Heroes of Catholicism - The 2015-2016 Lumen Christi Awards

 Kevin An-Delgado - Archdiocese of Agana (Guam)
Extract taken from Catholic Extension

Kevin An Delgado’s service to Santa Teresita Catholic Church in Mangilao, Guam began in 1991 when he was a 13-year-old altar server. At the time, there were only a few STC parish ministries. Two years later, he organized MAGIC--Manhoben (meaning “youth”) And God Inspiring Community--that has grown to become a vibrant parish youth group over the last 20 years.
MAGIC’s impact on the parish community is directly attributable to Kevin’s continued commitment to youth ministry. Kevin has served as the godfather or sponsor to 403 men and women for the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. Many of these young people are now adults who continue to serve the Church as teachers and advisors for youth groups, retreat leaders and more. Each year on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Kevin celebrates with his godchildren at an annual reunion to keep in touch with them and offer them continued support in the journey of faith through life.
In the 20 years of its existence, many students who participated in MAGIC are now professionals: doctors, lawyers, teachers, business entrepreneurs and educators. Many attribute the youth group to helping them realize their potential.
Now serving as the parish’s programs director, Kevin has used the gifts and talents of the youth to develop and manage over 30 parish ministries that build faith, morals, and leadership within the heart of each member. Through Kevin’s work, the STC pastoral team is able to provide the support needed to positively impact thousands of children, teens, young adults and families in Guam.

Kevin has evolved the offerings of MAGIC to be attentive to the needs of parish youth and connect them to their faith. The CCD/Faith Formation programs are up and running with hundreds of adults participating in the education of the youth, young adults and older parishioners.

Through MAGIC, Kevin ensures that Catholic youth understand the importance of service. The group volunteers at the Silent Witness Ceremony in remembrance of victims of domestic violence, serves at a soup kitchen twice a month, visits a pediatric ward for prayer every other week and organizes an annual picnic for incarcerated youth.
Santa Teresita is now regarded as one of the most active and vibrant of the 25 parishes in the Archdiocese of Agana, Guam. Beyond overseeing 30 ministries within his parish, Kevin also answers numerous calls for special assistance in other parishes, villages, schools and the island community as a whole.
Kevin has offered as many as 100 retreats in parishes around Guam, working with individuals and groups preparing for the sacraments and grade-level faith formation. With special concern for the younger children who are not participating in the life of the Church, Kevin does all he can to be inclusive of these kids.
Since Guam has a high rate of suicide, Kevin arranged to have his team trained in suicide prevention and participated in island-wide activities that help with the healing process from suicide--striving to build stronger and better relationships through attentive, compassionate listening and genuine care for each other. Kevin also assists in the annual Candlelight Vigil for families who have lost a loved one to suicide.
Kevin’s work in youth ministry over the last two decades has borne incredible fruit for both Santa Teresita Church and the greater Catholic Church in Guam, as generations of the island’s youth have benefited from his example and the opportunities to grow in faith through MAGIC. The program rejuvenates each year with new members, and Kevin’s energy radiates through the rest of the parish’s programs and outreach.
Kevin is a true Catholic hero and a source of Christ’s light for the Catholic Church in Guam.