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Bishop Rojas wishes to share the following information:


Interim Administrator Appointment

Rev. Patrick V. Kirsch, Interim Administrator, St. Junipero Serra, Phelan and Our Lady of the Snows, Wrightwood, effective March 9, 2024, until June 30, 2024. We thank Father Pat for taking on this short-term assignment at these two parishes. We are also grateful to Father Joachim Lechukwu for his many years of service in the High Desert. Father Joachim is currently living and assisting at St. Joseph Mission in Soboba until he receives a new assignment beginning July 1st.

Chaplain Appointment

Rev. Han-uk ‘John’ Bae, MSC, Chaplain, for the Korean Communities within the Diocese of San Bernardino effective February 1, 2024, until June 30, 2026. Father John will be in residence at the rectory connected with St. Andrew Kim parish in Riverside. We welcome Father John to the Diocese. Also, former chaplain, Father Thomas Kang, MSC has departed the Diocese and has returned to his native South Korea.

Priest Retirement

Very Rev. Anthony Dao, VF, Pastor of St. Catherine of Alexandria, Temecula and Vicar Forane for the Hemet Vicariate has petitioned Bishop Rojas for retirement status. Bishop Rojas has accepted his petition effective June 30, 2024. Father Dao will resign as Pastor of St. Catherine of Alexandria and as Vicar Forane effective June 30, 2024. Thank you Father for 18 years of service. Father will reside in the Hemet vicariate.

Parochial Vicar Appointment

  • Rev. John Mugambi Kirimania, IMC, Parochial Vicar, St. Francis de Sales, Riverside, effective March 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2027. Father John is originally from Keyna, but he spent many years in Colombia and most recently in Guadalajara, Mexico. Welcome to the Diocese.
  • Rev. Jose de Jesus Martinez Hernandez, ST, Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Soledad, Coachella effective April 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2027. Father Jose de Jesus is also assigned as well as the Director of the Valley Missionary Program, Coachella. We thank Father Eliezer Lopez-Mora, ST, for his service to the Valley Missionary Program over the last few years. Father Eliezer will soon return to Mexico for ministry.

Pastor Reappointment

  • Rev. Eliseo Napiere, MSP, Pastor, St. James the Less, Perris for an additional term of six (6) years beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2030.
  • Rev. Noel Cruz, MS, Pastor, St. Joseph the Worker, Loma Linda for an additional term of six (6) years beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2030.
  • Rev. Moises Henriquez de Paz, FMM Pastor, San Salvador, Colton for an additional term of six (6) years beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2030.
  • Rev. Paul Smith, CR, Pastor, St. Joseph, Big Bear for an additional time of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2027.


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:

  • Rev. Msgr. Tom Burdick, Pastor, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Winchester for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2025.
  • Rev. James McLaughlin, Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi, La Quinta for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2025.
  • Rev. John Kavcak, MSC, Pastor, St. Theresa, Palm Springs for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2025.
  • Rev. Earl Henley, MSC, Pastor, St. Joseph Soboba Mission, San Jacinto for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2025.
  • Rev. Charles Miller, Pastor, Queen of Angels, Idyllwild for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2025.
  • Rev. Albert Utzig, SSC, Pastor, St. Mary, Fontana for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2025.
  • Rev. Michael Onwuemelie, CSSp, Pastor, Holy Spirit, Hemet for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2025.
  • Rev. Delwyn Haroldson, CR, Pastor, Our Lady of the Desert, Apple Valley for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2025.


Pastor Appointment 

  • Rev. James Oropel, Pastor, St. Joseph, Barstow and St. Philip Neri, Lenwood for a term of six (6) years beginning July 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2030.
  • Rev. Henry Sseriiso, Pastor, St. Frances of Rome, Wildomar for a term of six (6) years beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2030.
  • Rev. Timothy Do, Pastor, St. Catherine of Alexandria, Temecula for a term of six (6) years beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2030.


We thank the following priests who have been a parish administrator for three years and now are appointed pastors of their respective parishes:

  • Very Rev. Teodore Drennan, VF, Pastor, St. Thomas the Apostle, Riverside for a term of six (6) years beginning July 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2030.
  • Rev. Fidel Rivero, Pastor, Corpus Christi, Corona for a term of six (6) years beginning July 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2030.
  • Rev. Carlos Martinez, Pastor, St. Martha, Murrieta for a term of six (6) years beginning July 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2030.
  • Rev. Joseph Pilotin, MS, Pastor, St. Paul the Apostle, Chino Hills for a term of six (6) years beginning July 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2030.
  • Rev. Clarence Saldua, MS, Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes, Montclair for a term of six (6) years beginning July 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2030.


Administrator Reappointment 

  • Rev. Stanley Onwuegbule, San Secondo d’Asti, Guasti for an additional term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2027.
  • Rev. Anthony Ibegbunam, Administrator, St. Joan of Arc, Blythe for an additional term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2027.
  • Rev. Hyacinth Ibeh, Administrator, St. Joan of Arc, Victorville for an additional term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2027.


Administrator Appointment 

  • Rev. Alex Rodarte, Administrator, St. Joseph, Upland for a term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2027.
  • Rev. Alvaro Palacios Arregui, IMC, Administrator, St. Francis de Sales, Riverside for a term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2027.
  • Rev. Arturo Mateo, MSC, Administrator, St. Catherine of Alexandria, Riverside for one (1) year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2025.

Sacred Heart, Rancho Cucamonga

On June 30, 2024, a 12 year agreement between the Diocese of San Bernardino and the Diocese of Ahiara, entrusting the pastoral care of the parish to priests from the Diocese of Ahiara, will come to an end. Therefore, on April 6-7, 2024, it was announced to the parish that with the departure of the priests from the Diocese of Ahiara, the parish will be assigned diocesan priests effective July 1, 2024. Therefore, Rev. Cristobal Subosa is appointed Pastor of Sacred Heart, Rancho Cucamonga for a term of six (6) years beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2030. Rev. Jorge Tellez, is appointed Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart, Rancho Cucamonga beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2026. The Diocese thanks Father Benedict Nwachukwu-Udaku for his 12 year service as pastor of the parish and to all the other priests from the Diocese of Ahiara who faithfully ministered to the parish community of Sacred Heart over the years.

Parish Entrustment

Under the norms of the Code of Canon Law (canon 520) and having consulted with the Ministerial Personnel and Placement Board (MPPB), Bishop Rojas entrusts the pastoral care of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Ontario to the Diocese of Ahiara effective July 1, 2024. With this agreement, the parish will be under the pastoral care of priests from the Diocese of Ahiara. This announcement was shared at the parish on the weekend of April 6-7, 2024. Therefore, Rev. Emmanuel Ukaegba-Onuoha is appointed Pastor for a term of six (6) years beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2030. Father Emmanuel has recently served as a member of the seminary formation team at St. Junipero Serra House in Grand Terrace. We thank Father Emmanuel for his service to the seminarians of this Diocese. Rev. Robert Chikeziri Ihuoma is appointed Parochial Vicar for a term of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2027. Also, Rev. Julian C. Okoroanyanwu is reappointed Parochial Vicar for one (1) additional year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2025. We thank Father Cristobal Subosa for his service to the parish.