Multicultural issues

Multicultural issues

Multicultural issues

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Effective vocation ministry in an increasingly multicultural church

By Robert Schreiter C.PP.S.

It is no secret that the ethnic composition of the United States is changing. Although English is the dominant language in the United States, the flow of immigrants from Latin America has now made the U. Read more...

The challenges of crossing life’s bridges

By Bishop Richard J. Garcia

It is truly a joy and an honor for me to be among you. I am so pleased to be able to share in celebrating our lives in Christ Jesus and in our ministry in and for the church. Read more...

Toward a new understanding of cultural encounter in our communities

By Marie Chin R.S.M.

I must admit that it was foolhardy to agree to address this conference and the Vocation Congress in the same year. I’ve been feeling that I really have nothing new to say to you. Read more...

Welcoming "the other" in our midst

By Fr. Virgilio Elizondo

Let’s begin by looking at our own Christian identity. At its core is the mandate of Jesus, “Go forth and make disciples of all nations. Read more...

Outline of a successful vocation retreat for Hispanic young adults

Targeting overlooked Hispanics

By Clemente Barrón CP

A vocation minister who doesn’t collaborate with others in this ministry may soon suffer burnout. At the same time, vocation promoters today are aware that collaboration can be valuable at all levels of church life. Read more...

Follow up to NRVC's "Dimensions of Diversity" Convocation

By Sister Susan Kidd C.N.D.

In the winter 2003 issue, HORIZON presented the text of all the keynote presentations at Convocation 2002. The following two articles are a follow-up to the ideas our members generated in response to those presentations. Read more...

How my community embraces multicultural living

By Cathy Wright L.S.J.

The Little Sisters of Jesus were founded on an ideal of unity across boundaries. While their multicultural charism and history are distinct, they have some wisdom to share about forging a healthy multicultural community. Read more...

A conversation with cultural diversity teachers

By María Elena Gonzalez R.S.M.

Communities that work at healing racial and ethnic divides will be stretched, but they will find themselves living the Gospel more authentically. Read more...

Community life for the lone person of a different ethnic group

By LaReine-Marie Mosely S.N.D.

It can be lonely and confusing to be the sole person from a different culture or ethnic group. Here are ideas for overcoming the difficulties and tapping the richness of that experience. Read more...

Inviting people who are racially or culturally different into our communities

By Clarence Williams C.PP.S.

It’s time to let go of the “good fit” (someone racially and culturally like current members) and embrace the energy and challenge of the “new fit.” Read more...

Multicultural resources

“The challenge of cultural diversity.” Catherine M. Harmer, MMS. Review for Religious, October 1993. Read more...

Making a vocation journey with a Latino young adult

By Fr. Robert Juarez

When vocation ministers understand and embrace the rich cultural traditions of Latinos, they can better accompany them along the road to religious life. Read more...

Assessment with cross-cultural candidates

By Fr. Gerard J. McGlone S.J. and Fernando A. Ortiz

Religious communities are welcoming people from a variety of cultures and races. Yet it can be a challenge to conduct an accurate and culturally sensitive assessment. Two professionals offer their insights. Read more...

Working with Vietnamese candidates in vocation discernment

By Fr. Binh Nguyen S.V.D.

To be effective in working with Vietnamese-American discerners, it helps to understand their culture, history and attitudes toward the church. Read more...

The gifts and challenges of immigrant religious communities

The gifts and challenges of immigrant religious communities

By Sr. Rebecca Burke O.S.F.

Immigrant religious communities have to cope with language barriers, financial pressures and cultural adaptation. How do they fit into the U.S. church? What does their presence mean for vocation ministers? Read more...

Book notes: Book challenges us to racial justice

Book notes: Book challenges us to racial justice

By Sr. Dawn M. Nothwehr O.S.F.

Most experts in racial justice see the Catholic Church as “Those who preach, but don’t practice.” In this stellar work, Racial Justice and the Catholic Church, African American priest and moral theologian Bryan N. Massingale asks: “Does Catholic faith have any relevance for the struggle for racial justice and equality in 21st century America?” Read more...

Transformative love, passion for justice belong in vocation ministry

By Fr. Bryan Massingale

The planet is more connected than ever, and yet we remain racially and economically divided at home and abroad. How do we proceed as vocation ministers in such a world? Read more...

