Category: 2024 News

TOWANDA – Several dozen people took to the steps of the Bradford County Courthouse Sept. 8 to advocate for the unborn and highlight the significance of preserving human life.

The annual ‘Pro Life Rally’ sponsored by the Bradford County Pennsylvanians for Human Life marked a significant milestone this year – 20 years of working to foster a culture that prioritizes the sanctity of life.

“The original idea came out of our parish, Saint Mary’s in Wyalusing. We had a pro-life committee and we started talking about how could we reach out a little more so that it was more than just our parish. We networked with some of the folks in Towanda and drew in more people,” chairman Mike Kilmer explained.

This year’s event brought attendees from across Bradford County, including Deborah Geise who lives in Troy.

“I truly believe that only God has the ability to give and take life and we feel that children are a precious gift from God,” Geise said.

Watching other attendees hold signs with messages such as ‘Every Life is Precious’ and ‘Choose Life,’ Geise felt inspired.

“It blesses me to see that there are people of like-minded faith and we need to have more of them that rise up,” she explained.

Alex Piechocki, a parishioner of Saints Peter & Paul Parish in Towanda, emphasized the value of life from conception to natural death.

“Like Saint John Paul II said, there is one issue that is so far superior above all other social issues, which is the issue of life, because if the life issue is done away with, all the other issues are non-existent,” Piechocki said.

Attendees at the event affirmed the dignity of every human being and expressed the need to advocate for policies that protect and value life. They also stressed the help that is available for mothers who are looking for alternatives to abortion.

“If only they knew that there was a lot of support out there, there are plenty of places that will help you,” Cathy Moliski, a parishioner of Epiphany Parish in Sayre, stated.

Following a short rally outside the courthouse, rally participants walked to Saints Peter & Paul Parish for a pro-life talk given by Rev. Martin Fuller from Meadville, Pa, followed by a social in Grotto Hall.

Many of those participating in the Sept. 8 rally will also be attending the Pennsylvania March for Life in Harrisburg on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. The Bradford County Pennsylvanians for Human Life and the Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a bus trip to Harrisburg that day. The bus will make several stops throughout Bradford County. There is no charge to ride the bus. To make a reservation, call Frank Socha at (570) 772-6524.

“It is a wonderful experience,” Kilmer said. “We march around the Capitol and try to impress our legislators to be pro-life.”

SCRANTON – Nearly one thousand students, faculty and staff from The University of Scranton gathered at the Byron Recreation Complex last week to participate in the school’s annual Mass of the Holy Spirit.

The Mass, celebrated on Sept. 5, 2024, is a tradition among Jesuit academic institutions dating back to the 16th century, in which the community gathers to thank God for the gifts of creation and salvation and to seek the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit in the coming year.

“As we begin this academic year, we are entering into it realizing that we can’t do this alone,” Father Joseph G. Marina, S.J., President of The University of Scranton, said. “We rely on the power of God’s help and grace, and we invoke that through the Holy Spirit at this Mass.”

Students say seeing so many attend the liturgy is a powerful reminder about the importance of faith.

“It reminds me that I’m not alone in this faith journey and it also reminds me that I’m not the only young one,” senior Maria Stephen explained. “They all want to get closer to God in some way, shape or form. I don’t know their stories and they don’t know mine, but at least I know we’re in it together in some way.”

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, served as principal celebrant and homilist for the Mass of the Holy Spirit.

During his homily, the Bishop encouraged each student to nurture his/her relationship with Jesus, live with integrity, and give of themselves in service to others.

“You have the opportunity to respond to Jesus’ invitation to serve more than you might imagine,” Bishop Bambera said. “Continue to embrace the mission of this university and the many opportunities that are given to you to serve in the spirit of the Gospel and to work for justice and peace.”

Jenna Kotlar, a senior at The University of Scranton, has found the service opportunities on campus and in the greater Scranton community to be one of the most valuable parts of her education.

“For me personally, I find it to be such a joy because I really can see God working in all of those situations,” Kotlar explained. “It is just a really cool thing to see people coming together, who have all different backgrounds and interests, for a common cause.”

WESTFIELD – In the wake of historic flooding that devastated parts of Tioga County in August, parishioners in the communities of Westfield and Knoxville are finding solace in their faith.

On Aug. 9, 2024, flash flooding caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby impacted thousands of people. Initial estimates indicate the flood water did damage to nearly 300 homes and businesses, in addition to damaging bridges, roadways and more.

