Sunday July 30, 2023
MEET A PARISH FAMILY…The McNeals!
Father Robert is getting to know our parish families.
Here are some questions he had for the McNeal Family:
• How long have you been in the parish of Saint Joachim and what do you value here?
Our family has been at the parish for 10 years. We value our fellow parishioners who inspire us to practice our faith.
• What do you and your family members do — occupation, hobbies, school?
(Cole): I am a mechanical engineer. Silvia is a mom/homemaker for most of the last 20 years and has recently gone back to work taking a job as a member of the City of Costa Mesa Recreation Department summer camp program. Our daughter Sarah and son Gavin are both seasonal lifeguards for the City of Huntington Beach. Sarah just completed her second year at OCC and Gavin will be starting his first year at OCC this coming August. Our hobbies mostly revolve around the ocean, surfing swimming, walking the beach, and bicycling.
• What, how does faith play a part in your lives?
Regular prayer before meals and for family, friends, and acquaintances when they are in our thoughts. As a young person, Silvia took her faith for granted. Starting a family reignited her interest in faith as we considered how to share faith with our children. We started attending mass regularly and both kids were baptized. Despite being raised Catholic, Silvia realized there was much to be learned about the faith and that it is a lifelong process. I was not raised with any faith, but always recognized the value in it. I decided to attend RCIA after attending mass for many years. I enjoyed the RCIA process and very much appreciated the leaders dedication to teaching the faith. I recently sponsored another parishioner going through the RCIA process. Silvia has participated in the past in the Extraordinary Ministry of Holy Communion to the Sick and is now a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Ministry. I am a member of The Knights of Columbus and the Hospitality Ministry. Our son enjoys helping out with collection when we are short on ushers for Mass. We are confident that raising our kids with the Catholic faith has helped them grow into well rounded, grounded, and moral young adults.
In Christ,
Rev. Robert P. Capone