Jim Soltau - Hi Everyone! My name is Jim Soltau, and I try to coordinate all of this craziness in Youth Ministry, Confirmation and Emmaus Peer Ministry here at St. Anne's!
With the beginning of the 2011-2012 Confirmation program, all of us - myself and the rest of the Confirmation staff - are here to help and journey with you in this great exploration of our faith.
If there's ever anything I can do or if you have a question to ask. . . please drop in the Youth Ministry Office or give me a call!
Alfred - I've been on the confirmation staff for over a decade now and have had the honor of being on the confirmation retreat staff for twice as long. I am a naturally a quiet and introverted person. Through my involvement in youth ministry and confirmation, I've learned when and how: to be loud and to lead; to be quiet and to give space; and to listen and to follow. I continue to serve in this ministry because it is important to provide a space for young people to feel safe to think, share, and reflect on their lives. It's been wonderful to see current and past students get involved in peer and other ministry at Saint Anne's and to follow them as they go to college to lead in the classroom and community. I look forward to meeting and getting to know you this year.
Ali - Hey everyone, I’m Ali. I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to serve and give back to the St. Anne community for the past 10 years as part of the Eucharistic ministry, retreat staffs, Young Adult choir and Confirmation teaching teams. I've had a humbling experience being a part of this amazing group of individuals who selflessly offer their time, talent and treasures for the young people of our faith community. Ever since my own confirmation in 1999, it has been my passion to understand, mentor, and grow with our fellow youth as we explore together what it means for them to live out them lives meaningfully.
Throughout this time I've come to love and appreciate bowl-a-thons, pizza and cookies, potlucks, gardening, rainy weather, fun sarcasm, board games and of course, the Oakland A's. I recently graduated from UC Berkeley (again) and am working towards a career in social work, but I have a lot of experience working as a part-time ninja. (Feel free to ask me, and I’ll tell you about it). This will be my sixth year as a Confirmation teacher I truly look forward to yet another year of breath-taking experiences. Dream big and hope high, it doesn't hurt if you give it a try. Peace!
Chris - Hey everyone, my name is Chris. I’ve been involved with the church since I was younger through Emmaus, Youth Choir, and the Lector Ministry. Since coming back from college, I wanted to get back involved with St. Anne and teaching Confirmation seemed like the best way to do it. I love the St. Anne community and I feel like the church has given me so much, so this is my way of giving back. This is my fifth year teaching Confirmation and I’m really excited about it!
Just a little about myself: I graduated from UC Berkeley and just recently got my Masters in Education at Cal State East Bay. Besides being a Confirmation teacher, I am also an actual school teacher. Currently I teach Social Science at El Cerrito High School. I'm "Mr. Malixi" at school, but please don't hesitate to just call me "Chris" at church. I'm a big sports fan, especially the Warriors and Niners. When I was in college, I did a lot of work with high school students to help them apply and get into college. If you have any questions or need college advice, please feel free to ask me. I look forward to meeting and getting to know you this year.
Ernest - Hello! My name is Ernest Ray Capalla! I've been real active at St Anne's since I was a Junior in High School. I started off in Emmaus Peer Ministry, and now I'm a Confirmation teacher and and 8th grade CCD Teacher. I'm also a Eucharistic Minister for Youth Mass. I love being a catechist because as well as teaching our students, I learn so much from them too!
Other than church activities, I'm a fan of The Oakland Athletics, Lebron James, and the Mogo BBQ Truck. I also love listening to hip hop music, hanging out with friends, and playing tennis. I also love watching the shows, The Office, Glee, Modern Family, Sportscenter, Ninja Warrior, and Community!
The Emmaus, Youth Ministry, and Confirmation programs at St Anne have made a huge positive impact in my life, and it definitely is my duty to give back to the program!
Don't be shy to say hi! I'm on many social networks, and i roam around Union City a lot! =)
Harland - Hello all! I am extremely excited about learning and working with all of you. I am an avid sports fan, Harry Potter enthusiast, and love playing basketball and lifting weights on my spare time. It is my genuine hope, that during my lifetime the Warriors win an NBA championship and that the A’s bring back the glory days. However, only time will tell. I’ve been looking for a way to get more involved with the Church aside from attending weekly mass. Needless to say, I am very glad that I was given this very special opportunity. Working with youth has always been a passion of mine and it seems like perfect fate that I am teaching this year once again. I participated in both St. Anne’s Youth Ministry and Confirmation way back in the day and am looking forward to another fun and exciting year!
