Hispanic Eucharistic Gathering educates and inspires participants

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
September 22, 2005

The First Hispanic Eucharistic Gathering was held in the Diocese of Sioux City on Sept. 3 and 4. Bishop Heelan High School offered their facility for the event.

"We are united with the world church to celebrate the Year of the Eucharist," said Juan Garcia, assistant for Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Sioux City. "For us, the Hispanics, the Eucharist is the heart and the summit of our faith. We like this type of gathering to be in adoration in front of the Eucharist and this was a good way to conclude the Year of the Eucharist."

The event that was organized by Vicenta Cardenas, Denison, of the Hispanic Charismatic Renewal with the support of the Hispanic Ministries of the diocese drew about 500 people.

"This was the biggest gathering we have had in our diocese for this type of event," noted Garcia. "I can see that people really appreciate the adoration of the Eucharist. We need to promote this type of event every year."

The bulk of the people were from Sioux City, Denison and Storm Lake but there were some from other communities in the diocese as well as some from neighboring dioceses.

Mass was offered each day - starting off the event on Saturday morning and closing the gathering on Sunday.

Garcia pointed out that four well-known Hispanic speakers gave talks at the gathering. The speakers included Msgr. Michael Heras of Texas, Father Juan Diaz-Vilar, a Jesuit priest originally from Spain who now resides in New York; Roberto Ramirez, a lay speaker from Pennsylvania; and Evelyn Moran, a native of the Dominican Republic who resides in New York. Each of the speakers offered more than one presentation.

Some of the topics addressed at the gathering were: The Eucharist - the Perfect Sacrifice of Love, What is Separating Us From the Eucharist, With his Blood - We are Saved, The Eucharistic Fountain of Life and Salvation, and Mary: A Eucharistic Woman.

He mentioned that he has been hearing many positive comments about the Eucharistic gathering.

"Most of the people said it was very constructive for them," said Garcia. "They learned a lot, but mainly they were able to live a very good experience of God in the Eucharist."

The Hispanic population is growing very fast in the diocese, he added, making it evermore essential for gatherings such as this one to be offered.

"Little by little, the doors of different facilities are open for Hispanics," said Garcia, who extended gratitude to Heelan for the accommodations. "It is sometimes difficult to try to integrate the Hispanics in the diocese - mainly because of the language. One of my challenges is to be like a bridge to help integrate the Hispanics into this church because even if we are different races we are one church."

Ideally, they would like to offer a large-scale gathering such as this on an annual basis.