Diocese holds strategic planning meeting to serve Hispanic Catholic faithful

On November 10,  almost forty years after the arrival of the Hispanic community in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Bishop Michael G.  Duca and Vicar General Father Jamin David met with priests of the diocese who currently collaborate with the Hispanic Catholic faithful in the diocese and those interested in formalizing pastoral work and service with them. 

Various priests throughout the diocese were present at this historic meeting. 
The meeting began with each participant sharing their current assignments and their brief assessment of Hispanic ministry in the diocese.  

“The growth of immigrants in our area will continue to be strong, most of them are Catholic but do not have access to pastoral and social services," said Julia Scarnato, Executive Director of the Hispanic Apostolate in Baton Rouge. “This has been one of the greatest motivations to unite and coordinate the efforts that are currently carried out in several parishes, by creating a solid and prepared team the Diocese of Baton Rouge will be able to pastorally assist more people and coach out to those who are in the peripheries or at the very remote areas of our diocese.” 



“The priests, religious and lay people in our diocese have a great desire to embrace and welcome the Hispanic community in the parishes, but there are not enough personnel or resources that can assist them. Through these dialogues, Bishop Duca is looking for a way to achieve this objective not only for the Hispanic community, but also to all our brothers and sisters from different cultures. We are one church and one family united in Jesus Christ,” said Scarnato. 

The initiative is the product of the efforts and resources that have been conducted at the national level through the multiple organizations that work with Hispanic Catholics in United States, Scarnato pointed out. After 38 years the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the first National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic. 

“This plan is already being implemented in several dioceses in the United States and constitutes a very effective element to objectively develop a comprehensive pastoral care that begins by involving all bishops, priests, deacons, religious and lay diocesan leaders,” Scarnato said.  

With the resources and support of all diocesan departments in conjunction with the Office for Hispanic Ministry new initiatives were suggested among the group, such as discovering best practices to be able to organize pastoral services and scheduling upcoming holy day celebrations for Spanish speaking congregation, noted Scarnato.  



“Of particular concern is the celebrations of Our Lady Guadalupe, Christmas, the Sacred Triduum and coordinating unified efforts, Most of the Hispanic population are very young and there is a great desire to reach them especially in terms of vocation and youth ministry. The group discussed ways to include in diocesan media resources for Hispanic and building Religious Education Programs in Spanish throughout the diocese. They also discussed ways to incorporate bilingual programs, religious education for parents in Spanish and OCIA programs and practices. Finally, the group discussed how communities can make worship spaces more available, including mass at more opportune times  …” said Scarnato. 
 
She emphasized, “It was a wonderful experience to be together as one church, rich in diversity and open to the future. We are grateful for the continuing service that everyone in our diocese offers to the Hispanic community. Now we will have clearer objectives and the challenge of working pastorally together. As Hispanic families multiply, so too the blessings will also multiply in our Catholic Church and particularly in our diocese of Baton Rouge.” 

Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator