Addressing the topic of “Greater America: The Hispanic Mission and the New Evangelization,” Archbishop José Gomez will speak at the Inaugural Hispanic Ministry and Theology Lecture at Loyola Marymount University Oct. 11.The 7-9 p.m. lecture in English at LMU’s Hilton Building, part of the university’s celebrations for Latino Heritage Month, will inaugurate an annual series of lectures that unite the academic and pastoral questions surrounding Hispanic/Latino ministry and theology in the United States. The lecture builds upon a forum held at LMU last year, where Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala spoke on the theme “Latino Catholicism in L.A.: Myths, Realities, and Possibilities” followed by a panel discussion and open forum where all of the speakers responded to questions from the audience.“It was a particularly successful program for LMU as we saw a wide range of involvement, all the way from freshmen students to many members of our faculty and administration and leaders from many parishes and schools in Los Angeles,” said Dr. Cecilia González-Andrieu, LMU theology professor and event planning committee member. “We certainly think this year’s lecture by our new archbishop will build on the connections and relationships that we began forging last year,” said González-Andrieu. She noted that Archbishop Gomez has been nationally involved in issues of Hispanic ministry, including being a speaker and participant in the National Symposium on Hispanic Ministry at Boston College in 2009. “When we found out he would be our new Archbishop in Los Angeles, we were particularly delighted, since LMU will be hosting the Second National Symposium on Hispanic Ministry in 2014,” in conjunction with other Catholic universities, said González-Andrieu. If 100 young Catholics under 30 were gathered in a room, 40 of them would be Hispanic, and this figure would be even higher in Los Angeles.Partner universities scheduled to participate in the symposium include Boston College, Barry University, the University of Notre Dame, the Jesuit School of Theology and Ministry Santa Clara University, Seattle University and Fordham University.The 2014 symposium is a project of the new LMU Latino Theology and Ministry Initiative, run by a team combining the department of Theological Studies and the Center for Religion and Spirituality. “Our hopes for the initiative are to work on several fronts that will create a deep and fruitful partnership between LMU and the many opportunities and needs that our region faces regarding issues affecting the Latino community,” explained González-Andrieu.An author and award-winning columnist for the Tidings, she is a member of the Latino Theology and Ministry Initiative team along with Dr. Jeffrey Siker, Dr. Robert Hurteau, Paulist Father Brett Hoover and Jesuit Father Allan Figueroa Deck, who will come on board in January.The 2009 Symposium tackled the issues of situating Hispanic ministry within U.S. Catholicism, evangelization and faith formation, theology, youth and young adults, liturgy and spirituality and social justice. Results of that symposium have been published bilingually in the book, “Hispanic Ministry in the 21st Century: Present and Future,” which will be available for sale at the Oct. 11 inaugural lecture.González-Andrieu illustrates the urgency of discussing issues affecting Hispanic Catholics in regards to the entire church with this statistical fact: If 100 young Catholics under 30 were gathered in a room, 40 of them would be Hispanic, and this figure would be even higher in Los Angeles.“The demographics tell us that we really need to provide the inspiration, education and training for these young people to remain Catholic and to become leaders who will help the Church to grow and thrive,” said González-Andrieu.Open to the public, the Oct. 11 free event sponsored by the LMU Office of the President will take place in LMU’s Hilton 100 auditorium. Reservations are being accepted online at www.lmu.edu/RSVP/archbishop.htm. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by Oct. 4. {gallery width=100 height=100}gallery/2011/0930/lecture/{/gallery}