Special month celebrates the impact of Hispanics in the U.S., Church

(En Espanol)
 

Father Michael Keucher, archdiocesan director of vocations, leads nighttime eucharistic adoration at Camp Rancho Framasa on Sept. 13 in Brown County during the annual family camp hosted by the archdiocesan Hispanic Ministry. (Submitted photo)

(Editor’s note: National Hispanic Heritage Month is annually observed from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 in the U.S. to recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic culture to the nation’s achievements, culture and history.

To help us observe this celebration, we have compiled, with the help of Felix Navarrete, archdiocesan coordinator of Hispanic Ministry, some of the recent happenings of our Hispanic brothers and sisters in the Church in central and southern Indiana.

We pray that the gifts they continue to share with the Church assist our family live out its mission of building our diverse community of faith in the archdiocese and beyond.)
 

Criterion staff report

The archdiocese’s Intercultural Pastoral Institute opened another academic year in August with 65 students enrolled—33 first-year students and 32 returning for their second academic year.

Courses were added this year, noted Felix Navarrete, archdiocesan coordinator of Hispanic Ministry, “to provide a stronger foundation in theological topics, such as the ‘Mystery of the Trinity’ and ‘Theology of the Body.’ ”

Additionally, new instructors joined the team: Father Todd Goodson, pastor of Our Lady of the Greenwood Parish in Greenwood, and Father Isaac Siefker, parochial vicar of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Beech Grove and Good Shepherd Parish in Indianapolis.

The weekend of Sept. 13-14, the Hispanic Ministry office hosted its annual family camp at CYO Camp Rancho Framasa in Brown County. About 200 people attended this year’s gathering, with Father Goodson speaking to parents about the universal call to holiness and Father Michael Keucher, archdiocesan director of vocations, hosting a panel with young adults about vocations.

Father Keucher and Father Vincent Gilmore, pastor of St. Lawrence Parish in Indianapolis, also led “adoration under the stars,” Navarrete said, “with Jesus exposed in the National Eucharistic Congress monstrance.”

Also in September, the Hispanic Ministry office organized its second Mariology workshop at Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House in Indianapolis, which drew 100 participants.

“This new collaboration with Fatima has had a tremendous impact to date,” Navarrete said.

The third and final part of the series, focusing on Our Lady of Guadalupe, Star of the New Evangelization, will be held in Spanish at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 3. The cost is $20. Tickets can be purchased through the Hispanic Ministry office (see below).

Catechetical formation in Spanish continued to be held at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad. The archdiocese, Navarrete said, boasts the largest numbers of students and recipients of certificates. The final session will be held on Nov. 8.

The first-ever Hispanic Ministry Gala honoring the Blessed Mother will be held on Dec. 6. The evening begins with check-in at 5 p.m., followed by Mass celebrated by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. The celebration will continue in the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center with a dinner.

Pablo Martinez, an Argentinian composer and musician known for his songs inspired by Scripture and the saints, including St. Augustine, will perform at the gala.

Tickets can be purchased through the Hispanic Ministry office (see below). Single tickets are $40. Tickets for a couple are $70. The price for a table of eight is $240.
 

(For more information on Hispanic Ministry in the archdiocese, e-mail Felix Navarrete at fnavarrete@archindy.org, or visit www.ministeriohispano.archindy.org.) †