By Alfonso Aguilar
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 5/12/05)

On the four fields of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Falls Church, blessed by a sunny Saturday, dozens of boys and girls participated as players or cheerleaders at the first Diocesan Soccer Festival.

The new tournament was designed as a vehicle to attract more youths to the life of the parishes, and as an activity in which they can meet each other and interact with youth coordinators from their parishes.

The event, sponsored by the Office of Youth Ministry, included the participation of seven teams from Blessed Sacrament, Queen of the Apostles and Good Shepherd parishes in Alexandria; St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Falls Church; Our Lady of Angels and All Saint parishes in Manassas; St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Colonial Beach, and Nativity Parish in Burke.

"The initiative targets young people that are not getting involved in their parish youth ministry programs," said Gabriela Castañeda, coordinator of Hispanic youth for the diocesan Youth Ministry.

"Throughout the soccer tournament we wanted to create an environment and an event that would attract all the young people and in particular the Hispanic teen community," said Castañeda.

The event was divided in two age groups, those younger than 14 and those older than 15. Each team had a chance to play three or more games. The games were played on smalls fields with six members per team, including both boys and girls, most of them Hispanic.

In the younger 14 category, the team from Queen of the Apostles won first place, and in the older category St. Elizabeth of Hungary grabbed the championship.

"Given that soccer is our past-time, the tournament is a wonderful idea," said Armando Alva, coach of the Nativity soccer team, who arrived with two dozen players and relatives, among them his wife and daughter.

"Faith and sports is a very good combination," said Alva.

Laura Fuentes from All Saints Parish also applauded the initiative and said that she hopes organizers will repeat the event next year.

"We need many activities like this to prevent our sons and daughters from getting involved in gang groups," said Fuentes.

"It will be just wonderful to have this family-oriented event every year," said Cesarina Barragán from Blessed Sacrament Parish.

"We have many plans and ideas for the next tournament," said Castaneda. "The tournament created such enthusiasm that some players told me they would consider establishing a soccer league inside their parishes."

Prior to the tournament, the teams, accompanied by relatives and friends, attended a Mass at St. Anthony of Padua celebrated by Father Horace Grinnell, pastor, Father Ovidio Pecharromán, director of the Spanish Apostolate, Youth Apostles Father Ramón Domínguez and Father José Granados, professor at the Institute John Paul II in Washington.