May 20, 2024
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16 Hispanic Catholics in the Diocese of Joliet are ‘pioneers’ in new leadership program

All 16 completed the Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative, created by a national, Washington, D.C.-based Catholic nonprofit

By Denise M. Baran-Unland

Sixteen Hispanic Catholics from the Diocese of Joliet, pictured with Bishop Ron Hicks, recently completed the inaugural class of Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative. It was developed by Leadership Roundtable, a national, Washington, D.C.-based Catholic nonprofit. (Photo provided)

Sixteen Hispanic Catholics from the Diocese of Joliet were recently called “pioneers” by Michael Brough, a partner at Leadership Roundtable, according to a news release from the Diocese of Joliet.

Bishop Ron Hicks lauded these 16 for “growing in wisdom” during a Mass celebrated in Spanish early in December at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Joliet, according to the release.

That’s because these 16 Hispanic Catholics recently completed the inaugural class of Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative.

This initiative was developed by Leadership Roundtable, a national, Washington, D.C.-based Catholic nonprofit that focuses on best practices for the Catholic Church, according to the release.

Catholic dioceses across the U.S. competed for the opportunity to serve as the first class of the new program, which was granted to the diocese’s Office of Hispanic & Ethnic Ministry, according to the release.

Classes with Leadership Roundtable staff began in January 2021 on Zoom. Students completed a comprehensive personal assessment and learned best practices on “finance, operations, legal compliance, ethics, stewardship and advocacy on local ordinances or state and federal legislation,” according to the release.

Alejandra Villa, who coordinates the parish’s peace and justice committee at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish in Joliet, said how she initially felt overwhelmed.

“I was scared,” Villa said in the release. “I thought, ‘This is for the priests, this is for the people who work in the Church. What am I doing here?’ But I learned that the Holy Spirit needs leaders like me.”

According to the release, approximately 40% of Catholics in the U.S. are Hispanic, according to 2018 research conducted by V Encuentro, the Hispanic outreach arm of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“The Diocese of Joliet mirrors that percentage. Leadership Roundtable is expanding the program to the Diocese of St. Augustine in Florida and will soon announce a third site,” according to the release.

For information, visit dioceseofjoliet.org and leadershiproundtable.org.