Stories of Faith
Click on the titles below to read our parishioners' stories...
Do you have a great story or do you know someone at Corpus Christi who does?
Contact our Parish Life Director, Alyssa Eugenio, at 949.297.8517
You can also contact Alyssa if you're interested in joining the ministry as an interviewer/writer, or contact our Stories of Faith writer, Lynette Townsend.
Larry Swanson -- A Place to Call Home
11.19.21 • Lynette Townsend • Volunteer Storyteller
Larry Swanson’s faith journey has been long, and touches many different religions.
Growing up, with agnostic parents, Larry had to find his own way. His first recollection of church was at the age of nine. He attended a Baptist Church service with a close friend in their hometown of Torrance, California.
At the age of twelve, Larry joined a Mormon Boy Scout troop with another friend. This was a perfect fit for Larry. With good male role models, and the fact that they allowed older kids to mentor younger kids, he recalls this experience being a positive influence in his life.
By the time Larry turned fifteen, both he and a friend got involved in the Maranatha Movement, a Charismatic/Pentecostal-oriented Christian ministry formed in 1971 whose primary outreach was college and university campuses. During this time, Larry recalls accepting Christ as his Savior.
“God, I’m in your hands. You lead me through life.”
Feeling like he wanted to take control of his life, Larry aspired to be baptized. His mom asked him if he could take his younger sister with him. Both Larry and his sister were baptized in a Methodist Church in Redondo Beach. Larry remembers saying, “God, I’m in your hands. You lead me through life.” Even with that said, Larry struggled with Christian faith setbacks like immature selfish prayer and difficulties with “turning the other cheek” during aggressive behaviors exhibited while he played football. Little did Larry know, a wake-up call was right around the corner.
A motorcycle accident landed Larry, now eighteen, in the hospital. After a spleen removal and torn cartilage in his knee, he felt the need to rebuild himself physically and mentally. Larry realized he had talents, but he wasn’t applying himself. He was determined to discover what he was going to do in life and started pursuing science and engineering. And, at that time he started looking into Eastern religion.
Larry’s first long-term exposure to Catholicism took place when he turned twenty and dated a Catholic girl. She was extremely faithful and had deep-felt religious convictions in all aspects of her life. Occasionally, he would attend Mass and parish activities with her.
The Catholic faith surfaced again when Larry met Christine in 1980. They met on the beach in Redondo Beach and were both volleyball players. Chris, a cradle Catholic, wasn’t practicing at the time, but the Catholic Church would come into play a little later for both Larry and Chris.
In 1985 at the Church of Christ in Palos Verdes, also known as the Neighborhood Church, Larry and Chris got married. Their first daughter was born in 1986. They moved to Denver in 1987. Shortly after that, their second daughter was born. After moving to Littleton, Colorado, Chris wanted to attend Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Larry was moved to join the RCIA program at St. Mary’s: “I felt like I had found my faith home in Catholicism.” On Easter Sunday in 1992, Larry was confirmed and received the Holy Eucharist. Their son was born shortly thereafter in 1992.
Life wasn’t exactly smooth sailing from here for Larry. A move to College Station, Texas and a change of jobs led to a brief depression and the feeling he was failing at everything. Larry said, “Prayer at the time was like a desert.” Once he realized he needed to make a job change, he felt his life turn around. The Swansons would make their last move in 1998 to Orange County, California.
…the “God All-Powerful Beach Dream.”
Once settled in Laguna Hills, the Swansons attended Masses at St. Killian in Mission Viejo and St. Timothy in Laguna Niguel. They went through a dry spell with their faith, attending Mass only occasionally. They weren’t involved in ministries, and things just weren’t connecting for them. Before Larry and Chris found a spiritual place to call home, Larry had a dream he refers to as the “God All-Powerful Beach Dream.”
In his dream, Larry is on the beach in Redondo Beach playing volleyball. It’s an extremely bright, sunny day and an unsavory local player is on the other side of the court. Suddenly, just like an eclipse, it starts getting dark. The darkness turns to black, and the player turns into a demon. The demon is illuminated, and Larry is being drawn in toward him. Larry says, “I can resist this, I can resist this.” His whole physical and mental being is resisting…but he can’t—he’s still being drawn in. Larry puts out his hands and calls, “God help me!”
POOF! Everything is gone.
This is a dream Larry will never forget. It’s still as vivid as it was back then, and the message stays with him.
He felt he was finally home.
In 2006, a friendly neighbor told Larry he should check out Corpus Christi Church in Aliso Viejo. Larry remembers the first time—it was raining, and he had a difficult time finding the church. He arrived, attended Mass, went to the First Saturday Men’s Fellowship with his friend, and that was it! He felt he was finally home.
Larry says the ministries, Father Tim, and the faith family are what make Corpus Christi so special. For him, it’s a comfortable place. He has served with the Hospitality ministry in the past, and he’s currently involved in the First Saturday Men’s Fellowship, the Eucharistic ministry, and the recently formed Life, Justice, and Peace ministry.
