Parishes work to integrate Hispanics

When it comes to integrating new people into parishes, Catholics know what they're doing, Rev. Michael Hogan believes.

That's why the pastor of Sacred Heart/St. Columba and St. Joseph parishes in Schenectady, says Catholics shouldn't be afraid to reach out to the growing Hispanic population in the Albany Diocese.

Once upon a time, he explained, "everybody hated the Irish...the Italians. The Polish were going to take over everything. We provided Catholics with Mass and religion in their own language, and we gave them the self-confidence to move out into the general community. And it worked."

Hispanic influx

According to Ronaldo Cruz, executive director of Hispanic Affairs for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Hispanic ministries often begin outside the church building -- in the aisles of discount stores, in restaurants and on the street -- when Catholics see new faces that they don't see at church.

"Usually, the pastor or other church leaders will say, 'Let's go talk to them,'" Mr. Cruz said. "The Latino community is elated because it affirms their gift and contributions, and invites them to the faith community."

But the movement towards true integration of parishes is sometimes a bumpy ride, he admitted. Tensions can come from changing long-time traditions, sharing space, experiencing different cultural norms and setting different priorities.

But, he continued, many places around the country, including the Albany Diocese, are finding that combining communities is a must.

"That tension is very normal, a very natural occurrence," he said. "But the challenge we have as Church is to build bridges."

Adapting

Mr. Cruz shared some ways for parishes to adapt:

* make Latino parishioners feel welcome through access to the church, including religious education classrooms and places where they may start to "identify as a Catholic community";

* develop specific sacramental and pastoral ministries for both populations, as well as welcome apostolic movements and confraternities like Cursillo that appeal to Hispanics;

* bring the Spanish- and English-speaking communities together through joint parties, celebrations and programs;

* develop leadership programs, and ongoing formation and training for people who speak both languages;

* view the inevitable crises, roadblocks and disagreements along the way as "an opportunity for growth," and talk through tensions, work through disagreements and try to understand the other side;

* give Latino parishioners an active voice on parish councils and in decisions regarding the direction of the faith community. Break barriers

The most important thing, he said, is to "build relationships" by breaking down barriers between cultures, and learning about the others' stories and lives, history, and personal and familial experience.

Mr. Cruz said that sharing those stories leads to greater understanding of cultural traditions on both sides and starts weaving a healthy, multicultural community.

"That's what building the body of Christ is all about," he noted. "Otherwise, we deal with stereotypes and prejudices that do not help."

Mr. Cruz said that "the final step is the recognition by parish leadership that all of our members are on equal terms. You cannot see this as 'we and they.'"

Schenectady

Examples of various stages of adapting can be found throughout the Albany Diocese. At Sacred Heart/St. Columba parish, for instance, Father Hogan has celebrated a Mass in Spanish every Sunday morning for 14 years.

The parish also has a bilingual bulletin, a Spanish Bible study, a Latino "Called to Be Church" team and regular celebrations for both English- and Spanish-speaking parishioners.

"It's a wonderful congregation, and they really enjoy one another," he said. "The religious traditions and celebrations are different, but they've learned to live with one another. There's a lot of cooperation."

Two languages

Rev. Thomas Hayes, pastor of St. Mary's parish in Crescent, is taking Spanish lessons through the Shenendehowa School District and the help of parishioners.

He is also planning a parish-based English as a Second Language (ESL) course for parishioners, a sacramental preparation program in Spanish, an Hispanic music ministry and Spanish Stations of the Cross.

Parishes "need to nurture a sense of belonging for the people in the community," Father Hayes said. "We're finding that a number of people have been here [for a long time] but have not been approached by the Catholic community. Catholics have not extended that kind of service."

Guadalupe

Nativity/St. Mary's Church in Stuyvesant Falls sponsors a bilingual Generations of Faith program four times a year and invites all parishioners to an annual feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Ash Wednesday service is also bilingual.

Last summer, the parish hosted a traveling image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Spanish parishioners cooked at a reception and "did a lot of folk-dancing afterwards. It was marvelous," said Rev. Frank O'Connor, pastor.

"As much integration as possible would be my hope, because that's what the Body of Christ is. We're trying to work towards that."

(4/5/07) [[In-content Ad]]