Receiving Bishop Gerald Barnes Episcopal Amar Es Entregarse Award were two communities of consecrated women – the Our Lady of Victor Missionary Sisters and the Sisters of Mercy – and Auxiliary Bishop Rutilio del Riego, a member of the Diocesan Laborer Priests.
The Consecrated Life focus brought many religious sisters and priests to the dinner, and they were invited by Bishop Barnes to stand and receive applause during his remarks. Bishop Barnes was especially touched by the presence of two Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters, Sr. Millicent Peaslee and Sr. Mary Jo Maes, who had given him religious education as a child growing up in East Los Angeles.
“There is no doubt that the [Victory Noll] Sisters were a big factor in my vocation to the priesthood,” Bishop Barnes said.
In accepting the Amar Es Entregarse Award, Sr. Peaslee said, “I look at Bishop Barnes and I still see him as a little boy.
“Of course, we’re very proud that he became a bishop.”
The Sisters of Mercy, represented on the stage by Sr. Rosaline O’Connor, Sr. Mary Frances Coleman and Sr. Maura Feeley, noted the similarity between Bishop Barnes’ Amar Es Entregarse motto (“Love is the total giving of one’s self”), and the prayer of their foundress, Catherine McAuley, “My God I am yours for time and eternity, Lord, I am yours forever.”
“We are deeply grateful to the people of this Diocese, who have supported and encouraged our Sisters of Mercy in their various different ministries over the years,” said Sr. O’Connor, who is Provincial Leader of the Sisters of Mercy. “Receiving this special award at this time is a source of encouragement and affirmation for us.”
Bishop del Riego accepted his honor with humility and humor. “I could say this [acceptance speech] in four minutes,” he said pausing, “but that wouldn’t be me.”
Bishop del Riego made special mention of his time as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Riverside, which brought raucous applause from a table at the dinner representing that parish.
The Bishop’s Dinner continued an upward trend in attendance, with a record 1,387 dinners served. Over $640,000 was raised to benefit the education of Diocesan seminarians, including more than $100,000 in donations the evening of the event.
“It was an evening of fellowship and great affection offered to our religious sisters, brothers and priests,” said Theresa Montminy, Director of Mission Advancement for the Diocese and the chief coordinator of the event. “As always the people of the diocese showed with their presence and their generosity a great love for Bishop Barnes and our seminarians.”