At Corpus Christi, Larry feels that his spiritual growth is continually nurtured by Mass with Father Tim. Looking back, he says, “This is my basic belief: God lays a faith path down for us and it’s our choice to stay on that path or veer away.
Dawn Ancheta Both -- Once Was Lost, But Now is Found
02.09.20
Paralyzed by the loss of her sister, Dawn gives powerful testimony about how she found her way back by connecting with Corpus Christi and how the CLASS’es Corpus Christi offers changed her life.
Thank you Dawn for having the courage to share your story! We know many were touched by your testimony!
Guy Dadson -- The Lord Works in Mysterious Ways
10.12.19 • Lynette Townsend • Volunteer Storyteller
Guy Dadson can relate to the story of the Prodigal Son.
He grew up in a Christian, faith-filled family in El Segundo never belonging to one particular denomination. He and his younger sister had a happy childhood with their stay-at-home mom. His father, a scientist and engineer, entertained Guy and his sister with home science projects.
When Guy turned seventeen, he wanted to leave the state, and he wanted to study in an excellent chemistry program. The University of Utah took care of these needs. Once accepted, he left his family and headed off to college.
He dropped out within ten units of a degree.
What followed was out of character for Guy. Attending college gave him the opportunity to make some bad decisions. He started smoking cigarettes. Drug use followed, including experimentation with various substances. Drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana and cigarettes became a norm for Guy. This continued all throughout college. He dropped out within ten units of a degree.
Guy got a job at a grocery store throwing freight at night. Injuries became common place. The last straw was an injury from a pull-up bar that broke free from the wall. Guy fell to his knees on a concrete floor. He had to work that night even though he was severely hurt. Pushing himself though work, he had an “ah-ha” moment. He was tired of his physical job and wanted to think for a living. At the age of twenty-three, he sold every possession he couldn’t fit in a backpack, got on a plane, and flew home to California. Calling his mom, he said, “Mom, I’m home! Come and pick me up.”
Guy said at this time in his life he could really identify with the Prodigal son. His parents were aware he was having problems and knew he had dropped out of college. Despite this, they welcomed him home. Within a week, both parents made it clear he was going to go back to college. He took a bus to Cal State Fullerton to inquire about completing his degree.
At this time, Guy was ready to apply himself. He left all his bad habits in Utah. When he got to Cal State Fullerton, there was an interesting shift. He was bombarded by people who were all about the Lord. On the first day, he found a Gideon’s bible in his dresser. A person walked up to him and started talking about Jesus. In his math class, another person had him announce his faith in the Lord right there in the hallway. He couldn’t help but think how strange this was, coming at him all at once.
Then Guy met Claudia, his future wife. In the spring of 2001, Claudia and Guy were both working in the same research lab. In the Fall of 2001, Claudia she said she had a question. An awkward silence followed. Guy knew what she was going to say. Finally, she asked Guy out. He said, “Yes, of course, I’d love to go out!” And, remember the incidents previously regarding the Lord? Guy was now about to date someone who would tell him about her religion—Claudia was Catholic.
He was bombarded by people who were all about the Lord.
Guy proposed to Claudia twice (funny story) in 2005 and he went through the RCIA program to become Catholic. They got married in 2007, moved to Aliso Viejo and became parishioners at Corpus Christi Church. Guy was a college professor teaching chemistry, and Claudia was a chemist working in the pharmaceutical industry. When Claudia became pregnant, she eventually quit work to become a stay-at-home mom. A second daughter arrived and their family was complete.
In December of 2012, an optometrist visit gave Guy some alarming news. He was told his optic disk was getting bigger, suggesting his optic nerve was swelling. He was referred to an ophthalmologist, and given good news and bad news: the good was that it was just hydrocephalus, a buildup of spinal fluid. The bad news was that it would require surgery.
Guy saw a neurosurgeon who presented two options: place a shunt to drain the fluid or a ventriculostomy, a procedure to create a hole in the ventricle, creating a new path for the spinal fluid to travel. He opted for the shunt feeling it would be less risky. In retrospect, Guy felt the Lord had another plan for him. The shunt malfunctioned, an infection followed, the shunt was removed making the hydrocephalus return. They end up performing the second of the two options: the ventriculostomy. Guy felt after being offered two options, “I chose not the option that the Lord had in mind for me and so the Lord made it happen.” After that, the hydrocephalus didn’t return.
Guy felt the Lord had another plan for him
In 2017, Guy had another health scare with the discovery of a cyst on his spine. Once again, the Lord works mysterious ways, for a previous issue had led to this diagnosis.
He was referred to the same neurosurgeon that performed the ventriculostomy. Another surgery took place to remove a large cyst running several feet up his spine.
This isn’t the end of Guy’s physical problems. Looking at him, you may notice his 6’ 5” frame doesn’t stand as tall as it could or perhaps his gait is a little off. When asked how he keeps a positive attitude he simply answers, “I have so many blessings in my life. It’s really hard to be upset.”
In addition to teaching college chemistry, Guy is involved in two ministries at Corpus Christi. Being a social guy, the Hospitality Ministry suits him just fine. His welcoming smile greets parishioners at the 10 AM Mass. He’s also involved in the Children’s Ministry. He loves working with kids and feels his love for teaching is a God-given gift.
