Inspirational messages given at Pastoral Congress

IC photo by Marie Mischel

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The Most Rev. Sigifredo Noriega Barcelo, bishop of Ensenada, Mexico, and Bishop John Wester of the Salt Lake Diocese exchange the sign of peace while concelebrating the Pastoral Congress Mass. Barcelo spoke about hope in the Living God during his keyn

DRAPER ­— Tony Melendez has had plenty of reasons to turn from God. He was born without arms because his mother was prescribed Thalidomide while she was pregnant with him. When he was growing up, other children teased him. His father was an alcoholic. Girls wouldn’t dance with him in high school; when he did marry, he found that he couldn’t have children.

But rather than forsaking God, he embraced Him. “I’m always praising God in one way or another,” Melendez said Oct. 10 during his keynote address at the Diocese of Salt Lake City’s annual Pastoral Congress. “God has given me strength. God has given me my family. God has given me music. With my music I always feel well connected to God.”

Music has been a part of his life since he was young. His mother sang; his father played guitar. As a child, Melendez would beg his father to let him play; before setting the guitar on the floor, his father would tell him to go wash his feet.

Developing his musical talent took work. Melendez sometimes practiced up to seven hours a day. The effort paid off when, in 1987 at age 25, he was invited to play during Pope John Paul II’s visit to Los Angeles. The pope was so moved by the performance that he walked over to where Melendez sat and kissed him.

That kiss led to a career as a performer and motivational speaker.

“He’s an inspiration,” said Bernadette Shackelford after the keynote address at the Pastoral Congress. “He gives us hope. We shouldn’t complain.”

“He changes your outlook on life,” agreed Robert Nee “His life story is very moving.” Melendez’ message that, at times, we aren’t going to want to do what God is asking us to do, particularly hit home, Nee said, because he’s starting a new ministry. But Melendez’ address “gave me courage to leave it in God’s hands,” he said.

Anamaria Chaves, who also attended the keynote address, said she liked Melendez’ music as well as his message. “I also admire the way he is as a person, and that he’s inviting us to serve our God.”

More than 600 people attended this year’s congress, making it one of the best attended, said Susan Cook Northway, diocesan director of religious education. She attributed the attendance to the variety of presenters, the support of pastors who made it possible for people from the missions to participate, and to Melendez’s popularity. “You can’t underestimate Tony Melendez. He’s such an amazing witness to the faith,” she said.

Melendez gave a bilingual presentation and “had the entire crowd participating,” said Matthew Boerke, diocesan director of youth and young adult ministry. “With his message of hope, which was our theme for the weekend, I felt he was one of the best people we could find” as keynote speaker.

Melendez urged the audience not to give up. “Please, don’t tell me that you can’t because you can do much more if you just stand up and say, ‘I want to, I can, I am going to move forward.’ We have a world that is waiting for your hands to say yes.”