Hispanic Ministry in the Home Missions number of Hispanics has more than doubled to 86,000. Most are Catholics. Lourdes Garza, director of Hispanic minis- try, describes three waves of migration to the east Tennessee area. Professionals were drawn to technical jobs in the Oak Ridge corridor in the 1970s. Agricultural and construction workers and hospitality industry employees arrived from Mexico and Central America in the 1980s, followed in the 1990s by bilingual entrepreneurs drawn by the opportunity to serve Spanish-speakers. In addition, there has always been a seasonal influx of migrant work- Members of the By Beth Griffin growing Hispanic ers in the spring and summer. community in the Diocese of Knoxville ispanic Catholics are the youngest Today, Mass or weekly prayer services are gather after Mass and fastest growing segment of celebrated in Spanish at 31 of the diocese’s 51 around an Our Lady of parishes and missions. Guadalupe image. the Catholic Church in the United H The diocesan ministry program began as States. Their deep faith enriches parish com- direct action, accompanying people to doctor’s munities throughout the country, while pre- appointments and helping to access social senting both opportunities and challenges to services, but evolved into a robust pastoral traditional pastoral ministry. Mission dioceses, operation with a focus on developing lay already accustomed to stretching slim financial leadership and supporting evangelization. and personnel resources to serve a geograph- “We’re creating leadership through organiza- ically widespread Catholic population, have tion, formation, and participation,” Lourdes developed thoughtful approaches to this flour- says. “The goal is to live our faith, evangelize ishing ministry. in all our surroundings, embrace our brothers In this issue, we look at creative uses of and sisters, recognize our cultural diversity, Catholic Home Missions funds to advance improve our quality of life in solidarity, and Hispanic Ministry in three dioceses. continue the mission of Jesus to create the reign of God on earth.” • “We help people develop leadership skills The Diocese of Knoxville, Tennessee, and a better understanding of their faith. boasts both one of the smallest percentages of Then, the parish leaders can identify other Catholics among the general population (2.5 parishioners to help them develop programs percent) and the third fastest-growing Hispanic appropriate to their small faith communities,” population in the country. Since 2000, the she says. …continued on page 2

SUMMER 2016 A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FROM MISSION AMERICA …continued from page 1 The Diocese of Knoxville uses but they are a young, active, faith-filled FROM THE materials developed by the Miami- group, and their presence expands the based Southeastern Pastoral Institute. small, earnest Catholic footprint in a CHAIRMAN “We’re not replicating programs, we’re state where Baptists predominate the collaborating, and we benefit from the Dear Brothers and Christian landscape. Geographically, experience of others,” Lourdes says. Jackson is the largest diocese east of the Sisters in Christ, The Knoxville Hispanic Ministry’s Mississippi River. Catholics comprise I’m excited to present this popular Marriage Encounter program 2.3 percent of the population and are issue of Neighbors where has drawn more than 200 couples we look at Hispanic over the past three years, providing the served at 73 parishes and 19 missions ministry in three of our foundation for a growing youth and spread across 38,000 square miles. mission dioceses. As you will see, the family ministry program, according Br. Ted Dausch, CFC, coordinator Hispanic population in some dioceses to Lourdes. “Parents formed through of the Office of Hispanic Ministry has been present for years, in others it is the Marriage Encounter are open to for the diocese, says Mass is offered a newer population, and for some it is parenting and Natural Family Planning in Spanish at 28 parishes that include a population that comes and goes with classes because they see the advan- migrants from Mexico and Central the seasons. tages of building up their marriages,” America. “It’s a real challenge because she says. the Spanish-language Mass may be We are called to serve all of our the total extent of the ministry in some brothers and sisters, to meet their “We’re also working with other dioc- esan offices so ministry to Hispanics parishes. Only seven of our priests are pastoral needs, and support them in fluent in Spanish, and very few people their cultural traditions. For many is collaborative and not parallel. For example, if there is a diocesan training in the state are bilingual, so there is a mission dioceses this can be difficult, as gap between the pastoral leadership resources are sparse. As the Hispanic program, we try to do it together at the same place, with the same material, but and the community,” Br. Ted says. population grows in the United States, The diocese bridges the gap through so does the need for quality Hispanic have different presenters for Spanish- speakers,” Lourdes explains. active training of Latino laity at the ministry. Thankfully, we have many Southeastern Pastoral Institute. “More wonderful staff members who are The biggest hurdle to her expanding dedicated to providing this important program is the uncertainty of partic- ministry to the faithful. ipants’ legal status. “They’re not sure if they’ll be here tomorrow. The only And we also have you. Your support of piece of paper we require is a baptis- the Catholic Home Missions makes pro- mal certificate, but legal documentation grams like these possible. Your faithful is a big black veil over everybody,” support brings these ministries to life Lourdes says. Yet, amid the challenges and helps our neighbors as they con- of uncertainty in residency, the region’s tinue to grow in the Catholic faith. Hispanic Catholic population contin- A couple pray and dedicate their baby Join me in praying for our home ues to thrive. to Our Lady of Guadalupe. mission dioceses and all whom they Bishop Richard F. Stika describes serve, especially those who are new Knoxville as a small diocese with than 150 people have participated in to our country. Thank you for your great expectations. He says in the the program, achieving certifications in support. May God bless you and all past two years, more than 1,600 Old and New Testament, sacraments, you do. Latinos have been welcomed through and liturgy. People are very involved in the life of the Church!” he says. In the Heart of Christ, Baptism, 1,300 have received first Holy Communion, and more than In addition, 90 couples joined the 5,000 attend Masses in Spanish at local Christian Family Life Movement and parishes and missions. “We’re blessed, have established small groups and base but the numbers are illuminating. worship communities. “People who Most Reverend Paul D. Etienne, DD, Quite frankly, without Catholic Home were not initially participating in the STL Missions, our diocese wouldn’t be able Church are now totally committed to Bishop of Cheyenne to meet these needs,” he says. the life of the parish. They are marry- ing in the Church and their children • receive the sacraments,” Br. Ted says. Hispanics are relative newcomers to the Eighteen years ago, when he arrived Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi, in Jackson, Hispanic ministry in the

