Region XIV Committed to the V Encuentro!

We are at a historic moment in which inspiration, blessings, and the love of God continues to guide us towards God's kingdom. It is the love of Jesus Christ who calls us and invites us to "go and make disciples of all nations," (Matthew 28:19). This call means that we must take into account the reality that surrounds us and we need to start in our own churches and neighborhoods to speak up with more energy for those who are unable to find a voice that will represent them, or those who are ignored and discarded by our society. And how does the Catholic Church do that? It calls upon us to once again to SEE, JUDGE and ACT! That's what the V Encuentro calls us to do, and to do this we must start with ourselves! To prepare for that Encuentro, region XIV together with our anchoring institution, SEPI (Southeast Pastoral Institute), organized a meeting of diocesan leadership to strengthen the work of Encuentro and meet the goals according to the proposed dates from the national team, ENHAVE (National Team pathways towards V Meeting). Our meeting took place in the Diocese of St. Petersburg during the 27th and 28th October 2015 in Bethany Center, one of the most beautiful retreat centers in the nation. That meeting was attended by directors and diocesan coordinators of Hispanic Ministry from the region along with some volunteers from their ministries. During that meeting and collaboration, it was emphasized the historical moment for our Church, and the importance of this Encuentro for the Catholic Church today. Why in my opinion is it crucial? Because we need to provide a more real and concrete response to the needs we are seeing in our communities. During the meeting two areas of concern and urgency were highlighted, and the same are highlighted by other areas of ministry at a national level. They include are the need to provide a more specific response to Hispanic youth and refocus our attention on the domestic church, the family, taking them both to be Christ-centered and missionary disciples. This deficiency of pastoral care for youth and weakening of the family continues to grow exponentially in the southeastern United States. They are enhanced by the tremendous growth of our Hispanic population in the area. In some dioceses, there is a need for more training of bilingual Hispanic leaders and priests or others who understand and relate to our culture. This reality calls us to be innovative, to act with love and mercy, and to respond with much more concrete and creative ideas. My dream remains that this process will invite us to a more united Church that shares values, and is enhanced by the immense richness of the Hispanic cultures that compose it. A dream that I know will become a reality in our faith.

It is an honor to have been chosen as representative of our region for this process of Encuentro, and I pledge that united, our directors and coordinators will continue to advocate for the needs of our people and the Church as a whole. But remember that the process has not begun today, or will not begin tomorrow, the process is ongoing and started more than 40 years ago with the First Encuentro of Hispanic Ministry. Many have worked to provide answers to a Church that was thirsting for the love of God. Since then we have identified ourselves as a "Church on the Move," and this distinguishes us and sends us share our Catholic faith in a stronger way. As Pope Francis asks, we must be "a church that moves" and we must go to evangelize in periphery." Past Encuentros gave us an identity, helped us grow and invited everyone, young and old, to commit and be "Prophetic Voices." Voices of a Church that continues to walk, and calls us to remember the past, evaluate the present, and act with determination and faith for our future as missionary disciples. Directors, and Coordinators of Hispanic ministry along with thousands of volunteers, who are participating in this process, know this and are committed to respond and act in the V Encuentro. Angelica Vivana Iglesias is the Regional Chair for Episcopal Region XIV. 2015 © Angelica Vivana Iglesias.  All Rights Reserved. Photos by SEPI/Angelica Vivana Iglesias.