(Left to right) Sr. Ofelia Quiroz, Sr. Angelica Lopez, Bishop William F. Medley and Sr. Leopoldina Romano Carmona, Superior General of the Misioneras del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus ad Gentes, who are based in Mexico. Sr. Leopoldina visited Bishop Medley on May 1, 2024, during a trip to the Diocese of Owensboro. COURTESY OF DEACON CHRIS GUTIÉRREZ
Hispanic/Latino Ministry: ‘Going Forth with Joy’
BY DCN. CHRIS GUTIÉRREZ, OFFICE OF HISPANIC/LATINO MINISTRY
“Missionary Disciples Going Forth with Joy” is the title for the new and recently-enacted National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry. It has been a process of many years of working through looking back at our common historical context as Hispanic/Latino Catholics in the U.S., of joys and sorrows, discernment, challenges, hopes and celebration.
This National Plan started years ago, first with grassroots consultation in shared parishes across our country, leading to a national level of conclusions, and finally, with our Catholic bishops unanimously approving our path forward.
The cover of the new and recently-enacted National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry in the United States. COURTESY PHOTO
Now, as we embark on the stage of implementation, on May 9, 2024, our Diocese of Owensboro had the privilege of hosting a provincial gathering of diocesan directors from various offices from the seven dioceses of Kentucky and Tennessee. This turned out to be a beautiful opportunity for these directors of different diocesan offices to share their impressions of the plan from their perspective. One important aspect of this day was heeding the call to become a more synodal Church as we listened to one another in small groups. As we strive towards better inclusion and ecclesial integration, we ask God to help us to work together to better serve the Church in all its diversity.
Dcn. Chris Gutiérrez is the director of Hispanic/Latino Ministry for the Diocese of Owensboro.
ARISH The parish community and Bishop William F. Medley celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Sts. Joseph and Paul in December 2023. COURTESY OF STS. JOSEPH AND PAUL
Originally printed in the November 2023 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
