Photo by Diocese of San Bernardino ©
Petra Alexander receives Papal Award
On may 20th Petra Alexander, one of USHM’s contributors, and Director of Hispanic Ministry at the Diocese of San Bernardino received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice award from Pope Francis. The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifce award is the highest recognition a lay person can receive from the Pope. Petra has dedicated decades to serving the Hispanic community with particular focus to serving those in the peripheries. She is one of the most creative and honest people I know. I have great admiration for Petra and have always valued the conversations we have shared. So proud of you my friend!
Photo by NFCYM ©
Christina Lamas named NFCYM Executive Director
On Monday, May 23, 2016 Christina Lamas was maned Executive Director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). Lamas brings has more than twenty years of youth ministry experience and currently serves as associate director for the Office of Religious Education and division coordinator of Youth Ministry for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Given that over 60% percent of Catholics under 18 years of age are Hispanic and that 93% are U.S. born, NFCYM has taken a great step towards serving the largest demographic of youth in the United States! Christina will do an amazing job of serving the entire Church and all Catholic youth!
Photo by Miriam Hidalgo ©
Miriam Hidalgo elected as FCH President
On Wednesday May 25, 2016 Miriam Hidalgo was elected as the new President for the Federation for Catechesis with Hispanics. Miriam is the Coordinator of Catechesis with Hispanics for the Office of Education, Evangelization & Catechesis of the Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut. She was born & raised in Providence, Rhode Island; her family is from Guatemala. She has a BA in Youth Ministry from Providence College and a Master’s degree in Religious Education from Boston College. For more than fifteen years she has served in catechetical ministry and youth ministry at the parish and diocesan levels. For many years, Miriam has been involved in social justice initiatives through education and advocacy work in areas such as the environment and climate change, human trafficking, animal rights, and many more.
