Parish Ministry in a Hispanic Community [Paperback]

Charles W. Dahm (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2004

Hispanics constitute "more than one third of Catholics in the United States," and account for "seventy one per cent of Catholic growth." By the year 2050, "eighty six per cent of American Catholics will be Hispanic," with Mexicans constituting the largest and fastest growing segment of the Hispanic population in the United States.

In response, this comprehensive and important book, built around the model of one urban Hispanic parish, St. Pius V in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, details the ways that Hispanics, Mexicans, in particular, can be integrated into the Church and still retain their unique identity. The book embraces Mexicans' deep, vibrant religiosity, rooted in their love of native language, music, rich adornment, ritual, and tradition, and responds to their problems, machismo, loneliness, isolation, discrimination, marginalization, by highlighting a network of parish resources made available to them--from soup kitchens, shelters and secondhand clothing stores, to parenting, marriage and family counseling programs, to organizing Comunidades de Base, Christian Base Communities, fiestas, street fairs, communal celebrations that meld liturgy and culture. A fact-filled, well-considered look at the future face-multicultural and non-white--of the American Catholic Church, Parish Ministry in a Hispanic Community is a must-read for students and teachers of theology, and especially, clergy, laity, parishes and parishioners. In short, the Church itself.

Editorial Reviews

Review

If I had to recommend just one book to anyone involved in Hispanic ministry, it would be this one! -- Virgilio Elizondo, Director, Mexican-American Cultural Center, San Antonio, TX and visiting professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame

It offers a hands on pastoral method for those who seek to serve their Spanish speaking brothers and sisters. -- Arturo Perez, A Chicago Archdiocesan priest and Director of the Hispanic Liturgical Studies Program at Tepeyac Institute, El Paso, Texas

This well-researched study is an insightful and valuable resource for Hispanic and non-Hispanic parishes and for all pastoralists. -- Most Rev. Ricardo Ramírez, C.S.B. Bishop of Las Cruces, New Mexico

About the Author

Charles W. Dahm, OP, spent five years as a missionary in Bolivia, after which he earned his PhD in political science from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He was co-founder and, for twelve years, staff person at the Eighth Day Center for Justice, supported by religious communities in Chicago. He has been pastor of St. Pius V on Chicago's west side since 1986.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Paulist Press (September 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809142724
• ISBN-13: 978-0809142729
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #893,606 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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