Bilingual services pop up in parishes

Natives of the Dominican Republic celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Alta Gracia, the patroness of their homeland, and listen to a special homily devoted to her at Sacred Heart/St. Columba's Church in Schenectady.

Spanish-speaking worshipers at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Troy attend Bible study classes each Monday, using Bibles written in Spanish for their discussion.

Those are just some of the ways in which pastoral ministry to Spanish-speaking Catholics continues to expand in the Albany Diocese.

For Latinos

"I think Hispanics feel more comfortable in their faith expression in their own native language," he said. "What we're trying to do is help them become an active part of their parishes so they can share culture and faith."

Father Falletta assists in providing for the pastoral and liturgical needs of Hispanics. He and Martha Arenas-Fenn, coordinator of Hispanic pastoral services for the diocesan Family Life Office, meet with pastors from the six parishes with Spanish Masses to develop programs for Hispanic ministry and create a sense of community among Spanish-speaking Catholics.

In Spanish

One of the more recent additions to Hispanic ministry on a diocesan level is the development of a Pre-Cana program in Spanish, Mrs. Arenas-Fenn pointed out. Among her goals for the near future are helping Hispanics respond to their baptismal call by forming parish leaders, and offering more retreats and holiday events.

A parishioner of St. Patrick's Church, Mrs. Arenas-Fenn believes it's important for Spanish-speaking Catholics to worship or become involved in programs in their native language because the activity has more meaning. "It just feels so natural. It comes from the heart," she said.

Connections

The workers found the idea of a Mass in their native language appealing, and Father Falletta began offering Mass each Sunday for them in August of that year. Although he is no longer its pastor, Father Falletta continues celebrating the Spanish Mass at Nativity/St. Mary's; he also offers a Spanish Mass each Saturday at St. Mary's Church in Hudson.

Each Mass features Spanish music and readings, Father Falletta gives his homily in Spanish, and worshipers occasionally meet afterward to chat and have coffee. There may be special celebrations to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe or other patrons of Latin American countries, and both parishes have sacramental preparation programs in Spanish, Father Falletta noted.

Welcome way

There is a Legion of Mary and a Circle of Prayer for Spanish-speaking parishioners, and involvement in those programs and the Spanish Mass helps Hispanics to feel that they have a home in St. Patrick's.

"It's a sign of welcome that the ministries of the Church are offered to them in their own language," Father O'Connor said.

For youth, too

Father Hogan, who also celebrates a Spanish Mass each Wednesday, usually reads his homily from notes, but he will sometimes preach off the top of his head, as he did on the feast of Our Lady of Alta Gracia.

The parish has a youth group, retreats, choir and prayer group for Spanish-speaking parishioners. Social services are an important part of the parish's work, as Hispanic Outreach Services operates in the parish rectory.

Countries throughout Central and South America are represented at the parish, with Spanish as the common language shared by the nearly 100 worshipers who attend that Sunday Mass. "There's a great deal of difference between praying in your native language and praying in a foreign language," Father Hogan said.

Bible study

St. Michael's Church in Amsterdam offers Spanish Mass each Sunday, and prayer groups, Bible study and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults are other activities for Spanish-speaking parishioners. Rev. Lawrence Decker, pastor, celebrates the Spanish Mass. There are Spanish-speaking lay ministers, such as altar servers, lectors and Eucharistic ministers, and some parishioners are involved in home visits and religious education.

The Spanish Mass gives Hispanics a chance to celebrate in their native tongue, even if English is not foreign to them.

"To some people, [the Spanish Mass] is very important. To others, it's not an issue, just a preference. I know they enjoy it," he said.

(Editor's note: In addition to the diocesan and parish programs for Latinos mentioned above, The Evangelist has begun carrying occasional articles in Spanish. They are translated by Martha Arenas-Fenn.)

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