1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Community
Pentecost Sunday – May 24, 2015
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Commitment Weekends
Next weekend marks the conclusion of Our Lady of the Assumption’s “Our Lady, Our Parish, Our Legacy” capital campaign. We’ve
embarked on this campaign to bring all of us together in support of our
parish and our community for today and for future generations.
Funds raised through the campaign are designed to fund muchneeded renovations and enhancements to our church buildings and campus. These projects will make our campus safer and more accessible to
all parishioners and provide the new and improved spaces we desperately need for our large and growing community. Specific renovations and
enhancements include our church, auditorium, office consolidation, former rectory building, and former convent building.
Over the past several months, Our Lady of the Assumption has
raised over $4 million on our initial $4.5 million goal! We are in the
process of tabulating the results of last weekend’s appeal. We want to say a special “thank you” to
all those families that have already given and make a special request for 100% participation in the
campaign of all of our parish families. If you haven’t already made your gift, please join us in this
exciting journey. Your support will help us meet and exceed our initial $4.5 million goal and ensure
our success in providing for the very important needs of our community. Detailed information is
available on our website at www.olaclaremont.org where you can also make a pledge online.
Should we find ourselves in the very fortunate situation to exceed our initial goal, we will be in
a position to move forward with construction more quickly, cover potential cost increases that we
might encounter, and provide for the ongoing maintenance of our facilities (funds that currently
must come out of our operational budget).
Thank you so much for your ongoing love and support of Our Lady of the Assumption. And
thank you for your gift to the “Our Lady, Our Parish, Our Legacy” capital campaign. We are blessed
by you.
Fr. Charles Ramirez
Prayer for the Capital Campaign
Capital Campaign
GOAL
$4.5 million
TOTAL PLEDGES
AND GIFTS
$4 million
NO. OF DONORS
357
AVERAGE PLEDGE
$ 11,204
Gracious God, we give thanks for the countless ways You gather and sustain
our faith community every day. May we continue to recognize You as the source
of our strength and the center of parish life at OLA.
We ask now that You bless our capital campaign and plans to make our campus a safe and inspiring home to serve the OLA community and its mission. We
pray that we will be faithful stewards of the many gifts that will be offered to accomplish this Tr us to do our part to build up Your Church wisely and courageously, so that the Gospel may be proclaimed in this time and in this place. We
believe we can accomplish great things when we place our trust in You and work
together for the common good.
We invoke the special protection and prayers of Our Lady of the Assumption, patron of this faith community. This we pray in the name of Jesus, Your Son
and our Lord. Amen.
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Our Lady of the Assumption Church – Directory on Page 8
Liturgical events
Blessing of liturgical ministers
will be part of the Pentecost liturgy at all Masses this weekend.
Candidates for Initiation will
receive the sacraments of First
Communion and Confirmation
at the 9 a.m. Mass on Pentecost
Sunday.
The parish office is closed on
Monday, May 25, in observance
of Memorial Day. Emergency
calls may be placed, day or
night, at (909) 626-3596.
Special collection
for retired priests
Your gift to the Priest Retirement
Fund collection coming up the weekend of June 6-7 will help to provide
a monthly stipend to retired priests
of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
For most priests, this assistance is
their only means of support. This
fund helps many senior priests stay
well and active in our communities.
Our retired priests have stood beside
us through the joys and sorrows of
life. Help us offer thanks for their
many years of devotion to our faith
communities.
community life
Highlights
Vacation Bible School for
June 29-July 3 is now accepting registrations at the Faith
Formation Center for a special price through May 31.
See Page 5
Pastoral Care Ministers will
host an information meeting
Sunday, June 14. Is this essential service to the sick and
homebound right for you?
See Page 6
Summer youth conference is
on the horizon for Uturn Teen
Ministry.
See Page 4
Pope Francis has a personal
message for the people of our
Lady of the Assumption,
carried by an OLA couple.
