GARY - Mariachi music can bring vibrant Mexican culture into a Catholic liturgy. Traditional instruments like guitars, trumpets and violins accompany liturgical lyrics and hymns. One mariachi group that began at St. Joseph the Worker in Gary continues to bring cultural music to special diocesan celebrations while strengthening a sense of community among participants.
Father Ed “Lalo” Shea, OFM, said during his time serving in Gary, several people had asked him about starting a Mariachi group for the children of St. Joseph the Worker / San José. He was happy to support that idea and see where it might lead.
Parishioner Marisela Serrato found a "maestro," meaning teacher, and set a date for people to come, and the parish has had a very active group since the beginning. The group was officially formed in September 2025.
The majority of the participants are quite young, between 9 and 16, and are very committed to the group. He noted it takes a huge commitment from the parents. who bring the children and wait for them. They also often bring food to share.
“The whole experience is really a community-building thing,” noted Father Shea.
Father Shea said he is very proud of the group, and especially the leaders of it. It is a completely lay-led ministry for San José, and he believes it will grow and continue for years to come.
He said, “I keep calling them ‘MY Mariachi,’ but everyone knows that they are doing the work without needing my presence. I do like to show up on Wednesdays to play trumpet with ‘my boys’ whenever I can.”
Serrato, of Merrillville, who attends St. Joseph the Worker, said the idea came from a friend who pointed out the number of children at Mass and felt there was a need to create something that would get them involved. Serrato connected with parents, letting them know of the musical opportunity.
“The invitation is for the parents because of the ages that the children are,” she said. “It's really up to the parents what they let them do.”
To date, approximately 25 have joined the mariachi group. Most of the children were interested in music, but only started to play an instrument for the first time as part of the band. The children range in age, the youngest being around 9 years old, and are joined by a handful of adults in their 60s.
The group practices once a week, allowing a break in the learning for some fun and food.
“It's not just practicing,” Serrato said. “We know they're little ones, and they need to play sometimes too.”
Serrato admits some days can be difficult as they manage the various personalities of the children and the need for them to complete homework.
Sharing her own experience, Serrato stated that she never gave her children video games, but she did buy them instruments. She expressed her belief that when children become teenagers, they experience many things that the parents are unaware of. She hoped introducing her children to music would provide an outlet and invite conversation.
“One came to me and told me, ‘If it wasn't for the music, I don’t know what would have happened to me,’” she said.
Serrato continued, “When they are older, and situations happen, hopefully they will come and open their heart to you. Especially in these days, there is everything really bad at schools. They need to know there is somebody there to help.”
Serrato added that she often tries to convince other moms not to give up on extracurricular activities just because they might not feel like attending because, “One day you're gonna feel like, ‘We gotta try to keep them busy and try to keep them doing good things.”
Monica Tinoco, of Gary, often assists Serrato at practice sessions. She said her son, Emmanuel, was never active in sports, but has enjoyed playing music.
“I asked him if he wanted to join and at first he was a little leery,” she said. “After he started, he began to like it. He's really come to love it.”
Tinoco said she is happy her 13-year-old has found something he is excited about. She has witnessed him learn to read music and play the trombone, then transfer what he learned to play the trumpet.
“He found something that he liked,” she said. “I think that's the biggest thing. I'm gonna try my best to keep going at it so he can continue. And little by little, the kids have really come a long way since the first time we played until now. Just to see their faces, to see how happy they are, it's worth more than anything.”
Both Serrato and Tinoco look forward to seeing the mariachi band continue to progress and are excited to meet the two priests, Father Jayababu (Jay) Nuthulapati and Father Charles Mosley, newly assigned to serve the Gary parishes. The hope is that with more practice, the mariachi group might perform at Mass at least once a month in the future.
For more information, contact the parish office at 219-980-1846.
