Commission on Evangelization

Glenmary Father Brian LaBurt offers Mass for migrant workers
in Claxton, Ga., on Mexican Independence Day.

Tips on Ministering to the Hispanic Community—and a Model for Baptism Preparation Classes

Glenmary Father Brian LaBurt of Claxton, Ga., was the keynote speaker at the fall gathering of the Glenmary Commission on Evangelization where he shared his insights and approaches about ministry to Hispanics in the three Georgia counties where he pastors.

He noted that Hispanics have a different perception of what it is to be Catholic, due in part to the low percentage of priests in their homeland. They also do not share the American Catholic’s expectation of Sunday obligation. Many Hispanics also have a different idea of catechesis. While they may have received the sacraments, many have not had the opportunity to learn about their faith.

The Hispanic community “struggles to integrate in our American society,” Father Brian said. They struggle to speak our language and adopt our American culture. The myth that they are a migrant community is no longer tenable, as many are now establishing their families in our communities. Our job as evangelizing Catholics is to “nurture their relationship with God through church and prayer.”

Hispanics will not come to the Catholic Church without a major outreach effort. Reaching this community requires personal invitation and building personal relationships. Consequently, he recommended focusing parish efforts on religious education and the special religious holidays, which provide natural opportunities for evangelizing.

Father Brian explained that many Hispanics are joining the Baptist Church due in large part to the Baptist’s method of proselytizing. It is important for us as Catholics to greet Hispanics when they attend our Masses. “We should make an effort to welcome them to our community, shake their hands, learn their names, and give them a bulletin or prayer card in their native language,” Father Brian said.

Father Brian also gave the following recommendations for an effective Hispanic ministry:

• It is important to have a Bible study or prayer service at a regular time and place, even if a weekly Spanish Mass is not available. “Bring church to them if possible—at a restaurant or some other location.”
• Always use the Bible and explain how to locate Scripture passages
  Choose a Spanish lectionary appropriate for the community. Missalettes and worship aids often use different lectionary translations.
• Visit homes and take prayer cards, a blessing and a parish bulletin of events happening in the Spanish community.

Most importantly, Father Brian said, “every ministry to the Hispanic community should be grounded in the U.S. National Plan for Hispanic Ministry.” The best resource for this document is "Hispanic Ministry: Three Major Documents" (bilingual edition) available from the Mexican-American Cultural Center bookstore in San Antonio, Texas (www.maccsa.org).

Baptism Preparation Classes for the Spanish-Speaking Community

Father Brian has developed the following parent preparation classes for Baptism.

Parents must attend all four classes, but they can start at any class during the monthly cycle. Godparents are asked to attend a minimum of two classes. Each participating family receives from the church a Bible in Spanish and a bilingual prayer book, Catholic Prayers and Practices (Sadlier Press).

Session One: Exploring the Seven Sacraments utilizes the video "Los Sacramentos, Frutos de Amor de Dios," (Tabor) available from Glenmary’s video library. Participants are taught how to find New Testament Scriptures which are presented from a handout. The handout also contains basic information about the seven sacraments.

Session Two: Focusing on Baptism uses the video "El Bautismo de su Bebe" (Liguori) or "Bautismo, Semilla, Promesa de Abundantes Frutos" (Tabor) along with handouts. The first handout examines the role of parents and godparents by presenting a real life situation. The second handout has questions and answers about the sacrament. He finds the pamphlet "Why Do Catholics Baptize Infants?" a pamphlet in the Why Be Catholic series published by Our Sunday Visitor Press (bilingual) creates good discussion in the Bible Belt South. Scriptures that are used in this session are Genesis 17, Luke 2 and Colossians 2.

Session Three: Why Are We Catholics? is based on the pamphlet of the same name from the Why Be Catholic (OSV) series. Another recommended booklet is "Columna De Fuego, Columna De La Verdad," from Catholic Answers. Scripture readings for this session include Isaiah 22 and Acts 15. Parish registration forms and baptismal information forms are completed during this session.

Session four: Where Do Other Churches Come From?
Beliefs of other churches are addressed in this class. Father Brian uses two handouts explaining other Christian churches and religious sects. The class discusses some of the differences between Catholics, evangelicals and Pentecostals. (Our Sunday Visitor Press publishes an excellent resource on sects.)

In closing, Father Brian notes that agreement among area parishes about a standardized format for parent classes for Baptism results in an increased level of participation and effectiveness. While this schedule is demanding, he feels that the rewards of equipping adult Catholics with answers and skills in using the Bible makes it all worthwhile.

For more ideas from Father Brian on seizing moments throughout the year for evangelizing Hispanics

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dps@glenmary.org