Our Hispanic/Latino Community

Learn more about the fastest growing group in our church community!

Deacon Pedro J Rivera Moran
Tel. 413-452-0638
E-mail: p.riveramoran@diospringfield.org
St. Brigid’s 150th Anniversary

Latino Catholic Ministry Amherst, MA

Para más información, favor llamar a la Oficina Parroquial
413-256-6181, extensión 101
(Hablamos español)

Bienvenidos a nuestra comunidad hispana!

Nosotras Hablamos Español !

The Catholic Church in the United States is experiencing significant growth within its Hispanic/Latino communities, with nearly half of all Catholics identifying as Hispanic. This demographic shift is reshaping the church, with many parishes now actively engaging in Hispanic ministry, including offering masses in Spanish and fostering a sense of community. In 2025, Amherst reported 7.3% Hispanic or Latino.

St. Brigid's Hispanic/ Latino Community:

In 1993 we started with a maximum of 50 people; and in 2020 we see approximately 100 to 150 people attending Sunday Mass! On special days like Christmas, Easter and Mother’s Day we can see about 200 to 250 people attend. A multi-cultural community, the Five college area has an ever-revolving population from all over the world.

Our Mission

The mission of our Latino Ministry at St. Brigid’s is to serve God, those in need, to do justice, defend the dignity of our parishioners and promote peace. Our spiritual guide is Sister Susana Jimenez. Our Latino ministry responds to the vision of our Diocese. Together we have cultivated the love and respect that Latinos share in the churches of the Diocese of Springfield.

Rich History

Blessed Sacrament Parish in Northampton, MA offered Mass in Spanish for many years. The need of creating a Latino Ministry in Amherst began in 1992 and it was not until 1993 that we were able to offer Masses here in Amherst. With a strong faith and a good solid foundation, we wanted our services in our native language.

St. Brigid’s Church and the Newman Center has offered a welcome home for the Hispanic Ministry. The community has two Catholic Churches, which ministers to the lives of all men and women in Amherst, Leverett, Pelham, Shutesbury, New Salem, Sunderland and the Five College area.

Our parish has supported Hispanic Catholic Ministries, organizations and pastoral needs in the Hampshire County. We began with the pastoral guidance of Father John Roach. Father John Branch and Father Bruce Teague who were the pioneers in our journey. Father Pablo Manship and Father Brennan understood perfectly the needs of our Latino community. With Fr. Brennan’s help, we began the initiative to involve us at a higher level in the activities of the Springfield Diocese. During Fr. Smegal pastorate we enjoyed the services of Rev. Paul Manship, Msgr, Juan Garcia, Fr. James Brennan, CSSR, Fr. Tim Keating, CSSR, Fr. Sean O’Mannion, Fr. José Bermúdez, Fr. Chris Fedoryshyn, Deacon Pedro Rivera-Moran, Deacon Lino Sanmiguel, Sister María Mercedes Martínez and Sister Caritina Olmo (Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help). Since 2004 our St. Brigid’s Latino ministry has worked with the Diocese of Springfield on our pastoral plan.

Commitment to Our Youth

In 1995 the Hispanic Catechetical Program was formed, children and youth received classes and confirmation preparation in Spanish; they were committed in their native language to solidify their faith while their cultural heritage was validated. For the past four years, students of Spanish catechism were integrated into the Anglo community. It has been a challenge to hold retreats and other events for the youth because of work, sports, family obligations to support their families. In July 2018, we began the mission of doing the work of evangelization of the youth world in our parish of St. Brigid’s which is held on Friday nights. It is an exciting and joyful mission, with an urgent character due to the countless challenges that youth face in society. This project consists of making young apostles of the Gospel, collaborators and artisans of peace, capable of transforming themselves into people that God intended them to be.

Catholic Faith Formation of Hispanic Adults

In May 2018, a Charismatic prayer group was formed as a result of the Hispanic Charismatic Retreat. This group is open to the entire Latino community and meets every Friday night. The main objective is to learn about the teachings of Jesus and incorporate them into our daily lives, and to strengthen our faith.

Leadership and Co-Responsibilities in Latino Ministry

We constantly identify people committed to our mission to offer talent, time and treasure. With one parish council and one religious education program, have still offered individual opportunities and Hispanic cultural events that make St. Brigid’s a better place to worship. Our representatives are Sister Susana Jimenez, Hazel Dardano, Dr. Sonia Correa Pope and Dr. Wilma Ortiz, who offer great assistance.

Achievements:

• Since 2017 we have Mass in Spanish and English (rather than all in Spanish) every Sunday.

• Our Latino community builds every year

• Social awareness of our rights as Latinos at St. Brigid’s Church. We all work together with the pastor.

• We work hard with communication and acceptance of other parishioners at St. Brigid’s.

• Offer courses for parents/guardians: Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation a. Since 2004 more than 230 children have received the Sacrament of Baptism b. More than 143 people have received the Sacrament of First Communion c. More than 54 people have received the Sacrament of Confirmation

• Developed education programs that support the pastoral plan through homilies, liturgies, service projects

• We offer community building events originating from the Hispanic Community, help with the financial activities of the parish, such as the Hispanic food sale, the Lasagna dinner, the Palm Sunday breakfast and the August picnic.

• Trainings for Eucharistic Ministers, Ministers of the Word and Altar Servers

• Choir participation has been a commitment that many have contributed over the years.

• We offer all the sacraments weddings, anniversaries, Quinceañeras & funerals

• Our families have gone on to contribute to their communities: Students complete two and four years of college in the fields of nursing, school-age teaching, law enforcement, business and college education. Students from around the world studying at the University of Massachusetts have contributed and enriched our Latino Catholic community with their service.