[are you looking for info on the BATTLE OF THE BANDS on May 31 in Enfield, NH? ... click here!]


Introducing a new monthly event for teens, youth ministers and all ages! Use this program as a supplemental or ongoing program to support your youth ministry efforts, parish ministries, as a follow-up to Proud 2B Catholic Music Festivals, Steubenville East or other events that create excitement and fire for our Catholic faith.

Every first Friday from 7-10 PM inside the chapel of the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette "extreme" guest speakers and musicians will present various teachings, witnesses and discussions centered around the Catholic faith.

Each event will be structured to cover Catholic teachings, spiritual and social experiences, and will include cool live music, talks, discussions/Q&A, adoration, devotions and end with an hour of fun and friends. Pizza, popcorn and soda will be available for purchase during the social hour.

Thank you for everyone who made it to the May Extreme East!
Please let us know what you thought via our Online Event Survey.

The next event is Friday, June 6 with Extreme Guest, Tony Melendez!

Help us advertise these events! -- Download the new May/June EE flyer now.

It was an unforgettable moment when, on September 15, 1987, Tony played his guitar for Pope John Paul II in Los Angeles. Born without arms, he performed a touching song entitled Never Be The Same. When the Pope approached him from the stage to kiss him in appreciation, it seemed to reflect the sentiments of the entire country.

A "thalidomide baby," Tony was born without arms because his mother was prescribed thalidomide a drug used to help calm morning sickness during her pregnancy. He was brought to the Los Angeles area from Nicaragua to be fitted with artificial arms. He wore them until he was ten, when he disposed of them. "I didn't feel comfortable," he explains, "I could use my feet so much more."

His proficiency with his feet extended to more areas than just day-to-day care. He remembers that "at first, I started playing push-button organ. Then in high school I began playing around with the guitar and harmonica." He also began writing his own songs. Whether it was "playing around" with music or merely adjusting to a normal high school routine, Tony never let his handicap get in his way. "I was pretty secure in what I could do," he says.

It was also in high school that he became deeply involved in the Catholic Church. "I went when I was a kid because my parents took me. I drifted away as I got a little older. When I was in high school, my brother kept saying 'come on, you've gotta go. It's great!' So I went again and made a lot of friends, and wound up changing my life in the process.

During this time, he considered becoming a priest but couldn't, because priests were required to have an index finger and thumb. The news disappointed him but he persevered in his church activities, using his talents as a guitarist and composer for masses and church related events. Demand for him increased to the point where he was directing and singing in music groups at up to five masses on a given Sunday. It caught people's attention, including someone with the group organizing activities for the monumental visit of Pope John Paul II in 1987.

"Someone pulled my name out of somewhere and asked me to go to a meeting," Tony recalls. "I wasn't sure what it was." It turned out to be an audition and Tony was accepted. "I was really excited when I heard."

Excitement became nervousness and then jubilation when the Pope responded to Tony's playing, with a kiss. He notes now that he wasn't sure how to react. "I was told not to move or the security might take me out, so I was very surprised when the Pope leaped off the four-foot stage to greet me."

Since then Tony has traveled across the United States and forty foreign countries, making countless television appearances, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, Geraldo, CBS This Morning, The Late Show with Arsenio Hall, 700 Club, Robert Schuller, and prime-time network specials for Variety Clubs and Very Special Arts. He also performed at The World Series, where he sang the National Anthem for the fifth game of the 1989 series.

He has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including special commendations from President Reagan, The State of California, Variety Clubs of America, Very Special Arts, The City of Los Angeles, and countless other civic and charitable organizations. He has also received the first annual Inspirational Hero Award from the NFL Alumni Association at Super Bowl XXIII in Miami.

Please join us on June 6th for Extreme East as Tony presents a talk titled "Be Not Afraid".

Schedule (music provided by guest and house band, unless noted otherwise):
The registration tables open at 6:30 pm.

First Friday Schedule
DATE	EXTREME GUEST	EXTREME THEME
Jun 6	Tony Melendez - talk and music	"Be Not Afraid"
Jul & Aug	- Off for Summer events - see the New Proud 2B Catholic Tour dates!	---
Sept 5, 2008	2nd Season Kick-off with Martin Doman and the LEAD Team from Steubenville East!	TBA

Are you ready?!
Go deeper! Go Extreme!

Ticket Prices:
$10 per ticket
No cost for Priests & Religious

To order tickets for June 6:

Online:
Order online now: click here!

By mail, please send check or money order to:
Proud 2B Catholic
P.O. Box 3924
Peabody, MA 01960

** IMPORTANT: Tickets ordered within on week prior to the event date will he held at the doors. If you've ordered online, please bring a printout of your ticket purchase emailed confirmation.

Or call Peter at 978-535-6300 to order over the phone. If no answer, please leave a message and we will return your call to complete your order. On the Friday of the event, please contact Peter ONLY by email: peter@proud2bcatholic.com if you have any questions.

NEW! -- Order The Extreme Pass for three consecutive events and SAVE $5.00. Click here to order online or follow the instructions provided below.

Check out the lead singer of the Extreme house band (John 6), Joseph Perry's MySpace page for Extreme East.

Can you help spread the word about Extreme East??? Please join our In-Parish Promotions team to receive emailed information about bulletin announcements, Mass announcements, flyers and other ways to help. To signup, please scroll to the top of this page, to "ENTER EMAIL & JOIN eNEWS" and enter your email address. Then, select "In-Parish Promotion" while joining.

For more information and general inquiries about Extreme East events, please contact Proud2BCatholic.com.

Tickets and flyers are available at the Shrine as well. Please contact Kim Lisbon for assistance: steubenvilleeast@hotmail.com.

Directions to the Shrine

Volunteers needed! If you are interested in joining the Extreme Team, please submit a volunteer form on Proud2BCatholic.com.

Two photos from the October 5, 2007 Extreme East: