The V Encuentro is a process of evangelization, communion, and consultation that generates information for pastoral planning that responds more creatively to the Hispanic presence in the Church and promotes the ecclesial integration of all communities:
- Connects the local Hispanic community with a national initiative
- Generates and forms new pastoral leaders as missionary disciples
- Revitalizes the faith of parishioners and invites them to missionary activity
- Fosters the participation in liturgical and ministerial life
- Increases stewardship.
Goal
The main goal of the V Encuentro is to discern ways in which the Church in the United States can better respond to the Hispanic/Latino presence, and to strengthen the ways in which Hispanics/ Latinos respond to the call to the New Evangelization as missionary disciples serving the entire Church.
Who Participates in the V Encuentro?
All leaders in arch/dioceses, parishes, lay ecclesial movements and other Catholic organizations and institutions are invited to participate.
Participating in the V Encuentro, through the missionary process of evangelization and consultation, provides the opportunity of encountering second and third generation Hispanic/Latino Catholics, and those who are living in the periphery.
From Our Leaders
“Our experiences of the Encuentro process will help us to discover how to better serve the pastoral and evangelizing needs of Hispanics/Latinos, especially the youth, to help them participate in the life of the Church and become leaders and disciples who grow other disciples. — Bishop Gregory Parkes, Diocese of St. Petersburg
“The V Encuentro is important because through a process of reflection, consultation, and action, we are sent to encounter our brothers and sisters who live in the many peripheries of our parish communities. We follow the example of Jesus that we read about in the gospels and we respond to Pope Francis’ call to go out and bring the joy of the Gospel to the periphery. Our experiences of the Encuentro process will then help us to strategize how to better serve the pastoral and evangelizing needs of Hispanics/Latinos, especially the youth, to help them participate in the life of the church and become leaders and disciples who grow other disciples.” — Carlos Flores, Director of Hispanic Ministry, Diocese of St. Petersburg