V Encuentro Proceedings and Conclusions

Proceedings and Conclusions of the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry | 11 T he V National Encuentro of Hispanic/ Latino Ministry is a four-year process of ecclesial reflection and action that invites all Catholics in the United States to intense missionary activity, consultation, lead- ership development, and identification of suc- cessful ministerial practices in the spirit of the New Evangelization. The V Encuentro started at the grass-roots level, namely in small groups in parishes, schools, movements, and other Catholic organizations, calling for the development of resources and initiatives to better serve the fast-growing Hispanic pop- ulation throughout the country, in light of the theme: Missionary Disciples: Witnesses of God’s Love. THE CALL TO A V NATIONAL ENCUENTRO On June 9, 2013 in San Diego, CA, the USCCB Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs (SCHA) agreed to gather with the pastoral leaders of the Hispanic/Latino community to engage again in the process of Encuentro . The V Encuentro was convened in the con- text of the New Evangelization and empha- sized the importance of involving young, sec- ond and third generation Hispanics/Latinos. Bishops Arturo Cepeda of the Archdiocese of Detroit, Gerald Barnes of the Diocese of San Bernardino, Nelson Pérez of the Diocese of Rockville Center, and Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller,M.Sp.S. of theArchdioceseof San Antonio were elected by the Subcommittee to lead the Encuentro process. Bishop Cepeda assembled leaders of national organizations for Hispanic ministry on August 29, 2013 in Las Vegas, NV, for a preliminary conversation concerning the initiative of a V Encuentro. Previous Encuentros served as the backbone and set the direction for the growth of Hispanic/Latino ministry. They provided Process and Methodology of the V National Encuentro