See Back Page
K of C steak fry is Saturday, June 6
A spring menu of steak grilled to order, corn-on-the-cob, potato salad,
baked beans and drinks can be yours for only $15 per person Saturday,
June 6. This time around, the Knights of Columbus are donating their
proceeds to earthquake victims in Nepal. Dinner will be served from 5
to 8 p.m. in the auditorium. Come enjoy good food and good company
for a good cause!
WOW! to meet monthly
WOW! OLA’s widows or widowers and other singles group will
meet for dinner Wednesday, May 27, from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. in the
auditorium. A delicious catered dinner will be served for only $12 per
person. Members provide the desserts and beverages. Dice and card
games will follow for those who would like to play. (Please bring $3
in quarters for game play.) Come join in an evening of good food and
good company. Newcomers are always welcome! RSVP for the dinner by Monday, May 25 by contacting Jo Pearring 909-626-0489 or
Roseann Hiildum 909-455-4638.
No breakfast
Yes collection
There will be no First Saturday
Breakfast with the Clergy in June.
However, the regular collection of
non-perishable food for the poor will
be taken up at the 8:15 a.m. Mass on
Saturday, June 6. Thank you for your
generosity!
Mass Intentions/Readings
Pentecost Sunday
Week of May 24, 2015/ Year B
MONDAY, May 25
Ordinary Time begins, Memorial Day
St. Bede the Venerable, St. Gregory VII
Sir 17:20-24; Ps 32:1-2, 5-7; Mk 10:17-27
6:30am
No Mass
8:15am
Rodriguez Dimas Family
5:30pm
 No Mass
TUESDAY, May 26
St. Philips Neri
Sir 35:1-12; Ps 50:5-8, 14, 23;
Mk 10:28-31
6:30am
 Ryan Hawkins
8:15am
 The Souls in Purgatory
5:30pm
Andrew S. Mack, Sr.
WEDNESDAY, May 27
St. Augustine of Cantebury
Sir 36:1, 4-5a, 10-17; Ps 79:8, 9, 11,
13;Mk 10:32-45
6:30am
 Phillip Schepis
8:15am
 Rose Cullen
5:30pm
Collective Intentions
THURSDAY, May 28
Sir 42:15-25; Ps 33:2-9; Mk 10:46-52
6:30am
Fr. Dominic Tran
8:15am
 Steve Yoss, Sr.
5:30pm
Loubet Family
FRIDAY, May 29
Sir 44:1, 9-13; Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b;
Mk 11:11-26
6:30am
 Antonio Sanchez
8:15am
 Victor Rubilus
5:30pm
 Joseph Gaudioso
SATURDAY, May 30
Sir 51:12cd-20; Ps 19:8-11; Mk 11:27-33
8:15am
Rodriguez Family
4:00pm
Robert Boyens, Jr.
5:30pm
Irma Vanlangenberg
SUNDAY, May 31
The Most Holy Trinity Sunday
Dt 4:32-34, 39-40; Ps 33:4-6, 9, 18-20,
22; Rom 8:14-17; Mt 28:16-20
7:00am
 Eugene & Geraldine
Boyk
9:00am   Heath McGarry
11:00am Joseph Heller
1:00pm
People of the Church
3:00pm
 Lin H. Hon Ong Noi
5:00pm
 Bob Moraga
7:00pm
Collective Intentions
= Deceased
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worship
Young
Adult
Ministry
“Dear young people,
dream of great things.”
– Pope Francis
Fiesta
2015
Are you between the ages of 18 and 35? You are welcome to this
and regular meetings usually held Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. in the
convent. Invite your friends to come meet new people and share new
ideas. You can e-mail [email protected]. for details or join
our Young Adults of OLA Facebook group! Here’s the May calendar:
Thursday, May 28
No Young Adult meeting
Friday May 29
Moonlight Hike at Mt. Baldy
Carpool at 5:30 p.m. from OLA parking lot
City of Saints Summer Youth Conference will be
Aug. 7-9 at UCLA! This conference will feature dynamic speakers, liturgical experience, music and more; set in
an atmosphere where teens can learn about and experience the Eucharist and the beauty of the Catholic faith
with its rich symbols and traditions. Space is limited so
please contact Teresa if your teen is interested!