“Westfield was almost the epicenter of the damage,” Ralph Wolstenholme, a parishioner of Saint Catherine of Siena Church in Westfield, explained. “A tremendous amount of homes have been lost. We had one life lost in Knoxville. He was a friend of mine and as of today he has not been found yet. He was washed away by the storm helping some elderly neighbors of his get out of their home.”

Even though unbelievable damage was left behind when the water receded, the community has not lost hope.

Neighbors have been rallying around one another to pick up the pieces.

“The hope that has come from this is incredible. Driving in here right after the damage, to come in and help, you saw people just coming in and saying, ‘How do I get to where the damage is,’ Mark Patrick Clements, another parishioner of Saint Catherine’s Church, added. “I met people from North Carolina that came all the way up here to help. They bring hope to this community.”

On Sunday, Aug. 17, the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, visited the hardest hit communities.

Parishioners of Saint Catherine of Siena Church, which is located right in the heart of Westfield, took him around the community to see the damage first-hand.
With many roads reopen, Bishop Bambera was also able to celebrate the first Mass at Saint Catherine’s Church since the flooding.

During his homily, he reminded the faithful that while the flood water has taken so much, they cannot wash away the love and support that the community has for each other.

“You are living the Eucharist. You’re giving your life in faith by your service of your brothers and sisters. You’re not nailed to a cross physically, like Jesus at the heart of His sacrament, but you’re suffering,” Bishop Bambera said. “You’re suffering for and with your brothers and sisters – and you’re serving them out of love and I can’t think of a more incredible example of what it means to live the Gospel and to allow the Eucharist to take hold of you – than in what you’re doing right now. Thank you.”

The Bishop also pledged financial support to parishioners from the Diocese of Scranton Flood Recovery Fund that was initially established in 2011. The fund has been used primarily to provide outreach to victims who have sustained significant damage during flood emergencies. Because of the generosity of the faithful in 2011, the Diocese has been able to provide modest assistance to those confronted with the task of rebuilding their lives when flooding emergencies occur.

As Bishop Bambera ended his homily, he also assured the faithful of his prayers – and prayers of others around the Diocese of Scranton.

“A whole lot of your brothers and sisters already are keeping you in their prayers because they’ve gone through what you’re going through, but all of this local church is holding you in our hearts and lifting you up to the Lord,” Bishop Bambera stated.

The Mass was a moving service for many who attended.

“There’s nothing more powerful than the Bishop seeing how much one of his communities has been affected and to come out and that outreach,” Wolstenholme said.

“To have him physically drive three and a half hours to come here, to the most remote area of the Diocese brings an incredible warmth to you,” Clements added. “He’s not coming in here in a police escort with pomp and circumstance. He came in here humbly and he came in here and met us one-on-one and he rode around with us, getting to know the community. That affects us tremendously.”

Parishioners also say it is miraculous that Saint Catherine’s Church was spared damage. With homes destroyed all around it, the water only touched the bottom step since the church is built on a slab.

“When we found out that the water only touched the bottom step, when right across the road, it was up to my shoulders, just literally 400 yards down the road with houses off their foundation, Christ was preserved. His house was preserved and that is miraculous!”

WHITE HAVEN – When the faithful of Saint Patrick Parish were asked to describe their church – the word “community” came up frequently.

“We have a tremendous sense of community,” parishioner Audrey Wood-Karnatski said.
“We come together to do things,” parishioner Ed Gower added. “We’re a welcoming community.”

For 150 years, the Luzerne County parish which is home to roughly 300 parishioners has been growing that sense of “community” and on Aug. 18, 2024, many gathered to celebrate.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, was principal celebrant and homilist for a Mass of Thanksgiving to mark the parish milestone of a century and a half of unwavering faith and devotion.

Several other priests – including Father Michael Kloton, who currently serves as Parish Administrator, and Father Peter J. O’Rourke, who currently serves as Sacramental Minister, concelebrated the liturgy.

“We’re all a community here and I think that is exactly what makes me so proud of being here,” Father O’Rourke explained.

Parishioner Edward J. Price has belonged to Saint Patrick Parish for 70 years and has been inspired by all the work that is done.

“The ministry in the church, the outreach that we give to the people outside the church, the people that volunteer to help run the church and go out to the people that can’t get here themselves are all very rewarding,” he explained.

As the parish looks to the future, Price is hopeful that even more parishioners will discover their faith community.

