One of the great glories of the Catholic Church is that it is universal. That it is truly catholic. The Church keeps the unity of faith and of the sacraments despite the differences of time and even culture in which believers live. 

 

In that sense, the essential unity of faith joins us to those who have gone before us and who will come after us. And the truth of Jesus Christ incarnates in different cultures and languages, even as it perfects those cultures.

 

The Church in the United States has recently had an experience of that catholic element of its nature. That was on display during the National V Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry that was held near Fort Worth, Texas, Sept. 20-23.

 

As the title indicates, this is the fifth time the Church in the United States has witnessed this sort of encounter (encuentro). At each meeting, the focus is on what we in the Diocese of Rockford know to be a vital and growing element of the Church. That is, the Hispanic community. 

 

For example, in the Diocese of Rockford, almost 50 percent of the faithful are of Hispanic origin.

 

The Encuentro, then, is a meeting of faithful — Hispanic, Anglo and others — from all over the United States. Their goal was to assess together the life of the Hispanic Catholics and to seek ways that the Church can better welcome and serve the Hispanic Catholic culture. 

 

In addition, it was a moment to ask what those of us who are not Hispanic can learn and benefit from in the Hispanic faith expressions.

 

I was part of a delegation of five persons from the Diocese of Rockford. Here are some quick impressions of that gathering.

 

First, one sensed the tremendous joy of the moment. 

 

Sometimes people of different cultures feel a bit awkward encountering each other and seeking something to talk about. But whether in the hallways or in organized meetings, the overwhelming sense was a positive one that reflected the joy of sharing our common faith. 

 

From the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Christophe Pierre to Cardinal Joseph Tobin and Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville, Texas, speaker after speaker pointed out the challenges and the opportunities facing Hispanic Catholics. 

 

A common theme was to challenge the Hispanic faithful to accept the call of Pope Francis to be Missionary Disciples (Evangelii Gaudium, n. 120).

 

Other speakers urged the Hispanic Catholic community not to sell itself short in the life of the Church. One observer commented that he disagreed with the idea that the Hispanic community in this country is now coming to maturity. 

 

As he put it, “that overlooks the fact that we Hispanics have already been here for 500 years.”

 

Another speaker underscored the many gifts Hispanics bring to the Church. He urged Hispanic Catholics not to be afraid to give those gifts and called for more doors to be opened in the Church to make that possible.

 

In addition to the talks and discussion sessions, the life of the Church was also lived out during the Encuentro. 

 

At one point, participants were given a chance to engage in hands-on acts of charity. Catholic Relief Services sponsored an opportunity for those present to come to a room and help to prepare food kits to be sent to the needy abroad. 

 

Combined with daily Mass, confession and recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours, the addition of a specific act of charity reminded all who were present of the full meaning of being Catholic.

 

We are blessed in the Diocese of Rockford to have vibrant Hispanic members in our local Church. The challenges to minister to their needs and to draw from them the gifts of faith are real and on-going. That is a summary of the life of the Church in every age and place.

 

This meeting reminded us of the blessings and the opportunities of being Missionary Disciples in a world that needs to hear the witness of our Catholic faith.