For more information:
Teresa Arredondo,
Uturn Coordinator
[email protected]
Office: 626-3596, ext. 215
Teen Ministry
Sunday, May 24
Teen Mass at 5 p.m.
Dinner and Sunday Funday at
6:30 p.m. Join us for a trip to the
movies. Permission slips available after Mass. Cost is $7 with
student ID.
Sunday, May 31
Teen Mass at 5 p.m.
diner and Uturn meeting at
6:30 p.m. in The Junction
& faith formation
June 29 – July 3 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Registration is
now open for
Children age 4 years
through sixth grade learn,
pray and play at our 2015
Vacation Bible School.
This week-long adventure
includes lessons, crafts,
song, dance and a simple
supper. Take advantage of
the “earlybird” special
rate of $30 per child until
May 31. Call or visit
Faith Formation Center
for details.
See Page 8 for office
hours and phone
A Pentecost story
This story comes to us from Ann Longanecker of the 5:30 p.m. Saturday
music ensemble:
As we were approaching Pentecost in 2012, we started to investigate
new musical settings that we could use for our Mass. I searched online for
something fresh and found a beautiful setting that had been posted on
YouTube. I decided to contact the author of the post to see if we could get
the music. To my surprise, it turned out that the young lady who posted
the video had recorded and arranged the song herself. I connected to her
via Twitter and we started a virtual conversation. My new contact turned
out to be a super-talented musician who was a 19-year-old law student in
the United Kingdom. I explained how much I loved her song and wanted
the music to sing it. She responded to me on Twitter and said that she
would write it out for me. She then proceeded to write the song from
memory – in pen – all five pages of the score! As we “talked” I learned
that she had stayed behind in the college law library – all alone – in the
freezing cold at 11 p.m. We stayed together on Twitter until she finished
the score and I virtually “walked her home” through the cold and fog until
she arrived safely. I have always been touched by her generosity to
strangers halfway across the globe to enhance our worship and build up
the Body of Christ. We are still friends.
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Our Lady of the Assumption
School News
Academic Year 2015-2016
Applications for new students
are now being accepted at OLA
School for 2015-2016. Testing for
all grades is now in progress. Call
any time for more information or
to arrange a personal tour at 6267135.
Inquire about our junior kindergarten class for four-year-olds,
or learn why OLA graduates are
top performers on high school
entrance exams.
Summer School
Experienced educators staff
OLA Summer School in two sessions: June 22 to July 3 and July 6
to July 17. Offered are Reading
and Writing (K-7), Math (K-5)
and Study Skills (K-7), in addition to Algebra Review (6-7). Students may register for up to three
one-hour classes per session at
$100 per class plus $50 registration fee.
Summer Camp
Summer Camp is open June 22
to July 24 for kids from kindergarten to 8th grade, weekdays
from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Weekly,
daily or minimum day rates are
available. The fun comes to OLA
for art, drama, dance, gardening,
cooking, sports, water fun, science and raffles. A 40-year tradiAll programs
comply with
Archdiocesan
guidelines for
child safety.
6 Outreach
Pastoral Care Ministry blesses
both the givers and the receivers
The mission of the Pastoral Care Ministry is to bring the spiritual
community of Our Lady of the Assumption to those who are unable
to physically join us.
“I was bereft when I realized that I would no longer be strong
enough to attend Mass,” says Jean Neault of Mt. San Antonio Gardens in Claremont. “However, I have been fortunate to receive the
gift of Holy Communion from the Pastoral Care Ministers. For several years now, they have been an important connection to OLA for
me. My fellow residents and I look forward to our time together on
Sunday mornings. We are able to hear the Scriptures of the day and
be blest by the kindness of these ministers. We can’t thank them
enough.”
Pastoral Care Ministers bring the Word, the Eucharist and the
community’s embrace to the sick and homebound They also bring
the needs and concerns of the sick or elderly back to the larger community. If this ministry of “presence” touches your heart, please
come to the information meeting planned at 10:15 a.m. Sunday,
June 14, in the Sapienza Room.