“I don’t think we will ever have another church we’ll call home.”
Guy also feels his strong faith is the reason that he can walk around with all his physical issues and not be upset about them. He appreciates being able to come out and help at Corpus Christi. Even though he, his wife Claudia and their girls live in Laguna Niguel, they still make the drive to Aliso Viejo for Mass at Corpus Christi. Guy sums it up nicely, “I don’t think we will ever have another church we’ll call home.”
Kelli Meisner -- Finding My Way
03.31.19 • Lynette Townsend • Volunteer Storyteller
Growing up in Riverside, California with a Catholic mother and non-Catholic father, Kelli Meisner’s church experience was a bit limited. As an infant, Kelli’s parents baptized her in the non-denominational church where they got married. Once her sister was born three years later, both girls were baptized in the Catholic Church.
Kelli didn’t mind church as a child, but during the summer, church became fun.
The girls occasionally attended Mass with their mom, but when Kelli and her sister were enrolled in Catechism classes, they began attending Mass on a more regular basis. Kelli didn’t mind church as a child, but during the summer, church became fun. After school was out each year, she and her sister were flown to Oregon to stay with their maternal grandparents. Every Saturday night during the summer, their grandparents drove them to a little church in Medford located by a fruit stand.
The tiny church was welcoming and filled with older parishioners. Her Grandpa, a Knights of Columbus member, was very involved in the church. With that came special privileges during Mass for Kelli and her sister like helping Grandpa bring up the gifts. After church, a fun out-to-dinner adventure always followed.
However, sometimes Kelli didn’t want to go to Oregon for the summer. It was difficult for her to leave her friends, but looking back, she’s thankful she got to go. Not only was it a special time to spend with her grandparents but she and her sister got to enjoy camping, seeing plays, and shopping with Grandma for new school clothes.
As Kelli grew up, she would occasionally go to Mass on special occasions. She went to church with her Catholic friends and also attended teen Masses with a Catholic boy she was dating at the time. She’d been baptized and had made her First Communion, but she wasn’t driven to be confirmed.
When Kelli was 15, her parents divorced.
When Kelli was 15, her parents divorced. Kelli remembers it being a stressful time, but her mother tried her best to make it better. “The one thing I praise my mom for was that she was always very open and honest about things.” Kelli was able to continue attending her same school which made this difficult time a bit easier.
In 2006, her sister was about to be married. Kelli was also engaged. Her sister needed to be confirmed in order to get married in the Catholic Church. She asked Kelli if she would join her in the Confirmation Program, and both girls, in their early 20’s were confirmed.
Kelli’s sister married in 2006 and Kelli married her husband, Kris in 2007. Kris was and is a non-Catholic. Kelli’s church going continued to be sporadic. They welcomed their first baby boy in 2010. In September of 2013, she got pregnant with her second child, and during that time Kelli became extremely ill. Their second baby boy was born May of the following year, eight weeks premature. They both spent a month in the hospital. Kelli was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and she had surgery in August, 2014. Thankfully she’s been in remission since then and their little boy is healthy.
In 2016, Kelli and Kris welcomed a baby girl. They were now a busy family of five. When her eldest was in first grade, Kelli signed him up for the Cub Scout Pack at Corpus Christi Church in Aliso Viejo. By the end of their first summer in the program, a position open up for the Committee Chair, but in order to volunteer for the position you needed to be an active member of the church. Kelli joined the parish.
I’m taking Grandma to the emergency room because we think she might have had a stroke…
She called her grandma to tell her about the position she signed up for, and about Corpus Christi. The next evening she got a call from her mom. “I’m just calling to let you know I’m taking Grandma to the emergency room because we think she might have had a stroke.”
When Kelli’s husband heard the news he said, “You need to go. I’ll deal with the kids.” Kelli met her mom and her brother-in-law at the hospital. While at the hospital, her grandma had another stroke. Medication was administered with no success, so surgery was the only hope. The doctors operated on Kelli’s 90-year-old grandmother. Kelli stayed up all night through the surgery, went home and then went back the following day.
Father Tim said in the homily, “God is always with you whether you know it or not….”
She remembers attending Mass after her grandma’s surgery. Her cell phone buzzed during that Mass. It was her mom. The priest was coming to give her grandma Last Rites. Kelli was able to see her grandma one last time before she passed away. During Mass that day, Father Tim said in the homily, “God is always with you whether you know it or not. And you may not understand the path that you’re on right now, but God is with you.” It was exactly what Kelli needed to hear.
Kelli’s grandma was a very touchy, sensory-like person; she would twiddle her thumbs when she sat. On the Sunday after her grandma passed, Kelli sat in church, her mind wandering. She looked down at her hands and she was twiddling her thumbs just like her grandma used to do! Grandma’s presence was felt that day.
“Get involved with a ministry.”
