April 21 concert to benefit youth ministry projects in El Salvador

By Mary Ann Wyand

Internationally known Catholic musician and speaker Jesse Manibusan will perform a concert to benefit youth ministry projects in El Salvador on April 21 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.

Manibusan, who lives in Grapevine, Texas, “shares from his heart the love of Christ and the call to live out our baptism in every aspect of life,” according to publicity promoting the 8 p.m. concert at the Farm Bureau Building on the fairgrounds at East 38th Street and Fall Creek Parkway.

He describes himself as a Catholic lay evangelist who uses music, comedy and stories to connect with people.

Dr. Stafford and Clara Pile, members of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis and board members of the Tamarindo Foundation Inc., which is sponsoring the Salvadoran fundraiser, said proceeds from the concert will benefit educational assistance, youth ministry and sports programs coordinated by John Guiliano in Guarjila, El Salvador.

St. Pius X Parish has supported the nearby community of Portillo for nearly 20 years through prayers, donations, and medical and dental mission trips. Guiliano has facilitated their El Salvador Outreach Project. Dr. William Tellman and several other St. Pius parishioners traveled to Portillo on Feb. 11-18 to treat more than 480 patients at a dental clinic.

In addition to coordinating cycling, inline skating and other activities for youth, Guiliano also volunteers as the coach of the El Salvador National Inline Hockey Team.

Stafford and Clara Pile said Guiliano “uses sports to promote the education of young people,” and encourages youth to attend school and stay in El Salvador to help improve their country.

They said the Tamarindo Foundation was incorporated on Jan. 4, 2005, as a 501(c)(3) public charity with a mission statement that focuses on “providing opportunities for education, spiritual growth and athletics in order to promote the well-being of Salvadoran youth and to improve economic conditions in disadvantaged areas of El Salvador.”

Guiliano has never had a regular salary, they said, and “has existed financially only on contributions, speaking tours, hosting high school and college groups for school credit and other unpredictable arrangements.”

They said members of the Tamarindo Foundation think Guiliano and his family—as well as the impoverished people of Guarjila and Portillo—“deserve better” through support of these faith-based and educational programs.

(Tickets for Jesse Manibusan’s concert on April 21 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis are $10 per person and can be purchased by calling 317-547-6684.) †