The nine-month program, offered in English and Spanish, provides training and formation for those wishing to serve and accompany those suffering from life’s challenges including chronic or terminal illness, death of a loved one, separation and divorce, and aging.
Graduates from this year’s Spanish language class from the Diocese are Maria Álvarez of Holy Family Parish, Rafael Ayala of St. Francis of Rome Parish, Mario Cañedo of Sacred Heart Parish in Rancho Cucamonga, Alejandro García of Our Lady of Hope Parish, Hernán García of St. Patrick Parish, Julia Hernández of St. Mary Parish in Fontana, Julio Hernández of St. Mary Parish in Fontana, Pedro López of Our Lady of Hope Parish, Roberto Montes of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Indio, Gilberto Román of Our Lady of Hope Parish, Mercedes Sandoval of Holy Family Parish, Rebeca Lores of Holy Family Parish and Hilda Wilken of Holy Family Parish.
Graduates of the English language program this year are Nel Rabe of St. Peter and St. Paul Parish, Nelly Rabe of St. Peter and St. Paul Parish, Beth Manangan of St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Parish and Leona O’Brien of Sacred Heart Parish in Rancho Cucamonga.
Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Rutilio del Riego celebrated with the program graduates at a May 21 gathering at the Diocesan Pastoral Center. He encouraged the graduates and all those present to increase their zeal for pastoral service, to do it with diligence knowing that it brings profound challenges and to take advantage of opportunities of preparation for the professionalization of pastoral work.
LMU Professor Ernesto Zamora, M.Div., who leads the Spanish Language program, called it a “remarkable journey.”
“After having visited a good number of dioceses in the United States and other countries, it is easy for me to recognize the superior quality of lay leadership in this Diocese,” Zamora said. “Its human maturity and its process of intellectual development of theological and ministerial knowledge. This should be a pride for the Diocese and an affirmation for all those who have worked for the Diocesan vision of promoting lay ministerial service.”