 2020. All Masses and religious gatherings will be back outside again, effective November 17, 2020. Thank you for your patience, understanding and support during this time. Please refer to our social media often for updates. In-person gatherings of prayer groups, bible studies, Ministry meetings, etc. are not presently allowed. The Blessed Sacrament Chapel is open for private, individual prayer Monday-Friday from 9am to 2pm.
Please note, the Bishop’s dispensation has been narrowed. If you are over 65, or if you have an underlying health condition, or if you are truly afraid of catching the virus, you are not obligated, but you are always welcome to attend Mass in person. If you think you are sick, especially if you think you may have COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who tested positive, please join us on livestream. Please know that we have all possible safety measures in place and look forward to seeing you all back at St. Thomas More.
We ask for your cooperation and patience as we navigate the directives in response to the pandemic. Even during these challenging times, we continue to worship our Lord as a faith-filled community.
Parish News
Kathy & Terry McGaughan (STM Angel Tree hosts) recently asked the question “How can we help?” – as we all journey together through these Covid-19 times. To get an answer, they contacted several local charitable organizations asking what is currently needed to assist those who are affected by unemployment, and who are finding it hard to feed their families and maintain their homes. We are sharing what they learned; we invite you to participate helping those who are struggling.
Many thousands of families – who are experiencing significant hardship in OC due to the loss of a job – are being helped by faith-based groups such as Catholic Charities, and Caterina’s Club to name a few. Significant requirements of the support groups include the need for volunteers and, at CCOC, donations to help families with utilities, rent, and food.
Opportunities to volunteer:
Catholic Charities of Orange County Cantlay Center (Santa Ana – 714-347-9600): Feeding 2,500 families a week! They really need our help.
Caterina’s Club (Anaheim – 657-201-3278): Serving thousands of meals to kids every day; several sites.
Please reach out directly by calling or clicking on the link of one or more of the above organizations where you might consider volunteering.
Opportunity to contribute (only to Catholic Charities):
Purchase Merchandise Gift Cards in $25 increments at Target, Walmart, Ralphs or other ‘value savings’ general merchandise or food stores. (Can also be bought on-line at the merchant’s gift card link.)
Write a check; make it payable to “Catholic Charities of OC” in any amount that you choose to contribute.
Mail the Gift Cards &/or Checks to St. Thomas More,51 Marketplace, Irvine, CA 92602 or drop them in the Believe Box in Parish Center front lobby.
The Cards & Checks will be delivered to CCOC.
Prayers, Alms, Fasting & Discipleship Will Get Us Through These Challenging Times . . . Thank You!
Christ Renews His Parish Weekend
Click Here for more information and Registration
Diocesan News
Diocese of Orange Website
An Outdoor Mass for the Protection of Unborn Children
January 22nd at 7:00 pm in the Christ Cathedral courtyard.
Livestream
Mass for Unborn Children
Christ Cathedral Courtyard
Friday, January 22nd @ 7:00 pm
Prayers for life are urgently needed on the part of all of the faithful. Through special initiatives and in daily prayer, may an impassioned plea rise to God, the Creator and lover of life, from every Christian community, from every group and association, from every family and from the heart of every believer.
A message from Bishop Timothy Freyer
on the Dispensation from Mass.
Weekly Reflection
by
Fr. Bruce Patterson
Diocese of Orange Bishops
Support COVID-19 Vaccinations
Dioceses Across USA Participating in Nationwide Prayer Vigil for Life
January 28-29
Catholics across the country are encouraged to observe a nationwide prayer vigil from Thursday, Jan. 28 to Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, which marks the 48th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions legalizing abortion through nine months of pregnancy.
Each January, the National Prayer Vigil for Life is hosted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Pro-Life Secretariat, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and The Catholic University of America’s Office of Campus Ministry.
The schedule of the 2021 National Prayer Vigil for Life is listed below. (All times are in Eastern Standard Time.)
Thursday, Jan. 28:
8 p.m. National Rosary for Life
8:30 p.m. Opening Mass with Archbishop Naumann
9:45 p.m. Holy Hour for Life
11 p.m. ~ Live-stream of holy hours throughout the night
Friday, Jan. 29:
~ 8 a.m. Closing Mass with Archbishop Lori
The live television broadcasts on Jan. 28 from 8 to 11 p.m. and on Jan. 29 from 8 to 9 a.m. will be provided by the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) and will also be available via live-stream on the Basilica’s website. Live-streaming information for the overnight bishop-led holy hours from various dioceses will be provided on the USCCB’s website.
