V Encuentro Proceedings and Conclusions

Proceedings and Conclusions of the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry | 99 • About 50 percent of lay Catholics enrolled in ministry formation programs are Hispanic, although only 17 percent of them are in degree-granting programs. • Many Hispanic immigrants are already well-versed in the language of Pope Francis’ pontificate (e.g., missionary discipleship, a church that goes forth, etc.) due to their involvement in evangelizing activities in their countries of origin. This is an important resource for the Church. III. Top Recommendations from the National Encuentro • Family. Inculturated, continuous family formation that focuses on maintaining and enlivening religio- cultural traditions and living faithfully amid the challenges of the contemporary world and the biculturalism of the children. • Leadership formation. Ongoing leadership formation—including clergy—that includes the cultural competencies of those being formed, new methodologies, and the needs of the people. • Support. Every diocese and parish must have a functioning budget for comprehensive lifelong faith formation and adequate staffing with ministry leaders who have the cultural and linguistic competence to recognize and address the spiritual and formative needs of their community. IV. Successful and Exemplary Practices • Lifelong/ongoing formation in English and Spanish: » » Involve all family members and the whole community, including leaders. » » Start from the reality of the community—their life experience, use of technology, current events affecting their lives, etc. » » Help people to have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ in community. » » Catechesis that forms people as missionary disciples and transforms the Church into “a Church on the move”—going out to their families and neighborhoods. • Formation of leaders that encompasses the whole person as child of God and minister with respect to their human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral development, with pathways to advanced degrees for those who are so called. • Regional collaboration with regard to pastoral planning; curriculum and guidelines for catechetical formation and sacramental preparation; evaluation of resources for use in Hispanic communities; and best practices and new initiatives. • Increase the accessibility of Catholic education with a focus on stewardship within the community and the involvement of foundations that can help subsidize the costs. • Accompaniment at different levels: » » Forming families to accompany other families, especially newlyweds and families with children, adolescents, families with special needs, military, recent immigrants, migrant workers, families separated by deportation, detention, etc. » » Accompaniment of new leaders through the process of formation. » » Form small ecclesial communities in the parish and neighborhoods, paying attention to contact those who missed a session. • Hispanic/Latino catechetical programs with attention to hospitality, welcoming environment, community, spirituality, encuentro, bible study, Hispanic/Latino spirituality, and food. Ministerial Area Sessions