John and Lyn McKinney

Giving is, and always will be, a cornerstone of the Catholic faith. All devoted parishioners know that they have a responsibility to provide from their own abundance for the benefit of others.

When it comes to giving, John and Lyn McKinney do far more than just "talk the talk." The couple has continued to support the ongoing renovations of the Christ Cathedral campus through generous donations to the Orange Catholic Foundation.

When the Diocese of Orange was in the process of acquiring the former Crystal Cathedral, it was a move that John strongly endorsed. "It was on my mind long before they got it," he says. "I just knew it would be a real blessing."

Hailing from a farm in Parsons, Kansas, John traded the rural life for cutting-edge work in the aerospace industry. (Throughout his career, John was involved in several high-profile projects, such as the GPS on the Space Shuttle's guidance system.) After earning his master's degree at Kansas State University, he and his bride, Brenda, moved west, settling in Anaheim. Soon after, the couple began attending St. Anthony Claret Catholic Church; years later, their three children attended school there.

After Brenda passed away in 2011, John met his current wife, Lyn, while on a trip to Israel. Bishop Kevin Vann married the couple in 2015 at Holy Family Cathedral. John and Lyn enjoy square dancing several times a week at local clubs.

The McKinneys have translated their support of the Christ Cathedral campus into annual donations to the Capital Campaign to renovate the widely recognizable building into a Catholic worship space. They make their donations to the Orange Catholic Foundation through a giving option called the Charitable IRA Rollover.

"I feel that the Christ Cathedral building is a unique and timeless structure," John says, "and I want to see the Catholic Church there be a resounding success."