L ATINO PASTORAL LEADERS Impact Report 2023
Cover Photo: Alba Orozco Diocese of St. Augustine Photo this page: Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center Marriottsville, MD
LATINO PASTORAL LEADERS:
Communion in Mission: Growing Community Among Hispanic/Latino Catholic Leaders
Nestled amidst the serene landscape of the Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center in Marriottsville, MD, the first Latino Pastoral Leaders National Gathering was held from November 10 to 12, 2023. The event brought together 15 leaders from Leadership Roundtable’s Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative to share pastoral experiences, discern future ways of working in a “pastoral de conjunto,” or “communion in mission,” and learn best practices in pastoral ministry. Alejandra Villa from the Diocese of Joliet in Illinois encapsulated the spirit of camaraderie and mutual support that was a cornerstone of the gathering, saying, “working together works and leads us to success.” For three days, the participants engaged in lively discussions and forged deep bonds with one another, sharing their personal stories, challenges, and aspirations creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and shared faith. Throughout their time together, moments of laughter and storytelling in the evenings revealed the joyous spirit of the community. “I have made friends and cemented relationships that will last forever,” said Yolanda Sanchez of the Diocese of Austin. “These are friends that will accompany me through my victories and support me when I fail.”
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Participants of the 2023 Latino Pastoral Leaders National Gathering
Responding to the Call In 2020, Leadership Roundtable created the Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative in partnership with Lilly Endowment Inc., which generously provided funding through its Thriving in Ministry Initiative, and with support from other donors. It was created in response to the need for the development of culturallycompetent leadership that was overwhelmingly expressed by the vibrant and growing Catholic Hispanic/Latino community in the United States during the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/ Latino Ministry process. The Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative launched in the Diocese of Joliet in Illinois offering a pilot cohort of comprehensive formation and leadership development that meets the unique needs and challenges faced by Hispanic/Latino leaders in the Church. From there, the program expanded to include a cohort in the Diocese of St. Augustine in Florida, and again with a cohort in the Diocese of Austin in Texas. To date, more than 60 Hispanic/Latino pastoral leaders have participated in this leadership formation program, learning best practices in Church management and enhancing their leadership skills to serve their ministries and communities. As additional cohorts take part, Leadership Roundtable aims for the program to empower Hispanic/Latino pastoral leaders to serve their communities ever more effectively and increase their capacity to lead in myriad Church settings. Making an Impact
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An essential element of the Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative is conducting a regular and robust evaluation of all program
elements, from the participant's experience and the growth of individual participants, to the sustained impact beyond the cohort experience. As a part of a rigorous evaluation program to evaluate the sustained impact of the Initiative, Leadership Roundtable engaged a third-party evaluator to conduct a mixed-methods impact assessment study, utilizing both quantitative (survey) and qualitative (interview) data from each cohort 6 months after the conclusion of the Initiative. The first three cohorts have each completed a 6-month impact assessment study and the results are both positive and powerful. One measure of participant satisfaction measured in this study is the Net Promoter Score (NPS). NPS quantifies the likelihood of a person recommending an organization or service to a friend or colleague. As such, it is a good proxy for enthusiasm. In each of the three cohorts, participants rated the Initiative with a high NPS, ranging from 67 to 86 — revealing that across the board, those who have taken part have found value in the program. With consistent above average NPS scores, the Initiative has generated not only satisfaction but also enthusiasm among the participants. We plan to expand the Initiative through additional cohorts of leaders and continue to extend our leadership formation programs to reach a broader audience of Hispanic/Latino leaders through meaningful collaborations with other dioceses and organizations investing in the formation of their leaders. One participant shared, "It is exciting to know that in 5, 10, 20 years, we will see the real effects of this program, and I pray many others get to experience it."
Mar Muñoz-Visoso United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
A National Pastoral Plan In June, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a new National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry, a plan that follows the important work of the V National Encuentro and the decadeslong growth of Hispanic/Latino ministry in the United States. The National Pastoral Plan serves as a pastoral planning resource that includes pastoral guidelines for Hispanic/Latino ministry, specific objectives and activities for the formation of young adult leaders, and calls for the continued development of interculturally competent leaders. Mar Muñoz-Visoso, Executive Director of the USCCB’s Secretariat for Cultural Diversity in the Church and a member of the National Advisory Committee for the Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative, offered insights during our November gathering on the USCCB’s plan. “It is important to understand that the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/ Latino Ministry is the result of the collective discernment of Latino Catholics in ministry, the national Catholic ministry organizations and associations, and the U.S. Catholic Bishops in an amazing and organic process of ‘pastoral de conjunto,’” Muñoz-Visoso shared. “This coordinated approach to ministry will take root and be effective only if it is appropriated and implemented at the local level,” she continued. “This means clergy, religious men and women, and lay people, Hispanic or not, studying it together, planning strategies together, and focusing on the pastoral priorities and approaches according to the local needs.”
