Director

Rev. Francisco Javier Quezada                    Phone: 719.636.2345

fjquezada@diocs.org

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"We, the bishops of the United States, have heard the voices of Hispanic leaders-both laity and clergy.

This pastoral statement, ENCUENTRO AND MISSION, is our response to the voices of the leadership of Hispanic ministry about the Hispanic presence at the beginning of the new millennium. Hispanic Catholics are a blessing from God and prophetic presence that has transformed many dioceses and parishes into more welcoming, vibrant, and evangelizing faith communities. We bishops see Hispanic ministry as an integral part of the life and mission of the Church." (from the Preface and Introduction of the pastoral statement, ENCUENTRO AND MISSION, A Renewed Pastoral Framework for Hispanic Ministry)

The zeal of the bishops´ words and a feasibility review of such ministry encouraged the Diocese of Colorado Springs to establish a Diocesan Office of Ministry to Hispanic Catholics.

Formally opened in 2005 with Rev. Francisco Javier Quezada as its first director, the office settled at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in the metropolitan area of the city of Colorado Springs where Fr. Quezada was serving as pastor. Soon after, in the summer of 2006, July 1, Bishop Michael J. Sheridan appointed him as fulltime Diocesan Director and the office is now situated at the Diocesan Catholic Pastoral Center at 228 N. Cascade Ave.

The Diocese of Colorado Springs is part of Region XIII as charted by USCCB and includes the mountain states of Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. The Diocese of El Paso in Texas is also part of the region. The Diocesan Office of Ministry to Hispanic Catholics enjoys membership in the National Catholic Diocesan Directors of Hispanic Ministry, the Region XIII cluster of Diocesan Directors of Hispanic Ministry and the Director of this office is the region's representative to the Bishops´ Committee on Hispanic Affairs. He is also a member of the National Association of Hispanic Priests which meets annually.

As of 2007, the diocesan office of Hispanic ministry is still under the direction of newly named, Vicar for Hispanic Catholics, Fr. Quezada. He is undertaking the task of hiring a director for the office in the summer of 2007 in light of the growing need for organization and development of formation and leadership programs for the ministry.

There are presently 10 parishes that have developed Hispanic Ministry or are in the initiating steps of implementing an effort towards such ministry.

In the Northern Deanery: St. Mark, Highlands Ranch, Ave Maria, Parker, St. Francis of Assisi, Castle Rock

In the Metro North Deanery: St. Gabriel the Archangel, Briargate, St. Patrick

In the Metro Central Deanery: Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Mary Cathedral

In the Eastern Deanery: Our Lady of Victory, Limon, St. Catherine of Sienna, Burlington

In the Western Deanery: Holy Family, Leadville

Historically, in the Diocese of Colorado Springs, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in the city of Colorado Springs was established as a national parish to tend to the growing need of the presence of Hispanic Catholics in the area. The first parish church of Our Lady of Guadalupe was on Tejon Street until the present parish church was purchased under the leadership of Most Rev. Richard C. Hanifen, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Colorado Springs.

Our Lady of Guadalupe remains an icon of faith and pilgrimage for the faithful of Hispanic heritage, especially the Mexican. The actual first emerging presence of Hispanic faithful in Colorado came from the beautiful history of the San Luis Valley, or southern Colorado and New Mexico.

Today, with that particular sector of the Hispanic and the immigration of Central American and Mexican peoples, their presence is evident and ongoing. To this mission of evangelization, catechesis, and ongoing catholic formation, the Diocese of Colorado Springs is called.

The present Bishop of our diocese, Most Rev. Michael J. Sheridan, has carried out with fervor and pastoral interest, this ongoing care of the Hispanic catholic faithful.

The eyes of our diocesan patroness, Our Lady of Guadalupe, gaze upon this diocese with gentle love and guidance as this ministry thrives. The missionary zeal of her evangelist, St. Juan Diego calls those entrusted with this ministry to march forward.