Hispanic Ministry Leaders to Gather in Denver
WASHINGTON (June 9, 1997) -- Diocesan Hispanic ministry leaders will continue their preparations for the Millennium at a three-day meeting at the University of Denver June 23 to June 26.
The annual conference of the National Catholic Association of Diocesan Directors of Hispanic Ministry has been built around the theme of "From the Third Encuentro to the Third Millennium: Hispanic Presence from Blessing to Sacrament." Among the objectives of the conference are:
- fostering unity among pastoral ministers;
- creating a model process that will help diocesan directors to meet present needs;
- developing strategies to implement a pastoral vision for Hispanic ministry;
- focusing Hispanic ministry for maximum effectiveness.
The conference fully gets under way on Tuesday, June 24, with a session "Reading the Sign of the Times," led by Bishop Ricardo Ramírez of Las Cruces (NM) and Dr. Jeannette Rodriguez, author and professor. Small group discussions, based on the morning's presentations, are scheduled for the afternoon.
On Wednesday, June 25, Jesuit Father Thomas Florek and Nancy Escobedo, both former directors of Hispanic ministry in Gary, Indiana, will make a presentation entitled "Seize the Opportunity," followed by group discussion. "Opening Horizons," the afternoon presentation, will be led by Paulist Father Bruce Neili, former director of the Office of Evangelization at the
National Conference of Catholic Bishops, and De. Zoila Díaz, academic dean at St. John Vianney College Seminary. Like the previous sessions, small group discussions will follow.
Bishops Ramírez and Gerald Barnes of San Bernadino (CA) will be on hand Thursday morning, June 26, for a dialogue with participants. Bishop Barnes chairs the NCCB's Committee on Hispanic Affairs.
For more information about the conference, reporters should contact the NCADDHM, 680 W. Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30308-1984, or 404-888-7839.