Bishop Rojas wishes to share the following information:

I. PASTOR APPOINTMENT

• Rev. Khan Ngo, Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Twentynine Palms, for a term of six (6) years effective July 1, 2025, until June 30, 2031. We thank Father Khan for his nine-year service to St. Elizabeth of Hungry, Desert Hot Springs and wish him well at his new parish.
• Rev. Tomas Guillen, Pastor, St. Oscar Romero, Eastvale, for a term of six (6) years effective July 1, 2025, until June 30, 2031.
• Rev. Octavio Cortez, Pastor, St. Patrick, Moreno Valley, for a term of six (6) years effective July 1, 2025, until June 30, 2031.
• Rev. Pedro Agusto Zuniga Armas, FMM, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Colton for a term of six (6) years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2031. We welcome Father Pedro to the Diocese arriving from ministry in Canada. He is a member of the Missionary Fraternity of Mary. We also thank Rev. Dionicio ‘Max’ Tzul Lacan, FMM, current pastor, for his service to the parish. Father Max will be leaving the diocese and is being granted by his religious community a sabbatical for ongoing education.

II. PASTOR REAPPOINTMENT

• Rev. Sagayaraj Emmanuel, MSC, Pastor, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Rancho Cucamonga, for an extension of three (3) years effective July 1, 2025 until June 30, 2028.
• Rev. Beni Leu, SVD, Pastor, Queen of Angels, Riverside for an extension of three (3) years effective July 1, 2025 until June 30, 2028.
• Rev. Trung Mai, SVD, Pastor, St. George, Ontario for an extension of three (3) years effective July 1, 2025 until June 30, 2028.

The following priests have reached the age of 65 and after having already reached a full term of service, petition Bishop to serve year to year as Pastor at their respective parishes:

• Msgr. Tom Burdick, Pastor, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Winchester for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026.
• Rev. James McLaughlin, Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi, La Quinta for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026.
• Rev. John Kavcak, MSC, Pastor, St. Theresa, Palm Springs for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026.
• Rev. Charles Miller, Pastor, Queen of Angels, Idyllwild for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026.
• Rev. Michael Onwuemelie, CSSp, Pastor, Holy Spirit, Hemet for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026.
• Rev. Delwyn Haroldson, CR, Pastor, Our Lady of the Desert, Apple Valley for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026.

 III. ADMINISTRATOR APPOINTMENT

• Rev. Eliseus Uju, Administrator, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Desert Hot Springs, for a term of three (3) years effective July 1, 2025, until June 30, 2028. We express gratitude to Father Eliseus for his last nine years of service at Blessed Sacrament parish.
• Rev. Eulices Godinez, Administrator, St. Mary, Fontana, for a term of three (3) years effective June 1, 2025, until June 30, 2028. We congratulate Fr. Eulices as he assumes the pastoral responsibilities of St. Mary’s. Longtime pastor, Rev. Albert Utzig, SSC, and the community of the Missionary Society of St. Columban will be departing the diocese this May. Father Al has been named the US Regional Director of his community. We thank Fr. Al for his faithful work, and we look forward to the dedication of the new Church building currently under construction.
• Very Rev. Rafael Partida, Administrator, Holy Rosary Cathedral, San Bernardino for one (1) year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026. Father Rafael will continue with his duties as Episcopal Vicar of the Riverside Pastoral Region and as Director of the Office of Divine Worship. We thank Rev. Alex Gamino for his service to the Cathedral. Father Alex has been granted a health sabbatical beginning on July 1, 2025, and he will receive a new assignment when he returns. A new pastor will be named in July 2026.
• Rev. Jorge Garcia, Administrator, Holy Innocents, Victorville for a term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028. Rev. Peter Phan ends his six-year service to the parish of Holy Innocents, and we thank him for his service.
• Rev. Javier Escobar, Administrator, St. Bernardine, San Bernardino for a term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028. We welcome back Father Javier to our Diocese and thank him for receiving this new assignment. We thank Rev. Vinh ‘Daniel’ Nguyen, SVD for his service as he will soon depart the diocese.
• Rev. Johnny Dang, Administrator, St. John XXIII, Fontana for a term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028. We thank Rev. Cletus Imo for his twelve (12) years of service to the parish. Father Imo will soon receive another assignment in the Diocese.
• Rev. Robert ‘Alex’ Anthony, MSC, Administrator, St. Joseph Mission, San Jacinto at Soboba for a term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028. Rev. Alex will also serve as Chaplain to all Native American communities and chapels in the diocese. We thank, Rev. Earl Henley, MSC, for more than twenty-five (25) years of service to the Native American communities in the diocese.
• Rev. Cletus Imo, Administrator, St. Anthony, San Jacinto for a term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028. We thank Rev. Mark Bertelli for his service to the parish. Father Mark has been undergoing health issues and has resigned to take a health sabbatical to address his needs. He will receive a new assignment once his health improves.

