Hispanic parishioners from around the diocese gathered for the third annual Appreciation Mass and Dinner for Hispanic Ministry Leaders Aug. 23 at Our Lady of Angels Church in Woodbridge.
More than a dozen priests, including Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, and over 300 leaders and members of lay apostolates from the diocese attended.
Mass was celebrated by Father Juan Espino, parochial vicar of Our Lady of Angels, with Bishop Burbidge in choir.
A mariachi band entertained the crowd during dinner.
The event also thanked Marlene Orellana-Zelaya, who will retire in October, for her many years of service to the diocesan Hispanic ministry as coordinator of the institute of pastoral formation.
“I created this event in 2021 as an opportunity for Bishop Burbidge to thank our diocesan and parish volunteers and leaders for their zeal to evangelize, catechize, and serve our Hispanic brothers and sisters,” said Joel de Loera, Hispanic ministry director.
