BENSALEM – Approximately 60 young men ages 18 to 30 who represented five different parishes from around the Archdiocese traveled to our Lady of Fatima Parish in Bensalem July 31 for the second annual Torneo de Fútbol Juvenil (Soccer Tournament) sponsored by Hispanic Ministry in the Office for Youth and Young Adults (OYYA).

The day of faith, fellowship and friendly competition began with a 10 a.m. Mass celebrated by Father Abel Osorio-Jaramillo, C.M. The choir from St. Anne Parish in Phoenixville provided uplifting music. After Mass the young men and their cheering squads of family and friends proceeded out to the soccer fields for a series games. {{more}}

A total of six teams – two representing our Lady of Fatima Parish and one each representing St. Anne Parish and the Philadelphia parishes of Annunciation B.V.M., spanine Mercy and Visitation B.V.M. – competed in the round-robin style tournament from noon to 5 p.m.

At the end of the afternoon, the team representing Visitation B.V.M. took home the first-place trophy as well as tickets to a Philadelphia Union soccer game; one of the teams representing Our Lady of Fatima earned the second-place plaque.

While only two teams walked away with awards, both the participants and the coordinators of the event left the field knowing all who participated in the day were winners. The event had provided them with the opportunity to forge new friendships in Christ.

The Torneo de Fútbol Juvenil is just one of a series of annual events organized by a dedicated team of Hispanic young adults who work closely with Maria Reyes, the coordinator of Hispanic Ministry in OYYA. Other activities include a Hispanic Youth Festival in October, a pilgrimage to a national shrine during Holy Week and a retreat held on the feast of Pentecost.

The series of events are designed to build community among Hispanic youth and young adults in the Archdiocese, while nurturing their faith development and encouraging them to take on leadership roles in their inspanidual parishes.

Andrea Montillo is assistant to the director of the Office for Youth and Young Adults. Visit www.oyya.org.