Episode 42: An Introduction to the State of Bilingual Catechesis Today

Three guests discuss the state of bilingual catechesis and the importance of the Hispanic/Latino community to the church.

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Full Episode Description

Deacon Matt discusses the Hispanic/Latino community with guests Claudio Mora, Inés Pezo, and Gerardo Salazar focusing on:

The importance of catechizing
The importance of trust and community
How catechetical leaders can touch this diverse cultural group
How family play a role

Claudio Mora is currently the Director of Bilingual Catechesis for William H. Sadlier and the host of Viviendo la Fe y la Vida. Originally from Santiago, Chile, he came to the United States as a Lay Missionary with the Missionaries of St. Columban in 1994. In 2000, he was the Director of Faith Formation at St. Edward Parish in Dallas, TX. He transitioned to the Associate Director for Children's Catechetical Ministry in the Diocese of Dallas in 2011. Claudio has also served as Director of the Department of Family Life for the Diocese of Dallas and as Executive Director of the Department of Cultural Diversity for the Archdiocese of Washington DC. Claudio holds a BA in Religious Education from Cloverdale College in Indiana and a MA in Religious Education from Felician University in NJ. Claudio and his family live in Allen, TX.

Inés Pezo is Director of Marketing for Religion at William H. Sadlier, Inc. Originally from Lima, Peru, she came to the United States with her parents when she was nine. Her mother was from Valparaiso, Chile; her father from Peru. Inés attended school and was a Catechist Volunteer in the Arlington Diocese. Prior to coming to Sadlier, she worked at The Catholic University of America in the Center for Academic and Career Success as the Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing. Inés holds a bachelor’s degree in Government and International Politics and Legal Studies from George Mason University, a masters in Legal Administration and an MBA from Marymount University. She lives in the DC metro area with her family and rescue pets.

Gerardo Salazar is a National Consultant for Bilingual Catechesis for William H. Sadlier, Inc. A Mexican American and the son of immigrant parents, he is originally from Los Angeles, CA, and San Luis Potosi, Mexico. When he was born, his mother consecrated him to St. Gerard whose name means “Sword of God” and to the Virgin of Carmen. Gerardo holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communications, a master’s degree in Theology and Ministry, and a doctorate in Ministry with a concentration in Hispanic Catechetical Leadership. For eight years, Gerardo served as Associate Director for the Formation of Catechists and Hispanic Catechetical Leaders for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. He was also a Professor of Theology for the University of St. Thomas, Galveston-Houston. He and his wife, Nancy, share 10 children.

Noted Resources

Viviendo la fe y la vida series by Claudio Mora

Kerygma, Catechesis, and Hispanic Spirituality on the Sadlier Religion Blog

USCCB’s The V Encuentro and Latino Youth and Young Adult Ministry and Catechesis: What is next? on the Sadlier Religion Blog