The Ministry Formation Institute (MFI) returned to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in Yucaipa to celebrate the graduation of 77 students from the Continuing Ministry Formation Program (CMFP) on June 13. This was a return to an in-person graduation after the 2020 graduation celebration was held online due to pandemic protocols. Bishop Alberto Rojas presided over the liturgy, which was attended by over 350 people.
CMFP is a three-to-five-year program of advanced theological and pastoral formation for lay ministers in the local parishes throughout the Diocese. The 77 students represented each of the six vicariates in the diocese. Three types of certificates were awarded the graduates based upon the learning track they chose.
The first group to be recognized were students who earned the Certificate for Adult Faith Enrichment. Their names and parishes are listed below.
Rosa A. Barillas Our Lady of Guadalupe, Chino
Yasmin Solis Our Lady of Hope, San Bernardino
Laura Lopez Leyva Sacred Heart, Riverside
Mary Vargas St. Catherine of Alexandria, Temecula
Jose de Jesus Gallegos St. James the Less, Perris
Elmer Canizales St. John XXIII, Rialto
Delia Garcia St. Joseph, Upland
Sandra Sanchez St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Beaumont
Jose Manuel Cabrera St. Martha, Murrieta
Susana Serrano Valley Missionary Program, Coachella
The second group to be recognized were those who have completed the three-year CMFP and received the certificate for Advanced Theological Studies. They were:
Hector Avila Corpus Christi, Corona
Molina Erb Corpus Christi, Corona
Juana A. Vidal Corpus Christi, Corona
Veronica Aguilera Immaculate Conception, Colton
Laura Alvarez Our Lady of Guadalupe, Chino
Max E. Barillas Our Lady of Guadalupe, Chino
Angel Nava Our Lady of Guadalupe, Chino
Guadalupe Nava Our Lady of Guadalupe, Chino
Edgar A. Velasco Our Lady of Guadalupe, Chino
Ramona A. Velasco Our Lady of Guadalupe, Chino
Jorge Vera Our Lady of Guadalupe, Chino
Linda Cecilia Chairez Our Lady of Hope, San Bernardino
Senorina S. Saldivar Our Lady of Soledad, Coachella
Yolanda R. Serrato Our Lady of the Desert, Apple Valley
Esteban Huidor Our Lady of the Lake, Lake Arrowhead
Edgar Reynaldo Ayala Queen of Angels, Riverside
Ana Karen Espin Sacred Heart, Riverside
Martin Enrique Perez Galicia Sacred Heart, Riverside
Victor Delgado Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mecca
Carmen T. Martinez St. Adelaide, Highland
Maria Ortega St. Adelaide, Highland
Victor Ortega St. Adelaide, Highland
Diana Wehbe St. Andrew Newman Center, Riverside
Rita M. Figueroa St. Bernardine, San Bernardino
Gerardo Vargas St. Catherine of Alexandria, Temecula
Yesenia K. Vega St. Catherine of Siena, Rialto
Luis C. Lopez St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Desert Hot Springs
Yolanda Castillo St. Francis of Assisi, La Quinta
German Samayoa Gonzalez St. Joan of Arc, Blythe
Joseph Valencia St. Joseph, Big Bear Lake
Mercy Valencia St. Joseph, Big Bear Lake
Roberto Garcia St. Joseph, Upland
Jose Luis Gomez St. Joseph, Upland
Theresa Ann Cesiro St. Margaret Mary, Chino
Martha Patricia Lopez St. Martha, Murrieta
Julia Mota Rabadan St. Martha, Murrieta
Karina Coronel St. Mary, Fontana
Salvador Coronel St. Mary, Fontana
Raquel Aguilera St. Matthew, Corona
Luis L. Lopez St. Mel, Norco
Maria Guadalupe Dominguez St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Winchester
Oscar A. Dominguez St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Winchester
Carlos L. Avila St. Thomas the Apostle, Riverside
Blanca E. A. Cervantes St. Vincent Ferrer, Menifee
Gilberto Gil The Holy Name of Jesus, Redlands
Maria de Jesus Montoya The Holy Name of Jesus, Redlands
Porfirio Montoya Silva The Holy Name of Jesus, Redlands
Juan Jose Serrano Torres Valley Missionary Program, Coachella
The last group of graduates received a certificate in Advanced Theological Studies for Ministerial Leadership with a Specialization. This certificate is awarded to those who completed the three-year CMFP and fulfilled the obligation to complete an advanced specialization in their chosen field of ministry. They are listed below with their specialization and parish.
Jaime Enrique Polanco Charity and Justice Christ the Redeemer, Grand Terrace
Benjamin Cisneros Adult Faith Formation Our Lady of Hope, San Bernardino
Jose A. Beltran Adult Faith Formation Our Lady of Soledad, Coachella
Alma C. Escobar Liturgy Sacred Heart, Palm Desert
Carlos R. Escobar Liturgy Sacred Heart, Palm Desert
Concepcion Mascorro Liturgy Sacred Heart, Palm Desert
Delmy Romero Adult Faith Formation St. Charles Borromeo, Bloomington
Jose Rene Quiroz Charity and Justice St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Desert Hot Springs
Veronica Quiroz Charity and Justice St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Desert Hot Springs
Enrique Serrano Charity and Justice St. George, Fontana
Isabel Serrano Charity and Justice St. George, Fontana
Javier Muñoz Charity and Justice St. George, Ontario
Maria Muñoz Charity and Justice St. George, Ontario
Ramon Duran Liturgy St. John the Evangelist, Riverside
Eva M. Llamas Charity and Justice St. Martha, Murrieta
Rafael Llamas Charity and Justice St. Martha, Murrieta
Domingo Calderon Torres Adult Faith Formation St. Martha, Murrieta
Arlene M. Chanco Charity and Justice St. Peter & St. Paul, Alta Loma
Luis A. Chanco Charity and Justice St. Peter & St. Paul, Alta Loma
Congratulations to all the CMFP graduates! May your life be blessed and your ministries flourish.
On a final note, MFI wants to thank Bishop Alberto Rojas for celebrating with us and for inspiring our graduates with his message of wisdom and encouragement. Also, we thank Rev. Santos L. Ortega, the staff and parishioners of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Yucaipa who volunteered to assist us at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini and for their generous hospitality.