Jesus and Juan Antonio Garcia: On the same page

Published: August 26, 2016

After the Garcia brothers — Jesus and Juan — got involved in teaching religious education in Fort Smith, two of their sisters also followed their lead.

After the Garcia brothers — Jesus and Juan — got involved in teaching religious education in Fort Smith, two of their sisters also followed their lead.

Immaculate Conception parishioners Jesus and Juan Antonio Garcia share many common interests. The brothers, who are both single, work together as semi-trailer mechanics in Fort Smith and participate together in many areas of parish life. Jesus teaches sixth-grade parish religious education classes, and Juan teaches first communicants.

“When I was about 19, I felt God was calling me to teach PRE,” Jesus said. “Surennah (Werley, director of religious education) encouraged Juan and me to teach and took us under her wing. When my parents and sisters saw us getting involved in church, they became more involved, too, and now two of my sisters also teach PRE.”

Both young men belong to the Knights of Columbus and participate in a young adult group that Jesus leads. Juan, 29, is involved with the Cursillo movement and Jesus, 25, has coordinated a parish bilingual holy hour.

“We wanted the Hispanic and Anglo communities in our parish to get together, and we thought that spending time in adoration together would be a good way to do this,” Jesus said. “We had our first bilingual holy hour on June 25. It was well attended by both groups, and we hope to do it again soon.”

• What is at the top of your bucket list? Why?

Graduating from college is at the top of Jesus’ bucket list. He is a dental hygiene major at University of Arkansas Fort Smith. He thinks the fine motor skills he has developed as a mechanic will transfer well to dental hygiene, and he is looking forward to a career where he is able to interact with more people.

• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Juan said he would move to Dallas, Texas. “I love big cities and the city life.”

Click for the 15 Catholic young adults who inspire us, 2016 index