Strengthening care for our priests
On July 1, Bishop Alberto Rojas announced that in addition to being the Director of Academics at St. Junipero Serra House of Formation in the diocese, Father Benedict “Ben” Nwachukwu-Udaku has been appointed as the Vicar for Priests within the Diocesan Office of Priest Personnel. “We seek to provide greater support for their spiritual, pastoral, and personal well-being,” read Bishop Rojas’ announcement. “We will expand opportunities for ongoing formation, prayer, mutual support, and pastoral accompaniment to help our priests continue serving with joy, zeal, and renewed strength.” In addition, Aaron Colin, former Director of Pastoral Planning, has been appointed Director of Clergy Care and Continuing Formation in the Priest Personnel Office. “I am sincerely grateful to our Bishop, the Most Rev. Alberto Rojas, who has appointed me to serve as Vicar for Priests,” Fr. Ben wrote in a message to diocesan priests. “Ours is to journey together, and not to merely fix problems, but to be there for one another.”
Deacons Vilchis and Lopez appointed new leadership roles at Pastoral Center
On July 1, Deacon Eric Vilchis began his new assignment as Coordinator of Adult Formation within the Diocesan Department of Ministry Formation Institute. The Ministry Formation Institute serves parish communities, clergy, and lay ministers throughout the diocese by providing high-quality formation, accompaniment, and resources. On July 6, Deacon Mark Lopez began his new assignment as Assistant Formation Coordinator within the Diocesan Office of Ecclesial Services. The Office of Ecclesial Services provides authorization of the hierarchy to serve publicly in the local Church, leadership in a particular area of ministry, close mutual collaboration with the pastoral ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons, and preparation and formation appropriate to the level of responsibilities that are assigned to them.
Sonia “Sunny” Sanchez named new Canon Lawyer and Judge
Joining the Diocesan Office of Canonical Services as a new Canon Lawyer is Sonia “Sunny” Sanchez. After serving in the Ministry Formation Institute for several years as Director of the Parish Ministers’ Formation Program (PMFP), and recently earning her master’s degree in Canon Law, Sanchez joined Canonical Services. She also was sworn in as a canonical judge member of the Diocesan Tribunal on August 21 by Bishop Rojas, surrounded by family and colleagues from the Office of Canonical Services and other Diocesan Pastoral Center (DPC) ministries. A canon lawyer is someone with significant knowledge about the legal system of the Catholic Church. The mission of the Ministry of Canonical Services is to assist in the judicial dimension of the diocese.
Divine Worship Office moves to the Cathedral
On July 1, Bishop Rojas announced that the Diocesan Divine Worship Ministry will move its offices from the Pastoral Center to Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral’s offices. The Office of Divine Worship remains under the leadership of Father Rafael Partida, the office’s Director and the Cathedral’s Rector. This arrangement is intended to foster a fruitful partnership in which the Cathedral community and the Office of Divine Worship strengthen and enrich one another. As the office advances the bishop’s liturgical vision for the diocese, it will do so from within the daily life of a worshiping community, informed by the realities, joys, and needs of parish ministry. The office will maintain its responsibility to assist the bishop in his role as principal liturgist of the Diocese by addressing liturgical matters on the diocesan level and recommending policy, practice, and catechesis in the area of worship and sacramental life in cooperation with various diocesan departments.
Renewed Commitment to Young People
Bishop Rojas also announced that Molina Erb and Archie LaSalle have joined the Diocesan Office of Vocations, located at St. Junipero Serra House of Formation in Grand Terrace, as Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Vocation Coordinators. Erb and LaSalle previously ministered in the Diocesan Ministry with Young Catholics within the Ministry Formation Institute (MFI) department at the Pastoral Center. “This new initiative reflects our commitment to accompanying young people more intentionally as they discern God’s call,” Bishop Rojas said in the announcement. “Through mentorship, formation opportunities, retreats, missionary experiences, and personal accompaniment, Molina and Archie will help cultivate a culture of vocation among our youth and young adults.”
Pastoral Planning Transition
Teresa Perez, Program Coordinator in the Diocesan Office of Pastoral Planning, will join the Diocesan Office of Archives staff as a Statistical Research Associate. The statistical ministry will continue to equip parish staff and pastors with the demographic and statistical data they need and to ensure data integrity for our Diocesan and Vatican reports, which will now be under the Archives Office.
“These initiatives are more than administrative changes; they reflect our desire to grow as a community of disciples,” Bishop Rojas wrote in his announcement. “Guided by the example of St. Francis of Assisi, may we become a Church that worships with devotion, supports its shepherds with love, and embraces its young people with hope and encouragement.”