20TH ANNUAL DIOCESAN BLUE MASS HONORS PUBLIC SAFETY WORKERS
At the 20th Annual Diocesan Blue Mass on Sept. 29, the ceremonial Last Alarm is sounded (right) to remember all those who died in the line of duty. Public safety professionals are then invited to come forward for the Blessing of the Badges (left). In his homily, Father Ted Drennan reflected on the self-sacrifice of police, firefighters and first responders, saying, “When you go into different situations you’re not thinking about your own safety. You’re willing each and every day to lay down your life for people you do not even know. That is service.”
DIOCESAN PRIESTS ENCOURAGE VACCINATION IN PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
The Diocese has released a Public Service Announcement (PSA) in support of the COVID-19 vaccine featuring five priests from different parts of the Diocese. The video message is posted to Diocesan social media and there are plans to run it on local radio and television in English and Spanish.
The priests who appear in the video are Father Manuel Cardoza (Our Lady of Hope, San Bernardino), Father Canice Nwizu (Christ the Good Shepherd, Adelanto), Father Anthony Dao (St. Catherine of Alexandria, Temecula), Father Al Utzig (St. Mary, Fontana) and Father Dennis Legaspi (St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Beaumont/Banning).
“Right now, low vaccination rates are preventing a full return to the normal life we all want,” Fr. Dao says in the video.
“The vaccine is safe, easy to get, and it will protect you from serious illness and death,” Fr. Utzig adds. “Do it for yourself, your family and especially those in the community who are most at risk.”
For more information on moral acceptability of the vaccine, parish vaccination sites and county vaccination sites, visit sbdiocese.org/COVID-19Resources/Vaccines.html.
PRIESTS ELECT PRESBYTERAL COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES TO FILL OPEN SEATS
During the Priests’ Convocation from Sept. 14-17, the priests of the Diocese elected new Presbyteral Council representatives to fill five open seats. Fr. David Andel, Fr. Timothy Do and Fr. Tyler Tripp were elected to serve as At Large Members of the Council. Fr. Alex Rodarte was elected to represent newly ordained priests (those who have been ordained for 10 years or less), and Fr. Jerry Ochetti was elected to represent retired priests. The Presbyteral Council is the primary priest advisory body to the Diocesan Bishop.
PRIESTS CELEBRATE JUBILEE ANNIVERSARIES
Pictured at the Priests’ Convocation are priests celebrating a 25 or 50 year anniversary, other priests who have served over 50 years and our bishops. From left to right: Fr. Charles Patron, Fr. Leonard De Pasquale, Fr. John Wagner, Fr. David Foxen, Fr. Thomas Burns, Fr. Roberto Flores, Bishop Alberto Rojas, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Rutilio del Riego, Fr. Teodorico Jr. Tacaisan, Fr. Earl Henley, Fr. Santos Ortega, Msgr. Donald Webber and Msgr. Raymond Kirk.
BISHOP ROJAS CELEBRATES ST. ANDREW KIM PATRONAL FEAST MASS
Bishop Alberto Rojas joined the parish community of St. Andrew Kim in Riverside to celebrate a special Patronal Feast Mass on Sept. 19. This year marks the 200th anniversary of St. Andrew Kim’s birth year, and the Church is offering a Plenary Indulgence Year in the Saint’s honor.
FR. SSERIISO CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY
Father Henry Sseriiso, Pastor of St. Peter and St. Paul Parish in Alta Loma, celebrated his 25th Anniversary of Ordination on Aug. 31. At a Mass on Sept. 12, Fr. Sseriiso received a chasuble from Council 13403 of the Knights of Columbus and a Certificate of Episcopal Blessing from Bishop Alberto Rojas.