Hispanic-Anglo Ministries Linked in Texas
Episcopal News Service. December 1, 1988 [88262]
NEW YORK (DPS, Dec. 1) -- In Austin, Texas, on November 13, some 150 people gathered for the consecration of La Iglesia Episcopal San Francisco de Asis (St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church) and formally dedicated El Buen Samaritano (Good Samaritan) Episcopal Center. With these ceremonies, the increasingly intertwined ministries of an outreach program -- Good Samaritan -- and a Hispanic-Anglo congregation were formally recognized.
Speaking at the Austin ceremony, Texas Bishop Maurice M. Benitez urged Center workers to "try as much as you can tolook for the face of Jesus Christ in those who come to you for help." The Rt. Rev. Anselmo Carral, Assistant Bishop of Texas, assisted in the ceremony at San Francisco de Asis. He was joined by the Rev. Juan Jimenez, vicar of San Francisco de Asis and executive director of El Buen Samaritano, and the Rev. Gustavo Gonzalez-Mesa, director of pastoral services at El Buen Samaritano.
The Sunday afternoon service officially recognized ministries that have been growing for several months in the Hispanic neighborhoods of South Austin. While scores of people contributed to the birth and growth of El Buen Samaritano and San Francisco de Asis, Jimenez and Gonzalez-Mesa are at the heart of the missions.
"They really exemplify the Baptismal Covenant of the Prayer Book," said the Rev. Leopoldo J. Alard, Executive Director of Province VII's Center for Hispanic Ministries. "By word and example they live the Baptismal Covenant."
Jimenez and Gonzalez-Mesa began their work in South Austin while they were students at the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest. Jimenez worked with Hispanic members of Holy Trinity, Austin, while Gonzalez-Mesa launched an outreach program with Austin Convocation churches at El Buen Samaritano. When the Hispanic congregation left Holy Trinity to found their own church, they initially held services at the Center. The Diocese of Texas bought a vacant church for the San Francisco de Asis congregation early in 1988, a few blocks from El Buen Samaritano. The Hispanic and Anglo congregation of about 50 people have worshiped at their new church home since Easter 1988.
Other Episcopal churches in Austin, as well as churches of other denominations, have volunteered to increase El Buen Samaritano programs. El Buen Samaritano has an active lunch program and food and clothing banks. The Center was bolstered with a United Thank Offering grant of $30,000 to help start a medical clinic. A program that assists expectant mothers through birthing and into postnatal care is in operation. Immigration and literacy programs are planned.