You were basically participating in church choirs while you were still in the womb! Did that translate to having a really strong faith all your life?

I think for most of my youth, I was kind of there because my mom was the choir director and I had to be there — I didn’t take church that seriously until this year when I went on retreat in Puerto Rico. That experience really opened up my heart to my faith and made me able to live it here at home on a deeper level. It’s still a process, but I feel like now it’s actually getting serious. I’m understanding my faith more and more.

What was that retreat experience like?

It was hosted by The Villaregia Community in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. They let us stay at their community, and the retreat was hosted by multiple young adults from different youth groups in the country. Everyone was so full of joy; everyone was very mature in their faith. Their faith was very powerful, and their words were very powerful. That got to me, just seeing how people my age were connecting with each other and with their faith, in the bigger world that exists outside of the United States.

You love animals and work with animals currently. What do you love about your job?

Bianca Tapia takes in the natural beauty of Puerto Rico during a retreat that she says deepened her faith and helped her begin living it more intentionally at home. (Submitted photo)

I love the mission of the Wisconsin Humane Society. Right now, I’m an animal caretaker and animal adoption counselor. I work with the animals in the back; I walk the dogs, feed them medication — anything to do with the animals, I’m there. I love knowing their stories. Sometimes they’re surrenders, sometimes they’re strays, but I like getting to know more about them and helping them find a better home or a better life.

Tell me about this Bolivian mission immersion that you’re preparing for in November. What do you hope you will learn from this experience?

It’s an immersion trip, so I’ll be seeing the life of the missionaries, seeing how they serve those communities. I’m so excited to see that, because I feel like that’s going to help me see the bigger picture and see what God has planned for me. Hopefully this helps me understand more what my path is in life.

What brings you joy in your music ministry?

I think music is a very powerful tool. It’s a gift from God that he gave me, to be able to play the piano, and actually give happiness to people in some way. Music is a really big part of our family’s connection with faith. My whole family, they’re musicians in Mexico, and they have their music group, but they also play at church. So, it’s a really big part of our family.

What’s your favorite place to pray?

Anywhere with nature. In summer, I just go to my backyard or some lake areas — somewhere I could just be alone. I feel like nature is a very good way to connect with God.

What do you like about being involved in Iskali Youth Ministry?

My favorite part of ministry with Iskali is being able to give young adults the space to feel welcome and safe, since most of the young adults in our community, around 18 to 30 years old, don’t really have a place to go to after Confirmation. I also enjoy meeting new people who are ready to fire up their faith again and being able to connect with other youth.

Music ministry has been a fixture of Bianca Tapia’s life since before she was even born. Five months pregnant, her mom, Blanca, immigrated to Racine and became a choir director for her parish.

“She basically raised me at church, making music,” says Tapia. “I love that I still get to do that.”

  • She is a graduate of Park High School in Racine and works at the Wisconsin Humane Society in Kenosha.
  • She plays piano, accordion and guitar, and alongside her mother she is still involved in music ministry at St. Patrick (part of the St. Leo the Great Parish). She is also a leader for Iskali Youth Ministry at the parish.
  • She is preparing for a November immersion trip to Bolivia, coordinated through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in partnership with Maryknoll Missions, where she will learn more about missionary efforts of the global church.