V Encuentro Proceedings and Conclusions

44 | Proceedings and Conclusions of the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry summarize and illuminate some of the more commonly mentioned themes. Community life. The first category consists of gifts that can be employed on behalf of the community or gifts that pertain to the commu- nity itself. For example, many people spoke about certain beneficial traits within Hispanic cultures, such as: love for the family, especially care for grandparents; generosity and solidar- ity when someone in the community is facing a crisis; being hard-working; solidarity with fam- ily members in their countries of origin; and love for the Church. Others mentioned spe- cific gifts of individual members, whose use can strengthen community life. Among these are: the many bilingual people in the commu- nity; leadership and communication skills; joy- fulness, energy, and youthfulness; celebration; artistic abilities; openness, devotion, wisdom, and consensus; and loyalty. Readiness to serve. Another constellation of gifts and talents centered on gifts for service. Some of these are very practical abilities, such as computer skills, administration or secre- tarial abilities, construction, gardening, clean- ing, cooking, making music, and so on. Others consisted of attitudes and accomplishments, such as academic or professional studies and experience; generosity with time and talent; professional services; specializedministries like care for the sick and dying, for the bereaved, or for the incarcerated; and mercy, humility, charity, compassion, and love. Many would like to make a difference in the social sphere, dedicating time and energy to promote social justice. Fund-raising was also mentioned as a practical skill that empowers many other min- istries and services to take place. Spiritual gifts and personal skills or strengths. The last two categories consist of gifts for the spiritual life and gifts that have been learned or developed from a God- given potential. Many people spoke of their ability to contribute to the liturgical life of the community in the liturgical ministries or as “prayer warriors” and spiritual guides. For some it was as simple as a sincere desire to seek God as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Others spoke of their ability to write, to sing, to dance, to create music or theatrical pro- ductions or the fine arts; to teach, to give a good example, and to mentor; to translate and interpret between languages; to under- stand and explain the Catholic faith; or they mentioned their innate gifts such as intelli- gence, sociability, sense of humor, and mas- culinity or femininity. Final Observations Behind every “echo” contained in this sec- tion, there are actual human beings who were encountered in the missionary actions of the V Encuentro. It might be easy to get lost in the abstract details gleaned from so many human stories, but it is hoped that these echoes will bring to mind the real and ever-changing people each delegate encountered or whose story inspired them in the course of the Parish, Diocesan, and Regional Encuentros, with all of their struggles, needs, gifts, and dreams. May these people be our inspiration and our beacon as we develop priorities, directions, commitments, and practices for the future of Hispanic ministry. Echoes of the Encounters in the Peripheries