Father Eliseo Hernández Villarreal, CORC, who served at four parishes in the Diocese over a 20-year span, was called to eternal rest on March 1. He had been involved in a fatal automobile accident in Mexico City.
Fr. Hernández was born on Dec. 3, 1948. He served as the pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in San Bernardino. He also ministered at St. Bernardine, San Bernardino; St. Joseph, Barstow; and St. Anthony, Riverside. Funeral services were held in Mexico with his religious community, the Priestly Confraternity Operators of the Kingdom of Christ (CORC).
In addition, a Memorial Mass was celebrated for Fr. Hernández at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, San Bernardino on March 15, which was celebrated by Bishop Alberto Rojas on March 15. During the Memorial Mass parishioners were invited to write a personal message in a memory book for Fr. Hernandez’s family. The parish shared some of the messages in their bulletin:
“Father Eliseo, God blessed us greatly with his priestly ministry. Thank you for your great example of dedication to prayer. For his enthusiasm and dynamism in the performance of his work, for his joy, for his advice, for opening his life with the parishioners, for their friendship,” read one message.
“Father Eliseo, what impressed me most was the testimonies that the majority of his acquaintances highlighted the ability he had to achieve the goals he undertook, also the love he had for prayer. Rest in Peace Father Eliseo Hernández,” stated another message.
“Father Eliseo Hernández was a very teaching spiritual guide; I remember on one of the trips we made to Rome. The day of his funeral was an experience that was very painful, but we will always remember him with great respect. Rest in peace Father Eliseo Hernández,” read another message.
A fellow priest within CORC in Mexico, Father Prisciliano Hernández Chávez, also shared his thoughts on Fr. Hernández’s passing.
“Brother Eliseo: you leave a gap in your family; a great void in our Confraternity and a place in your priestly ministry that no one will be able to occupy. Your priestly love reverberates in our hearts. May your memory always be present gratitude for the gifts that God granted you and you shared them with us. I don’t say goodbye but see you later; until that powerful moment gave way to eternity, also to us, your brothers, and we joined, according to the benevolent Love of God, to the blessed.”