US Encuentro V: Missionary
Disciples, Witnesses of God’s Love
 |
| V Encuentro : Missionary Disciples : Witnesses of God's Love. |
The V National Encuentro begins on Thursday in Grapevine,
Texas (USA), bringing together leaders in Hispanic/Latino Ministry to explore
the theme, "Missionary Disciples: Witnesses of God's Love".
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp
Thousands of Hispanic/Latino leaders are
gathering in Grapevine, Texas on Thursday for the opening of the Fifth National Encuentro (Meeting).
These leaders serve in dioceses, schools, universities and other Catholic
organizations in the US. In remarks presented at the US Bishops’ Spring General
Assembly, Bishop Nelson Pérez, Chairman of the USCCB’s Cultural Diversity
Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs, said that these leaders will explore
together and “establish ways in which the Catholic Church can respond to
the Hispanic presence in parishes and promote the New Evangelization”.
Preparation phase
Although this 4-day meeting begins on 20 September, participants
have been preparing for it since the beginning of 2017. “During that time, more
than 330,000 people have been engaged in a process of mission, consultation,
and community building”, Bishop Pérez said. Smaller “encuentros” were also held
in 125 dioceses in which over 100 bishops and 5,500 regional delegates
participated. Preparation also included a comprehensive survey regarding
Hispanic Ministry which was completed by 177 dioceses.
Attendance
An estimated 3,400 leaders are registered and 130 bishops
are attending this national meeting. Archbishop Christoph Pierre (Apostolic
Nuncio to the United States), Dr Guzmán Carriquiry Lecour (Secretary for the
Pontifical Commission for Latin America), and Bishop Juan Espinoza (General
Secretary of the Episcopal Conference of Latin America—CELAM) are expected to
attend.
Joyful ecclesial celebration
“The National Encuentro is being planned as a joyful,
ecclesial celebration that inspires conversion, communion, solidarity,
missionary discipleship”, Bishop Pérez explained. Vibrant bi-lingual liturgies
“will frame the whole event”, he said. Topics for dialogue and presentations
include ministry to the marginalized, best practices regarding missionary
discipleship, and the future of Hispanic ministry particularly to young people
and families. Bishop Pérez also said that “the recommendations that have
emerged from the massive consultation process designed to move forward in
Hispanic Ministry in the Catholic Church in the US” will also be presented and
discussed. Presentations will be delivered in both Spanish and English with
simultaneous translations available.
Mountain-top experience
Bishop Pérez summed up the experience saying that,
We will witness and take part in inspiring presentations,
faith witness, and joyful expressions of faith and life…. It’s a great moment
of grace – a mountain-top experience – a point of arrival after a 20-month
journey. We also see it as a point of departure to strengthen ministry among
Hispanic/Latinos so that they can better respond as missionary disciples of
Christ, as leaders at the service of the entire Church, and in society.
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