NEW YORK — All are welcome to the HNP Franciscan “Encuentro” Oct. 24 at St. Camillus Church in Silver Spring, Md.
To be sure that all attendees feel comfortable and informed, the keynotes and some workshops will be bilingual. Some workshops are especially designed to assist mainstream English-speaking friars and lay partners in discovering the blessings of the Hispanic community, how to minister effectively if one does not speak Spanish, how to facilitate the development of multi-cultural, and welcoming ministries in the parish.
Travel to “Encuentro,” just outside Washington, D.C., could be a great opportunity for English-speaking friars and lay partners to share a car or bus-ride with the Hispanic community. There probably will be bilingual Hispanics in each car who can facilitate translations.
We, as planners, expect that all participants will enjoy the celebratory, festive, faith-filled environment of the “Encuentro.” I imagine that the St. Camillus roof will be raised with the lively singing.
— Father Christopher of Wilmington, Del., is chair of the Province’s Hispanic Ministry Committee.