Castro graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from the University of the Philippines in 1976. She was immediately hired by the University of the Philippines as an instructor in zoology, biology and entomology. In 1978, Castro felt God calling her to leave the Philippines and immigrated to the US.
Her journey to the United States led her down a very different professional path with a career in the Accounting Division of the Municipal Court of Los Angeles. Castro acquired her Master of Science in Leadership and Management from University of La Verne in 2004, where she successfully published her research paper on “Workplace Spirituality Among Transformation Leaders in Judicial Administration.”
In 2006 Castro joined the National Council for the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), an alliance of individuals, organizations and institutions formed to advocate for the rights and welfare of Filipinos, particularly the Filipino migrants in the United States. In 2012, Castro was elected as a member-at-large on the Executive Committee of NAFCON.
The Church is never far from Castro’s heart. She serves as Fair Trade Ambassador for Catholic Relief Services to promote economic justice and awareness of global poverty. She also teaches “Understanding How Culture Works,” one of five modules in the Building Intercultural Competencies for Ministers program currently being taught in the diocese.
She served as Chairperson of the Diocesan Filipino Ministry from 2004 to 2012, and has assisted the Diocesan Office of Asian Pacific Ministry. Castro also served as the Pastoral Council Chairperson at her home parish, St. George in Fontana, from 2004 - 2011.
With over 30 years of experience in the largest court in the United States, Castro’s drive to advocate for those without a voice is visible in her career endeavors, church ministry and the way she lives her life. Bishop Barnes applauds her dedication to serving locally and internationally with the vision of uniting people, building strong infrastructures and providing sound vision to live Christ’s message so people’s lives are filled with hope.
Dr. Carlos Fayard
Awarded for work in assessing clergy candidates
Dr. Carlos Fayard has a passion and sensitivity for issues of diversity and the challenges faced by those from different cultures and countries. He understands that far too much time and energy is wasted when people grasp for power, status, and recognition – time and energy that would be better spent demonstrating unity in a world starving for a model of genuine community.
A native of Argentina, Dr. Fayard completed his undergraduate and graduate training then pursued his doctoral degree in psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego. He has been involved in the training of medical students, psychiatry residents, and clinical psychology interns since 1988.
After serving for six years as a bilingual psychologist at Patton State Hospital in Highland, he joined the Loma Linda University Department of Psychiatry where he currently is in private practice, working with individuals and couples. In addition, Dr. Fayard holds several other leadership positions at Loma Linda University including Director of Psychotherapy Training for the Psychiatry Residency Program, Chair of the Committee on Religion and Psychiatry, and he coordinates the Religion and Psychiatry elective for senior medical students.
Dr. Fayard is also the assistant director of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church’s Health Ministries Department, and principal organizer of the Emotional Health and Wellness Conference.
Additionally, serving as a consultant for the Diocese of San Bernardino, Dr. Fayard provides analysis and insight into the mental, psychospiritual and psychosexual personality of those interested in entering formation for the priesthood or diaconate. For those married men interested in entering diaconal formation he also assesses their marital status. By assisting in the evaluation; helping to insure the suitability and stability of those who will be charged with assisting Bishop Gerald Barnes in journeying with the people of the Diocese, he contributes to the growth of the faithful.
In a day and age where at times it seems like everyone is “doing their own thing,” Bishop Barnes recognizes that sometimes it makes more sense to come along side someone else and partner with them in ministry. Dr. Fayard is like-minded and actively contributes in bringing hope to people’s lives.
Brothers of St. John of God
Recognized for ministry to the suffering
The Brothers of St. John of God bear witness to Christ’s healing love as expressed by compassionate service to God’s suffering people, particularly those suffering from addiction. The Brothers know that Christian witness is often observed more strongly in actions than in words. Thus, their ministry is centered on extending, through word and deed, the person of Jesus Christ to those in dark moments of their life.
In the first half of 16th century Spain, Saint John of God devoted a major part of his life to alleviating human suffering, to comforting and soothing the afflicted, sick and dying. St. John lived the teachings of Jesus Christ and he recognized the great injustice of those experiencing disadvantage. He was often heard encouraging others to: “Do good for yourselves by doing good for others.”
St. John of God had no idea of the inspiring movement he was founding so many years ago. Today John’s followers known as the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God continue providing health, social care and pastoral services to sick, vulnerable and disadvantaged people. Their ministry, which includes a presence in Victorville, CA, offers new choices, new hope and a new life.
Since 1985, St. John of God Health Care Services has provided alcohol recovery programs in Victorville. The services offered cover a broad scope of individual and family needs. In the beginning this program consisted primarily of H.O.W. House, a 12-bed recovery program.
In 1997, Bishop Gerald Barnes blessed Starting Point, an alcohol/drug rehabilitation facility for teenagers founded by the Brothers of St. John of God. Their commitment to the youth of the diocese reflects Bishop Barnes’ priority that the Church accompany young people on their journey of faith.
The Brothers of St. John of God have helped the forgotten of our Diocese meet Christ during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. They offer the face of God’s love and mercy and with it a path to reconciliation.
Sisters of the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart
Lauded for legacy of transformational teaching
The vocation of the Sisters of the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart is to do just that. With joyful, loving service they make known the personal love of God, teaching the truths of Catholic faith to help people welcome God’s transforming grace in their lives. Offering retreats is one concrete way the Sisters make a lasting impact on people of all ages, guiding participants to find heart in their shared humanity through the Heart of Jesus. Retreat participants begin to “make over” their lives, families, workplace and society, thereby transforming the world.
The history of this community traces back to Hungary in 1940: a time when the Catholic Church was threatened by both Nazism and Communism. Amid this time of danger God called 18 year-old Ida Peterfy to devote her life to proclaiming the Good News. The transformation in her was obvious, her work for the Church attracting friends and companions. This was the beginning of a new religious community of which Sister Ida Peterfy is the foundress.
With Cardinal József Mindszenty’s arrest in 1949, Sister Ida and companions were advised by Church leaders to leave Hungary to continue their apostolate in the free world. They escaped and found refuge in Toronto, Canada in 1950 where they found temporary work as housekeepers in order to obtain immigrant status, all the while learning English so they could teach again.
In 1956, Cardinal James Francis McIntyre invited the Sisters to establish their Motherhouse and Novitiate in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. They also opened a convent in Reno, Nevada. Over the next 20 years the transforming work of the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart Sisters was done through catechatical formation and parish religious education, retreats, schools of prayer, and Summer camps for children and families. In 1980 the Sisters came to the Diocese of San Bernardino, building and opening the Sacred Heart Retreat Camp in Big Bear Lake.
Sister Ida was called to eternal rest on February 8, 2000. Bishop Barnes reminds us that her legacy lives on through the Sisters of the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart who continue her “Joyful Apostolate” through their catechetical work. He further notes that following their founder, the Sisters share in the creative work of the Father, the words and witness of Jesus Christ, and the life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit. They remind us that we are all created in God’s image and glorify Him when we share our gifts transforming the world through God’s love.