Bishop Rojas wishes to share the following information:
I. Interim Administrator Appointment
- Father Francisco Varela Delgadillo, CORC, has been appointed Interim Administrator at Our Lady of Guadalupe, San Bernardino, effective January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023 with the departure of the previous Pastor, Father Pedro Enrique Amezcua Medina, CORC. Once a decision is reached by the Religious Congregation, the Diocese will announce who will be named the new Pastor/Administrator beginning July 1, 2023.
- Father Arturo Mateo, MSC, has been appointed Interim Administrator of St. Catherine of Alexandria, Riverside, effective February 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023 with the departure of the previous Pastor, Father Sesinando Cajucom, Jr, MSC. Father Mateo has previously served in the Diocese and so we welcome him back. Once a decision is reached by the Religious Congregation, the Diocese will announce who will be named the new Pastor/Administrator beginning July 1, 2023.
II. Arriving and Departing Priests
- Father Angelo Giovanny Battista, MSC, from the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (Indonesian Province) has arrived for ministry in the Diocese. Effective February 15, 2023, he has full faculties and is currently residing at St. Catherine of Alexandria, Riverside. At the end of February 2023, Father Battista’s religious community will send him for Spanish Language Studies. Upon his return in July 2023, Father Battista will receive a new assignment in the Diocese.
- Father Robert Chikeziri Ihuoma, from the Diocese of Ahiara in Nigeria, has arrived to take his assignment of Parochial Vicar, as previously announced, at Sacred Heart, Rancho Cucamonga. There was a delay in his arrival, but he is now here. We welcome Father Ihuoma to the Diocese.
- Father Weiping “Francis” Li, from the Archdiocese of Hangzhou in Zhejiang, China, will depart the Diocese at the end of February 2023 for ministry in the Diocese of Orange. Father Li has faithfully served the Chinese Catholics in the Diocese serving at Our Lady of Lourdes, Montclair. Father Li will assist with the sacramental needs of the Chinese community until alternative plans are made. Thank you, Father Li, for your service.
III. Transitional Deacon
- Deacon Julian Plascencia Gomez, who was ordained a deacon on August 27, 2022, has now returned to the Diocese after completing his seminary studies. He has been assigned to serve as a Transitional Deacon at Holy Family, Hesperia, as of January 9, 2023. We look forward to the Priestly Ordination of Deacon Julian on May 20, 2023.
IV. Upcoming Ordination Dates
Please add the following dates to priest and parish calendars:
- 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., Holy Family, Hesperia
- Transitional Diaconate Ordination: Saturday, December 16, 2023, 10:00 a.m., Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, San Bernardino
- Priesthood Ordination: Saturday, May 18, 2024, 10:00 a.m., Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, San Bernardino