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February 5, 2023By Carissa Krautscheid
In January, Bishop Edward Weisenburger announced a change in Diocesan staff. “I am very pleased to share with you that Fr. Emanuel "Manu" Franco-Gomez, O.Carm., has agreed to serve as the Director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Tucson. Fr. Manu will be half-time in the newly established office in the Chancery. He hopes to visit with youth ministers and pastors throughout the Diocese in the coming months in order to learn the good ministries in place so that, in time, we can better determine how the diocesan office can be of best service to the parishes. I am grateful to Fr. Manu for his ready acceptance of this ministry as well as his Carmelite Provincial who supports the assignment as well.”
Fr. Manu has always been involved in ministries with young people, having been a teacher since 2006. Born and raised in Mexico, Fr. Manu says, “I experienced my own talents being valued by the Church as a young person. Your uniqueness, talents, and passions can really make a difference in the Church. I treasure that experience as a model to give to other generations. It is not coincidental that God keeps me around these kinds of ministries.”
The Carmelites are the reason Fr. Manu journeyed to the United States in 2012. He was ordained a Carmelite priest in 2018. What does he love about being a priest? “The sacramental life of the Church,” shared Fr. Manu. “The treasures of the Church, the scriptures. Fellowship with the community – both my Carmelite community and other priests, and the community I’m ministering to. I really love ministering with young people to see where their creativity and energy can take us as a Church.”
Fr. Manu also uses his God-given talents as an artist and illustrator to serve the Church. He is a digital native and enjoys using social media as a way of ministering to teens today.
“There is something about youth that exceeds expectations,” said Fr. Manu. “They’re open to listening and learning. There is a freshness in their minds and an eagerness in their hearts, to really find and embrace anything that is meaningful. I love seeing them want to learn and embrace the experience. It changes their life and that changes the community. The youth are formable; without knowing it, they embrace the Holy Spirit. As complex and messy as their lives may be, they are open to life.”
Youth are often told that they are the future of the Church. “I believe they are told this because life is ahead of them and they can shape the future,” said Fr. Manu. “But they are actually the present of the Church, already bring life into our lives. When the Church embraces that, our communities become much better. Youth are not only possibilities for the future, they are already a joy in the present of our communities. In God’s mind, the minute a person is baptized, he or she becomes the present of the Church. The rest of our lives is an unfolding of possibilities and gifts.”
For Fr. Manu, the Synod on Synodality was a turning point in his ministry. He facilitated listening sessions among teens and young adults at high schools and parishes across the Diocese of Tucson. “Their stories were beautiful and eye-opening,” said Fr. Manu. “It was a period of conversion for me to really hear the Holy Spirit speaking through the young people. They actually realize that the Catholic Church is full of treasures but that we need to figure out a way to uncover them and own the richness.”
Through his new role as the Director of Youth Ministry, Fr. Manu is “excited about meeting our youth, getting to know them, and listening to them. I want to understand their reality better. There are big questions in their lives – social media, mental health, family, and interpersonal relationships. I want to know their stories and their lives.”
Fr. Manu applauds the many great efforts already happening. “I see little flames already present, communities that I had never heard of that are surprisingly robust, perhaps with a group of 20 kids and frequent retreats! I want to know the community and their needs, our youth, and those who minister to them.”
In the coming months, Fr. Manu will begin putting the pieces together for what is already in place and what gaps need to be filled. He plans to provide formation, foster gatherings of young people, and use social media as a tool for uniting and energizing the youth. “I am also very interested in helping the community form young leaders,” he said, “not just ministering to youth but also cultivating young ministers.”
Furthermore, Fr. Manu welcomes creative ideas, suggestions, and collaboration. “I know there are phenomenal young people with skills and ideas,” he said. “I would love to have them collaborating with the Office of Youth Ministry.” Constructive thoughts and ideas can be shared with the Diocesan youth ministry staff at [email protected].
Photos of Fr. Manu courtesy of @TucsonCatholicU