Image Archives

19Aug, 2018

V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry.

Leer en Español

Dear companions on the journey,

You can see it, you can feel it, the V Encuentro is here!

What a joy it is to see the enthusiasm grow for our V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry. More than three thousand missionary disciples have confirmed their participation in our V National Encuentro to be held from September 20^th to 23^rd, in Grapevine, Texas. Among the participants we have 130 bishops and more than 2,500 delegates representing 165 dioceses in the United States. We will also have more than 200 representatives of universities, organizations and other Catholic institutions, as well as representatives of the Holy See, the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM) and the Catholic Bishops’ conferences of Mexico and Canada.

We see the V National Encuentro as a moment of grace, as a mountain top experience, a point of arrival after a 20-month journey. We also see it as a point of departure to strengthen ministry among Hispanic/Latinos, so that they can better respond as missionary disciples, as leaders at the service of the entire church and society.

The V National Encuentro is being planned as a joyful ecclesial celebration that inspires conversion, communion, solidarity and missionary discipleship. It will include:

Celebrating beautiful and vibrant bilingual liturgies which will frame the entire event

Engaging in profound and insightful dialogue with leaders from all over the country, representing various ministerial areas and expertise

Listening to the hopes and dreams of people living on the peripheries of society and how the church can best reach out to them, welcome them and embrace them

Learning about best practices for missionary discipleship and the future of Hispanic Ministry, with emphasis on ministry with young people and families

Discussing recommendations that have emerged from the consultation process, designed to help Hispanic Ministry and the future of the Catholic Church in the United States move forward

Giving witness and taking part in inspiring presentations and joyful expressions of faith and life

Encountering one another in dialogue, prayer and praise with over 600 young adult delegates representing more than 90% of our dioceses

Participating in general and breakout sessions conducted in English or Spanish with simultaneous translation

We ask for your continuous prayers for a joyful and fruitful V National Encuentro!

Alejandro Aguilera-Titus
National Coordinator for the V National Encuentro

19Apr, 2018

President’s Message Spring 2018

Dear Friends of FCH,

Easter blessings to all!

I am happy to share with you that the FCH Leadership Team is wrapping up our plans for another exciting NCCL conference. This year’s theme: “Walk with Christ/ Camina con Cristo” invites participants to encounter Christ in meaningful ways, develop and learn new models for reaching the “peripheries,” and discover new ways to proclaim to the People of God.

Each day FCH will offer a Spanish-language Capstone and breakout session. Our speakers include: Fr. Alejandro Lopez-Cardinale, Sr. Maria Romero (cousin of Blessed Oscar Romero!), Esther Garcia, Dr. Patricia Jimenez, and Jorge Rivera. The conference will begin with “Experiences of Encounter” which will be on-site or off-site presentations from various Chicago-based ministries. FCH is excited to sponsor Iskali Ministry– an outstanding ministry dedicated to the formation and evangelization of Hispanic youth and young adults.

FCH is also thrilled to offer the “V Encuentro Conversation with Fr. Alejandro Lopez-Cardinale” on Wednesday evening and a Fiesta/Concert with Jorge Rivera on Friday evening, immediately follwing the FCH Business Meeting. Most importantly, this year the FCH Leadership Team will be facilitating the Post Conference presentation on Saturday afternoon. The Post Conference conversation will be based on a recap of the Conference and will offer a “what-to-do-next” for participants who minister in catechesis with Hispanics.

The FCH Leadership Team has been working especially harder this past year, since we have 2 vacant positions including Communications Officer and Grant Writer. We will also have 2 more vacant positions after the Conference including Vice President and Membership Officer. Please consider joining our team! FCH is a fruitful federation under NCCL. We are proud to say FCH will be present at the National V Encuentro in September 2018, in the National Dialogue now in April 2018, and in several gatherings with other national Catholic Latino organizations. Again, please consider sharing your gifts and talents at the national level and join our team!

On behalf of the FCH Leadership Team, we hope to see you in Chicago for NCCL 2018!

Paz,

Miriam Hidalgo
President

PS: It brings me great joy to share with all of you that on Friday March 16^th, I gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby boy! Thank you for your continued prayers. God is good… all the time!