80 Trainees in Omaha are Prepared for Parish Leadership through 'Recognizing the Stranger' Initiative
With the support of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), Organizers' Institute of the West/Southwest IAF, and Omaha Together One Community (OTOC), 80 Omaha and Western Iowa parish leaders participated in leadership development training, made available in Spanish through the 'Recognizing the Stranger' initiative.
The Omaha Archdiocesan Director of Latino Ministry, Deacon Gregorio Elizalde, helped organize the training. Fr. Scott Hastings, Vicar for Clergy for the Archdiocese, blessed the effort and attended some sessions.
Spanish Leadership Formation (including list of participating institutions), OTOC
'Recognizing the Stranger' Reaches San Gabriel Valley of LA
With support from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the Organizers Institute of the West/Southwest IAF, and One LA, Spanish-language training reached 54 parish leaders from six Catholic institutions in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County.
Parish leaders participated in leadership development workshops and engaged with scripture and their religious traditions as they reflected on their roles in public life. This is the first of multiple local trainings planned for the duration of the coming year.
'Recognizing the Stranger' Training Reaches Albuquerque, Inspires New Leaders into Action Around Asylum Crisis
65 predominantly Spanish-speaking leaders from 18 institutions in Albuquerque convened for a multi-day training co-sponsored by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the Organizers Institute of the West/Southwest IAF, and Albuquerque Interfaith. Parish leaders participated in leadership development workshops and engaged with scripture and their religious traditions as they reflected on their roles in public life.
A civic academy about the humanitarian crisis at the border, held on the third day of training, inspired 25 new immigrant leaders to participate in a City Hall action the next day. The rapid mobilization included the participation of Archbishop John Wester and helped leverage $250,000 in municipal funding to support asylum seekers.
City Council OKs $250,000 to Help Asylum Seekers, Albuquerque Journal
'Recognizing the Stranger' Training Prepares 111 in Houston, Texas
111 predominately Spanish-speaking leaders from 25 Houston-area congregations convened for a multi-day training co-sponsored by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), Mission and Ministry, Inc. (MMI), the Organizers Institute of the West/Southwest IAF, and The Metropolitan Organization (TMO)/ Gulf Coast Leadership Council (GCLC).
Parish leaders participated in leadership development workshops and engaged with scripture and their religious traditions as they reflected on their roles in public life.
Catholic Campaign, TMO Offers Leadership Training for Hispanic Parishioners, Texas Catholic Herald
Leadership Development at Assumption Catholic Church, The Metropolitan Organization (TMO)
'Recognizing the Stranger' Spreads to Portland, Oregon
67 Spanish-speaking parish leaders participated in CCHD-sponsored training in Portland, Oregon. Launched in coordination with the Catholic Diocese of Portland, the Organizers Institute of the West/Southwest IAF and the Metropolitan Alliance for the Common Good (MACG), the training engaged delegations of leaders from 11 institutions in sessions focusing on the mission of the Church and scriptural foundations for leadership.
Immigrant Leaders Being Trained, Catholic Sentinel [pdf]
Bishop Gregory Kelly Joins 200 Parish Leaders at Training in Dallas
200 Spanish-speaking parish leaders were joined by Bishop Gregory Kelly for the CCHD-sponsored 'Recognizing the Stranger' training in Dallas. Launched in coordination with the Catholic Diocese of Dallas, Mission and Ministry, Inc. (MMI), the Organizers Institute of the West/Southwest IAF and Dallas Area Interfaith, the training engaged delegations of leaders from 21 institutions in interactive sessions that focused on the mission of the Church and scriptural foundations for leadership. Leaders will return to their parishes to hold listening sessions and work with other institutions to develop a city-wide plan of action.
Program Trains Leaders to Put Faith Into Action, Texas Catholic
AMOS Hosts Spanish-Language Training in Iowa with Bishop Richard Pates and 100+ Leaders
103 Spanish-speaking leaders, from fifteen institutions in the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, participated in and were joined by Bishop Richard Pates for three days of training for congregational and community leadership. Sponsored by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the Organizers Institute of the West/Southwest IAF and AMOS, trainees deeply engaged with scriptural and church-based teaching to learn how be more effective leaders.
Bishop Daniel Flores Accompanies 'Recognizing the Stranger' Training in the Rio Grande Valley
Over 80 predominantly low-income Spanish-speaking leaders converged for a multi-day training on leadership development co-sponsored by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), Mission and Ministry, Inc. (MMI), the Organizers Institute of the West/Southwest IAF and Valley Interfaith. Trainees came from 19 different institutions of the Rio Grande Valley -- including from Rio Hondo, Elsa, Las Milpas (Pharr), Weslaco, Peñitas and McAllen -- to learn how to organize around their faith and values.
'Recognizing the Stranger' Strategy Launches in Austin with Bishop Joe Vasquez
The CCHD-sponsored 'Recognizing the Stranger' strategy launched in Austin, Texas with the support of Bishop Joe Vasquez, the Catholic Diocese of Austin, the Organizers Institute and Austin Interfaith. 50 trainees from 13 institutions participated in Spanish-language sessions including the Body of Christ, the Baptismal Call of the Church and Qualities of Leaders through the lens of the Beatitudes.
'Recognizing the Stranger' Strategy Prepares Leadership in El Paso
At the US-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, training sponsored by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), Mission and Ministry, Inc. (MMI), and the Organizers Institute of the West/Southwest IAF reached approximately 40 Spanish-speaking leaders. Participants wrestled with scripture, engaged with each other in small groups and re-imagined parishes at the center of change.