Appointment of the Director of the Hispanic Apostolate

June 9, 2009

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to announce that Lupita Vital Cruz has accepted appointment as Director of Hispanic Apostolate for the Diocese of San Jose. This appointment will be effective as of July 1, 2009.

Lupita is currently Director for the Hispanic Catechetical Ministry, a position she has held since 2000. Prior to that appointment, she served as Pastoral Associate at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in San Jose for fourteen years.

Lupita brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the Church.   Originally from Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, Lupita has ministered in this Diocese for more than twenty years. She has worked in catechetical and liturgical ministries at both the parish and diocesan levels and has shared her experience and expertise with dioceses in Mexico as well as other dioceses in the U.S.

Lupita's academic accomplishments include a degree in Biblical and Catechetical Studies from the Biblical School of Studies, Guadalajara, México, degrees in theology from Notre Dame University and the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, a  Certificate of Advanced Studies in Pastoral Life and Administration from Loyola University, New Orleans, a California Master Catechist Certificate, and a Masters in Catechesis from Santa Clara University.

In 2000, she received from the Holy See the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice cross.
I am truly grateful to Lupita for her willingness to assume this new role of service and leadership within our local Church.

With every best wish and kind regard, I remain,

Sincerely yours,
Patrick J. McGrath
Bishop of San Jose