Today Kelli has a full life. She’s a wife, a busy mom of three and works full-time as a paralegal. She volunteers in her children’s school. Her spiritual life at Corpus Christi has grown. She’s still active as a Cub Scout Committee Chair and is a member of the Pastoral Council. Kelli says, “I feel it’s important to show the kids to step up. It’s important to do the best you can do every day.”
As for her faith she shares, “I think it’s evolving. I’m trying to learn to be a better Catholic and to put that first when sometimes it’s a struggle.” And her advice for anyone who is struggling with their faith: “Get involved with a ministry. You may go and it may not fit but try again. I feel like there’s something for everybody.”
Roger & Gina Basa -- The Journey from Hardships to Blessings
02.09.19 • Lynette Townsend • Volunteer Storyteller
In November of 1997, Roger Basa was visiting his uncle in the Philippines. He was a long way from home: St. Louis, Missouri. On a hot, muggy day, his uncle received an invite to a birthday party, and Roger decided to tag along.
Gina had grown up in the Philippines in a large, close-knit Catholic family; Roger, also Catholic, had attended Catholic school all the way through college.
The birthday celebration, on that fateful day, was for Gina’s father.
“The first time I saw him, my heart said Bump, bump, bump!”
When Roger walked in, all he could think about was how hot it was in the old house. When Gina spotted him, all she could think about was her heart. “The first time I saw him, my heart said Bump, bump, bump!” This had never happened. Gina asked, “Lord, why?” Soon, they were introduced.
Gina’s family was musical, and they all gathered around to play music and sing to honor her father. As Roger took this in, he was extremely moved. He had just found a girl who sang like an angel.
When the party ended and Roger and his uncle left, Gina prayed, “Lord, I’m in trouble. Please remove this. Take this away from me because I don’t know him, except that he’s from Missouri, so please take it away.” But Gina’s strong faith also prompted one more thought. She asked for a sign. “Next time we see each other, he shall bring me roses.”
Roger was not a flower-giving kind of guy. In fact, he had never given flowers aside from the customary corsage. He purchased flowers before he and his uncle picked up Gina to give her a ride across town, and to this day he still can’t tell you why. When Gina got into the car, he handed her a bouquet of roses.
Gina and Roger were able to spend some time getting to know each other before he had to leave. They called each other often, and Gina planned a visit in February to see Roger in the U.S. Gina was a flight attendant at the time, making traveling easy for her. They got married in March in Las Vegas. When they traveled back to the Philippines, they married in the Church in July. After that, they called St. Louis home.
Gina struggled with the move.
Gina struggled with the move. St. Louis was so far from the Philippines. She missed familiar surroundings and her family. She felt lonely and said, “Lord, I am not happy. What have I done?” Then she got pregnant, and Roger and Gina had a son.
But Roger could see that Gina wasn’t happy where they were. He asked her where she wanted to go, and she chose California because it was only a plane ride to the Philippines. After living in Missouri for a year and a half, they moved to California.
...Roger and Gina were given some shattering news about their son...
The settled in Orange County and Roger found a job. But before he could start work in Irvine, the company sent Roger and the family to New Jersey for a year—they were on another journey again. Their son was two at the time. While in New Jersey, Roger and Gina were given some shattering news about their son: he was diagnosed with autism. They had no idea what this meant; all they could think was, “What did we do? Why did this happen to us?”
Once they moved back to California, it was there that they began to educate themselves about autism. They did everything they could to help their son. There were many battles with his school, and they leaned heavily on their faith to help them through the struggles.
Once things started to lighten up for them, they searched for a church to call home. They started with one parish, but it didn’t quite meet their needs. Part convenience, and part fate, they attended Mass at Corpus Christi in 2007. They never looked any further.
Eight years after giving birth to their first son, Gina became pregnant again, and their second son was born in 2008. At first, they attended Mass in the cry room with their boys and then went home. They recognized familiar faces, but never socialized. When their youngest turned two, Gina told Roger that she wanted to serve in the church like she used to when she was growing up in the Philippines. She chose the Maintenance Ministry so that Roger could watch their boys while she served.
Each year, after every Ministry Fair, Gina would ask Roger what ministry he was going to join. Finally, one year, Roger said, “If I’m going to join, I’ll be a Eucharistic Minister.” Gina told him, “Okay! That’s the Holy Spirit that told you!” And back they went so that Roger could sign up.
Years passed, and Roger and Gina became more active in the church. 2015 was a monumental year for the Basas. Even with a sixteen year old and a seven year old, Gina joined the choir and continued with Maintenance Ministry, and Roger continued with Eucharistic Ministry and got involved in presenting segments of the purpose Driven CLASSes. They also planned a trip to the Holy Land with the church—a life-changing experience for both of them.
After all of the hardships with their autistic son, life is no longer difficult.
After all of the hardships with their autistic son, life is no longer difficult. They bring him to Mass and are able to participate in their ministries while their youngest attends CLOW (Children’s Liturgy of the Word). With the good Lord’s presence, and the helping hands of their faith family nearby, for those few moments alone, their son has continuous loving care. They’ve signed him up for SKIPS (Special Kids in Prayer & Sacrament) at Corpus Christi, which meets twice a month and will eventually enable special needs children to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist. One day, the Basa’s will be able to participate in the Eucharist together.
