Bishop Rojas wishes to share the following information:
VICAR FORANE
The following priests have been appointed by Bishop Rojas to serve as the Vicar Forane of their respective vicariate. We thank these two priests for accepting this new responsibility in addition to their parish work.
Very Rev. Carlos Martinez, VF is appointed effective September 1, 2024, as the Vicar Forane for the Hemet Vicariate. The term of service is four (4) years ending on August 31, 2028. Father Carlos is Pastor of St. Martha parish in Murrieta. We also thank Father Anthony Dao for his past service as the previous Vicar Forane.
Very Rev. Cristobal Subosa, VF is appointed effective September 1, 2024, as the Vicar Forane for the West End Vicariate. The term of service is four (4) years ending on August 31, 2028. Father Chris is Pastor of Sacred Heart parish in Rancho Cucamonga. We also thank Father Benedict Nwachukwu-Udaku for his long service as previous Vicar Forane.
PASTOR APPOINTMENT
Rev. Alfredo G. Africa, Jr., MSP (Mission Society of the Philippines), Pastor, St. James the Less for a term of six (6) years beginning September 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2030. We welcome Father Alfredo to the diocese and thank Father Eliseo Napiere, MSP, for his faithful service to the parish. Father Eliseo will resign as Pastor of St. James the Less effective September 1, 2024, and depart the diocese to serve as the Ecclesiastical Superior of the Mission Sui Iuris of Funafuti in Tuvalu.
PAROCHIAL VICAR APPOINTMENT
Rev. Alex C. Pontilla, Parochial Vicar, St. James the Less, Perris for a three (3) year term beginning September 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2027. We welcome Father Alex to the Diocese of San Bernardino. Father Alex serves as an associate member of the Mission Society of the Philippines (MSP).
Rev. Nicolas Batta Tierrablanca, OdeM, Parochial Vicar, St. Anthony, Riverside and Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine for an additional three (3) year term beginning August 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2027.
Rev. Alejandro Prado Mendez, CORC, Parochial Vicar, St. Edward, Corona for a three (3) year term beginning October 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2027. We welcome Father Alejandro to the Diocese of San Bernardino.
CHAPLAIN NEWS
Rev. Cyriacus Okoro, Hospital Chaplain, Riverside University Health System Medical Center, Moreno Valley for a term of three (3) years beginning July 15, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2027. We thank Father Cyriacus for his years of service at Kaiser Hospital in Riverside.
Rev. Geoffrey Eboh, Hospital Chaplain, Kaiser Hospital, Riverside for a term of three (3) years beginning July 15, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2027. We thank Father Geoffrey for his many years of service at Riverside University Health System Medical Center in Moreno Valley.
MINISTERIAL NEWS
The following priests recently arrived to the diocese and have received faculties to serve.
Rev. Eudes Pañales, a priest of the Diocese of Diplog, Philippines, will be assisting beginning September 1, 2024, and live in residence at St. Anthony, San Jacinto. We welcome Father Eudes to the Diocese.
Rev. Leonel Vega-Medina, a priest of the Archdiocese of Morelia, Mexico, is currently assisting at Corpus Christi, Corona and living in residence at the parish rectory. We thank Father Leonel for his service.
Rev. Carlos Garduño Garay, a priest of the Operarios del Reino de Cristo (CORC), is currently assisting at St. Edward, Corona and living in residence at the rectory. Father Carlos has returned to the diocese to assist while a new priest is set to arrive to the parish in October.
Rev. Ala Musharbash, a priest of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, serves as priest chaplain to the Arabic community at the Holy Name of Jesus parish in Redlands.
The following priest is on an educational sabbatical:
Rev. Jorge Garcia has been granted an educational sabbatical to complete his doctoral studies program. Father Jorge has been granted this time for study until December 31, 2024. Upon the completion of his doctorate, Father Jorge will receive a parish assignment in the Diocese. His assignment will be announced at a later date.