REMEDIOS M. BARRERA
2017 Bishop's Awards Honoree

“I thought it was an accident to be around the church, but now I feel it was God who put me on this path.”

Remedios’ faith and heart of service inspire. “I like to be part of the church, to serve and help the people, and now I feel that I am in the place that I always wanted to be in.” Remedios M. Barrera, born in Guadalajara, Mexico, with her twin brother, is the fifth of eleven children. Her father passed away ten years ago, and her mother, who has 20 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, lives in Lathrop. Before she moved to California in 1988, she attended the University of Guadalajara and went to law school. She has lived and worked in various locations in California. While she was living in Turlock she met the late Fr. Ernesto Arbelaez, S.J.. He eventually transferred to St. Bernard’s Parish, and when Remedios moved to Stockton, Fr. Ernesto invited her to join St. Bernard’s. He also introduced her to Msgr. Rocha, who hired the Culinary Academy -San Francisco graduate to be the rectory cook.

“I thought it was an accident to be around the church, but now I feel it was God who put me on this path” one that has impacted many lives in the parish over the years. Remedios started the Spanish Bible class eight years ago and introduced new materials for the Spanish RCIA. She volunteers with the parents’ adult religious education for First Communion and Confirmation. She also enjoys preparing food for parish occasions and volunteering for the fall festival. “I give my all to serve the community; it is my family.”

Remedios, as the Hispanic Ministry Director for St. Bernard’s, has many responsibilities. She oversees the development and implementation of the parish plan for Hispanic ministry, acting as the primary liaison between the Pastor, Rev. David Dutra, parish staff, coordinators of each ministry, and the entire church community. She meets all her responsibilities with a joyous attitude, like her favorite Saint Francis. “I like him for all his love that he showed to God, people, and animals.” She also suggests that young adults should go on retreat and read the lives of the saints, especially St. Mary Goretti for girls and St. Francis of Assisi or St. Bernard for boys. Her advice to youth includes participating in the Holy Eucharist and asking God for guidance.

The Beatitudes are very meaningful to Remedios as “the entire sermon is directed toward us. The Beatitudes describe the ideal disciple (me, you, all of us). “My Catholic faith makes me a better person, to love and respect myself, others around me, and all of nature.”