“With the closing of the White Haven Center there are rumors that something will be going in there, maybe townhouses or apartments, something that will make the community bigger and hopefully we will get more people if that happens,” Price added. “But we’re actually getting more people from outside the area, Weatherly, Freeland, Hazleton and even Mountain Top, there are more people coming all the time. We hope that continues.”

Saint Patrick Parish was incorporated in 1874. The first Catholic settlers in the White Haven area were Francis Lynch and Patrick Dolan and many of the first parishioners that followed were railroad workers.

Over the years, the parish experienced many changes but always focused on ecumenical projects and service-oriented opportunities.

“We’re the largest church in White Haven and because of that some of the other congregations look to us to take the lead,” Gower said. “We share in things like Vacation Bible School, the food pantry, the community lunch program, among many other things that happen in town. We do it well together.”

Wood-Karnatski grew up across the street from Saint Patrick Parish. While her family veered away from the church for a time, she has found her way back and is responsible for leading the parish choir.

“Any Sunday, you can come in and everyone is grateful to see you,” she said.

SCRANTON – As the 48th annual Italian Mass concluded on Sept. 1, 2024, a new tradition was born.

For the first time, a procession of faithful led a statue of Saint Lucy from the Cathedral of Saint Peter about a block away to Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton, to kick off the third day of La Festa Italiana.

“We’re all about tradition,” Chris DiMattio, La Festa Committee President, explained as the Mass concluded.

The procession was a way to publicly introduce the Scranton area to the ‘Italian Colony of Saint Lucy,’ a newly formed non-profit organization. Last year, members of Saint Lucy’s Church in Scranton came together to form the new group.

“We wanted to keep the name of Saint Lucy alive and well and strong, so we started this group to raise money for various charities that we want to give to,” Joe Guido, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Italian Colony of Saint Lucy, explained. “We hope to make it an annual tradition of carrying the statue of Saint Lucy from the Mass over to the festival.”

The Italian Colony of Saint Lucy currently has about 50 members. The new group is not directly affiliated with any parish and is open to both men and women.

“We’re called the ‘Italian Colony’ because in 1899, all the immigrants from Italy, when they settled in this area, the original parish they formed was called the ‘Italian colony,’ so we wanted to keep that name in conjunction with the name of Saint Lucy, so that is how we came up with the Italian Colony of Saint Lucy,” Guido added.

La Festa Italiana is much more than a four-day food festival. It is a celebration of heritage, culture and tradition – of which the Mass in Italian has become a significant milestone.

During his homily for the Italian Mass, the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, emphasized that faith and action go “hand in hand.”

“Every one of us in this Cathedral is here today because somebody loved us and fed us and forgave us and passed onto us their faith in God,” Bishop Bambera said. “We will honor them best – and ultimately the Lord Jesus whom they loved – by embracing the faith passed onto us and giving it life through our love and service of one another.”

Father David P. Cappelloni, La Festa Chaplain, and pastor of Saints Anthony and Rocco and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parishes in Dunmore, served as principal celebrant of the Mass.

This year’s Italian Mass was offered in memory of all those members and friends of La Festa Italiana who passed away since the last Mass was celebrated, including Rose Blasi, Ken Brader, Anna Brunetti, Mayor James P. Connors, Tom “Chick” DiPietro, Bill DelPrete, Joe Hoban, Joe Latona, James Mack, Sr., John Moffitt, Mariann Moran, Charles Morell, Angelo Rose, Billy Saar, Sheriff John Szymanski, Sarah Marie Vecchi-Barrese, and Bill Weber.

For more information on the new Italian Colony of Saint Lucy non-profit that has been formed, call (570) 955-7469 or email TICOSL@gmail.com.

WILKES-BARRE – Jesus calls each one of us to follow him. He summons us to die to self to find a new life with ultimate joy in him. Jesus promises to be with us every step of the way and will lead us to eternal life in heaven.

The ninth annual ‘Be A Catholic Man’ conference will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Holy Redeemer High School, 159 S. Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilkes-Barre.

This year’s theme is “Come Follow Me.”

This year’s inspiring speakers include EWTN hosts Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers and Father Bill Casey. Also speaking will be John Edwards with his mission to encourage men to grow closer to Christ.

The conference begins at 8:00 a.m. and runs until 3:00 p.m., and includes speakers, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, confession, and a closing Mass with the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton. An optional rosary occurs at 7:15 a.m.

Registration with coffee and donuts is available beginning at 7:00 a.m.

