V Encuentro Proceedings and Conclusions

Proceedings and Conclusions of the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry | 221 Acculturation: The process by which peo- ple adapt to a new culture and different cul- tures are transformed when they come into sustained contact with one another. There is always a mutual transformation that takes place, although it is common for the numer- ically smaller or less powerful group—espe- cially if they are immigrants to an established cultural milieu—to undergo the greater trans- formation by learning the language and cul- tural norms of the host culture. Accompaniment or Acompañamiento : This term, especially in its Spanish form, conveys the pastoral attitude of journeying together in a stable relationship of prayerful and spir- itual support. Guidance is provided through empathy, solidarity, and constant witness to the eternal goal—the reign of God—with a determination never to leave the person abandoned or alone. Adolescent: Young people typically between 13 and 17 years of age. In the United States they have not yet reached the age of assum- ing full responsibility for their own actions and lives, which legally occurs at age 18. Developmentally, the capacity for critical anal- ysis and abstract thinking takes shape; and hormonal and emotional changes prepare the young person physically and affectively for adulthood. It is an ideal time to focus on vocational discernment, personal agency in the spiritual life, and leadership. Assimilation: Assimilation is an acculturation process by which immigrants and especially their descendants gradually give up their language, culture, values, and traditions, 64 Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church , 19. replacing them with those of the prevalent culture. In the Church’s evangelizing mission, assimilation should never be a prerequisite for receiving the proclamation of the Good News and pastoral services. For a contrasting approach, see Ecclesial Integration. Catholic Social Teaching (CST): The social teaching of the Church is a wealth of practical wisdom about the interrelatedness of social justice, personal holiness, and the evangeliz- ing mission of the Church. In its social doc- trine, the Church proposes to all men and women for their consideration and action “a humanism that is up to the standards of God’s plan of love in history, an integral and solidary humanism capable of creating a new social, economic and political order, founded on the dignity and freedom of every human person, to be brought about in peace, justice, and soli- darity.” 64 In modern times, CST has been articu- lated through a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents, starting with the encycli- cal Rerum Novarum, issued by Pope Leo XIII in 1891. See also Social Mission. Church that Goes Forth: The more commonly known version of this phrase is in Spanish: Iglesia en salida. It is a phrase originated by Pope Francis to describe the command of our Lord to “go and make disciples.” (Mt 28:19) All are asked to obey this call to go forth from our own comfort zone to reach all the peripheries in need of the light of the Gospel. ( Evangelii Gaudium, 20) Civilization of Love: Pope Paul VI coined this term in his homily on Christmas day in 1975, shortly after he issued his Apostolic Glossary