Understanding and working with Filipino candidates

By Sr. Lovina Francis Pammit O.S.F.

A Filipina vocation director explores the cultural world of Filipino-Americans and what it means for vocation ministers. Read more...

Making multiculturalism work: one community’s experience

Making multiculturalism work: one community’s experience

By Carol Schuck Scheiber

An international religious community shares what it has learned about building a vibrant communal life with sisters from diverse cultures. Read more...

Study sheds light on cultural diversity

Study sheds light on cultural diversity

By Mary Gautier

As we move further into the 21st century and its many demographic changes, the question of how religious communities manage cultural diversity becomes ever more important. Read more...

Affirming a vocation culture in Hispanic families

Affirming a vocation culture in Hispanic families

By Hosffman Ospino

Vocation directors do well to understand Hispanic families, build on their strengths, and encourage a strong vocation culture among them. Read more...

What every vocation director should know about Filipino families

What every vocation director should know about Filipino families

By Sr. Myrna Tordillo M.S.C.S.

Filipino families are fertile ground for religious life vocations. But vocation directors need to understand them to be effective ministers. Read more...

Assessing cross-cultural candidates

Assessing cross-cultural candidates

By Fr. Gerard McGlone S.J. and Fernando Ortiz

It takes extra effort and understanding to assess a candidate from a different culture. Read more...

All one body: Forming intercultural communities

All one body: Forming intercultural communities

By Anthony Gittins C.S.Sp.

Given the tremendous mixture of cultures in the international Catholic Church--as well as the diversity in many national churches--religious orders can and must learn to become intercultural. Read more...

Reflection: Let us be God’s dwelling place

Reflection: Let us be God’s dwelling place

By Br. Tom Wendorf S.M.

As consecrated religious we can in our own particular and peculiar ways embody beautiful rooms in this wondrous house of God into which others are always invited. Read more...

Culture’s impact on vocation: between possibility and difficulty

Culture’s impact on vocation: between possibility and difficulty

By Father Timothy Radcliffe O.P.

The call to the consecrated life is in the first place a call to live. As a young man, when I visited the novitiate of the English Dominican Province, I was struck by the fact that the brethren seemed to live with freedom and joy. Note: this article is available in Spanish. Read more...

The invitation: mutual encounter, mutual accompaniment

The invitation: mutual encounter, mutual accompaniment

By Sister Xiomara Méndez Hernández

The invitation to religious life today is a call, not only to change one’s way of living, praying, ministering and relating, but an invitation to be transformed. And due to the cultural and racial diversity of those called to religious life today, the transformation within the invitation needs to be mutual. Read more...

Called to accompany during paradigm change

Called to accompany during paradigm change

By Hosffman Ospino

The church is changing. Now is the time to accompany all of our brothers and sisters who seek to follow God’s call. Read more...

Inviting African Americans to join our communities

Inviting African Americans to join our communities

By Sister Josita Colbert S.N.D. de N.

Many religious communities are comfortable with serving African Americans, but to authentically follow Christ, we must invite that same population to become part of us, to minister alongside us. Read more...

Walking with jóvenes who are discerning their vocation

Walking with jóvenes who are discerning their vocation

By Sister Ana Cecilia Montalvo F.Sp.S.

To walk with Hispanic and Latino young people who are exploring their calling involves getting to know them, taking the time to be with them, and entering into their reality. Read more...

Six keys to inviting Asian Americans

Six keys to inviting Asian Americans

By Father Linh Hoang O.F.M.

Asian Catholics bring a wealth of gifts to religious life. Familiarity with Asian cultures can help communities better invite and receive new members with these gifts. Read more...

Inviting our Asian and Pacific Islander sisters and brothers

Inviting our Asian and Pacific Islander sisters and brothers

By Father Linh Hoang O.F.M.

It is crucial to understand the call to consecrated life within the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Catholic communities. Four pillars provide a framework of understanding: identity, generations, leadership, and cultural encounter with dialogue in faith. Read more...

Voices of newer religious

Voices of newer religious

Newer religious reflect on signs of hope in their experiences of communal life, with all its cultural and generational variety. Read more...

Transforming religious communities to be intercultural and anti-racist

Transforming religious communities to be intercultural and anti-racist

By Sister Anita Baird D.H.M.

The Eucharist itself calls religious communities to look within and dismantle all forms of White privilege and racism. Read more...

