Meet the Valenzuela Family: Planting the Seeds of Faith at St. John

One of the greatest blessings to the Bartlesville area is the growing presence of the Bartlesville Catholic Community and the wonderful people that make up our community. When the Valenzuela family moved to Bartlesville about three and a half years ago, Raquel Aramburo-Valenzuela immediately felt at home and welcomed by the community.

“Our first weekend at St. John’s, I looked for Fr. John after Mass so he could bless our house,” Raquel says. “He immediately agreed and joined us for dinner even though we didn’t have our furniture yet. We laughed around a Walmart folding table and I recall him saying, ‘A house without a blessing is not a home.”

Raquel and her husband, Eduardo, have two children and are friendly faces at the Sunday afternoon Spanish Mass at St. John. Isaac, their son, is 14 and loves to serve each month at Mass. Miriam, their 9-year-old daughter, attends St. John Catholic School and loves to sing. In fact, it was Miriam starting formation for First Communion that led to Raquel volunteering with the parish’s faith formation.

“It was time for Miriam to begin preparing for her First Communion a few years ago and the parish needed volunteers,” Raquel says. “I started teaching classes then and I have continued ever since. Now, I am able to teach the children religion at St. John Catholic School, something that has been on my heart for a long time. I used to play teacher as a kid and now I am fulfilling my calling to teach religion. It is my duty to prepare our students for their lives outside the walls of our parish and school by teaching them Who they need to hold onto during the best and worst parts of life — God.”

Through participation in the life of the parish and the school, Raquel and her family have been able to enjoy many aspects of the Englishspeaking and Spanish-speaking communities at St. John. The Valenzuelas love both Fr. Carlos and Fr. John and see what a blessing they are to the Bartlesville Catholic community. Our clergy’s dedication to all parishioners really drives home the importance of investing in your parish.

“I want my children to learn from example — show your love for the Church through your involvement,” Raquel says. “Since I started teaching religion at St. John, I have witnessed Miriam grow significantly in her faith. As her parents, we pray that by planting the seeds of faith, she will continue to know and love our Father and our wondrous Church. For anyone hoping to lead their children by example, I encourage you to offer your talents to our community. Ask our priests how you can be involved and see what fruits the Lord blesses you with over time.”

The Valenzuela family celebrates Miriam’s First Communion at St. John Before the Latin Gate.

The Valenzuela family enjoys a vacation.