Jacobo “Coy” Sanchez, a member of St. Edward Church in Texarkana, has a simple recommendation for anyone looking to get more out of Mass: Open your mouth and sing.
“Singing is my way of praying,” he said. “I know a little bit about our religion, Catholic and everything, but I’m not really good at explaining everything. My best way to actually communicate in this case would be through music. Basically, that’s my way of actually praying and telling people through music everything that God is to us.”
Sanchez, 30, works in the church office and helps lead the music program at St. Edward, after two years as an altar server and five years with youth ministry. He said his family played a big role in his development as a musician.
“My sister, Aurora Perez, was the director before,” he said. “I got interested in guitar because my sister played. My brother is in the choir and he’s a guitar player as well. He is younger than me, he’s 25.”
Sanchez’ leadership has helped grow the choir to a reliable 25 or so. He said contrary to what you hear, young people are actually hungry to get involved with church ministries.
“Most right now are looking to find a way to actually try to see how they can help grow their faith in God,” he said. “Young people need a coach, maybe, to find a way to keep them in a group. But I also think more young people right now are coming out and getting involved.”