In today’s busy, high-tech world, there are few opportunities where men can take time to reflect on how to better imitate Jesus’ heroic love. The annual Men’s conference provides an opportunity to put away cell phones and iPads and be inspired to go further in imitation of Christ for the sake not only of oneself, but for loved ones.

To register for the 2024 ‘Be A Catholic Man’ conference, visit beacatholicman.com. Early bird registration of $30 is available before Sept. 15, after which time the conference price increases to $40. Student registration is $15, and priests/deacons/seminarians may attend free of charge.

Anyone who would prefer to pay by check can make it payable to “Be A Catholic Man” and mail it to: Be A Catholic Man, Inc., PO Box 669, Wyalusing, PA 18853. Please put “Attn: Men’s Conference” in the memo line of the check.

SINGAPORE (CNS) – Pope Francis praised Singapore and its citizens for their hard work and ingenuity, but he urged them to be mindful of the poor and of the migrant workers who do much of the hard labor.

“I hope that special attention will be paid to the poor and the elderly — whose labors have laid the foundations for the Singapore we see today — as well as to protecting the dignity of migrant workers,” the pope told government and civic leaders Sept. 12. “These workers contribute a great deal to society and should be guaranteed a fair wage.”

More than 40% of Singapore’s workforce is made up of foreign workers, many of whom are migrant workers with a two-year work permit, which does not allow them to bring their families with them or to switch employers once they arrive in Singapore.

The government also does not mandate a minimum wage for work-permit holders.

They primarily work in construction, manufacturing, domestic service and in the shipyards.

Pope Francis had arrived in Singapore — often named as the world’s fourth wealthiest nation — from Timor-Leste, one of the world’s poorest countries.

(OSV News) – The 53rd edition of the International Eucharistic Congress began Sept. 8 in Quito, Ecuador, with a strong call to build fraternity as a way of healing the wounds of a world full of fractures and violence.

The opening celebration included a message sent by Pope Francis, in which he emphasized that “we’re one and only in such unity we can serve the world and heal it.”

The encounter, which will conclude Sept. 15, was planned to promote — in line with the Eucharistic invitation — human brotherhood, despite many divides, under the theme “Fraternity to Heal the World.”

Archbishop Alfredo Espinoza of Quito said in his homily during the opening Mass that the city became “a great Eucharistic tent” and people from all over the world will think about a mystery that “challenges us to be real builders of fraternity so to heal the world’s wounds,” in a time “full of violence, death, and wars.”

The opening Mass took place in Quito’s Bicentennial Park in the presence of thousands of people and dozens of bishops. To make the celebration even more joyful, 1,600 children received their first Communion during the Mass.

Cardinal Baltazar Porras Cardozo, retired archbishop of Caracas, Venezuela, was also present as pontifical legate for the congress.

For Bishop José Adalberto Jiménez of the Aguarico Vicariate, in the Ecuadorian Amazon, the combination of the perspective of adoration brought by the Eucharist with the call to a living exercise of faith was noticeable in Pope Francis’s message to the Congress, which the pontiff sent along as he’s crossing the globe for his farthest and longest apostolic trip to date to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and East Timor.

“The pontiff invited us to be on the side of those who suffer — and do so with concrete gestures. That idea of a proactive fraternity greatly impacted me,” Bishop Jiménez emphasized, adding that the pope pointed out that simple actions should “lead us to a new world, a fairer and more humane one.”

“We have to touch the wounds of the social reality, tainted by social injustice caused by political lukewarmness and corruption,” as well as “deaths provoked by immigration” and poverty, “by criminal gangs, by the violation of the prisoners rights, by the pain of the families of alcoholics and drug addicts,” and by “the illegal mining that is destroying the Amazon,” Bishop Jiménez told OSV News, pointing to painful realities of the region.

“The congress was preceded by a theological symposium (Sept. 4-7) that gathered more than 600 theologians from all parts of the world. Their scholarly reflections will now be followed by a more pastoral and catechetical approach,” Father Juan Carlos Garzón, secretary-general of the congress, told OSV News.

With the theme “Wounded World,” the first full day of the congress allowed participants to think about some of the sufferings that currently exist in the world’s societies.

The problem sounds especially familiar in Ecuador’s capital. One of the speakers — Quito Mayor Pabel Muñoz — was to discuss the hardships in his city, which faced, along with several other regions, a wave of violence in January. Auxiliary Bishop Hryhoriy Komar of Sambir-Drohobych, Ukraine, was scheduled to talk about the consequences of the Russian invasion.

