Tony Melendez, a renowned toe-picking Catholic guitarist born without arms, says let God use you, take you to places, and you be the instrument that God plays. Melendez's life was forever changed in 1987 when he played his guitar for Pope John Paul II in Los Angeles, and the Pope approached him afterward from the stage to kiss him in appreciation. Melendez says his phone hasn't stopped ringing since that moment, and he continues to perform 15-20 concerts a month.

On this latest episode of Beyond The Beacon, Melendez recounts this story and more with the Diocese of Paterson's Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish before taking the stage for a concert at Sacred Heart & Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Dover, N.J.

Show Notes:
Tony Melendez's website with Pope John Paul II video encounter
Tony Melendez on Spotify
Tony Melendez on Apple Music
"Inspiring toe-picking guitarist amps up hope at Dover concert"
"Join America’s Catholics in Sacred Heart consecration in June"
"Registration now open for National Eucharistic Pilgrimage events in Paterson Diocese"
"Two new priests begin ministry following June 13 ordination"
"8 men to be ordained permanent deacons May 30"

Email questions and topic ideas to Bishop Kevin at beyond@patersondiocese.org.

Produced by Jai Agnish and Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney for the Diocese of Paterson. Engineered, edited, and theme song by Jai Agnish. Illustrations by Dennis Dalelio. Additional video editing by Cecile Pagliarulo. Special thanks to Father Edgar Rivera and Father Leonardo López of Sacred Heart & Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish. Michael Wojcik contributed to this episode description.

Beyond The Beacon on Instagram and Facebook. Bishop Kevin on Instagram. The Diocese of Paterson on Instagram, Facebook (English) / Facebook (Spanish).

Every three years, each Diocese in the USA has the graced opportunity to make a scheduled pilgrimage as one Diocesan family with their Bishop to the National Shrine in the nation's capital. 2026 is once again "our year!" Please note the two-day and one-day options: Oct. 16, Friday, and Oct. 17, Saturday. Visit the Diocese of Paterson website here to learn more!

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