Below are some of the Secretariat's available resources. If you do not see a resource listed below, please click on the "here" to view additional materials and information. Contact us at @email for more information.
Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers
Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers (BICM) focuses on evangelization and building synergism between communities within the Church by identifying diverse categories of populations and embracing their multicultural similarities and differences in an effort to encourage a certain equality, facilitating the development of a more mutual framework or paradigm between communities in relation to the entire Catholic (diocesan or parish) population.
Best Practices for Shared Parishes (English & Spanish)
This guide is to assist pastors of culturally diverse parishes in the challenging task of building unity in diversity. Developed from responses of a recent study among a group of pastors who achieved a high level of integration and inclusion in the parishes where they serve, these recommendations help pastors and their teams respond to challenging ministerial situations and growing demographic changes, The guide identifies pastoral responses and proven best practices in relation to intercultural competencies in attitudes, knowledge, and skills. It helps parishes discern pastoral planning strategies and opportunities that will lead to higher level of stewardship.
Creating a Culture of Encounter: A Guide for Joyful Missionary Disciples (English & Spanish)
Creating a Culture of Encounter is a process of formation in the in the faith that invites all Catholics in the United States to an intense missionary activity, in the spirit of the New Evangelization. The process of the Encounter calls Catholics to better serve those on the periphery in dioceses, parishes, ecclesial movements, and other Catholic organizations and institutions in light of its theme: Joyful Ministry Disciples.
Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call To Love
In November 2018, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops approved a new pastoral letter against racism, Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love. In the letter, the bishops invite all people of faith to conversion. We are called to open our minds and hearts to Christ’s love for all people and to the experiences of those who have been harmed by the evil of racism.
Journeying Together Proceedings
Journeying Together: A National Catholic Intercultural Encounter for Ministries with Youth and Young Adults is a USCCB proceedings report that documents a nationwide synodal process in which young adults, ministry leaders, and bishops from diverse cultural communities engaged in dialogue, listening, and discernment about the future of ministry with youth and young adults. The report highlights intercultural conversations, key lessons learned, and recommendations for fostering inclusion, accompaniment, leadership development, and greater cultural responsiveness within the Catholic Church in the United States.
Journying Together Handbook for Intercultural Encounter
Journeying Together: A Handbook for Intercultural Encounter is a practical USCCB resource designed to help Catholic dioceses, parishes, and organizations foster dialogue, listening, and collaboration among diverse cultural communities, with a special focus on youth and young adults. The handbook provides a step-by-step framework for intercultural conversations, action planning, and community building that promotes inclusion, synodality, and stronger relationships across cultures within the Church.
The 40th Anniversary of the pastoral letter, What We Have Seen and Heard
What We Have Seen and Heard: A Pastoral Letter on Evangelization from the Black Bishops of the United States is a USCCB pastoral letter that calls Black Catholics to participate fully in the Church’s mission of evangelization by sharing the gifts of their faith, heritage, and lived experience. The document presents evangelization as both proclaiming and witnessing the Gospel, while encouraging the growth of strong Catholic communities through renewal, leadership, service, and faith formation.
Pastoral Letter En Español download
Lo que Hemos Visto y Oído: Carta Pastoral sobre la Evangelización de los Obispos Negros de los Estados Unidos es una carta pastoral de la USCCB que llama a los católicos afroamericanos a participar plenamente en la misión evangelizadora de la Iglesia compartiendo los dones de su fe, su herencia cultural y su experiencia de vida. El documento presenta la evangelización como la proclamación y el testimonio del Evangelio, al tiempo que promueve el fortalecimiento de comunidades católicas sólidas mediante la renovación, el liderazgo, el servicio y la formación en la fe.
Pastoral Letter Study Guide
The accompanying guide to What We Have Seen and Heard: A Pastoral Letter on Evangelization from the Black Bishops of the United States (1984) This guide attempts to follow the intent of the Black Bishops: We urge you to study and discuss the points laid before you in this, our pastoral letter. We ask that you heed the opportunities that are ours today. Let us not deprive the Church of the rich gifts that God has granted us.
The National Black Catholic Congress: Write the Vision Pastoral Plan of Action
It is the hope of this Congress XIII Pastoral Plan to provide inspiration and enthusiasm in our mission to be prophetic and thrive as we follow Jesus. It brings truth to the reality that the future is not just achieved in one event but through many acts of follow-up in mission and service from committed folks. The hope and strength of the Congress movement is to inspire an increase of pastoral and missionary activity. Those who are involved give evidence that the consequences of the Congress movement lives in their bones.
