Diocese sponsors Hispanic formation program
By Renee Webb, Globe associate editor
Posted March 28, 2002

Hispanic lay men and women in the Diocese of Sioux City are encouraged to participate in a new two-year formation program designed to make them stronger and more knowledgeable leaders in ministry.

According to Sister Maria de Jesus Ybarra, diocesan director of Hispanic ministry, she initiated the program when parish visits revealed a need for more instruction. She developed the Hispanic Ministry Formation Program using as a model a deacon preparation program she established in the Diocese of Yakima, Wash.

"The people were very open to it. They felt that they needed some sort of formation," she explained.

About 150 people attended the first course of a two-year program that is taught in Spanish. The five-hour course on psychology was presented on March 9 in Sioux City and March 10 in Early.

In a letter about the program, Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo wrote, "The laity must be prepared so that in any environment in which the Christian may find him or herself, whether this is in the home, workshop or in the office, the social surroundings can become a school of Gospel teachings and witness. The conduct of a Christian makes credible the message of Jesus Christ."

The bishop asked priests working with the Hispanic community to encourage the Hispanic faithful to take part in the formation program.

Juan Garcia of Sioux City assists Sister Maria with the program and is a participant in the program.

"This is something that we have been longing for," he explained, adding that with the large Hispanic numbers in the diocese there are only a few leaders. "We need this kind of formation to have more leaders involved in the church - serving in the church."

The education, Garcia noted, promises to not only add enrichment to participants own faith life but also should give them confidence to lead and teach others.

Participants in the formation program are encouraged to form eight- to 10-person small study groups that would meet one or twice a month. This may spawn the development of small Christian communities.

Sociology is the focus of the second course that will be offered on April 6 and 7.

"It has to do with the society they live in," Sister Maria explained. "They have to be Christians wherever they are. We live our faith in a social process - culture, economics and politics. In those three systems, that is where we have to practice our faith."

Other courses to be offered this year on a monthly basis include Old Testament, New Testament, Christology, ecclesiology, liturgy, sacraments of initiation and sacraments that heal and serve.

Next year's topics include Mary Mother of God, popular religiosity, spirituality, church history, social documents, moral theory, communication, religious movements and methodology.

While it is not a requirement for persons to attend every session, those who do will receive a certificate of completion. People may attend all sessions or only ones they want.

Sister Maria pointed out that participants in the first course mainly came from Denison, Sioux Center, Sioux City, Storm Lake, Harlan, Iowa; and South Sioux City, Neb. A total of eight parishes with significant Hispanic populations in the diocese have contact persons to promote and provide information about the program. Other diocesan communities with contacts are Estherville, Fort Dodge, Hawarden and Sheldon.

"When we finish the first two years we will probably continue with this program but will offer something new for the people who have graduated from this one," she explained.

Many of the participants are involved in catechetical ministries. The program is designed for catechists, liturgical ministers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, musicians and others. Those considering involvement in ministries or wishing to gain more knowledge about their faith are also welcome to attend.

No fee is charged, but a freewill offering will be accepted at each monthly meeting.

"This program should help nourish and develop their faith and also bring out the different gifts that they have," Sister Maria said. "My hope is that once we have all of these people educated in the faith and they are willing to serve, that the parishes would allow them to do the ministries that can be done by lay persons otherwise we will lose them."