Roger and Gina now feel that their eldest son is their biggest asset. Roger says, “He brings a smile to people who really take the time, and he keeps us grounded.” And Gina shares, “He taught us not to take things for granted—to always be thankful.”
their blessings are numerous
Gina was a shy girl from the Philippines, while Roger was an American living in the U.S. Gina took a leap of faith and followed him. They had their struggles; they encountered heartbreaking hardships, but they’re happy now. Roger states, “The Lord is first. The Lord is first in everything we do.” Gina agrees. Corpus Christi has become their second home and their blessings are numerous—fate and faith at its finest.
Eileen Sanvictores -- Radiant Light
12.15.18 • Lynette Townsend • Volunteer Storyteller
If you happen to run into Eileen Sanvictores at Corpus Christi Church in Aliso Viejo, the first thing you might notice is her smile. She considers Corpus Christi her second home and being there makes her happy. And, like the meaning of her name, you sense a light around her. She will tell you this is because of her relationship with the Lord.
...she is a survivor...
The most amazing thing about Eileen is her journey. You would never know by looking at her that she has endured cancer not once, but multiple times. To say she is a survivor is an understatement.
Eileen was born and raised in the Philippines. She comes from a large family of six and has a fraternal twin brother. When her family went to church, they occupied an entire pew! She and her siblings were raised Catholic and Eileen went to Catholic school from kindergarten through college. Growing up, Eileen attended Mass daily and her dream was to become a nun. Her friends even called her “Sister Eileen.” When she met her husband, she guessed it was God’s plan for her to marry.
In 1988, Eileen and her husband moved to Santa Ana. Eileen started attending Mass daily at St. Nicholas in Laguna Woods and she got involved in the Charismatic, Faith Sharing and Divine Mercy groups. During these years, Eileen and her husband were blessed by having two children.
On January 1st, 1998, Eileen and her family moved from Santa Ana to Aliso Viejo. They joined Corpus Christi as parishioners in the year 2000 and Eileen became active in the parish as a volunteer. Because of her vocation as a Preschool Instructional Assistant and because she found children healing, she was drawn to Guppies, AngelFish and F.I.S.H. She also joined LIFT, Ladies in Faith Together.
Eileen’s cancer journey involved chemotherapy. One day after a treatment, she remembers crying and feeling so down. Eileen went into her backyard, looked up to the sky and said, “Lord, it’s really hard for me, you know, to go through this chemo.” Then she said, “Ok, Lord, I am accepting this but I am surrendering it back to you and I will start believing that you will be with me through this journey.” At that moment a feeling of peace came over her.
At that moment a feeling of peace came over her.
Through all of this Eileen says, “My journey is still beautiful because I have God walking with me, journeying with me.” Through cancer, she feels God is using her as an instrument to help others and to share His goodness and faithfulness.
Being a part of Corpus Christi, Eileen feels a family connection, a sense of belonging. She is so moved by Father Tim’s homilies at times that she takes notes. Her favorite bible passage is Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
During a meeting, Eileen spoke to the ladies in her LIFT group. She told them she wasn’t a public speaker but she knew that the Holy Spirit would be with her as she relayed her story. She said, “Cancer is not my life. It’s a part of my life. God is my life.” Eileen feels that Corpus Christi has played an important part in her healing.
Cancer is not my life. It’s a part of my life. God is my life.
Even though chemotherapy is behind her, Eileen continues to receive ongoing long term treatment. With each doctor’s visit, she feels she is surrounded by prayers from her faith family LIFT group. They will ask her what time her treatment is and put a reminder in their phones to pray for her at exactly that same time. Although they are apart, they all come together in prayer for her.
Teaching the children in Guppies at Corpus Christi has also played an instrumental part in Eileen’s healing. Eileen is really attached to her faith kids. She says, “There is joy in me when I teach. They make me feel special, and when you’re with children, you feel as if you become one of them.” Eileen loves their spontaneity. Just talking about hearing the children call out, “Miss Eileen!” each time they see her makes her smile.
In her chemotherapy days of past, Eileen was moved to write a poem about her experience. An untitled piece, it was suggested to her that she should name it, “My Guiding Light.” It’s a beautiful and heartfelt poem about her journey and her relationship with God.
“I truly believe that God is working on me,
Sometimes it’s beyond my understanding.
But, I feel His presence on me,
Through His love everlasting.
Today and tomorrow, I will always cling to God,
Because He is my Lord and my God.
In Him, I put my trust,
And, in Him, my health I entrust.”
That smile you see when you run into Eileen…there are no words. She is such a beautiful example of hope and faith, and of God’s love for all of us. In the closing stanza of her poem, Eileen writes:
“I love you, my God.
You are my guiding light.
I love you, my God.
Thank you for always being on my side.”
Mark & Cindy Miller -- Faith and the Cross
11.17.18 • Lynette Townsend • Volunteer Storyteller
If you ask Mark and Cindy Miller how many crosses they’ve had to carry in the thirty-three years they’ve been married, it might take them a while to answer. There have been many. Between the two of them, they could probably list them all. If one forgets some details, the other one fills in. They are a team – a faith-filled team.