Encountering Christ In Harmony: A Pastoral Response To Our Asian and Pacific Brothers and Sisters
Encountering Christ in Harmony: A Pastoral Response to Our Asian and Pacific Island Brothers and Sisters is a 2018 USCCB pastoral statement that recognizes the rich cultural diversity, faith traditions, and contributions of Asian and Pacific Island Catholics in the United States while addressing the pastoral needs and challenges they face. The document calls the Church to foster greater inclusion, leadership development, intercultural dialogue, and support for families and communities so that Asian and Pacific Island Catholics can more fully share their gifts in the life and mission of the Church.
Preserving the Apostolic Faith The Living of Indian American Catholics
Preserving the Apostolic Faith: The Living Faith of Indian American Catholics explores the history, traditions, and spiritual heritage of Indian American Catholics, highlighting the apostolic roots of Christianity in India and the contributions of Indian Catholics to the Church in the United States. The document examines the community’s unique cultural and religious identity, pastoral needs, devotional practices, and rich liturgical traditions, while encouraging greater understanding and appreciation of their role in the life and mission of the Catholic Church.
Partners in Evangelization: Chinese American Catholics
Partners in Evangelization: Chinese American Catholics is a USCCB pastoral resource that provides a general introduction to Chinese American Catholicism from historical, cultural, worship, and pastoral perspectives. It offers insights into the experiences, traditions, and faith of Chinese American Catholics while providing practical information to help pastors and ministry leaders better accompany and serve Chinese Catholic communities in the United States.
A Treasured Presence: Filipino American Catholics
A Treasured Presence: Filipino American Catholics is a USCCB resource that examines the history, faith traditions, family life, devotional practices, and pastoral experiences of Filipino American Catholics, highlighting their significant contributions to the life of the Church in the United States. It offers clergy and ministry leaders practical insights for fostering culturally responsive pastoral care while recognizing the gifts, traditions, and enduring faith of Filipino American communities.
Rooted in Tradition: The Chamorro Catholics in the United States
Rooted in Tradition: The Chamorro Catholics in the United States is a USCCB resource that explores the history, culture, spirituality, and Catholic faith traditions of the Chamorro people, highlighting how their indigenous heritage and Catholic identity have shaped their religious life. It provides pastoral guidance for clergy and ministry leaders seeking to better understand, welcome, and accompany Chamorro Catholics while recognizing the unique gifts they bring to the Church in the United States.
Harmony in Faith: Korean American Catholics
Harmony in Faith: Korean American Catholics is a USCCB resource that explores the history, spirituality, cultural traditions, and pastoral experiences of Korean American Catholics, highlighting the growth and vitality of Korean Catholic communities in the United States. It offers insights for clergy, pastoral ministers, and parish leaders on fostering effective ministry, cultural understanding, and evangelization while recognizing the unique gifts Korean American Catholics bring to the life of the Church.
Resettling in Place: A Vietnamese American Catholic Experience
Resettling in Place: A Vietnamese American Catholic Experience is a USCCB resource that chronicles the history of Vietnamese Catholicism, the refugee experience following the fall of Saigon, and the development of vibrant Vietnamese Catholic communities throughout the United States. It highlights the faith, cultural traditions, vocational leadership, and pastoral contributions of Vietnamese American Catholics while offering insights into the opportunities and challenges facing future generations.
Missionary Disciples Going Forth with Joy
Missionary Disciples Going Forth with Joy: National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry, a bilingual publication in English and Spanish, addresses the entire Church in the United States and seeks to strengthen the Church's response to the Hispanic/Latino presence, while embracing and fostering the contributions of Hispanic/Latino Catholics as missionary disciples serving the entire People of God. This document from the U.S. bishops comes in direct response to the priorities, recommendations, and pastoral insights generated during the V National Encuentro for Hispanic/Latino Ministry. Given the ongoing growth of the Hispanic/Latino population across the country, the establishment of Hispanic/Latino ministry in more parishes and other pastoral settings is a high priority.
Missionary Disciples Going Forth with Joy
Missionary Disciples Going Forth with Joy: National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry, a bilingual publication in English and Spanish, addresses the entire Church in the United States and seeks to strengthen the Church's response to the Hispanic/Latino presence, while embracing and fostering the contributions of Hispanic/Latino Catholics as missionary disciples serving the entire People of God. This document from the U.S. bishops comes in direct response to the priorities, recommendations, and pastoral insights generated during the V National Encuentro for Hispanic/Latino Ministry. Given the ongoing growth of the Hispanic/Latino population across the country, the establishment of Hispanic/Latino ministry in more parishes and other pastoral settings is a high priority.
