DPC one group discussing diocesan challenges and opportunities, plans for future

MAGNA — Education of adults and children and youth ministry were just two of the priorities brought forward by members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) at their last two meetings. The most recent meeting, held March 15 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Magna, included a list of priorities identified according to deaneries.

The Diocesan Pastoral Council, an advisory group representing deaneries, parishes, and various diocesan groups, is one of a number of organizations in the diocese identifying concerns and opportunities the diocese may address in the future.

"Several concerns fall under the subject of education," said DPC President Julie Boerio-Goates of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Provo. Some of those concerns included using technology, the education of adults and children, and education of the laity. The subject of youth ministry included youth camps and retreats and the challenges faced by parishes to serve youth and minorities.

The Most Reverend John C. Wester, bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, said he will be collating input from the DPC and other groups and addressing the diocese’s concerns and gifts in a future pastoral letter. "The concerns of the DPC are similar to the concerns raised by other groups with whom I have been meeting."

Dee Rowland, government liaison for the Diocese of Salt Lake City and a member of the DPC, spoke about the recent legislative session, saying, "It wasn’t as bad as it could have been."

One good result of the session was the lifting of the cap on SCHIP (the State Children’s Health Insurance Program), and Rowland is urging all families who are qualified to make certain their children are registered. Families of four that make less than $48,000 a year are eligible for the SCHIP program.

Rowland said she was disappointed Senate Bill 81 was passed. It will allow local law enforcement officers to enforce immigration laws beginning in 2009.

"We have a year and a half to address this bill with education," Rowland said. "We need to get the truth out about immigrants and try to dispel the harmful myths so many people are using."

Rowland urged everyone on the DPC to familiarize themselves with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Justice for Immigrants web site at www.justiceforimmigrants.org.

Rowland added that students who are undocumented can still enter a Utah college or university by paying in-state tuition if they have graduated from a Utah high school, and undocumented workers can still obtain driver privilege cards.

Saying, "God does not take sides in political issues," even though he is often asked to, Rowland discussed the USCCB’s document, "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship."

"This document is firmly rooted in scripture," she said. "It is an affirmation of Catholic social teaching, it encourages us all, through our votes, to avoid evil and do good, and it promotes a well formed conscience."

Catholics have a moral obligation to participate in the political process, Rowland said, but we must do so with a well formed conscience.

She encouraged DPC members to participate in the upcoming Utah caucuses, and reminded them that churches and parishes must remain non-partisan.

Maria-Cruz Gray reported on her work in the Diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry, saying her office serves as a resource for people, some of whom are in great need.

"When you work with human beings, you have to do your best," she said.

Gray showed examples of Hispanic and Latino newspapers that illustrated the concern and fear currently in the hearts and on the faces of members of the Utah Latino community in the aftermath of raids in Logan and Lindon.

"There are many Hispanic communities throughout the Diocese of Salt Lake City," she said. "And the work of Hispanic ministries is everywhere because these communities are growing."

The diocese currently has 14 parishes and six missions with Hispanic communities, Gray said. "We must provide other services in addition to Masses."

St. George Parish in St. George hosted a Hispanic congress last year that drew more than 1,500 people, she said. "This year we will be using a larger setting. These are wonderful people with strong faith. They come here for a better life, and they are in great need."

Quoting Bishop Wester, Gray asked what kind of diocese we want to be, "one that is helpful, or one that is not?"

In his remarks Bishop Wester said it is important that the DPC continue to work together.

"One of my main objectives is to help us determine how we perceive and form ourselves as people of God in Utah," he said. "How do we deal with all of the (grass roots) issues. Let us reflect what is.

"We are not an Anglo church being nice to ethnic minorities. We are a multi-cultural church. We give to the poor because we are all poor. We don’t have Hispanic and Anglo parishes. We have parishes."

Bishop Wester announced that he has asked Goates to extend her term as president of the DPC in the interest of continuity, and he said Father Javier Virgen, current pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish has been named vicar of Hispanic affairs and associate vocations director.

"We are committed to reaching out to the strangers in our midst," the bishop said.

He spoke of meetings he and others had with Julie Meyer of the Department of Homeland Security (see page 15), and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. He also spoke of the May 15-20 visit to the United States of Pope Benedict XVI.