Encuentro Goal, Objectives, Process, Schedule, and Youth Involvement

Goal

The central goal of the First Encuentro is to engage Hispanic young people and the professional leadership in Hispanic and Youth and Young Adult ministry in a process of encounter-conversion-communion-solidarity and mission that can empower Hispanic young people into a more active, enthusiastic and influential participation in the life and mission of the church in the United States.

Specific Objectives

  • Through a consultation process, identify and reflect on the needs, aspirations and contributions of Hispanic Catholic young people within the church and in society
  • Through a formation in action process, foster the leadership and skills development of Hispanic Catholic young people already involved in ministry, while reaching out to those who do not yet participate in the life and mission of the church
  • Through a discernment process, develop a common vision and pastoral principles that will guide the ministry TO, WITH and FROM Hispanic youth and young adults in parishes, dioceses and Catholic institutions and organizations
  • Through an assessment process, identify and promote best practices and ministry models that effectively engage Hispanic young people in the life and mission of the church and help them grow to become mature disciples of Christ. Through an assessment process, identify and promote best practices and ministry models that effectively engage Hispanic young people in the life and mission of the church and help them grow to become mature disciples of Christ
  • Through a communion in mission process, promote a commitment within the church to develop strategies and provide the resources necessary to equip parishes, dioceses and Catholic organizations and institutions for ministry among Hispanic young people

The Encuentro Process

This Encuentro is not just a national event but a process that will involve all those that are part of the ministry to and with the Hispanic young people as well as the church structure. The process will invite all to participate through various church structural levels: parish, diocesan, regional, and finally through the national gathering. This national Encuentro in June 2006 at the University of Notre Dame will set priorities for the church with the Hispanic young people at every level. A desired outcome of the PENPJH is the issuance of a pastoral statement on Hispanic young people in the United States and the church’s response.

The process starts at the parish level. An easy to use parish process has been finalized with the creation of a guide that will be provided to all diocesan and parish staff. This guide will contain the local Encuentro process recommended for use by parishes. It will consist of five interactive sessions prior to the Parish Encuentro. Each session follows the format of a pastoral dialogue co-facilitated by leaders in Hispanic and youth and young adult ministry, both professional and volunteers. The dialogue includes opportunities for Hispanic adolescents and young adults to: a) hear what the church says about them, b) share about who they are, including their challenges and gifts, and c) raise their prophetic voice on how the church can better empower them into a more active, enthusiastic, and influential participation in the life and mission of the church and society.