Current National Advisory Committee members Leadership Roundtable formed a National Advisory Committee of well-respected Hispanic/Latino Catholic leaders from Catholic organizations, religious communities, and educational institutions within the United States. The members’ academic, professional, and pastoral expertise is reflected in the content and approach of the Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative, where many committee members also serve as presenters and peer group facilitators.
Fr. Allan Figueroa Deck, SJ Distinguished Scholar of Pastoral Theology and Latino Studies, Loyola Marymount University Sr. Teresa Maya, CCVI Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word Fr. Juan Molina President & CEO, Mexican American Catholic College Ms. Mar Muñoz-Visoso Executive Director, Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Mr. Darius Villalobos Director of Diversity and Inclusion, National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
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For those who took part in the Latino Pastoral Leaders National Gathering, that work began immediately as the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry served as a cornerstone of the discussions throughout the event, where participants took a deep dive into the plan’s relevance and application. Several participants said they plan to take back what they discerned during the gathering and apply it to their work in the Church. “I will use what I learned in my parish, forming my ministry leaders and applying the [National] Pastoral Plan [for Hispanic/ Latino Ministry] to my parish,” Fr. Froylan Jerez Rivera from the Diocese of Austin said. In addition to the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry, the gathering also delved into the Boston College’s School of Theology and Ministry report by Dr. Hosffman Ospino, titled “Ministry with Young Hispanic Catholics: Towards a Recipe for Growth and Success.” Young adults are top of mind for many in the Church, and the Boston College report provided valuable insights into the needs and aspirations of young Hispanic/ Latino Catholics, sparking discussions on effective strategies for engaging and supporting these Catholics in the U.S. Young adults and emerging leaders will be the focus of the 2024 Leadership Roundtable Catholic Partnership Summit, with a
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theme of "Expanding the Tent: Young Adult Leadership and Co-Responsibility in the Catholic Church." A Gathering of Shared Faith and Cultural Diversity Among its most poignant moments, the National Gathering fostered a robust discussion on personal leadership journeys, inviting panelists from each participating diocese to share their experiences and insight. Facilitated by Javier Bustamante, Director of the Center for Cultural Engagement at The Catholic University of America, the panelists shared personal and powerful narratives that highlighted the challenges and triumphs of leading a diverse and multicultural Church. Both collectively and individually, their stories offered valuable lessons for participants, lessons rooted in the complexities and nuances of their journeys. “I come back renewed and ready to continue,” Luz Guerrero from the Diocese of St. Augustine commented at the end of the gathering. The first Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative National Gathering began and ended as much more than a meeting — it was a celebration of shared faith, cultural diversity, and a commitment to serve.
Jocelyn Perez Diocese of Austin Photo Credit: Ashley Valle
Francisco Javier Martínez Cavazos Diocese of Austin
A Course in Synodality: Empowering Hispanic/Latino Leaders The call to synodality, from Pope Francis, has reverberated across the Catholic Church, prompting a renewed focus on co-responsible leadership and collaborative decision-making. In response to this call — and a call of leaders at our 2022 Catholic Partnership Summit for more formation opportunities — Leadership Roundtable collaborated with the Discerning Leadership Program, Catholic Leadership Institute, and Leadership Conference of Women Religious, to develop a groundbreaking Synodal Leadership Formation course. The course was made possible by the generous support of Porticus. As an extension of Leadership Roundtable’s experience forming Hispanic/Latino leaders through the Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative, Leadership Roundtable took this opportunity to offer the Synodal Leadership course bilingually. We welcomed a group of ten Hispanic/Latino leaders who took part in our Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative as an opportunity for ongoing leadership formation. Each participant had a unique background and experience in pastoral ministry. These leaders, representing dioceses, parishes, and Catholic organizations, brought a wealth of perspectives and contributions to the program. Through a blend of experiential learning, prayerful reflection, and innovative teaching methods, participants delved into the essence of synodality, gaining the tools to foster a more inclusive,
participatory, and transformative leadership approach within their communities. The course curriculum, crafted to align with Pope Francis's vision of synodality, encompassed a range of topics, including: active listening, communal discernment, participatory decision-making, overcoming biases and assumptions, adaptive leadership, and building bridges. One participant remarked, “This course has not only enriched my understanding but also reaffirmed my commitment to serving.” By empowering Hispanic/Latino pastoral leaders with the skills and insights necessary to embrace synodality, we continue our commitment to paving the way for Hispanic/Latino leaders to serve ever more fully in a Church where co-responsibility, collaboration, and discernment are viewed as the cornerstones of leadership. Expanding Hispanic/Latino Leadership Formation Opportunities Bilingual Leadership Formation Leadership Roundtable has expanded our bilingual leadership formation programs to reach a broad range of Hispanic/Latino leaders through meaningful collaborations within a "pastoral de conjunto” with dioceses and organizations investing in the formation of their leaders. In the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, the Intercultural Pastoral 5
