by Felicia Holcomb
Special to The Leaven
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — On Jan. 22, more than 70 Catholic school leaders, faculty, staff and archdiocesan team members gathered at Donnelly College here for the Catholic schools’ office second annual Strengthening Hispanic Engagement Through Connection, Culture and Commitment event.
Inspired by the “National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry” from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the gathering reflected the call for Catholic schools to “develop strategies for accessibility and retention for Hispanic/Latino families and other underserved communities, respecting the rich diversity of our Catholic community.”
The day began with Mass celebrated in Spanish, emphasizing the importance of faith, language and the universality of the church. In opening remarks, the purpose of the day was made clear: “Engaging Hispanic families is not about changing who we are — it is about becoming more fully who we are called to be: one faith, many cultures, united in Christ.”
Karla Melgar of the archdiocesan office of evangelization kicked off the presentations with a demographic overview placing local enrollment trends within a national context, highlighting both the presence of Hispanic families in Catholic schools and opportunities for growth. According to a 2025 Pew Research report, 36% of Catholic adults in the United States identify as Hispanic. Yet, only 14.5% of students in Catholic schools nationwide are of Hispanic heritage (2024-25 school year data), and archdiocesan schools reflect a similar pattern, with an estimated 12% of enrolled students identifying as Hispanic (2025-26 school year data). This demonstrates a significant gap between the Catholic population and Catholic school enrollment.
“When we look at the data, we see both a challenge and a hopeful opportunity,” said one of the event coordinators, Jane Rall, consultant for the School Advancement Program with the archdiocesan office of Catholic schools. “Hispanic families are deeply rooted in the life of the church, yet many are not experiencing Catholic schools as accessible or welcoming. This moment calls us to listen more intentionally, build trust and reimagine how we engage families across cultures.”
Veronica Ulreich and Norberto Ayala Flores, both of Puente Marketing, introduced a cultural and linguistic framework for understanding Latino students and families. Using the concept of Hispanicity™, they examined how varying levels of acculturation influence communication preferences, engagement and expectations of schools, offering practical strategies to align school practices with diverse family experiences.
“When schools lead with intentional, thoughtful communication, trust grows and a true sense of belonging emerges,” said Ulreich. “For Catholic schools and parishes, this is especially important because the mission depends on building a faith-centered community rooted in belonging and partnership, not just maintaining enrollment. It’s about relationships — long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships.”
Building on the importance of connection, Dr. Wendy Leon-Ryan of St. James Academy in Lenexa shared findings on the impact of representation explored in her dissertation, “Perceptions of Latino Parents Regarding Latino School Leaders.”
“When Latino families feel seen and welcomed, they do more than enroll; they commit,” she said. “Drawing from my doctoral research and lived experience, intentional investment in Latino families emerges as a powerful pathway to deeper family engagement in our Catholic schools.
“As a Latina educator, I witness how this sense of belonging strengthens not only individual families but entire school communities.”
A facilitated group discussion invited participants to confront assumptions and biases — exploring how bias awareness, self-reflection and the principle of solidarity in Catholic social teaching can inform more respectful and effective engagement practices.
“The importance of Latino/Hispanic enrollment reflects the church’s missionary call,” said Sister Monica Bernadette Arguello, SCTJM, from the archdiocesan office of marriage and family life. “Through their lived faith, strong communal bonds and rich spiritual traditions, the Hispanic community brings vitality to school life and the wider church.”
The morning concluded with an address from Archbishop Shawn McKnight, who reflected on the church’s call to serve all. “As Catholics, as St. Paul wrote in Galatians, ‘We are neither Greek nor Jew’ — our baptism is what is fundamental,” he said.
Following a lunch featuring Latin American dishes, attendees participated in a panel highlighting practical examples of Hispanic family engagement and areas for growth.
The day wrapped up with an action- planning session using a template developed by the University of Notre Dame. Working in small groups, participants identified specific steps their schools could implement over the next one, two and three years to strengthen Hispanic family engagement.