On the second full day, Sept. 10, the conference will deal with distinct forms of building brotherhood. Three Latin American bishops will tell the stories of key members of the region’s episcopate in the past, like Bishop Leonidas Proaño, an Ecuadorian-born prelate who devoted his life to help Indigenous groups and peasants.

The theme for day three will focus on the transfiguration of the world provoked by the Eucharist. One of the speakers will be Father José Antonio Maeso, a Spanish-born priest who has been working for several years with imprisoned people in Ecuador — and many times uses puppets in his activities with them. Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, organizer of the National Eucharistic Congress in the U.S. in 2024 will also be a guest for the day.

The final two days of discussions will focus on synodality and connections between the Eucharist and fraternity. One of the speakers will be Bishop Rafael Cob of Puyo, in the Ecuadorian Amazon, who will talk about his work at the Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network, known as REPAM in Spanish.

The congress will conclude with an Eucharistic procession on the streets of the old central district of Quito Sept. 14 and the closing Mass will be celebrated Sept. 15.

Father Garzón recalled that it’s been 20 years since the last International Eucharistic Congress in happened in a Latin American country. In 2004, it was organized in Guadalajara, Mexico.

“We’re receiving participants from 60 nations, but the event will certainly have a Latin American and an Ecuadorian face. I think our region’s church has a special contribution to give when it comes to promoting fraternity, in line with the pope’s message,” Father Garzón said.

It’s also a region that has been dealing with violence, divides and wounds, he added.

“We’re in an injured world. We’ll hear people talking about how they work in tough places, without seeing the others as enemies. We hope our minds will be open to receive the Holy Spirit’s blow,” he added.

Bishop Jiménez recalled that the Eucharistic congress this year coincides with the 150th anniversary of the consecration of the South American country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In 1874, Archbishop José Ignacio Checa y Barba of Quito presided at the ceremony — side by side with President Gabriel García Moreno — that marked the first time a nation did so.

“That has a tremendous spiritual significance and will certainly throw light in the social dimension of the church’s work as well,” Bishop Jiménez told OSV News.

“May this congress open the way for us to the Christ of the Tabernacle and may he lead us to the suffering Christs of our sick brothers, marginalized and forgotten by society,” he concluded.

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (CNS) – Building enthusiasm for living and sharing the Christian faith is not a matter of “techniques” but of being joyful and serving others, Pope Francis said.

In an afternoon devoted to the Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea Sept. 7, the pope visited with some of the most vulnerable members of society, the Catholics who care for them, and with the country’s bishops, priests, religious, seminarians and catechists.

He started at the Caritas Technical Secondary School in Port Moresby, meeting some 800 students as well as children who were living on the streets and children and adults with disabilities who are assisted by the Callan Services network.

Clemens, who cannot hear and signed while his sister, Genevieve, spoke, said to the pope, “Holy Father, I would like to ask you, first: Why do we have to suffer with our disability? Two: Why am I not able like others? Three: Why this suffering? Four: Is there hope for us, too?”

A young girl said that just having the meeting showed how much the pope loves the street children, “even though we are not productive, sometimes we are troublemakers, we roam around the streets and become (a) burden for others.”

“I would like to ask you Holy Father, why we do not have opportunities like other kids do and how we can make ourselves useful to make our world more beautiful and happy even if we live in abandonment and poverty?” she asked.

Calling the children’s questions “challenging,” the pope responded that every person is unique, and each has talents and difficulties, but God has a mission for each person based on loving others and knowing how to accept love.

“To give love, always, and to welcome with open arms the love we receive from the people we care about: this is the most beautiful and most important thing in our life, in any condition and for any person — even for the pope,” he told the children.

“None of us are a ‘burden,’ as you said,” the pope responded. “We are all beautiful gifts from God, a treasure for one another!”

Pope Francis ended the afternoon at the city’s Shrine of Mary Help of Christians by listening to churchworkers share the joys and challenges of their ministries, including efforts to help people — usually women or children — who endure torture and even face death after being accused of witchcraft.

Sister Lorena Jenal, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Divine Providence, told Pope Francis about one of the 250 women her House of Hope has helped.

“Maria came to us in 2017,” Sister Jenal said. “She was so badly tortured and burnt that we did not know if we could save her life.”

But, she said, “today she is working in our team standing up for human rights and the dignity and equality of women. She witnesses to the importance of love and forgiveness among all people.”

Father Emmanuel Moku, a self-described “late vocation” who was ordained 12 years ago at the age of 52, told the pope that “my clan expects a man to become a father and to work and feed his people. As a seminarian, I was therefore viewed as unfruitful. This made me feel hopeless.”

