Fr. Hewitt named interim director of Hispanic Ministry for diocese

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
Sept. 28, 2006

Father Matthew Hewitt has been appointed to the position of interim Hispanic Ministry Director for the Diocese of Sioux City.

His other current duties include parochial vicar of the Cathedral of the Epiphany, sacramental ministry to the Hispanic community of Cathedral and part-time chaplain to Bishop Heelan High School. Father Hewitt said that he will be sharing his time between his positions.

"They are still looking for someone who would be able to be the director full-time," noted Father Hewitt. "During my term, which is undetermined, I'll want to bring direction and guidance to the department so that we can be a support and resource for the other Hispanic communities in the diocese."

Father Hewitt feels he will be able to bring "some insight, organization and coordination" to the position.

"I look forward to the diocese finding a full-time director," said Father Hewitt. "In the meantime, I look forward to being more involved with the Hispanic community city-wide and diocesan-wide. There is a great need there. It is important that we as a church acknowledge the growing reality and need among the Hispanic community."

Father Hewitt has a background in business and accounting. He feels that will help him "in terms of budgeting and organizing workshops and activities to help the Hispanic community."

"I lived in Mexico for a total of about five months," said Father Hewitt. "I have an understanding and appreciation for the Hispanic culture."

Father Hewitt was ordained in June of 2004. His first assignment was associate pastor at St. Mary Church in Storm Lake. That parish has a large Hispanic population.

His primary duty was teaching in the school, but he also assisted Father Eriberto da Costa, who is in charge of Hispanic ministry there. Father Hewitt mentioned that he would help Father Eriberto with the sacraments and sacramental preparation.

"I got exposure to the Hispanic community," said Father Hewitt.

He explained that he is not "perfectly" fluent in speaking Spanish, but he can understand almost 100 percent of Spanish.

"The ideal would be, someday in the future, to have someone that was completely fluent in Spanish as the director," said Father Hewitt. "We are looking and now having a bishop, more attention and more effort is going to be given to this department. I want to help out any way I can until they find someone."