The Marriage Course, by ALPHA online and organized by Saint Vincent de Paul Church, is for couples seeking practical support to strengthen their relationship, keep the spark alive and stay connected. The seven-part series starts on Feb. 4 and meets weekly on Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
It will be conducted online via Zoom so participants can join from the comfort of home.
For more information and to Register online go to http://svdphb.org/the-marriage-course/
You can also email Deacon Angelo and Cindy Giambrone (angelocindy4wwme@gmail.com) or call at (714) 697-5659.
St. Irenaeus Health Ministry Virtual Walk to End Human Trafficking
Feburary 8th at 7:00 pm via ZOOM
St. Irenaeus Health Ministry
Virtual Walk to End
Human Trafficking 2021
Monday, February 8th @ 7:00 pm via ZOOM
This year the format of the Annual Solidarity Walk to Honor Human Trafficking Victims has changed into a VIRTUAL WALK TO END HUMAN TRAFFICKING via Zoom on Monday, February 8, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. due to the pandemic.
This event is sponsored by the Bridge of Light: Human Trafficking to Human Triumph Ministry, part of St. Irenaeus’ Health Ministry, in collaboration with the Southern California Partners for Global Justice. Everyone is invited to join together virtually in solidarity for all victims of the heinous crime of human trafficking.
You are asked to bring a candle which will be lighted in unison at the beginning of the Virtual Walk to remind us of the Divine Light within each of us. The candle is also a symbol of protest against the darkness of human trafficking. We will turn on the light so victims hidden in plain sight will be seen. We will turn on the light to uncover the causes of human trafficking. We will turn on the light of understanding so we realize that each purchase we make affects a life. Together our individual light can make a real difference in another’s life.
This Virtual Solidarity Walk to End Human Trafficking will include: Praying for those affected by human trafficking; Hearing from a local sweat shop survivor of labor trafficking and a community activist; Learning about responsible consumerism; Understanding the dire risk of child sexual exploitation through social media and Taking action to affect change to end human trafficking.
February 8th is also the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking and the Feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of human trafficking victims, and a human trafficking victim herself.
If you are interested in this event, please register by sending an email to healthministry@sticypress.org with the subject line, VIRTUAL WALK TO END HUMAN TRAFFICKING. You will then be sent a link to the presentation.
If you have any questions, please call Monica Kovach, Facilitator of Health Ministry, at 310-490-6113.
World Wide Marriage Encounter
Diocesan Ministries Celebration Content
Now Available On-line
Free content from the VIRTUAL Diocesan Ministries Celebration: LEARNING THE GREAT STORY (English, Spanish, and Vietnamese).
The presentations from this FREE event remain available until Feb. 1, 2021 at DMC2020. The WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM segment is a great resource for personal or group reflection and prayer – and will provide an overview of the GREAT STORY OF JESUS which is the foundation of our faith. The keynotes provide a clear-headed analysis of the challenges to faith in the 21st century and how each of us can share the gospel with others.
Please take advantage of this great resource to go deeper as a missionary disciple
Hope & Healing After Abortion
Hope & Healing After Abortion
This ministry provides emotional, spiritual, and sacramental support to women who have had an abortion, significant others who were part of the decision to abort, as well as professionals who may have assisted in this procedure. All conversations are held in the strictest confidence. To speak with a companion minister who has been specifically trained in this very sensitive area of ministry, please call 1-800-722-4356.
Whether your abortion was a few days ago or several years ago, our companion ministers are here for you. There is no cost for this service. It is our gift to you, as church, because we care about you. Call us at our toll free number today at 1-800-722-4356. All calls are confidential.
If you are hurting from this act; if you are experiencing feelings of shame, guilt, isolation, remorse or despair, please call us today. A specially trained Hope & Healing After Abortion Companion Minister can provide you with emotional support and directed conversations to help you in your healing process. Call us at 1-800-722-4356. We are here for you
Serve Hope Hotline
Feeling down? Do you have a need for prayer? Maybe a desire for a spiritual guide at this time? Or maybe you just want to pray with someone?
We can help! Call our Serve Hope Helpline to talk to and pray with a religious, priest, deacon or other lay spiritual guides. The helpline is a free service available across the Diocese of Orange.
Phone 1-844-279-0105
Press #3 for English
Press #4 for Spanish
Press #5 for Vietnamese
Spiritual Guidance and Prayer Helpline