Bishop Alberto Rojas, the Diocesan Office of Community Services and Outreach, and the Diocesan Global Solidarity Committee recognized those in the diocese who have tirelessly and unconditionally given their time, talent, and treasure to the most vulnerable in the community by presenting them with a Good Samaritan Award on Feb. 7 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center. The award ceremony included words of gratitude from Bishop Rojas, a keynote speech by Father Delwyn Haroldson, pastor of Our Lady of the Desert in Apple Valley, and a video presentation showcasing the honorees in action at diocesan food pantries and in other outreach organizations. The evening concluded with the award ceremony where 18 individuals and five organizations were presented with the Good Samaritan Award.
The full list of honorees is below:
Individuals:
- Mark Acosta, St. Joseph the Worker, Loma Linda
- Carole Brown, Our Lady of Solitude, Palm Springs
- Betty Cowey, Our Lady of the Valley, Hemet
- Robert Ferrell, St. Catherine of Alexandria, Riverside
- Paula Ferrell, St. Catherine of Alexandria, Riverside
- Celia Gaston, Blessed Sacrament, 29 Palms
- Eva Rittenhouse, Holy Spirit, Hemet
- Michael Kinsman, St. Andrew Newman Center, Riverside
- Alex Martinez, St. Joseph the Worker, Loma Linda
- Loretta Mustafa, St. Peter & St. Paul, Alta Loma
- Zaki Mustafa, St. Peter & St. Paul, Alta Loma
- Grace Reyes, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Palm Springs
- Romualdo Roman, St. Joseph, Fontana
- Art Santoya, St. Joseph the Worker, Loma Linda
- Rose Valdillez, St. Catherine of Alexandria, Temecula
- Robert Valdillez, St. Catherine of Alexandria, Temecula
- Gloria Villines, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Chino
- Susan Walker, St. Frances X. Cabrini, Yucaipa
Organizations:
- Galilee Center, Mecca
- Gloria Gomez
- Claudia Castorena
- Healing Waters, Banning
- Merle Nazareth
- Teri Ochieano
- Homeless Outreach, Redlands
- Rick and Kellie Ferguson
- Notre Dame High School
- Urijah Raju
- Refresh and Renew, Redlands
- Vern Hoffs