Rite of Welcoming and Acceptance

This Sunday (October 3, 2010) the Rite of Welcoming and Acceptance are celebrated at the 9:00am Mass, as the first major ritual for our candidates and catechumens in our RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) process. After a period of discernment and prayer, the rite officially publicly welcomes nine people from our community who have been inquiring and studying about our faith. In this ritual, a declaration of intention to continue their faith journey is made, and the Church community symbolically claims these men and women, for Christ, by signing them with the cross.

Please joyfully welcome catechumens Cassie Karambela, Krista Lowary, Tiffany Reid and Stephanie Rodasta as they prepare for their initiation into the Christian faith through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

Also warmly greet candidates Chelsea Kashergen, Heather Lazaro, Susan Mares, Kristin Orosco and Gene Riddle, already one with us in Baptism, now wish to complete their Christian initiation through the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation, to be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church.

Please pray for our RCIA team, candidates, catechumens, and their sponsors as their journey in faith leads them closer to Christ and the sacraments.

How is your relationship with Jesus these days?

Summer has been a time to recharge our internal batteries~ soak up some sun, play golf, go to the beach, spend some relaxing time with family and friends, etc. Summer can be such an enjoyable time to rejuvenate our soul!

Summer is also a time to take stock of our lives. Many of us are in the midst of personal hardships – whether they be financial, spiritual, medical…in the midst of these life difficulties, there often seems to be nothing we can do than to “wait it out” – in effect, surrender to God’s will. While we are waiting, it is prudent for us to spend time taking stock of our spiritual lives. How is your relationship with Jesus these days? Do you turn to Him for strength? ...for guidance? ...for forgiveness?

Our baptism calls us all to discipleship ~ to follow Jesus ~ but it is pretty hard to follow someone you don’t know or feel any connection with. Be intent about following Jesus. Connect with Our Lord! Do not confuse committed church and social activities with discipleship. We can be very busy with the activity of going to church, volunteering for ministries, making certain our children receive their sacraments, etc…but unless we are intentional about it, taking to heart our responsibility to go forth and be disciples of Christ, aren’t we just spinning our wheels?

Please spend some time this summer reconnecting with Jesus. Pray everyday with purpose. Strive to be an intentional disciple of Jesus. If you or someone you know are searching for a way to connect with Jesus and are interested in being baptized in the Catholic faith or have not completed all Sacraments of Initiation (Eucharist and Confirmation) and wish to do so, please call our Parish Office at 714-879-1965 and ask to speak with an RCIA Team Member. We are gathering a list of names and interviewing candidates now for the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process that will begin the end of August. We look forward to talking with you and assisting in your discernment.

RCIA Faith Formation Sessions

Adults enter the Catholic Church through a process formally known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Becoming Catholic is one of life’s most profound and joyous experiences and is far more than an academic study of the Catholic faith. The RCIA process involves conversion via a deeply personal journey. This journey occurs within a small, supportive community of faith searching adults. All questions are welcome and encouraged. Each person journeying through the RCIA process has a parish companion (Sponsor) whose goal is to offer hospitality, prayer, and spiritual support on behalf of the whole parish. Are you, or someone you know, unbaptized in any faith? RCIA, is intended especially for you. The RCIA process prepares the unbaptized for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist~ which are celebrated at the Easter Vigil. Are you or a loved one baptized in another Christian tradition and looking to profess your faith in the Catholic Church? We treat this Christian baptism into the Lord with reverence as we prepare you for Confirmation and Eucharist in the Catholic Church. Maybe you are baptized Catholic but never received the sacraments of Eucharist and/or Confirmation? Our RCIA team can assist you with sacramental preparation through our faith formation Adult Confirmation process.

If you, or a loved one are 1.) not baptized, 2.) baptized in another Christian faith or 3.) prepared to complete the sacraments of initiation, our RCIA team is beginning interviews of candidates at this time. RCIA faith formation sessions begin mid-August. Please call the Parish Office at 714-879-1965 ASAP (ask for an RCIA team member) if you, or a loved one, are ready to begin this journey in faith or if there are any questions. God bless your discernment.

Please Welcome Our RCIA Neophytes

Please join in congratulating our neophytes, who received full initiation into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil: Lorie Sanchez, Luis and Lindsay Ramirez, Astrid and Danny Sanchez, Myron Roberts, Linda Bibeau, Paul Franza, Kathryn Van Dijk, Marci Fuscardo Pinney, and Richard Pollard. They completed months of study in the RCIA process and completed their Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 3rd.

