Youth, Young Adult, and Pastoral Juvenil Ministry Team

Brittany García
Director

Favorite Bible verse?
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” -Galatians 5:1

Skill you’d like to perfect?
Playing the djembe 

Dream place to visit?
Italy (especially Rome)

Favorite season?
East Tennessee Fall

Your happy place?
Exploring the great outdoors

Ministry motto? 
“In all humility we will do what we can, and in all humility we will entrust the rest to the Lord.”  -Pope Benedict XVI, God Is Love: Deus Caritas Est
“The love of Christ urges us on” -2 Corinthians 5:14

Selena Ledesma
Coordinator, Pastoral Juvenil Hispana

Favorite Bible verse? 
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Dream pilgrimage site?  
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Song you dance to when no one is watching?
Can’t Stop the Feeling! by Justin Timberlake and Un Millón de Rosas by La Mafia Ft. Pedro Fernández

Favorite author?
Jane Austen

Instrument you’d like to play?
Ukulele 

Favorite part about accompanying jóvenes (young people)?
Seeing the young people blossom and grow into the people they were made to be.

Paola Bustos
Coordinator, Young Adult Ministry

Favorite Bible verse? 
“Seek first the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need” – Matthew 6:33

What famous person would you like to meet?
Steve Carrell! I have a feeling just 3 seconds with him would have me laughing harder than I’ve ever laughed.

Most memorable pilgrimage?  
Lourdes, France to visit Our Lady of Lourdes: it was truly a transformative experience for my spiritual life.

What is your favorite worship song / hymn?
You Are Mine for the most part, but Were You There during Lent is incredibly powerful.

Which saint do you feel closest to? 
St. Therese of Lisieux & St. John XXIII. They’re my core saint squad and go-to intercessors along with Our Lady.

What word best sums up young adult ministry? 
Pivotal.

Beth Parsons
Smoky Mountain Youth Ministry Deanery Coordinator 

Favorite Bible verse?
“Then he brought him to Jesus “ - John 1:42

Song that best describes your life?
Grace Wins by Matthew West 

Dream place to visit?
Scotland 

Favorite saint?
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 

Skill you’d like to learn?
Woodworking

Youth ministry motto?
The goal in ministry, and in the forefront of all I try to say and do, is bring others to Jesus. 
“We have only today, let us begin.” –St. Teresa of Calcutta   

Donna Jones
Chattanooga Youth Ministry Deanery Coordinator

Favorite Bible verse?
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you."  Philippians 4:8-9

Most memorable vacation destination?
Monterey and San Francisco, CA

Which superhero would you like to be?  
I would love to be any superhero who flies, so probably Superwoman

Your Happy Place?
Making memories with my grandkids!

Pastime you enjoy?
Reading, especially books that make me laugh

Best youth ministry advice?
"Teach young people to teach and they will learn." This was told to me by Fr. Mike Creson when I first started in youth ministry.  

Karen Byrne
Administrative Assistant

Favorite Bible verse? 
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…”  Ecclesiastes 3:1

Hobby you do just for fun? 
Trying out new recipes

Favorite saint? 
St. Hildegard of Bingen

What celebrity should play you in a movie? 
Julia Child or Sally Edwards

Favorite year in school? 
Grade 13

Administration motto? 
“When you keep your life in order, your time will multiply, and therefore you will be able to give greater glory to God, working more eagerly in his service.” –St. Josemaría Escrivá