Impressions – a conversation with Maritza Chouza, Youth Ministry Coordinator
By Alice Matisz
When meeting Maritza for the first time, one is instantly impressed by her warm smile and friendly personality. Her eyes sparkle under a mass of natural curls while her Mexican accent beguiles. She seems eager to befriend you, which is exactly what Maritza’s plan is.
“I want to meet as many people as I can. I want to put myself at the service of the youth,” she says. Maritza’s love for youth ministry is long-standing. She has formerly served as a catechist to Grade 1’s at the Sacred Heart church in Victoria, a volunteer at church camps for the past 6 years (at Sacred Heart and Our lady of the Rosary church), a leader of Franciscan and Friends youth group and a visitor to Victoria’s three Catholic schools, accompanying the local clergy. (She also worked at St Joseph’s Elementary School in the After School Program for the last two years enjoying and taking care of the children in grades 5 – 7). Plus she has four children of her own.
Maritza hails from Mexico City but immigrated to Victoria nine years ago with her husband Diego and their children Brenda (now 26), Diego Jr (19), Valeria (17) and Natalia (11). While Diego set up his cleaning company and Maritza used her graphic design education, the family also made a point of volunteering together at church. Maritza was chair of the CWL Family Life group. She also began, and is hoping to continue, Franciscan Formation training.
This whole-hearted commitment to the church led naturally to youth events like One Rock Festival and the rally in Okotoks earlier this year. That’s how Maritza learned about vacant youth ministry positions in the Diocese of Calgary. “I talked with God,” Maritza confessed. “I said this is a big move so if it is your will, please show me.” Immediately afterwards she secured an interview with Lethbridge Youth Ministry. As she was sharing this news with a close friend, she was astonished to learn that the friend’s parents also live in Lethbridge (Myles and Betty Bourke). It was the affirmation she needed to feel comfortable accepting the job once it was offered to her.
Maritza says her first impressions of Lethbridge have been overwhelmingly positive, even her first experience of driving in snow after an unexpected cold snap. “There’s less traffic and people are so welcoming,” Maritza says. She is particularly impressed with our parishes, pointing out how many people volunteer for ministry, for example taking communion to the sick. Other impressions are how parishioners greet the priests so familiarly, the many well-attended weekday Masses and the openness of Holy Spirit schools to Youth Ministry. “The faith is more alive here,” she suggests.
Over the coming months, Maritza is looking forward to meeting even more people and getting involved in community service, perhaps with the soup kitchen or prison ministry. She hopes to resume some of her favourite hobbies too – hiking, painting (watercolour and acrylic), and reading (spiritual books). Best of all, she will be welcoming her family who plan to join her next year.
If you see Maritza out and about, please welcome her and be assured of a friendly response in return.
“I want to meet as many people as I can. I want to put myself at the service of the youth,” she says. Maritza’s love for youth ministry is long-standing. She has formerly served as a catechist to Grade 1’s at the Sacred Heart church in Victoria, a volunteer at church camps for the past 6 years (at Sacred Heart and Our lady of the Rosary church), a leader of Franciscan and Friends youth group and a visitor to Victoria’s three Catholic schools, accompanying the local clergy. (She also worked at St Joseph’s Elementary School in the After School Program for the last two years enjoying and taking care of the children in grades 5 – 7). Plus she has four children of her own.
Maritza hails from Mexico City but immigrated to Victoria nine years ago with her husband Diego and their children Brenda (now 26), Diego Jr (19), Valeria (17) and Natalia (11). While Diego set up his cleaning company and Maritza used her graphic design education, the family also made a point of volunteering together at church. Maritza was chair of the CWL Family Life group. She also began, and is hoping to continue, Franciscan Formation training.
This whole-hearted commitment to the church led naturally to youth events like One Rock Festival and the rally in Okotoks earlier this year. That’s how Maritza learned about vacant youth ministry positions in the Diocese of Calgary. “I talked with God,” Maritza confessed. “I said this is a big move so if it is your will, please show me.” Immediately afterwards she secured an interview with Lethbridge Youth Ministry. As she was sharing this news with a close friend, she was astonished to learn that the friend’s parents also live in Lethbridge (Myles and Betty Bourke). It was the affirmation she needed to feel comfortable accepting the job once it was offered to her.
Maritza says her first impressions of Lethbridge have been overwhelmingly positive, even her first experience of driving in snow after an unexpected cold snap. “There’s less traffic and people are so welcoming,” Maritza says. She is particularly impressed with our parishes, pointing out how many people volunteer for ministry, for example taking communion to the sick. Other impressions are how parishioners greet the priests so familiarly, the many well-attended weekday Masses and the openness of Holy Spirit schools to Youth Ministry. “The faith is more alive here,” she suggests.
Over the coming months, Maritza is looking forward to meeting even more people and getting involved in community service, perhaps with the soup kitchen or prison ministry. She hopes to resume some of her favourite hobbies too – hiking, painting (watercolour and acrylic), and reading (spiritual books). Best of all, she will be welcoming her family who plan to join her next year.
If you see Maritza out and about, please welcome her and be assured of a friendly response in return.
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