We welcome them to the Table of the Lord and urge you to continue to support them with your prayers and good wishes, as they continue in the Mystagogy Phase of RCIA. We are blessed by their presence and involvement in our parish community!

RCIA Candidates - Luis and Lindsay Ramirez

Lindsay and Luis both grew up in Upland, CA and met in high school. They were married 2 1/2 years ago and moved to Fullerton in the past year, where they discovered St. Juliana Parish. Growing up Catholic they had both received Baptism and First Eucharist. Due to his commitments with sports Luis had not been confirmed, nor Lindsay, and they wanted their marriage blessed in the Catholic Church.

Currently Luis works for a property management company in Anaheim Hills. He and Lindsay both enjoy working out, attending comedy clubs, and spending time with family and their pug, Max. Luis also likes to watch UCLA football games and play on his turntables in his free time. Lindsay also works for a property management company in Newport Beach, and in her free time she enjoys photography and cooking.

They have felt most welcome and supported at St. Juliana’s, and value the Sunday Masses and Monday night RCIA classes. They will both receive Confirmation at Easter Vigil.

RCIA Candidate - Daniel Sanchez

Born, baptized, and raised in Los Angeles, Danny moved to Orange County seven years ago. He works as a journeyman lineman on high voltage power lines. He has three children, including his daughter whom he first brought to St. Juliana’s when she was preparing for First Communion. After Danny was badly burned on his face in a work accident a year ago he came to Mass at St. Juliana’s to give thanks to God for his survival. Now, having married Astrid at St. Juliana’s, he is anxious to finish the Sacraments this year.

RCIA Candidate - Astrid Sanchez

Astrid is married to Danny, is a mother of five and grandmother of two. Born in Orange County, she was baptized as a child and will receive the other Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. Both having been married before, when she and Danny were recently preparing for marriage her mother prompted her to consider marrying in the Catholic Church. They contacted St. Juliana’s and joined RCIA in August to prepare for all the Sacraments. Astrid is so grateful for the opportunity to explore and learn more about her faith. She looks forward to bringing her family closer to God and the Church Community.

Third Scrutiny

This week at 5 p.m. Mass we celebrate the “Third Scrutiny.” The three scrutinies are among the most ancient prayers in the Christian liturgical tradition. As early as the 2nd century Christian communities would help those who had been chosen for Baptism to prepare for their initiation by laying on hands and prayer. These very moving and powerful prayers ask God’s protection on those who will soon become full members of our Catholic Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Please continue to hold the elect in your Lenten prayers. They count on your support in making their faith journey.

RCIA Candidate - Linda Bibeau

Linda and her husband, Paul, were married at St. Juliana’s 25 years ago, and together with their four children, they have been attending the parish ever since. She was brought up Protestant, but made the commitment to raise their children in the Catholic Church. She has been very devoted to encouraging her children’s growth in their Faith by making sure they attended Sunday School, SRE, Confirmation classes, and many years of altar serving.

As a stay-at-home mom for more than 23 years Linda has been blessed to be a part of all the activities a busy family can be involved in. Linda has considered joining the RCIA program for many years. She longed to have complete unity with her family celebrating the Eucharist, so in celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary, the timing of joining this year’s class was perfect. She is excited to become a full member of the parish, and looks forward to all the opportunities and friendships it will bring.

RCIA Elect - Myron Roberts

Myron grew up on his parents’ pioneer orange ranch in Yorba Linda. He attended Bradford School and Valencia H.S. where he enjoyed playing basketball and tennis. While preparing for college Myron joined the CA National Guard and was activated for the Korean War. (He has lots of stories to tell!!) Two days after returning home he met his wife, Connie; they married a year later, and are celebrating 57 years together. They still live in their original home in East Fullerton, where they raised their two daughters, Terry (who lives in Paris) and Christy (who lives in Irvine). They have two grandchildren, now in college.

Myron worked at Ford Aerospace for 34 years and retired in 1994. Meanwhile, he has kept busy volunteering in the records office at the Fullerton Police Dept. through the RSVP program. He also delivers Meals on Wheels, reads and plays computer solitaire. He originally joined an RCIA program in 1984, but didn’t finish, and came to us this year through the recommendation of Deacon Jay Milam. Myron is looking forward to the new friendships he will make in his Christian life at St. Juliana’s.

