V Encuentro Proceedings and Conclusions

Proceedings and Conclusions of the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry | 87 II. Social and Religious Context in Hispanic Ministry • The Hispanic/Latino community generally lacks training on how to care for the environment to leave a better world for future generations. It is necessary to make people aware of the impact of human activity and create a spirituality of reverence for creation as a gift from God. The information must be available in Spanish. • In the regional consultation, one delegate observed: “we come from a third world country and we do not have a culture of environmental care, nor are there resources for a culture of recycling”. • Environmental degradation and the use of toxic chemicals has a harmful effect on the health of agricultural and industrial workers, many of whom are Latino. • Pollution of the environment is a serious problem in most of the low-income communities where many Latinos live. • For many Hispanics, a vision of integral ecology where everything is connected harmonizes well with the agricultural lifestyle and spirituality of caring for and receiving the fruits of the land common in their native countries. There is a real opportunity to build on that connection in Hispanic communities. III. Top Recommendations from the National Encuentro • There is a great need for education and pastoral and spiritual formation with respect to care for creation in the spirit of Laudato Si’ . Parishes and dioceses should respond to this need generously, with materials and formation in both English and Spanish. • Care for creation encompasses a series of challenges and problems, such as the call for an integral ecology, but more work is needed to discern how to put into practice an integral ecology in parishes and dioceses. • Parishes and pastoral leaders (bishop, priests, deacons, parish community) should give a personal witness to environmental care, and the parish should be a model of conservation. • Education on climate change as a reality needs to be strengthened within Hispanic communities, with guidelines to implement integral ecology at the local level (community, parish, diocese) and mentorship in engaging the political process to effect change. IV. Successful and Exemplary Practices • Diocesan or parish gardens where the principles of Laudato Si’ can be put into practice. • Transportation ministry for bringing people without automobiles or who do not drive to Church. This service could include providing information about how to use public transportation to get to Mass, carpooling, and developing supportive relationships in the community to encourage attendance. • Educate parish communities about the most effective ways to conserve the environment and implement these at all parish functions: eliminate plastic and foam of all kinds; composting; promote healthy eating by incorporating more locally harvested foods and limiting animal by-products. • Information and education for families on the topic of ecological practices in the home. • Support local initiatives that recycle clothing, which helps to conserve the environment: Savers, clothing drives, Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. • Make connections between ecology, energy saving, economic stewardship, healthy food, work, sexual integrity, caring for the poor, elderly and children, family life, and prayer. • Make connections in homilies and through bulletins, websites, etc. between our Catholic faith and the call to environmental stewardship. • Share resources about climate change—videos, documentaries, books, and activities—with families and parish communities. Ministerial Area Sessions