V Encuentro Proceedings and Conclusions

Proceedings and Conclusions of the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry | 189 Appendix D REGION IX Pastoral Profile of Region IX in Hispanic/Latino Ministry • Region IX includes the states of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri; the Archdioceses of Dubuque, Kansas City KS, Omaha, and St. Louis; and the Dioceses de Davenport, Des Moines, Dodge City, Grand Island, Jefferson City, Kansas City-St. Joseph, Lincoln, Salina, Sioux City, Springfield-Cape Girardeau, and Wichita. • Diocesan personnel dedicated to Hispanic ministry in the Region: • In offices of Hispanic ministry: 51 18 • Responsible for pastoral juvenil hispana: 2 • In ethnic/multicultural or other specialized offices: 3 • Office personnel assisting these leaders: 4 • Estimated Hispanic Catholic population: • 217,000 immigrant Hispanic Catholics • 322,000 Hispanic Catholics born in the U.S. • 20% of the Catholics in the Region are Hispanic/Latino • Parishes with Hispanic/Latino ministry: 165 • Masses in Spanish: • Weekly Masses: 205 • Once-a-month Masses: 25 • Average attendance per Mass: 251 ( 10.7% of all Hispanic Catholics) • Among Catholic children from 0 to 17 years old: • 30% are Hispanics/Latinos born in the U.S. • 3% are immigrant Hispanics/Latinos • In K-8 Catholic schools, 9.1% are Hispanics/Latinos • In Catholic high schools, 7.5% are Hispanics/Latinos • Hispanic/Latino ecclesial ministers serving in the Region: • Immigrant priests: 40 • U.S.-born priests: 15 • Religious sisters and brothers: 102 • Deacons: 30 • Lay ecclesial ministers: 133 The V Encuentro in Region IX • Sent 70 delegates to the National Encuentro , including 2 ENAVE/ERAVE and 4 bishops . • The Regional Encuentro was celebrated with 144 delegates and 3 bishops. • 14 Diocesan Encuentro s were celebrated, with total attendance of 1,461. • 100 parishes/organizations conducted the five sessions and 74 held a Parish Encuentro. • 1,403 leaders from 106 parishes received training for the V Encuentro in 47 trainings. • Main areas of new outreach in parishes through the V Encuentro : • Hispanic/Latino young adults • Migrants and campesinos in rural areas • Homeless people 51 May include personnel in other offices when their responsibility is for the Latino community, such as the Director of Hispanic Catechesis. The Presence of the “Quiet” Dioceses Made Us All Happy The V Encuentro process provided a more strategic and intentional opportunity to highlight the significance of Hispanic ministry in our respective dioceses. We received not only financial support but pastoral encouragement to enter the process from the bishops in our Regional Encuentro . The collaboration of the regional team in working out the details was excellent, and the presence of dioceses that were previously somewhat “quiet” enlivened the regional process. The presence of the ecclesial movements was also visible at the Diocesan and Regional Encuentros . The youth and young adults challenge the Church to be more responsive about social injustices in our Region as they follow the call of Pope Frances to go out to where the marginalized are. They responded very well to the call for service to other Hispanic youth and young adult leaders across the region, by traveling to other states to offer their leadership skills at other parishes, and they thirst for the opportunity to hold leadership positions and receive more formation. Glory to God!