The members of the Hispanic Ministry Consultative Committee offer the following suggestions for ways that Disciples in Mission can be implemented effectively in Hispanic Communities.  There are a variety of suggestions offered based on the positive Year 1 experience of several parishes.  The Hispanic Ministry Consultative Committee recommends that parishes that have Hispanic communities review these suggestions in light of their specific parish experience and implement the ideas that will meet the needs of their parish best.  The suggestions are as follows:
 

• ¨ The Hispanic Subcommittee for the Parish Leadership Team should work very closely with the rest of the Parish Leadership Team and use the same process to recruit participation.  This will include knowing what Disciples in Mission resources are available in Spanish and ordering the materials the parish will need in Spanish as well as English, doing similar Disciples in Mission presentations at both the English and Spanish masses, and translating into Spanish pertinent information such as bulletin announcements and handouts that can then be given out at the Spanish masses as well as the English masses.

• ¨ One of the difficulties in many parishes was using the Spanish edition of the Small Group Participant’s Booklet.  The reason for this is that the Spanish edition is a straight translation of the English Small Group Participant’s Booklet.  This means that the Spanish edition is at the same academic level of the English edition.  In the Archdiocese of Portland, many of our parishioners who are Spanish-speaking have not had the benefit of the same educational opportunity as the average English-speaking parishioner.  The Hispanic Ministry Consultative Committee recommends that parishes evaluate their Hispanic population and create a variety of small group experiences.  The following are some possible ways to set up small groups:

1. Some of the Spanish-speaking parishioners may be very comfortable using the Spanish translation of the Small Group Participant’s Booklet.  If that is the case, there can be small groups organized who use the Small Group Participant’s Booklet, Spanish Edition.

2. Some of the Spanish-speaking parishioners may have a limited education.  This will make it difficult for them to use the Spanish translation of the Small Group Participant’s Booklet.  In this case, it is recommended that the Parish Leadership Team recruit Spanish-speaking Small Group Leaders who have an education level that is high enough to ensure that they are comfortable with the Spanish translations of both Small Group Leader’s Guide and the Small Group Participant’s Booklet.  These Small Group Leaders can attend Small Group Leader Training and review the leader’s guide and participant’s booklet and facilitate a small group in Spanish.  At the meetings, the leader can facilitate discussion based on a simplified explanation of the Small Group Participant’s Booklet.  Those who attend can be encouraged to bring their personal Bibles to the meetings.

3. Some of the Spanish-speaking parishioners may have a very limited reading ability that will make it impossible for them to read either the Small Group Participant’s Booklet or a Bible.  In this case, it is also recommended that the Parish Leadership Team recruit Spanish-speaking Small Group Leaders who can review the material and facilitate the small group.  At these meetings, the leader can read out loud the scripture readings and summarize a few of the key ideas from the Small Group Participant’s Booklet at a level that those who attend can relate to.
 

• ¨ One of the cultural characteristics of Hispanics is that is their love for gathering in the church itself for various types of activities.  Because of this, it is recommended that as many of the Lenten activities as possible be scheduled at the church itself.  If your parish is going to have small groups in Spanish or gatherings of families to do the Family Activity Booklet, there will usually be a higher participation rate if these meetings are held at the church rather than in private homes.

• ¨ Another cultural characteristic of Hispanics is their great love of doing activities as a family rather than adults and children attending separate meetings.  Because of this, one parish implemented Disciples in Mission for their Spanish-speaking families by inviting them all to come to the parish one evening a week as a family.  The Hispanic Coordinator read the scripture readings and facilitated a brief discussion based on the Spanish translation of the Family Activity Booklet.  The families were then invited to break up into individual family groups, discuss the scripture readings further as a family and do the project suggested in the Family Activity Booklet.  The projects were then put up in the church.  It was reported that the adults and children both enjoyed this way of participating in Disciples in Mission.

• ¨ Another cultural characteristic is that it is very important in the Hispanic community to have the pastor’s support for their participation in parish activities.  In order to have a high Disciples in Mission participation in the Hispanic community, ask your pastor to support the outreach to the Hispanic community.  Ask the pastor to attend at least one whole planning meeting for your Parish Leadership Team where the Hispanic Subcommittee will be present and ask him to express why Disciples in Mission is important in the parish.  Also ask the pastor to speak at the Spanish masses and invite people to participate in Disciples in Mission.  If there are meetings during lent at the parish, ask the pastor to be present for one or more if possible.  If the pastor reaches out to the Hispanic community in these or other ways, more members of the community will participate.

• ¨ Another recommendation is that the Parish Leadership Team determine what Hispanic community meetings are already happening on a weekly basis at the parish and that these groups be asked to do Disciples in Mission during lent.  Disciples in Mission can either replace what their normal meeting would be or it can be integrated into their meeting.  For example, if there is a group that meets weekly to pray the rosary, this group could have a Disciples in Mission small group meeting and then end with the rosary.

• ¨ Another cultural characteristic is that Hispanics love trinkets and all types of souvenirs.  It was suggested that Hispanics will have a greater sense of belonging and feel more committed to Disciples in Mission if there are shirts, book bags, mugs or other items for those participating.

• ¨ Another recommendation is that at the end of lent that there be a retreat or a time at mass when participants can bring a rosary and/or family Bible and at the end of the retreat or mass the priest can bless these items for the family.  These blessed items will then be taken home and this experience will be greatly appreciated by the participants.

It is the hope of the Disciples in Mission Archdiocesan Leadership Team that the above suggestions will assist in reaching out to our Hispanic communities more effectively.  Attached to this handout is an updated phone list of members of the Hispanic Subcommittee of the leadership team.  Feel free to contact a member in your geographic area if you need further assistance with outreach to your parish’s Hispanic community.
 

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