Hispanic leaders meet, share information
JACKSON - Hispanic leaders, invited by the diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry, gathered Jan. 25 at St. Peter the Apostle parish center to discuss ideas and share information
The focus of the meeting centered on the vision of creating unity among all Catholics in the diocese.
“We are one church,” said Sister Jo Ann Villademoros, lay ecclesial minister at Shelby St. Mary Parish. “We need to work to achieve a mutual relationship among all in the parish to make everyone feel part of that community,” she said.
After presenting their blessings (hospitality, a young community, growth and participation) and challenges (mobile community, priorities and cultural integration) which they acknowledged were not the same in all areas, participants concentrated their attention on ways to integrate Hispanics into the parish community and how to share their faith as one church.
It was understood by all this is not something that happens overnight but participants agreed it can be achieved slowly, building upon possibilities and opportunities.
Sigifredo Bonilla, pastoral minister at Ripley St. Matthew Mission, said ways to unite members of the Catholic community include having a representative of the Hispanic community on the parish pastoral council and having social activities where all parishioners celebrate together.
Father Lenín Vargas, pastoral associate of the Catholic Community of Meridian, considers the Office of Hispanic Ministry in the diocese “a blessing.”
“It’s a blessing we have to take advantage of,” he said, “considering not all dioceses have one.” But, he added, “We have to work so they (diocese) can put us to work.”
Father Vargas asked participants to ponder if as a diocese, all communities are going in the same direction, if they are taking a different approach and if they all are looking to achieve unity among diversity.
Those present gave examples of activities and programs they are implementing in their communities to share their faith and culture with other members of the church that may include not only Anglos and African-Americans but nationals from other countries.
Brother Dausch announced the first Hispanic youth encuentro in the diocese will be held in two different areas: in Tupelo on May 30 and in Canton on June 6. Both will have the same program.
Participants suggested meeting more often to go over plans, vision, and goals.
“We don’t want to give the impression the Office of Hispanic Ministry only organizes the annual Hispanic Encuentro,” Elquin González, Hispanic minister at Tupelo St. James Parish, said. “The office does much more than that and is always aware and cares about what is going on in the different communities,” he said.
Other representatives from the Hispanic community attending the meeting were: Sister Pat Godri, lay ecclesial minister at Carthage St. Ann Parish; Sisters Yesenia Fernández and Verónica Valencia from Forest St. Michael Parish and Morton St. Martin Center; Father Mario Solórzano, pastoral associate at Madison St. Francis of Assisi Parish; Brother Andrew Brophy of Greenwood Sacred Heart Parish; Blanca Peralta and Adriana Moreno from Canton Sacred Heart Parish.
