V Encuentro Proceedings and Conclusions

Proceedings and Conclusions of the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry | 19 F romthe timeof the I Encuentro, Hispanic/ Latino ministry in the United States has drawn from the rich tradition of pasto- ral discernment and leadership formation developed in Latin America, adapted to the needs of immigrant and U.S.-born Latinos in this country. With his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis has brought that vision to the whole Church throughout the world. As one of the priority activities of the USCCB’s 2017-2020 Strategic Plan under the theme “Encountering the Mercy of Christ and Accompanying His People with Joy,” the V Encuentro process was inspired by the Holy Father’s exhortation and designed as a model of evangelization and ministry “in a mission- ary key” (cf. EG 33-35). The V Encuentro was intentionally built on a foundation of formative processes so that all who participate might grow as missionary disciples and witnesses of God’s love, ready to serve the entire Church and society in the United States through the abundant gifts bestowed on the Hispanic/Latino commu- nity. In addition, the conclusions of the con- sultation as presented in this document are deeply grounded in the lived experience of the community and provide a solid frame- work for the development of new or renewed pastoral responses, plans, initiatives, and pro- grams. As such, the V Encuentro serves as an experiential model and a reliable guide for Hispanic/Latino ministry in the United States. V ENCUENTRO AND THE HISTORICAL MEMORY OF THE ENCUENTROS IN HISPANIC MINISTRY The Hispanic/Latino community in the Catholic Church of the United States is in a very different place today than it was fifty years ago, thanks in no small part to the pioneering work that was carried out in the V Encuentro as a Model and Guide for Hispanic/Latino Ministry in the United States