Youth Ministry

Meet the staff of the Office of Youth Ministry

Elizabeth Sánchez

Coordinator of Hispanic Youth Ministry


Phone: 703-841-2559
Fax: 703-807-2032

Email: e.sanchez@arlingtondiocese.org (Please note: NEW EMAIL!)
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History/Resume
Active in youth ministry since: March 2008


In this current position since: March 2008

Job description includes: Upholds the Diocese’s goals of “Welcoming the Stranger” and “Unity in Diversity” both ideals of the USCCB. Coordinates the Annual Soccer Festival, organizes monthly meetings for CYM’s to discuss Hispanic issues, collaborates with the Spanish Apostolate to keep Hispanic teens and their families informed about upcoming events, and provides Spanish interpretation and translation when needed.
 
Favorites
Favorite Food: Thai Food, Food from Spain, and anything chocolate

Favorite Band: Jars of Clay, Dave Crowder Band, Matt Maher, Country Music, and a variety of Spanish Music

Favorite Pastime: Rock Climbing, Dancing of all Types, Water skiing, hiking, and traveling.


Favorite Saint: St. Michael the Archangel, St. Pier Giorgio Frassati

Favorite Scripture: Romans 12

Favorite Book: A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken, Theology of the Body

Why I work in Youth Ministry
When I was in high school I attended the Diocesan Youth Rallies, WorkCamp and World Youth Day in Toronto, Canada in 2002. Throughout my youth group years there were several adults that were very influential in my life. My Confirmation teacher when I was in 9th grade was Gary Hobbs. It was he that ignited my love for Jesus when he read to me the wounds of Christ and continually challenged me to be in a relationship with him.

Becky and Mark Maurer were one couple that showed me what it meant to have a true Catholic marriage. They also encouraged me to seek out Christ in my daily life. I can’t leave out David Bristow, my only real youth minister. David taught me to think, to question, and to truly own my faith. In addition, I made many positive and healthy peer-relationships with those I met in my youth group. These are just some people and examples of why I am embarking on this journey of youth ministry. I believe in it.

It is extremely important and urgent today more than ever that teens have someone introducing them to Jesus. I hope and trust that my position here in the Diocese makes it a bit easier for those at the parish level be that “someone” who introduces Christ to our teens in Arlington.
 
About Me
I spent my childhood in the Mid-West, Indiana and Wisconsin specifically. My family moved to Herndon, Virginia in 1999 where I attended high school and then went on to graduate from the University of Mary Washington in May 2007 with a B.A. in Spanish and Spanish Linguistics. I also spent a semester abroad in Seville, Spain studying (well mostly traveling!) and absorbing all the language and culture I could.

I like planning events and was actively involved in the Catholic Campus Ministry at Mary Washington. I am excited to be in this position and I speak to you saying: Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. 2 Cor 4:15
Birthdate: June 11