Pastor

Fr. Quan Tran was ordained in June 2011, and then he went back to Rome to complete his post-graduate studies in theology. In 2012 he was assigned to Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Newport Beach, and then Christ Cathedral. His last assignment was at St. Bonaventure in Huntington Beach, prior to becoming the Administrator of St. Hedwig Parish.

   Prior to entering the seminary, Fr. Tran worked as a Deputy District Attorney for the County of Orange for ten years. He received his Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law, and Bachelor in Business Administration from Bernard M. Baruch College in New York. For seminary training, Fr. Tran attended the Pontifical North American College (NAC) in Rome, while earning a Bachelor in Sacred Theology and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, also known as the “Angelicum.”

   In 2017, Father started his Fullness of Grace apostolate to help Christians grow in their faith by forming a deep spiritual life in which they live out their vocations to holiness, intimacy with God, and bearing witness to Christ: www.fullnessofgrace.org. In November of 2020, Father published his first book, The Imitation of Mary: Keys to Growth in Virtue and Grace. Besides giving talks, retreats and spiritual direction, Father enjoys going for walks, exploring different cuisines, and contemplating the beauty of nature.

(562) 296-9000

frqtran@sainthedwig.org

Ordained in 2005, Deacon Gary was assigned to both St. Anne’s Parish in Seal Beach (2005–2013) and St. Hedwig Parish in Los Alamitos (2005–present). Served on the Deacon Personnel Board (2014–2020) and formulated the Diocese retirement criteria for deacons. While at both parishes was involved in RCIA, Marriage Annulments, Baptisms, Vigils, Funerals and Graveside services. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus.

   Deacon Gary graduated from Aquinas High School in San Bernardino in 1961 and earned a B.A. degree in 1966 from the University of Wyoming. He was commissioned into the USAF, became a senior pilot, and was awarded numerous combat decorations as a forward Air Controller in Vietnam and Cambodia.

   After obtaining a Master’s Degree in 1977, he accepted a position with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigating aircraft accidents in the New York and Denver Field offices. In 1985, he was appointed the Regional Director to the NTSB office in Los Angeles and was awarded his Doctorate in Public Administration in 1990. He retired from the NTSB in 1999.

   He is married to Christine Ciasca (a former flight attendant, and a Human Resource specialist); has two children and three grandchildren. He loves traveling and relaxing with Chris during their “52 Weeks” of vacation time per year! Although officially retired from the Diaconate, Deacon Gary is still serving “because the work isn’t finished.”

(562) 296-9000

gmucho@sainthedwig.org

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Business Manager

Cynthia was born Cynthia Magdalena Galentine in La Mirada, CA.  She is the second to the youngest of five children. Her mother was born in Miraflores, Peru and Cynthia was baptized in Lima Peru. She was raised Catholic and attended St. Bruno Catholic School in Whittier, until her family moved to a small Pennsylvania town where her father grew up called Beham. She was a "country girl" for 4 years before returning to California and attended St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs, CA.

   Cynthia met William in 1991, they have been married for 30 years, and have two amazing children, Nicholas, and Kathryn. The family moved to Rossmoor in 2003 and became parishioners of St. Hedwig Church. Nicholas and Kathryn attended S.R.E. classes and received their First Communion and Confirmation Sacraments at St. Hedwig. 

   Cynthia received her B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance at CSULB, had her own accounting business called Shoreline Accounting Services. She received her Master's degree in Educational Management, and taught Algebra at Cypress College with the continuing education program for several years.

   She feels blessed to be able to serve the Lord and her parish every single day. "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

(562) 296-9001

cramirez@sainthedwig.org

Music Director

Audra has been a Liturgical Musician, primarily on the piano and occasionally as cantor, for over 25 at St. Hedwig Catholic Church. As music opened up after the Covid shutdown, she was offered the position of . She currently oversees music selections for and serves at weekend Masses and special liturgies, assists at St Hedwig School liturgies, schedules Staff Musicians, rehearses with cantors, conducts the Adult Choir, and assists the Bereavement and Wedding Ministries. In the future, she hopes to introduce a new organ to the sanctuary, develop a Youth Ensemble at the 5pm Sunday Mass, re-start a parish-based Children’s Choir, and assist with the music needs of Bible Camp.

   A classically-trained pianist and accompanist, Audra graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Chapman University in 1995. While at Chapman, she sang in the University Choir, was a student accompanist for vocalists, instrumentalists, and the Opera program, studied vocal pedagogy and composition, and took organ lessons. Working her way through college, she played for many funerals and weddings at venues around Orange County. Her most notable accompaniment jobs were for a Dutch choir, two high school choirs (one classical, one show), and the “Hour of Power Children’s Choir,” at the then-Crystal Cathedral.

