By Deacon Asterio Velasco / Guest Contributor
“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.”
This is how the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry begins, a document approved a year ago by the Catholic bishops of the United States. This plan acknowledges the importance of Hispanics and Latinos in the Church, as well as the contributions they have made and the gifts they bring.
Inspired by this plan – a fruit of the Fifth National Encuentro – each diocese in the nation (and subsequently each parish) – has the task of developing its own plan to better respond to its local needs. To assist in this process, the directors of Hispanic Ministry from the dioceses of New Jersey and Pennsylvania (Region 3) organized a study day June 15 at the Saint John Paul II Youth Center, Kearny, in the Archdiocese of Newark.
The day included lectures and group work, the sharing of ideas and practicing of active listening. All of this was interspersed with moments of prayer and accompanied by the music of Locuras por Cristo from the Parish of Mount Carmel in Jersey City. Cardinal Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, celebrated Mass.
More than 200 delegates attended, including nearly 50 from the Diocese of Camden.
“It was a special day. We put Jesus as the center of our region, and at the same time, we obtained tools for the implementation of the Pastoral Plan in each one of our dioceses,” said Andrés Arango, Bishop’s Delegate for Hispanic Ministry and director of evangelization for the Diocese of Camden. “We have been listening to the needs of the Hispanic community and, through a process of joint pastoral discernment, we are called to act in response to those needs.”
Enrique Rocha, 56, Hispanic Ministry coordinator at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine in Lindenwold, said the gathering “was very beautiful, very complete with good information about the pastoral plan. … The faith is very important for my family; it gives us the basis to have love for our neighbor, love for life and respect for the community.”
Rocha, who was born in Mexico, said that within Hispanic Ministry, it is important to celebrate and appreciate the diversity and similarities of those from all Latin American countries.
Patricia Aponte serves in Hispanic ministry leadership at the Parish of Saint Monica in Atlantic City. “The event was of great importance and impact. Through it, Hispanic leaders can learn how our Diocese is creating awareness of our participation at the diocesan and parish levels, just as we can express our ideas, doubts and suggestions for better ministerial management in our community.”
She also noted, “The Catholic faith is fundamental and a pillar of our family. I am Colombian and I come from ancestors and parents committed to our Church who have instilled in us the value of faith, religion and spirituality in our lives.”
Learn more about the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ bilingual publication “Missionary Disciples Going Forth with Joy: National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry.”
This article was written by Deacon Asterio Velasco of the Archdiocese of Newark, with correspondent Armando Machado contributing.
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