Sacred Heart Parish in Rancho Cucamonga hosted this Mass for the very first time. This was the 11th generation of the CMFP, which began in 2002. About 15 priests concelebrated with Bishop Barnes, assisted by Deacons Luis Sanchez and Mike Jelley. The assembly consisted of more than 1,500 faithful, including relatives, friends, formation team, and religious associations.
Among the graduates was Nick Alatorre who was called home to God on June 5. His graduation certificate was presented to his sister Cathy Romero (please see a tribute to Nick Alatorre is on page 21).
At the end of the celebration three graduates gave testimony, including Omar Perez whose bout with pancreatic cancer challenged his ability to complete his last semester studies of CMFP. However, his medical care, the support of his family and friends, and especially his great faith have kept him alive and strong, he told the audience, who responded with a warm standing ovation.
In the Eucharistic celebration Bishop Barnes also welcomed 125 new participants who are joining the CMFP this year and attended the Mass as part of their Annual Opening Retreat. These participants are added to the second and third year for a total of 318 for this year of formation.
Bishop Barnes acknowledged the work of the formation team, especially the leadership of Sister Rebeca Zapien, S.A.C., who has been the Director of the MFI for the past 18 months. He then introduced and welcomed the new MFI Department Director Maria H. Sedano.
The formation team is grateful to Father Benedict C. Nwhachukhu, pastor, Rosa Talamantez Hispanic Ministries Coordinator, Mary Dias, Coordinator of Liturgical Ministries and all the leaders of Sacred Heart Parish for their warm hospitality.
This year’s CMFP graduates are:
Hemet Vicariate
St. James, Perris: Rosa Alcaraz, Eligia Maria Herrera, Maria Eva Flores, Clementina Rangel, Maria Abelia Rubio, Maria de Lourdes Estrada.
St. Catherine of Alexandria, Temecula: Eduardo Baltodano, Angelina Gabriele, John Gabriele, John Lawson, Veronica Lawson.
Restorative Justice Ministry: Laura Eggering.
St. Martha, Murrieta: James Hirschy.
High Desert Vicariate
Restorative Justice Ministry: Daniel Torres.
Low Desert Vicariate
Our Lady of Soledad, Coachella: Baltazar Aguirre, Cecilia Garcia, Alejandro Molina, Mercedes Pacheco, Juan Gonzales Recendez, Juliana Saldivar, Jose Villanueva.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Indio: †Nicolas Alatorre, Teresa Lua Bautista, Cynthia Brown, Eugene Brown, Aurora Chavez, Maria Guadalupe de la Cerda Hernandez, Roberto Montes, Dora Maria Orozco, Jose de Jesus Orozco, Angeles Segura.
St. Francis, La Quinta: Veronica Gaea-Mejia, Blanca Mercado, Jesus Zinzun Mercado, Myrna Phelps, Estela Lopez De Tzompantzi.
St. Theresa, Palm Springs: Manuel Gomez, Francisco Ortega, Carlos Alberto Trinidad.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mecca: Alfonso Gonzalez, Noemi Mejia.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Desert Hot Springs: Alicia Haro.
Valley Missionary Program: Gabriel Lua, Ignacia Lua.
St. Louis, Cathedral City: Jaime Rosas.
Our Lady of Solitude, Palm Springs: Maricela Ruiz.
Riverside Vicariate
St. Mel, Norco: Maricarmen Balcazar.
St. John the Evangelist, Rubidoux: Porfirio Barrera.
St. Francis de Sales, Riverside: Alba Dominguez.
St. Mary Magdalene, Corona: Walter Dworschak.
St. Catherine of Alexandria, Riverside: Al Lara, Victoria Lara.
San Bernardino Vicariate
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Yucaipa: Charles Abajian.
The Holy Name of Jesus, Redlands: Andres Alvarez, Fidel Canovas, Edward Paul Ferguson, Felicitas Hernandez, Jorge Herrera, Josette Letson, Paul Letson, Alejandro Sierra Mota, Javier Perez, Socorro Guadalupe Tool, Charlene Varela.
Our Lady of Assumption, San Bernardino: Dave Amori, Scott Bauer, Terril Bauer, Edwin Estrella, Kathleen Estrella.
Our Lady of Hope, San Bernardino: Felipe Arizaga, Maria Teresa Escobar, Magdalena Lopez, Maria de Jesus Lopez, Magdaneli Rodriguez.
Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, San Bernardino: Caren Contreras, Sandra Guerrero, Jose Luis Perez, Maria Antonieta Young.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Banning: Penny Franz, Sandra Jeaneth Garcia, Maria Marquez.
St. Catherine of Siena, Rialto: Erica Garcia-Ochoa, Josefina Torres.
Charismatic Renewal Office: Anita Munoz.
West End Vicariate
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Ontario: Placido Andrade
Our Lady of Lourdes, Montclair: Everado Beltran, Teresa Camacho, Corine Jauregui, Eugenia Paniagua
St. John XXII, Fontana: Dolores Concepcion Bonilla, Jose Domingo Bonilla
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Chino: Jorge Briones, Azucena del Angel, Karina Gomez, Emma Hernandez
St. George, Ontario: Bernardo Esparza, Sonia Esparza, Santa Gameros, Sergio Gameros, Jose Luis Ortiz Flores
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Rancho Cucamonga: Sonia Islas
St. Charles Borromeo, Bloomington: Lorena Rodriguez
Bishop’s Office: Andrea Torres
St. Anthony, Upland: Roberto Villatoro, Veronica Villatoro.