Catholic Extension Society in partnership with the Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI), offers Latino young adults who have completed diocesan formation, and are seeking subsequent opportunities to learn and serve, a unique theological education and mission experience. The program is national in scope and crosses geographic and socio-economic borders with participants from diverse backgrounds. It will expose them to diverse pastoral and socio-economic realities such as migrant workers and social justice initiatives, which will help deepen their learning experience by allowing the concepts and theories they learn in the classroom to come alive in their experiences.
The program seeks to create pathways for emerging Latino leaders to discover more about their faith, society, culture, and to discern how they are being called to build a stronger Church and world. Our goal is to cultivate talented, generous, well-rounded, and compassionate Latino/a faith leaders who will go on to apply their learnings to ministry and service in their local churches and communities.
Program Summary: The hybrid program comprises a 6-week online course and an in-person mission experience, bringing together a cohort of like-minded young adults from Extension dioceses to share their experiences, learn from each other, and build community. The course includes prayer, theological and pastoral lectures by renowned professors and young adult ministry leaders from across the nation, with an emphasis on practical ways of implementing the knowledge in their own communities.
After the online course completion, students attend a five-day supervised hands-on experience where they will have the opportunity to increase their knowledge, have a missionary experience, and be exposed to realities beyond their own. This experience will help them to identify the struggles and realities that unite people, transform the present, and build bridges to help make a positive impact in the Church. These experiences are meant to broaden their horizons and open their eyes to various pastoral, social, and economic realities.
Program Structure
Formation: Students are required to take the online course, “Pastoral Juvenil Hispana,” offered by the Southeast Pastoral Institute in Spanish with bilingual dialogue (English/Spanish). Classes will take place, from May 28 to July 2nd, weekly and via Zoom, on Wednesdays, from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Central Time.
Class topics include:
- Identidad/ Historia Personal – Liderazgo y Respuesta
- Identidad de la comunidad Latina en EE.UU.: ¿A quiénes servimos? Características de la comunidad hispana/latina
- Nuestra Iglesia hoy – Año Jubilar: El llamado a la esperanza en nuestras comunidades
- Ministerio Rural: Características, condiciones, oportunidades y desafíos
Mission Immersion Experience: After the online course, students will travel to a 6-day formation and missionary immersion experience in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Dates: July 8-13, 2025.
“The Lord seeks all; he wants everyone to feel the warmth of his mercy and his love. He invites us to be fearless missionaries wherever we are and in whatever company we find ourselves…That is how the Lord goes out to meet everyone. He loves you, dear young people, for you are the means by which he can spread his light and hope. He is counting on your courage, your boldness and your enthusiasm.” (Christus Vivit 177)
In this mission immersion you will:
- Experience the way of life of the community in the Diocese of Kalamazoo.
- Visit migrant camps to welcome, inform, and demonstrate the love of God to the young men, women, and families who come during the summer to work in agriculture.
- Gather and reflect on scripture with the Latino youth, adolescents, and families.
- Experience “la misión de la escucha” (listening mission), where you will listen to peoples’ dreams, vision, joys, sufferings, and above all their profound love for God and His divine intervention.
- Use your gifts and talents in activities and formation for the Latino community, and in this summer’s Jubilee Youth Fest.
Pastoral project: After the formation and mission immersion experience, every student will present a pastoral plan for a ministry project they will complete within a year of their participation in the program.
Follow-up quarterly Zoom sessions: During the year, students will attend quarterly online sessions that will help enrich their leadership and ministry.
Post-Event Reunion and Reflection: Final reunion via Zoom for post-program reflection and project presentations in June 2026.
Who is Eligible?
Mission dioceses who agree to the Terms and Conditions of the Initiative and who submit nominations for qualified, well-formed young people may apply. Selected candidates should possess the following profile:
- Young adult Latinos from ages 21 – 35 who have completed a formation program, are connected to their parish, and are considering getting more deeply involved in a vocation of service or pursuing theological studies.
- Students must be Bilingual (English/Spanish)
- Work with the Hispanic community
- Dreamers (DACA) are encouraged to participate
- Students must be able to travel.
To Apply:
Complete the Online Application Form (one application required per student, to be submitted by the diocese, not the student). Application deadline is May 1st. The following items must be attached to the application:
- Official Letter of Endorsement from Bishop
- Safe Environment Training Education Certificate
- Completed Travel Profile Form
- Signed Partnership Agreement by all parties (Student, Diocesan rep., Supervisor/Mentor)
- Signed Attestation Form (Bishop)
Participant Testimonials:
“The Encuentro y Misión experience was very reaffirming. It solidified my faith in the sense that it’s always a practice. The program has opened my eyes to a purpose, to be the person of service for young adults my community.”
“The program was culturally relevant, especially the classes with Dr. Hosffman Ospino and Dr. Olga Villar. Their content focused on the history of Hispanics within the Catholic Church in the United States and culture interaction.”
“The people made an impact on me. My professors, the people that I was able to encounter in the immersions; the young adult leaders, the youth in Jackson, Mississippi. Every single encounter was fruitful. I saw how young adults serve so wholeheartedly – they have that hope. Through the classes, I learned the importance of learning oneself, in Christ, but also in culture. It brought me back to my roots of service. And I went back to church, ready to serve as a catechist.”
“Encuentro y Misión gives young adults a chance to meet other young adults that are zealous for their faith and get to share best practices. I recommend it 100%!”
“Ver a tantos jóvenes dispuestos a seguir a Jesús sin importar cuáles sean los obstáculos fue maravilloso. También la misión con las familias fue un momento en el que Dios me habló por medio de esa familia en Alabama y le dio respuesta y claridad a mi vida espiritual.”
For More Information, Contact:
Veronica Avila, Director of Mission Programs, at (312) 795-5128 or vavila@catholicextension.org.