V Encuentro Proceedings and Conclusions

Proceedings and Conclusions of the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry | 133 V. Resources The following resources were recommended by presenters and participants of the V National Encuentro : • National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD, http://www.ncpd.org/ ). • National Catholic Office for the Deaf (NCOD, http://www.ncod.org/) . • University of Dayton Institute for Pastoral Initiatives: Certificate Program ( https://vlcff.udayton.edu/ certificates/special_needs.php ) and Catechetical Resources ( https://udayton.edu/artssciences/ctr/ipi/ inclusive_catechesis_resources/index.php ). • Loyola Press, Adaptive Catechetical Resources for Children with Special Needs ( https://www.loyolapress. com/faith-formation/special-needs ). • Sadlier Religion, Inclusion Resources ( https://www.sadlier.com/religion/inclusion-resources ). • Our Sunday Visitor, Special Learning Needs ( https://www.orderosv.com/product-category/faith-formation/ special-learning-needs ). VI. Ministerial Area Team • Episcopal Moderators: Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston; and Most Rev. Michael Sis, Bishop of San Angelo. • Co-Leaders: Jan Benton and Esther García. • Panelists: Aracely Baeza, Lissette Mira-Amaya, and Katie Locus. 22. MINISTRY OF HISPANIC YOUNG ADULTS I. Vision Hispanic Young Adults are currently engaging in high-quality pastoral ministry – they must be affirmed in this. They are uniquely situated as bridge people between cultures, languages, generations, and ecclesial experiences, providing the essential link between the Church of today and the Church of tomorrow. The full realization of their potential to transform the Church and the world will be realized by responding to their pressing pastoral ministry needs and engaging them as protagonists in that response. II. Social and Religious Context in Hispanic Ministry • Hispanic young adult ministries ( pastoral juvenil hispana ), which in many instances are very organized and draw a large number of young adults to the Church, have less acceptance and support from some pastors and church leaders than ministries targeted to English-dominant young adults. • Hispanic/Latino young adults want to be recognized, welcomed, and engaged in their parish communities. • Parishes need to be much more effective in providing meaningful engagement of young adults within their communities, including relationships with the pastor and pastoral staff, liturgical involvement, catechesis and integral formation, and especially involvement in leadership and decision-making bodies. • Transitions in the lives of young adults must be given special attention. The transition from high school to college and/or employment is a crucial moment, and transitions involving residence, romantic or parental relationships, or starting families are also key. • Latino young adults in the peripheries have significant needs that require a pastoral response and accompaniment. The incarcerated, those in gangs, the addicted, those suffering with mental illnesses, immigrants, DACA recipients, and the unemployed or underemployed are all most often young adults. • With about half of all Catholics between 18 and 35 being Hispanic, and nearly 75% of them being immigrants or the children of immigrants, most Hispanic young adults can be “bridge people” who are bicultural and bilingual. Ministerial Area Sessions