Integration Key to the Development of Young Immigrants in the Church

By Rocio Zamora

“A faith that does not become a culture is a faith that is not fully accepted, not fully thought out and faithfully lived” (John Paul II)
 
My name is Rocio Zamora, I am an immigrant lay ecclesial minister in the Diocese of Tucson and I am in my second year of a Master's in Bilingual Pastoral Studies at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University of Chicago.

In this article, I have a special interest in sharing with all of you the benefits of working to integrate the different ethnic groups and cultures that we host in our parishes, that is, in developing multicultural capacities among pastoral agents and parish ministries such as a process that promotes a culture of welcoming and unity by building bridges in our shared parishes.

I want to emphasize in particular, the need and great importance of this process of cultural adaptation/integration in the youth of our parishes in the United States, highlighting how when young people do not experience this process, their psychological maturity and emotional development can be negatively affected. On the other hand, I highlight the great benefit that it can have over young people in their development of their self-esteem and resilience when they go through this adaptation process of being bilingual and bicultural.

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