The V Encuentro in the Life of the American Church

Last updated on: March 22, 2018 at 11:13 am by Father Pablo Migone

The V Encuentro in the Life of the American Church 2018-03-22T11:13:24-05:00 Father Pablo Migone

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Catholic Church in the United States is undergoing a process recently described by the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, as “the most dynamic thing happening in the Church.” Launched about two years ago by the Bishops of the United States, the V Encuentro received its name from previous encuentros, or gatherings, organized in 1972, 1977, 1985, and 2000, all for the purpose of identifying the needs of Latino Catholics living in our country. The main objective of the current encuentro is to discern the way in which the Church in the United States responds to the Hispanic or Latino presence, and to strengthen the way in which they respond and participate in the overall American Church as effective missionary disciples.

The V Encuentro is a grassroots movement where the faithful in parishes have asked questions, listened carefully, and identified pressing needs. Over 5,000 parishes nationwide participated in this process, and it was done by faithful from diverse cultural backgrounds. Parishioners were asked to reach out into the periphery of society and to describe the environments they are called to evangelize. Many of our parishes in South Georgia participated in this process, and last year we gathered for our Diocesan Encuentro in Warner Robins.

After much preparation at the parish and diocesan levels, a Regional Encuentro was held two weeks ago in Miami where over 200 delegates from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Louisiana gathered to discuss the information identified at the parish and diocesan levels. The delegates dialogued about how the Catholic Church can more effectively respond to the call from Christ to preach the Gospel in the Southeast. It was an opportunity to meet, to share, and to encourage one another.

As the Regional Encuentro closed, two words emerged from the departing delegates: “hope” and “commitment.” Having played a role in the development of a national document providing a long term vision for the missionary efforts of the Church in the United States, delegates certainly felt part of something much greater than just their local churches. The regional gathering was an opportunity to network and to realize that the whole Church works together with one single purpose: the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was natural to be filled with hope, and for the delegates to recommit passionately to the task at hand.

Now the various regions of the United States will hold regional gatherings such as the one held in Miami. The National V Encuentro will be held in September near Dallas, Texas, and afterwards will continue an implementation period of initiatives identified through the process. There is great excitement, and the future certainly is bright.

Our diocese has not only engaged the V Encuentro, but for the past four years it has followed a Diocesan Hispanic Ministry Initiative. The fruits of both processes in our diocese include a livestream catechetical school which reaches twelve parishes and missions, the development of lay leaders through regional gatherings, and assistance in developing local action plans centered on outreach, hospitality, and organization.

The Nuncio ended his homily at the Miami Regional Encuentro stating, “I am so happy to be here with you. You all have a great responsibility.” That responsibility is to preach the Gospel, a responsibility every baptized person shares. This is the mission of the Encuentro, to empower the faithful to effectively preach the Gospel of Christ.

Logo of V Encuentro used with permission

Previous Post

March 14, 2018

El V Encuentro en la Iglesia de los Estados Unidos

Next Post

March 30, 2018 Good Friday: I see his blood upon the rose

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Article Catholic Lima Christmas Commentary History Homily Immigration martyrs Meditation Pope Reflection Saint Story Uncategorized

Select a Month September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 January 2010 June 2009 September 2008 August 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who did Paul send to check on the Thessalonians when he could not come himself?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Titus Luke Silas Timothy