St. Christopher

St. Christopher Parish, Moreno Valley, came into being on October 6, 1957. From its foundation, there have been significant changes in the configuration of the parish from 150 families to 5,676 registered families from a 300-seat church to a 1300-seat church from a handful of CCD children to more than 2,000 children and youth in religious education from a closed Catholic elementary school to the addition of a new Pre-school from administration by diocesan priests to leadership by religious.

When the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, Ina Ng Pag-asa (Mother of Hope) Province, The Philippines, took over the administration of the parish on October 1, 1994, they ushered in a paradigm shift in the areas of administrative style, structures and programs. The participation of the laity in leadership roles grew, to become strikingly evident ethnic communities were integrated into the parish’s structures Hispanic ministry was reorganized and bi-lingual services were encouraged in parish celebrations to affirm unity in diversity.

To refocus its direction, the parish participated in the Planning Process conducted by the Diocese of San Bernardino. Identifying the parish’s weaknesses and strengths, needs and problems, many came to recognize that everyone is connected. The VISION that was articulated states,” We, the faithful of St. Christopher Parish, animated by the GOOD NEWS of Christ and inspired by the DIOCESAN VISION, are called to grow as a RECONCILING MULTICULTURAL CHURCH.”

As the parish community journeys into the Third Millennium, the constant prayer of the people is, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done in the Parish of St. Christopher, as it it is in heaven.”