By Mary Beth Marino

The Hispanic community is experiencing a “close Encounter of the third kind.”

The first encounter took place in 1972, when the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington addressed the influx of Hispanics in the United States -- most of whom were reared in the Catholic faith, but who had dropped out or changed their denomination when their needs were not being met.

The second Encounter took place in 1977. The bishops, noting that there were some 20 million U.S. Hispanics at that time, realized that there was a major pastoral problem, and as a result, drafted the U.S. pastoral letter on Hispanic ministry called, “The Hispanic Presence: Challenge and Commitment.”

Along with the pastoral letter, appointments of Spanish-speaking bishops were initiated. These bishops proposed that a convocation be set up for the third Encounter and an evangelizing process be developed by the Hispanics. This third Encounter process is taking place in the archdiocese of Atlanta, and in every diocese around the country, right now.

The process consists of forming groups around the archdiocese for the purpose of reflection and to discuss the issues Hispanics are now facing both as Catholics and as non-Catholics. Five different subjects are addressed: evangelization; pastoral planning; social justice issues; youth and education. The most significant one is evangelization.

Mr. Pablo Sedillo, lay director of Hispanic Affairs at the United States Catholic Conference (USCC) headquarters in Washington, D.C., reports that an estimated 600,000 Hispanics are going through the process.

“The evangelization process is designed to be an outreach to the unchurched and those born and raised Catholic in South America, but for one reason or another, left the church when they came to this country,” Mr. Sedillo explained.

“When the immigrants came here, they had a difficult time adjusting in church because they found that the institutional church was not addressing their needs,” he added.

A language barrier and a cautious attitude between Americans and Hispanics alike, prove to be a real dilemma.

The encounter process broke through these barriers. It answered the challenge and made the commitment in the pastoral letter.

In Atlanta, over 40 study groups have discussed all these issues and are submitting their conclusions and recommendations to the diocesan team that will meet on Feb. 2 at Holy Cross parish to review the process.

Raul Trujillo, lay director for the archdiocese of Atlanta, spearheads the program with the help of Maria Salgado, Jose Montero, Jorge Presmanes, Jacqueline Cudras, Paco Macias and Ronald Cudras, all of whom help to implement the process at the parish level.

An actual study session, offers group discussion on the differences reflected in each culture. For instance, church practices; family trends and customs; positive and negative differences in both cultures; reflections on the pastoral letter; social justice issues and support; educational practices; Hispanic youths and their experiences dealing with American youth in this culture, and any other issues prompted by the transition from one culture to the other.

After the issues are discussed, suggested biblical passages are read and used for reflection. This also helps to bring new meaning to the issues. The group then shares in prayer. Then a questionnaire addressing these issues is filled out and all the data is compiled and entered into a computer. The data is then brought to the regional diocesan meeting where all the diocesan leaders discuss and propose recommendations.

The national level is the last step in the process at which point the convocation is culminated as the Third Encounter (III Encuentro Nacional Hispano)

Raul Trujillo relayed the importance of this Third Encounter process.

“The Hispanic community is really responding to this process and appreciate that something is finally being done to reach the people. It is important for the Hispanic community to know they have the support of the church and that it (the church) is not divorced from day to day activities; church support is a very important part of this process,” Raul explained.

He added that transition is a “tough process” no matter what nationality you are.

Father Bill Hoffman, archdiocesan director of the Hispanic Apostolate, said that this process was being followed carefully and a successful completion of the Third Encounter could set a trend for other nationalities to pursue the same process.

Will this process end with the convocation of the Third Encounter in August when the bishops meet?

“I see the end of the process as an actual beginning,” said Raul Trujillo. “Once you express issues, you have the opportunity for change and action. The enthusiasm is good among the Hispanic community and they realize the importance of continuing the process whether they participate as a group or just through prayer.” Judging by the Hispanic community’s response, it seems