The event was organized by the Office of Intercultural Ministries, led by Director Carlos Flores, and Administrative Assistant Ana Jahuey. Several other diocesan representatives were also present to support this important event, including Diane Kledzik, director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life, Dale Brown, director of the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute, and Dr. Armando Chavarria, executive director of the Office of Missionary Discipleship, who offered a message of support and solidarity to the Hispanic Community.

This joy-filled gathering was especially relevant given the growing Hispanic Catholic population in the United States. The meeting began with morning prayer led by Deacon Carlos Martinez from Holy Cross Catholic Church in Saint Petersburg, followed by a video message from Bishop Gregory Parkes. In his message, Bishop Parkes welcomed participants, thanking them for gathering to learn more about the 2025-2029 Diocesan Pastoral Plan: “A Call to Conversion: Courageously Living the Gospel.”

With the help of knowledgeable presenters, participants learned how three ministerial focus areas– family, vocations, and Pastoral Juvenil (Hispanic Youth Ministry), are reflected in both the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry and in the Diocesan Pastoral Plan.

• Family: Deacon Élix and Lucy Castro, founders of MDS (Marriage Dialogue Support), led the session on family. MDS is a Spanish-language matrimony ministry that assists couples in all stages of their marital life through a weekly support group and weekend retreats. Deacon Élix highlighted how each family is called to be the domestic church and that families are a priority of the pastoral plan. Lucy offered an encouraging message about promoting vocations within the family and community, recognizing the challenge that some Hispanic families may prefer their children marry and have grandchildren, rather than consider priesthood or religious life, and highlighting the importance of support from the family. They both stressed the importance of remaining open to God’s will.
• Vocations: Fr. Xavy Castro, director of vocations for the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, and son of Deacon Élix and Lucy Castro, presented on the topic of vocations. The Castro family is a true witness of what supporting vocations in your family can accomplish for the glory of God. “Everyone has one single vocation. That is to become a saint,” said Fr. Castro. He encouraged attendees to promote vocations among families and communities. He emphasized that vocations include priesthood, religious life, marriage, and single life. To learn more about vocations, visit dospvocations.org, or contact the Office of Vocations: spvocation@dosp.org or 727-345-3452.
• Pastoral Juvenil (Hispanic Youth Ministry): Alfredo Columbie Martínez, associate director of Pastoral Juvenil presented on Pastoral Juvenil, a ministry that plays a vital role in connecting Hispanic youth and young adults with Christ and the Church. He highlighted the unique importance and role that the Hispanic/Latino youth bring to various ministries in our Church. He also acknowledged that there is a need to bridge the existing gap for young adults who may feel disconnected. Pastoral Juvenil plays an important role in our diocese, opening chapters in parishes with strong Hispanic/Latino presence. They offer activities tailored to the needs of Hispanic/Latino adolescents and young adults, allowing them to grow in their faith and love for Christ within the context of their culture. For more information, visit dosp.org/young-church/pastoraljuvenil.

The Assembly concluded with the blessing of Our Lady of the Rosary from Guatemala. A poster size image of her was given to the representatives of each of the six regions present. The representatives and posters will soon begin a pilgrimage, prior to the Annual Diocesan Hispanic Mass on Saturday, October 11, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. Each year a Marian patroness of a different Spanish-speaking country is selected to honor our Blessed Mother and celebrate the culture of that country.

The Office of Intercultural Ministries is funded in part by contributions to the Catholic Ministry Appeal. For more information or to make a contribution, visit dosp.org/catholicministryappeal.