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In recent years, the Church in the United States has been focusing on ministerial formation through classes and university programs to prepare future Catholic leaders. These initiatives include areas such as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, ministry for parents, and youth ministry.
A program called “Praying and Learning con la Familia” at the Mexican American Catholic College (MACC) in San Antonio is highlighting the need to treat children's ministry as a separate entity. "I am completely in favor of investing in children," stated Dr. Montserrat Baños, director of children's initiatives at MACC. She emphasized investing more in children and preparing ministers as part of the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry approved by U.S. bishops last year.
The MACC received a $1.2 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., through its Initiative Nurturing Children through Worship and Prayer in 2023, aimed at offering training to priests, deacons, religious members, and laypeople who wish to nurture their faith and enrich spiritual lives.
Apart from the Archdiocese of San Antonio, other Texas dioceses will benefit from this grant along with dioceses in neighboring states like Oklahoma and Arkansas. The program targets "rural congregations with limited resources and families with children with disabilities."
Dr. Baños joined MACC in August 2023 to launch “Aprendiendo y Orando con la Familia.” A mother of six with a doctorate in philosophy, she saw this opportunity as timely after moving to San Antonio three years ago.
The initiative strives to meet children where they are without imposing expectations or conditions on them. Baños noted that “Praying and Learning con la Familia” welcomes all interested parties wishing to guide children spiritually.
"Everyone can get some help, some resources, some skill, some training from this initiative," she emphasized.
The initiative comprises three main strategies: a regional Encounter on Children's Spirituality; a course on Children's Spirituality; and workshops sharing best practices for parishes, schools, and communities.
Miroslava Vargas attended the first Encounter held at MACC's campus from April 26-28 with a team including a catechist working with disabled children. She praised how sessions offered language options: "They gave people an option which I thought was brilliant."
Speakers included Mary Mirrione from the Association of Catechesis of Good Shepherd USA; Charleen Katra from National Catholic Partnership on Disability; Father Matthew De Leon who supported Uvalde community after tragic events there last year.
Following this Encounter session bimonthly meetings continue supporting participants developing child-centered strategies implementing spiritual programs locally alongside degree courses offered both English Spanish languages fulfilling institution’s commitment empowering minority ministries churchwide support network needed today more than ever before according Dr Baños’ vision future planning already underway upcoming annual Encounters addressing specific age groups further exploring expanding science behind child ministry potential impacts wider church community context current challenges faced globally across diverse populations alike responding Pope Francis call action within local contexts wherever necessary possible so together build stronger resilient communities faith hope love peace understanding mutual respect shared values common goals everyone involved directly indirectly efforts towards achieving sustainable outcomes long-term benefits collective well-being prosperity all concerned ultimately serving greater good humanity whole
Maria del Pilar Guzman reports for OSV News from Boston.
