Empowered By The Spirit

Published: August 2, 2007

ROSWELL—Approximately 220 leaders of Hispanic ministry from 41 parishes came together July 7 to refocus on the spiritual core of what they do and the vital importance of the Holy Spirit in making it fruitful. They attended the 2007 Archdiocesan Hispanic Ministry Encounter (Encuentro) at St. Andrew Church, Roswell. The daylong program, planned by the Hispanic Ministry Office, focused on this critical point: that ministerial work has no future and will not achieve significant change if it is not based on solid and strong personal spirituality, nourished by the Gospel.

“The Spirit is the engine of pastoral work,” said Jairo Martínez of the Hispanic Ministry Office, and the work must go forward despite “the difficulties and sacrifices that the apostle has to face.”

The day drew ministers together to reflect on their maturity as Christian leaders and how to work through problems, differences and discouragement with growing spirituality. Speakers included Father José Duván González, Leonardo Jaramillo and Martínez from the archdiocesan staff, and clergy and staff from other dioceses and from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Deacon Joseph Ruberte, right, of the Holy Spirit Catholic Center, Sandy Springs, was one of 220 people from 41 parishes attending the July 7 Hispanic Ministry Encounter at St. Andrew Church, Roswell. (Photos by Michael Alexander)

Father Martin Mancera of St. Cipriano Church, Bogota, Colombia, speaks on the topics of communal and pastoral spirituality.

Musicians (l-r) Cucho Garcia, Israel Peralta, Elson Vega and Shekinah Rodriguez provide entertainment during the lunch hour.

Various parishes and ministries each take an hour over an eight-hour period for adoration during the Hispanic Ministry Encounter. Here members of the Schoenstatt Movement, St. Jude the Apostle Church, Atlanta, St. Michael Church, Gainesville, and St. Vincent de Paul Church, Dallas, pray in the St. Andrew Church chapel.

Hector Villanueva, director of Hispanic ministry at Corpus Christi Church, Stone Mountain, takes notes as he listens to one of the speakers.

Volunteers Carolina Sanchez, 26, left, and Paloma Ramos, 19, untangle religious medals for display.