One could often be seen at Bishop Barnes’ side at most major Diocesan liturgies, while the other has worked expertly behind the scenes to guide the Diocese through difficult financial waters.
The end of September saw the retirement of Rich Herbst, Episcopal Master of Ceremonies and Special Assistant to the Bishop, and Laura Clark, Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese.
“They have both, in very different ways, been so valuable to carrying out the mission of our local Church,” said Bishop Gerald Barnes. “What they share is a deep faith that guides all that they do. They used their considerable gifts in service of the Diocese and for that I am so grateful to God.”
Clark began her tenure as CFO in 2010 after more than a decade as the Associate Vice President and Senior Budget Director at Harvey Mudd College. She also has a strong connection to the local Church as a longtime active lay minister at St. Peter and St. Paul parish and her current parish, Sacred Heart in Rancho Cucamonga. Her husband, Ed, is a permanent deacon and recently retired from ministry as the Director of Diaconate Formation for the Diocese.
“I can honestly say – no two days were ever the same,” said Clark. “Working for the Diocese gave me the opportunity to see the Diocesan mission statement as a living expression of who we are.”
Herbst worked as a part-time Master of Ceremonies in the Diocese until his retirement from the County of San Bernardino in 2004. That year he came to the Office of the Bishop to serve as Episcopal Master of Ceremonies and he has been a constant presence with Bishop Barnes at liturgies and other public activities. An Episcopal Master of Ceremonies organizes and rehearses liturgical events involving a bishop and also provides some directions during the Mass, itself.
“To assist Bishop Barnes in fulfilling the mission and being able to work alongside him in carrying out his ministry has been a privilege,” Herbst said.
During Herbst time coordinating the Master of Ceremonies program, the Diocese has increased the number of MCs from 12 to 38.
“We depend on them to assist not only at Confirmation Masses, but with all our diocesan celebrations including the Chrism Mass, priest and deacon ordinations, church dedications, and special events such as the Welcome Mass for Bishop Rojas last February,” he says.
Clark’s time as Diocesan CFO will be bookended by financial crises. When she arrived in 2010, her budgetary acumen helped guide the Diocese through the Great Recession. As she departs, the Diocese is once again struggling financially, this time due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But her time as CFO was also marked by unprecedented growth and construction of new church buildings, which is part of the Department of Financial Affairs that she has led. Clark was also key in facilitating the partnership between the Diocese and Catholic Extension, a non-profit that provided multiple grants for diocesan ministries. She was also recognized by her national peers, serving on the board of the national Diocesan Fiscal Management Conference (DFMC), including serving as its president in 2019. Despite this, she’s quick to deflect any personal credit.
“The Diocesan core values are alive in the people who join me in serving the people of God in the Diocese of San Bernardino,” she says.
As he prepares to depart, Herbst laments the end of what he calls “windshield time” with Bishop Barnes, referring to the many miles the two have driven together coming to and from Diocesan liturgies.
“I have visited every parish with him, and the people of this diocese are so amazing and faith-filled,” he said.
Herbst was honored with a virtual retirement celebration on Sept. 24. Clark’s virtual retirement celebration took place on Sept. 30.