Mark and Cindy met in Los Angeles. They both moved to Orange County and got married in 1986. Mark’s background was in civil engineering as a Projects/Operations Manager and Cindy worked for the Capistrano School District in Special Education. In the early years of their marriage, they had two children, a girl and a boy. Cindy had been baptized Catholic and Mark, a Protestant, attended Mass at St. Timothy Parish in Laguna Niguel with Cindy and the children each Sunday.
...which led to every parent’s nightmare: addiction.
After a corporate move to Hawaii for a couple of years when their children were young, they moved back to Orange County and settled back into St. Timothy parish. When their oldest got into high school, Mark and Cindy encountered their first cross. Their daughter, a loving, caring girl ended up hanging out with some wild kids which led to every parent’s nightmare: addiction.
Throughout the years there would be moments of hope when their daughter wanted to attend rehab and many low moments when she would relapse. Mark and Cindy had to make some difficult decisions during those years; tough love is never easy.
So how did they survive? Faith.
In 2005, Mark and Cindy changed parishes. Friends had invited them to Mass at Corpus Christi in Aliso Viejo; after that Mass, they decided to stay. A year later, they volunteered for the Hospitality Ministry. Little by little, Mark and Cindy shared their cross with their new faith family. Cindy states, “When I walked into church on Sunday, I could let go of all that darkness and pain and it felt good to be with my community. They embraced me and made me be capable of getting through my Monday to Saturday.”
More Reminders of hope...came from Father tim.
More reminders of hope for Cindy came from Father Tim. She made an appointment to meet with him privately to discuss their challenges with their daughter. Father Tim told her that “you just don’t know when God is going to pull your daughter out of the darkness. But, for now, by prayer and believing and knowing God is going to bring her out, then you have that hope.” He also suggested that she turn to the Bible. All of this helped immensely.
After years of attending Mass, volunteering for the Hospitality Ministry, and going up to receive a blessing in the place of the Eucharist, Mark felt like a light had started to shine on him. He was involved during Mass, and yet he wondered why he wasn’t more involved. In 2007, he decided to go through the RCIA program at Corpus Christi. During the Easter Vigil in 2008, Mark became Catholic. Mark credits Cindy and her faith throughout the years for bringing him to his decision.
Their daughter was still experiencing her ups and downs as of 2011, when she became pregnant. She married and had a baby girl, but before her little girl was one, she relapsed once again. Mark and Cindy were faced with another cross. Cindy retired from her job and joined her daughter’s in-laws to give their granddaughter the loving care she needed.
More crosses followed: a layoff for Mark, the death of his mother, and a life-changing head-injury accident for their son. How does a family survive all this? Mark mentions something that a priest once told him. “When you ask why, God is only going to give you the amount that you can handle. The cross may be big and it may be unbearable but he never gives you more than you can handle.”
"The cross may be big and it may be unbearable but he never gives you more than you can handle.”
Joining one more ministry at Corpus Christi, Loaves and Fishes, also helped Mark and Cindy keep things in perspective. After spending time with the homeless each Sunday, Mark says they realize that things may not be so great for them at times, but they could be a lot worse. Being grateful for what they have is the take-away.
Through all the hardships with their daughter, Cindy spent a lot of time getting to know rehabs, addiction programs, and counselors. It took her years, but she opened up her door to other families who were also struggling in order to offer them support and advice. She says, “When you’re going through it, you think you’re the only one.” Her wish is to give families hope if they are experiencing addiction with their children.
Mark and Cindy know there will be more crosses, but the blessings will be there too. Their daughter is doing well. She’s clean and sober and has a good job. Mark has changed fields and has a new job he finds fulfilling. Their granddaughter is flourishing. Their son still has his challenges from his head injury, but he’s working hard at finding his new best.
“...it's home and all that home means."
Mark sums up what Corpus Christi means to him beautifully, “Its home. To me, its home and all that home means. It’s a place where you feel warm, safe, comforted. There’s an incredible amount of peace. It just kind of washes over me.” And, for Cindy, “We are a family and we support each other.”
Joe & Amy Mathias -- Love is Patient, Love is Kind
10.18.18 • Lynette Townsend • Volunteer StoryTeller
Joe and Amy Mathias have been parishioners at Corpus Christi in Aliso Viejo for three years. It’s been quite the journey for both of them. Amy was baptized in the Episcopal Church and attended some “CCD” back then. When her parents divorced, her church going ceased. As time went on, she just didn’t have any interest in her faith or the church.
...Joe began to question why he had to go.
Joe was raised Catholic, a cradle Catholic as they say. His mom was a devoted Catholic. Joe’s father never got over the Vatican II changes and after getting injured on the job as policeman, he became very angry at God and stopped going to church. Joe’s mom continued to take Joe to church but because his dad didn’t go, Joe began to question why he had to go. He didn’t understand, but he continued to go to church into his adulthood.
