Bianca Muoz-Cruz

Mr. Campbell
UWRT 1101
October 22, 2014
Mini-Ethnography
My mini ethnography will be focused on the youth group of Our Lady of
Guadalupe church because as a non-member, Ive heard quite a lot on how it has
improved over this past year. This news captured my attention because all churches have
a successful youth group that does many activities to show awareness and faith yet in this
year alone, this particular youth group has grown more than usual. I wanted to know the
reasons to how and why all of the sudden this youth group has become bigger than it has
in the past few years. I want to know what differences were made to make this subculture
an important culture within the church and community. Even though I am not a member,
Ill inform you about this subculture through my observations, my interviews and
research of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte.
My first day of observation, I entered a classroom found by the front entrance of
the church. I noticed how large the group was by having 11 teenage guys, 13 teenage
girls and 4 youth group leaders. For those who got to the meeting early would chit-chat
with friends of the group, either knowing each other because of the youth group or
possibly attending to the same school. At the very beginning and very end of the meeting,
the group gathers around in a circle, hand-in-hand to say a prayer. Just witnessing the
prayer made me realize the close relationship everyone has each other.
The youth groups meetings are normally informal since it allows the teens to talk

freely among their other fellow members and leaders. The way in which they dress is also
informal. They are allowed to dress normal casual such as jeans and an appropriate
shirt. The youth group is generally there to provide advice and guidance to those teens
that seek it. Since the teens have such freedom to speak their mind and be heard like in no
other place it holds a special value to them. Even more so when they can also spend this
time gathered around with trusted friends and leaders. Theres never pressure put on these
teens, which is sometimes new to them.
But as a group, theyve grown to know each other and do many events to help
around the community. Since the holidays are coming up, those families who are found in
a financial crisis that can't buy enough food or presents for their families are allowed to
reach out for help by the church. As being part of the church, the youth group take the
responsibility on interviewing these families to double check that their situation
qualifies for the churches help. The church as a whole goes on by having can food drives
and gift donations that the qualified families shall receive at appropriate time.
As of now, the youth groups has their main focus on the play which displays the
birth of Christ that will be performed on the 3 week of December. As I continued to
observe the youth group, I came to realize how serious they took this play idea. From
what the leaders have told me, this is the first time that the youth group has agreed to
perform a play since it first started some years ago, then again this is the first time the
youth group really wants to be involved. That just went off the show the dedication these
teens had as a whole. During the rehearsal of the play I noted that there was a box in the
center of the circle in which every person had to put their phones up. Leaders rule was no
cell phone use allowed. Besides the normal circle gathering and prayer, the group

separated themselves based off of parts each member had. There were in total 5 main
groups of characters (devils, angels, shepherds, 3 kings and backstage/props) and each
was separated so there will be more focus before the practice it all together. I noticed how
some teens had to adjust their speech and movements to fit the characters part, which was
different, compared to them.
I really admired how these teens found such good comfort to be themselves
during discussions as well as take the step forward and be different for events the group
has going on such as the play. No matter what I was able to sense how much these teens
enjoyed the experience. But besides just viewing all this, I went ahead and interviewed 3
girls about the youth group and their participation with it. It was amazing to me on how
similar these 3 girls answered my questions about the youth group. These girls had at
least heard of the youth group by a parent yet when they first went to their first meeting a
friend was involved. Their participation wasn't force among them by their parents and
after having a friend and/or making some new friends kept them attending as their own
decision. All 3 girls really do value the youth group since they feel like a family, speak
freely, trust each other, find it useful. The girls love the advice they get based on different
situations and the groups discussion on topics such as peer pressure, family problems,
health and depression/suicide. Youth group for them has changed their life for the better
because they feel more education on multiple situations, the feel prepared and most of all
it boosted their confidence. Although each of the girls responded differently on how often
they attend, they have missed a few days, they all agreed that they will stick to youth
group because they value it that much.
As far as the events and play go, the girls are excited for the play, they are

practicing their lines and hope its turns out well. Again for the past event, each of the
girls responded differently on how many events they participated but each agreed that it
was a success and the group overall enjoyed the experience. From the leaders I found out
that the youth group does events like a Torch run, a Flag run, the Birth of Christ play, a
retreat, and food drives. Its amazing how much the youth group does within the church
and how the church gives back to the community.
The background information about the church is that bishop Begleys had
established the Catholic Church center in charlotte on September 8th, 1972. Throughout
the years (1972-1995), the Church Center was taken care of my a few fathers, pastors
and the people all based on their generosity. In 1995, the Padre Vicentinos (the Vincent
Fathers) took on the church responsibility amongst themselves as part of the community.
With hard work and dedication, they got the church constructed in 2002. Although they
took full responsibility, bishop Jugis officially made them in charge of the church on June
1st 2007, which was the new beginning to church known as La Parroquia de Nuestra
Seora de Guadalupe a.k.a The Church of Our Lady Guadalupe.
The Padre Vicentinos are actually 3 fathers that have such an important role
within the church. Those fathers are Jos Elzi, Abel Osorio and Vicente Finnerty. Father
Jos has been involved with the Catholic Church center since 1999 and happily visits
jails, hospitals and helps those who have lost loved ones. Father Abel is the newest
member with only having a year at the church but is responsible of the youth group and
communion orientation classes. Father Finnerty has been with the church since 1995,
oldest member thus far and is the actual pastor of the church.
(http://www.parroquiansguadalupe.com/quienesomos.html)

The location of the church is on 6212 Tuckaseegee rd. Charlotte NC, 28214 that
has a beautiful center roundabout that has multiple flags to display the diversity of
Spanish culture involved within the church. Its also has a lot of space inside where
communion classes, youth group, bible studies, and meetings are held. Also it has such a
wide field in the back where they hold small league soccer teams play. As you can tell
with just the facility, it provides a lot to the people as well as the community as a whole.
Even though this church remains pretty small, as a whole, it is well referred to also be
part of the Charlotte Roman Catholic Diocese. As mentioned before Bishop Jugis is the
4th bishop of the Roman Catholic Church in all of Charlotte and he has given the power
to the Padre Vicentinos to build the church and provide such catholic faith to the
community. Our lady of Guadalupe church is a branched off church from the diocese as a
whole but still follows the same religious factors, sermons and hold similar events as
other locations. The Roman Catholic diocese has many different ministries including one
here at UNCC.( http://www.charlottediocese.org)
In conclusion, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte is the head church
organization led by Bishop Jugis who has the best intentions for small churches to expand
the religion to the community. Bishop Jugis was the person to have Our Lady of
Guadalupe church officially signed off as part of the Diocese and left its care in the hands
of the 3 fathers that are pride fully involved in the church everyday. Those 3 fathers do
everything possible for the people besides provide religious advice and guidance. They
hold many events to get the community involved such as the play, youth group, flag run,
bible studies and much more. Youth group at Our Lady of Guadalupe is a unique
subculture because it has grown so much over the years with its own involvement and the

expectations are to only reach higher as time passes by as well as the church as a whole.