Diocesan training for the Hispanic/Latino Ministry program attracts faithful
By Blanca Primm
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)
On March 22, an event was held that brought together more than 170 parishioners who, in coordination with their pastors, came from 19 parishes across the Diocese of Knoxville.
It was a day of prayer and pastoral work that included practical training on the content of the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in the summer of 2023.
The plan, titled “Missionary Disciples Going Forth with Joy,” is a 10-year program designed to strengthen Hispanic/Latino ministry by enabling Hispanic leadership formation and missionary service to the Church.
In the first part of the plan, the bishops reaffirm the gift that is the presence of the Hispanic community by highlighting its missionary and prophetic call, its deep faith, its practice rich in traditions and authentic Marian devotion, its active participation in ecclesial movements, as well as its deep appreciation for the family and its cultural values that contribute to the diversity and vitality of the Church in the United States.
The training was developed using the See, Discern, and Act methodology in which the current reality is taken into account, showcasing that the needs of the parish communities are diverse and unique to each parish, although many are common to each other.
This fact is illuminated in the light of the Gospel and with the help of the Holy Spirit and the magisterium of the Church, in its various documents that provide guidance on how to respond pastorally as a diocesan and parish Catholic community.
Bishop Mark Beckman is joined by altar servers at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus following Mass on March 22 that was celebrated as part of the diocesan in-service on the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry. (Photo Blanca Palacios)
The encounter with the living Christ can only lead us to a transformation that translates into action, which we can put into practice in communities in an intentional way, through the elaboration of an organized pastoral plan that responds to these needs in the parishes.
We know that there are parishes with larger populations than others, some with greater human and material resources than others, but with all our limitations we are called to be missionary disciples and to continue going out to bring the good news in our communities and in the peripheries.
Dr. Olga Villar, executive director of the Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI), joined local presenters Magdiel Argueta, who serves as coordinator of Pastoral Juvenil (Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry) for the Diocese of Knoxville and myself. Discussed during the day was the national reality of the blessings and challenges as well as opportunities and advances of Hispanic ministry at the national and local levels.
Also discussed were the 10 priority areas that need to be worked on and developed during the life of the national plan, which is to be integrated into the Hispanic Diocesan Plan. Both plans have a focus coming from the consultation process, leadership development, and missionary activity of the national process of the V Encounter of Hispanic/Latino Ministry.
Regarding the steps to follow in this process of implementing the plan at the parish level, Dr. Villar commented, “The next steps after this meeting are to encourage the creation of pastoral plans at the parish level, which actively involve together the communities with their pastors and pastoral leaders. The aim is to train these leaders so that they can carry out the processes using the methodology of See, Discern, Act, Celebrate, and Evaluate, which facilitates a constantly updated pastoral response, adapted to an ever-changing social reality.”
Thirty percent of the diocesan in-service participants were young adults under the age of 35, “which is evidence of the growing commitment and desire for involvement of the new generations in the pastoral life of the Church” said Mr. Argueta, who also mentioned the contribution of young people in this implementation of the plan. “I am convinced that the participation of young people was extremely significant since they brought an updated perspective and a more empathetic and welcoming look, which complements very well the wisdom and experience of the older generations. Their sensitivity to the challenges of today’s world profoundly enriches pastoral discernment.”
An important highlight that the bishops recognize in the mission and vision of the plan is the context of a culturally diverse society. It is in this context that we are asked to respond openly to accompany our brothers and sisters on the peripheries, to create a culture of encounter, to be promoters of justice and mercy, to provide integral formation inspired by the Word of God and transformed by the Eucharist.
Our mission includes proclaiming the Gospel with joy and preserving our common home. In looking at the mestizo face of Maria of Guadalupe we find the inspiration and example of a perfect inculturation of the Gospel.
Carlos Mencias from St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga said, “I think it is very important that the pastoral plan is very focused on uniting all Catholics regardless of our country of origin or language, because in this country we find people from different countries, languages, and cultures who share the same faith and seek the same goal, which is to grow our faith and seek God in the different parishes and groups available.”
We are grateful for the support of Bishop Mark Beckman in this training process and for celebrating the closing Mass, which was held in the Cathedral Hall on the campus of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, with the participation of the Hispanic choir of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Lenoir City.
Father Jhon Mario Garcia, an associate pastor of the cathedral, concelebrated the Mass, and serving as deacons of the Word and Eucharist were Fredy Vargas and Salvador Soriano. Deacon Walt Otey was master of ceremonies.
Bishop Beckman, offering a great homily for all of us, committing us to serve the Church with generosity, told us: “A moment ago I was talking to Blanca, and she told me about the fire that has been lit in this place, and so fitting, Moses came to a bush on flame but not burned.”
“The fire that Moses witnessed was the fire of God’s love. A burning love for his people. He saw the suffering, he witnessed it, he heard it, he knew it. The heart of God is always with the suffering people, and the Lord God could have chosen any way to set His people free and yet He chose to reach out to Moses. The Lord wanted to partner with Moses, an authentic friendship. … And Moses responds with ‘Who am I to go to Pharaoh? Why me?’ If you read the whole story, he has about five or six objections to the Lord. But the Lord wants to be in partnership with Moses. And finally, Moses says ‘Yes.’ And because of this, we, too, are invited by the Lord into a sacred partnership today.
“The Lord is calling each one of you just as He called Moses. He wants you to be His partner and His friend as we spread the fire of His love in our world today. So, dear people of God, are you ready to do this?” the bishop asked as he continued.
Everyone answered: “Yes!” And the bishop blessed us saying, “Yes, magnificent! May the Holy Spirit, the fire of God’s love, indeed give us every gift we need to carry forth this mission!”
Blanca Primm serves as director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Knoxville.