Amy's Story
In 1992, Amy met Joe at her workplace. When they got married they were able to marry in the Catholic Church because Amy had been baptized. At that time, Amy still didn’t have any interest in church. Joe never pressured her. Ever. Joe went to Mass by himself and occasionally Amy would go with him. She usually went because of guilt, because she felt bad for Joe.
In her years away from the church, Amy had a few “personal callings,” three to be exact. The first message started when she was sixteen years old. Her sister performed in the play Jesus Christ Superstar at Saddleback College. Amy couldn’t quite figure it out but any time there was something that involved Jesus, she was drawn to it. She felt she had a strange connection, an obsession with Jesus.
There was a defining moment where Amy’s faith was strengthened. Joe and Amy have two children. It took eleven years for her to get pregnant. About six months before she got pregnant with their first boy she remembers looking up to the sky saying, “I’m done. I’m okay with our current situation. This is totally fine if this is your plan. I’m good with it.” And, that was a turning point in her faith.
Amy promised Joe they would raise their children Catholic when they were married. Amy’s last calling happened after they baptized their second child. After that baptism she felt she should learn about the Catholic faith because her children would have questions. At that point, she was going to do something about it but it was for her children.
...she sat in her van and she could almost feel Jesus crying and hugging her.
While living in Menifee and going to a church in Murrieta, Amy decided to check into the RCIA program. After receiving some information, she sat in her van and she could almost feel Jesus crying and hugging her. She finds it hard to explain but she felt him saying, “Yes, it’s about time. I’m so proud of you. This is wonderful.” She sat in her car sobbing.
The missing piece for Amy was a personal connection with their present church. After a move to Aliso Viejo, Joe and Amy attended Mass at Corpus Christi. Both of them were a little unsure of the environment; there were no pews and it wasn’t quite the traditional church that they had been used to. And then, Father Tim spoke. They both said, “Ok. This is kinda cool. I like him.” They kept going. Father Tim was the final push to get Amy to join the RCIA program. At that point, it became about her and not about anyone else.
The RCIA program at Corpus Christi was the best experience of Amy’s life. Her advice for anyone who is considering becoming Catholic: “I would tell them to learn about it and I would tell them that there’s no pressure. You don’t have to become Catholic, but go through the class and at least learn about it.” Regarding her feelings towards Corpus Christi, Amy says, “As long as Father Tim is here…if we moved an hour away, we would drive here.”
Joe’s Story
With a father that wasn’t a practicing Catholic and Amy’s dad having some issues with the church as well, when Joe and Amy got married in the Catholic church, it had a profound effect on both families. Joe’s dad softened a bit. It brought the families a little bit closer together.
He felt that he needed to lead by example.
When they got married and for as long as he had known Amy, Joe accepted the fact that Amy didn’t go to church. He didn’t want to push her. He felt that he needed to lead by example. It wasn’t easy for him, sitting in Mass alone seeing other couples and families together. Attending Mass in churches where he felt moved by good cantors, choirs and priests definitely helped. Joe and Amy were married for seventeen years before Amy went through the RCIA program.
When asked what Amy’s becoming Catholic means to Joe, his first response was that he’s happy for her. He said it’s nice to be formalized but Amy has always been the more spiritual of the two of them from the get go. Even before they were married, Amy would get overwhelmed and well up but wouldn’t know what it was. “She’s had a very personal relationship with Jesus for a long, long time and I know that.”
Joe, like Amy, has also had some callings. Joe is a Captain for the fire department but he originally wanted to be a policeman like his father. Growing up watching Adam-12, all he wanted to do was to work for the LAPD. He took the test for the LA County Sheriff and was going through the academy, but it didn’t work out. While working as an Explorer for the LAPD, it was the kindness of one LA City Paramedic one day that made Joe realize he wasn’t happy where he was. He decided he wanted to be a firefighter even though it would entail a lot more work including going back to school. But Joe felt it was worth it. Amy said, “God speaks to us all the time. And He sent that paramedic to get you on the right track.”
Joe’s faith plays a big part in his job. His faith allows him not to worry and he places his faith in God to make the right decisions. He prays that He will help him do good work. When Joe got promoted to Captain, he took his Captain’s badge and had a priest bless it. Joe says, “Because now it’s not just about me coming home. Now I’m responsible for other people to make sure they get home safe.”
Corpus Christi’s location originally drew Joe and Amy in, and Father Tim sealed the deal. “Father Tim is like watching Mike Trout bat. Mike Trout is up to bat and chances are he’s going to hit a home run and Father Tim is like that…he knocks it out of the park every Sunday.” Both Joe and Amy like the genuine feeling of community and all the ministries at Corpus Christi.
...the genuine feeling of community and all the ministries...
Now that Amy is a member of our faith family, Joe feels it has brought them closer together as a couple and has brought them closer spiritually. Joe says it’s changed their parenting skills, too. Amy reminds Joe during the challenging times of parenthood to think about love and compassion. Their strong faith helps them stay on the path.
Amy and Joe were asked for one word that sums up what their faith means to them.
Amy: “Strength.”
