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 in 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 and 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.