'I want to give back to the Lord’: Teen musician and church volunteer inspires community in Melbourne

Juanito Reinelle Collantes discovered his calling as an altar server at the age of three. After moving to Melbourne, he continued serving and was formally appointed at nine; today, he leads the Filipino church choir as pianist and conductor across various Roman Catholic parishes in Victoria.

Juanito Reinelle Collantes, an altar server, musician, and choir conductor, says his parents, Lili-Anne and Reinhold Juan, taught him to strengthen his faith and use his talents to glorify the Lord. Credit: Juanito Collantes

Key Points

• 15-year-old Juanito Reinelle Collantes has been a member of the Australian Children’s Choir for over five years. He is also the only child of pharmacist Lili-Anne and engineer Reinhold Juan Collantes from Melbourne.
• He formally began serving as an altar server at nine, later took on the role of pianist, and today leads the church choir as its conductor.
• Juanito credits his parents for teaching him to deepen his faith and to use his gifts and talents in service of glorifying the Lord.
• The Lenten season is a sacred period of faith, spanning 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Week before Easter Sunday, when the faithful pray, make sacrifices, and renew their devotion to God in preparation for Jesus’ resurrection.

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'I want to give back to the Lord’: Teen musician and church volunteer inspires community in Melbourne

SBS Filipino

12:13Filipino

I feel so happy and blessed standing beside the priest, carrying the candles, playing the piano while my mom plays the flute, which feels like a special bonding moment, and I am grateful to be in this place, using my talents as a way of giving back to the Lord for all the opportunities He has given me.

Juanito Reinelle Collantes, altar server, pianist and choir conductor, Melbourne

Juanito Reinelle Collantes discovered his calling as an altar server at just three years old. When he moved to Melbourne at six, he continued serving the church, and by nine, he was officially appointed as an altar server. Today, he also mentors and guides the next generation of recruits. Credit: Juanito Collantes

In 2024, Juanito Reinelle Collantes began serving as a choir conductor, leading not only Filipino community church choirs but also choirs in local Australian parishes, sharing his gift of music with a wider community in Melbourne. Credit: Juanito Collantes

According to Juanito Collantes, his main purpose is to serve God through his talents. He also treasures these moments as special bonding times with his mother, who plays the flute while he plays the piano, and sometimes he leads as the choir conductor. Credit: Juanito Collantes

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