Youth ministers retire after 22 years at parish

Friday, Oct. 07, 2016

SANDY — More than 15 National Catholic Youth Conferences attended, dozens of Gift of the Drummer donation programs organized, years of membership on the Diocese of Salt Lake City’s Catholic Youth Council and serving as Parish Youth ministry leaders – these are just a few of the volunteer activities that John and Shelly Valdez performed at Blessed Sacrament Parish during the past 22 years.

On Oct. 2, the couple was recognized at  a celebration for their retirement, which  took place at Blessed Sacrament Youth Center. 

Many people and youth gathered to celebrate what the Valdezes called “their extended family.”

“John and Shelly always opened their hearts and their door to any student that wanted to participate; they showed love, support and guidance,” said Cheryl Illario, whose daughter Jackie participated with the Valdezes in their ministry.

For the Valdezes, everything started with the 1993 World Youth Day in Denver; they were among the chaperones for the youth who attended from the Salt Lake diocese.

“After that they got interested and volunteered in everything related to the youth,” said Sharon Jackson, pastoral associate of Blessed Sacrament Parish.

In 1996,  after the Valdezes had served on the executive Youth Board and parish council for youth, they were asked to take care of the Blessed Sacrament youth, Jackson said.

“They were great. They made our parish young ministry explode,” said Jackson. “Shelly attracts people and is very charismatic, and John is more low key, but he has a  sense of humor that our youth loves.” 

Because the Valdezes were so immersed in taking care of the parish youth, their children also got very involved ministering in the parish.

“We were kind of forced; it was our life,” said Brittney Valdez with a big smile on her face.

“It has taught me so much. … All the volunteer work was amazing, I was absolutely shocked by it and I appreciate everything they did. It taught us so much – to take care of the community and to love all these people,” said Brittney, adding that now she lives up to her parents, “especially with Church. They gave us a great foundation for our lives.”

For some of the young adults whom Shelly and John guided through the years, they became part of their own families.

“I learned that they are so incredibly hard working. … It is outstanding to me that they have put in so many hours, even when they were exhausted. It was a great example to see someone that is selfless to give themselves,” said Katie Penn, adding that she doesn’t know how they did it, but “Shelly was always here for us. …  I think I wouldn’t be Catholic if it was not for them.”

“[Shelly] is someone that I could go to all the time. Even when it was for something not necessarily Catholic, she was always there for me. She was a mentor guide for me,” added Andrea Pedregon.

John and Shelly said that they learned a lot of humility and humbleness through all those years of service.

“The kids are amazing. They are way more smart than us, so we have to keep on it, but we loved it,” said Shelly Valdez, adding that “serving the kids is awesome. Working with them has touched our hearts.”

“We were so blessed to have had this opportunity to love and to serve; that’s what it was about,” said John.