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

Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry / From Guests to Hostsintroductionh Assist Chancery leadership, departments and programsin to adapt and enhance their services to better supportHispanic ministry in the Archdiocese;h Provide parishes and faith communities with comprehensiveresources for Hispanic ministry.On March 2006, Bishop Elizondo convened a SteeringCommittee made up of pastors, deacons, key chancery staff,and lay leaders. The purpose of the gathering was to implementthe proposal by setting goals, developing strategies, andmaking recommendations for the Archbishop. Participantsalso explored the financial and personnel resources necessaryto support the implementation of the proposal. These goals,strategies and recommendations led to the development ofthe Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry underthe title: From Guests to Hosts: Pastoral Priorities for the EcclesialIntegration of Hispanics.From Guests to Hosts is a pastoral plan that provides aclear vision, goals, and strategies to promote the ecclesial integrationof Hispanic Catholics in the life of the Church andits mission in parishes and other Catholic institutions andorganizations. It is also a pastoral planning tool for chanceryoffices, deaneries, and parishes to better coordinate their effortsand the use of resources in their ministry among HispanicCatholics.The overall goal of From Guests to Hosts is to have acommon language and a frame of reference to ensure thecontinuity and consistency of the Church’s efforts to bringHispanic Catholics to a more enthusiastic participation of inour local Church as whole.Part I of From Guests to Hosts gives voice to the identityand lived reality of Hispanic Catholics living among us. Itincludes a historical description of development of Hispanicministry in the Archdiocese. It also includes brief informationon the rapid growth of the Hispanic community andthe challenges we face as church to welcome them as ourbrothers and sisters, and to receive the gifts they bring to ourparishes and communities.Part II includes a pastoral–theological reflection basedon the biblical passage of the multiplication of the fish andthe loaves (Lk 9:10-17), and its image of a transforming hospitality.Such an image is the basis for the vision, missionand values that guide Hispanic ministry in its four pastoraldimensions: Formation, Solidarity, Communion in Mission,and Liturgy & Prayer Life.Part III outlines the priorities identified during the pastoralplanning process. It presents the goals, objectives, actionsteps, and resources developed to address each of thepriorities under the four ministerial dimensions. This partfocuses on the implementation of the plan at the Archdiocesanlevel.Part IV includes a pastoral planning tool for parishes.The tool is based on nine steps that describe the ecclesialintegration of Hispanics into the life and mission of the faithcommunity. Each step includes suggestions to help parishesdevelop ministries and ministers among Hispanics and tostrengthen the unity among all the members of the parishthrough mutual enrichment.At the same time, it is important to acknowledge thatthere is a learning curve in this process as we open newavenues of reflection and action in regard to ecclesial integration.This is why From Guests to Hosts invites all toreflection, local adaptation, application, and implementationto achieve consistency where possible and to encouragediversity where appropriate. It is important to note thatthe document does not propose norms or policies. However,it adheres to the policies and guidelines established by theArchdiocese of Seattle.In keeping with the U.S. Bishops’ understanding anduse of the terms “Hispanic” and “Latino,” the Archdioceseof Seattle embraces and uses both terms interchangeably.However, From Guests to Hosts uses the term “Hispanic” forpractical purposes and to avoid repetition.From Guests to Hosts acknowledges and unifies the work,commitment and pastoral experience of many parishes anddeaneries that have already developed a pastoral planningapproach in Hispanic ministry. Worthwhile noting is thework of the Eastside, Olympic, Pierce and South King deaneries.Finally, From Guests to Hosts acknowledges and upholdsthe dignity and value of all cultural-ethnic groups withwhich Hispanic ministry has grown and collaborated within a spirit of “communion in mission.” While the documentspecifically addresses the needs and aspirations of theHispanic community, at the same time, it is a response tostrengthen the unity of the Body of Christ by addressing theneed to strengthen ministry structures, relationships andcollaboration across cultures, and foster active participationin the life of the local Church.2