By Bertha Melendres
Diocesan Director of Hispanic Ministry
On Saturday, Oct. 19, as every year since 2018, Hispanic Catholics from the Diocese of Evansville gathered at the Diocesan Congress, which we call Encuentro de Fe. About 300 adults, youth and children came to Our Lady of Hope Parish in Washington, Indiana, to celebrate our Catholic faith and to continue to grow in our relationship with Christ Our Lord.
The theme of the Encuentro was “The Church in Prayer.” It was selected in response to the invitation of Pope Francis, who invites us to prayer in 2024 in preparation for the jubilee year of 2025. Every year in the evaluations we hear how the best of the Encuentro is always the Eucharistic Celebration and the moments of Adoration when we are before the real presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. This year, as is customary, Bishop Joseph M. Siegel celebrated the Eucharist with five priests of the Diocese and two deacons. It is so beautiful to be able to see the people of God come to the divine banquet. That is why I believe that it is and will always be the best thing we can do as a Catholic family and as the body of Christ.
This year we had the presence of Mari Pablo from Miami, Florida, who was our guest speaker. Mari spoke to us about the importance of Prayer to maintain a personal relationship with God. She spoke about how God wants to be a part of our lives and how he understands our struggles in the midst of pain and trials. Mari reminded us that only united as one Church, in Communion can we come to the fullness of who God wants us to be.
Cesar Ponce from Tampico, Mexico, was the speaker for the youth. Cesar is a dynamic young man who despite his young age has dedicated himself to working with the young people of his Diocese in Tampico. Cesar motivated young people to foster a life of prayer, and that despite what the world tells them, their priority should be God who wants to have a loving relationship with them and who walks by their side always. A life of prayer is what disposes us to live a life of holiness. The young people chose Saint Dominic Savio as an example and patron of the Encuentro.
A thousand thanks to all those who made this event possible, starting with the members of the Office of Hispanic Ministry board, which includes our priests, Father Juan Ramirez, Father Martin Estrada, Father Homero Rodriguez, Father Crispine Adongo, Father Paul Ferguson. And in a very special way to all the more than 60 volunteers in the Encuentro 2024 Committee. Also to the Catholic Foundation of Southwestern Indiana for the grant awarded to the Encuentro de Fe this year. To the Group of Men on Mission, who prepared food for us. To the choir from St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Dale, to Félix Navarrete and José Dominguez who accompanied us with the music. Thank you very much to all!
I believe that my voice echoes the many voices who agree with me, that it is so beautiful to be able to participate in The Encuentro de Fe, because it is always a great experience to be able to come together as the diocesan family that we are, to enjoy not only the presence of our brothers and sisters but also of the loving and living presence of our Lord that is palpable in each Encuentro and that never ceases to shine and to impart blessings in abundance. See you at the 2025 Encuentro de Fe!