Provincial Encuentro in Charlotte

On August 1, 2015 leaders and Hispanic families from the dioceses of Charlotte, Charleston, Raleigh, Savannah and the Archdiocese of Atlanta, which compose the Ecclesiastical Province of Atlanta, gathered at St. Gabriel Parish in the Diocese of Charlotte, as part of the Regional Hispanic Family Ministry Process which is being carried out by the Southeast Regional Office for Hispanic Ministry and its Pastoral Institute (SEPI) in preparation for the World Meeting of Families in September 2015 and toward the V National Encuentro of Hispanic Ministry in 2018. This last Provincial Encuentro concludes the journey which SEPI’s missionary team has been taking these last few months through the 5 Ecclesiastical Provinces composed of the 30 dioceses in the Southeast Region (Episcopal Regions V and XIV). The Encuentro began with the presence of Most Rev. Peter J. Jugis, JCD, who addressed hispanic leaders who were present and expressed his desires for this Encuentro:

"You have the opportunity to make a very important contribution in this process in preparation for the V National Encuentro of Hispanic Ministry. Today, it is very important to reflect on the challenges that Hispanic families face and how we can better serve them, this is why your contribution to this process is very important. We are grateful to the leadership of SEPI and its’ director, Rev. Rafael Capó in this process. May the Holy Spirit guide you. Pope Francis, who we see here in front of me (pointing to a banner), teaches us with his example, how to behave like the Word of God. We must be joyful disciples on mission, and it is Christ Jesus who we must proclaim with our lives and our ministry. On behalf of all the Bishops in the Province of Atlanta, I thank you for your participation in the Provincial Encuentro. Thank you for your active participation in your parishes, and for the help you give your pastors. Welcome to all! May God bless you, and may the Love and Peace of Jesus Christ reign in your hearts."

According to the survey carried out by SEPI in the months of March and April, in the Province of Atlanta, communication among family members, crisis of faith, living together before marriage, lack of time, migratory restrictions, and language used when raising children were identified as the main challenges for families. While the leaders from the different dioceses discussed pastoral responses, worries and initiatives to respond to the needs of families, a delegation of missionary young adults from the SEPI team worked on these same subjects with the youth. The Encuentro concluded with a plenary session to summarize the day’s work, followed by Pope Francis’ prayer for families, the joyful song composed by Cardinal Madariaga "La Alegría del Evangelio", and a special sending forth presided by Rev. Rafael Capó.

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