Introduction of New Officers

The Federation for Catechesis with Hispanics officially presents its new officers. Please join us in welcoming them!

Diana J. Pizarro – FCH Vice-President

I came from Peru nine years ago. In Lima I worked as a teacher in the English as a Second Language Program in different Catholic Schools. I was very blessed to receive a deep Catholic education at the Instituto Pedagógico Nacional-Monterrico, a college run by Sacred Heart Servants. With this background my supportive husband and I live on Long Island where we raise our teen children.

Continuing with my passion as a teacher, my goal was to teach as I did in Lima. I worked hard to obtain a teaching license but God had different plans for me. While looking for a teaching position, I was working as a substitute teacher in the public school system. At the same time I was a catechist in my parish as my children attended Religious Education. There, I was called to work in a part time position at the Religious Education office to assist serving a community with a large Hispanic presence. All of a sudden I was invited to take the lead of the program. At that time I realized how the experience I gained working in the school district would help me. Through this job I could witness the needs of the immigrant children and first generation of Hispanics.

I am a candidate in the Master of Theology program at St. Joseph’s Seminary. I am currently a staff member at the Office of Faith Formation in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York. I proudly serve the needs of the Spanish Speaking Population in my diocese with the help of God and my background in this field. It is my honor to be able to be part of the leadership team of FCH.

Lori Dahlhoff, EdD – FCH Membership Officer

Lori has served in Catholic parish, school, and diocesan ministry for more than 20 years, most recently as  the Executive Director of Religious Education Department for National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). Lori is passionate about building faith communities that draw on the richness of diverse cultures to proclaim the Gospel well and form people as Christian discipleship in the Catholic way of life.

Martín López-Aburto – FCH Finance Officer

Martin was born in “Tierra Caliente”, the southern region in the state Michoacán de Ocampo, Mexico. At a very young age, his parents migrated to Chicago where he experienced firsthand the needs and realities of living in two worlds and two cultures. Chicago continues to be his home even though he lives in McAllen, Texas with his wife Estela and his four children.

Martin currently serves as the National Hispanic Ministry Consultant for Loyola Press, a Chicago based Jesuit publishing company. The mission of Loyola Press in helping others find God in all things and develop a deep, personal relationship with Christ reverberates with him and continues to bring a sense of purpose of joy and determination. As a National Consultant he has brought to light the need for understanding the Hispanic role in the mission of the Church. Promoting and affirming the principal of cultural diversity and unity.

His work in the area of social justice has its roots in Pilsen, an inner city neighborhood in Chicago, as a community organizer. His commitment to social justice took him to Northwest Indiana Federation of Interfaith Organizations where he continued his work for more than seven years.

St. Agnes of Bohemia in the heart of the Mexican Neighborhood in Chicago was his introduction to business and where he learned the importance of stewardship and development. At St. Agnes, he assisted with a three million dollar capital campaign and the business management of the parish and school.

He participated in the executive board of the Illinois State Soccer Association, a non-profit organization that serves as liaison to the United States Soccer Association and in turn to the Federation Internationale de Football Associations (FIFA).

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