V Encuentro Proceedings and Conclusions

Proceedings and Conclusions of the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry | 59 O n Friday, September 21, there were two breakout sessions in which the delegates gathered with peers from their own region. The afternoon Regional Session utilized the identical process that was employed in the morning—see page 49 for a summary description. The note-takers for the afternoon session turned in 309 pages of hand-written table notes, each one contain- ing ideas generated during the conversation and the main idea or top recommendation of the group in response to one of the following two questions: 1. What are the most prophetic ways that the Catholic Church in the United States should prioritize its pastoral care and outreach to Hispanics/Latinos in the peripheries, so they may achieve their hopes and dreams? 2. What are the most prophetic ways that the Catholic Church in the United States should adapt its pastoral ministry and practices to better accompany Hispanics/ Latinos and fully integrate them into the life and leadership of the community? Prioritizing Outreach to Hispanics/Latinos in the Peripheries Plan for a ministry of presence and wel­ come. It is not enough that the V Encuentro did a one-time outreach to the peripheries from the parishes and organizations in the Church. In order to make it a permanent and priority aspect of the Church’s mission, it must be embodied in a pastoral plan at the parish and diocesan levels. The plan must include: preparing leaders to be present to people in the peripheries; identifying the main needs to be addressed locally and allocating human and financial resources to them; ongoing evaluation of structures and programs to ensure that they are addressing the priority concerns in the community; and fostering the formation of a welcoming community in which everyone makes it a habit to personally invite, welcome, and get to know newcom- ers. It may be necessary to review Mass times and schedules for other services to make sure they are accessible to all. The missionary visits to the peripheries were immensely life-giving for the missionary disci- ples in the V Encuentro small-group reflection sessions at the beginning of the process. They also served to make people in the parish more aware of the challenging situations faced by our brothers and sisters in the peripheries. As one table group noted, “In order to be pro- phetic, we need to go out to the people: stop assuming we know what they need and just listen. Then we can empower their gifts, open the church to them, and start thinking with a mentality of abundance.” Once our doors and hearts are open, we will find ways to humbly serve everyone in their own poverty. Personal encounters lead to better service in response to the spiritual, physical, psychological, and social necessities of all. A significant challenge on this path will be ecclesial integration. Providing a greater wel- come to Hispanics/Latinos in the peripheries may make some people feel uncomfortable at first. Our people are not the diversity of the Church—we are the Church, all together as one! Everyone enriches the diversity of the Church, and integration is a gospel value that requires dedication and ongoing Regional Session 2