V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry

On Sept. 20-23, the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry of theUnited States was held in Grapevine, Texas, with 3,200 delegates from the different parishes, dioceses and institutions of the country and 130 bishops, including our Bishop Paul Bradley.

Delegates from our diocese were Father Fabio  Garzon, Xochitl Flores, Sandra Rayas, Lizbeth Fuentes, Sister Maria Eugenia Gomez and Sister  Yuliana  Rua.

The first moment was crucial; the initial ceremony was preceded by the representative crosses from all the regions of the country and the pope’s message to the Hispanic community: “Consider how the local churches can better respond to the growing presence of Hispanics, to the gifts and the power of the community.” This is the first step, “ primerear.”

The theme of the V National Encuentro, to be missionary disciples: witnesses of God’s love, sets us on the path of service and love  toward  others,  fostering our own encounter with God first, and then with our brothers and sisters.

In the section by regions, we, as Region VI, concluded that we are a Church that is involved, with works and deeds, with concrete actions; that we are where they need us, where we can serve; and we have a lot to work on.

We not only need to be involved. There must be accompaniment where we can listen andbe heard, valued, accepted to continue in a better path of missionary disciples. That is why the insistent call was heard in relation to the company of the shepherds to their sheep.

There was also a moment for young people in which we could share with the bishops and ask them questions, some very serious and others of personal curiosity. The bishops were very open to answer; Hispanic Catholic youths are ready to serve the Church, this was the cry of many.

We need to bear fruit, and that fruit must be of holiness, of witness. We Hispanics need to be true and courageous witnesses who, even in the midst of the great hailstorms of the times, can recover and produce, but only if we are united to the vine that is Christ.

We must also recognize what we lack, what is a priority for the Hispanic Church of this moment. Emerging as main points were to work with the youth, giving them opportunities to exercise theirleadership; the family, domestic church,
especially family catechesis and counseling for couples; and formation for leaders, because many want to serve, but they do not know how.

The V  Encuentro does  not  end  here. Everyone who is Hispanic must continue it.

Priorities that emerged at the diocesan level are: Youth and Vocations, The Families, Formation, Evangelization, Ministries for Youth,  Spiritual  Life,  Social  Justice  and
Immigration.