Region III

Geography

Region III includes the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania; the Archdioceses of Newark and Philadelphia; and the Dioceses of Allentown, Altoona-Johnstown, Camden, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Metuchen, Paterson, Pittsburgh, Scranton, and Trenton.

Pastoral Profile of Region III in Hispanic / Latino Ministry

Diocesan personnel dedicated to Hispanic ministry in the Region:[1]

• • In offices of Hispanic Ministry:[2] 9
  • Responsible for Pastoral Juvenil Hispana: 2
  • In ethnic / multicultural or other specialized offices: 5
  • Office personnel assisting these leaders: 3

Estimated Hispanic Catholic population:

• 698,000 immigrant Hispanic Catholics
• 597,000 Hispanic Catholics born in the U.S.
• 20% of the Catholics in the Region are Hispanic / Latino

Parishes with Hispanic / Latino Ministry: 256

Masses in Spanish

• Weekly Masses: 469
• Once-a-month Masses: 10
• Average attendance per Mass: 240 (8.9%of all Hispanic Catholics)

Among Catholic children from 0 to 17 years old:

• 27% are Hispanics / Latinos born in the U.S.
• 4% are immigrant Hispanics / Latinos
• In K-8 Catholic schools, 9.5% are Hispanics / Latinos
• In Catholic high schools, 7.7% are Hispanics / Latinos

Hispanic / Latino ecclesial ministers serving in the Region:

• Immigrant priests: 198
• U.S.-born priests: 41
• Religious sisters and brothers: 97
• Deacons: 139
• Lay ecclesial ministers: 215

The V Encuentro in Region III

• Sent 130 delegates to the National Encuentro, including 2 ENAVE / ERAVE and 8 bishops.
• The Regional Encuentro was celebrated with 362 delegates and 7 bishops.
• 9 Diocesan Encuentros were celebrated, with total attendance of 2,690.
• 157 parishes / organizations conducted the five sessions and 122 held a Parish
• 1,935 leaders from 190 parishes received training for the V Encuentro in 71

Main areas of new outreach in parishes through the V Encuentro:

• Hispanic / Latino young adults
• People living in housing projects
• University students

[1]Of the thirteen (arch)dioceses in the Region, four do not have an office or personnel for Hispanic ministry or multicultural ministry.

[2]May include personnel in other offices when their responsibility is for the Latino community, such as the Director of Hispanic Catechesis.

New Ties of Communication and Collaboration

I believe we cannot summarize in just one paragraph the many benefits of the V Encuentroin Region III. Our sisters and brothers in the Region have emphasized at each moment of the process that the V Encuentrohas helped them to develop a more personal relationship with the Lord, which in turn has impelled them to meet their brothers and sisters with a welcoming missionary attitude, and accompaniment. They have committed themselves to collaborate in the creation of communities in which, in addition to improving communication among their members, they have their arms outstretched to welcome the one who arrives and their feet ready to walk to meet those who are far away.

A tangible benefit has been the communication and collaboration of the different dioceses of the Region, which was previously nonexistent. We have united minds and efforts not only for the preparation of the Regional Encuentro, but for an ongoing future collaboration in our mission.

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