Denver Catholic

4 APRIL 13-26, 2019 | DENVER CATHOLIC Around the Archdiocese FOR EASTER WE HAVE BUNNIES, LAMBS, CHICKS, AND MORE EASTER TREATS 700 N Colorado, Denver, CO 80206 (303) 394-4000 stargazerfinechocolates.com CATHOLIC FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED MENTION THE DENVER CATHOLIC FOR A 10% DISCOUNT! FOR EASTER WE HAVE BUNNIES, LAMBS, CHICKS, AND MORE EASTER TREATS 700 N Colorado, Denver, CO 80206 Juan Carlos Reyes, Director of Centro San Juan Diego, has been called to the Father's House A happy, hardworking man ded- icated to evangelization and to Hispanic immigrants: With these words, friends and coworkers remember Juan Carlos Reyes, who passed away March 20 after fi ghting a grave illness over the previous two months. He was 33. Juan Carlos was born in Michoacán, Mex., on Dec. 28, 1985. He arrived to the United States at a young age, completed his secondary studies and later a bache- lor's degree in religious sciences thanks to an agreement between the Anáhuac University in Mexico City and Centro San Juan Diego. He was also a student at the Denver Catholic Biblical School under the Lay Division of St. John Vian- ney Seminary. As a teen, he joined a youth group at St. Anthony of Padua in Denver and attended Centro San Juan Diego for various classes and trainings for pas- toral workers. He began working at Centro San Juan Diego in 2012, was promoted to Director of the Family Services in 2015 and became director of the orga- nization in March 2018. As director, he led important programs that sought care for immigrants and formation for pastoral workers. Juan Carlos was one of the initiators of the agree- ment between Centro San Juan Diego and¦Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Puebla¦(UPAEP) in Mexico, making it possible for many immigrants to obtain a bachelor's degree in their native language valid in the United States. "To talk about Centro San Juan Diego is, in a sense, to talk about my own life. I would not be here if it were not for Centro San Juan Diego's sup- port. I saw in CSJD an active Church that reached out to me," Juan Carlos told the¦ Denver Catholic¦ in October 2018.¦ He was also a delegate for the V National Encuentro in Grapevine, Texas, this past September. "He and Centro San Juan Diego were deeply connected," said Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez. "Juan Carlos was an example of what young His- panics can contribute to the American society: leadership, talent and passion to make a change for the good of all. His work for the defense and promo- tion of the immigrant community, and for the education and improvement of Hispanics, will continue to make his life fruitful among us." Besides working for the archdiocese, Juan Carlos conducted a ministry with his brother titled¦"Agua y Sangre" (Blood and Water), in which they commented on the daily Mass readings via YouTube, reaching up to 100,000 views daily. One of his closest friends was Alfonso Lara, Director of Hispanic Evangeli- zation for the Archdiocese of Denver. "Many of us witnessed how Juan Carlos grew and matured as a man, as a Chris- tian, as a Catholic, as a leader," he said. "His potential, spirit and commitment were always attractive. I always admired his youthfulness, dedication and love for people. He emerged from the His- panic community and later served and poured out his heart to them." Marilu Castillo, Juan Carlos's wife, shared a few words during the funeral Mass that took place at Queen of Peace Parish March 30. "His biggest concern was young mar- ried couples because he saw that they are afraid to be free, to give that mar- riage to God ... The day he died … I saw that he smiled in a way that I had never seen him smile before. Then he opened his eyes with that smile, his eyes shone, and it seemed like he was seeing some- thing … Some of his last words were: 'It's your turn to spread the Gospel now.'" Juan Carlos was a loving husband to his wife of more than 10 years and a proud father of three sons. BY CARMEN ELENA VILLA carmen.villa@archden.org @calenvilla Juan Carlos Reyes, director of Centro San Juan Diego, died March 20, leaving behind a wife and three sons. He was 33. PHOTO BY ANYA SEMENOFF To talk about Centro San Juan Diego is, in a sense, to talk about my own life. I would not be here if it were not for Centro San Juan Diego's support." JUAN CARLOS REYES " PHOTO PROVIDED

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