El Padrecito Minisries, Inc.  
"We Can Reach Them When You Can't"

El Padrecito Ministries, Inc. was founded in 2000 as a way of reaching out to urban  youth via a website through the HOMIES’ character “El Padrecito”. The HOMIES are a collection of toy characters which gained national attention in 2000 and have since been featured on school supplies, as plush dolls, in television commercials and most recently in its own video game. Father Masseo Gonzales, the priest upon whom the character “El Padrecito” is based, is blood brother to HOMIES’ artist David Gonzales and the founder of El Padrecito Ministries, Inc.
(See Los Angeles Times article of December 18^th, 2007)

The website ministry concept proved to be successful. It is arguably the largest catholic urban website in the United States. Since 2000 over 20,000 youth have joined the website and roughly 1,300 youth visit each day. Though the website offers discussion groups, a prayer page and online sermons, the most attractive feature has been the “Consejos Column”(or Advice Column). The youth can write to “El Padrecito” in a personal and anonymous format and seek online advice from the priest on matters of faith and relationships.   In 2003 the ministry received the blessing of the religious order to which Fr. Masseo belongs, the Conventual Franciscans of California, Inc., and in 2006 a board was established and the ministry was official incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit corporation. 

 

Though happy with the success of the online ministry Father Masseo had always sensed that the genre of rap and hip-hop could be a powerful medium through which to evangelize the youth. This vision did not materialize, however, until he met rapper and youth activist Arturo M. Cruz from Richmond, California. The name Hiz-Kidz was chosen and with oversight by El Padrecito Ministries, Inc. and through the guidance of Mr. Cruz, the group became an immediate success. The kids have produced their first anti-violence rap video, have performed at numerous venues throughout Northern California, and most recently received the prestigious Contra Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors 2008 “Making A Difference” award.  Father Masseo Gonzales and Arturo Cruz also rap with the kids.

Finally, in order to have easy access to the youth throughout the state of California, El Padrecito Ministries, Inc. has always envisioned establishing its main offices on the Central Coast of California, specifically  in the City of Guadalupe. We also expect to build a youth center there so we can exercise our ministry on a local level. And what better place to centralize our offices than in the city named after the Mother of us all - Our Lady of Guadalupe!  

Should you be interested in donating to any of the ministries mentioned above please write us at OfficialFriends@elpadrecito.org.  You will receive our regular mailings along with being added to our "banner prayer list".    

Media Coverage Upon Request:CBS, NBC, KCOY, Univision, Los Angeles Times, Santa Maria Times, Our Sunday Visitor, El Heraldo, Contra Costa Times, The Catholic Voice, El Tiempo, Richmond Globe, and the Oakland Tribune.

"The mission of El Padrecito Ministries, Inc. is to evangelize youth. While we make every attempt to keep this website safe, for example having 'Officer Placa' routinely surf the site, YOU are ultimately responsible for your own behavior. Please use this website at your own discretion."