We had planned to have Joe Melendrez out for a live concert/retreat for our Middle School Faith Formation but the pandemic caused us to find an alternative option. Joe was very accommodating and did a virtual retreat event on Zoom for our youth. Even with almost 300 people logged in, Joe’s presentation was energetic and engaging. We saw amazing and inspiring levels of participation from the youth. After seeing the youths’ response to Joe’s digital retreat, we excitedly booked him for an additional series to give our youth another opportunity for connection and growth in faith.

When COVID-19 hit, we were not sure what to do with youth programming in our diocese. I reached out to Joe and together we developed a virtual program called “Together in Spirit”. Because of Joe’s leadership and creativity, we have delivered high-quality, interactive virtual programming to youth across our diocese. Many of our youth have heard live, interactive presentations from nationally and internationally known Catholic speakers – speakers we most likely would have not been exposed to if it wasn’t for “Together in Spirit”.

"There's a reason Joe Melendrez is one of America’s most exciting Catholic performers today! His zeal for Christ is evident the moment you meet him! Joe has been invited over and over again to St. Euphrasia Parish in Granada Hills to host Faith Nights for our Confirmation candidates because his approach in reaching the youth cannot be compared! His material engages our youth and inspires them to seek Christ, his music reaches their soul, and his energy is off the charts. That’s why he's one of, if not, the most popular event our youth wait for every year! Thank you so much for your support Joe, for making St. Euphrasia part of what you do, I sincerely can't wait to have you back at our next event!”