Bishop Rojas wishes to share the following information:
I. PAROCHIAL VICAR APPOINTMENT
- Father Paul Ahiaba, CSSp, is appointed Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of the Valley, Hemet for a term of three (3) years beginning Nov. 1, 2022 and ending on June 30, 2025. We welcome Fr. Paul to our Diocese as a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. Fr. Paul will serve as the second parochial vicar of the parish.
- Father Philip Naw Aung, MS, is appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Paul the Apostle, Chino Hills for a term of three (3) years beginning Oct. 1, 2022 and ending on June 30, 2025. Fr. Phillip is a member of the La Salette Missionaries and will serve as the second parochial vicar of the parish. We welcome Fr. Phillip to the Diocese.
- Father Francisco Javier Varela Delgadillo, CORC, is appointed Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Guadalupe, San Bernardino for a term of three (3) years beginning Oct. 1, 2022 and ending on June 30, 2025. We welcome Fr. Francisco to our Diocese. He is a member of the Confraternidad Operarios del Reino de Cristo and will serve as the second parochial vicar at the parish.
- Father Jos Rajesh Peter M.S.C., is appointed Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Solitude, Palm Springs and Our Lady of Guadalupe, Palm Springs for a term of three (3) years beginning Nov. 1, 2022 and ending on June 30, 2025. Fr. Jos recently returned to the Diocese and continues in the same ministry. He is a member of the Indian Providence of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. Welcome back Fr. Jos.
II. OTHER NEWS
- It is with great joy we announce that Father Pedro Enrique Amezcua Medina, CORC, current Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe in San Bernardino, has been elected Director General by his religious congregation, Confraternidad Operarios del Reino de Cristo, to serve a term of five (5) years. Due to his election and new responsibilities, Fr. Pedro will soon depart the Diocese and a new pastor for the parish will be assigned by the Religious Community. We thank Fr. Pedro for his many years of service in the Diocese and look forward to continual collaboration with him and his religious community.
III. PRIESTS IN RESIDENCE
- Father Rigoberto Sanchez Maya, from the Archdiocese of Tijuana, Mexico will serve at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Indio until June 30, 2022. Fr. Rigoberto has served in various parishes in the Diocese. He will be assisting Father Alex Gamino at the parish until a new parochial vicar is assigned at the parish in July 2023.
- Father Franklin Dass, M.S.C. will serve as priest in residence at St. Theresa, Palm Springs. He is a member of the Indian Providence of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (M.S.C.). In January 2023, his religious community will send Fr. Franklin for Spanish Language Studies for six months. Upon his return in July 2023, Fr. Franklin will receive an assignment as a parochial vicar.
- Father Joseph Christy Yesudass, M.S.C., has recently returned to the Diocese from his native India. He is a member of the Indian Providence of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (M.S.C.). He will serve as priest in residence at St. Catherine of Alexandria, Riverside where he served prior to his departure from the Diocese. In January 2023, his religious community will send Fr. Joseph Christy for Spanish Language Studies for six months. Upon his return in July 2023, Fr. Joseph Christy will receive an assignment as a parochial vicar.
- Father Jaime Torres Lezcano, from the Archdiocese of Medellin, Colombia has arrived for ministry in the Diocese. He has full faculties and is currently residing at Corpus Christi, Corona as he awaits a parish assignment. We welcome Fr. Jaime.
- Father Xavier Santiago Cachago Diaz, from the Archdiocese of Quito, Ecuador has returned to the Diocese. He has full faculties and awaits a new parish assignment. Fr. Xavier has provided summer supply in the past and now will be residing in the Diocese. Welcome back Fr. Xavier!
IV. TRANSITIONAL DEACONS
- Deacon Carlos Flores, who was ordained a deacon on August 27, 2022, is assigned as of Sept. 15, 2022 to Christ the Redeemer parish in Grand Terrace under the supervision of Father Anthony Waturuocha, Administrator of the parish. Deacon Flores will also serve part-time with the Office of Vocations under the supervision of Father Hau Vu, Director of the office. We look forward to the Priestly Ordination of Deacon Carlos on May 20, 2023.
- Deacon Julian Plascencia Gomez, who was ordained a deacon on August 27, 2022, returned to complete his seminary studies at Assumption Seminary in San Antonio, Texas. Deacon Julian will conclude his studies in December and return to the Diocese to receive a diaconal assignment in January 2023. We look forward to the Priestly Ordination of Deacon Julian on May 20, 2023.
- Deacon Wilfred Arauz Rodriguez, from the Diocese of Estelí, Nicaragua, has been granted faculties for ministry in the Diocese. Deacon Wilfred was ordained a deacon on January 14, 2021 in Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua. Due to ongoing tensions with the government in his home Diocese, Deacon Wilfred will reside and assist in area parishes in the Low Desert with a plan to receive a parish assignment in the new year. We welcome Deacon Wilfred to the Diocese.
V. VICARIATE VOCATION DIRECTORS
- The following priests have been appointed by Bishop Rojas to serve for one year as a Vicariate Vocation Director to support the ministry of Father Hau Vu, Director of Vocations, in the Office of Vocations. These priests continue to serve at their respective parishes. We thank these priests for accepting this additional responsibility.
- West End Vicariate: Father Alex Rodarte, St. Joseph, Upland
- San Bernardino Vicariate: Father M. Arịnze Ezeoke, The Holy Name of Jesus, Redlands
- Riverside Vicariate: Father Antonio Guzman, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Riverside
- Low Desert Vicariate: Father Alwyn Anfone, Sacred Heart, Palm Desert
- Hemet Vicariate: Father Ian Hollick, St. Martha, Murrieta
- High Desert: Father Jose Antonio Orozco, Holy Family, Hesperia
VI. UPCOMING ORDINATION DATES
- Please add the following dates to your priest and parish calendars:
- Transitional Diaconate Ordination: Saturday, December 17, 2022, 10:00 a.m., Sacred Heart Parish, Rancho Cucamonga
- Priesthood Ordination: Saturday, May 20, 2023, 10:00 a.m., St. Paul the Apostle, Chino Hills
- Permanent Diaconate Ordination: Saturday, August 26, 2023, 10:00 a.m., Parish Location To Be Announced