By Dave Jolivet
FALL RIVER — Sister Paulina Hurtado, O.P., coordinator of the diocesan Hispanic Apostolate has extended an invitation to a gathering and workshop, a follow up of the V Encuentro, celebrated in the light of the call to evangelize, as proposed by Pope Francis and the United States Catholic Bishops, at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River on November 13 beginning at 10 a.m., and ending with a Liturgy celebrated by Father Richard D. Wilson, Vicar General of the diocese and pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church at St. James Parish and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, both in New Bedford.
The main speaker will be Hosffman Ospino, Ph.D., a professor of theology and religious education at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, where he also directs graduate programs in Hispanic ministry. He was the principal researcher of the National Study on Catholic Parishes with Hispanic Ministry (2014) and co-principal investigator of the Catholic Schools Serving Hispanic Families: 2014 National Survey.
Currently advancing a national study on vocations to ministerial service among Hispanic Catholics. He has written and edited 13 books and more than 100 essays, academic and general.
Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., added his special invitation, “I gladly invite all young adults, parents, and all adult members of the Hispanic Community in the Diocese of Fall River to meet Jesus on this day, as His brothers and sisters, His disciples, and witnesses in the Catholic Church of the United States. Welcome.”
The workshop will be themed around, “Living the Culture of Encounter In the Hispanic Community.”
Dr. Ospino said, “American Catholicism in the 21st century began in the midst of a very important demographic and cultural transformation, at the center of which is the Hispanic community.
“Evangelization in the Diocese of Fall River will depend in large part on how Hispanic families and pastoral workers foster a culture of encounter. In this workshop we will explore what it means to be Catholic in an increasingly Hispanic Church and the challenges that arise to strengthen our faith communities.”
The day begins at 10 a.m. with a greeting and opening prayer. From 10:15 a.m. to noon, Dr. Ospino will give two presentations. Lunch follows. Group work sessions are next from 1 to 1:45 p.m., followed by a third presentation by Dr. Ospino at 2 p.m.
Group work conclusions take place at 2:45 p.m. with Mass at 3:15 p.m.
The registration date for the event is no later than November 1.
The contribution is $15 which includes lunch. Attendees can be age 15 and up.
For more information, email Sister Hurtado at Sr.Paulina@dioc-fr.org, or call 508-675-1311, ext. 6533 and leave a message.
The V Encuentro is a movement of the Holy Spirit in the Church of the United States and consists of the Recognition and Affirmation of the Hispanic Presence, the Contributions and Gifts, the wealth that the Latino community brings, and it is an opportunity for us as a Church to assume a leading role in terms of Evangelization and the task of being missionary disciples, the task of proclaiming the Gospel in the Church in every corner, on time and at the wrong time, as St. Paul said.
