Print Issue: September 26, 2002

A Portrait Of Our Hispanic Community

Cuauhtemoc, left, and Sara Teniente participate in the Friday evening folk dance lessons at Our Lady of the Americas Mission, Doraville. Instructor Gwendolyn Gomez teaches the class. (Photos by Michael Alexander)

By Priscilla Greear, Staff Writer

ATLANTA - Quienes somos? Que necesitamos? Who are we? What do we need? Those were questions driving members of a core archdiocesan committee in planning the administration of a survey of all the Hispanic ministries in the archdiocese completed in March. It was designed and carried out by anthropologist and Agnes Scott College professor Martha Rees, Ph.D., sponsored by the Hispanic Apostolate and sent to all churches as well as all priests of the archdiocese.

The survey was a first step by the archdiocese to find out the needs of its Hispanic population and offers a statistical snapshot of the Spanish Mass-goers of North Georgia. It is hoped it will help direct those involved in Hispanic ministries as they continue to develop them. The survey shows the rainbow of Spanish-speaking countries represented at each parish - from Colombia to Guatemala to Mexico, making the term "Hispanic" both culturally and linguistically broad.

As Sept. 15-Oct. 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month, established to celebrate the many achievements of Americans who trace their roots to Central and South America, Spain and the Caribbean, it is an appropriate time to reflect on the study, and learn more about the diverse Latino gifts and religious and cultural traditions present in parishes from Dalton to Jonesboro.

From the state's first Hispanic woman judge, to a community where ancient Mayan traditions are woven into Catholic spirituality, this issue of The Georgia Bulletin is dedicated to examining a portion of what the survey revealed, through profiles of different Latino communities, individuals, services offered and the needs still present.

The procession of banners winds its way around the track at St. Pius X High School, Atlanta, at the beginning of the eucharistic celebration in honor of St. Juan Diego, July 31.