Originally published at Orange County Catholic
When plans to renovate St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Huntington Beach were being discussed several years ago, Fr. Joe Knerr, St. Bonaventure’s pastor at the time, wanted to include the Vietnamese community in the planning process.
FR. ANGELOS SEBASTIAN BLESSES THE OUR LADY OF LA VANG SHRINE ON APRIL 12 IN THE COURTYARD OF ST. BONAVENTURE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HUNTINGTON BEACH.
The most meaningful way of honoring the Vietnamese culture and Catholics’ devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary was to replicate the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine at Christ Cathedral.
Guided by faith, the plan came into fruition when the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine was unveiled and blessed at an April 12 ceremony in the courtyard adjacent to the church.
A CROWD GATHERS ON APRIL 12 FOR A SPECIAL BLESSING AND DEDICATION OF THE NEWLY INSTALLED OUR LADY OF LA VANG SHRINE LOCATED IN THE COURTYARD ADJACENT TO THE ST. BONAVENTURE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HUNTINGTON BEACH.
Prior to blessing the outdoor shrine, Very Rev. Angelos Sebastian, Vicar General and Moderator of Curia of the Diocese of Orange, celebrated Mass with Rev. Vincent Pham, St. Bonaventure’s current pastor.
Following Mass, a crowd gathered in the courtyard
