Catholic Church cultivating a precious resource -- new priests
Father Erik Esparza leads a procession at the end of Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Barstow. At 28, Esparza is the youngest priest in the Diocese of San Bernardino. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Father Erik Esparza baptizes a baby at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Barstow. He is one of only two priests at his parish, serving 1,200 families. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A parishioner prays at Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Barstow. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Bill Degnan teaches a class at the Junipero Serra House of Formation in the Inland Empire city of Grand Terrace. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Alex Rodarte contemplates an answer during a class at Junipero Serra House of Formation. Rodarte began to embrace his faith after his father survived a stroke about five years ago. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A poster advertising the search for new priests and others to serve the Catholic Church is posted at the Junipero Serra House of Formation. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Richard Ahumada prays in the chapel at the Junipero Serra House of Formation in Grand Terrace, near Colton. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Tomas Guillen, left, Alex Rodarte and Ricardo Martinez are students at the Junipero Serra House of Formation, a first step toward becoming Catholic priests. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The sky above St. Joseph Catholic Church in Barstow. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