PAGE 2 | SUMMER 2016 diocese was limited to Spanish-language to the largest segment Mass at a handful of parishes. Now of that population, Spanish-language Masses are offered many of whom are throughout the diocese, and the chal- Hispanic Catholics lenge is to bring a flourishing Hispanic housed in 415 migrant ministry to each parish as a part of camps. Veronica says pastoral outreach. Br. Ted reflects, most are Mexicans, “We’ve made great strides, but we are working in agriculture, still only laying the foundation. The meat-packing, dairies, strength is in the laity and the growing and plant nurseries. youth ministry. It’s a blessing to see The area has experi- Sisters from the Congregation of Missionary Sister Servants of the the journey of courageous people with enced a 315 percent Holy Spirit host activities for families in migrant camps. tremendous faith.” increase in Hispanic beautiful community that has brought population since 1990, and more than us many gifts, including a concentration 60 percent are under 25 years of age. on the family,” says Fanny Tabares, The diocese has ongoing ministry director of migrant ministry. to long-time Hispanic parishioners, The ministry is challenged by the including leadership formation, poor conditions endured by many of trauma counseling, and well-attended the people it serves, says Veronica. Quinceañera retreats for teen girls and Some of the seasonal workers are lured their parents. “This is an opportunity with false promises and are subjected to catechize the population and go back to abuse, including human trafficking. to the significance and origin of the “Some of the laws do not favor the Quinceañera celebration as a religious migrants, and minimum wage, for event, not only a social one. It also gives example, won’t work the same way for youth a chance to develop as leaders in migrants as for other workers,” she says. the Church and society,” Veronica says. The community from St. Peter Cathedral process Bishop Paul J. Bradley confirms with a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe in There is a special emphasis on the youths and adults each summer and Jackson Square with the Mississippi state pastoral needs of migrants in the sum- capitol in the background. conducts Masses at migrant camps. mer. Visiting missionary priests, dioce- “Without Catholic Home Missions’ Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz says, “Our san staff, and more than 100 parish vol- help, our ability to carry out our Hispanic Ministry Office is the corner- unteers fan out to the migrant camps to mission to proclaim the Gospel in all stone for our service to our immigrant offer Mass, prayer services, bible study, its many aspects would be much more and first- and second-generation pop- and sacramental preparation. The dio- limited,” he says. ulations who within their communities cese also provides emergency assistance Dioceses across the country, like comprise a very diverse population. and social service referrals and helps Knoxville, Jackson, and Kalamazoo, The needs can be daunting, but we are workers understand their rights. are enriched by a vibrant, growing blessed with many dedicated staff and “The migrant ministry gives people Hispanic population. As this popula- volunteers who faithfully and effectively a sense of belonging and addresses the tion grows, Catholic Home Missions serve the many Hispanics in our midst.” needs of the entire person,” Veronica grants provide the opportunity to says. It also provides condensed, expand training and enhance pastoral • flexible sacramental catechesis. First programs welcoming these faith-filled When the Diocese of Kalamazoo, Holy Communion and Confirmation people into the family of the Church. Michigan, was established in 1971, preparation are offered to children migrant ministry was identified as a whose parents are generally not in one priority. “We try to continue that vision location long enough to complete a and improve on the rich history and traditional course of study. “If we don’t strong foundation,” says M. Veronica catch them now, they might not be back Rodriguez, associate director of parish at all—or until they ask for marriage,” life and lay leadership for the diocese. she says. The diocese also provides Michigan has the country’s fifth larg- bilingual books to help parents continue est population of migrant farmworkers, their children’s training in the faith. and the Diocese of Kalamazoo is home “The migrants are rich in spirituality, Bishop Bradley blesses families at Mass held for and we learn a lot from them. It’s a migrants in his Diocese of Kalamazoo.

PAGE 3 | SUMMER 2016 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 61 Hyattsville, MD

SUBCOMMITTEE ON CATHOLIC HOME MISSIONS Office of National Collections United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 3211 Fourth Street NE Washington, DC 20017-1194

SUMMER 2016

IN THIS ISSUE SUBCOMMITTEE ON THETHE CATHOLICCATHOLIC HOME MISSIONS APPEAL CATHOLIC HOME MISSIONS Chairman Most Rev. Paul D. Etienne Read about how the Members STRENGTHENING Most Rev. Edward J. Burns Dioceses of Knoxville, Jackson, THE CHURCH Most Rev. Robert E. Guglielmone Most Rev. Alberto Rojas and Kalamazoo find creative AT HOME Most Rev. Paul D. Sirba ways to support their growing Most Rev. James S. Wall Most Rev. Elias Zaidan, MLM Hispanic populations. Most Rev. John Stowe, OFM Conv.

Copyright © 2015, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Photo credits: © 123RF, Getty Images, iStock, Lightstock. 30200216 www.usccb.org/home-missions Copyright © 2016, United States Conference Your generosity to the Catholic Home Missions Appeal supports essential of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights ministries in poor dioceses across the United States and its territories. reserved. Photos courtesy of the Diocese of Knoxville, Sr. Maria Elena Méndez, MGSPS, THANK YOU for being part of our efforts to strengthen the Church at home. and the Diocese of Kalamazoo.