Bárbara Chávez (pictured left), a longtime advocate for the Hispanic community here in our Diocese, passed away on Aug. 21. Chávez, a parishioner of St. Joseph, Fontana, was involved in numerous causes, including farmworkers, environmental justice, education, health and housing.
One of her roles was a liaison between parents and the school district, with an emphasis on special needs children. Another area in which she was influential was Operation Bienvenida (ministry to asylum seekers), both when it was based at St. Joseph in 2014 and afterwards. Chávez was also a delegate for V Encuentro, which was a four-year process of reflection and action to discern how to better serve the growing Hispanic population in the U.S.
We are grateful to God for the good work that Chávez brought about and pray for her eternal rest.