Course Description

Rooted in an understanding of cultural and religious experiences of Hispanics in the U.S. context, this course explores various pastoral approaches that that address issues particularly significant in Hispanic communities. Theological reflection on ministry is woven throughout the course.

Course Goals

By the end of this course participants will be able to:

• Identify key pastoral issues and pastoral plans that have emerged from Hispanic communities, bishop’s conferences, and various theological reflections on Hispanic ministry;
• Develop an appreciative awareness of popular Latino/Latina spirituality;
• Integrate your understanding of various Hispanic cultural symbols and expressions with their implications for ministry;
• Engage in theological reflection on ministry in U.S. Hispanic contexts, drawing upon a variety of theological resources;
• Develop pastoral approaches for ministry sensitive to the Hispanic contexts in which you minister.

 

Required Readings

Casarella, Peter, and Raul Gomez.  El Cuerpo de Cristo:  The Hispanic Presence in the U.S. Catholic Church.  Lima, OH: Academic Renewal, 2003. ISBN# 0-7880-9948-5. (Copies are available through major booksellers and through the publisher by calling 1-800-537-1030 or 419-227-1818 or by ordering online at <http://www.arpress.com>.)

Deck, Allan Figueroa, ed. Frontiers of Hispanic Theology in the United States.  Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1982.  Lima, OH: Academic Renewal, 2004. ISBN# 0-88344-826-2. (Copies are available through major booksellers and through the publisher by calling 1-800-537-1030 or 419-227-1818 or by ordering online at <http://www.arpress.com>.)

Deck, Allan Figueroa, Yolanda Tarango, and Timothy M. Matovina, eds. Perspectivas:  Hispanic Ministry. Lanham, MD: Sheed and Ward / Rowman and Littlefield, 1995. ISBN# 1-55612-770-7. 

Elizondo, Virgilio. Galilean Journey: The Mexican-American Promise. Rev. ed. Maryknoll, NY:  Orbis, 2000.  ISBN # 0-57075-310-5.

Espín, Orlando O., and Miguel H. Díaz, eds. From the Heart of Our People:  Theological Reflections on Popular Catholicism. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1999.  ISBN # 1-57075-131-5.

U.S. National Conference of Bishops. Encuentro and Mission: A Renewed Pastoral Framework for Hispanic Ministry. Washington, D.C.: United States Catholic Conference, 2002. ISBN# 1-55586-5-496.  Publication # 5-496.  Order by calling 800-235-USCC, or outside the U.S. and Canada 202-722-8716; or by visiting the web site <http://www.usccb.org/publishing/multicultural/hispanic.htm>. Text is available online at <http://www.usccb.org/hispanicaffairs/index.htm>.

–––. Hispanic Ministry: Three Major Documents. Washington, D.C.: United States Catholic Conference, 1995. ISBN# 1-55586-197-0. Publication # 197-0. Order by calling 800-235-USCC, or outside the U.S. and Canada 202-722-8716; or by visiting the web site <http://www.usccb.org/publishing/multicultural/hispanic.htm>.  

Articles found in the Course Materials Section of the Course (reprinted by permission of publisher):

“Hispanic Catholic Youth in the U.S.” Chicago Studies (Dec. 1997): 243-54.

“Hispanic Leaders:  Faith and Culture in the New Millennium.” Chicago Studies (Dec. 1997): 224-42.

Introduction and “Cross-Cultural Preaching.” Chicago Studies (Fall/Winter 2000): 229-53.

“Preaching to Generation X.”  Chicago Studies (Fall/Winter 2000): 312-31.