¡Que viva New Albany Deanery!: Southern Indiana deanery celebrates 10 years of Hispanic Ministry

Mexican dancers perform during a Hispanic Ministry event in the New Albany Deanery. The southern Indiana deanery is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the creation of its Hispanic Ministry outreach in September. (Submitted photo)

(Editor’s note: “Spreading Hope In Neighborhoods Everywhere” (SHINE) is a social ministry renewal that will be launched on Oct. 1, 2009, by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The following story is part of a series that highlights how the ministry of charity is taking place in parishes, schools, agencies and other institutions throughout the archdiocese. Catholic Charities is leading the planning. To learn more about SHINE, and how you and your parish can become involved, log on to the Web site www.SpreadingHopeEverywhere.com.)

By Margarita Solis Deal (Special to The Criterion)

Since September of 1999, the Hispanic community in the New Albany Deanery has actively participated in the life of the Church.

Initially, Hispanic ministry started with a Spanish Mass offered once a month at St. Mary Church in New Albany.

As the community grew in number and as relationships strengthened, the spiritual and other needs of the community were identified. The ministry, over the past 10 years, has grown, giving a strong witness to the universality of the Church, and respect for culture and language as a way of ministering to the Hispanic community.

The uniqueness of Hispanic ministry in the New Albany Deanery is that it is a ministry supported by the parishes across the deanery. The scope of the ministry is able to support sacramental preparation, catechetical programs, Bible study, adult faith formation programs, liturgical ministry, cultural celebrations and social ministry.

Through the passion of the staff, dedicated lay volunteers and the openness of the community, the Hispanic ministry has been able to respond successfully.

Following are a few highlights of the ministry:

• Annually, a Hispanic Health Fair is held at St. Mary School in New Albany. Last year, more than 300 persons attended, and they received information about a wide variety of health services in the area. Hospital and clinic staff members tested for blood pressure, sugar level, cholesterol and other health concerns. People who have limited English-speaking skills or do not have medical insurance could ask questions in Spanish and learn what their options are.
• Lillian Rose, who has been a part of the Hispanic Ministry team since its beginning, currently works to process documents in order to support application for U.S. residency and citizenship. More than 50 people have become citizens through her efforts, and others have been accepted as legal residents.
• With the assistance of a grant, the New Albany Deanery Hispanic Ministry outreach has officially joined Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), whose mission is to enhance and expand delivery of legal services to indigent and low-income immigrants.
• In cooperation with In Heaven’s Eyes at Holy Family Parish in New Albany and the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish youth group in Jeffersonville, Hispanic Ministry is able to offer coats and jackets during the winter months to those in need, and provide backpacks with school supplies to school children to start the new school year.
• Through the dedication and direction of Conventual Franciscan Father Thomas Smith and the staff and volunteers, the Hispanic community for the past 10 years has received a strong welcome in the New Albany Deanery.

Through cultural celebrations, and providing sacramental preparation programs and faith formation programs, both in Spanish and English, families have developed a trust with the ministry that will bear much fruit.

“We are united in baptism and in our Catholic faith,” said Father Thomas.

He also emphasized the need for people to recognize that within a parish and deanery is a community of communities of Catholics that “recognize and respect the unique character of each community, and celebrate both our common heritage and diversity.”

¡Viva New Albany Deanery Hispanic Ministry!

¡Viva!

(Margarita Solis Deal is the coordinator for Latino Outreach in the archdiocesan Office of Catholic Education.) †