Nightly program for homeless
An emergency request for volunteers to serve as overnight
hosts between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. has been issued
by the Claremont Homeless Advocacy Program (CHAP). To
respond to this request, call Hugh Menton at (909) 714-1472 or
Mary Cooper at (909) 542.9081.
The overnight program for the homeless will be closed on
nights when a lead host is not available, an unfortunate situation.
CHAP is asking that this need be brought to the attention of local faith communities. An overnight host needs only to volunteer
for one or two nights a month, or if possible once a week. Appropriate training is provided, and there is always someone
available nightly to answer a phone call.
Get On The Bus for Father’s Day
An annual program in California enables children to visit
parents in prison on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Donations fund submission of required paperwork, chaperone for
children who have not adult to accompany them, transportation on chartered buses and all meals during travel. The visit
provides a positive family interaction and allows children and
parents to reconnect after a long separation.
For details, email [email protected], call (818) 9807714, or visit the website www.getonthebus.us.
Your help is needed!
Learn more about our
Pastoral Care Ministry
to the Sick & Homebound
Sunday, June 14
10:15 a.m.
Sapienza Room
Share your surplus
fruit with the poor
OLA Eighth Grader Anthony Vinci is
promoting a project of Uncommon Good to
harvest surplus backyard fruit to feed the
hungry poor.
His efforts are part of an Imago Dei service project supported by OLA School.
If you or others you know are interested
in donating unused home-grown fruit or
vegetables you can arrange to have it harvested at a time convenient to you. Harvesting crews are carefully screened and carry
comprehensive liability insurance. Donors
will receive a receipt for their “in-kind” donation for tax purposes.
For information
or to arrange a pickup, contact Eddie
Casarez of Uncommon Good at (909)
625-2248.
Here and There
Prayer Groups
Prayer Warriors gather Tuesday,
May 26, in church at 7 p.m.
12-Step Groups
Youth Classes
The Faith Formation Center is open
Monday through Thursday from
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Center may
be reached at (909) 624-1360.
 Al-Anon will meet Wednesday,
May 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the Upper
Room (above kindergarten).
 Alcoholics Anonymous will
meet Saturday, May 30, at
3 p.m. in the Sapienza Room.
 Co-Dependents Anonymous
meet Mondays at 9 a.m. or 6
p.m. at Claremont Presbyterian
Church.
 Overeaters Anonymous will not
meet this week due to the Memorial Day holiday.
Service/Support
 Sew N Sews gather Tuesday,
May 26, at 9:30 a.m. in the convent. Yarn donations welcome.
Parish Offertory
Collections in May
May 3-4
Collection
Online
TOTAL
Over budget
$26,842
$ 2,207
$29,049
$ 2,799
May 10-11
Collection
Online
TOTAL
Under budget
$23,066
$ 1,667
$24,733
$ (978)
May 16-17
Collection
Online
TOTAL
Under budget
$19,878
$ 917
$20,795
$ (4,166)
Adult Formation




Interested in Catholicism?
Contact Kathy Steighner at (909)
626-3596, ext. 221.
Adult Bible Study assembles
Wednesday, May 27, at 7 p.m.
in the Sapienza Room.
Fellowship of Catholic Christian Women has adjourned for
the program year. Fall registration begins the weekends of
Aug. 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23 on the
patio after Mass.
Thursday Morning Bible Study
convenes in the Sapienza Room
from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on May 28.
All are welcome.
