By Alma Galaviz
On a beautiful day filled with joy and gratitude, Sacred Heart parish in Riverside came together to celebrate the installation of Father Jose Manuel Garcia Oviedo, a member of the Comboni Missionary Priests religious community, as their new pastor. The Sept. 14 Mass was presided by Bishop Alberto Rojas and concelebrated by Monsignor Gerard Lopez, Vicar General of the diocese, Deacon Hector Aguirre and Deacon Jose A. Serrano. The Master of Ceremony, Armando Montaño and the Knights of Columbus added to the significance of the occasion.
The installation mass was a truly special event, with priests from various parishes within the Diocese of San Bernardino, Comboni Missionaries, and even from the Diocese of Rockford, Illinois, coming to concelebrate with Fr. Garcia Oviedo. Among the attending priests were Fr. Jorge Ochoa, Comboni Missionary, Fr. John Mungereza, Comboni Missionary, Fr. Juan Ayala from the Diocese of Rockford, Illinois, Fr. Miguel Ceja, Fr. Moises Henriquez de Paz, Fr. Adalberto Jeronimo-Garcia, Fr. Marcos Medina, and Fr. Leonardo Cuatle Mino. Religious Sister Esperanza from Chihuahua and the Religious Servants of the Word enriched the spiritual atmosphere, making it a memorable day for all attendees.
Family members traveled from Texas, San Diego, and Orange County to be part of this joyous occasion, showing their love and support for Fr. Garcia Oviedo. Friends from Chicago, Michigan, Jalisco, Mexico, and other parishes from the diocese also took the time to join in the celebration, reflecting the strong sense of community and unity. Their presence, along with the impressive turnout of more than 600 people, truly made the celebration a community event.
Fr. Garcia Oviedo, a dedicated Comboni Missionary, lives by the belief that “The Missionary must be ready for everything! To joy and pain. To life and death. To embrace and abandonment!” His commitment to this profound mission was evident throughout the celebration as he embraced the warmth and support of his new parish community.
The celebration extended beyond the mass, with a vibrant and festive atmosphere that included delicious food, lively entertainment, and cultural performances. The folkloric dancers and mariachi music added a touch of tradition and joy, creating a wonderful ambiance that resonated with everyone present and truly made the event a joyous celebration.
A touching moment occurred when doves were released, symbolizing peace, love, and new beginnings.
The success of this beautiful event was made possible by the dedicated efforts of volunteers from various liturgical ministries, parish groups, and parishioners who worked together tirelessly. Their collaboration and hard work ensured that every aspect of the celebration was perfect.
Fr. Garcia Oviedo was visibly happy and deeply thankful for the warm welcome and support from the community. His heartfelt gratitude was evident as he expressed his appreciation to everyone who attended and contributed to making the day so special for him.
The installation mass of Fr. Garcia Oviedo was not just a ceremonial event but a true celebration of faith, community, and unity. It marked the beginning of a new chapter for Sacred Heart Church, filled with hope and promise for the future.
We look forward to the many blessings and positive impact that Fr. Garcia Oviedo will bring to our parish community. Welcome, Fr. Jose Manuel!
Alma Galaviz is the Office Manager at Sacred Heart Church, Riverside.