Each month we’ll be featuring a profile on one of the Saint Benedict Parish staff members so parishioners can get to know them a little better and get a better sense of what they do at the parish. This month, we’re featuring Dan Perera.

What’s your job title?

DAN: I'm the Youth Ministry Coordinator.

What staff team are you on?

The Community & Growth Team.

What does your job entail? What’s a typical week look like for you?

I’m equipping and empowering young leaders to be authentic witnesses of their faith. I started last Fall by kicking off online Youth Alpha for our youth in grades 7-12. This 10 week program had a great impact on some of our teens. I want- ed to share what some of them said about the experience:

When I asked about their prayer time at the virtual Alpha Weekend Away, one re- sponded, “It was good, it helped me to sort through some dilemmas I was experiencing in my life.” Another said, "[It was] really good – my leaders are so sincere, their prayers have real meaning.” I asked others how their relationship with God was, and one said “Alive and well”, and another responded, "Very strong, and on fire with hope.” I think the big takeaway from online Youth Alpha and online ministry in general is that we can't contain the Holy Spirit. When he moves, he moves, even if it is through a tiny little computer screen.

Since the end of Alpha, we’ve transitioned to in-person Youth Ministry here at the parish, which began this past February.

I spend most of my week prepping for our in-person Youth Night for Grades 7-12, The Rise, which is on Thursdays evenings from 7pm-9pm. This involves a lot of email- ing and communicating with my ministry team, the youth, and their parents. With the help of an incredible team, we are able to serve the teens of Saint Benedict Par- ish, creating a safe space where they can  feel welcomed, accepted, and encounter Christ in a very profound way. We are able to equip them with the necessary tools they need for evangelization and discipleship, so they can share their faith with their family and friends.

When I'm not in my office, I'm working for Nova Scotia Health in the Food and Nutrition Department of the QEll Hospital.

What did you do before you worked at Saint Benedict Parish?
Before joining the staff team at Saint Bene- dict, I was serving as a Catholic missionary with NET Canada, a Catholic ministry that sends out teams of young adults all across the country to challenge high school stu- dents to encounter Christ and embrace the teaching of the Catholic Church. I spent my first year on a travelling team in beautiful Vancouver, BC and my second year on a lo- cal parish team in Summerside, PEI.

What do you like most about working at Saint Benedict Parish?

What I love the most about working at Saint Benedict Parish is how humble yet fiercely driven the staff members are, as they take their jobs seriously, but they don’t take themselves too seriously. It hon- estly makes for such a beautiful working environment full of passion, enthusiasm, and goofiness, all at the same time.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time working here?

My favorite memory at work is by far when I walked into my office and saw a bacon, maple, and caramel donut patiently waiting for me on my desk!

What do you like to do outside of work?

I love eating donuts and playing guitar. Not necessarily at the same time... Although, I'm not going to say I haven't tried that before. If you've been to one of our Sun- day Masses, you would have probably seen me leading worship at some point, which is something I love to do as well – leading people to a place of encounter with Christ through the beautiful gift of music.