Local churches luring new, former Catholics through music

[rug]

Published: Saturday, 5/3/2014 - Updated: 3 seconds ago
BY FEDERICO MARTINEZ
BLADE STAFF WRITER

To the world he is “El Rey del acordeon,” the king of the accordion. Musician Ramon Ayala's popularity continues to soar after 50 years as a performer.

But for the man born Ramon Cobarrubias, 68, he will always be the little Catholic boy from Monterrey, Mexico.

“The Catholic Church has always been very important to him,” said his manager, Frank Zuniga. “Ramon attends church every Sunday wherever he’s at. If the band arrives into a town late, he’ll get on his knees and pray." Mr. Zuniga said that Mr. Ayala's music is a gift "that he likes to use to help the Catholic Church."

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Using popular music to lure new and former Catholics is one of several outreach strategies the Church has undertaken in recent years. “According to church studies, people have been leaving the Catholic Church because they weren’t comfortable,” said Deacon Jose Garcia, diocesan director of Hispanic pastoral ministries.

http://www.toledoblade.com/Religion/2014/05/03/Popular-attractions.html

[demosincebirth]

1. As a lover of Mexican Music...Dos Monedas is heart wrenching. Dios te Salve Maria, is beautiful.