CLERGY

Father Tomás is a Southern California native, born in Whittier and raised in Orange County and Moreno Valley. As the youngest of two children, he once envisioned a life of military service, nearly entering the Army with dreams of one day retiring from the service and later opening his own restaurant. Yet, God had greater plans for him — a higher calling to serve not just a nation, but the Kingdom of God. Shortly after high school, Father Tomás responded to the Lord’s invitation to the priesthood. He entered Serra House in Grand Terrace, CA in 2008, beginning a journey of formation that would take him across the country. He earned his B.A. in Philosophy from St. Joseph College Seminary at Loyola University in Chicago, followed by a dual Master’s degree in Divinity and Spiritual Theology from St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, CA while concurrently completing a Master’s Degree in Church Management from the Villanova University School of Business in Pennsylvania – which he proudly notes is the same University our Pope Leo graduated from. Ordained to the priesthood on May 21, 2016, Father Tomás has faithfully served throughout the Diocese of San Bernardino. His ministry has included parish leadership, teaching in the Continuing Ministry Formation Program (CMFP), and chaplaincy for both the Aquinas High School’s football team and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. His commitment to community, education, and spiritual leadership reflects a pastor deeply rooted in service and love. He was appointed Parish Administrator of St. Oscar Romero in July 2022, and as of July 2025 Father Tomás is now our current Pastor!