Second Scrutiny

This week at 11 a.m. Mass we celebrate the “Second Scrutiny”; on March 21st at 5 p.m. Mass we celebrate the “Third Scrutiny.” The three scrutinies are among the most ancient prayers in the Christian liturgical tradition. As early as the 2nd century Christian communities would help those who had been chosen for Baptism to prepare for their initiation by laying on hands and prayer. These very moving and powerful prayers ask God’s protection on those who will soon become full members of our Catholic Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Please continue to hold the elect in your Lenten prayers. They count on your support in making their faith journey.

RCIA ELECT of the WEEK - Paul Franza

Paul will be married to his fiancée, Julie, at St. Juliana’s in May. The two have attended Mass often at St. Juliana’s for the past year, but after becoming engaged in August he wanted to make a full commitment and join the RCIA program. Julie is helping Paul complete the process as his sponsor.

With his baptism and wedding Paul is excited to have so many life-changing events coming up over the next few months. He appreciates the support and encouragement provided by the St. Juliana community to help him through these busy times.

Paul’s parents and his older sister were glad to learn of Paul’s decision to become baptized in the Catholic Church, and they are all looking forward to attending the Easter Vigil. Paul currently lives in Fullerton and works as a Financial Analyst.

RCIA ELECT of the WEEK - Marci Fuscardo

When Marci’s sister, Julie Sigenfuse, entered the RCIA program a few years ago Marci considered joining with her, but it wasn’t until she got engaged to Chris Pinney, that she knew it was the right time this year. Marci felt a strong need to enter marriage with Chris and God, as well.

She grew up in Brea and is close to her parents, Nick and Susan, her brother, Joey, and her sister’s family. Marci teaches third grade in La Habra, her 11th year of teaching, which she loves. Every day with her students is a gift.

Marci shared that she “feels very lucky to have found a community of people here at St. Juliana, who are welcoming and supportive.”

RCIA Scrutinies

First Scrutiny - Sunday, March 7, 2010 - 9:00am Mass

Second Scrutiny - Sunday, March 14, 2010 - 11:00am Mass

Third Scrutiny - Sunday, March 21, 2010 - 5:00pm Mass

Please pray for our Elect and Candidates.

RCIA Elect of the Week

Kathryn Van Dijk

Kathryn and her husband, Brandon, will celebrate their 10th anniversary this summer. Their greatest blessing is their 2 1/2 year old daughter, Mieke, who was baptized at St. Juliana’s by Fr. Luke. She wants the strong Catholic background for Mieke that Brandon grew up with, graduating from Servite H.S. Raised a Protestant, she has been involved with a community Bible Study Group for a couple years.

Besides being a wife and mom, Kathryn works for Kaiser Permanente as a HR Consultant and finds that to be a rewarding career.

From the beginning of her involvement at St. Juliana’s, Kathryn has felt embraced by the ongoing supportive and caring community here. As a RCIA member she is learning more about Catholicism, is excited about her upcoming Baptism at the Easter Vigil, and hopes to be an active member of the parish in the future.

RCIA Elect of the Week

Richard Pollard

Richard has been married to Simone for 43 years, and they have 3 children and 7 grandchildren, all of them baptized in the Catholic Church. He expects them all to come, even from Ohio and Texas, to the Easter Vigil, which says something about the importance of this event in their family.

Why now? After attending Catholic services for many years Richard realizes that something has been missing due to his failure to make a commitment earlier in his life. Now is the time, as he says, “to solidify my spiritual journey.” He has been University Librarian at CSUF for 22 years, has a passion for information and maps, and finds this to be an exciting time in his profession with electronic-based systems of information transfer. Richard and Simone appreciate St. Juliana’s welcoming environment and look forward to connecting more with the people in the parish.

The RCIA Journey

On February 14 at 9 a.m. Mass the RCIA class of 2009/2010 participated in the Rite of Sending. As a parish faith community we supported our 11 catechumens and candidates as they prepared for the Rite of Election on Saturday, February 20, at St. Columban Church. On this date the bishop enrolled them as the ELECT to continue their journey to the sacraments of initiation. Their photos are posted in the church vestibule and we urge you to keep them in your prayers as they continue their faith journey to the Easter Vigil.

Adult Confirmation Classes

If you are a baptized Catholic and are actively practicing your faith but have never celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation, contact Susan Lazuka at our parish office at 714-879-1965 now. Information is available on our upcoming 10-week Confirmation formation process. Classes begin soon. Confirmation date is May 8, 2010.