V Encuentro Proceedings and Conclusions

Proceedings and Conclusions of the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry | 157 and young adults, but also to families, people in the peripheries, and immigrants. As we return home with the Good News we have lived, we need to think carefully about the ways in which we will continue the process and efforts of the V Encuentro in our local churches and dioceses. “My brother bishops, our people are ready for leadership, they are already leaders. We must place them in leadership positions at all levels of the Church.” “The people are committed, they are ready to lead. Let us walk together with them, let us walk as brothers and sisters with them.” Closing Remarks – Most Rev. Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S., Archbishop of San Antonio Archbishop García-Siller thanked the bishops throughout the country for accompanying the Encuentro process in communities, parishes, dioceses, and regions. In a special way, he thanked the Holy Father for his words of encouragement both before and during the Encuentro, saying that he is truly Peter for us. Also, he thanked the USCCB staff for giving us this moment, and the many regional leaders for building up the People of God. The Archbishop then summarized his experience of the National Encuentro as a moment of transfiguration. Like Peter when Jesus was transfigured, it is tempting for us to want to stay here. But the Encuentro is not everything... it is the mission, the commitment that, with the glory of God, returns us to the experience of the cross. Juan Diego also had an encuentro with the Holy Virgin Mary and Jesus, and they changed his life forever. Like the Virgin and Juan Diego, after their first mission, they kept missioning. In the same way, Jesus now sends us out on mis- sion once again. It will not be easy, but no one can take away the hope and the joy we have lived in these days of Encuentro. In being sent, said the Archbishop, we are promised the beatitudes, which are a way of the cross. The Lord sends us to help others carry their crosses. That is why we will continue this dis- cernment process of the Encuentro . It has been challenging, but we must continue to discern in our local churches—there is so much more to discover. This is how we will return and share the fire of encounter with Jesus that is burning our hearts. Let us continue to set the world on fire with the Holy Spirit! We are Guadalupanos, ambassadors of the mission the Virgin entrusted to Saint Juan Diego! “Today Jesus sends us out in mission. He is not promising that it will be easy. Of course not! But I tell you...they can’t steal our hope, our joy, what we lived in our hearts during these days!” “Brothers and sisters, it is true that you need accompaniment. And I can tell you, we your Bishops, we have felt so accompanied by you in these days! Thank you!” Rejoicing