Rapid City, S.D., Mar 27, 2010 / 16:41 pm
In May 2008, after spending four months studying Spanish in Cuernavaca, Mexico, Polish immigrant Father Janusz Korban was assigned special responsibility for Hispanic ministry in the Diocese of Rapid City. Bishop Blase Cupich appointed him and Deacon Raul Daniel to be co-chairs of the new Hispanic Ministry Task Force which works to meet the current needs of Hispanic people and makes plans for the future.
After the task force was formed, members immediately implemented a weekly Spanish language Mass and reconciliation schedule. “We found a need for a priest to say Mass and hear confessions,” said Father Korban.
To make Mass more accessible, task force members look for ways to incorporate aspects of the Mexican culture. One method of doing this is pinpointing Mass celebrations important in Mexico. “Most of us immediately think of the Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. Many people come to the Guadalupe Mass because that is an import day in their tradition,” explained Deacon Daniel. “Another important celebration is the Day of the Dead (All Souls Day). Even those who do not attend regular Masses will make it a point to come to these.”
Task force member Liz McCarthy, Blessed Sacrament Church, Rapid City, has been working with Hispanic people in the diocese for 10 years. McCarthy teaches baptism classes in Spanish, visits the jail, and helps with the parish hospital ministry. “I want to make the Hispanic people aware that the church really cares for them,” she said. “It makes me proud that we here in western South Dakota are trying to minister to the Hispanic people who are in the diocese.”