News from Catholic Association of Latino Leaders

The announcement of the appointment of Most Reverend José H. Gomez as Coadjutor Archbishop of Los Angeles was especially joyful for the members of Catholic Association of Latino Leaders (CALL). This past April, Archbishop Gomez, CALL's Episcopal Moderator, was scheduled to accompany a delegation of CALL members to Rome where they were to visit with various Pontifical Councils. But Archbishop Gomez was diverted to California instead for the announcement of his appointment. From Vatican officials, to Catholics and non-Catholics alike throughout the United States, all commented about the new era that had begun for Latino Catholics in our country.

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The news that the largest Catholic community in the US would be led by an archbishop who was originally from Monterrey, Mexico elicited excitement, curiosity, and hope in many.

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Not long after the announcement of the Archbishop's appointment, Los Angeles residents and CALL members Rodrigo and Diana Vela began working with CALL President Robert Aguirre to organize a welcoming breakfast with local Latino leaders. The Vela's brought on board Dr. Arturo Ibarra and his wife Leticia, Jae Kim and wife Amy, and Allen Lund and his wife Kathy, as well as my husband, Dr. Paul Urrea and myself to form the Welcoming Committee.

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The primary goal of the Welcoming Breakfast was to bring together a diverse group of leaders from the Los Angeles area that would become the familiar faces that would work with the future Archbishop as the incoming shepherd of the Los Angeles Archdiocese.

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Dr. Arturo Ibarra

The evening before the Breakfast, the Welcoming Committee hosted a dinner at the beautiful home of Dr. Arturo and Leticia Ibarra for the members of the CALL board of directors. This dinner was attended by 20 Los Angeleans, all of whom expressed great interest and enthusiasm in promoting CALL's mission and who pledged support in forming the newest chapter.

The subsequent May 26 Welcoming Breakfast was a resounding success. The Archbishop was received by 162 community leaders representing local governments, banks, and private businesses as well as attorneys, medical professionals, and leaders from academia. The community's eagerness to meet the new Coadjutor Archbishop was well evident.

Los Angeles Skyline

Shortly thereafter in early July, a gathering took place at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Ibarra to begin formalizing a CALL chapter. In attendance were Dr. and Mrs. Ibarra, Mr. and Mrs. Alex Chaves, Mr. and Mrs. Pep Valdes, Dr. Pablo Urrea and Mr. Ruben Juaregui. At this meeting a leadership team was formed. With the upcoming CALL national members meeting in Colorado, the Los Angeles group was eager to send CALL's newest members.

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It was clear that a new era for the Latino Catholic community in Los Angeles had begun.

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The earnest embrace of our new archbishop by local leaders, their response to his heartfelt message of faith and empowerment, and the growing interest in CALL membership here in Southern California are all signs of great hope. With this new-found enthusiasm, the five representatives from Los Angeles at the national members meeting returned home ready to forge ahead in promoting CALL's mission as the newest voice for our growing and influential Catholic Latino community.

A special submission to the CALL newsletter