Hispanic Ministry Symposium
school of theology and ministry
National Symposium on the Present and Future of Catholic Hispanic Ministry in the United States
June 8-10, 2009
Boston College
Organized by:Boston College
School of Theology and Ministry
In partnership with:
|
Barry University Institute for Hispanic/Latino |
Loyola Marymount University |
A meeting of approximately sixty church leaders, scholars, and practitioners from around the country who will gather to discuss the present and future of Catholic Hispanic Ministry in the United States. Participation in the symposium is only by invitation. Participants have been involved in a year-long process of preparation in which study documents are being written and will serve as the basis for conversation during the symposium. The study documents and the conclusions from the symposium will be published as a book in English and Spanish through Convivium Press.
Participants at the symposium will engage in conversation on seven key areas related to Catholic Hispanic Ministry in the United States:
- Hispanic Ministry and U.S. Catholicism
- Hispanic Ministry and Theology
- Hispanic Ministry, Evangelization and Faith Formation
- Hispanic Ministry, Liturgy and Spirituality
- Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry
- Hispanic Ministry and Social Justice
- Hispanic Ministry and Leadership Formation
Five reasons why this symposium will be an important contribution to contemporary reflection on U.S. Catholicism:
This symposium will…
- ...affirm the potential of Hispanic Catholics –approximately 40% and projected to be the majority of all Catholics in the country in less than 20 years –to shape the present and future of the U.S. Catholic experience;
- ...build on decades of reflection about Hispanic Catholicism, particularly on the work that led to the National Encuentros, the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry, and several documents issued by the U.S. Catholic bishops;
- ...propose a vision that will assist U.S. Catholics, Hispanic and non-Hispanic, to better plan ministry now and in the immediate future;
- ...call for renewed ways to empower Hispanic Catholics to be more actively involved in national organizations, offices and programs at all levels in the Church, the academy and society; and,
- ...offer practical recommendations to move the conversation about Hispanic Ministry forward.
Post-symposium phase:
- Conclusions from the symposium will be presented at various national, regional and local gatherings to invite further reflection about the themes engaged
- Once the book with the study documents and conclusions is published (early 2010), church leaders and scholars are invited to use these materials in conversations about ministry and theology in the United States within their own communities, courses and planning processes
- Dioceses, parishes, academic institutions and organizations advocating for Hispanic Ministry in the Catholic Church are invited to host leadership meetings to discuss the documents and conclusions that will emerge from the symposium
- Convivium Press, Baker and Taylor, Inc., and several other publishing companies will distribute throughout the United States the book that will emerge from the symposium. The book will be available via these publishing companies’ websites, amazon.com, and at leadership gatherings nationwide.
How can your organization/institution be part of the Post-symposium phase?
- Years 2010 and 2011: Plan at least one annual meeting to discuss the documents and conclusions from the national symposium on the present and future of Catholic Hispanic Ministry in the United States.
- Make the theme “Present and Future of Catholic Hispanic Ministry in the United States” part of your annual membership meeting or any other event where conversations about ministry in the Church take place.
- Engage in this conversation with Hispanic and non-Hispanic leaders in the Church and the Academy
- Share the word about this important conversation
- A number of academic institutions and ecclesial organizations are already in conversation to continue the conversation about future directions for Catholic Hispanic Ministry in the United States. Similar events and publications will emerge out of this interaction. If your organization is interested in being part of this conversation and in becoming an active contributor, please contact the organizers of the symposium for further information.
Chairperson:
Prof. Hosffman Ospino, PhD
Theology and Education
Faculty Director of Hispanic Ministry Programs
Boston College - School of Theology and Ministry
ospinoho@bc.edu
617-552-6501
Graduate Programs in Hispanic Ministry at Boston College STM:
Major sponsoring publishing companies:
Other sponsoring organizations:
Congar Institute for Ministry Development
Northeast Pastoral Center, Oregon Catholic Press
Institutional Endorsements:
USCCB – Secretariat for Cultural Diversity in the Church – Hispanic Affairs