GAYLORD, MICHIGAN – The Most Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh, bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord, has announced the following changes in the Hispanic Ministry, effective April 15, 2024, unless otherwise noted.
Retirement Silvia Cortes-Lopez – from Director of Hispanic Ministry to retirement effective May 31, 2024.
Silvia began working with the diocese in June 1999, and over the last 25 years she has helped expand the outreach efforts to the Hispanic community. Today, between 13,000 and 15,000 skilled laborers and their families come to live in one of the 118 migrant camps in our region to support the agricultural industry in Michigan. The majority of these workers are Catholic with strong ties to their faith. Silvia has worked with these families to provide sacramental prep and outreach and minister to our brothers and sisters within the migrant communities. Silvia's work has helped transitional migrant workers and permanent residents grow in their faith. She promoted and taught religious education, planned annual events/outreach visits in the heavily migrant populated counties, and implemented special programs for migrants during harvest season.
“With great caring and effective leadership, Silvia has been the loving face of the Church during her 25 years serving in the role of Director of Hispanic Ministry,” said Bishop Walsh. “On behalf of the Diocese of Gaylord, I want to express deep gratitude for all she has contributed to the good of others during those years. Witnessing to our dignity as brothers and sisters in Christ, Silvia has built bridges between the Anglo and Hispanic communities in countless ways. As she retires and yet remains part of the community, may God continue to bless her with many happy years to come.”
New leadership structure for Hispanic Ministry
Reverend Wayne H. Dziekan – from Hispanic Ministry/Advocacy to Vicar for Hispanic Ministry.
Manuel Obando – to Director of Hispanic Ministry (full-time).
Maria Victoria Pérez Escoto – to Assistant Director of Hispanic Ministry (part-time).
In this new model of leadership, Fr. Wayne will directly oversee the liturgy, work and planning involved with Hispanic ministry, and continue to provide administration and sacramental ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel in Traverse City.
Manuel will assume all the duties previously fulfilled by Silvia. With his wife, Maria Victoria, assisting on a part-time basis, Manuel will be tasked with sustaining and creatively advancing Hispanic pastoral programs and outreach efforts in the Diocese of Gaylord, primarily from the office and worship space at the Guadalupe chapel in Traverse City.
Manuel and Maria Victoria both worked for the Diocese of Matagalpa in Nicaragua before coming to Michigan. Manuel was the director of diocesan communications media, and Maria Victoria, a lawyer, was the Chancellor.
