By John Andrews
Editor

GRAND TERRACE—Father Jose Sanz, DLP, who saw the diocesan seminarian program through a period of substantial growth and modernization in 21 years as Rector of St. Junipero House of Formation, has left the position but will remain there in a teaching capacity.

 Father Jorge Garcia, Vice Rector of Serra House since 2012, has been named the new Rector. The change becomes official on May 8.

 In the year of his Silver Jubilee, Bishop Gerald Barnes is being honored nationally for one of the hallmarks of his Episcopacy – lay formation.

SAN BERNARDINO—San Bernardino experienced another tragic act of public violence on April 11 when a man shot and killed his estranged wife and a nine-year-old boy in a San Bernardino elementary school classroom.

 The shooting at North Park Elementary School took place less than two miles from Our Lady of the Assumption Parish and School. While the school took immediate precautions to protect students’ safety, the parish offered a place for community, school and civic leaders to grieve and pray together, hosting an interfaith prayer service in the church just hours after the shooting occurred.

By Malie Hudson

 On May 20, Bishop Gerald Barnes will ordain four men to the priesthood.

 In the March issue of the BYTE we chronicled the journeys to the priesthood of seminarians Fidel Rivero and Alwyn Anfone. In part two, we introduce Alex Rodarte and Juan Sandoval. Both men took meaningful steps to pursue their vocation after experiencing a calling to the priesthood in their 20’s.

SAN BERNARDINO—Mary Ann Andel and Estela Sanchez will receive the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross award at the annual Diocesan Award ceremony on May 19 at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral.

 The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross award is the highest honor bestowed upon a layperson in the Church by the Vatican.

By Mary Huber

 The Mother’s Day Rose Sale is a project that started over 20 years ago at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Chino Hills. The day before Mother’s Day, members of the Respect Life Ministry joined then Director of Pro Life Catholic Ministries, Marie Widmann, to assemble rose bouquets in her living room.