Hispanic Apostolate has 50-year record of welcome

The Hispanic Apostolate of the Archdiocese of New Orleans celebrated its 50th anniversary this month. Can you talk about what its impact has been?

The impact has been very significant. In 1972, the bishops of the United States convened the first “Encuentro” to discuss ministry to Hispanic Catholics. The result of that first Encuentro was to urge individual dioceses to form apostolates to serve the needs of Hispanic Catholics at the local level. Archbishop Hannan quickly established the Hispanic Apostolate in the archdiocese in 1972. Also, in the 1970s, there was ongoing persecution of Catholic priests and bishops in Honduras. That’s how Bishop Nicholas D’Antonio was invited by Archbishop Hannan to come and serve in New Orleans. Bishop Nick passed away in 2012. In 1975, Bishop Nick was in Rome for a meeting when two of his priests and 12 laypeople were murdered in Honduras for religious activities. Their bodies were thrown into a well 150 feet deep, and the well was dynamited to destroy any evidence of the crime. Bishop Nick wanted to return to Honduras, but his superior told him he could not go back. Archbishop Hannan invited Bishop Nick to come to the archdiocese in 1977 to serve as vicar for Spanish-speaking Catholics.

How many national Encuentros have there been?

There have been five: 1972, 1977, 1985, 2000 and 2018. In 2006 there was also a National Encuentro for Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry. I believe one of the lessons the entire Church can learn from the series of Encuentros – especially now that we are preparing for the world synod in 2023 – is how Hispanic Catholics have modeled synodal consultation and dialogue to help imagine new ways for the Church to evangelize. Hispanic Catholics make up nearly 45% of the Catholic population in the U.S. It is hard to pinpoint exact numbers in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, but we believe there are at least 125,000 Hispanic Catholics in our local church. In terms of the country of origin of Hispanic Catholics in the archdiocese, Honduras would be No. 1, followed by a fairly even percentage of Catholics from Nicaragua, El Salvador and Cuba. Then every other country in Central America and South America is represented in some way. Hispanics are vitally important members of our Catholic community. They can no longer be perceived as  “foreigners,” “aliens” or “visitors.” We need to see them as part of our family.

Can you describe the more recent history of the Hispanic Apostolate?

The apostolate moved to the campus of St. Lawrence the Martyr in Metairie in 2012 and has developed an amazing network of ministries and outreach. We have seen the need to accompany families who have immigrated to the U.S. One of the challenges we face is the need for more Spanish-speaking priests, especially U.S.-born priests who know Spanish and can serve the Hispanic population. We have a few priests who were born in the U.S. who know Spanish, but we could use more. Certainly, the Hispanic immigrants who come to the U.S. have begun to assimilate and learn English, but I always remember something a sister told me: “When you work, you can speak in any language; but when you pray, you want to pray in your own language.” There are also cultural differences and specific Marian devotions among Hispanic Catholics that we have to be mindful of. All Hispanic Catholics seem to be drawn together by Our Lady of Guadalupe.

What was the 50th anniversary gala like last weekend?

It was a wonderful celebration at Notre Dame Seminary. The important thing to realize is that the gala raised needed funds to help Hispanic families with tuition assistance so that their children can attend Catholic schools. Catholic education is a huge ministry for the apostolate. Every August, they provide backpacks for children returning to school. None of this would be possible without the help of 200 volunteers in every imaginable ministry. Every December, the apostolate thanks its volunteers with a breakfast.

What other services does the Hispanic Apostolate offer?

They celebrate a Spanish Mass every weeknight at 6 p.m. They also offer English as a Second Language classes; Catholic formation for adults, teenagers and children; a health fair twice a year for those who don’t have much access to health care; a vaccination bus for children; an annual Charismatic Congress; Pentecost celebrations; a rosary group; catechism classes; marriage preparation; hospital visitation; an annual pilgrimage to international Catholic sites; and five retreats a year for men, women and teenagers as well as Lenten and Advent retreats and “email” retreats for people on their computers. They also are fund-raising right now for their youth and young adult ministry to attend World Youth Day in Portugal in 2023. The apostolate offers pastoral service and encourages Hispanic Catholics to belong to and participate in their parish.

Father Sergio Serrano, the Dominican priest who runs the Hispanic Apostolate, also has started an international outreach.

Yes. Father Sergio is working with another priest to do “The Bible in a Year ‘’ podcast in Spanish, and it now has thousands of listeners around the world. He also has a radio show on Catholic Community Radio that goes to 120 countries. The Hispanic Apostolate also arranges for Gospel reflections in Spanish in the Clarion Herald that are written by Dominican Father Manuel Solorzano. They also work with Catholic Charities to distribute food to needy families. They do a lot of things! If anyone would like to help with food or donations, please go to www.apostoladohispano.org. I am so grateful to God for all that the Hispanic Apostolate does to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in our community.