Annual ANSH convention draws nearly 100 Hispanic priests, bishops to Denver
Two local priests honored for pastoral work with Hispanic community

With a spirit of joy and brotherhood, the 14th annual convention of the National Association of Hispanic Priests (ANSH) was held in the Archdiocese of Denver Oct. 5-9.

The convention, which met at the Renaissance Hotel in Denver, brought some 90 priests and seven bishops together from dioceses across the United States. The conference theme was "Justice and Commitment."

Attending bishops were Auxiliary Bishop José H. Gomez, S.T.D., of Denver; Bishop Ricardo Ramírez of Las Cruces, N.M.; Auxiliary Bishop Jaime Soto of Orange, Calif.; Auxiliary Bishop Emilio Allué of Boston; Auxiliary Bishop John R. Manz of Chicago; and Bishops Jorge Jimenez and Nel Beltrán of Colombia.

This year, ANSH recognized the pastoral work of two Denver priests, presenting them with the "Buen Pastor" (Good Shepherd) Award. Given the award were Father Tomás Fraile, C.R., parochial vicar of St. Cajetan Parish, and Father Thomas Prag, S.J., superior of the Miguel Pro Community and a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

The convention opened with a Mass at Sacred Heart Parish in Denver presided over by Bishop Soto. Reflecting on the day's reading from the Book of Jonah, Bishop Soto pointed out that "Jonah serves as an image of the priest nowadays, called to prophesy in the United States."

"We all have come here to carry the sorrows and sadness of the people we serve," he continued. "The Lord Jesus has called us to help by serving — to give ourselves in our days and to take advantage of the brotherhood that unites us to the prophets, apostles and with those brothers and sisters taken to the altars by the Church throughout the years."

Following the Mass, the priests toured Centro San Juan Diego, the new archdiocesan center for Hispanic ministry, where they were welcomed to "su casa" ("your house") with a reception sponsored by the Hispanic Ministry Office. At the reception, Bishop Gomez, who is a former president of ANSH, expressed joy in receiving his brother priests in Denver.

"On behalf of the archbishop of Denver I give you a warm welcome, and I am very pleased to receive you in this beautiful city," he said.

Several Hispanic leaders were present at the reception, including the Centro co-chairs: Polly Baca, former Colorado senator and currently executive director of LARASA; Ron Montoya, president and CEO of PlastiComm Telecommunications; and Delio Tamayo, owner of Altos Veterinary Clinic.

Among the conference presenters were Carmen Cervantes, executive director of the Fe y Vida (Faith and Life) Institute. Cervantes talked about the challenges of Hispanic youth ministry and offered an extensive analysis of the growth of Hispanics in the United States.

Bishop Manz talked about the U.S. bishops' document "Encounter and Mission: A Renewed Pastoral Framework for Hispanic Ministry." Published last year, Bishop Manz took an active role in the preparation of the document.

Ron Cruz, USCCB executive director of Hispanic Affairs, spoke on social justice issues confronting Hispanics in the United States. He explained a method he developed called "See, Judge and Act" and gave statistics to better understand the reality of the Hispanic community today. Echoing Pope John Paul II, Cruz said that the faithful must consider always that "every person has basic human rights" and should be respected, aided and given solidarity.

Bishop Jimenez, who is a former president of the Episcopal Council for Latin America (CELAM), offered words of hope and enthusiasm to the gathered clergy. The Colombian bishop made headlines when he was kidnapped a few months ago by Colombian guerillas.

Bishop Jiménez developed the topic "Social Justice and Priestly Ministry." After noting that the Church has spoken about social justice throughout the years, the Colombian prelate divided his talk into six areas. Among them: how to view social justice, the criteria to judge fact, basic attitudes that lead to seeing reality, and the mission of priests.

Priests must have the attitude of the "Good Samaritan, and work tirelessly to have an encounter with the living Christ," Bishop Jimenez said. The way to achieve this, he said, is through "prayer, Eucharist, reconciliation, holiness, the word of God and the primacy of grace."

The clergy also celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Bishop Gomez presided.

"Don't let the Mass or the Liturgy of the Hours ever become routine," Bishop Gomez urged during his homily.

"I truly hope that these days of the convention have been days of a spiritual conversion for all," he said.

The Mass was followed by the Buen Pastor Banquet, during which Fathers Fraile and Prag received their awards.

Father Sera, who was finishing his term as ANSH president during the convention, said that the Buen Pastor Award recognizes the giving of one's self to the Hispanic community.

Father Fraile, who was born in Spain, said that the award was "very gratifying and unexpected."

"I accept it with joy and humility," he said, "not as much in my own name, but in the name of the community. ... It is a community that deserves everything, I have learned more from them than what I could give them."

Father Prag, an American, said that it was an honor for him to serve the Hispanic community.

"With this Buen Pastor Award I feel more at home," he said. "Thank you for your prayers and for receiving me with so much love in the family."

On the final day of the convention the participants voted for new ANSH board members. The new president, for a two-year term, is Father Andres Mendoza from the Diocese of Lubbock, Texas. The new vice-president is Father Esequiel Sánchez, director of Hispanic Ministry in Chicago. Secretary is Father Jesus Trujillo, from the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Treasurer is Father Rudolph Preciado, from the Diocese of Orange, Calif.

New chaplains are Father Arturo Lozano, S.J., from the Diocese of Lafayette, La., and Father Emilio Garreaud, from the Archdiocese of Denver.

The convention concluded with a Mass presided over by Bishop Jimenez, who gave an emotional homily about his kidnapping in Colombia.

Next year´s ANSH convention will be held in Texas.

Rossana Goñi - Denver Catholic Register