On Saturday, April 15, about 175 people from around the Diocese gathered at the Diocesan Pastoral Center (DPC) for a special event called Tea Time With Bishop Rojas. The event raised an estimated $40,000 with all proceeds going towards establishing two new funds, the Bishop Rojas Charitable Works Burse and the St. Junipero Serra House of Formation Burse, with the majority of the funds going to the latter.
The DPC was decorated with plenty of pastel colors and flowers to create the perfect atmosphere for a tea party. Seminarians from Junipero Serra House of Formation and volunteers from The Holy Name of Jesus, Redlands, served guests tea, sandwiches and desserts. The Holy Name of Jesus parish volunteers were from two of their ministries, the ministry of Consecration to Jesus through Mary and the Filipino Ministry.
Aside from the delicious food and fellowship, guests got to hear from the seminarians, who spoke on their vocation stories and expressed their gratitude for the support they receive from the faithful here in our Diocese. They also were treated to a special musical performance by Bishop Alberto Rojas, who sung and played guitar for three songs.
There was also a silent auction for various prizes, with the grand prize being a beautiful handmade quilt that was won by Father Rafael Partida. Attendees could also purchase the tea cups and dishes used at the event. Both the sale of the dishes and the silent auction further helped to fund the two new funds.