Iya - Hi! I am Maricel Hernandez better known by many as "iya"
(ee-yah). I LOVE to eat (almost anything). I work REALLY hard at the
things I do. I like to make/create things and I treasure being young
(even though I may not be THAT young).
This will be my third year teaching with the confirmation staff. In
previous years, I've enjoyed service in our St. Anne youth ministry
through such activities as the infamous EMMAUS peer ministry, teaching
CCD, altar serving, youth choir, and young adult choir. I am headed into
the 2011-2012 confirmation year with a lot of excitement
and enthusiasm. I am hoping to bring to the table good vibes, a love for
community, an open mind, and an ever-growing faith. What's most
exciting is the idea that I get to meet all of you. OH! the many stories
I am sure we will share and create, and the pure satisfaction of just
learning something new, from someone new. Being a part of such a strong
and supportive ministry has meant a lot to me these past years. I thank
God for the opportunity to lead and serve with such a talented staff, as
we can all help each other explore his greatness.
Jeffy - I welcome YOU to the Confirmation Program. I hope that YOU enjoy the program and that WE, the Staff, make you laugh, cry and make it interesting for YOU. The Youth Ministry program (T.E.A.M., Emmaus) would not be as successful as it is right now if it weren't for Jim's vision of a ministry for the youth. Youth Ministry has made new friends and great, long lasting friendships that will last for a long time. Hopefully, YOU will be taking our places and helping the next generation of youth.
As for me. . . St. Anne has been a part of my life since I was in 3rd grade. I have been involved with Youth Ministry since 1989. . . that's ?????**%$#@#$, you can do the math. St. Anne's Parish did have a Ministry that catered to teens. With the help of a Jim, myself and a few dedicated teens, started a small ministry of young teens called T.E.A.M ( Teens Engaged in Active Ministry).T.E.A.M., now called Emmaus, has helped the YOUTH of our parish understand the meaning of our Catholic Faith in a way that THEY(youth) can understand.
When I'm not teaching Confirmation, I'm a Eucharistic Minister for the Youth Mass and 6pm Mass, as well as a Coordinator for Eucharistic Ministers. I was fortunate to meet Pope John Paul II in 1993, during a YOUTH DAY celebration, in Denver, CO. I also help with CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) in coaching Boys and Girls Basketball. I too was involved with CYO when I was in the #rd Grade…..
Kat - Hi Everyone! My name is Kathryn Otico. Since college, I've gone by Kat. This will
be my first year teaching Confirmation at St. Anne, however, I have been teaching for the past 11 years throughout the Oakland diocese. Jim has been "approaching" me for many years to join the St. Anne's team and as I've told the team, "I'm FINALLY home!" I consider St. Anne's my home now and I don't plan on going anywhere else for a very long time.
I'm a Bay Area baby, born in Alameda and raised in Hayward cherishing the Oakland A's and San Francisco 49ers. I graduated from St. Bede and then from Moreau Catholic high school. Ministry with the church is in my blood, my father taught CCD from as young as I can remember. Now, it's my turn to give back to the community and it's even rubbing off on my children. My eldest son, AJ, is now involved in Campus Ministry at Loyola Marymount University.
In my spare time...wait, I don't have spare time! I'm married with 4 children. I'm blessed with the opportunity to be home with my children. I will also be teaching First Communion at St. Anne's this
year. Most likely, you will find me either at the CYO basketball gyms, running (literally) around Union City, or at the church. Hopefully, (crossing fingers), you will find me reading a good book!
I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you in our church community and an AWESOME year!
Maricel - Hi Everyone! My name is Maricel Cruz and this is my first year teaching Confirmation. Prior to teaching confirmation, I was a Peer Minister here at St. Anne’s for five years. It is safe to say that my calling is with teens. I have been to countless Monday night meetings, potlucks, retreats and everything in between and cannot get enough of it! I feel blessed to have the opportunity to share my faith with you all, and am looking forward to learning from our wonderful church community.
On a lighter note, I am an avid salad hater. I am the second of three children, all girls. I graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Child and Adolescent Psychology. I am currently working for Union City Leisure Services and hope to continue my studies by getting my Masters in Social Work.
Marielle - Hi all! My name is Marielle Daquioag and this is my first year teaching Confirmation. :) I'm super excited for the year and cannot wait to get this journey started! I first got involved with the St. Anne's Youth Ministry my freshman year in high school, going through the Youth Ministry and Confirmation program. I then joined Emmaus and was a Eucharistic minister my senior year. Upon returning to the bay after college, I knew I wanted to get involved again and decided to get involved with Young Adult Choir. Thus began my involvement at St. Anne's as an adult. From there I went on the Confirmation Retreat as part of the staff and knew that I eventually wanted to be a Confirmation teacher... and here I am :) Working with kids and teens has always been my calling and I am thrilled to be given the chance to guide you all in this journey.
