PEREGRINANDO CON MARIA, AL ENCUENTRO DE CRISTO SACERDOTE

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 08:00:09 -0500

U.S. Catholic Bishops National Diversity Convocation

Thu, 6 May 2010 17:00:38 -0500

NOTRE DAME, IN( Rev. Allan F. Deck SJ)- More than three hundred church leaders - bishops, priests, religious and laity - gathered from May 6-8, 2010 at the University of Notre for the Catholic Cultural Diversity Network Convocation. This event highlighted the challenge of combining the Church’s growing racial, cultural and ethnic diversity with the need to foster a robust Catholic identity. The presence of Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio, linked the gathering to the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI and to the global Church. The process came about in response to the Bishops’ priority on cultural diversity and is a first step in a plan to initiate an Intercultural Competence for Ministers Program for the entire Church in the U.S.

It is no secret that most Catholic parishes, dioceses, schools and organizations as well as the ranks of the clergy, religious and lay leaders are undergoing a profound change as the result of dramatic demographic shifts. A new configuration of leadership of non-European origin arises in the Church. But that leadership is still largely focused on its own people and only vaguely aware of its role in relationship to the whole Church.

The Convocation is an effort to provide these leaders with an opportunity to share their stories within their own communities as well as with a wider cross-section of colleagues from other communities. Leaders of European descent are also included in this dialogue as only one of the many cultural groups that make up the Church. How do today’s diverse participants in the Church understand themselves as a communion in diversity? What do they want to say to their brothers and sisters in faith from other cultures? For many good reasons over the years diverse cultural/racial groups have tended to participate in the Church working within their own groups, in their own silos, as it were. While there is nothing wrong with this, indeed, it is necessary to create a sense of security and strengthen leadership among fledgling ecclesial communities, today it is becoming clear that for the common good there must be more dialogue across the boundaries of race and culture.

Normative documents of the Church such as Evangelii Nuntiandi understand the Church’s identity in terms of its mission to evangelize. Church teaching insists that culture is at the heart of the proclamation of the Word. Catholic identity is rooted in culture or it is not rooted at all, for faith finds its home in the symbols, stories and rituals of a people. Their faith in Christ is embodied and comes alive in these elements which give traction to faith and motivate people to live their most prized commitments, to seek justice, promote peace and affirm life.

A Catholic understanding of cultural diversity is therefore much different from a secular understanding of it that simply emphasizes toleration or the need for everyone to “get along.” Recognition, appreciation and affirmation of cultural diversity are essential in the Church’s effort to teach and preach because a people’s particular culture is always the object or target of these activities.

One of the main insights of the Convocation was that the Church’s approach is not that of multiculturalism which seeks to merely create an atmosphere of tolerance and mutual respect among diverse cultures, a “:live-and-let-live” environment. As far as it goers that is fine. But for Catholics one’s particular cultural identity imbued with Catholic identity becomes the principle vehicle by which Catholics seek to engage the wider American culture. When that Catholic and cultural identity is diluted through an undiscerning drive toward assimilation then both one’s culture and Catholic identity is eroded. The Church seeks to proclaim Gospel values while both affirming and critiquing all cultures.

Front and center among the bishops’ priorities for the next few years is recognition of cultural diversity. They consider greater familiarity with and acceptance of diversity as fundamental for carrying out the Church’s mission to evangelize. They are also aware of the changing demographics. On the ground in parishes, dioceses, Catholic schools and organizations it is rather obvious that new groups are on the rise, especially Hispanics. These emerging groups spell new life for the Church, new opportunities but also many challenges. The youthfulness and vitality of these Catholics offers something of inestimable value to the Church. The Church of the 21st century is going to be different, will look and act differently because of these particular faithful. How will the gospel message and Catholic identity flourish in an age of so much diversity and pluralism? A strategic challenge for the Church today consequently involves linking diversity with Catholic identity.

The May 6-8, 2010 Convocation at Notre Dame came about as a response to the opportunity that growing diversity offers the U.S. Church at this time in history. The opportunity consists in tapping into the roots of all cultures in order to invigorate the faith in ways that build on the unique spirit of Catholicism as it is embodied and lived by real people. Select leaders from all the families of nations, races and walks of life will assemble to voice and share their own stories among themselves and with a cross-section of other communities. Nineteen archbishops and bishops attended and responded to what they heard and saw in terms of its meaning for the entire Church moving forward. The Convocation also offered a special moment for laying the groundwork for the dissemination over the coming years of Intercultural Competence Guidelines for Ministers in the Church, one of the first activities proposed by the bishops in pursuit of the priority on cultural diversity.

In an age of diversity, intercultural communications, relationships and skills are increasingly necessary.
The Convocation highlighted this need in the spirit of Encuentro 2000, the Millennial Jubilee activity held in Los Angeles whose 10th anniversary is commemorated this year. All in all, the Catholic Cultural Diversity Network Convocation was a key moment in the elaboration of a greater vision for the Catholic Church in the United States as the 21st century unfolds.

FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES 2010

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:33:29 -0600

Access and Download our 2010 ACADEMIC FLYER here.

CES 2009 ANNUAL REPORT

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:28:08 -0600

On behalf of the Advisory Board at Centro Espíritu Santo, we are pleased to present the CES Annual Report 2009. We owe gratitude to all those who generously support Hispanic Catholic leadership formation.

We, at Centro Espíritu Santo, believe that we are continuously responding to our call to inspire and ground leaders who seek formation in the Archdiocese of Chicago. We are impressed by the increasing number of leaders eager to pursue their leadership development. We are thankful for those moments which allowed them to know one another. We are making a difference! Even at this time of economical tumult, we find strength in Christ and share with “esperanza” (hope).

This year we have intentionally focused on offering resources to young couples and women. The outcome has been impressive. Thanks to the many programs, especially to the Archdiocesan Office for Family Ministries, around 600 leaders have received formation! Our building has, again, run out of space and that is a great news! We are agents of change, inspiring in Christ, more leaders to pursue their formation.

We are thankful for the many blessings, your prayers and economical support, especially to Tapatio Foods, LLC Found, The Province of St Joseph of The Capuchin Order, Most Rev. Gustavo Garcia-Siller, Episcopal Vicar - V; and The Rev. Robert McLaughlin Faith Foundation. We also welcome our new pastors and associate pastors Rev. Tom Smithson at Blessed Sacrament; Rev. Jose Sequeira at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine; Rev. Gary Graf at Saint Gall; Rev. Robert Stuglik and Rev. Tom Lamping at Saint Joseph; Rev. Nestor Saenz at Our Lady of Fatima; Rev. Victor Zuñiga and Rev. Alejandro Medina at Queen of the Universe and Rev. Carlos Urbina, OSA at Saint Rita.

We are proud of our achievements, and with your assistance, we look forward with eyes of hope to a new year and new ways of responding to the growing need of the Catholic Hispanic community in Vicariate V.

2009ANNUALREPORT

CENTRO ESPIRITU SANTO

PEREGRINANDO CON MARIA, AL ENCUENTRO DE CRISTO SACERDOTE

U.S. Catholic Bishops National Diversity Convocation

FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES 2010

CES 2009 ANNUAL REPORT

CENTRO ESPIRITU SANTO 