Rev. Hilario Rivera

Father Rivera was ordained in June 1976 in the Diocese of Caguas, Puerto Rico, which is also his place of birth. Fr. Rivera was commissioned as a missionary to the Diocese of San Cristobal de Las Casas in Chiapas, Mexico and served there 13 years. He served the indigenous population of the Choles and Tzeltal and learned to speak two Mayan dialects. He also served with El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala, including Guatemalan refugees. From there, Fr. joined the Diocese of Venice, FL, and in addition to working with Mexican migrant workers, was the Directorship of Cursillos of Christianity, until later serving as Parochial Vicar in three parishes in the Diocese of Orlando. Serving there for 7 years, The Bishop petitioned him to work with the Sister Diocese of San Juan De La Maguana, in the Dominican Republic which he did; serving the marginalized communities there for 2 years.

Father Rivera speaks fluent English, Spanish & Portuguese. His 41 years of service, 32 years of which were in missions, along with his Degrees in Philosophy, Theology and Counseling, and his love for the poor, have led him to Cross Catholic Outreach. “I consider being an Outreach Priest for Cross Catholic Outreach, a gift from God.”