Carlos Gonzales has worked as our Youth Minister for the last four years, coming here right after his graduation from  Franciscan University of Steubenville. Carlos is like Christ with the disciples on the road to Emmaus: he is gifted in building relationships with young people and ministering to them along their journey of faith. I know of many teens and young adults who have been led to Christ through his example. One mother, for instance, wrote that her son, now a young adult, has maintained and deepened his faith because of the servant-leadership of Carlos Gonzales. This young adult contributes much service and joy to the community and looks up to Carlos as a kind of uncle/father/older brother.

   Carlos now feels called to  fulfill Blessed John Paul II’s mission of the New Evangelization in a different way.  He will leave St. Joseph’s after June 17 and will be exploring a position at a different parish.  His goal is to share his gifts doing one-on-one relational ministry with less focus on administrative tasks.

We are very grateful for the many memories we have with Carlos.  He and his wife, Elissa,  have beautifully served our youth these past four years and we wish them both only the best.  Please join me in keeping them in our prayers.  God Bless you, Carlos!