The Archdiocese of Baltimore is committed to assisting Hispanic Catholics in identifying and developing their talents and gifts to enhance the mission and ministries of the Church. It is also for those who wish to deepen their experience and understanding of their faith, and for those pastoral workers who wish to improve in their ministry with the Hispanic people in this country.
The goal of the HISPANIC PASTORAL FORMATION INSTITUTE (HPFI) is to help interested and capable individuals to prepare for leadership in the church through developing their pastoral leadership skills and theological understanding, and through personal and spiritual formation.
Everything is to be done in conformity with the general objective of the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry and its addendum Encuentro and Mission, which encourage us “to live and promote, by means of a pastoral de conjunto a model of church that is: communitarian, evangelizing, and missionary, incarnate in the reality of the Hispanic people (and of all the people) and open to the diversity of cultures, a promoter and example of justice…that is leaven for the Kingdom of God in society.”
To each participant, the Hispanic Pastoral Formation Institute (HPFI) offers:
- Deepening of personal faith in Jesus and commitment to the Church
- Understanding of the Bible Catholic teachings
- Development of sound pastoral judgment and sensitivity in relating with people
- Fostering a spirit and outlook that reflects a “pastoral de conjunto” ministry style that assists the participant—in collaboration with clergy, religious and other lay parishioners—to carry out the Mission of the Church
- Enhancement of skills in a particular area of ministry.
The courses are divided into three categories:
- Foundation-building courses
- Specialization courses
- Christian Formation courses
THE METHOLOGY
The methodology is bases on the “active participative” concept of popular education, highlighting the active participation both in the classes, dinámicas and projects of the Institute, and in transformative and evangelizing practice in the parish and in the world.
FOUNDATION-BUILDING COURSES
The Foundation-Building Program consists of three courses, which can be completed within one academic year. There are no pre-requisites. It is recommended—but not required—that the courses be taken in order.
- Spirituality for Ministry: A 10-hour retreat, and two days of reflection. The vocation (call) to leadership, discernment and utilization of gifts for ministry, the universal call to holiness, prayer, and personal and community-oriented spirituality. Includes initial discernment for ministry. Concludes with a rite of commissioning with commitment by participants to formation for ministry.
- Theology for Ministry: Eight 21/2 hour sessions. * “Encuentros” with the Word, the Church, and Christian Life. God’s revelation, basic information about the Bible, the God of the Bible, Old and New Testaments, nature and mission of the Church, liturgy and sacraments, God—Principle of Love, and church social teachings.
- Leadership for Ministry: An 8-session* course, with follow-up retreat. Leadership basics: the pastoral de conjunto leadership style, why and how to become integrated into a multicultural parish, mission and planning, how to develop volunteers, communication skills, conflict management, etc. The retreat continues and deepens ministry discernment.
SPECIALIZATION COURSES
The Specialization Courses are for interested individuals who have been approved by their Pastor or his representative to serve as a minister in some way in the parish. Each has eight sessions* and a follow-up retreat.
- Community-Building Ministries
- Liturgical Ministries
- Catechetical Ministry
- Youth and Young Adult Ministry
- “Pastoral” Ministries
- Ministry in the Multicultural Parish in the USA
*Note: What is called a “session” is an instructional unit of about 2-21/2 hours. These units may be held once a week, or scheduled in some other manner.
For more information call the Office of Ministry Formation 410-547-5559.
