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The Hispanic Ministry, has been blessed with numerous initiatives. Within the context of the Church in the United States, the Hispanic Ministry, has been blessed with numerous initiatives, beginning with initial formation through on-going formation, that responded to the Hispanic/Latino presence.

Statistics:
The Diocese of Tucson is comprised of nine counties with an area of 42,707 square miles. Geographically, the Diocese is the fifth largest diocese in the continental United States.

In a total population of 1.45 million, there are an estimated 400,000-plus Roman Catholics who are served by 78 parishes, dozens of missions, 25 Catholic schools, six member agencies of Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Tucson, the Catholic Tuition Support Organization, Diocese of Tucson Catholic Cemeteries, and hundreds of charitable and fraternal organizations. Hispanics make up more than 50% of the Catholic population.

Faith Formation is a priority for the Office of the Hispanic ministry for the Diocese of Tucson

Faith Formation for all ministries in Hispanic/Latino communities is a priority for the Office of the Hispanic ministry for the Diocese of Tucson. The goal of formation is a call for strengthening intentional efforts to identify, invite and form new ministers/leaders to fully minister at their parishes; to form people with a sufficient theoretical practical foundation in theology, spirituality, pastoral ministry, and Catholic social teachings of the Church.

The programs of Level I and Level II are an introduction to the Catholic faith in general; covering a wide range of areas such as: Spiritual Formation, Scripture, Foundations of Theology, Liturgy and Sacraments, Christian Morals and Methodology. Formation Level II topics are presented in greater depth and provide the participants a deeper and more personal faith journey.

Some comments of some of the leaders who took these classes and some who helped me to coordinate this last pasted year:

Karina Lozano: “Personally, I am very grateful to God and to the Hispanic Ministry of the Diocese of Tucson for the opportunity to have been an integral part of the Team of the Levels in the coordination of the ministerial formation classes of the Diocese of Tucson… It is the first time that I have been part of this team and it was a very fruitful experience both spiritually and professionally. It allowed me to collaborate with people from different ministries and parishes all over Arizona.”

Beatriz Carrillo: “This training has played a very important role in my personal and spiritual growth. Currently, I am completing leadership classes that helped me to learn and understand my role as a leader. Some of the principles I learned in my leadership classes are, how to establish healthy boundaries, how to feel comfortable with conflict and to facilitate and not to dominate, how to create opportunities to dialogue and to deal with conflict among people, how to be direct as I am gentle and consistent, and how to see everyone as my colleagues and not as adversaries. I applied all these principles in the classes I volunteer as well as my family.”

They are very faithful to their commitment and service to the church

The Hispanic people is by nature very faithful to their commitment and service to the church. They take very seriously their call to communion, participation, and mission, seeking to continue to build the life and mission of the church.

Around 50 people were certified on Advance Leadership Training for leaders

This last year we offered a new course on Advance Leadership Training for leaders where around 50 people were certified. The course “Principled in Ministry: A guidebook for Catholic Church Leaders” as about effective, spiritual and mission-focused ministry. We learned about different disciplines like how to set boundaries, how to facilitate without dominating, to be comfortable with conflict, among many other topics. All these topics reinforced and helped participants in their various ministries at parish level where they serve.

By Sr. Gladys Echenique, OP