2026 Youth Awards inspire hundreds

By New Outlook
 
The Catholic Church in the Diocese of Tucson is alive and vibrant, particularly when it comes to our youth.  
 
The youth are at the heart of our diocesan life, and every February we celebrate them in one of the largest gatherings of the year when we host the Diocesan Youth Awards. The Youth Awards are divided into three categories: 

1. Missionary Disciples: Recognizes teens who serve as catechists, leaders, or mentors who share their faith within the community. These young individuals are witnesses of the Gospel and guide others toward knowledge and love for Christ. They spread the Gospel through both words and actions, igniting the faith of those around them.

The youth who received this award often serve as Religious Education teachers or classroom aids, retreat volunteers, or ministry leaders. Many have attended the Catholic Youth Conference or have been trained in leading small group discussions and are on their way to becoming major leaders in their parish’s local ministries.  

2. Missionaries of Mercy: Honors teens who engage in acts of service with passion and dedication. They exemplify the Church’s social teachings and lead by example, always going the extra mile to serve those in need. Their mission is defined by their ability to bring dignity, hope, love, and compassion to the vulnerable and outcast, inspiring others to join their noble cause.

The youth who received this award are likely the ones that you see serving as volunteers at many of the parish events. They probably jump at any soup kitchen or Casa Maria volunteering opportunity, or may have even been a leader in another noble cause ministry project. They are quick to see the face of Christ in the least of us and don’t hesitate to love them as Jesus taught us to. 

3. Liturgical Leaders: Recognizes teens who serve as altar servers, cantors, lectors, sacristans, or in other liturgical roles. When youth step into these roles confidently and prayerfully, the community pays more attention and engages a little deeper. They show great love and reverence for the Church’s sacraments, especially at Mass.

The youth who received this award are the faces that we see every week, giving their time and talents in the highest form of prayer, at Mass. Their love for their faith is clearly seen in their love for the Sacraments.
 
Parish and Catholic school communities were invited to select three youths, between 14 and 17 years of age and/or still in high school, to receive these awards, one in each category. These awards reflect the ways in which the Holy Spirit works within our teens. 
 
This year, there were two Diocesan Youth Awards events: one in Yuma and one in Tucson.  
 
On January 31 of this year, the Youth Awards Mass was celebrated by Bishop Gerald Kicanas at Immaculate Conception Parish in Yuma. More than 200 attendees gathered to see 31 teens presented with the Youth Awards. The Mass was concelebrated by many other local pastors, including Director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Tucson, Father Manu Franco-Gomez, O.Carm.

After the Mass and awards, all gathered for dinner in the parish hall. The 31 awardees represented seven parishes in the area, and one Catholic high school.  The teens were from Yuma Catholic High School, St. John Neumann Parish, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, St. Jude Thaddeus Parish, Immaculate Conception Parish, St. Joseph the Worker Parish, and Sacred Heart Parish (Parker, AZ).
On February 13, then Bishop-elect James Misko concelebrated the Diocesan Youth Awards Mass in Tucson alongside several local pastors, including Father Manu Franco-O.Carm; the main celebrant was Bishop Gerald Kicanas.

The Tucson Youth Awards Mass preceded the Youth Fiesta at St. Augustine Cathedral, where more than 400 attended the celebrations and enjoyed food trucks and live music. There were 69 students honored at the Tucson Youth Awards, representing 22 parishes and three Catholic high schools.  
The teens were from St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, St. Joseph Parish, St. Anthony of Padua Parish, St. Mark the Evangelist Parish, Santa Monica Parish, Sacred Heart Parish (Tucson), St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Our Lady of Grace Parish, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (Nogales), San Miguel High School, Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Salpointe Catholic High School, San Martin de Porres Parish, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, St. John the Evangelist Parish, St. Odilia Parish, St. Rose of Lima Parish, St. Augustine Catholic High School, St. Francis de Sales Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, St. Rita in the Desert Parish, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, St. James the Apostle Parish, and San Felipe Parish.  
 
Congratulations to all the awardees and their families! Our Diocese and our communities are blessed by your faith and your contributions!