Institute forms and develops lay pastoral leaders to serve the intercultural pastoral mission of the archdiocese. Aware of our services to Hispanic/Latino pastoral leaders, the Institute sought to collaborate with Leadership Roundtable in support of their mission. The Institute gathered a bilingual cohort of Hispanic/Latino leaders who serve at parishes throughout the archdiocese to take part in Leadership Roundtable’s Catholic Leadership 360 program. Catholic Leadership 360 is a leadership development program that offers pastoral leaders fresh insight into their effectiveness as leaders in the Church. The program provides a unique opportunity for growth in leadership by incorporating self-reflection and self-assessment alongside respectful, structured feedback from those with whom participants regularly interact. Participants receive increased self-awareness of their leadership competencies, a deeper understanding of personal strengths and areas of growth, and identify and map out a plan for ministerial leadership development. Over the course of three months, participants gathered inperson and online for workshops and an individual session with a certified facilitator to review their assessment report. The workshop presentations, materials, and assessment tool were all provided bilingually. As one participant shared, the program provided helpful insight to both “know my strengths” and to “work on my weaknesses.” In addition to the Catholic Leadership 360 program, graduates of the Institute’s Pastoral Leadership Program and new pastoral leaders participated in bilingual leadership formation workshops on the topics of Servant Leadership for a Synodal Church, Growing Volunteers, and Intercultural Competency. The leadership formation workshops further enriched the skills
and capacity of pastoral leaders, who rated the workshops as 4.9 out of 5 for overall effectiveness. Dr. Carmen Hernandez, Ph.D., coordinator of the Intercultural Pastoral Institute, said that the formation provided by Leadership Roundtable provided “a significant impact on the pastoral leaders” and assisted in continuing to promote the ongoing formation of Hispanic/Latino pastoral leaders. Bilingual Board Formation The Catholic Migrant Farmworker Network (CMFN) serves a vital role in supporting the needs of migrant farmworkers and their families in the U.S. Recognizing the importance of effective board governance, CMFN sought Leadership Roundtable's assistance in enhancing its board's effectiveness, particularly in light of the predominantly Spanish-speaking population it serves. Leadership Roundtable's commitment to bilingual delivery was instrumental in meeting CMFN's specific needs. We delivered the program in both English and Spanish, ensuring that all board members were able to fully participate and benefit from the training. This approach was praised by Teresita Kontos, President of CMFN's board. “During the training sessions, we gained knowledge and skills to collaborate more effectively as board members,” she said. “We also learned how to create our own manual to train future members in our organization. It was a very enriching experience, and I am grateful to the team for their professionalism and enthusiasm.” Bilingual Communications
Left to right: Yolanda Sanchez (Diocese of St. Augustine), Enrique Velasquez (Diocese of Austin), Francisco Javier Martínez Cavazos (Diocese of Austin), Elisabeth Román (Diocese of Joliet), and Alejandra Villa (Diocese of Joliet)
Learn about the Catholic Leadership 360 program 6
Listen to the stories of participants from the Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative
leadershiproundtable.org
Leadership Roundtable’s commitment to serving and offering formation to the Hispanic/Latino community encompasses our commitment to bilingual communication across all our communication channels. In 2023, with funding from Crimsonbridge Foundation and Lilly Endowment, Inc., we launched a fully bilingual website, making it easier for Hispanic/ Latino leaders to access our leadership and management information and resources. Additionally, a Spanish-language version of “A Pastor's Toolbox,” titled "La Caja de Herramientas para Líderes Pastorales”, scheduled to publish in early 2024, will make best practices accessible to a wider audience of Spanish-speaking lay and religious leaders. These efforts, together with launching a bilingual newsletter, and working to produce our programs and documents in Spanish to engage the Hispanic/Latino Catholic community in an inclusive way. Looking Ahead Leadership Roundtable reaffirms our commitment to the development of leadership formation dedicated to meeting the unique needs of the growing, diverse Hispanic/Latino Catholic community in the Catholic Church. We eagerly anticipate future cohorts of the Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative and are poised to continue to meet the unique needs of dioceses and Catholic organizations who seek bilingual programs and services, as well as individual Hispanic/Latino Catholics seeking leadership and management resources. We continue to strive for the continued growth of Hispanic/Latino Church leaders and for building a Church culture where leaders are committed to co-responsible decision-making that includes the Hispanic/Latino community at the table.
Andrea Blanco Leadership Roundtable
CON TAC T: A ndrea Blanco
1775 I Street NW, Ste. 1150
Program Manager, Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative andrea@leadershiproundtable.org
leadershiproundtable.org
Washington, DC 20006 202-635-5820
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Judy Morales-Steinheimer Diocese of Austin Photo Credit: Ashley Valle left to right Javier Bustamante (The Catholic University of America), Ana Maria Aguirre (Diocese of St. Augustine), Luisa de Poo (Diocese of Austin), William Becerra (Diocese of Joliet)
Manuela Botelo (left) and Luisa de Poo (right) Diocese of Joliet and Diocese of Austin
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Dcn. Hector Rodriguez Diocese of Austin Photo Credit: Ashley Valle
Christopher Molinar Diocese of Austin