National Congress an opportunity to share, celebrate gifts of Hispanic communities

SAN ANTONIO -- Preparations for the National Congress on Hispanic Ministry “Raíces y Alas 2014,” to take place Oct. 30 – Nov. 2 in San Antonio are well underway.

The theme of “Raíces y Alas 2014” is “Hispanic/Latino Ministry: Evangelizing, Communitarian and Missionary.”

“Raíces y Alas 2014” is expected to be an extraordinary gathering of Hispanic/Latino Catholics leaders from the United States, say a couple of conference organizers during a recent planning session in the Alamo City.

According to Father Hector Madrigal, a priest of the Diocese of Amarillo representing the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry, and Santiago Cortes Sjoberg from Loyola Press in Chicago, who is executive director of the Congress and is serving as project manager, this gathering will be one of celebration, reflection on the current reality of Hispanic/Latino Ministry in the United States, theological reflection, and a look toward the future.

Leaders from national and regional organizations, congregations, and movements, as well as parishioners and other committed individuals, will convene to reflect and celebrate Hispanic/Latino ministry.

The National Congress “Raíces y Alas 2014” is organized by the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry–NCCHM, in pastoral de conjunto with the Federación de Institutos Pastorales–FIP, the National Catholic Network de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana–LaRed, the National Catholic Association of Diocesan Directors of Hispanic Ministry–NCADDHM and the support of the Bishops’ Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs–USCCB.

Raíces y Alas 2014 will take place at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter at 101 Bowie Street. For hotel reservations and cancellations, call toll free Marriott’s Reservations at 877.491.5138 or visit https://resweb.passkey.com/go/NCCHM2014.

The special conference rate is $139 per person/per night (plus taxes), whether single or double occupancy. Those interested must mention the code “Raíces y Alas” to secure the special rate. All hotel reservations must be made on or before Oct. 8 to receive this discount.

The National Congress on Hispanic Ministry “Raíces y Alas 2014” offers participants two different tracks in which to participate

Track 1 runs Oct. 30 to Nov. 2. This track begins on Thursday afternoon, with registration at noon, and concludes on Sunday, at 1:45 pm. Track 1 is directed at national organizations and their members, ecclesial movements and to other national, regional and diocesan leaders. This four day track is structured around the three key themes of the Congress: Evangelization, Community and Mission.

The process, for each theme, will follow the steps of a keynote address, small groups discussion, and a plenary gathering.

Track 2 is slated for Oct. 31 through Nov. 2. This track begins on Friday evening, with registration at 6:30 p.m. and a Song and Praise event at 8 p.m., and concludes on Sunday at 1:45 pm. Track 2 is directed at parishioners and other individuals engaged in Hispanic/Latino ministry. This three day track offers participants three presentations on the themes of the Congress: Evangelization, Community and Mission.

After each presentation, participants will have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of workshops on best practices on a variety of topics. Among the subjects are the Bible, ecology, ecumenism, education, family, immigration, leadership development, liturgy, parish pastoral leadership, social justice, technology, vocations, and more.

On the last day of the National Congress “Racíes y Alas 2014,” all the participants in Track 1 and Track 2 will gather for the keynote on Mission and small group’s discussion. This joint day, and the National Congress, will conclude with a closing Eucharist and commissioning.

“Raíces y Alas 2014” invites all to participate, English and Spanish speakers alike.
For keynotes and plenaries “Raíces y Alas 2014” will provide — if requested on the registration form — translation/adaptation for the keynote addresses and plenary sessions; those in Spanish will be available in English, and vice versa.

In small group discussions, the language preference of the group members will be taken into account. Participants are encouraged to express themselves in whichever language they find most comfortable. The moderator and others will work within the group to make sure all contributions are heard and understood, independent of language used.

With workshops on best practices, the language in which the presentation will be given will be indicated, so the participants can select accordingly. During the conversations and question-and-answer period to follow, participants are encouraged to express themselves in whichever language they find most comfortable. The moderator and others will work within the group to make sure all contributions are heard and understood, independent of language used.

Archbishop José Octavio Ruiz Arenas will deliver, together with Bishop Gerald Barnes of San Bernardino, the opening keynote address. Archbishop Ruiz Arenas is the current, and first, secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization (Vatican City).

Born in Bogotá (Colombia), Archbishop Ruiz Arenas served as auxiliary bishop of Bogotá and later as bishop of Villavicencio. He was promoted in 2004 to the rank of archbishop when the Diocese of Villavicencio was elevated to an archdiocese. In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him vice-president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Four years later, in 2011, the pope appointed him the first secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization. In 2012, he was appointed a member of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

Bishop Barnes is chairperson of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs.

Three additional keynote addresses will be given on evangelization, community, and mission, by father Allan Figueroa-Deck, SJ; Estela Villagrán Manancero, and Dr. Hosffman Ospino, respectively.

Father Figueroa-Deck is a professor of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University and former executive director of the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church for the USCCB. Villagrán Manancero is director of the Office of Latino Ministry for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and is president of the National Catholic Association of Diocesan Directors for Hispanic Ministry (NCADDHM). Dr. Ospino is assistant professor of Theology and Religious Education at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, as well as co-founder of the National Symposium on Catholic Hispanic Ministry.

In addition, the William Sadlier Dinger Award for Ministry in the Hispanic Community will be presented during “Raíces y Alas 2014.” The 2014 honoree is Father Figueroa-Deck.
The award ceremony will take place during the awards luncheon on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Marriott Rivercenter. The award luncheon is included in the registration fee for Track 1. Those not participating in the congress but who want to attend the award banquet should contact Queta Amaro at [email protected].

Also, the National Catholic Association of Diocesan Directors for Hispanic Ministry (NCADDHM) will present their Outstanding Diocesan Director Of Hispanic Ministry Award at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter.

This award honors extraordinarily dedicated service in Hispanic/Latino ministry marked by outstanding performance, demonstrated through effective leadership, prolonged and committed service, and served with devotion, enthusiasm, and faithfulness. The Outstanding Diocesan Director of Hispanic Ministry Award is sponsored by Loyola Press.
To register for the national conference and for more information, visit www.ncchm.org.