   A convert to the Catholic faith, Audra draws inspiration for hymn selection from her love of Scripture, and her rich-heritage in Christian music. She accompanied her church choir throughout high school, directed a Praise and Worship Band in college, and taught music and a Children’s Choir at St. Cornelius Catholic School in Long Beach before having a family of her own. Most recently, she was the Choir Organist for Our Lady of Refuge Church in Long Beach.

   In her spare time, Audra performs at Assisted Living facilities and for Alzheimer patients. She enjoys most styles of music, especially the Scripture-rich older hymns because they helped lead her to the Catholic liturgy and her love of our Lord in Communion. She has a heart for teens and helping the next generation of musicians develop for service in the Catholic liturgy.

   Audra was married 26 years ago in St. Hedwig Catholic Church, and has participated in ministries centered around Religious Education and music. She has five children, all of whom have attended Religious Education here at St. Hedwig, and who attend schools in Los Alamitos. 

(562) 296-9000

ameyerhofer@sainthedwig.org

Parish Office Coordinator

Joy has been working in the St. Hedwig Parish Office since September 2017. She first began as the part time receptionist and is now the Parish Office Coordinator. It brings her great happiness to serve parishioners in their many needs and work with the Parish Team on the many activities that make St. Hedwig Catholic Church a special place of faith.

   Joy was born and grew up in Baguio City, Philippines. She went to Catholic school from kindergarden to high school at Holy Family. She graduated from St. Paul College in Quezon City with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. She enjoyed being a lector at Mass in school and joined several school club activities. She loved playing tennis and softball in high school and college.

   Her professional career for 25 years was in medical billing and collections. It was during this time that she was performing triple duty: working from home, running the household and attending to the three sons’ activities.

   Joy has four brothers and she is the only girl. God had prepared her as now she has three sons, Matthew, Laurence, and Jacob. All are working on either their academic or professional careers. Her husband, Jose, a manufacturing engineer is now retired from the defense and aerospace industry. Jose, leads the St. Hedwig,       St. Vincent de Paul Conference.

(562) 296-9016

jferrufino@sainthedwig.org

Faith Formation Assistant

As a new staff member of St. Hedwig, helping parishioners with their needs is truly a passion to Susan to make all that come to St. Hedwig's welcome. Susan looks at each day as an opportunity to provide service, support and guidance in the many roles of the front office.

   Prior to working at St. Hedwig, Susan was employed by ADP in the areas of compliance, financial monitoring and customer service. Susan completed her studies in the Pacific Northwest obtaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art and Communications at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington.

   Susan is currently a parishioner of St. Bonaventure in Huntington Beach where she has been a member of the Bereavement Ministry for the last two years. Susan is also an active member of the Italian Catholic Federation Branch 379. Susan is a fond follower of the Sisters of Life in New York. Believing in their charism, that we belong to a great love, an eternal love and that we are made to love.

(562) 296-9023

srossi@sainthedwig.org

Communications Assistant

Jean was born in Artesia California, in 1985, the younger of two daughters of Alita Ngo, who is a Secular Carmelite. Jean's grandmother, Gloria, on her mother's side, was born in Mexico City, in 1927, during the persecution of Catholics under President Calles. Gloria's family fled Mexico to Guatemala City, where she grew up. She later moved to the U.S. and married, settling down with her family in California, and passing down her Catholic roots to her children and grandchildren. Jean's father, Trac Ngo, fought in the Vietnam War and met Jean's mother in1980, a few years after escaping the fall of Saigon, now called

Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

   Jean grew up a cradle Catholic and became more devout in her 20s after taking a course in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Jean earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation and Illustration from California State University Long Beach. Her degree included traditional, as well as digital skills in drawing and film editing. Jean is also the author and illustrator of HELLO WHIMSY!, a children's book about a cat trying to make friends with birds. The book is available online in both English and Spanish at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Target.

   She joined the team of St. Hedwig Parish in December of 2021, but has hailed from other parishes such as Holy Family in Artesia and St. Peter Chanel in Hawaiian Gardens. She lives with her mother and aunt, who are sisters, along with Jean's sister and brother-in-law, who live in an adjoining house-suite. Her family prays the rosary every night, and all give each other good night blessings, even to their two pet house cats, Misty and Joisie, who are also sisters. They are very good Cat-o-lics.

jngo@sainthedwig.org