By Rita McInerney

Iris Rodriguez looks upon her new assignment with the Hispanic Apostolate of the archdiocese as an opportunity for personal growth.

She is the new pastoral assistant with the apostolate, continuing the work begun by Father Brian Pierce, OP, with young Hispanics from 16 to 30 years of age. The young Dominican priest began an assignment in Honduras in August.

Miss Rodriguez said her work will not be limited to youth. She is also on the committee for implementation of the Hispanic pastoral plan for the archdiocese. She had been involved with the young adults for two years before Father Brian asked her to take over the work he had begun. She was hesitant at first, she said. Her degree from Mercer University is in finance and economics and her business experience was in accounting with a distributor of candy lollipops imported from Spain.

“I wasn’t looking for such work. I was looking for something in business,” she said. “I was at first hesitant about taking this job. I didn’t know if I was capable. Then I saw it as a challenge for my personal growth.”

She is encouraged by the support offered by other members of the apostolate, especially the young people. She sees herself as part of not only the youth community but also the missionary community that plans to do outreach in Atlanta and the group of young adults who evangelize through their dramatic and musical presentations. During Lent of 1991 this group presented a dramatization on the plight of the undocumented. They are currently writing a play to be performed in December.

Miss Rodriguez was born in New York City and lived her first five years in the Dominican Republic, her parents’ native country. The family came to Atlanta in 1984. Her involvement with other young Hispanics began with the youth group in her parish, Immaculate Heart of Mary.