SYNOD ON SYNODALITY SUMMARY: LATINO- HISPANIC COMMUNITY SYNTHESIS 1 General Questions: 2. What is your parish/organization/group name? Saint Teresa of Kolkata Parish, Latino-Hispanic Community. 3. How many people participated? Total 38 (34 Adults 4 Teenagers) 4. What were the ages of the participants? Under 18: 4 19-29: 4 30-39: 5 40-49: 10 50-59: 11 60-69: 4 5. What was the general demographic makeup of the participants? People originally from other countries but living in Pittsburgh. The time they have lived here varies from 20 to 5 years. Country of origin: Mexico 50%, and the other 50% from Argentina, Venezuela, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Puerto Rico, Pittsburgh. 6. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the least and 5 being the greatest, what was the level of excitement and engagement regarding synodality at your session? 4 7. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the least and 5 being the greatest, how useful/productive did you find this synodal process to be? 4 Essay Questions: 8. What was particularly significant, surprising or unexpected? We agreed that as a result of covid, we have lost contact with many people who used to attend the Spanish Mass before, and with the ones participating now we need to reconnect. We have many challenges to take into account. We have a “nomadic community”, several families just came to live here in Pittsburgh for a short period of time; as students, to receive medical attention, or for temporary jobs. So, after some years most of them had to migrate to another state or go back to their own countries. Another challenge is that most of the families attending Mass in Beechview come from all over Pittsburgh and have to travel long distances. Most of the people just come to “hear” Mass but do not participate in any Ministry. We need responsible people willing to commit and to work for our community. Most participants said they don't have time to help because they have too much work, but they could volunteer for only an hour or two, and that is a good start, every little bit helps. SYNOD ON SYNODALITY SAINT TERESA OF KOLKATA PARISH – LATINO- HISPANIC COMMUNITY SYNTHESIS 2 Most participants acknowledged that they lack Formation about Scripture and would like to have Bible Study or other type of Formation in Spanish, but closer to their neighborhoods. 9. What new perspectives or new horizons opened up? We need to continue taking advantage of social media as a tool to evangelize, we need a Communications team. Most participants agreed that they will participate in Spanish Formation activities like Bible Study and Retreats. We will look for well trained leaders to bring to our parish. 10. Which stories or personal experiences were especially moving and why? One father of four children, originally from Guatemala that is now a catechumen in the RCIA program told us his personal journey. He wasn’t baptized and never wanted to attend Mass with his wife; until his daughters started coming for sacramental preparation and the example and faith of his wife moved him to start accompany her first to church and then to know more about God’s love, Scripture and Liturgy; so, now he is very excited to receive during the Paschal Vigil three Sacraments and after that they are planning to get married. 11. Which points of view seem to have strong resonance? We need to reconnect with the other parishioners who used to attend the Spanish Mass before the pandemic. We need to make a database of all the families attending Mass now, and help people to register as parishioners, that way we can ask what they need and send them information. We need to present the ministries and the needs to all parishioners. We notice how in recent years many families just bring their children to faith formation, but don’t stay for Mass; there is a lack of understanding the importance of the Eucharist, as the center of our Christian life. 12. Which points of view were mentioned less but are noteworthy? We lack a Spanish Youth Ministry, after Confirmation we don’t have a Ministry for Youth and Young Adults. Also, we need a Spanish Family Ministry and the training for well-formed leaders. We need outreach programs for the following groups: -expectant mothers, usually they don’t have any relatives close to help. -attention to persons who are grieving. -the needs of families that have homosexual children, some of them have been expelled from the church.