But after ordination his family was proud to have a priest in the clan, he said. “Only then was I relieved of the pressure of my cultural norms.”

Grace Wrakia, a laywoman who is a member of the Synod of Bishops on synodality, told the pope that she is not sure how long it will take for the church in Papua New Guinea to become truly synodal.

“But it would only take a few men in a strongly paternal society such as mine to believe in and support a woman in order to see her rise above her traditional status in society and bring about change,” she said.

“I want to see change where women are partners and cooperators, where young people are not ignored or neglected but received with open hearts and minds, where priests and religious work as partners and not as competitors, where priests and consecrated men are not regarded as ‘big men’ but as servant leaders,” she said.

Pope Francis encouraged all of them to hold fast and keep trying, inspired by the missionaries who arrived in Papua New Guinea in the mid-1800s. “The first steps of their ministry were not easy. Indeed, some attempts failed. However, they did not give up; with great faith, apostolic zeal and many sacrifices, they continued to preach the Gospel and serve their brothers and sisters, starting again many times whenever they failed.”

More than anything, the pope said, those who truly want to be missionary disciples of Jesus must start at “the peripheries of this country” with “people belonging to the most deprived segments of urban populations, as well as those who live in the most remote and abandoned areas, where sometimes basic necessities are lacking.”

“I think too of the marginalized and wounded, both morally and physically, by prejudice and superstition, sometimes to the point of having to risk their lives,” the pope said. “The church desires especially to be close to these brothers and sisters, because in them Jesus is present in a special way.”

WASHINGTON (OSV News) – Ahead of Hispanic Heritage Month, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Cultural Diversity in the Church has released a resource kit “to help illustrate the profound impact of the Hispanic/Latino community within the Catholic Church in the United States,” according to a USCCB press release.

A part of the implementation of the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry approved by the U.S. bishops in the Spring of 2023, the document “underscores the ongoing commitment of the USCCB’s Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs to recognizing and celebrating the rich cultural heritage and contributions of Hispanic/Latino Catholics,” said the Sept. 4 release.

This resource kit includes statistical information on the Catholic population in the U.S., categorized by race/ethnicity, a statistical profile of Hispanic/Latino ministry, the percentage of Hispanic/Latino Catholics by diocese and the percentage growth of Hispanic/Latino Catholics in the Millennial and Gen Z generations.

It also reports on the growth of the Hispanic/Latino population in the church’s 14 episcopal regions and the estimated Hispanic/Latino population in the U.S. in 2022 by country of origin, as well as a timeline of Hispanic/Latino ministry events and milestones spanning from 1945 to 2024.

Alejandro Aguilera-Titus, assistant director of Hispanic Affairs in the USCCB’s cultural diversity secretariat, said that through the information in this resource, they hope to “help show the vibrant faith and the richness of the Hispanic and Latino communities within our Church and society.”

“It is especially important as we prepare to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to show the dynamic growth of our community and the contributions made by Hispanics and Latinos as we continue in our work to foster deeper connections and understanding,” said Aguilera-Titus.

The 16-page document highlights important findings, including that Episcopal Region XI, which includes California and Hawaii, had the largest Hispanic population by 2022 with 15,892,963 Hispanics/Latinos and that the U.S. Hispanic population — estimated to be over 63 million people as of April 1, 2023 — is the second largest in the world, surpassed only by Mexico, which was about 128.3 million in 2023.

Likewise, a graph with information from the U.S. Census Bureau that estimates the U.S. Hispanic/Latino population in 2022 by origin indicated that 58.8% of this population is of Mexican origin, followed by a wide margin by the Puerto Rican community, which represents 9.4% of the population.

The document compiles the names of active, retired, and deceased bishops and auxiliary bishops of Hispanic/Latino origin who have served the Catholic Church in the U.S. since 1970. It also states that by 2023, there were 34,092 priests in the United States, and 3,200 of them were estimated to be Hispanic. It also shows that a total of 4,479 parishes in the U.S. have Masses in Spanish and 2,760 U.S. parishes with Hispanic/Latino presence or ministry but no Mass in Spanish, according to data collected in 2024.

Sources cited by this resource kit include the U.S. Census Bureau, Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, V Encuentro reports, and findings from previous studies conducted by the USCCB and its Secretariat for Cultural Diversity in the Church, such as the recently-released Diocesan Survey on Parishes and Hispanic/Latino Ministry.