José Perez-Flores was born Catholic, but there was a time when faith was the furthest thing from his life.
“I used to hang out with the wrong crowd, and I hardly ever attended Mass,” he said. “I’d be over hanging with my friends.”
Perez-Flores, 28, said one acquaintance was persistent in trying to show him a better path for his life.
“My friend Gabriel Munoz, he always invited me to church. I would always be like, ‘Naaaahhh, I really don’t feel like going today,” he said. “I said, ‘I’ll go next Sunday,’ and next Sunday would come and I wouldn’t go.”
He finally relented and never looked back. Mass attendance led him to a life-changing retreat and then being a regular cantor for the Spanish Mass at St. Edward Church in Texarkana.
“(My old friends) tell me, ‘Come hang out with us,’ and I’m like, ‘Nah. I got responsibilities at church. I can’t stay. Got to go,’” he said.
When Perez-Flores does seek out his old crowd these days, it’s for a different purpose.
“I see a few people going on the same path that I was, and I just try to change them around,” he said. “I’m like, ‘Oh, come on. Go to church with me,’ like my friend Gabriel did for me. It changed me a lot.”
“I’ve got this one friend that I was hanging with, he hasn’t made his mind up yet. Maybe one day. The Lord will help me and he’ll come and join me.”
• If you could be any saint, who would it be?
“Probably St. Jude. He’s the one that guides my way.”
Please read our Comments Policy before posting.
Article comments powered by DisqusTrinitas ensemble debut features Cathedral singers
God answers prayer for new organ, organist in Engelberg
Sarah Duvall & Gracie Weidman: In perfect harmony
Matthew Moix: He's got the music
Interfaith Choir Camp creates harmony and community
Studio 3:16 offers new approach to teaching religion
After three decades, NLR principal plans to retire
CHS athlete overcomes odds to reach collegiate goal
John Calipari: UA basketball coach and devout Catholic
'Cabrini' film tells story of saint with great faith