Little Rock, Ark., Nov 14, 2009 / 12:36 pm
The universal Catholic Church was visible during the Encuentro Hispano Saturday, Oct. 31 at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds in Little Rock. The crowd estimated at more than 1,000 people, many originally from various Spanish-speaking nations in Central and South America as well as other states now living in Arkansas, attended the daylong gathering, which was centered around the theme of "Young Man and Young Woman: Listen to God's Call."
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor discussed how he discerned his calling to the priesthood and urged the youth to take time to pray every day asking for guidance, and to take time to listen to what God has to tell them. Msgr. Scott Friend, diocesan vocations director, spoke about the priesthood and how it has enriched him by allowing him to know God's people. Other speakers included diocesan seminarians and members of different orders of women religious from around the diocese.
Throughout the day people stopped by different tables around the Hall of Industry to talk with representatives of different women religious orders, representatives from diocesan offices, seminarians, view the children's art exhibit, get a flu vaccination, speak with members of the Hispanic Knights of Columbus, or Fuerza Transformadora, a group from Rogers that develops young leaders but originated as an organization to rescue at-risk youth. People could also get a health checkup or buy religious goods.
People also had a chance to go to confession in Spanish.