St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Chino concluded its nearly year-long 75th Anniversary Jubilee celebrations on Oct. 15 with a multi-lingual Mass presided by Bishop Emeritus Gerald R. Barnes.
“We have looked at the past with gratefulness, we have affirmed the blessings we receive with joy, and now we move forward with hope,” said St. Margaret Mary’s pastor, Father Restituto Obando Galang. “With gratitude, joy, and hope in our hearts we say to the Lord, for all that has been, ‘thank you’ and for all that will be, ‘Yes Lord!’ ”
Other special clergy attended the Eucharistic celebration including, Monsignor Gerard Lopez, Vicar General of the Diocese, Father Romeo Seleccion, Episcopal Vicar of the San Bernardino Pastoral Region, Bishop Alejandro “Alex” D. Aclan, D.D., V.G., an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Father Abil Raj Pannerselvam, Parochial Vicar, and many other priests from the surrounding parishes. Chino Mayor Eunice M. Ulloa was also present.
To recognize and celebrate the parish’s multicultural community, Mass began with a procession that showcased parishioners in traditional dress/clothes and carrying flags and religious statues that reflect their culture, such as Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Santo Niño.
The Young Adult Ministry processed in carrying the parish’s newly secured first-class relic of St. Margaret Mary. In September, Fr. Galang, with parish delegates, went to France on a pilgrimage to St. Margaret Mary’s tomb. The nuns of the Visitation Monastery, where St. Margaret Mary lived and died in the 17th century, gifted the church with a first-class relic of St. Margaret Mary. The holy relic is accompanied by a letter of authenticity from the local bishop.
After the procession, the Young Adult Ministry unveiled a life-size statue of St. Margaret Mary that was donated by the parish’s Filipino Ministry. The statue, carved out of wood to match the already existing statues of St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother, was placed by the altar, and blessed by Bishop Barnes.
Following the Mass was a multicultural fellowship at the St. Margaret Mary’s School field. Then, they congregated into the parish hall for a multicultural family reception that included a potluck prepared by parishioners of various food dishes from their native lands. In addition to the food, there were cultural dance performances.