Hispanic Lay leaders of the Archdiocese reflect on their ministry
On July 8, Saturday, a day of formation for leaders of parishes with Hispanic Ministry was held at the San Juan Pablo II Youth Center in Kearny.
Two hundred men and women – quite a few of them young – from 50 different parishes in the Archdiocese arrived very early, ready to listen, dialogue, pray together, and of course, sing, accompanied by joyful music. That’s what the Fuentes de Vida group from Holy Redeemer Parish in West New York was there for, accompanying them throughout the day.
After the opening prayer, the attendees were greeted by Cardinal Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, in a recorded video, since he could not attend. He expressed his support, reminding them of how important their work is as leaders in their parish communities. The day was led by Alejandro Aguilera-Titus, who was the national director of the V National Hispanic Encounter and who has been, for years, the national head of Hispanic ministry in the United States, under the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Alejandro was the ideal person for the meeting since he has a long pastoral experience of 40 years, both at the diocesan and national levels.
Many of the participants had lived through the V Encuentro process a few years ago and have recently participated in the Synod in their parishes by attending the listening sessions organized in Spanish in small parish groups. Among the requests of all of those sessions held in different environments and languages, was the need for greater participation of the laity in the life of the Church at both the parish and diocesan level. The need for formation of the laity was also highlighted, among other priorities.
With the general theme of “Modeling Jesus’ ministry of encounter and accompaniment,” Alejandro Aguilera initially reviewed the history of the Hispanic presence and ministry in the Church in the United States. Following the theme of the different National Encounters, he analyzed the reality of the Hispanic community over the last 60 years. The vision and mission of the Hispanic ministry in light of the recent National Pastoral Plan for the Hispanic/Latino Ministry was also presented. The highly anticipated document had been approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops the week before. The plan recommends that the entire Church, not just the Hispanics, study it in-depth on how to meld effective pastoral care with a community that grows every day. The document begins with what they have said for years: “At this moment of grace, we the bishops of the United States affirm, once again, that the Hispanic/Latino presence among us is a blessing from God for the Church and for our country”.
Another topic of study was the ecclesial integration of Hispanics within the parish and diocesan structure — a process that can begin in a parish with the sole celebration of a Mass in Spanish until reaching full integration and at all levels of a single parish community. A long process in which all hands and all hearts are needed. A synodal process. The combination of presentations, dialogue in small groups, and sharing of ideas reflected in the group’s dynamism, as well as helped to practice the not-so-easy task of listening to the opinions of others.
The day ended with the celebration of the Eucharist, presided over by Father Bismarck Chau, rector of the Newark Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart and concelebrated by some priests who are very close to the Hispanic ministry. “Let’s go out and spread the Gospel,” was the theme. The parishioners entered with cheerful music and the same music inviting them to the mission accompanied them on their way out.
“When is the next one? Because this must be repeated…” attendees said.
We will meet again, but not just us. The entire Archdiocese has an invitation on Sept. 8 at the Newark Cathedral for the Hispanic Heritage Mass.
Photos Julio y Jose Luis Morales, Hispanic Ministry
