Cristos Jovenes program trains Hispanic youths to be parish leaders

Published: 2005-10-26

WILMINGTON, Del. (CNS) -- Mexican-born Gerardo Ponce, 24, says he came to the United States to make money and pursue the American dream. Peruvian-born Gloria Flores, 30, came to seek a new start after a painful situation. Eduardo Carrera, 20, a certified horse trainer in Mexico, hoped to find a job that would let him be close to the horses he loves. Their initial goals may elude them, but Ponce, Flores, Carrera and other recent immigrants still consider themselves fortunate because they have found something they say is greater -- a deeper, more mature faith rooted in the knowledge of God's love for them. They found it with the help of Cristos Jovenes (Spanish for Christian youth), a program that trains young people to be parish leaders. In the Diocese of Wilmington, Spanish-speaking young people learn about the church as they worship and pray together in parish youth groups developed and led by other young adults who are graduates of the program.

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