Catholic Extension is joining forces with the Mexican-American Catholic College (MACC) to help Catholic youths get involved with social justice issues such as race and immigration, while staying rooted in the truth of the Catholic Church. 

Catholic Extension reported that the program is being referred to as Encuentro y Mision: Theological Education for Latino Millennials and Gen Z. Its objective is to tackle various topics of pastoral, social and economic importance head-on, as they are the very same issues that so many Americans are struggling with today. 

Latino young adults are welcome to participate upon completion of diocesan formation programs as they seek out ways to serve their local communities. The topic of race is especially important now, following the controversial death of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement. 

the Rev. Roberto Mena | https://stmichaelms.org/

Although interacting with groups face-to-face is not an option due to COVID-19, instructors from MACC have created a virtual series entitled, I Can’t Breathe . . . Critical Conversations for Young Adult Faith Leaders.

The first session had participants from a number of dioceses meet with the Rev. Roberto Mena, who is the pastor of St Michael's Catholic Church in Forest, Mississippi. Mena witnessed the devastation caused when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out a raid on chicken-processing plants that caused extreme trauma for many families.

Mena was able to aid the many individuals who were damaged from the raid and is even today helping them with support originating from Holy Family Fund. Because race is one of the most relevant issues in society today, future sessions from the program will be diving into the topic of the effect of systemic racism and the coronavirus.

As the fall approaches, young adults in the program will be starting a 15-week course called RESPETO, which will reach out to marginalized American communities that are being helped by Catholic Extension. The program will include a one-week mission trip into these communities.