Musician shares his inspirational story at St. Patrick Church

Close your eyes and he sounds like any number of other talented guitarists and singers.

Open them and you see a living, breathing example of someone finding their calling despite what appears to be impossible odds.

Tony Melendez, born without arms as a child in Nicaragua, gained fame for his message of desire, hope and love when playing his guitar with his feet for Pope John Paul II in Los Angeles in 1987.

The amazement and joy of his life story was brought to St. Charles last month as more than 700 people filled St. Patrick Church on Crane Road to watch Melendez and his ministry band perform a variety of Christian songs delivered with folk, jazz, rock and country rhythms.

The event marked an emotional finale to a four-day "Here I Am Lord" national vocations conference held at St. Patrick Church. The conference, in its sixth year at the church, featured several workshops, speakers and musicians carrying a message of faith. But Melendez had the young people and their parents in attendance dancing in the aisles and embracing his message to follow the talent God gave you to find your vocation in life -- no matter what obstacles you face.

"You can be like Pope John Paul II and spread your message throughout the world," Melendez said. "Or you can be like your favorite teacher, or be like any hard worker that you know."

Melendez has traveled to more than 40 countries and every state in the U.S. to spread his message and tell his story of being born without arms because his mother was given thalidomide, a drug used to calm morning sickness during pregnancy.

Prior to coming to the United States and trying artificial arms that he found uncomfortable and restraining, Melendez had taught himself to do everything with his toes. As he grew older, that skill with his feet extended beyond day-to-day care.

"God was saying to me, 'Tony you have to work, you have to sing,' " Melendez said before going into a song with the verse, "I want to, I can, I am moving forward."

An emotional portion of the nearly three-hour show occurred when Melendez' brother, Jose Melendez, came on stage to tell the story of his shame and embarrassment in struggling to find the strength to accept he had a brother without arms.

Jose Melendez told the story as he held a Frisbee in his hand, saying he came to understand and realize through Tony Melendez' determination and strength that "impossible things are possible."

He said that Tony Melendez' always asked him to come outside and throw a Frisbee, but he couldn't see how that would be possible. But when he finally did, he said, "Tony caught the Frisbee between his shoulder and his chin, dropped it to the ground, picked it up with his toes and threw it back so hard at me, it him me right in the nose."

And then relating to the story of the Apostle Thomas doubting that Christ had risen because he had not seen him, Jose Melendez helped everyone in the church believe his story by tossing the Frisbee to his brother. Tony Melendez caught it on his chin, dropped it to the floor and tossed it to the cheering crowd with his foot.

After a couple of songs that had more than 100 young people singing and dancing near the stage, Melendez recognized the irony as an awakening for those in the Catholic faith.

"Just 15 years ago, this would not be going on in a Catholic church during Lent," he said with a wide smile.

Melendez was moved by his appearance before the Pope, which had its defining moment when John Paul II came down from his seat to kiss Melendez and encourage him to spread his message throughout the world.

"To be a little boy from Nicaragua, to then sing in front of the Pope, it was a miracle," Melendez said.

In encouraging people to set aside fears and follow their hearts to find a vocation and joy in life, Melendez reminded attendees that despite his physical handicap, "In the eyes of God, I am complete."

"If I can play the guitar with my feet, I don't want to hear you say 'I can't' in pursuing your dream," Melendez said.

Event organizer Mike Zak said more than 3,500 young people and adults from throughout the western suburbs attended the conference, which St. Patrick now touts as "the largest parish-based vocations event in the United States."

Zak, a parishioner at St. Patrick, said the organizations with displays and literature at the event were not focused entirely on trying to recruit young people to a life in the church.

"This is not religious boot camp," Zak said. "They are not trying to recruit people; what they are trying to do is share the joy of their vocation.

"It is just like a couple being joyful about being married," Zak said. "The same thing with this, these people have made a commitment and they are just as joyful and happy, and that just permeates in the room with the kids they come in contact with."

Zak said "it would be nice" if the conference convinces some young people to enter the church in the immediate future, but he feels that planting a seed for something well in the future is even more important.