Bishops’ Committee on Hispanic AffairsSecretariat for Hispanic Affairs

NineDevelopmental Stages forEcclesial

Integration

From Guests to Hosts of the

Faith Community

These stages are offered to develop Hispanic ministry in parish life and in other Catholic institutions and organizations

They follow a developmental sequence that brings Hispanic Catholics, and other groups, from newcomers to stewards of the faith community

It also transforms parishes into missionary and evangelizing faith communities that embrace all the baptized in their God-given human diversity

Stages to Develop Hispanic Ministry

NEWCOMERS STEWARSDS

FROM GUESTS TO HOSTS

A. Developing A Sense of Belonging1. Meet people where they are at2. Make people feel at home3. Develop ministries and ministers

B. Weaving a New Diverse Community4. Build relationships across cultures and ministries5. Champion leadership development and formation6. View and manage crisis as opportunities for growth

C. Achieving Ownership and Stewardship 7. Open wide the doors to the decision making process8. Sow and reap full ownership and stewardship9. Achieve full commitment to the life and mission of the parish

3 Phases, 9 Stages

A) Developing a Sense of Belonging

Integration is not to be confused with assimilation. Through the policy of assimilation, new immigrants are forced to give up their language, culture, values, and traditions… By integration we mean that our Hispanic people [and Catholics from all cultures] are to be welcomed to our church institutions at all levels. They are to be served in their language when possible, and their cultural values and religious traditions are to be respected. Beyond that, we must work toward mutual enrichment through interaction among all our cultures.

(NPPHM #4)

Integration vs. Assimilation

Hispanic Catholics rejoice when other Catholics:

Visit them with good news

Affirm their gifts and contributions

Invite them to the faith community to be at home away from home

Stage 1: Meet people where they are at

Hispanics feel welcomed when they:

Have the ecclesial space to be themselves

Have room to develop their own sense of identity

Adapt to a different culture from a position of strength

Stage 2: Make people feel at home

Hispanics are empowered when:

They provide for their own ministerial needs and aspirations

Parish staff and leaders work with them to develop a comprehensive ministry

Ministries include the four dimensions of Christian life modeled in the first Christian communities (Acts 2: 42-47) and included in Encuentro and Mission

Stage 3: Develop ministries and ministers

B) Weaving a New Diverse Community

Hispanics are willing to:

Share their stories, religious traditions and cultural richness

Celebrate faith and life together with other ministries and cultures

Build relationships, community and unity between Hispanics from different countries of origin and with the other cultural communities and ministries of the parish

Stage 4: Build relationships across cultures and ministries

Hispanic leaders are eager to:

learn and seek opportunities for ongoing faith formation and training for ministry

invest time and talent in certificates and degree programs that are accessible

be recognized and supported as ministers by the entire parish community

Stage 5: Champion leadership development and formation

Hispanics seek more:

Meaningful ways to be involved in the life of the faith community

Responsiveness from all parsih staff on the needs and aspirations of their families and communities

Recognition by parish leadership and structure as members on equal terms

Stage 6: View and manage crisis as opportunities for growth

C) Achieving Ownership and Stewardship

Hispanics want:

Space at the table where decisions are made on Hispanic ministry

An active voice on the life and direction of the faith community as a whole

A place in the parish council, parish staff and other decision making groups

Stage 7: Open wide the doors to the decision making process

As disciples of Christ, Hispanics seek to:

Contribute time, talent and treasure

Build a culturally diverse faith community that is their own

Be active participants of a community of faith in which all cultures are constantly transformed by Gospel values in order to be leaven for the kingdom of God in society

Stage 8: Sow and reap full ownership and stewardship

Stage 9: Achieve full commitment to the life and mission of the parish

Hispanics commit to:

Strengthen the unity of the parish while honoring its diversity

Be alert and ready to invite and welcome newcomers in their midst

Become gente-puente by ministering with Catholics of all cultural backgrounds

CREDITS

Project CoordinatorsRonaldo Cruz, Executive Director

Alejandro Aguilera–Titus, Associate Director

Layout and DesignGerardo Gonzalez & Isaac E Govea

Picture of Holy FamilyMichael O'Neill McGrath, OSFP

Edited byRosalva Castañeda, Project Specialist

Carliss Parker-Smith, Consultant

U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Hispanic AffairsSecretariat for Hispanic Affairs Production © 2004