Hundreds of Catholics from across the Archdiocese of Baltimore converged on St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Roland Park Oct. 21 for a Hispanic Family Festival meant to celebrate Hispanic culture, promote vocations and nurture family values.
Throughout the day, the festival provided a platform for various talks led by married couples, seminarians and others to provide tools for living the Catholic identity in today’s culture.
Deacon Jose Morales and his spouse, Vanessa Morales, who serve at Resurrection of Our Lord in Laurel, emphasized that in a time when families of all kinds are facing crisis, the message of strengthening Christian families and upholding Christian values is more essential than ever.
The couple, married 32 years, highlighted the need for deacons who can culturally understand the congregation in the Hispanic community, and the vital role family and religious leaders play in connecting with those who feel God’s calling.
“The Hispanic community is growing, especially within the churches,” Vanessa Morales said. “If God is calling us, God will equip us. The hope is that by nurturing strong families, the community can also benefit and absorb these positive influences.”
Father Matthew Himes, associate director of vocations for the Archdiocese of Baltimore and a chaplain at UMBC in Catonsville, shed light on the strategies employed by the vocations office to reach out to the Hispanic community and spread awareness of the priesthood, diaconate and religious life.
“The Archdiocese of Baltimore has been blessed with many seminarians, but we need many more because they are crucial to the sacramental life of the church,” Father Himes said.
He underlined the importance of having priests from the Hispanic community who truly understand the needs and aspirations of their congregants. In addition, he encouraged individuals with an interest in priesthood or religious life to seek guidance from their parish priests.
Breakout sessions were offered for two groups of young people, providing them an opportunity to share personal insights and experiences. Deacon Angel Acuña discussed topics such as the importance of attending Mass regularly and the benefits of participating in the eucharistic celebration. Natalia Jimenez, a professional psychologist from Inspira Life Training, encouraged young women to recognize their essence, gifts and talents, aligning their strengths with their vocational calling and the mission of the church.
Felix Nolasco, a parishioner of Sacred Heart, Glyndon, said he gained valuable lessons from the discussions – especially on the importance of clarity in one’s goals and the courage to seek alternative paths when necessary. A key takeaway was being encouraged to pay attention to detail and the “significance of identifying God’s calling within the small aspects of life.”
“Events like these provide significant support so that those of us who attend, at the very least, have the courage to care for what we already have and sow that seed within our children,” said Norma Noyola, a parishioner of Sacred Heart, Glyndon.
The festival featured an array of activities for all ages. Attendees enjoyed folkloric dances, engaged in moments of prayer and testimonies from keynote speakers, indulged in traditional Hispanic cuisine and played games.
Email Adriana Montes at amontes@CatholicReview.org
Read More Local News
Copyright © 2023 Catholic Review Media
