Hope Emerges When Church Leaders Work Together to Serve Struggling Hispanic Community

Grappling against the challenges of serving the struggling Hispanic/immigrant community can bring pastoral leaders together in clarity of mission, hope, and joy. Julia Scarnato discovered during a national conference of Hispanic pastoral leaders that the Church’s mission embraces the shared faith, culture, and needs of Hispanic and immigrant communities worldwide. Scarnato is the director of the Hispanic Apostolate of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

The conference, themed “Caminando con alegría, Anclados en la Esperanza” (Walking with Joy, Anchored in Hope), was sponsored by the National Catholic Association of Diocesan Directors for Hispanic Ministry (NCADDHM). The event took place Oct. 21 – 24 in Newark, New Jersey.

The conference sessions included faith and mission; conscience, culture, and commitment; youth, leadership and mission; and sending forth with hope.

Attendees discussed their common struggles. These included exercising diocesan leadership given the many limitations in financial and personnel resources. The leaders also discussed the stress the new immigration policies represent because they cannot implement open programs within the Church to help at different levels of urgency. This is most especially felt in states where aggressive policies that are affecting communities have been implemented.

Walking with confidence and serenity to transmit a message of peace is difficult for the leaders because each of them is also facing economic, social, and personal crises, according to Scarnato. Attendees discussed the difficulties of stepping forward so that no one is left behind, and the polarization in society that is reaching various ministerial offices.

Scarnato highlighted the common points of hope that emerged as leaders networked and shared ideas.

"The reflections in the apostolic letters and plans developed throughout the history of the Catholic Church in the United States show that, in difficult times, the Church has always responded with a Christ-centered approach," she said.

Hope also emerged as attendees understood that they are accompanied by other leaders on this journey and that they share resources both personally and through collaborative pastoral work across different regions and USCCB offices.

Scarnato was moved by the tenacity and ability of Hispanic parish leaders. She noted they carry on their shoulders the responsibility of specific jobs and the suffering that comes with changing mindsets and working in an environment with many limitations.

"It was the same situation for each of us present," said Scarnato. 'We carried each of our Catholic and non-Catholic brothers and sisters with all their problems on our shoulders and in our hearts, internalizing the suffering of the unworthy servant who only did what he had to do."

The universal aspect of the Church was pervasive at the conference, emphasized Scarnato.

"It helped me understand that the Church’s mission is truly universal, focused on unity, inclusion, and serving all people as one body in Christ," said Scarnato.

Meeting with the other leaders sparked some ideas in Scarnato of plans that can be implemented in the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

"My dream is creating a diocesan commission that brings together representatives from various departments – such as the Office of Life, Peace & Justice, Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul, Black Catholic Ministries, Hispanic leaders, youth and young ministry, and others,” said Scarnato. "(This could) build greater capacity for leadership formation within Hispanic, immigrant communities, and all people of God."

She added, "This collaboration would also help provide more economic resources, promote bilingual and multicultural ministries, and create meaningful opportunities for youth and families to grow in faith and community engagement. Working together in this way will deepen our relationships and help build a more unified and dynamic diocesan mission. While being a woman in leadership can present challenges, I see it as a beautiful opportunity to inspire others and help shape a Church that truly reflects the diversity and unity of God’s people."