Inspired by his own personal life, Father Masseo Gonzales, OFM Conv., founded El Padrecito Ministries, Inc. with the hope of creatively reaching out to un-churched youth, through entertainment, technology, the performing arts - and through any other means necessary - so that they might know they are children of a loving God.
It was the convergence of three forces that led to the birth of El Padrecito Ministries. In 1999, while i
n Riverside, California, Father Masseo Gonzales was reflecting on the life, spirituality and work of fellow Conventual Franciscan priest St. Maximilian Kolbe. St. Maximilian had a great love for the Blessed Virgin Mary and prior to him being arrested and martyred, was quite successful in his multi-media efforts at creatively reaching souls around the world. Also in this same year, Fr. Masseo’s real life brother, artist David Gonzales, released his popular HOMIES figurines, of which 140,000,000 of his urban toys would eventually be sold. Well, one of the HOMIES was El Padrecito, or “the little priest”, based on Fr. Masseo Gonzales. And with the sudden emergence of the internet Fr. Masseo, acting behind the online character El Padrecito, immediately started receiving advice requests from youth around the country, and El Padrecito Ministries was born. (Didn't officially become a non-profit until 2006.)
Though the online ministry proved to be successful, with over 19,000 youth joining the website and roughly 500 visiting on a regular basis, Father Masseo wanted to start a rap ministry as another alternative to reaching urban youth. And so with the aid of Arturo Cruz, aka AMC, a rapper from the Bay Area, California, “Hiz-Kidz” was started. Along with Father Masseo as the “Rapping Padre” the group performed in both secular and religious venues throughout the Bay Area and Northern Nevada, and was the recipient of the 2008 Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame Award. With the support of the Catholic Youth Foundation USA of Washington D.C., Washoe County Juvenile Services in Nevada, and the “Friends of El Padrecito Ministries”, the ministry also produced three rap videos, featuring the kids as performers in songs that promoted peace and positive values.
Though the ministry recently released it’s own “Catholic Rap App”, continues to reach out to the online community and has a few scheduled concerts and conferences planned around the country for 2012, Father Masseo and El Padrecito Ministries will now be directing his energies into building youth programs on the Central Coast, with eventual main offices and a youth center in the Guadalupe/Santa Maria, California area. A private donor has offered Father Masseo Gonzales and El Padrecito Ministries a full-time salary just so he can focus on this newest venture. Any support you can provide would be appreciated.
"The mission of El Padrecito Ministries, Inc. is to evangelize youth. While we make every attempt to keep this website safe, for example having 'Officer Placa' routinely surf the site, YOU are ultimately responsible for your own behavior. Please use this website at your own discretion."
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