NFCYM staff member Scotty Van Horn recently interviewed Deacon Andy Orosco about his experience attending NCYC in 2022.
In this interview, you will discover how Deacon Andy served both as a deacon and a grandfather, leaving a lasting impact on the community and his family.
About Deacon andy
I am a deacon for the Diocese of San Bernardino. I was ordained in 2014, and I have spent the majority of my years serving the Native American people. I am assigned to the Native American Ministry, which serves the six mission churches located on six of the 13 Indian reservations in the diocese.
Could you give us a brief overview of your journey as a deacon?
I never said I wanted to be a deacon. It was the furthest thing from my mind, but that’s often who God calls to be leaders—those who never considered it a calling for themselves. My formation was an eight-year process that I undertook with my wife, Roseanne. After much prayer and encouragement from others, we decided to pursue the diaconate.
After a year of soul-searching and spiritual direction, I said yes and entered formation. Soon after my ordination, Bishop Gerald Barnes assigned me to the Native American Ministry. I am the only local Native American deacon in Southern California, and it has been a pleasure and a blessing.
Looking back on my journey, I see how God placed me in specific situations to prepare me for my current role. It has been a beautiful calling. I’ve had the joy of seeing my family, including my grandchildren, celebrate their sacraments and participate in the faith. It truly has been a blessing.
How did being a deacon and grandfather influence your decision to come ncyc in 2022?
Did your granddaughter experience any transformative moments at NCYC?
What insights or lessons did you gain from attending NCYC?
God, the Father, calls us in so many ways, and we just have to be prepared to say yes. I am ready to be able to, at a moment’s call, do whatever God wants me to do, as long as it’s physically possible, to bring awareness to the Native American people, our people of this land, and to welcome and have the opportunity to show my granddaughter and my son the greater church.
We get so caught up in just our parishes, our little communities, and, like Tiana and Alana, they come where their church probably holds about 60 people. So, for them to go from there and then celebrate Mass with thousands of people there, you could just see they were a little uneasy about it because they’re not accustomed to it. But that’s what we are called to do: to open their eyes to the greater church.
And that’s who was present there, the greater church, with the trading of their hats and the trading of all the things and the trinkets. It was beautiful, and they really found it very special.
What advice would you give TO THOSE CONSIDERING attending NCYC this November?
Register and go.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience the greater church. The church is bigger than your parish. There’s a big, beautiful church out there, and they’re all waiting to give you a hug. So get out there, bring your hats, bring your trinkets, bring all those things that will encourage others to come. Shake hands, give hugs, and be a part of that big church.
Register, be out there, and be willing to love God by saying hi to those with whom God has placed you on this earth at this time.
