Denver Catholic

11 DENVER CATHOLIC | JUNE 13-26, 2015 2.49% APR * Limited Time Offer for DC Readers Call: 303.424.5037 Click: www.nufcu.com or Come by one of our convenient locations today! Bringing Catholic Values to Financial Services *APR = Annual Percentage Rate. See website for details. Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency NCUA Simplify the car buying process with our Automotive Partner. Visit www.nufcu.com for more info. See Us Before You Seal the Deal Pre-Approved Auto Loan Rates as low as FREEDOM religious af- guar- development JUNE 8, 2013 religious Every to whatever it man and God." 20, 2013 Luis Soto leaves legacy of growth, new initiatives in archdiocese L uis Soto, director of the Archdio- cese of Denver's Hispanic Ministry and executive director of Centro San Juan Diego, departed June 5. "It is time to let someone else take this mission to other levels so that there is a renewal," said Soto, who seeks to "take what we have learned to other dioceses in the United States, (which) come to ask for consultation on how we work here." Soto expressed his gratitude to the Archdiocese of Denver, to Archbishop Samuel Aquila and to the Hispanic com- munity in northern Colorado. "It is I who have won over the years," he told El Pueblo Católico. "I have been blessed with the pleasure and the honor of serving this community." Soto has been appointed as lead con- sultant for the Catholic Leadership Institute, which provides clergy and the laity with pastoral leadership forma- tion as well as consulting services that strengthen their confi dence and com- petence in their ministry. The Institute works to enable leaders to achieve the best strategies for a more fruitful and articulated evangelization in their local church. Born in Ciudad Obregón in Sonora, Mexico, Soto began his apostolic work at Saint Joseph and Annunciation parishes. In 2002, he began his work as the head of the Hispanic Youth Ministry and in 2005 he became the director of Hispanic Min- istry in the archdiocese. CENTRO'S FRUIT Over the last decade, Hispanic min- istry has enlivened and grown, and new initiatives have launched under Soto's direction. Such projects have brought together faithful in Colorado, providing them with opportunities to strengthen their faith and their vocation as disciples. Among those projects are the Spanish television program Fe Católica Viva, the project "One family under one God," as well as the various retreats and conferences for Hispanics: young adult gatherings, the Charismatic Congress, the Spanish-lan- guage Living the Catholic Faith Conference, and the Catechetical Congress. In addition, there have been many train- ing initiatives launched under Centro including the opportunity to earn a bach- elor's in Religious Studies in partnership with the Universidad Anáhuac in Mexico. Other formation initiatives for His- panic leaders have been strengthened, such as, courses about Christian living, stewardship programs and English as a second language. "Working with Luis has being a great experience and (time for) continuous learning. It is a real blessing to have had the opportunity to work under his direction. I hope to honor his legacy." -JUAN CARLOS REYES, director of family services at Centro San Juan Diego "My husband and I met Luis 12 years ago. When he started the faith workshops at Queen of Peace (Church) he spoke about the sacraments. I was able to meet my faith completely and to strengthen it in a way that at no point did I doubt my Catholic faith. ... More than a co- worker, Luis has been our friend." -MARISOL JUAREZ GARCIA, administrative assistant at St. Therese Parish in Aurora Centro director calls service to Hispanic community an honor man and BY CARMEN ELENA VILLA 303-715-3219 carmen.villa@archden.org www.twitter.com/EPCatolico " " Luis Soto PROVIDED BY CENTRO SAN JUAN DIEGO

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