My name is Leah Johnson, I am the Youth and Young Adult Coordinator. This will be my sixth year serving youth and families at St Raphael and Our Lady of the Valley parish. I have been blessed with the opportunity to assist you and your teens in the growth and love of the Catholic faith. Through the support and assistance of the Youth ministry team, we support you bringing your teen in community at youth sessions and in participation at mass. All teens are welcome to be their true and best selves in a loving and safe Catholic community.
I am Veronica Vasquez and a proud member of the community of Our Lady of the Valley. I am an Arizona native and a proud Arizona State University Alumni. I have been in the education field for 20 years. I have had the opportunity to serve students from diverse backgrounds as a teacher and administrator. I attended grade school at our Lady of Perpetual Help in Glendale and had the opportunity as a young adult to support the youth group within that parish. My husband and I now have two grown children and are grandparents. We are now being called to serve the youth in the Our Lady of the Valley and St. Raphael's Parish. We look forward to getting to know you and your teens within this ministry.
|
I am Danny Vasquez. I was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ. I am currently working for Dignity health and have worked in the medical field for over 25 years. I attended school in the Phoenix area where I also attended high school. My wife and I have are expecting grandparents to two beautiful boys. We attend Our Lady of the Valley and are truly excited at the opportunity to be working with the youth group and give back to the teens of our parish.
Connie has been a member of St Raphael parish for over twenty years. She was a catechist for many years while her sons went through the program. She served on the Finance Council for over ten years. Connie has two sons, Matt and John. She is excited for the opportunity to continue to work in Youth Ministry!
|
Terri Ferguson grew up at Our Lady of the Valley. Her family are long time parishioners of over forty years. She helped her grandma in the church nursery for many years and then became an usher at the 10:30 mass for about ten years, junior high thru college. After college, Terri helped with the junior high group for a year before she moved to Surprise. She has since moved back into the area and is happy to be back at Our Lady of the Valley/St. Raphael’s. She has two amazing little girls. They have two dogs. Terri has a large collection of dragons (pewter, sculptures, art) and enjoys going on adventures with her girls.
Terri graduated from DeVry University with her bachelor’s degree in Networking and Communications Management. Since then, she has spent the last twelve years working for Arizona Industries for the Blind where she has worked in almost every area of the company. 
My name is Jorge Urías I am originally from Los Angeles California my wife and two oldest daughters moved to Phoenix back in 1994 our two youngest daughters were born here in Glendale Arizona. For the past 23 years I’ve worked for the City of Phoenix my family and I have been parishioners here at St. Raphael's and Our Lady of the Valley for approximately 15 years I currently play the drums for our parish choir and my background with youth ministry started at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church then with St. Raphael's Catholic Church I’m looking forward to working with our youth and teens to help spread the good news that GOD is great all the time!
|
Rosario has been a St Raphael parishioner for 26 years. She is a sacristan for the noon mass and Coordinator of Our Lady of Guadalupe Group. She loves to dance, listen to music, and ride horses. She looks forward to continuing to work with youth in hopes in bringing them closer to Christ.
Mark has been involved in Youth Ministry both as a volunteer and a minister. He loves Jesus! Over the past 4 years being involved with the leadership team. Mark has come to truly appreciate the teens of St. Raphael/Our Lady of the Valley. Mark is excited at the great things God has in store for us as we explore our Catholic faith together. “ In our heart, in the heart of each of you, let there be always the joyous certainty that the Lord is near, that he does not abandon us, that he is near to us, and that he surrounds us with his love”. Pope Emeritus Benedict
I am Marianne Mattes and I have been a parishioner of the Our Lady of the Valley/ St. Raphael since 2018. I originally came from the Philippines and have always been involved in the activities of the Catholic Church all my life: from helping in church cleaning to participating in religious programs in my younger years, through being a catechist when I got older. Before Arizona, we settled in Elmendorf, Texas, where I also taught catechism and served in the Finance Council at St. Anthony’s. I’ve lived in 3 different countries and taught catechism every time. Even if I am an accountant by profession, serving the church and inculcating Christianity to the younger generation has always been a source of joy for me. I always love to talk about faith, prayers and love for Jesus and Mary. I have a daughter, Jasmine, who is also in the Youth Group. I am very happy to be part of the Youth ministry and look forward to be able to help in the faith formation of our teens.
|
Volunteers Wanted
Would you like to help our youth ministry program as a core team member or background help? Please fill out the application below and return it to either parish office - St. Raphael or Our Lady of the Valley:
Would you like to help our youth ministry program as a core team member or background help? Please fill out the application below and return it to either parish office - St. Raphael or Our Lady of the Valley:
| volunteer_application_form_rev_4-14.pdf |