Father Masseo Gonzales’ two brothers are entrepreneurs. His older brother, David, founded a popular toy company, and his younger brother, Daniel, runs an apparel company in Chico.
Gonzales is a businessman too, but his business is with God. He’s a Franciscan monk who runs a nonprofit ministry in Guadalupe called El Padrecito Ministries. His profits are steering at-risk youth away from dangerous behavior with the power of song and dance, and the most recent evolution of how he tries to do that is through his very own Internet radio station.
Gonzales understands the mindset of misguided youth. Growing up surrounded by the low-rider Chicano culture in Richmond, Calif., in the 1970s, he spent much of his time rabble rousing. He was kicked out of Catholic school, arrested several times, and lost part of his leg in a street fight—all before the age of 19.
In the years that followed, Gonzales underwent a radical transformation through which he discovered the Franciscan Order, a Christian line of monks that originated more than 800 years ago. He was ordained as a priest in 1996 and began his ministry three years later.
In 2012, Gonzales started a performance arts center in Guadalupe. Staffed with performance instructors, the downtown studio is open to kids who want to learn how to dance and sing. Membership dues are $25 per month per student. He holds classes every week.
The padre himself is a bit of a performer. Noticing a shift away from the church beginning with the Millennial generation, Gonzales decided to connect with kids in a very unconventional way for a monk: through rap.
Around town, Gonzales is known as “the rapping padre.” In a profound, yet simple manner, he utilizes the lyrical bluntness of rap to convey Christ’s message of eternal life and the woes of living hard. He said it impresses kids.
“It’s amazing how well they react when you just break it down for them,” Gonzales said. “They want boldness. They’re hungry for that.”
One of Gonzales’ signature songs is called “Priest Plea on a Bended Knee.” In it, he raps about losing his leg and the doctors saving his knee, upon which he is able to pray. To him, it was a message from beyond.
“Afterwards I was thinking about it,” Gonzales said, “and my knee was saved so I can bend it.”
But Gonzales said not everyone’s into his lyrics. Because he’s a monk who raps and teaches people to sing and dance, Gonzales said it’s not easy obtaining grant money to fund his ministry.
“It’s really hard to explain the concept,” Gonzales said. “I have to demonstrate that having dance ballet is a ministry.”
He understands that rap isn’t exactly perceived as wholesome music. But he said some rap songs have powerful meanings, such as the song “The Rose That Grew From Concrete,” written by the late rap artist, Tupac Shakur.
To raise money for his ministry, Gonzales makes his own brand of coffee called El Padrecito’s Coffee, which has a bold, non-acidic flavor. The beans are roasted and packaged by San Luis Obispo-based Coastal Peaks Coffee. The coffee is now available at El Tapatio Restaurant in Guadalupe.
Gonzales is always trying to think up new ways to reach young people. He launched himself into the World Wide Web in May, preaching via Internet radio at padre.fm. From inside his makeshift studio, Gonzales gives sermons and takes calls from listeners every Tuesday between 7 and 8 p.m.
“I believe in the power of music,” Gonzales said. “Youth is moved by the beat.”
El Padrecito Ministries is throwing a Benefit Summer Festival this July 5 in Guadalupe from 12 to 6 p.m. It will include food, games, and a talent show. To speak with Father Masseo Gonzales on the radio during his Tuesday broadcast, call 312-7284. To sign up for performance lessons, call 219-0441. For more information, visit padre.fm.
Highlights
When it comes to earthquakes Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital is hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. Announced on May 12, the hospital recently completed a $12 million state-mandated seismic upgrade project. The renovations include a new 9,000-square-foot building encompassing a specialized blood transfusion suite and 11 in-patient beds. For more information on the hospital, visit cottagehealth.org.
Staff Writer David Minsky wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, email, or mail.
This article appears in May 28 – Jun 4, 2015.