Name of Church St. John Maron
Address 300 South Flower Street, Orange, CA 92868
Phone number (714) 940-0009
Website www.stjohnmaronchurch.org
Liturgy times Sundays, 9:30 & 11:30 a.m. The liturgy is English, Arabic and Aramaic.
Music Depends on the Sunday; sometimes there is an organist.
Confessions Before and after liturgy, and by appointment.
Names of priests Msgr. Antoine Bakh, pastor.
School No.
Special parish activities Woman’s Society, Kids Club, Young Adults and Youth Groups, annual Lebanese Festival
Fellow parishioners The rite serves Middle Eastern Catholics, especially Lebanese and Syrians, but all are welcome.
Parking Ample parking in the church parking lot.
Cry room Yes.
Additional observations St. John Maron Church began in 1988 as a mission of Our Lady of Mt. Lebanon-St. Peter Los Angeles. It is part of the Maronite Catholic Eparchy (diocese) of Our Lady of Lebanon. It is under the authority of Bishop Elias Zaidan, and is in communion with the Holy Father. The mission has since celebrated its liturgy at different locations since its founding; Fr. Bakh became administrator of the mission in 1989. It became a parish in 1999.
Shows the same kind of worst excesses of post-Vatican II irreligious architectural experimentation. How is this a Catholic Church?
It is a Maronite Church. It is in full communion with the Catholic Church.
St. Christopher, have a heart please. Considering what the terrorists have done in parts of the Middle East, these people are probably blessed just to have a church at all.
It would be one thing if the priest was dancing around the altar and making a fool of himself or doing a rock and roll Mass, but he is not. He is saying the Mass with reverence.
Correction if the priest “were”, not “was” I have developed some bad English habits over the years myself. I do not want anyone to copy me. (Laughter.)
I am not saying that there is not room for improvement, such as in the dress code, as it is better if ladies and gentlemen, especially older ones, have their arms covered somewhat in church and skirts a reasonable length, but the people in general are dressed quite decently, This is a common problem in most churches today.
Light weight summer coverings can be bought inexpensively and used multiply times.
Looks better than the cathedral. Either of them.
“Saint Christopher,” was that simply a rhetorical question/criticism?
Of course, it is a Catholic Church, like all Catholic Churches, because their bishop is in union with the bishop of Rome, the Pope, and all the other bishops and churches in union with the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
Architecture, good, bad or indifferent, does not determine the catholicity or orthodoxy of a church. If it did, parts of the early Church would not qualify.
Actually, “Deacon,” you are incorrect, although what you say is the mantra of dogmatic Catholic Liberals. Church architecture, like Church music, can distort the Faith to parishioners. Much, much literature refutes your position. Take a look at, say, Michael Rose’s book, “Ugly As Sin.” The phrase, “lex orandi, lex credendi,” also comes to mind. Beautiful Church architecture is central to our belief as Catholics. You are wrong.
No, Saint Chris, I am not wrong. The early Church celebrated Mass/Divine Liturgy over the tombs of martyrs, in catacombs, homes and other places. Those were valid Catholic Masses. Please don’t misunderstand, I’m not arguing for bad architecture, just clarifying a fact about Catholic Masses and history. I’ve had anonymous critics before, but, I’m confident what I’m stating is correct, so I use my real name. And, why is deacon in quotes in your response? I am a validly ordained Catholic deacon.