The first Diocesan Encounter of Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry was held Jan. 14 at St. John Center in Little Rock.
The event was the next step as the Diocese of Little Rock prepares for the National Encounter for Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry June 8-11 at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. The Church in the United States is trying to find better ways to incorporate Hispanic youth and young adults into parish life. A majority of Hispanics in this country are under 30 years old.
Most of them are not being served in the Church, according to Hispanic leaders. Traditional youth ministry programs are usually focused on English-speaking populations and Hispanic ministry usually targets adults.
The national encounter was established as a result of the U.S. bishops’ 2002 statement called “Encuentro and Mission: A Renewed Pastoral Framework for Hispanic Ministry.”
The diocese began the yearlong process to prepare for the convention in June with a meeting at St. John Center for 20 young adult leaders. Then, parishes with Hispanic populations were asked to use the encounter materials to prepare themselves for a parish encounter. Parishes using this program included Holy Redeemer, Clarksville; Our Lady of Good Hope, Hope; St. Barbara, De Queen, St. Edward, Little Rock, St. Raphael, Springdale; Immaculate Conception, Fort Smith; St. Andrew, Danville; and St. Augustine, Dardanelle.
The diocesan encounter was the next step. At the diocesan encounter Jan. 14, 145 participants were asked to share the reality of the parish, social and spiritual lives of youth and young adults.
A regional meeting will be held in March in Austin, Texas. Then all dioceses will attend the national convention and share their insights. Ten delegates will represent Arkansas at the regional and national conventions.
After the convention, leaders hope that a pastoral statement will be written on Hispanic youth and young adults in the United States and the Church’s response.
Needs of Hispanic youth, young adults being addressed
