St Joseph Church

I got married here– what can I say? This is the oldest-​looking Catholic church in Orange County and has this gorgeous gothic-​look to the outside and inside. This place always has open doors and the priests here are awesome to say the least. Very welcoming community to visitors and there is a huge community of different nationalties based here. This parish is always clean, quiet, peaceful and just comfortable if you feel like being close to God, whether you are Catholic or not, this is the perfect spot to meditate, pray and get away from the outside world. Not to mention Confessions here are the best, no wait or very little wait Saturdays 3:30pm and the priests are friendly and encouraging.

This is my church. That’s right, I said it, mine. I am one with St Joseph Parish and it is one with me. Not in a zealot kind of way, but in the true spiritual sense.
I connected with this building almost immediately. It is Gothic in style and has this amazing entry way in the front, its made of large stone bricks, and of course, a high steeple. At first glance, I was compelled to look inside.
I had been a non-​practicing Catholic for over 30 yrs (walked away at around 8… if mom wasn’t going anymore, then why should I?). But, something was there, calling me home.
That Sunday I decided I was going to go to mass and check it out, you know, do some recon. As soon as I crossed the threshold, I was enveloped with a sense of warmth I had been searching for my whole life in a church. It was one of those things I just knew that I’d know it when I felt it.
I have gone to many different churches growing up, hoping to connect. Connect to what, I didn’t really know. Something always turned me off, though: too friendly, too clicky, too «religious,» or too «modern.» I just wanted something that was a little me, but had order. That is St Joseph to me. The warmth has been with me from the moment I entered into the building, that Spring evening, and remains with me each time I arrive for masses or any other event; like my wedding by the church, the first Sunday after I had my son, which was his fifth day on Earth, my son’s baptism, or even passing by on walks. I feel the spirit.
Every other Sunday when the pianist and/​or flutist isn’t playing, our Samoan community sings as our 9 am masses choir, in their native tongue and it is anything short of spectacular. My husband and I heard them in our first Sunday visit, and have looked forward to them singing ever since.
Besides a large Samoan following, we have an even larger Latino following, whom are very active in parish ministries. More so than the English speaking masses (what’s up with that, huh… I’m working on that though).
The stain glass windows are large and beautiful. And, I swear, a ray of light shown through the glass and landed directly on me, right at the exact same time, I felt the homily being offered was specifically fitting/​speaking to me and my life journey. It was amazing.
This place has met me at a pivotal time in my life (pregnant with my only son) and wondering what sort of foundation I wanted to begin building my son’s life on. Thanks to my husband’s stubbornness, he stayed true to being a Catholic follower and thus, I was bound by honor to go in that direction, too. It has been one of the best paths I have chosen (besides marrying my husband and creating our son).
I am a Catholic. I invite you and yours to our parish. Everyone is welcome. God Bless!