Continuing the sharing of rich wisdom begun at Soy catequista, many of the participants have submitted feedback on www.soycatequista.com. The following are participants' responses to the question, "What are some key ideas that you will bring back with you from the Soy Catequista event?"
Maria Elena Puga Martinez
The value and dignity of the Hispanic community and the catechist in the ministry.
Jessy Lizarraga-Lira
The idea of working together, publishers, professors, diocesan and parochial leaders. This is an effort towards working together giving hope, not only to the Spanish-speaking community but to all the people involved in catechesis. This is an example that can be extended to other levels.
Hosffman Ospino
That the Church in the U.S. young because of the Hispanic (and other immigrants') presence. Therefore, we must start working with them soon before loosing them to a secular mainstream culture or non-Catholic groups.
Nicole Bernal
That we must approach Hispanic ministry in the United States with open hearts, because it is through the affectivity of the heart that Hispanics experience their faith. That we must not limit evangelization to catechetics, nor restrict catechesis to information instruction. Rather, we must find the place where popular devotion and cultural beliefs meet doctrine and orthodox spirituality.
Esmeralda Sierra
Some of the most important ideas are: first that we need to recognize who we are working with. The Hispanic community approaches religion and faith in certain ways and the Anglo community does it in a different way. We need to identify what works with each one.
Brother Jeffrey Gros
Our future will depend on investing in the rich human resources represented in this conference, and in finding diocesan and parish structures to support them.
Anne Comeaux
Systematic catechesis is a challenge for folks who have mainly done only sacramental catechesis. Sensitivity to culture is much more important than language.
Olga Villa Parra
Vocation, dignity and mission of the catechist were the key ideas that were well presented.
Laura Lopez
There is a lot of talent out there that needs to be discovered and used for the Kingdom.
Jose Antonio Medina
As per my observation the Spanish catechist needs good training to create more attractive catechist encounters, part of this is to use proper the materials from the publishers.
Other Participants:
It is important to wake up the young professionals interested in catechesis to let them know that they can change the vision and the future of the Hispanic population in the Church in USA.
Many good things are happening, but we still have a long way to go. There is a dire need of local Latino leadership in dioceses and parishes. Latino voices need to be heard.
The following are participants' responses to the question, "How will you pass along the wisdom and learning of this consultation to others in your diocese or place of ministry?"
"As a professor of Theology, religious education and Ministry, I hope to have a good compilation of the materials and conclusions reached at the consultation to discuss with my students in class and in our Hispanic Ministry programs. I will also want to share this valuable information with my colleagues."
"I will share the many creative programs with my Diocesan Hispanic Advisory Board as possible models which Hispanic ministry could follow in our Diocese. I will attempt to approach my ministry with the attitude of humble service and appreciation for the Hispanic spirituality, particularly that of immigrants, which I observed in my peers in the consultation."
"At the moment I started by doing a report which was sent to the dioceses and the Hispanic Apostolate office. Our next step is going to be a presentation summarizing all the knowledge I acquire with this wonderful experience. We want to create a more organized Hispanic apostolate including all the parishes that has Hispanic ministries not just the one I belong to."
"In my diocese, seminary and other contexts, I will emphasize a) the vitality of the US Hispanic catechetical community, b) the urgency of ecumenical formation into the Hispanic catechetical development programming in the dioceses and presbyterates of the country."
"I have already begun by doing a report to my staff. The dissemination to parish catechetical leaders and catechists will take place over the next few months. I hope to engage some of our Spanish-speaking catechetical leaders to begin to tell their stories of how they came to discover their call to be a catechist. Hopefully, this can be in a setting with other leaders so that they will be empowered to tell their own stories."
"I would like to share this information at the biannual Archdiocesan Hispanic Consultations held for key leadership in the parishes. Preparation of bilingual catequists are of high importance."
"We have reported on the consultation to all our staff. We are inviting all the staff at our office to read Dr. Cavadini's presentation on the Vocation and Dignity of the Catechist and we will be discussing at our next staff meeting how best to implement the Soy Catequisa."
"By sharing the content and format with the other Hispanic Staff members in the office, and by perhaps doing a similar gathering with Hispanic catechetical leaders and catechists."
"I shared my experience with Spanish Ministry Diocesan Directors. I have been working with them during the last years."
"Incorporating it in my presentations and work with catechists and other ministers."
And so, the spirit and mission of Soy catequista grows...
Maria Elena Puga Martinez
The value and dignity of the Hispanic community and the catechist in the ministry.
Jessy Lizarraga-Lira
The idea of working together, publishers, professors, diocesan and parochial leaders. This is an effort towards working together giving hope, not only to the Spanish-speaking community but to all the people involved in catechesis. This is an example that can be extended to other levels.
