05/01/2026
“When an organization reaches 100 years old you’re doing a lot right,” noted Curt Lewis, a representative of Congressman Pete Aguilar’s Office, as he congratulated Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish on 100 years of serving God’s people in west San Bernardino.
Indeed, the vibrant parish was filled beyond capacity for the April 26 Centennial Celebration Mass, including civic dignitaries, bishops and the presence of Archbishop Alejandro Arellano Cedillo from the Vatican, who was the chief celebrant.
Archbishop Cedillo is the Dean of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota, an important appellate court of Church law that has the purpose of safeguarding rights within the Church. His connection to the celebration came through the Operarios del Reino de Cristo (C.O.R.C.), the religious community that currently leads the parish and of which Archbishop Cedillo is a member. He remained at the parish the following day to offer a workshop on Canon Law to local priests.
Bishop Alberto Rojas and Bishop Emeritus Gerald Barnes concelebrated the Mass, along with Father Francisco Varela, pastor, Monsignor Gerard Lopez, diocesan Vicar General, and many concelebrating priests from the C.O.R.C. order and from surrounding parishes in San Bernardino. Before Mass, Bishop Rojas gave a special blessing of a chalice that was used in the parish at its founding in 1926.
In remarks at the close of the Mass, Fr. Varela emphasized the legacy of strong faith and commitment among the people, through both triumphs and challenges.
“We are heirs to a sacred history,” he said. “Upon our shoulders rests the weight of upholding the faith of generations upon generations, who in other difficult times remained faithful to God.”