Intercultural Pastoral Institute helps build faith, leadership among Hispanics
(En Espanol)
Oscar Castellanos, former archdiocesan director of the Office of Intercultural Ministry, admires an appreciation award given to him by the Edinburgh community 2019-2021 graduates of the archdiocesan Intercultural Pastoral Institute at St. Bartholomew Church on June 5. The award was presented by graduate Raquel Contreras. (Photo by Natalie Hoefer)
By Natalie Hoefer
COLUMBUS—“If you build it, they will come.”
The iconic line from the movie Field of Dreams aptly describes the decade-old Intercultural Pastoral Institute (IPI) of the archdiocesan Office of Intercultural Ministry.
The ministers of the office built it, and they came—“they” being roughly 150 Hispanic Catholics in central and southern Indiana seeking to grow in faith, evangelize the world and serve the local Church.
The IPI’s “primary goal is to serve the archdiocese through the development of pastoral leadership” among parish Hispanic communities, said Oscar Castellanos, former head of the Intercultural Ministry Office. “Pastors recognized the need,” he said, leading to the creation of the IPI in 2011.
The institute originally included other programs as well, but the two-year study program for Hispanic pastoral leaders remains due to its broad popularity—graduating about 30 students every two years for the last 10 years.
“To me, it was a situation where people could come to know God in a deeper way not only through all the information that was provided, but also through researching what we’d be reading in the Gospels,” said Deacon Martin Ignacio, a recent graduate from St. Mary Parish in New Albany. “We learned not only to grow in faith, but to be able to understand more fully about the gifts we’re given through the Church.”
‘Bridges with the archdiocese’
Graduates like Deacon Ignacio have fulfilled the vision originally held for the IPI, said Castellanos.
“The IPI has produced one seminarian, two permanent deacons with two more in formation, at least eight working in parishes in different part-time and full-time roles,” he enumerated.
It has also created leaders within lay movements very popular within Hispanic communities, said Castellanos.
“Lay ecclesial movements are really strong, like Cursillo, family life movements, charismatic movements,” he said. “Those have a lot of power in parishes. Some of the leaders in those communities have gone through our program and become more empowered and educated in the faith. That’s essential, because some of these movements do not have enough formation for them to serve in leadership roles.”
Another area that Castellanos saw a need for has been fulfilled through IPI graduates: leaders to serve on committees that become what he calls “bridges with the archdiocese.”
“We’ve created committees that serve as advisory boards to archdiocesan ministries,” he noted, enabling those ministries to be better aware of the culture, contributions and needs within the Hispanic community.
‘Building that community’
Thanks to a grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc., the IPI was able to expand to two additional areas for the 2019-2021 session, creating three graduating classes this June.
“With the grant, we decided to replicate what we have here [in Indianapolis] in the Edinburgh and New Albany areas,” Castellanos said. While the grant was only good for two years, he hopes the archdiocese can continue to expand the IPI in the future into more areas of central and southern Indiana.
The program involves about six courses per year, with participants meeting weekly for two-and-a-half hours.
“Having it offered in Edinburgh made all the difference for me,” said recent graduate Raquel Contreras of St. Bartholomew Parish in Columbus. “I wanted to do it, but was afraid of driving in the snow to make the meetings in Indianapolis. Once I heard they were creating a group in Edinburgh, it was like God confirming my call to do it.”
Deacon Ignacio not only participated in the New Albany program; he also recruited other participants and taught a course on the sacraments.
“It was a blessing that I got to walk with the people I recruited,” he said. “One of the best parts was building that community within our group and the relationship we had with each other.”
Such relationship building is part of the program, said Castellanos.
“One of the highlights of the program is we’re really intentional about building community to the point that, when people [graduate], they say, ‘I really miss my meetings because we could talk and bond.’ To us, that’s essential,” he said. “We’re not only educating the mind, but creating the capacity to build community and engage in something more than a program for ‘my own’ enrichment.”
Looking at the program as a whole, Castellanos is pleased with it and the results.
“When I had the opportunity to travel to national gatherings and compare what other dioceses are doing, I think we’re doing an awesome job,” he said. “The caliber of teachers we have, the kind of energy and support from pastors is just amazing.”
‘It’s like a gift’
Recent graduates agree.
“I recommend this program for everyone, even those just starting to get involved in their faith or [who] have just a little bit of interest in what the faith is about,” said Yajaira Landaverde of St. Lawrence Parish in Indianapolis. “I think even if you don’t have full knowledge, I think this is a program where advanced people in the faith can benefit from your presence. Teachers help you see where you fit in.
“Anyone who truly is wanting to expand their knowledge or to strengthen their faith is a perfect fit.”
More than one recent graduate noted appreciation for the relationships that resulted from the program.
“The bond we all shared was truly wonderful,” said Contreras. “The teachers were amazing, and we all wanted to learn and had so many questions. We always had good discussions.”
Fellow Edinburgh graduate and St. Bartholomew parishioner Edgar Alvarado said he started the program “happy with my faith, but not too committed.” He came out of the program with a “more developed faith and developed soul. I was spiritually restored.”
Deacon Ignacio likened the program to a present.
“It’s like a gift that was given to us,” he said. “We opened it up and saw how beautiful our Catholic faith is, and we appreciate it even more.” †
