A couple of passages really impacted me. When Jesus said unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you will not have eternal life and many left. But in John 6:68 Peter said, “ Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” That captured what I was feeling. Then there’s Psalm 18:20 that says, “He set me free in the open; he rescued me because he loves me.” Knowing those two things, knowing truth and the love of God, I responded with love by serving God and serving his people.
Q. What do you like to do for fun?
I love sports. I am a huge Lakers fan, Angels fan and Kings fan. I like movies, especially thinking movies. I’m a family man. I like spending time with the family. And I like video games. I have a Wii right now. Still have my Nintendo and Super Nintendo. I really loved Street Fighter, Street Fighter 2, Zelda and sports games.
Q. If you could be the patron saint of something, what would you be the patron saint of?
Forgive me Don Bosco, but I would like to be the patron of youth or something to do with lost children. He did great things with the kids. I would also like to be the patron saint of the Lakers, haha.
Q. What is an important issue facing the Church of San Bernardino?
It is our kids. We are a young diocese. Being at St. Catherine of Alexandria, Temecula, Loma Linda Hospital and now at Our Lady of Hope, San Bernardino, I’ve seen that our kids feel like they are lost. As adults we have to be good role models. They need good role models. We need to listen to them, they have so much to say. They really want to change the world. People think they are trouble. That is not true. They need someone to walk with them so they aren’t alone. They need to feel loved so they don’t search for love in other places. I always call them my kids. If there is a challenge, it is that.