Joe: “You took my word! I was thinking, ‘Okay, I’m going to go with strength.’”
Father Tim Ramaekers -- Teamwork Touched by Faith
08.08.18 • Lynette Townsend • Volunteer StoryTeller
When it comes to teamwork, Father Tim Ramaekers from Corpus Christi Catholic parish is a natural. Raised in a large family of seven, he learned at an early age the value of working together. His father was a L.A. City fireman and his mother a stay-at-home mom. In high school, Fr. Tim refined his teamwork skills participating in several sports.
These were unfamiliar questions for a Catholic and this became the catalyst that made Fr. Tim delve deeper into his Catholic faith.
Fr. Tim was raised in a spiritual family that combined the Catholic and Methodist religions. His mother, raised Methodist became a Catholic in 1955 after five years of marriage. Fr. Tim was exposed to different religions growing up which gave him a well-rounded knowledge of the different choices of faith.
At the age of 16, one of Fr. Tim’s closest friends was an Evangelical Christian. Together they spent many hours attending church services, after-hours programs and sitting in on “witness talks,” which consisted of people sharing their lives before and after accepting Jesus. All of this made Fr. Tim think and it also caused some spiritual challenges.
His evangelical friend questioned Fr. Tim’s baptism. He also questioned whether he had accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal Savior. These were unfamiliar questions for a Catholic and this became the catalyst that made Fr. Tim delve deeper into his Catholic faith.
This was an “aha” moment for him. He decided that he was all in...
In January of 1972, when Fr. Tim was a junior in high school, his basketball practice ended early on a weekday evening. He decided to attend the 5:30 p.m. Mass at his parish, St. Barbara in Santa Ana. Why Mass on that particular night? Fr. Tim states, “The Spirit put that thought into his mind.” While kneeling during the consecration the priest said, “This is my body and this is my blood.” These were words Fr. Tim had heard for 17 years but for the first time on that night it had a real deep meaning.
Not only had Fr. Tim had accepted the Lord Jesus, but he was actually receiving the body and blood of the Lord into his own body. This was an “aha” moment for him. He decided that he was all in, in terms of being a Catholic. After that experience, he got involved in St. Barbara’s Youth Ministry and began thinking about becoming a priest.
Fr. Tim entered St. John Seminary in 1973 at the age of 18. He was ordained in 1982 and served in many parishes as a Parochial Vicar. In 1997, he became the pastor of St. Joseph Church in Placentia where he spent his next 15 years.
As a parish, we know the more time spent with our priests, the stronger the bond. It wasn’t any different for Fr. Tim when he had to leave his parishioners at St. Joseph in July of 2012 to join Corpus Christi. This became one of the major transitions in his lifetime. While he was saying good-bye to his faith family at St. Joseph, the parishioners of Corpus Christi were saying good-bye to Fr. Fred after many years.
Prayer and Fr. Tim’s relationship with the Lord helped him during this time. In challenging times, Fr. Tim will turn to his favorite Bible passage, The Calming of a Storm at Sea; Mark 4:35-41. Another great help was being able to acknowledge that just as he was grieving, the people of Corpus Christi were also grieving.
Fr. Tim has been blessed to be an instrumental part of six parishes.
Each one holds a special place in his heart.
After a total of 16 months at Corpus Christi, Fr. Tim had to take two months off for surgery. Once he recuperated and came back, he felt like his grieving had run its course. At that time, he noticed the shift in himself and also in our parish parishioners. The passing of time became a blessing that helped us all to heal and move forward.
Being a priest is a 24/7 job. Fr. Tim has Mondays off and he takes time off for vacation but everywhere he goes, he’s a priest. Fr. Tim explains you have to look at it like a marriage. It’s not a job, but a vocation. Marriages are not Monday through Friday from nine to five. And, just as being married requires continual work, so does priesthood.
Preaching, teaching and the sacraments come naturally to Fr. Tim. Weddings and even funerals bring great joy. He states, “It’s important because it’s not what I do but what God does. It’s what God does through me and just to be a part of that…that brings satisfaction.” Keeping up with this high tech age, he’s also very involved in Social Media for our parish. If you find yourself touched by Fr. Tim’s homilies, he works on them for eight to ten hours before we hear them at Mass! He also finds happiness through the people of our parish. Seeing the members of his staff and volunteers excel brings him joy in their excellence.
If you’re wondering what Fr. Tim does on his day off, he has hobbies but feels they’re a bit boring. He likes to start his morning off with a nice extended walk. He also really enjoys writing; journal writing, stream of consciousness writing and he enjoys reading. His favorite author: John Steinbeck. He’s read all of his works at least three times. Cannery Row is his favorite book. When he has time off, he tries to visit the Salinas, Monterrey, Pacific area at least twice a year.
Fr. Tim has been blessed to be an instrumental part of six parishes. Each one holds a special place in his heart. Corpus Christi has that lovely small town feel like family. We are known in the dioceses for our fellowship. With Fr. Tim’s incredible faith and his invaluable teamwork abilities we will continue to be guided as a faith-filled team working together to support each other and to help those in need in our community.