Hispanic ministry continues expansion throughout diocese

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Posted December 5, 2002

In the last 15 to 20 years the number of Spanish-speaking parishioners in the Diocese of Sioux City has increased every year and so have diocesan efforts to minister to them. It was with that idea in mind that the diocese hired Sister Maria de Jesus Ybarra, OP, about 15 months ago to serve as the diocesan director of Hispanic Ministry.

While there had been a multi-cultural ministries outreach program prior to her arrival, the bulk of the ministry had taken place on a parish level.

She estimated that there are about 16,000 Hispanic Catholics in the Diocese of Sioux City.

Working out of the chancery in Sioux City, Sister Maria pointed out that one of her main duties is to collaborate with the other diocesan departments such as catechesis, worship and Catholic schools in order to ensure that materials and resources they use are available in Spanish.

"I am in the middle of finishing the translation of the sacramental norms," said Sister Maria, who explained that they try to present the same information to Hispanic parishioners as offered to the English-speaking community.

In addition, the Office of Hispanic Ministry has helped put together a Spanish-language catalog of resources available through the Religious Education Media Center of the diocese.

Along with a secretary, Sister Maria has a part-time staff person, whose main focus is on youth ministry and the facilitation of Bible study groups.

The office continues to try to identify the needs of the parishioners.

"Whenever I can, I visit the parishes to see what they need," she noted.

Spanish Masses are celebrated in the following communities - either on a weekly, bi-monthly or monthly basis - where there is a concentration of Hispanic parishioners: Sioux City, Denison, Storm Lake, Rock Valley/Sioux Center, Estherville, Hawarden, Le Mars, Fort Dodge and Cherokee.

For several years the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, St. Mary's in Storm Lake and St. Rose of Lima in Denison have had strong programs for the Hispanic parishioners. With the arrival of a Mexican priest last summer, more needs continue to be met.

Father Jose Herrera, the Mexican priest who resides in Denison, ministers to parishioners in Denison, Fort Dodge, Le Mars, Sheldon and Sioux Center. He also celebrates Spanish Mass in Sioux City every other week.

Father Eriberto da Costa ministers in Storm Lake and Estherville. He will soon celebrate Mass on a monthly basis in Cherokee.

Father Paul Kelly, Hispanic minister at Cathedral, celebrates Spanish Mass in Le Mars every other week. The Cathedral also employs Sister Barbara Knipp as a Hispanic minister.

One of Sister Maria's main goals has been to develop the leadership skills of Hispanic laity. The office has initiated a formation program that is presented in two diocesan locations and has presented training workshops for lectors, Eucharistic ministers and catechists.

As the priests shortage becomes more evident, she said "we need to prepare our people to start responding to their own needs. Developing the leadership of the people is our main concern."

The Office of Hispanic Ministry plans to put even greater emphasis on their work with the youth because, as Sister Maria noted, "they are the future of the church." At the same time, it may encourage more vocations to the priesthood.

In areas where Spanish Mass is not available, Sister Maria would like to have trained Hispanic lectors and Eucharistic ministers that could participate in a bilingual liturgy.

"The numbers keep growing," she said. "It doesn't matter what immigration laws there are - the people continue to come out of necessity." With rising numbers of Hispanic parishioners in all 24 counties of the state and not just 10 or 11 main pockets, there will be an even greater need to expand the ministries.