Wilson and Rocky Mount, NC

Fr. R. Bruce Bavinger, SJ

Fr. Bavinger is the Hispanic minister for the two parishes of St. Therese in Wilson, NC and Rocky Mount, NC.  These are two very active communities, with most of the members from Mexico, but including folks from a variety of Latin American countries.  Recent events have included a festive celebration of Los Tres Reyes Magos (The Three Magi Kings) with a dramatized encounter between the Magi and the Holy Family at Bethlehem.  The Magi also came bearing gifts for the children of the community, to the great delight of all.  He can be reached at bavingersj@yahoo.com

Retreats for Hispanic Ministry leaders

Dr. Dora Tobar, Fr. Bill Rickle, S.J., Fr. Frank Kaminski, S.J., Fr. Gerald Fitzpatrick, S.J., Fr. Cristián Sotomayor, S.J. (Chile).
For the second year in a row, the Loyola Retreat House at Faulkner, MD (www.loyolaretreat.org) was the host for a weekend long silent Ignatian retreat in Spanish for parish and diocesan leaders from the Baltimore and Washington Archdioceses.  13 persons made the retreat.  A follow-up retreat for those who made this or a similar one last year will be held in October, 2007 at the Retreat House.

Albermarle, NC

Brother Ricardo Greeley, S.J.

Brother Ricardo Greeley, S.J., a member of the Mexican Province Jesuits, is Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry for the Albemarle Vicariate of the Diocese of Charlotte.  He comes with extensive experience in ministry to indigenous peoples in his native Mexico.

Newton Grove, NC

Fr. Paul Brant, S.J.

Fr. Brant works at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in the Newton Grove Deanery of the Diocese of Raleigh.  This deanery is primarily made up of Hispanic Catholics, mostly immigrants from Mexico.  Fr. Brant has lots of experience in North Carolina, working with Cursillo, youth and young adult leadership formation, and accompanying adult groups in their spiritual formation. He can be  reached at paulbrantsj@yahoo.com

Asheville, NC

Fr. Bill Ameche, S.J.

Fr. Ameche is “on loan” from the California Province Jesuits for three years, working in collaboration with Antonio Garcia, the Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry for the Asheville Vicariate of the Diocese of Charlotte.  Fr. Ameche is a much published catechist and cartoonist in Mexico.  His work in Asheville with the youth and young adults has already resulted in the monthly publication of ¡Chismes Calientes! (Hot Gossip!), a newsletter for youth and young adults in the Vicariate.  Features include a brief message from Bishop Peter Jugis and an engaging “photo-novela” which addresses contemporary issues of life here in the US.  He can be reached at wameche@earthlink.net