Hispanic ministry grows in the Diocese of Covington, new programs make a difference

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

It has been almost one year since the Diocese of Covington hired Silvia Schmidt, the diocesan Hispanic minister. Since the beginning of her tenure, Mrs. Schmidt has made great strides, acting as a bridge between the Spanish speaking community and the larger diocesan community. As a result of her work, there has been higher attendance of Spanish-speaking individuals at youth ministry events, more Spanish faith formation opportunities and an ever-growing love of Christ’s Church throughout the Diocese.

The role of the hispanic minister in the Diocese is to, “support families in their spiritual journey and facilitate their integration into local parishes,” according to Mrs. Schmidt’s pastoral plan. In working towards this goal, Mrs. Schmidt has brought programs to the Diocese with the goal of helping children and adults grow in a personal relationship with Christ. One such program is Emmaus Retreats, for both men and women. These healing retreats offer a respite from everyday life and help participants “really feel God’s love,” so that they become “on fire for God,” said Mrs. Schmidt.

The men’s Emmaus Retreat concluded at the end of July and was hosted by a group from Miami, with the idea that “once you receive it, you give it,” said Ms. Schmidt. “It’s the beginning of something that will stay in the Diocese,” she explained.

The retreats become self-sustaining, with previous retreatants hosting the next retreat for the next group of people. Through this model, the men who recently completed their retreat will host the women’s retreat.

“It’s a true witness of that they really care, and it’s a true camaraderie between them, but on fire for God. It was just, for me, that was in itself a true witness,” said Mrs. Schmidt who participated in an Emmaus Retreat in Miami.

Cristo Rey Parish, Florence, hosted the men’s and will host the women’s retreat, however parishioners from any parish are welcome to attend. More details will be announced regarding the women’s Emmaus Retreat.

In addition to these retreats, Mrs. Schmidt has also introduced programs offered by the Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI). SEPI is U.S. Catholic Bishops regional office for Hispanic Ministry. Their programs will train “the adults, the catechists, the parents, all the adults who deal with children … people train the adults in these parishes who might interact with kids, for those adults to go back and kind of put what they learned into practice,” said Mrs. Schmidt.

The programs will be held for identified staff members at five Diocesan parishes with hispanic populations. Mrs. Schmidt hopes that the program will help “establish that children … have that personal relationship with God. It’s not just a checklist for sacraments, but ‘this God is a real person for me that I can go talk to,’” she said. “To strengthen the child’s sense of belonging in the Church, participating actively in the Mass,” she said.

As hispanic ministry continues to grow in the Diocese of Covington, so too does the body of Christ continue to grow on earth in Covington. Emboldened in the pursuit of relationship with Christ, communion with Christ and community with one another.