IN THE WORDS OF St. Martin de Porres parishioner Gene Hernandez, “faith is all about choices.”
Some years ago, Gene and his wife Louise chose to attend a Cursillo retreat. Louise said the retreat greatly influenced her life.
“I made special bonds with fellow parishioners,” she shared, “that remain to the present.” Louise was born in Glendale and grew up in Burbank, the third oldest of nine children born to a Lutheran father and a Catholic mother. She attended Mass and was a student at St. Patrick Catholic School in North Hollywood. Gene was born and raised in Burbank and was a parishioner and student at St. Finbar in Burbank.
Both Louise and Gene credit their families for being strong role models and greatly influencing their lives during these formative years.
The couple attended Burbank High School but didn’t know each other. They instead met on a double date — though they were with other people. Louise quickly realized that she was more interested in Gene than her date.
Gene graduated from Burbank High School in 1967, and Louise graduated one year later in 1968. Gene went on to Pierce Community College, where he earned an associate degree in 1969.
The couple got married in July of the same year. They headed north after the wedding, as Gene transferred to San Jose State University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice administration in 1971. In San Jose, Louise worked as a secretary until their daughter was born. After graduation, Gene enrolled in a master’s program and was eventually hired by the Fullerton Police Department.
In Fullerton, they were parishioners St. Mary parish until they moved to Yorba Linda (and St. Martin de Porres parish) in 1986.
During his career in law enforcement with the Fullerton Police Department, he rose to the rank of captain, and later joined the Chino Police Department, where he was chief of police until his retirement in 2006.
Initially, Louise was a stay-at-home mom. Later, she worked at several medical facilities, including Brea Community Hospital before establishing her own radiology transcription business, Executive Medical Services.
Both Louise and Gene have been highly active at St. Martin de Porres parish. Together, the couple has been involved in facilitating small faith groups, acting as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and delivering fish fry meals to the homebound. Individually, Louise is involved with the WINGS (Women in God’s Spirit) program.
“It fills my life with friendship and a shared purpose of growing closer to God with faith-filled women,” she shared.
Gene has been a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus and served as Grand Knight. He has been involved with the parish’s Oktoberfest event and the Skid Row Food Program. He was also named Catholic Man of the Year for the parish and was a nominee for Catholic Man of the Year for the County of Orange. Gene has been very active in the Yorba Linda community. He is a former city councilman and served as mayor. He has served in leadership roles for numerous local organizations, including Rotary International, where he held the position of District Governor. Currently, he serves as vice president of the Yorba Linda Water District board of directors.
Both Louise and Gene have a deep love for their St. Martin de Porres parish.
“Our parish is the heart of my spiritual life,” she shared, “where I encounter Christ in the sacraments and grow in faith among a loving community.”