Discipulos misioneros en salida con alegria/Missionary Discipes Going Forth with Joy
Discípulos misioneros que salen con alegría: Plan Pastoral Nacional para el , una publicación bilingüe en inglés y español, se dirige a toda la Iglesia en los Estados Unidos y busca fortalecer la respuesta de la Iglesia a la presencia hispana/latina, mientras abraza y fomenta las contribuciones de los católicos hispanos/latinos como discípulos misioneros que sirven a todo el Pueblo de Dios. Este documento de los obispos de los Estados Unidos viene en respuesta directa a las prioridades, recomendaciones y conocimientos pastorales generados durante el V Encuentro Nacional para el Ministerio Hispano/Latino. Dado el crecimiento continuo de la población hispana / latina en todo el país, el establecimiento del ministerio hispano / latino en más parroquias y otros entornos pastorales es una alta prioridad.
Discípulos misioneros en salida con alegría
Discípulos misioneros que salen con alegría: Plan Pastoral Nacional para el , una publicación bilingüe en inglés y español, se dirige a toda la Iglesia en los Estados Unidos y busca fortalecer la respuesta de la Iglesia a la presencia hispana/latina, mientras abraza y fomenta las contribuciones de los católicos hispanos/latinos como discípulos misioneros que sirven a todo el Pueblo de Dios. Este documento de los obispos de los Estados Unidos viene en respuesta directa a las prioridades, recomendaciones y conocimientos pastorales generados durante el V Encuentro Nacional para el Ministerio Hispano/Latino. Dado el crecimiento continuo de la población hispana / latina en todo el país, el establecimiento del ministerio hispano / latino en más parroquias y otros entornos pastorales es una alta prioridad.
V Encuentro Proceedings & Conclusions
V Encuentro Proceedings and Conclusions documents the outcomes of the Fifth National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry, a nationwide consultation process that engaged Hispanic/Latino Catholics in discerning priorities for evangelization, leadership development, and pastoral ministry in the Church in the United States. The resource presents the findings, recommendations, and pastoral strategies that emerged from the Encuentro process, providing a framework for strengthening the participation, accompaniment, and missionary discipleship of Hispanic/Latino Catholics.
Ten Years of Pastoral Visits: Hope for Migrant Workers
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Proceedings of the Third African National Eucharistic Congress Responding to the New Evangelization: The African Catholic Family, A Gift to the Catholic Church in America
Proceedings of the Third African National Eucharistic Congress (2016) captures the presentations, reflections, liturgical celebrations, and recommendations from the congress themed “Responding to the New Evangelization: The African Catholic Family, a Gift to the Church in America.” The resource highlights the faith, cultural richness, and contributions of African Catholics in the United States while encouraging evangelization, leadership, family life, and greater participation in the mission of the Church
Keeping Christ’s Sacred Promise: A Pastoral Framework for Indigenous Ministry
Keeping Christ’s Sacred Promise: A Pastoral Framework for Indigenous Ministry pastoral framework is the U.S. Catholic bishops’ updated vision for ministry with Indigenous peoples, including Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Catholics. It was developed after years of listening sessions with Indigenous leaders and seeks to promote healing, reconciliation, evangelization, cultural respect, and Indigenous leadership within the Church.
Two Rivers A Report on Catholic Native American Culture and Ministry
Two Rivers: A Report on Catholic Native American Culture and Ministry is a USCCB report that explores the relationship between Native American cultures and Catholic faith, emphasizing how these two traditions come together in the spiritual life of Native American Catholics. The report examines the state of Native American ministry in the United States, identifies its gifts and challenges, and offers recommendations to strengthen evangelization, pastoral outreach, and support for Native American Catholic communities.
“Journeying Together is a process of dialogue and encounter focused on the Church’s ministry with youth and young adults that fosters understanding and trust within and across cultural families toward a more welcoming and just community of faith.” —Journeying Together Statement of Purpose
ResourceRead the press release on the second phase of the Study on Cultural Diversity Displays the Catholic Church's Growing Multicultural Parish Population. Check out the completed study! Diocesan Resources
We are excited to announce that the "PCMRT Worship Site Inventory and Demographics Study," conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University (CARA) from 2017-2021, is now available!
Given the often-hidden reality of many immigrants, refugees, and people on the move populations in the United States, the PCMRT Subcommittee thought it critical to conduct a survey of diocesan and worship sites across the country to obtain information on the presence, outreach, and services offered to these populations in all territorial arch/dioceses in the United States. These profiles and the national report are available at: https://cara.georgetown.edu/ as well as https://cara.georgetown.edu/PCMRTReport.pdf
We are happy to offer each diocese a “Diocesan PCMRT Profile Report” as soon as it is available. An overview of the study was presented to the body of bishops on Friday, June 18th, 2021, at the Virtual June 2021 Plenary Assembly, and can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AOgMTxoeV8
It is our hope and prayer that this report may be of help in identifying, strengthening, and expanding outreach efforts to the many immigrants, refugees, and mobile communities in the U.S. For additional information or to request your diocesan report, please contact PCMRT - Sr. Joanna Okereke at @email