IV. ADMINISTRATOR REAPPOINTMENT

• Rev. Arturo Mateo, MSC, Administrator, St. Catherine of Alexandria, Riverside for one (1) additional year effective July 1, 2025, until June 30, 2026.
• Rev. Reginald Ibe, Administrator, Holy Family, Hesperia for an additional term of three (3) years effective July 1, 2025, until June 30, 2028.
• Rev. Patrick Kirsch, Administrator, St. Junipero Serra, Phelan and Our Lady of the Snows, Wrightwood for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026.
• Rev. Pavol Sochulak, SVD, Administrator, St. Anthony, San Bernardino, for a term of three (3) years effective July 1, 2025 until June 30, 2028.
• Rev. Juan Martin Escobedo-Cepeda, MSP, Administrator, St. Joseph, Fontana for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026.

V. PAROCHIAL VICAR APPOINTMENT

• Rev. Antonio Guzman, Parochial Vicar, St. Junipero Serra, Phelan for one (1) year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026. Father Antonio will conclude his work at St. Joseph, Barstow and St. Philip Neri, Lenwood as of June 30, 2025.
• Rev. Ismael Valenzuela, Parochial Vicar, Holy Name of Jesus, Redlands for a term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028.
• Rev. Oliver Marco Machan, FMM, Parochial Vicar, Immaculate Conception, Colton for a term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028. Father Oliver will be arriving from Guatemala for his first assignment in the Diocese. We also thank Rev. Nelson Angel-Bonilla, FMM for his long service to the parish and diocese. His community has reassigned him for missionary work in Cuba.
• Rev. Peter Phan, Parochial Vicar, St. Mel, Norco for a term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028.
• Rev. Arinze Ezeoke, Parochial Vicar, Christ the Redeemer, Grand Terrace for a term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028. In addition to work at the parish, Father Arinze will serve as the Director of Community Life at St. Junipero Serra House of Formation in Grand Terrace working with the formation team at the seminary.
• Rev. Andres Rivera, Parochial Vicar, St. Andrew Newman Center, Riverside for a term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028.
• Rev. Vinh Trinh, SVD, Parochial Vicar, St. George, Ontario for a term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028.
• Rev. Eudes Panales, Parochial Vicar, Holy Innocents, Victorville for a term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028.
• Rev. Charles ‘Gino’ Galley, Parochial Vicar, St. Joseph, Barstow, and St. Philip Neri, Lenwood for one (1) year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026.
• Rev. Abil Raj Pannerselvam, HGN, Parochial Vicar, St. Mary, Fontana for a term of two (2) years beginning June 6, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2027. Father Abil will conclude his work at Corpus Christi, Corona as of June 5, 2025.
• Rev. Oscar Fernandez Prada Lavado, OFM Cap, Parochial Vicar, St. Peter & St. Paul, Alta Loma for a term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028. Father Oscar is a member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin religious community from Peru. He is new to the diocese but previously served in the Archdiocese of Chicago. He has been given a three (3) year absence from his religious community to discern diocesan priesthood. We welcome Father Oscar.
• Rev. Athanasius Ezealla, Parochial Vicar, St. Patrick, Moreno Valley for one (1) year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026.
• Rev. Oscar M. Muñoz-Martinez, MSP, Parochial Vicar, Corpus Christi, Corona for a term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028. Father Oscar has been granted a three (3) year absence from his community to discern diocesan priesthood. Fr. Oscar is currently serving at St. John the Evangelist, Riverside.
• Rev. Xavier Cachago Diaz, Parochial Vicar, St. Thomas More, Rialto for a term of two (2) years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2027. Father Xavier will conclude his time at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Riverside.
• Rev. Salvador Vazquez Flores, Parochial Vicar, St. Louis, Cathedral City for a term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028. Father Salvador is a priest of the Archdiocese of Morelia and has been given permission by his Archbishop to minister here in the Diocese. Father Salvador is a Canon Lawyer and will provide assistance for the Office of Canonical Services during his term of service at the parish.
• Rev. Joseph Ellison, Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of the Desert, Apple Valley for one (1) year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026. Father James Gibson, CR, will be departing the parish on June 30. Father James, beginning July 1, will be living in residence at Our Lady of the Lake, Lake Arrowhead to assist there and at St. Joseph, Big Bear with sacramental needs.
• Rev. Robert Ihuoma, Parochial Vicar, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Ontario for one (1) year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026. Father Chidi Martinianus Chileke will be departing the parish. Father Chidi will be addressing ongoing health issues before receiving any new assignment. We wish him well.
• Rev. Eliezer Lopez-Mora, ST, Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Soledad, Coachella for a term of three (3) years beginning July 21, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028. On August 24, 2025, Father Eliezer will also be appointed Director of the Valley Missionary Program in Coachella. Father Ramon Flores Duarte, ST, has departed the Diocese for missionary work in Colombia. We thank Father Roman for his service and welcome back Father Eliezer. Additionally, Father Jose de Jesus Martinez Hernandez, ST, will conclude his work at the Valley Missionary Program in August and remain as a Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Soledad.