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Child Safe Zone
by the OLA Safeguard
the Children Committee
Teaching kids to protect
themselves at home
We consider our homes to be
safe places for our children. But
being home alone can pose risks
for children. Here are a few tips
to teach kids that will help keep
them safe when you are not with
them at home: 1. Never answer
the door if alone. 2. Do not invite anyone in the house without
the permission of a parent or
babysitter. 3. Write important
phone numbers on a list in case
of an emergency. For more tips
visit:
www.la-archdiocese.org
(Tab: Protecting Children)
Prayer Requests
For our sick and suffering…
Recent: Lourdes Aldana, Shawn Calkins, Rita Domond, Sy Eng Eng,
Myrna Medina, Christine Stockwell, Matthew Ryan, Rosemarie White,
and Diane L. Wilson
Previously Announced: Betty Sue Asbury, Joe Bower, Mike Brunasso,
Margaret Caldwell, Gildardo Correa, Nayelli Curley-Lopez, Juanita
Duffy, Avery Dunn, Jr., Albert Gass, Anna Gonzalez, Manuel Gonzalez,
Marie Gracie, Sabina Guadarrama, Bob and Jim Hawbaker, John Hogle,
the Hoy Family, Daisy Intile, Judy James, Joy Jenal, Labarrere Family,
Dawn Lopez, Stanley “Stan” McCloskey, Joseph Lowery, Juanita
Munoz, Antonio and Consuelo Nogales, Dora O’Brien, Mark Olson,
Joseph O’Toole, Antonio Palafox, Francisca Perez, Maria Perez, Margarita Ramirez, Maria Rivera, Victoria Robles, Jesus Salcedo, Mary Simko, John Speidel, Olga Torres, and Inez Vasquez
For our beloved deceased…
Betty Battierra, friend of Alberto Rodriguez; Harley (Rusty) V. Hoeck,
father of Margaret Protteau; Andrew Lao, nephew of Benigna Lao; Mirna Blanca Medina, wife of Trib Medina; William O’Brien, father of
Lindsey O’Brien; Evangeline Sauceda, mother of Vickki Daly; and for
the family and friends who mourn their loss
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Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church
435 Berkeley Avenue – Claremont, CA 91711
Interested in the Catholic Church? We invite you to one of our
Inquiry sessions. Call KathySteighner at 626-3596, ext. 221, for more
information. See “Adult Formation” on Page 7 for the weekly schedule.
Baptisms Brochures about the Sacrament of Baptism are available at the
Welcome Cart on the patio after weekend Masses, as well as the parish and
Faith Formation offices. Please call 4-6 weeks before the date of Baptism.
For English Baptisms, please contact the parish office at 626-3596, ext. 0. For
Spanish Baptisms, contact Elena Cardeña at 626-3596, ext. 213.
Weddings Congratulations! Please call Fr. Chris Troxell, associate pastor
(ext. 272), at least six months ahead for preparation and scheduling. Weddings
are scheduled Saturdays at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. Visit the Welcome Cart on
the patio for more information.
Anointing of the Sick Please call the parish office day or night.
Hospital/Home Visits For distribution of Holy Communion, please
contact the parish office.
Funeral Arrangements Please contact the parish office for help with
services and special needs.
Stephen Ministry This one-on-one care-giving ministry at OLA is available upon request to those seeking emotional and spiritual support through a life
challenge such as loss of a job, personal illness, separation or divorce, illness or
the death of a loved one. Please call 626-3596, ext. 332 to leave a confidential
message.
St. Vincent de Paul Society Hotline One-time emergency assistance for individuals and families. Call (909) 626-3596, ext. 333, to leave a
message. Your call will be returned by a volunteer case manager.
How to Reach Us
Parish Office (909) 626-3596
Fax (909) 624-3680
Website: www.olaclaremont.org
email Address: [email protected]
Parish Office Hours
Open 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday,
Open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday
Open Saturday and Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(Lunch break from 12:30 to 1 p.m.)
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation Center (909) 624-1360
Elena Cardeña, Director of Faith Formation (x213)
Office open Mon-Thurs 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
OLA Catholic School
611 W. Bonita Ave., Claremont, CA 91711
Tel. (909) 626-7135 Fax (909) 398-1395
Principal Bernadette Boyle
Office hours: Mon-Fri 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Website: www.ola-ca.org
Sunday Mass Schedule
7:00 a.m. Cantor-led Song
9:00 a.m. Contemporary
11:00 a.m. Contemporary
1:00 p.m. Spanish Mass
3:00 p.m. Vietnamese Mass
5:00 p.m. Teen/Contemporary
7:00 p.m. Cantor-led Song
Saturday Vigil Masses
4:00 p.m. Cantor-led Song
5:30 p.m. Cantor-led Song
Weekday Mass Schedule
6:30 a.m. Monday through Friday
8:15 a.m. Monday through Friday
5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
8:15 a.m. Saturday
Saturday Confessions
3:00 – 3:45 p.m. English/Spanish
6:30 p.m.