Intercultural spirituality

Intercultural spirituality

By Sister Sophia Park S.N.J.M.

Intercultural spirituality involves both learning and unlearnng. It challenges how we use language and even steps away from an emphasis on doing. Read more...

Let's welcome the gift of African American vocations

By HORIZON editor | Interview with Brother Patrick Winbush, O.S.B. and Sister Gayle Lwanga Crumbley, R.G.S.

"I think the vocation directors I work with would love to have African Americans in their communities, but most of their communities are almost entirely Caucasian. I believe that some of these religious communities might benefit from the guidance of African American religious on how to engage the Black Catholic community." Read more...

2021 Spring Book notes: Distilled wisdom on living with diversity

2021 Spring Book notes: Distilled wisdom on living with diversity

By Sister Barbara Kraemer O.S.F.

Religious communities dealing with the blessings and challenges of members who come from many different backgrounds will find insight and perspective in this book. Read more...

Can we let candidates bring their whole selves to community?

Can we let candidates bring their whole selves to community?

By HORIZON interviews Father Joseph Brown, S.J.

Candidates whose race or culture is different from the most of the community long to be their authentic selves in religious life. What’s stopping them? Read more...

Invitation to reflect on inclusion and transformation

Invitation to reflect on inclusion and transformation

By Sister Sophia Park S.N.J.M.

For those seeking to understand contemporary religious life for women, a new book sheds light on a complex picture, New Faces, New Possibilities: Cultural Diversity and Structural Change in Institutes of Women Religious Read more...

Media notes: Questions, miracles, and heathens

Media notes: Questions, miracles, and heathens

By Carol Schuck Scheiber

Two films propose to examine spiritual topics close to the hearts of vocation directors. And a new book on intersection of race and religion demands attention. Read more...

Beyond the borders of culture: vocation and migration

Beyond the borders of culture: vocation and migration

By Father vănThanh Nguyễn S.V.D.

Immigration continues to have great influence on the U.S. church and on religious communities. While the impact comes with built-in challenges, the possibilities for religious life are abundant. Read more...

Borders, boundaries, and beyond: Culture in a 2.5 world

Borders, boundaries, and beyond: Culture in a 2.5 world

By Father Ricky Manalo C.S.P.

Technology and culture enrich us, push us, shape us. They're having a tremendous impact on religious life and new membership, and the only way forward is to keep moving forward, staying conscious and true to our values. Read more...

Book notes: Black lives in our communities

Book notes: Black lives in our communities

By Sister Juliet Mousseau R.S.C.J.

The vast majority of religious in the United States are significantly older and less racially diverse than those considering religious life. How does the current membership foster the feeling of belonging among new members from very different upbringings and cultural backgrounds? That is an ongoing question for us. Read more...

Forged by our history: a cultural perspective

Forged by our history: a cultural perspective

By Sister Thea Bowman F.S.P.A.

"So many white United States religious men and women give the rest of us the impression that you think your way is the only way." Read more...

Why do what you do? Embracing transformational values

Why do what you do? Embracing transformational values

By Sister Patricia Chappell SNDdeN

It is hard work for religious communities to look at the sin of racism and fully commit to intercultural life. Hard, but not impossible. Read more...

HORIZON ...

Our writers look at longstanding traditions with fresh eyes. Consider a ... More

Ordination Class Report ...

This annual USCCB Study found that 89% reported being encouraged to ... More

Candidate Assessment through the Lens ...

Have you ever experienced asking a question that elicits very different ... More

Summer Institute ...

Come to learn, pray, and encourage each other in Leavenworth, KS. ... More

Profession Class Report ...

There are 91 women and 103 men professed perpetual vows in ... More

Bold and Faithful Storymap ...

The Bold and Faithful Storymap is designed to help connect discerners ... More

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Cultural Matters virtual workshop

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June 13, 2025,

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Understanding the Lasting Impact of Trauma workshop

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National Vocation Awareness Week

November 2-8, 2025,

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Mrs. Teri Iverson

Mrs. Teri Iverson

“I’m an off-the-charts extrovert,” says Mrs. Teri Iverson, vocation ministry coordinator for the Sisters of the Precious Blood in Dayton, Ohio. “I love building relationships and connecting with people in person at conferences and events.” She comes to vocation ministry after three decades in youth ministry. Read more...

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