SAN BERNARDINO—Ten men began their journey toward becoming a deacon during the Rite of Candidacy for Holy Orders on Oct. 12 at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, San Bernardino. These men will join over 20 other men currently in the Diaconate Formation Program. Pictured with Bishop Gerald Barnes (center) back row (wives not pictured): Javier (Maria) Muñoz, St. George, Ontario; Enrique (Isabel) Serrano, St. George, Fontana; Luis (Arlene) Chanco, St. Peter & St. Paul, Alta Loma; Daniel (Evangeline) Ezekwe, St. Mel, Norco; Neriel (Nelley) Rabe, St. Peter & St. Paul, Alta Loma; Johannes (Sally Oei) Lauran, St. Adelaide, Highland. Front row: Luis (Ana Maria) Ramirez, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Indio; Rafael (Eva) Llamas, St. Martha, Murrieta; Jaime (Sonia) Polanco, Christ the Redeemer, Grand Terrace; Rene (Veronica) Quiroz, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Desert Hot Springs.
Presbyteral Council adds new members
SAN BERNARDINO—Father Cletus Imo, Father James Gibson, C.R., Father Cristobal Subosa and Father Albert Utzig, S.S.C. were all elected to the Diocesan Presbyteral Council by their fellow priests at the annual priests’ convocation this past September in Palm Desert.
Syro-Malabar community celebrates Feast of St. Jude
GRAND TERRACE—The Feast of St. Jude was celebrated by the Syro-Malabar community on October 28 with Mass at Christ the Redeemer Church, Grand Terrace. The Principal Celebrant was Father Mathews Munjanath, the Pastor of St. Thomas Syro Malabar Church, Sant Ana. Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Rutilio del Riego concelebrated along with Father Soney Sebastian, SVD, and Fr. Biju Thomas, SVD. After the Mass there was the traditional procession with the Blessed Sacrament around the Church with colorful umbrellas and crosses. The children in the parish catechism class were given trophies of achievement for last year after the Mass.
Deacons Gonzalez, Kilborn celebrate 25 years
LA QUINTA—Deacons Victor Gonzalez (second from left) and Austin Kilborn (second from right) celebrated their 25th Anniversary of Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate on Oct. 13 at St. Francis of Assisi in La Quinta. Also pictured with Bishop Gerald Barnes (center) is Father James McLaughlin (far left) and Father Peter Phan (far right).
Founding Bishop Straling remembers the early days of the Diocese
In commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Diocese, Bishop Phillip Straling sat down with Father Erik Esparza to reminisce about the founding of the Diocese, its rapid growth and the transition to Bishop Barnes’ episcopacy.
Where do we go from here?
Bishop Barnes holds forum to hear concerns and brainstorm actions in response to sexual abuse crisis
SAN BERNARDINO—The Diocese finds itself, along with the rest of U.S. Church, once again engulfed in the clergy sexual abuse crisis, spurred by the Aug. 8 release of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report on six dioceses, and earlier public revelations on the history of sexual abuse and harassment by former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick.