Conference schedule is confirmed as of October 7, 2024 and is subject to change.
Agenda and Speakers
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Tuesday – Agenda, Speakers and Presenters
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Registración y Hospitalidad | Registration and Hospitality
First Floor by Reception
4:30pm – 5:30pm
Misa de Apertura | Opening Mass
Auxiliary Bishop of Brownsville, TX and Episcopal Representative of NCADDHM
His Excellency, Most Reverend Mario Avilés
Grand Ballroom C/D
6:00pm – 7:30pm
Mensaje de Bienvenida | Words of Welcome (Cena/Dinner)
President, Vice President of NCADDHM and Executive Director at SEPI
Ignacio Rodriguez, María Moncaleano and Olga Villar
Grand Ballroom A/B
7:45pm – 8:30pm
Jesús se encuentra con su pueblo | Jesus Encounters His People
Grupo LEVI
Grand Ballroom C/D
8:30pm – 9:30pm
Trabajo en red | Networking
Grand Ballroom A/B
NCADDHM Episcopal Moderator, Auxiliary Bishop of Brownsville
Bishop Mario A. Avilés, C.O. was born in Mexico City on September 16, 1969. The son of Rafael and María Guadalupe, he joined the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in 1986.
His studies to the priesthood took him initially to Mexico City, Mexico and then to Rome where he received his bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. He holds a master’s degree in Education Administration and Supervision and is a certified teacher in the State of Texas.
He was ordained to the priesthood on July 21, 1998 at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle National Shrine, in San Juan, Texas. Upon his ordination, he was appointed parochial vicar at St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Pharr. He also began working with his Congregation at the Pharr Oratory Schools as Governance Board member, teacher, principal and rector. Additionally, he served in the Congregation as vicar, secretary, treasurer and novice master.
In 2002, he was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Hidalgo, Texas and is also the representative for the religious priests in the Diocese of Brownsville’s Pastoral Council. From 2000 to 2012 he was elected and served as member of the Permanent Deputation of the Confederation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri for Latin America. At the General Congress of 2012, he was elected Procurator General of the Confederation of the Oratory. In December 2017, Pope Francis named him Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas. He was ordained on February 22, 2018, in a ceremony presided over by the Most Rev. Daniel E. Flores, Bishop of Brownsville.
Ignacio Rodriguez, Manager for the Office of Hispanic Ministry, Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona
Words of Welcome . Mensaje de Bienvenida
Ignacio Rodriguez was born in Phoenix, Arizona from Texas-born parents. He graduated from
Arizona State University in December 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology focusing
on socio-cultural anthropology. He is a member of Bishop Dolan’s Diocesan Pastoral Council,
Chair of Region XIII, Chair of the V Encuentro Regional Process (ERAVE), secretary of
NCADDHM elected in April 2022 and the current president of NCADDHM as of the same year.
He works as manager for the Office of Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona; a
diocese that he has been employed with for the past 25 years.
María Moncaleano, Director of Hispanic Ministry, Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey
Synodality and the Feminine Genius . Sinodalidad y el liderazgo femenino
María Moncaleano serves as Director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey. She holds a Law Degree from Universidad Libre de Colombia and a master’s in theological studies from St. Elizabeth University, where she serves as Adjunct Professor for the Leadership Certificate in Hispanic Ministry. María was the coordinator of the V Encuentro process at both diocesan and parish levels, and co-chair of the Synod team for the Diocese of Paterson. She is also the administrator of the Catholic Certificate of Evangelization, a program offered in Spanish and co-sponsored by St. Elizabeth University. She serves as part of the NCADDHM Board of Directors representing Episcopal Region III, in its formation committee. Currently, María is the Vice-President of NCADDHM.
Through her leadership, María offers support to all parish-based formation initiatives of evangelization, as well as to the ecclesial movements of the local church. She strongly believes that working together and fostering a culture of encounter is the ultimate way to consolidate a real Pastoral de Conjunto (communion in pastoral ministry).
Olga Lucia Villar, D.Min
Olga Villar is Colombian by birth, she immigrated with her family to Miami in 1987 when she was a teenager. She has made America her second home and has continued to grow and become who she is through studies (BA, MA and D. Min at Barry University; Diploma in Hispanic Ministry at Boston College; Diploma in Youth Ministry at Center for Development) missionary experiences (Cuba, Mexico, India, Haiti, Guatemala), experiences in WYD (Canada 2002, Germany 2005, Spain 2011), work in parishes (Corpus Christi, Miami, FL, Our Lady Queen of Peace, Delray, FL, St. Timothy, Miami, FL; Immaculate Conception in Hialeah, FL; St Juliana, West Palm Beach, Mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mayo, FL; San Lázaro, Hialeah, FL, Saint Catherine, Mobile, AL) jobs in schools or colleges (St. Agatha, Miami, FL; St Hugh, Coconut Grove, FL, SEPI, Miami, FL); through work in diocese (Director of Hispanic Ministry Archdiocese of Mobile, AL) and currently is Executive Director of the Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI).
Her best definition of herself: In love with Jesus and his Church….
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Early Wednesday – Agenda, Speakers and Presenters
7:30am – 8:30am
Desayuno | Breakfast
Grand Ballroom A/B
8:30am – 9:00am
Oración de la mañana | Morning Prayer
Oregon Catholic Press (OCP)
Grand Ballroom C/D
9:00am – 10:30am
Sinodalidad y la realidad pastoral | Synodality and the Pastoral Reality (VER-SEE)
Grand Ballroom A/B
Moderator
Fr. Alejandro López-Cardinale
Sinodalidad y liderazgo femenino
Synodality and the Feminine Genius
Norma Vélez García, María Moncaleano
Sinodalidad, la familia y los ministros ordenados
Synodality, the Family, and the Ordained
Deacon Asterio Velasco, Anisabel Palma, Dra. Dora Tobar van der Mensbrugghe
Sinodalidad y ministerios financieramente fortalecidos
Synodality and Financially Fortified Ministry
Andrea Blanco
Sinodalidad y la pastoral educativa
Synodality and Education Ministry
Dr. Antonio Marí, Fr. Rafael Capó
10:30am – 11:00am
Descanso | Break (Expositores/Exhibitors)
Fr. Alejandro López-Cardinale Pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Somerville, Massachusetts
Synodality and the Pastoral Reality . Sinodalidad y la realidad pastoral
Fr. Alejandro López-Cardinale is a diocesan priest of the Archdiocese of Boston since 1991. He
is originally from Venezuela. He is pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Somerville and chaplain of
Cheverus Catholic School in Malden. He represents Episcopal Region I for Hispanic Ministry
and is a member of the NCADDHM Board of Directors. He received an MA in
catechesis from the Institut Catholique de Paris, France in 2002, in youth and young adult
ministry from the Universidad Politécnica Salesiana in Quito, Ecuador in 2015, and is in
preparation of his thesis for the MA in urban ministry from the Universidad Católica
Lumen Gentium in Mexico as of 2020. He is also a D.Min candidate in practical theology at the
Université Laval in Quebec, Canada from 2003-2008. He has been ministering in the United
States for 21 years during which time he was six years President of LaRED National Catholic
Network de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana from 2013-2019, a member of the Society of Latin
American Catechists (SCALA). He is a member of the board of the Instituto Fe y Vida, and the
board of SEPI, Southeast Pastoral Institute, collaborating academically in both. He speaks
English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.
Norma Vélez de García Director of Multicultural Ministry, Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida
Synodality and the Feminine Genius . Sinodalidad y el liderazgo femenino
Norma Vélez de García has worked as the Director of Multicultural Ministry for the Diocese of Saint Augustine since January. Prior to this position, she served as Coordinator of Multicultural Youth & Young Adults and Youth Ministry for nine years, with extensive experience in the reality of Hispanic youth in the United States. Norma was part of the diocesan and regional team of the V Encuentro, in addition to being a member of the LaRED Board of Directors (National Catholic Network of Hispanic Youth Ministry), from 2014 to 2021, serving as member at large and treasurer. She was an active part of Journeying Together for the Southeast region.
She was also part of the Synod team for the Diocese of St. Augustine. In 2021, she obtained her certification through the Lay Ecclesial Minister Program from the USCCB. In 2022, she participated in the Leadership Roundtable Course and several online courses sponsored by NFCYM and several universities.
Norma received her formation at SEPI with courses such as Curso de Pastoral Juvenil, Escuela de Asesores, and Seminario de Liderazgo Pastoral, and in 2023, she obtained the Theology of the Body Certificate.
A few years ago, Norma worked as a family counselor and became certified in the STEP (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) course, a resource that has helped her today.
Norma is originally from Guadalajara, Mexico. She studied Business Administration. Her family here in this country is made up of her husband, Deacon Jesús García, her two daughters, one son, two sons-in-law, her granddaughter, and a niece who is like a daughter. They have all resided in Jacksonville, Florida, since 1998.
María Moncaleano Director of Hispanic Ministry, Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey
Synodality and the Feminine Genius . Sinodalidad y el liderazgo femenino
María Moncaleano serves as Director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey. She holds a Law Degree from Universidad Libre de Colombia and a master’s in theological studies from St. Elizabeth University, where she serves as Adjunct Professor for the Leadership Certificate in Hispanic Ministry. María was the coordinator of the V Encuentro process at both diocesan and parish levels, and co-chair of the Synod team for the Diocese of Paterson. She is also the administrator of the Catholic Certificate of Evangelization, a program offered in Spanish and co-sponsored by St. Elizabeth University. She serves as part of the NCADDHM Board of Directors representing Episcopal Region III, in its formation committee. Currently, María is the Vice-President of NCADDHM.
Through her leadership, María offers support to all parish-based formation initiatives of evangelization, as well as to the ecclesial movements of the local church. She strongly believes that working together and fostering a culture of encounter is the ultimate way to consolidate a real Pastoral de Conjunto (communion in pastoral ministry).
Deacon Asterio Velasco Director of Hispanic Ministry, Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey
Synodality and the Ordained . Sinodalidad y los ordenados
Deacon Asterio Velasco is the Director of Hispanic Ministry for the Archdiocese
of Newark. After some years in Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic, he studied
theology in Salamanca, Spain. He later earned a master’s degree in Spanish
literature, and another in Church History at Seton Hall University. For many years,
he has combined his dedication to his family with his roles as both deacon and
High School teacher and administrator. Committed to the success of the V
Encuentro at its different levels, he is very enthusiastic about the synodal
process we are living in the Church. He considers the formation of the laity one of
the top priorities in his ministry.
Anisabel Palma Director of Hispanic Ministry, Diocese of New Ulm, Minnesota
Synodality and the Ordained . Sinodalidad y los ordenados
Anisabel Palma holds a Master of Divinity and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from St. John’s University in Collegeville. With over a decade of experience in Hispanic Ministry, she serves as the Director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of New Ulm. As a secular Franciscan originally from Mexico, Anisabel now resides in Minnesota with her husband and their five children. Her deep commitment to married life, her role as a mother, and her personal journey as an immigrant profoundly influence both her writings and her ministry. Her work is characterized by a profound understanding of the challenges and joys of family life, cultural integration, and spiritual growth.
Dra. Dora Tobar van der Mensbrugghe Director of Hispanic Ministry, Diocese of Austin, Texas
Synodality and Families . Sinodalidad y las familias
Dora Tobar van der Mensbrugghe, a national and international conference speaker, received a Doctor in Dogmatic Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome. She is married and the mother of two sons. She is a researcher on the Theology and Pastoral Care of the Family; editor and collaborator on the USCCB web page for Hispanic marriages and families: www.portumatrimonio.org. She is also the co-author for “Catholic Faith and Family Bible” (Spanish Version. Ed. Verbo Divino.). She is the author of resources for developing and accompanying spouses and parents in their ministerial service within the domestic church: Forming Ministers of God’s Love. Catholic Parenting in the Domestic Church (Loyola Press 2021). She is a consultant for the USCCB Subcommittee for Hispanic Affairs and Director of Hispanic Ministry at the Diocese of Austin, Texas.
Andrea Blanco Program Manager of Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative, Leadership Roundtable
Synodality and Financially Fortified Ministry . Sinodalidad y los ministerios financieramente fortalecidos
Andrea Blanco serves as Program Manager leading the leadership formation program, Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative at Leadership Roundtable serving Hispanic/Latino clergy and lay leaders throughout the United States. Previously, she served as Director of Hispanic Faith Formation at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral and as Family Life Coordinator in the Diocese of Raleigh. She was a member of the Accompaniment Team for the V Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry and was a speaker at the World Meeting of Families. Andrea has created leadership formation programs for the Hispanic Community and contributed to the “Por Tu Matrimonio” website: www.portumatrimonio.org, an initiative created by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. She is certified by the Center for Creative Leadership to deliver the Catholic Leadership 360 assessment tool, a certified Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultant, and serves as a faculty member for the Toolbox for Pastoral Management.
Dr. Antonio Marí Co-Director of Formation, Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI)
Synodality and Education Ministry . Sinodalidad y la pastoral educativa
Dr. Antonio Marí was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where the Marianist (Society of Mary) education guided his faith and academic formation. In high school, he felt called to study theology and serve others. This calling led him to study at the University of Dayton in Ohio, where he completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theology. He got involved in different ministries, expanding from serving the Hispanics and youth inside and outside of the university to having multiple experiences abroad to learn and serve the needs of others. This took him to different parts of the world to learn about different cultures and religious traditions.
After graduating, he dedicated himself to high school ministry for ten years in different schools and pastoral programs. During this decade, he worked in various roles, as a theology teacher, Director of Campus Ministry, and Regional Coordinator of the Living in Faith Experience (LIFE) program of the Marianists. He worked with young people, mainly from Puerto Rico and Florida, through faith formation in and outside the classroom. This also includes young people from Texas, Ohio, Hawaii, New York, California, Missouri, and Nebraska.
Having lived the reality of being a lay minister in Catholic institutions, he saw the need to go back to study and gain more tools to help those who serve in youth ministry. He began his doctoral program in ministry at Fordham University. There, he dedicated his research to studying and understanding the lay minister’s role in Catholic institutions and exploring the obstacles faced by many lay ministers throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. After finishing his doctorate, the doors opened for him at SEPI to serve as the Co-Director of Formation.
Fr. Rafael Capó Vice President for Mission and Ministry and Dean of Theology, St. Thomas University
Synodality and Education Ministry . Sinodalidad y la pastoral educativa
Fr. Rafael Capó, Vice President for Mission and Ministry and Dean of Theology at St Thomas
University, is a priest of the Archdiocese of Miami, a Missionary of Mercy by appointment of
Pope Francis, and National Eucharistic Preacher by appointment of the USCCB. He formerly
served as director of the Southeast Bishops Office for Hispanic Ministry (SEPI). He has served
as school president, vocations director, and professor of Theology, holding degrees in
Educational Leadership and Theology. He participates in major organizations of Hispanic
Ministry, the V Encuentro Leadership Team, and is advisor to La Red National Network of
Pastoral Juvenil and Vice President of the Federation of Pastoral Institutes (FIP). He is actively
present on social media with an emphasis in ministry to young people calling to fitness of body,
mind, and spirit.
Later Wednesday – Agenda, Speakers and Presenters
11:00am – 12:30pm
Sinodalidad y la realidad pastoral | Synodality and the Pastoral Reality (VER-SEE)
Grand Ballroom A/B
Moderator
Fr. Alejandro López-Cardinale
Sinodalidad e inclusión
Synodality and Inclusion
Fr. Robert Mendez
Sinodalidad y personas con discapacidades
Synodality and Persons with Disabilities
Esther García
Sinodalidad y los jóvenes
Synodality and the Youth
Brilema Pérez
Sinodalidad e inmigración y abogacía
Synodality, Immigration, and Advocacy
Ingrid Delgado and Elena Segura
12:30pm – 2:00pm
Almuerzo | Lunch (Expositores/Exhibitors)
Grand Ballroom A/B
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Sinodalidad desde el discernimiento a la luz del Evangelio | Synodality Through Discernment in the Light of the Gospel
(DISCERNIR/DISCERN)
Grand Ballroom A/B
Moderator
Edwin Ferrera
Speakers
His Excellency, Most Reverend Oscar Cantú
Lorianne Aubut
Alejandro Aguilera-Titus
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Descanso | Break (Expositores/Exhibitors)
5:00pm – 6:00pm
Misa | Mass
Archbishop of Miami
His Excellency, Most Reverend Thomas Wenski
Grand Ballroom C/D
6:00pm – 10:00pm
Tiempo Libre | Free Time
Fr. Alejandro López-Cardinale Pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Somerville, Massachusetts
Synodality and the Pastoral Reality . Sinodalidad y la realidad pastoral
Fr. Alejandro López-Cardinale is a diocesan priest of the Archdiocese of Boston since 1991. He
is originally from Venezuela. He is pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Somerville and chaplain of
Cheverus Catholic School in Malden. He represents Episcopal Region I for Hispanic Ministry
and is a member of the NCADDHM Board of Directors. He received an MA in
catechesis from the Institut Catholique de Paris, France in 2002, in youth and young adult
ministry from the Universidad Politécnica Salesiana in Quito, Ecuador in 2015, and is in
preparation of his thesis for the MA in urban ministry from the Universidad Católica
Lumen Gentium in Mexico as of 2020. He is also a D.Min candidate in practical theology at the
Université Laval in Quebec, Canada from 2003-2008. He has been ministering in the United
States for 21 years during which time he was six years President of LaRED National Catholic
Network de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana from 2013-2019, a member of the Society of Latin
American Catechists (SCALA). He is a member of the board of the Instituto Fe y Vida, and the
board of SEPI, Southeast Pastoral Institute, collaborating academically in both. He speaks
English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.
Fr. Robert Mendez Chaplain, Courage International Inc.
Sinodality and Inclusion . Sinodalidad y la inclusión
Fr. Robert Mendez is originally from Costa Rica. He trained at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Bangalore, India where he lived for 15 years and studied as a priest and served in mission. He is currently in the Diocese of Boise, Idaho as a parochial vicar at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Nampa and oversees the Courage and EnCourage Ministry in the diocese. He is also one of the chaplains for the Spanish Mass at the Idaho Federal Prison.
Esther Garcia Ministry Consultant, Catechesis, Disability, and Cultural Diversity
Synodality and Persons with Disabilities . Sinodalidad y personas con discapacidades
Esther is a national speaker who develops and coordinates effective outreach programs with (arch)dioceses, parishes, and Catholic communities to support meaningful participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities in the life of the Church.
Esther has 30 years of experience as a catechist, has served as a director of faith formation in a parish and teacher at the Autism Center in Dallas, is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry NCCHM, former Director of Outreach and Diocesan Relations for NCPD, and is currently a Consultant on Catechesis, Disability, and Cultural Diversity.
Esther participated and coordinated a workshop at the Convocation of Catholic Leaders of the United States as well as the V Encuentro Nacional, Diálogo Nacional, and Journeying Together, the Synod among other initiatives of the USCCB. Esther assisted in the revision of the USCCB Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities (2017) and advised on catechesis/disability, accessibility, and communities on the margins.
Esther received the William Sadlier Dinger Award for Outstanding Leadership in Hispanic Ministry and Catechesis at the 2022 National Congress Raíces y Alas.
Brilema Pérez Associate Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Diocese of San Diego, California
Synodality and Youth . Sinodalidad y los jóvenes
Brilema Pérez is an Associate Director of the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry at the Diocese of San Diego. She primarily supports the Pastoral Juvenil communities across the diocese. She currently serves as a co-chair on the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) project team for Webinars en Español, is a young adult member ex oficio of the National Catholic Association of Diocesan Directors for Hispanic Ministry (NCADDHM) and supports the Episcopal Region XI Commission on the Spanish Speaking (RECOSS) and its Pastoral Juvenil subcommittee as secretary. She received her bachelor’s degree in international business and a minor in theology at the University of San Diego and recently completed a research master’s in theology and religious studies with an emphasis on Church History from KU Leuven. She was born and raised in San Diego, CA and loves to travel and visit art and history museums.
Ingrid Delgado Associate Director, USCCB Office of Government Relations
Synodality and Advocacy . Sinodalidad y la abogacía
Ingrid Delgado is the Associate Director for the Office of Government Relations for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. She previously worked as Associate Director for Social Concerns and Respect Life for the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and in both youth outreach and refugee resettlement programs for Catholic Charities of Central Florida. She has volunteered in youth ministry and catechesis; lived in San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic, as a missionary; and served on the boards of the Florida Pregnancy Care Network, Hogar CREA International’s Florida chapter, and Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. Ingrid earned her Master of Public Administration at Florida State University. She and her husband, Roberto, have been married for 24 years and reside in Virginia with their three children.
Elena Segura Senior National Coordinator for Immigration, Archdiocese of Chicago
Sinodality and Immigration . Sinodalidad y la inmigración
Elena Segura is the Senior National Coordinator for Immigration at the Archdiocese of Chicago and founded the Pastoral Migratoria in 2008 as an immigrant leadership ministry for service, accompaniment, and justice in parish communities. Pastoral Migratoria is based in Aparecida’s listen (see) – learn (judge) – proclaim (act) methodology that Pope Francis espoused. The Vatican 2022 guidelines identified Pastoral Migratoria as a good practice for Intercultural Migrant Ministry and it currently engages over 400 Hispanic lay leaders in dozens of immigrant parishes across the dioceses of New York, Baltimore, Stockton, Kansas City-Saint Joseph, and Chicago on civic and pastoral issues facing their own communities. More than 40 dioceses have sent pastoral teams to NPM’s annual Institute at Catholic Theological Union or participated in the Red (network)-NPM to receive training resources and collaborate on best practices responding to the needs of immigrants. Since the 2005 inception of the USCCB Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform, from which Pastoral Migratoria was born, Elena directed the archdiocese’s Immigration Ministry, facilitating formation of pioneering networks of 200 priests, 54 religious orders, and immigration liaisons in 127 native-born parish congregations. Elena began her career organizing grassroots responses to problems facing her community in rural Peru.
Dr. Edwin Ferrera Director of Hispanic Ministry, Archdiocese of Seattle, Washington
Synodality through the Discernment of the Gospel . Sinodalidad desde el discernimiento a la luz del Evangelio
Dr. Edwin Ferrera serves as Director of Hispanic Ministry in the Archdiocese of Seattle and has more than 25 years of experience in pastoral ministry in different contexts. He brings more than 10 years of executive leadership in diocesan, regional, and national ministerial organizations, and has served as a collaborator/consultant to various USCCB agencies. Edwin holds a master’s degree in pastoral counseling from Seattle University and a doctorate in ministry (D. Min.) from Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon. Edwin moved from his native El Salvador to Los Angeles, California, at the age of 15. Edwin and his wife are proud parents of three children, with whom they enjoy spending time exploring the natural beauty of Northwest Washington.
His Excellency, Most Reverend Oscar Cantú, Bishop of San José, CA and Chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs
Synodality through the Discernment of the Gospel . Sinodalidad desde el discernimiento a la luz del Evangelio
Bishop Oscar Cantú was ordained a priest at Saint Francis de Sales Church in Houston by Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in 1994. The archdiocese assigned Cantú as parochial vicar at St. Christopher Parish in Houston. He taught at the University of St. Thomas and at St. Mary’s Seminary and served as pastor of Holy Name Parish. In 1998, Cantú traveled to Rome to attend the Pontifical Gregorian University. He was awarded a Licentiate in Sacred Theology and a Doctor of Dogmatic Theology degree there in 2002.
Cantú conducted youth retreats in the Christian Family Movement in the archdiocese and worked with the Engaged Encounter ministry. He was also involved in The Metropolitan Organization (TMO), which addresses fair housing, immigration, and education.
Bishop Cantú was appointed bishop in 2008, the youngest bishop in the United States at the time, and served as Bishop of Las Cruces from 2013 to 2018, and as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio from 2008 to 2013.
Lorianne Aubut Director of Hispanic Ministry, Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin
Synodality through the Discernment of the Gospel . Sinodalidad desde el discernimiento a la luz del Evangelio
Lorianne Aubut, maiden name: Ramírez Madera, is the Director for the Office of Hispanic Ministry at the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin. She was born and raised in Lares, Puerto Rico and is happily married to a Catholic man; together they have four beautiful children. Lorianne graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and English Studies from the University of Puerto Rico, attended Illinois State University for post graduate studies, and later completed her Catechetical Certification from the Seat of Wisdom Diocesan Institute in Madison.
Lorianne has worked in ministry for fourteen years in a variety of roles: youth minister, Catholic school teacher and campus minister, Coordinator of Faith Formation and Hispanic Ministry, Diocesan Coordinator of Marriage and Family and, most recently, as the Director of Hispanic Ministry. In 2021, she received the Jack McBride Leadership in Ministry Award which is given locally to exceptional leaders amongst the Madison Directors of Religious Education. She was actively part of the V Encuentro process both at the parish and diocesan levels and is currently a board member of the MIDCAHM (Midwest Catholic Association of Hispanic Ministry), representing the state of Wisconsin. Lorianne served as the EMCEE for the MIDCAHM Annual Congress this past January and has contributed locally and regionally to the growth of Hispanic Ministry. She recently wrote the first Diocesan Pastoral and Strategic Plan for Hispanic Ministry, giving her diocese a new pathway of unity and accompaniment.
Although she has been in many leadership roles, Lorianne is most passionate about her service to the Church both in conversations with Latino families and leaders in her diocese. She mostly spends time listening to the faithful and finding ways to help them growth as missionary disciples.
Alejandro Aguilera-Titus Assistant Director, Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church
Synodality through the Discernment of the Gospel . Sinodalidad desde el discernimiento a la luz del Evangelio
Alejandro Aguilera-Titus is a nationally recognized speaker and writer. During his forty years in ministry, Alejandro has worked at the parish, diocesan, regional, and national levels, and has participated in the III Encuentro (2000), the IV Encuentro, and was the National Coordinator for the V Encuentro. He is co-founder of the National Catholic Council of Hispanic Ministry (NCCHM) and the National Catholic Association of Diocesan Directors of Hispanic Ministry (NCADDHM) serving on these boards and of other national Catholic organizations. Alejandro is adjunct faculty at the Catholic University of America and is co-author of the series Prophets of Hope with St. Mary’s Press. Alejandro has an M.A. in Theology and is a Doctor in Ministry Candidate at Barry University. Recently, Alejandro received the Raices Award from NCCHM and national Leadership Awards from NCADDHM. Currently, Alejandro is the lead staff for Hispanic /Latino Ministry at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Archbishop of Miami His Excellency, Most Reverend Thomas Wenski
Archbishop Thomas Wenski describes the priesthood as a constant state of sacrifice. Which is not to say that he regrets any of his more than 40 years in ministry. Born in Lake Worth, Florida, son of Polish immigrants, he speaks Spanish and Creole only speaking very little Polish. He first thought of becoming a priest as a third grader at Sacred Heart School in Lake Worth and entered St. John Vianney Seminary in Miami at age 13. Ordained in 1976 by Miami’s first bishop, the late Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll, Archbishop Wenski thought he would be working with Hispanics all his life. Then he arrived at Corpus Christi Parish in Miami’s Wynwood section and found a group of 40-50 Haitians who gathered regularly for Mass and prayer. Becoming auxiliary bishop of Miami in 1997, and subsequently being named head of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration, allowed Archbishop Wenski to broaden his advocacy. In 2003, the committee and its Mexican counterpart published “Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope,” a first-ever joint pastoral statement urging better treatment of Mexican immigrants in the U.S. Archbishop Wenski also has traveled as far away as Korea and the Congo to study the plight of refugees. And he has been heavily involved in PROCHE, the international Partnership for Church Reconstruction in Haiti in response to the January 2010 Port-au-Prince earthquake. After being named coadjutor bishop of Orlando in 2003, and taking over as bishop in 2004, Miami’s “native son” returned to South Florida in 2010 as the archdiocese’s fourth archbishop.
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Early Thursday – Agenda, Speakers and Presenters
7:30am – 8:30am
Misa | Mass
Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle, WA, Most Reverend Eusebio Elizondo
Grand Ballroom C/D
8:30am – 9:30am
Desayuno | Breakfast (On your own)
9:30am – 10:30am
Sinodalidad desde el acompañamiento | Synodality Through Accompaniment (ACTUAR-ACT)
Sinodalidad e inclusión
Synodality and Inclusion
Fr. Robert Mendez
Conference Room: Pinecrest
Sinodalidad y personas con discapacidades
Synodality and Persons with Disabilities
Esther García
Conference Room: Homestead
Sinodalidad y los jóvenes
Synodality and the Youth
Brilema Pérez
Conference Room: Hammocks
Sinodalidad e inmigración y abogacía
Synodality, Immigration, and Advocacy
Ingrid Delgado and Elena Segura
Conference Room: Matheson
10:30am – 11:00am
Descanso | Break (Expositores/Exhibitors)
Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle, WA, Most Reverend Eusebio Elizondo
Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle by Pope Benedict XVI on May 12, 2005 and ordained Bishop on June 6, 2005. As a Regional Bishop, Bishop Elizondo serves as an extension of Archbishop Etienne’s pastoral ministry to parishes, faith communities, ministers (clergy and lay), and parishioners, with a focus on accompaniment and pastoral car
Fr. Robert Mendez Chaplain, Courage International Inc.
Sinodality and Inclusion . Sinodalidad y la inclusión
Fr. Robert Mendez is originally from Costa Rica. He trained at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Bangalore, India where he lived for 15 years and studied as a priest and served in mission. He is currently in the Diocese of Boise, Idaho as a parochial vicar at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Nampa and oversees the Courage and EnCourage Ministry in the diocese. He is also one of the chaplains for the Spanish Mass at the Idaho Federal Prison.
Esther Garcia Ministry Consultant, Catechesis, Disability, and Cultural Diversity
Synodality and Persons with Disabilities . Sinodalidad y personas con discapacidades
Esther is a national speaker who develops and coordinates effective outreach programs with (arch)dioceses, parishes, and Catholic communities to support meaningful participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities in the life of the Church.
Esther has 30 years of experience as a catechist, has served as a director of faith formation in a parish and teacher at the Autism Center in Dallas, is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry NCCHM, former Director of Outreach and Diocesan Relations for NCPD, and is currently a Consultant on Catechesis, Disability, and Cultural Diversity.
Esther participated and coordinated a workshop at the Convocation of Catholic Leaders of the United States as well as the V Encuentro Nacional, Diálogo Nacional, and Journeying Together, the Synod among other initiatives of the USCCB.
Esther assisted in the revision of the USCCB Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities (2017) and advised on catechesis/disability, accessibility, and communities on the margins.
Esther received the William Sadlier Dinger Award for Outstanding Leadership in Hispanic Ministry and Catechesis at the 2022 National Congress Raíces y Alas.
Brilema Pérez Associate Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Diocese of San Diego, California
Synodality and Youth . Sinodalidad y los jóvenes
Brilema Pérez is an Associate Director of the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry at the Diocese of San Diego. She primarily supports the Pastoral Juvenil communities across the diocese. She currently serves as a co-chair on the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) project team for Webinars en Español, is a young adult member ex oficio of the National Catholic Association of Diocesan Directors for Hispanic Ministry (NCADDHM) and supports the Episcopal Region XI Commission on the Spanish Speaking (RECOSS) and its Pastoral Juvenil subcommittee as secretary. She received her bachelor’s degree in international business and a minor in theology at the University of San Diego and recently completed a research master’s in theology and religious studies with an emphasis on Church History from KU Leuven. She was born and raised in San Diego, CA and loves to travel and visit art and history museums.
Ingrid Delgado Associate Director, USCCB Office of Government Relations
Synodality and Advocacy . Sinodalidad y la abogacía
Ingrid Delgado is the Associate Director for the Office of Government Relations for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. She previously worked as Associate Director for Social Concerns and Respect Life for the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and in both youth outreach and refugee resettlement programs for Catholic Charities of Central Florida. She has volunteered in youth ministry and catechesis; lived in San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic, as a missionary; and served on the boards of the Florida Pregnancy Care Network, Hogar CREA International’s Florida chapter, and Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. Ingrid earned her Master of Public Administration at Florida State University. She and her husband, Roberto, have been married for 24 years and reside in Virginia with their three children.
Elena Segura Senior National Coordinator for Immigration, Archdiocese of Chicago
Sinodality and Immigration . Sinodalidad y la inmigración
Elena Segura is the Senior National Coordinator for Immigration at the Archdiocese of Chicago and founded the Pastoral Migratoria in 2008 as an immigrant leadership ministry for service, accompaniment, and justice in parish communities. Pastoral Migratoria is based in Aparecida’s listen (see) – learn (judge) – proclaim (act) methodology that Pope Francis espoused. The Vatican 2022 guidelines identified Pastoral Migratoria as a good practice for Intercultural Migrant Ministry and it currently engages over 400 Hispanic lay leaders in dozens of immigrant parishes across the dioceses of New York, Baltimore, Stockton, Kansas City-Saint Joseph, and Chicago on civic and pastoral issues facing their own communities. More than 40 dioceses have sent pastoral teams to NPM’s annual Institute at Catholic Theological Union or participated in the Red (network)-NPM to receive training resources and collaborate on best practices responding to the needs of immigrants. Since the 2005 inception of the USCCB Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform, from which Pastoral Migratoria was born, Elena directed the archdiocese’s Immigration Ministry, facilitating formation of pioneering networks of 200 priests, 54 religious orders, and immigration liaisons in 127 native-born parish congregations. Elena began her career organizing grassroots responses to problems facing her community in rural Peru.
Later Thursday – Agenda, Speakers and Presenters
11:00am – 12:00pm
Sinodalidad desde el acompañamiento | Synodality Through Accompaniment (ACTUAR-ACT)
Sinodalidad y liderazgo femenino
Synodality and the Feminine Genius
Norma Vélez García, María Moncaleano
Conference Room: Pinecrest
Sinodalidad, la familia y los ministros ordenados
Synodality, the Family, and the Ordained
Deacon Asterio Velasco, Anisabel Palma, Dra. Dora Tobar van der Mensbrugghe
Conference Room: Homestead
Sinodalidad y ministerios financieramente fortalecidos
Synodality and Financially Fortified Ministry
Andrea Blanco
Conference Room: Hammocks
Sinodalidad y la pastoral educativa
Synodality and Education Ministry
Dr. Antonio Marí, Fr. Rafael Capó
Conference Room: Matheson
12:15pm – 1:00pm
Plenaria: Pathways to Unity desde una experiencia sinodal
Plenary: Pathways to Unity desde una experiencia sinodal
Grand Ballroom A/B
Moderator
Daniel Villar
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Almuerzo | Lunch (Expositores/Exhibitors)
Grand Ballroom A/B
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Nuevo Momento Initiative
Nuevo Momento Project Manager | Boston College
Brenda Noriega
Grand Ballroom A/B
3:00pm – 5:00pm
Trabajar en red | Networking (Expositores/Exhibitors)
Grand Ballroom A/B
6:00pm – 10:00pm
Noche de Gala | Gala
Presentación del Premio Padre Mario Vizcaíno | Presentation of the Father Mario Vizcaíno Award
Rosaura Soto | Loyola Press
Grand Ballroom A/B
Norma Vélez de García Director of Multicultural Ministry, Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida
Synodality and the Feminine Genius . Sinodalidad y el liderazgo femenino
Norma Vélez de García has worked as the Director of Multicultural Ministry for the Diocese of Saint Augustine since January. Prior to this position, she served as Coordinator of Multicultural Youth & Young Adults and Youth Ministry for nine years, with extensive experience in the reality of Hispanic youth in the United States. Norma was part of the diocesan and regional team of the V Encuentro, in addition to being a member of the LaRED Board of Directors (National Catholic Network of Hispanic Youth Ministry), from 2014 to 2021, serving as member at large and treasurer. She was an active part of Journeying Together for the Southeast region.
She was also part of the Synod team for the Diocese of St. Augustine. In 2021, she obtained her certification through the Lay Ecclesial Minister Program from the USCCB. In 2022, she participated in the Leadership Roundtable Course and several online courses sponsored by NFCYM and several universities.
Norma received her formation at SEPI with courses such as Curso de Pastoral Juvenil, Escuela de Asesores, and Seminario de Liderazgo Pastoral, and in 2023, she obtained the Theology of the Body Certificate.
A few years ago, Norma worked as a family counselor and became certified in the STEP (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) course, a resource that has helped her today.
Norma is originally from Guadalajara, Mexico. She studied Business Administration. Her family here in this country is made up of her husband, Deacon Jesus Garcia, her two daughters, one son, two sons-in-law, her granddaughter, and a niece who is like a daughter. They have all resided in Jacksonville, Florida, since 1998.
María Moncaleano Director of Hispanic Ministry, Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey
Synodality and the Feminine Genius . Sinodalidad y el liderazgo femenino
María Moncaleano serves as Director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey. She holds a Law Degree from Universidad Libre de Colombia and a master’s in theological studies from St. Elizabeth University, where she serves as Adjunct Professor for the Leadership Certificate in Hispanic Ministry. María was the coordinator of the V Encuentro process at both diocesan and parish levels, and co-chair of the Synod team for the Diocese of Paterson. She is also the administrator of the Catholic Certificate of Evangelization, a program offered in Spanish and co-sponsored by St. Elizabeth University. She serves as part of the NCADDHM Board of Directors representing Episcopal Region III, in its formation committee. Currently, María is the Vice-President of NCADDHM.
Through her leadership, María offers support to all parish-based formation initiatives of evangelization, as well as to the ecclesial movements of the local church. She strongly believes that working together and fostering a culture of encounter is the ultimate way to consolidate a real Pastoral de Conjunto (communion in pastoral ministry).
Deacon Asterio Velasco Director of Hispanic Ministry, Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey
Synodality and the Ordained . Sinodalidad y los ordenados
Deacon Asterio Velasco is the Director of Hispanic Ministry for the Archdiocese of Newark. After some years in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, he studied theology in Salamanca, Spain. He later earned a master’s degree in Spanish literature, and another in Church History at Seton Hall University. For many years he has combined his dedication to his family with his roles as deacon and high school teacher and administrator. He has maintained his commitment to the success of the V Encuentro at its different stages and levels and he is very enthusiastic about the synodal process we are living in the Church. He considers the formation of the laity one of the top priorities in his ministry.
Anisabel Palma Director of Hispanic Ministry, Diocese of New Ulm, Minnesota
Synodality and the Ordained . Sinodalidad y los ordenados
Anisabel Palma holds a Master of Divinity and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from St. John’s University in Collegeville. With over a decade of experience in Hispanic Ministry, she serves as the Director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of New Ulm. As a secular Franciscan originally from Mexico, Anisabel now resides in Minnesota with her husband and their five children. Her deep commitment to married life, her role as a mother, and her personal journey as an immigrant profoundly influence both her writings and her ministry. Her work is characterized by a profound understanding of the challenges and joys of family life, cultural integration, and spiritual growth.
Dra. Dora Tobar van der Mensbrugghe Director of Hispanic Ministry, Diocese of Austin, Texas
Synodality and Families . Sinodalidad y las familias
Dora Tobar van der Mensbrugghe, a national and international conference speaker, received a Doctor in Dogmatic Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome. She is married and the mother of two sons. She is a researcher on the Theology and Pastoral Care of the Family; editor and collaborator on the USCCB web page for Hispanic marriages and families: www.portumatrimonio.org. She is also the co-author for “Catholic Faith and Family Bible” (Spanish Version. Ed. Verbo Divino.). She is the author of resources for developing and accompanying spouses and parents in their ministerial service within the domestic church: Forming Ministers of God’s Love. Catholic Parenting in the Domestic Church (Loyola Press 2021). She is a consultant for the USCCB Subcommittee for Hispanic Affairs and Director of Hispanic Ministry at the Diocese of Austin, Texas.
Andrea Blanco Program Manager of Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative, Leadership Roundtable
Synodality and Financially Fortified Ministry . Sinodalidad y los ministerios financieramente fortalecidos
Andrea Blanco serves as Program Manager leading the leadership formation program, Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative at Leadership Roundtable serving Hispanic/Latino clergy and lay leaders throughout the United States. Previously, she served as Director of Hispanic Faith Formation at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral and as Family Life Coordinator in the Diocese of Raleigh. She was a member of the Accompaniment Team for the V Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry and was a speaker at the World Meeting of Families. Andrea has created leadership formation programs for the Hispanic Community and contributed to the “Por Tu Matrimonio” website: www.portumatrimonio.org, an initiative created by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. She is certified by the Center for Creative Leadership to deliver the Catholic Leadership 360 assessment tool, a certified Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultant, and serves as a faculty member for the Toolbox for Pastoral Management.
Dr. Antonio Marí Co-Director of Formation, Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI)
Synodality and Education Ministry . Sinodalidad y la pastoral educativa
Dr. Antonio Marí was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where the Marianist (Society of Mary) education guided his faith and academic formation. In high school, he felt called to study theology and serve others. This calling led him to study at the University of Dayton in Ohio, where he completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theology. He got involved in different ministries, expanding from serving the Hispanics and youth inside and outside of the university to having multiple experiences abroad to learn and serve the needs of others. This took him to different parts of the world to learn about different cultures and religious traditions.
After graduating, he dedicated himself to high school ministry for ten years in different schools and pastoral programs. During this decade, he worked in various roles, as a theology teacher, Director of Campus Ministry, and Regional Coordinator of the Living in Faith Experience (LIFE) program of the Marianists. He worked with young people, mainly from Puerto Rico and Florida, through faith formation in and outside the classroom. This also includes young people from Texas, Ohio, Hawaii, New York, California, Missouri, and Nebraska.
Having lived the reality of being a lay minister in Catholic institutions, he saw the need to go back to study and gain more tools to help those who serve in youth ministry. He began his doctoral program in ministry at Fordham University. There, he dedicated his research to studying and understanding the lay minister’s role in Catholic institutions and exploring the obstacles faced by many lay ministers throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. After finishing his doctorate, the doors opened for him at SEPI to serve as the Co-Director of Formation.
Fr. Rafael Capó Vice President for Mission and Ministry and Dean of Theology, St. Thomas University
Synodality and Education Ministry . Sinodalidad y la pastoral educativa
Fr. Rafael Capó, Vice President for Mission and Ministry and Dean of Theology at St Thomas
University, is a priest of the Archdiocese of Miami, a Missionary of Mercy by appointment of
Pope Francis, and National Eucharistic Preacher by appointment of the USCCB. He formerly
served as director of the Southeast Bishops Office for Hispanic Ministry (SEPI). He has served
as school president, vocations director, and professor of Theology, holding degrees in
Educational Leadership and Theology. He participates in major organizations of Hispanic
Ministry, the V Encuentro Leadership Team, and is advisor to La Red National Network of
Pastoral Juvenil and Vice President of the Federation of Pastoral Institutes (FIP). He is actively
present on social media with an emphasis in ministry to young people calling to fitness of body,
mind, and spirit.
Daniel Villar Director of Ethnic Ministries, Diocese of Richmond, Virginia
Plenaria: Pathways to Unity desde una experiencia sinodal . Plenary: Pathways to Unity desde una experiencia sinodal
Daniel Villar is the Director for the Office of Ethnic Ministries at the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, Virginia. He is first generation born in the United States (Brooklyn, NY) of Colombian and Cuban parents. He grew up in Miami and has a bachelor’s degree in religious studies with minors in sociology and philosophy from Florida International University in Miami, FL and a master’s degree in theology from St. Leo University, a Benedictine institution. He is a member of the Nacional Pastoral Migratoria (REDNPM) from the Archdiocese of Chicago, formation committee chair of the National Catholic Association of Diocesan Directors for Hispanic Ministry (NCADDHM) Board of Directors, a delegate representing Region IV during the V Encuentro Process and its current regional co-chair. He oversees the Encounter Migrant Ministry in his diocese and has done advocacy work virtually and at Capitol Hill for the past 7 years representing Virginia as captain a couple of years ago at the National Catholic Council of Hispanic Ministry (NCCHM).
He heads the Ethnic Ministries Advisory Committee (EMAC) which is composed of 9 advisors representing 10 different cultural communities in his diocese. He is a former member of the Office of New Americans Advisory Board for the Commonwealth of Virginia specializing in the support and accompaniment of those newly arrived and how to create strategies and programs that will help bridge services to those in need while respecting their cultural traditions and customs.
He also facilitates courses online in Spanish for the University of Dayton and continues to actively serve and accompany Hispanic/Latino communities in his diocese in different areas of ministry: Liturgy, Ecclesial Movements, Lay Groups, Apostolic Movements, etc.
Brenda Noriega Research Assistant and Project Manager Nuevo Momento, Clough School of Theology and Ministry Boston College
Nuevo Momento Initiative . Iniciativa Nuevo Momento
Brenda Noriega-Flores is a passionate scholar, writer, and minister deeply committed to
exploring the intersection of theology, education, and religious lived experience. With a rich
background in serving God’s people at various levels of church and organizational leadership,
Brenda brings a unique blend of academic rigor and practical experience to her work. Currently
pursuing a Ph.D. in Theology and Education at Boston College, Brenda’s research interests lie
in U.S. Hispanic-Latinoax young peoples lived spiritual and religious experiences and faith
formation processes that honor and engage them as epistemic agents within their faith
communities and Catholic organizations in the U.S. She works as a Research Assistant and
Project Manager for Nuevo Momento, a leadership and capacity-building initiative for ministerial
organizations serving Hispanic Catholics. Through her academic endeavors and ministerial
engagements, Brenda strives to promote a holistic and transformational approach to pastoral
ministry that emphasizes dignity, justice, communion, and Evangelic mission in everyday
discipleship as in structural leadership. During her restorative time, she enjoys spending time in
nature with her husband Rudy and her daughter Kathleen Guadalupe.
Rosaura Soto National Bilingual Consultant for Faith Formation, Loyola Press
Padre Mario Vizcaíno Award . Premio Padre Mario Vizcaíno
Rosaura Soto is the National Bilingual Consultant for Faith Formation for Loyola Press. She supports Hispanic Ministries and parishes across the country providing Catechist training and retreats. She has been involved in ministry for over 40 years; she has served as Youth and Young Adult Minister as well as Confirmation Coordinator at a parish level then as liaison for the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Diocese of San Diego in the Imperial Valley deanery. She taught Religion and was Campus Minister at Vincent Memorial Catholic High School in Calexico for 12 years. She later served as the Director of Catechetical Ministries at Our Lady of Guadalupe, a Jesuit Parish in Barrio Logan, downtown San Diego.
Rosaura earned her bachelor’s degree in behavioral and social sciences from San Diego State University and her Youth Ministry Credential from the Center for Youth Ministry Development. She is also a Master Catechist, serving in the Diocese of San Diego where she resides. She is a proud member of NCADDHM and NCCHM. Most recently, Rosie has deepened her relationship with Christ through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, a means of opening oneself to the work of God in one’s life.
Friday, October 11, 2024
Friday – Agenda, Speakers and Presenters
7:00am – 8:00am
Desayuno | Breakfast
Grand Ballroom A/B
8:00am – 9:00am
Mensaje de Clausura | Closing Remarks
President of NCADDHM
Ignacio Rodriguez
Grand Ballroom A/B
9:00am – 10:00am
Trabajar en red | Networking
Grand Ballroom A/B
10:00am – 11:00am
Misa de Clausura | Closing Mass
Auxiliary Bishop of Brownsville, TX and Episcopal Representative of NCADDHM
His Excellency, Most Reverend Mario Avilés
Grand Ballroom C/D
12:00pm
Hotel Checkout
Reception
Ignacio Rodriguez Manager for the Office of Hispanic Ministry, Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona
Closing Remarks . Mensaje de Clausura
Ignacio Rodriguez was born in Phoenix, Arizona from Texas-born parents. He graduated from
Arizona State University in December 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology focusing
on socio-cultural anthropology. He is a member of Bishop Dolan’s Diocesan Pastoral Council,
Chair of Region XIII, Chair of the V Encuentro Regional Process (ERAVE), secretary of
NCADDHM elected in April 2022 and the current president of NCADDHM as of the same year.
He works as manager for the Office of Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona; a
diocese that he has been employed with for the past 25 years.
NCADDHM Episcopal Moderator Auxiliary Bishop of Brownsville
Bishop Mario A. Avilés, C.O. was born in Mexico City on September 16, 1969. The son of Rafael and María Guadalupe, he joined the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in 1986.
His studies to the priesthood took him initially to Mexico City, Mexico and then to Rome where he received his bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. He holds a master’s degree in Education Administration and Supervision and is a certified teacher in the State of Texas.
He was ordained to the priesthood on July 21, 1998 at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle National Shrine, in San Juan, Texas. Upon his ordination, he was appointed parochial vicar at St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Pharr. He also began working with his Congregation at the Pharr Oratory Schools as Governance Board member, teacher, principal and rector. Additionally, he served in the Congregation as vicar, secretary, treasurer and novice master.
In 2002, he was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Hidalgo, Texas and is also the representative for the religious priests in the Diocese of Brownsville’s Pastoral Council. From 2000 to 2012 he was elected and served as member of the Permanent Deputation of the Confederation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri for Latin America. At the General Congress of 2012, he was elected Procurator General of the Confederation of the Oratory. In December 2017, Pope Francis named him Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas. He was ordained on February 22, 2018, in a ceremony presided over by the Most Rev. Daniel E. Flores, Bishop of Brownsville.