A little more about me: I LOVE to dance, bake (stuff from scratch & i definitely love experimenting with flavors!), travel and take lots of pictures. I watch tons of musicals, so if you ever need a recommendation, I’m your go to girl. Oh, and last, but not least, I love Disneyland and all things Disney :) The current consensus on who loves Disney more - me or Noy, is currently undecided. Can’t wait to meet and get to know each of you throughout the year!
- Hello everyone!! My name is Marilyn and this will be my first year teaching Confirmation and let me tell you something... I am super excited to be be a part of your Faith journey! My service at St. Anne started early as an altar server back when i was in middle school throughout high school, then I got involved in Emmaus as a peer minister, then later joined youth choir. I'm so excited to be involved again with St. Anne, and especially as a Confirmation teacher, to be in complete service, to be a part of something bigger than me, and to be outward focused.
I am looking forward to being a part of an amazing staff this year, and getting to you all throughout the program. I am committed to you all having a great experience in your journey of Faith. I will be here to listen, to teach, to challenge, to lead, and to inspire.
Noy - Greetings all! My name as I was born unto this earth is Christopher
Capacia Hernandez, but I am better known with the the nickname of "Noy." I am looking
forward to sharing this experience alongside my faith, personal goals
and morals, as well as an open mind and heart to what anyone and
everyone is willing to share during the year. I am enthusiastic to work
with this amazing staff as well as my students and all the
other students in the program! Currently a Eucharistic
Minister, Lector and Choir director, I am never short of
activities as long as I have the time to commit and serve the community,
and I encourage all to do the same. I have grown and learned so much
through religion and I continue to do so as I take on this new face of
ministry.
It may be surprising for some to hear, but I am a
shy person with many ideas that flow slowly out from my finger tips! I
have high ambitions and love to challenge myself and others to make
ourselves better instruments of God's works. My life is run by the idea
of using "creativity" to push through life's daily tasks. My interests
fall into the art realm of performing or visual and spacial art, and
those who know me well will tell you that "Disney" is my biggest
inspiration!
"We keep moving forward, opening new doors,
and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading
us down new paths"~Walt Disney
Samantha - Hello, my name is Samantha Aradanas and this is my first year teaching Confirmation. I taught First Communion CCD for 2nd- 4th graders for the past couple years, and continue to do so this year. I decided to become a CCD teacher after reading a book called Purpose Driven Life. One of the main things I learned from it was that we should use our talents and gifts to serve God. I feel that God gave me the gift of working with children and youth, so the calling to be a CCD teacher came soon after reading this book. At that time, I thought that I would start off with CCD then maybe eventually move on to teaching Confirmation, but apparently God had other plans for me =)
Outside of church, I am a school psychologist and school counselor in San Leandro Unified. I went to UC San Diego for undergrad (I love San Diego and visit any time I can!) and SF State for grad school. I try my best to stay active by running/jogging, going to the gym, and sometimes hiking. Basketball is my favorite sport- Go Warriors! Other random stuff about me: I enjoy eating sushi, I am one of 36 grandchildren, and I would love to travel one day because I think there are so many beautiful places to see in this world! Looking forward to an exciting year as I learn new things and work alongside others who are passionate about our faith!
Tine - Hello everyone! My name is Christine, but you can call me Tine! Although I went to Holy Spirit for CCD and Confirmation, I have been a parishioner of St. Anne’s my whole entire life. I helped create the original Youth Choir and was an active member until I left for college. Upon my return, I realized how much I missed leading the congregation in song and worship, which led me to joining the Young Adults Choir (YAC). Last year, I became the Co-Director of the Young Adults Choir and this past January, I started teaching Confirmation. I truly love the St. Anne’s community. It is a place that continually fills me with strength and hope, which makes me look forward to learning and growing with all of you.
In case you didn’t know, singing, dancing and teaching are my passions in life. I have always been fueled by my love of performing and my drive to help students reach for higher education. I received my Bachelors Degree from UC Santa Cruz, my Teaching Credential and Masters in Education from CSU East Bay, and am currently an elementary school teacher. I enjoy reading, random adventures, and making beautiful memories with beautiful souls. I love butterflies and zebra print, as well as all things Disney. Don't mess with me during hockey season, cause I am a huge SJ Sharks fan. I am excited to get to know all of you and I can’t wait to embark upon my first full year of teaching Confirmation!!
