By John Andrews
Editor

RIVERSIDE—Iguala, Mexico is more than 1,600 miles from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Riverside.

 But the tragic abduction and presumed death of 43 college students there has stirred sadness and anger in the Riverside parish and other faith communities in the diocese that have strong ties to Mexico.

 President Barack Obama’s Nov. 20 announcement of a sweeping executive action to address the country’s broken immigration system was welcomed by Bishop Gerald Barnes for its potential relief to families living in fear of separation and harm.

By Andres Rivera
Staff Writer

RANCHO CUCAMONGA—Bishop Gerald Barnes ordained six men permanent Deacons for the Diocese on Nov. 22 at Sacred Heart Parish, Rancho Cucamonga. 

 The new deacons are Porfirio Diaz from St. Martha, Murrieta; Mark Lopez from St. Joseph, Upland; Andrew Orosco from St. Patrick, Moreno Valley; Mark Padilla from Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Indio; Manuel Rivas from St. Christopher, Moreno Valley and Brooke Wagner from St. Joseph, Big Bear Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO—The chairman of Pope Francis’ “Council of 8” Cardinals appointed to help him reform the Roman Curia will visit the Diocese of San Bernardino in January.

 Honduran Cardinal Óscar Andrés Cardinal Rodríguez Maradiaga, SDB, will direct the Spanish-speaking priests retreat January 26-30. On January 30 he will give a talk to all men and women religious and all priests of the Diocese from 12-4 pm at the Diocesan Pastoral Center. That evening he will address lay leaders in Hispanic ministry. 

By Father David Andel, J.C.L.

 In his Apostolic Exhortation “The Joy of the Gospel,” Pope Francis calls Catholic communities to go out of their regular confines and schedules in order to carry the Good News of reconciliation and salvation to the peripheries, meeting people where they are. 

By Angelica Alba

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS—More than a dozen ministers from the Diocese of San Bernardino traveled to San Antonio, Texas recently for the National Congress Raíces y Alas (Roots and Wings). 

 Held Oct. 29 through Nov. 2 this Congress brought together several organizations that minister to the Hispanic population within the Catholic Church. The groups meet to discuss and reflect on ecclesial and social issues that affect the Hispanic community in order to empower them to new actions. It was their fifth encounter since beginning in 1992.