Effective July 1, Bishop Alberto Rojas has appointed Very Rev. Dennis Legaspi as the Vicar Forane of the San Bernardino Vicariate and Very Rev. Jorge Garcia as Vicar Forane of the High Desert Vicariate, each for terms of four years ending June 30, 2030. A Vicar Forane represents Bishop Rojas in each of the six vicariates and provides convening and regional leadership to the parishes there. Fr. Legaspi is the pastor of St. Kateri Tekakwitha parish in Beaumont-Banning and Fr. Garcia is the pastor of Holy Innocents parish in Victorville.
“This is my second time serving the Diocese as Vicar Forane,” Fr. Legaspi said. “I was the Vicar Forane for the Low Desert Vicariate during the time of Bishop Barnes. This time I will be serving the Vicariate of San Bernardino. I thank Bishop Alberto Rojas for his trust and confidence in allowing me to represent him to this vicariate. I’m looking forward to working with my brother priests, the deacons and the staff of the parishes of this Vicariate. Serving is always an honor and a privilege, and I’m grateful for the trust placed in me.”
Fr. Garcia was the Rector of St. Junipero Serra House of Formation from 2017-2024. In 2024, he was granted an educational sabbatical to complete his doctoral dissertation. He began a three-year term as the Administrator of Holy Innocents Parish on July 1, 2025.
The San Bernardino Vicariate consists of the communities of Banning, Beaumont, Big Bear Lake, Colton, Crestline, Grand Terrace, Highland, Lake Arrowhead, Loma Linda, Redlands, Rialto, Running Springs, San Bernardino and Yucaipa. The High Desert Vicariate consists of the communities of Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Hesperia, Lucerne Valley, Needles, Phelan, Trona, Victorville and Wrightwood.
On May 12, Bishop Rojas thanked and gave special recognition to Father Canice Nwizu, previous High Desert Vicar Forane, and Father Rogelio Gonzalez, previous San Bernardino Vicar Forane, for their long and faithful service. Fr. Nwizu has been appointed as the Administrator for St. Louis parish, Cathedral City for three years effective July 1, 2026, and Fr. Gonzalez has been appointed as the pastor for St. John XXIII parish, Fontana for a term of six years effective July 1, 2026.