St. Matthew's Pastoral Council
Pastoral Candidate Application - 2023
St. Matthew's Pastoral Council serves as a consultative and advisory group to the pastor. The purpose of the Pastoral Council is foster full participation of the entire parish community in the life and mission of the Church. Members of the Pastoral Council help further the mission of the Church, they assist in the work of the Parish, are representatives of all parishioners, serve as liaisons with ministry leaders, support ongoing Faith formation and advise the pastor. Our council is made up of 9 members at large that serve a maximum of two 3 year terms, and up to 3 youth representatives that serve one year terms, and the Pastor and Parochial Vicar.
Members are chosen through an application and discernment process. The council generally meets on the second Thursday of the month.
Current St. Matthew Pastoral Council
Fr. Joseph Sebastian, S.V.D. - Pastor
Fr. Joseph is a member of the Divine Word Missionary SVD priests. There are about 6000 Divine Word priests and brothers serving in 80 countries around the world.
Fr. Jose Goopio, S.V.D.
Fr. Jose is a member of the Divine Word Missionary SVD priests. He is currently serving the parish of St. Matthew's.
Silvia Amaro - Second Term 2021 - 2023
Silvia and her husband, Danny, are both retired and enjoy spending time with their children and twelve grandchildren. Silvia is a retired pediatric RN and is glad to be able to dedicate her time and talents to St. Matthew Church Ministries. Besides serving on the Pastoral Council, she is our Altar Server Coordinator and a member of the SOS, WINGS and Social Concerns Ministries. Silvia also enjoys gardening, reading and watching the grandchildren participate in sports.
Alexius Emejom - First Term 2021 - 2023
Alexius Emejom, and his wife, Laura, are blessed with a beautiful daughter, Chidera. They became parishioners of St. Mathew Catholic Church when they moved to Corona in September of 2019. Alexius is an adjunct faculty at University of the People, and a Regional Technical sales manager for a Centrifuge Manufacturing company. Besides serving on the pastoral council, he also volunteers as a member of the music ministry singing with the 9:30 a.m. parish choir. Alexius enjoys reading, travelling with family and swimming with his daughter.
Malou Fajardo - First Term 2021 - 2023
Maria Luisa (Malou) Fajardo was a biology and science teacher in high school and college before becoming a registered nurse or RN. She has been retired for almost 5 years and has lived in Corona with her husband, Tanny, for twenty years. She has 4 adult children and 6 grandchildren. Malou is a member of the Executive Committee of St. Matthew’s Filipino Ministry and a member of the Social Concerns Committee.
Marti Fox - First Term 2021 - 2023
Marti and her husband, Dave, moved to Corona 52 years ago from Billings, Montana. They had a son and have a daughter, two grandchildren and a great granddaughter. Marti has been a member of St Matthew’s since 1974 and was in the choir for 25 years. She enjoys knitting, gardening and reading.
Sean Golden - First Term 2022-2024
Sean Golden and his wife Rebeca have been members of St. Matthew since December 1999. They have
2 children one in college and one in high school. Sean has been a catechist for Confirmation for 8 years
and RCIA for 6 years and continues helping in those programs. Sean says: “I love our Parish and wish to
build up our parish in any way I can”.
Oscar Gonzalez - First Term 2023 - 2025
Oscar Gonzalez has been married to his lovely wife Estela for 20 years, Oscar and Estela have been
blessed with 2 beautiful daughters Miryam and Fatima. Oscar's family has been members of St. Matthew since
2013 and they all serve for the Parish. Oscar and Estela are Eucharistic Ministers and are
currently coordinating the Eucharist ministry for the Spanish mass and they also take communion to the
homebound of the Hispanic community.
Oscar has been working for the same company for 26 years, he likes cooking and discovering new dishes.
He also enjoys watching NFL football games. Oscar and his family loves the St. Matthew community and staff,
and feel blessed to be called to serve God through St. Matthew church and community.
Maria Macabales - First Term 2023 - 2025
Maria and her husband, Alden, have been parishioners of St. Matthew Church since they moved to Corona in 1990 with their two children, Dori and Jas. Maria is an intermediate school Math teacher for a local unified school district and a former union representative. Maria enjoys reading, watching movies, dancing and traveling with Alden. Maria is honored and optimistic about serving on the Pastoral Council. She also currently serves as the Filipino Ministry President, Social Concerns Ministry Chair and Coordinator of the Baptismal Preparation Ministry. She also volunteers as Lector and Commentator at the 11 am Mass and is actively involved with the 50th Anniversary Committee. She is also the Riverside Vicariate Co-Representative for the Filipino Ministry of the Diocese of San Bernardino (DSB). Her community outreach activities have led her to be the St. Matthew Team Leader for the Catholic Charities’ Neighbor to Neighbor Breakfast for the Homeless. She has also been appointed by Bishop Alberto Rojas to serve on the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities for DSB.
Maria was awarded the Our Lady of Guadalupe Award by Bishop Rojas for her service to the community. She also represents our parish in the Corona-Norco Interfaith Association (CNIA).
Her favorite bible verse, which guides and inspires her in her volunteer work, is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13)
Vickie Sauer, First Term 2022 - 2024
Vickie retired as a Labor Relations Representative and advocate for school district employees. Vickie's
church ministries consist of taking the Eucharist to our Homebound, assisting in the Annual Christmas
Drive and most recently joined the Pastoral Council. Vickie has two grown sons, three grandchildren and
five great grandchildren. Vickie is looking forward to using her communication skills and compassion to
serve the Christian Community of St. Matthews.
Irene "Charlie" LaChance, First Term 2021-2023
Charlie LaChance is a retired human rights/worker's rights organizer and is looking forward to using her skills and compassion with church ministries. Charlie is currently a member of the Social Concerns Ministry and takes Communion to the home bound of our parish. She enjoys her twelve grandchildren and one great grandchild. She feels blessed to be able to help out at St. Matthew's and work with it's members.
Thomas Blake, Second Term 2021 - 2022
Thomas Blake is a youth member of the Pastoral Council. He is part of the Youth Ministry Team, directs the annual Passion Play and helps with retreats at St. Matthew's. He is a college student.