Hosffman Ospino
That the Church in the U.S. young because of the Hispanic (and other immigrants') presence. Therefore, we must start working with them soon before loosing them to a secular mainstream culture or non-Catholic groups.
Nicole Bernal
That we must approach Hispanic ministry in the United States with open hearts, because it is through the affectivity of the heart that Hispanics experience their faith. That we must not limit evangelization to catechetics, nor restrict catechesis to information instruction. Rather, we must find the place where popular devotion and cultural beliefs meet doctrine and orthodox spirituality.
Esmeralda Sierra
Some of the most important ideas are: first that we need to recognize who we are working with. The Hispanic community approaches religion and faith in certain ways and the Anglo community does it in a different way. We need to identify what works with each one.
Brother Jeffrey Gros
Our future will depend on investing in the rich human resources represented in this conference, and in finding diocesan and parish structures to support them.
Anne Comeaux
Systematic catechesis is a challenge for folks who have mainly done only sacramental catechesis. Sensitivity to culture is much more important than language.
Olga Villa Parra
- Raise the visibility of training of catechists within the diocesan planning.
- Give liturgical affirmation to catechists.
- Affirmation of the dignity of the catechist
- Importance of story-telling/testimonios to get the word out
- Centrality of the catechetical imagination…and need to develop it.
- Involve the whole community
- Mentoring — teach a mode of life
Vocation, dignity and mission of the catechist were the key ideas that were well presented.
Laura Lopez
- The importance of catechetical leaders' formation.
- The dignity of the catechist comes from the call to be disciples.
There is a lot of talent out there that needs to be discovered and used for the Kingdom.
Jose Antonio Medina
- Hispanic Ministry is growing at all levels.
- Hispanic Ministry now is a different situation than 10 years ago.
- Hispanic Ministry has the possibility to offer new energy to the US Catholic Church.
- Adults are key.
- Good ministry implies solid formation.
- Team work is essential.
As per my observation the Spanish catechist needs good training to create more attractive catechist encounters, part of this is to use proper the materials from the publishers.
Other Participants:
It is important to wake up the young professionals interested in catechesis to let them know that they can change the vision and the future of the Hispanic population in the Church in USA.
Many good things are happening, but we still have a long way to go. There is a dire need of local Latino leadership in dioceses and parishes. Latino voices need to be heard.
The following are participants' responses to the question, "How will you pass along the wisdom and learning of this consultation to others in your diocese or place of ministry?"
"As a professor of Theology, religious education and Ministry, I hope to have a good compilation of the materials and conclusions reached at the consultation to discuss with my students in class and in our Hispanic Ministry programs. I will also want to share this valuable information with my colleagues."
"I will share the many creative programs with my Diocesan Hispanic Advisory Board as possible models which Hispanic ministry could follow in our Diocese. I will attempt to approach my ministry with the attitude of humble service and appreciation for the Hispanic spirituality, particularly that of immigrants, which I observed in my peers in the consultation."
"At the moment I started by doing a report which was sent to the dioceses and the Hispanic Apostolate office. Our next step is going to be a presentation summarizing all the knowledge I acquire with this wonderful experience. We want to create a more organized Hispanic apostolate including all the parishes that has Hispanic ministries not just the one I belong to."
"In my diocese, seminary and other contexts, I will emphasize a) the vitality of the US Hispanic catechetical community, b) the urgency of ecumenical formation into the Hispanic catechetical development programming in the dioceses and presbyterates of the country."
"I have already begun by doing a report to my staff. The dissemination to parish catechetical leaders and catechists will take place over the next few months. I hope to engage some of our Spanish-speaking catechetical leaders to begin to tell their stories of how they came to discover their call to be a catechist. Hopefully, this can be in a setting with other leaders so that they will be empowered to tell their own stories."
"I would like to share this information at the biannual Archdiocesan Hispanic Consultations held for key leadership in the parishes. Preparation of bilingual catequists are of high importance."
"We have reported on the consultation to all our staff. We are inviting all the staff at our office to read Dr. Cavadini's presentation on the Vocation and Dignity of the Catechist and we will be discussing at our next staff meeting how best to implement the Soy Catequisa."
"By sharing the content and format with the other Hispanic Staff members in the office, and by perhaps doing a similar gathering with Hispanic catechetical leaders and catechists."
"I shared my experience with Spanish Ministry Diocesan Directors. I have been working with them during the last years."
"Incorporating it in my presentations and work with catechists and other ministers."
And so, the spirit and mission of Soy catequista grows...