Strangers No Longer: Hispanic Ministry at Holy Spirit
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Author
Munoz, Héctor
Date
2006
Degree
Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology
Abstract
The pastoral concern I am addressing is the overall health of the worshipping
community in Holy Spirit church. We have a divided parish, not because of a
crisis, but because of ethnic differences. I’m addressing this by focusing on two
problems. One problem is the lack of unity between the Anglo and Hispanic
communities. These groups of people are ethnically, culturally, and socioeconomically different, yet share one faith and worship in one House, the Church
of the Holy Spirit in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Anglo group is comprised of longtime parishioners and makes three fourths of the parish families. The Hispanic
group is made up of people who have been members of the parish for less than
four years. We have several masses for the Anglo group and one mass at 1:30
PM in Spanish for the Hispanic group. No Anglos join the Hispanic mass or
events. Some, but not many Hispanics, come to English mass or activities. Each
group is missing out in the richness the other offers. The other related problem
I’m addressing is to determine how to improve the church ministry to Hispanics.
The Hispanic community is large and devoted, but lacks adequate resources.
They receive Catechism for First Communion, Penance and Reconciliation, and
Confirmation. They also receive Baptism preparation talks. However, the
Catechists are ill prepared, there is nothing for adults, there is no youth group, and
no connection with things like church committees and volunteer services.
In selecting which pastoral project I should focus on I collaborated with Mrs. X, the church’s DRE, Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry, and my sponsor. She suggested several projects such as doing something for adult formation or youth
group for the Hispanic community. One day, inspired by the fact that there was
no mention of deceased Hispanic members in the church banners during All Souls
Day, I approached Mrs. X with the idea of doing something to foster unity
between both communities. She quickly agreed, and this pastoral project was
initiated.