English
Parish Staff
Rev. Charles J. Ramirez, Pastor
Rev. Chris Troxell, Associate Pastor
Rev. Dominic Bao Quoc Tran, Associate Pastor
Rev. Msgr. Peter O’Reilly, Retired Priest
Deacon John and Joyce Tullius
Deacon Art and Nadine Escovedo
Deacon Bob Steighner, Liturgy Coordinator (x234)
Kathy Steighner, Christian Initiation Coordinator (x221)
Neomi Torres, Dir. of Administration (x203)
Mary Jean Neault, Dir. of Pastoral Ministries (x216)
Teresa Arredondo, Youth Ministry Coordinator (x215)
Sandra Rojas Leonor, Office Manager (x231)
Bing Macavinta, Bookkeeper (x232)
Jean McKenna, Bulletin/Communications (x217)
Trevor Thomson, Contemporary Ensemble
Roberto Roman, Spanish Choir
Tien Dinh, Vietnamese Choir
Jeff Brown, Contemporary/Youth Ensemble
Bulletin deadline is Sunday for the following weekend. Bring copy to the parish office or email [email protected] .
OLA couple
honored to meet
Pope Francis…
twice!
12
OLA Parishioners Cynthia and Robert
Asinas had remarkable encounters with Pope
Francis this spring which they related to our
parish leadership at its monthly meeting.
The story begins with the couple’s
friendship with Fr. Anthony Lee, former assoServizio Fotografico
ciate pastor at OLA and professor at St. John
L’Osservatore Romano
Seminary. He had invited them to return to the
Holy Land to visit other places following his completion of sabbatical studies at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute just outside of Bethlehem. Together they trod the road to Emmaus and visited many biblical sites associated with Jesus’ passion in Jerusalem. The highlight was a private Mass celebrated by Fr. Anthony at the tomb
of Jesus at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The couple also renewed their wedding vows at Cana.
The trio’s return trip brought them to Rome. Cynthia had taken the initiative of requesting in advance a
ticket to attend morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta. The daily Mass at the chapel is limited to 25-20 guests
who must submit to a careful selection process before receiving a personal invitation. The homily preached by
Pope Francis at this location is disseminated around the world.
“We rose very early the morning of March 24 and had to pass three security checkpoints,” Cynthia recounted. “We carried our letter of invitation from the Vatican and showed it to the Swiss Guard.” Finally they
made their way into the chapel and were seated in the front row!
“Pope Francis is able to make an instant connection to his audience,” the couple explained. “He is always smiling, and his demeanor is peaceful, not rushed.” The Pope presided at Mass, gave his homily and then
prepared to personally address and bless each guest in the room.
The top photo taken by the official Vatican photographer depicts the couple’s first encounter with Pope
Francis. They spoke of their personal concerns, including Cynthia’s struggle with cancer. The pope listened
attentively blessed them both, then held Cynthia’s hand, saying, “I will pray for you. You pray for me, too.”
The next day, Cynthia and Robert were back at the Vatican for a public audience with Pope Francis.
He stood on an elevated stage and spoke his message to thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square. Once again,
the couple had secured special tickets that allowed them a seat just to the right of the Pope.
All persons seated in this section would receive
a personal greeting and gift from the Pope following his address to the crowd.
As pope Francis approached Fr. Anthony,
Cynthia and Robert, he exclaimed, “I remember you from our meeting yesterday!” The bottom photo shows clearly how the Pope grasped
Cynthia’s arm, looked deeply into her eyes and
said, “Please pray for me.” This is the message
that has come directly from Pope Francis to us.
Story told to Jean McKenna. Official photos by
Servizio Fotografico
L’Osservatore Romano Servizio Fotografico L’Osservatore Romano.