 VI. PAROCHIAL VICAR REAPPOINTMENT

• Rev. Leonard ‘Lenny’ De Pasquale, IMC, Parochial Vicar, St. Patrick, Moreno Valley for one (1) additional year beginning on July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026.
• Rev. Dominic Vu, Parochial Vicar, St. Francis of Assisi, La Quinta for one (1) additional year beginning on July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026.
• Rev. Juan Sandoval, Parochial Vicar, St. Christopher, Moreno Valley for an additional term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028. Father Juan will continue to assist the ministry of the La Salette Missionaries.
• Rev. David Foxen, MSC, Parochial Vicar, St. Theresa, Palm Springs for one (1) additional year beginning on July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026.
• Rev. Gabriel Ezeh, SMMM, Parochial Vicar, St. Vincent Ferrer, Menifee, for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026. Father Gabriel will continue to assist the ministry of the La Salette Missionaries.
• Rev. Remigius Owuamanam, SMMM, Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Lourdes, Montclair for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026. Father Remi will continue to assist the ministry of the La Salette Missionaries.
• Rev. Julian Okoroanyanwu, Parochial Vicar, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Ontario for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026.
• Rev. Ephraim Arciga, MSC, Parochial Vicar, St. Catherine of Alexandria, Riverside for an additional three (3) year term beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028.
• Rev. Mahka Naw Aung, MS, Parochial Vicar, St. Paul the Apostle, Chino Hills, for an additional three (3) year term beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028.
• Rev. Eder Tufay Quiñones Menjura, ST, Parochial Vicar, Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mecca for an additional three (3) year term beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028.
• Rev. Gregory Vi Tran, CRM, Parochial Vicar, St. Mary Magdalene, Corona for an additional three (3) year term beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028.
• Rev. Jose Reyes-Cedillo, CORC, Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Guadalupe, San Bernardino for an additional three (3) year term beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028.

VII. HOSPITAL CHAPLAIN

• Rev. James Onyenani, Hospital Chaplain, Kaiser Hospital, Fontana for an additional three (3) years term beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028.

VIII. OTHER MINISTRY

• Rev. Alphonsus Ngwaogu will be on special ministry at St. Joan of Arc, Blythe for the months of July and August to assist, Rev. Anthony Ibegbunam, Administrator, who will be undergoing knee surgery. We keep Father Anthony in prayer for a successful surgery.

 IX. ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW PARISH

Under the norms of the Code of Canon Law (Canon 515, §2) and having duly consulted with the Presbyteral Council, the Pastor of the affected parish and the Ministerial Personnel and Placement Board (MPPB), Bishop Rojas as Diocesan Bishop of San Bernardino, erects a new parish named, ST. THOMAS MORE, in the City of Rialto, effective July 1, 2025. Current parochial vicar, Rev. Anthony Waturuocha is appointed as the Administrator of the new parish effective July 1, 2025 for a term of three (3) years ending on June 30, 2028. We congratulate both Father Anthony on receiving this important pastoral assignment from Bishop Rojas and to the people of Rialto as they form anew.

X. PARISH ENTRUSTMENT

Under the norms of the Code of Canon Law (canon 520) and having consulted with the MPPB, Bishop Rojas entrusts the pastoral care of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Riverside, to the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Philippine Province effective July 1, 2025 for six (6) years. Current Administrator, Rev. Benjamin Alforque, MSC, is now appointed Pastor for a term of six (6) years beginning July 1, 2025. Two additional MSC priests will soon be appointed to assist with the pastoral care of the parish. We thank Father Ben and the MSC Philippine Province for accepting this entrustment.