You might recognize this young couple from their many hours of volunteering at our parish. Their participation at Mass is evident…sometimes as servers, sometimes as ushers or Eucharistic Ministers. They seem to always be aware of the needs and step up to help.
What you might not know is that they lead also weekly discipleship group of Hispanic teens. About a dozen kids (ages 14-18) meet with Monica and Israel every Thursday evening. They usually do an hour of fun activities, ranging from playing sports outside to charade games to water gun fights. After that they do about an hour of readings from the Bible followed by discussions.
Monica and Israel are both bi-lingual so they can easily help clarify some of the concepts from the Bible passages which are read in English. Monica and Israel met at Badger High School. They are currently attending Gateway College and both are working toward nursing degrees. Monica also works at Burlington Memorial Hospital as a CNA on the medical/surgical floor. Israel was recently certified as an EMT and will soon be working with the Lake Geneva Fire Department. In his “spare” time he also works at Oakfire restaurant in Lake Geneva.
They are very dedicated altar servers and have volunteered for many special liturgies as well as help to train the younger altar servers. What is their favorite Mass? Israel says “By far the Easter Vigil. I love how the Mass goes from darkness to light. You can feel the joy in everyone’s hearts that Jesus has risen”.
Our parish is blessed to have such special people as Monica and Israel lighting the way for our youth. Please let them know how grateful we are for all that they do the next time you see them at Mass!