Office Of Hispanic Ministry
Four new staff members of the Office of Hispanic Ministry joined Director Sharon Burns for three days of intense training earlier this month. The training was held at a different location each day (the Catholic Center, the Catholic Charities and Office of Hispanic Ministry offices in downtown Evansville, and the Huntingburg office at the Guadalupe Center, respectively) in order to introduce them to their colleagues and familiarize them with the offices.
The four hail from various parts of the U.S. and Mexico, and have varied experiences and educational backgrounds, according to Burns, who notes, “all had some familiarity with and an attraction for living and working in Southern Indiana.”
• Cesar Berrios brings his talents to the department as coordinator of Hispanic Outreach. Berrios, born in Nicaragua, grew up in Nativity Parish in Evansville. He holds degrees in Spanish and history from the University of Southern Indiana.
• Kyla Wargel, a Mater Dei High School and University of Notre Dame graduate, will serve the office and community as a support specialist. She will assist walk-in clients with immediate needs both in Evansville and Huntingburg, help implement outreach programs and serve as administrative assistant for the office.
• Joel Padgett, a Loogootee resident and former seminarian, has assumed the position of coordinator of Immigration Legal Services. Once accredited by the Bureau of Immigration Appeals, he will offer documentation-processing assistance for immigrants desiring to live and work in Southern Indiana. He also will help with faith-formation efforts.
• Pedro Mendez currently serves as a pastoral assistant at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Tulsa, Okla. A former seminarian, he will serve as the coordinator of Hispanic Ministry (faith formation) for the department. He will be joining the department in early 2015.
• Adam Fierst, a senior at Jasper High School, was unable to join his colleagues for the training. Since June Adam has served as the support staff member in the Huntingburg office, preparing the Spanish bulletin, assisting Spanish-speaking immigrants with a variety of community needs and joining the St. Joseph, Jasper, community during the Spanish Mass on Sundays.
The Office of Hispanic Ministry is charged with helping Spanish-speaking people develop their love of Jesus Christ through Catholic faith formation. It is also responsible for outreach to the immigrant population and assists all immigrant residents with navigating their local communities, Burns said. “The immigrant population is greatest in Evansville and Newburgh, as well as in Dubois, Spencer and Daviess counties. A growing number of immigrants are choosing to live in Knox County as well.”
Burns notes that several growth oriented changes are in the works. “We are moving the Huntingburg offices to St. Mary Parish in Huntingburg by the end of the year. In addition, walk-in assistance will be available to immigrant families in Evansville beginning next month.
“We expect a robust program of adult faith formation in Spanish, and community-outreach programs to be available throughout Daviess, Dubois, Knox, Spencer, Vanderburgh and Warrick counties next year. The immigration legal services continue to grow and are provided in collaboration with Catholic Charities.”
If you would like to volunteer with the Office of Hispanic Ministry, please contact Burns at saburns@evdio.org.
