Bishop Rojas wishes to share the following information:
I. OFFICE OF VOCATIONS, DIOCESE OF SAN BERNARDINO
Father Hau Vu is appointed the new Vocations Director for the Diocese effective immediately. Fr. Vu has served as Associate Director for three years and will now assume full responsibilities as the Director of the Office of Vocations for three years ending on June 30, 2025. We congratulate and thank Fr. Vu for his dedicated ministry. Let us all support the work of vocations throughout the Diocese.
II. SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE, MECCA
Father Francisco Gomez, S.T., Pastor, Our Lady of Soledad, Coachella is appointed Interim Administrator of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mecca effective immediately due to untimely and unexpected death of Father Jesus Palomares, S.T. Fr. Gomez continues in his ministry as Pastor of Our Lady of Soledad. We thank him for his administrative and pastoral care of both parishes at this time and we continue our prayers for the Trinitarian Priests as well as for the people of Mecca in their time of grief. A new pastor for the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mecca will be named in the future.
III. PRIEST IN RESIDENCE
We welcome back Father Alwyn Anfone to the Diocese. Fr. Anfone was away this past year in his native Philippines caring for his ill mother who died last December. Fr. Anfone will be priest in residence and assist in ministry at Sacred Heart parish in Palm Desert. We thank Father Gregory Elder, Pastor, for welcoming Fr. Anfone who will be transitioning back to the Diocese. Fr. Anfone will receive a new assignment this coming July. Welcome back Fr. Anfone!
IV. PAROCHIAL VICAR APPOINTMENT
Father Octavio Cortez, IVE, has been appointed Parochial Vicar, St. Patrick, Moreno Valley for a term of three years effective Jan. 1, 2022 and ending on June 30, 2025. Father Octavio is a member of the Institute of the Incarnate Word and has come to the Diocese to discern ministry as a diocesan priest. Fr. Cortez was expected last summer, but was delayed in his arrival and therefore did not begin his ministry at St. Patrick’s until January. We welcome Fr. Cortez to the Diocese! We also express our gratitude to Father Joseph Ellison for his time and service at St. Patrick parish. Fr. Ellison will be in residence at St. Christopher parish in Moreno Valley as he awaits a new assignment.
V. SABBATICAL
Father Gerardo Mendoza, Pastor, St. Mel, Norco, has been granted a three month sabbatical beginning March 1, 2022 and ending May 31, 2022. We wish Fr. Mendoza rest and renewal. Father James Onyenani, Parochial Vicar, will be the Interim Administrator in the absence of Fr. Mendoza. Additionally, Father Xavier Cachago from the Archdiocese of Quito, Ecuador will assist Father Onyenani while Fr. Mendoza is away. We welcome Fr. Cachago to this new ministry!
VI. DEACON ASSIGNMENT
Deacon Terry Martin was assigned to Sacred Heart, Anza, effective Feb. 2. Dcn. Terry has relocated to the Diocese of San Bernardino from the Archdiocese of Miami where he served at the Basilica of Saint Mary Star of the Sea.
VII. CHRISM MASS AND PRIESTLY ORDINATION DATES
The Chrism Mass will be celebrated this year on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 3 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Cabrini in Yucaipa. All priests are encouraged to participate. The Ordination of Priests will take place on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart in Rancho Cucamonga. All priests are encouraged to participate.