Pastoral Plan for HisPanic Ministry / From Guests to Hosts Hispanic ...

Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry / From Guests to HostsPart IIh For m at i o n (Lu k e 9:10)He took them and withdrew in private to a town calledBethsaida. The crowds, meanwhile, learned of this and followedhim. He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom ofGod, and healed those who needed to be cured.Formation in discipleship finds its starting point in atransforming hospitality, modeled by Jesus. Formation is firstand foremost about hospitality and welcome, while teachingabout the kingdom of God. The itinerant nature of thiscrowd allows us to view the migrating peoples of the Archdioceseof Seattle in a new light. The parish, as a visiblesign of the Living Jesus, becomes a place of welcoming andhospitality, a place where everyone, including immigrants,can find a home away from home in their faith journey. “Formation”in this sense means “learning how to be hospitable.”Fostering the necessary communication and cultural skillsamong our priests, deacons, religious, seminarians, and layparish staffs allows us to relate and minister effectively to theHispanic community and other cultural groups in a spirit ofwelcoming. Hospitality also includes the adaptation or inculturationof those programs and ministries that fall underthis area so that the people can learn about the kingdom ofGod. Core value: a transforming hospitality as essential toembrace our human cultural, ethnic and racial diversity as agift from God.h Sol i d a r i t y (Lu k e 9:12-13a)As the day was drawing to a close, the Twelve approachedJesus and said, “Dismiss the crowd so that they can go tothe surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions;for we are in a deserted place here.” He said to them,“Give them some food yourselves.”It is easy to understand why the Twelve Apostles askedJesus to send the people away; they simply did not have theresources to feed the enormous crowd who was far away fromhome. That is what they thought, until Jesus challenged theirnotions and perceptions about meeting people’s needs. Withoutdoubt, our local Church, too, finds itself challenged inmany ways by a growing Hispanic population and their particulararray of ministerial needs and aspirations. “Solidarity” inthis sense means, that “we exercise compassion” as we listenand engage in advocacy and outreach efforts. Sharing the giftsGod has given to us, as individuals and as a community, tohelp provide for the spiritual and temporal needs and aspirationsof the Hispanic community. Therefore, we are called tobe with and among them, reaching out to them on their faithjourney, no matter how long they are with us, a month, a year,or a lifetime. Core value: a compassionate solidarity thatcalls us to model Jesus’ unconditional love for one another.h Com m u n i o n in Mission (Lu k e 9:13b)They replied, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have.”Jesus’ attitude of compassion prompts an invitation toshare the gifts for the good of all. The sharing of gifts, talentsand resources for the well-being of all is central to creatingand nurturing community. A Future Full of Hope calls “forgreater equity of resources among parishes, including the consolidation,centralization and sharing of resources: spiritual, humanand financial.” “Communion in mission” in this sense means“looking out for the well-being of the whole community.” Itincludes sharing resources, collaboration and coordinationof pastoral efforts, leadership development, stewardship andthe ecclesial integration of the Hispanic community as ourbrothers and sisters, who also have their own gifts, talentsand treasure to share for the common good. Core value: ashared leadership that nurtures and brings each person’sgifts, talents, and resources for the common good.h Lit u r g y & Pr ay e r Li f e (Lu k e 9:16-17)Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toheaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gavethem to the disciples to set before the crowd. They all ate andwere satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up,they filled twelve wicker baskets.Jesus takes the fruits of our faith-filled generosity andblesses what little is at hand for the well-being of everyone.Resources in the image of the Eucharist are made availableas an offering to build community and strengthen the unityof the Body of Christ to achieve ecclesial integration in aspirit of gratitude. A Future Full of Hope clarifies that “theEucharist forms the community and places it at the service ofpeople.” “Liturgy & Prayer Life” in this sense means that “ourparishes continue to trust in the power of generosity nurturedby the Sign of Unity, the Bond of Love: the Eucharist.”For we believe that all good things come from God. Corevalue: an ecclesial integration in which all Catholics allow10