The vision of Dr. Hosffman Ospino (Boston College) and Dr. Timothy Matovina (University of Notre Dame), Haciendo Caminos is a response to the ever-growing population of Hispanic Catholics in parishes, schools, and other ministerial spaces, and the need to accompany these communities. Haciendo Caminos is also a response to the consequent need to invest in the talents and leadership of new generations of pastoral leaders firmly grounded in the cultural and religious experience of the emerging generations of Hispanic Catholics in the United States. As the U.S. Catholic Church becomes increasingly Latino/a, we seek to increase knowledge of and interest in ministerial professions among a new generation of young adults and reduce barriers towards their graduate-level theological education.
“If the Catholic community in the United States wants to have a vibrant and fruitful future during the rest of this century, we must turn our attention and resources immediately to serve and accompany Hispanic youth and young adults. This is not an option but an imperative, given the size of this population within the Church.”
Committed to a spirit of collaboration and the formation of the next generation of Hispanic Catholic pastoral leaders in the United States, Haciendo Caminos partner institutions support and accompany students in a way that is holistic and en conjunto. Haciendo Caminos fellows:
Dr. Timothy Matovina
Engage in graduate theological formation leading to the completion of a master's degree in a partner institution
Develop pastoral leadership skills to serve effectively in ministerially diverse contexts
Receive financial support to cover some personal expenses and participate in professional development opportunities
Meet other Latino/a young adult Catholic leaders from around the United States
Connect with local mentors and ministerial partners
From Wednesday, July 31st to Saturday, August 3rd, 2024, Haciendo Caminos will collaborate with the PASOS Network to host a national vocations summit for young Hispanic Catholics who are interested in discerning a call to ministry in the Church. The Vocations Summit will be held at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois.
Attendees will have the opportunity to converse and discern with other young Hispanic Catholics, hear from some of the nation’s leading ministers and scholars in Hispanic Catholic ministry, learn more about Haciendo Caminos, and meet representatives from each of the 18 Haciendo Caminos partner institutions.
Summer Symposia
In 2025, Haciendo Caminos Fellows will have the opportunity to gather with one another for joint formation and fellowship at Summer Symposia: two-week long gatherings combining credit-bearing theological and ministerial classes and mutual, holistic enrichment.
Steering Commitee
Juan Miguel Alvarez, MDiv
Director, Haciendo Caminos, University of Notre Dame
Javier Clavere, DMA
Dean, College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, University of the Incarnate Word
Maura Colleary, MEd
Associate Dean, Finance, & Administration, Boston College
Cecilia Gonzalez-Andrieu, PhD
Professor of Theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University
Brett Hoover, PhD
Associate Professor of Pastoral and Practical Theology, Loyola Marymount University
Timothy Matovina, PhD
Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame
Hosffman Ospino, PhD
Associate Professor of Hispanic Ministry and Religious Education Chair, Boston College
Jorge Presmanes, OP, DMin
Professor of Theology and Director of the Institute for Hispanic/Latino Theology and Ministry, Barry University
Michael A. Romero, PhD
Director, Pastoral Institute, University of the Incarnate Word
Rebecca Ruvalcaba, MDiv
Director of Pastoral Formation, Master of Divinity Program, University of Notre Dame
Gloria L. Schaab, SSJ, PhD
Professor of Theology and Department Chair, Barry University
Chris Tirres, PhD
Buckley Visiting Chair in Latinx Theology, Santa Clara University
Cecilia Titizano La Fuente, PhD
Director of Latina/o Theology and Ministry Leadership Network, Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University
Juan Miguel Alvarez, MDiv, Director of Haciendo Caminos
Contact
For more information, please contact Juan Miguel Alvarez at jalvare5@nd.edu.
