Juntos Lideramos


The Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative (LPLI) is a comprehensive formation program designed to empower Hispanic/Latino leaders with practical leadership tools and support. Developed by Leadership Roundtable in response to the National V Encuentro, this program addresses the complex realities and challenges faced in ministry.

Since its founding in 2019, LPLI has provided formation to 100 leaders across four dioceses. Recognizing the growing demand for leadership development opportunities, we are excited to expand the program’s reach by launching Juntos Lideramos — a new, fully online fellowship cohort for Hispanic Catholic leaders across the U.S.

Starting this fall, this immersive, six-week formation experience will welcome a select cohort of approximately 12-15 Latino pastoral leaders into a national network of peers, mentors, and collaborators. Through weekly virtual gatherings, participants will engage in spiritual formation, peer coaching, and practical leadership development—all grounded in Catholic teaching and the lived experience of Hispanic/Latino communities.

Thanks to the generous support of the Lilly Endowment, Inc., this fellowship is offered at no cost to participants.

 

Course Overview

This course is designed to equip Hispanic/Latino Catholic leaders with the skills and confidence to thrive in pastoral ministry and leadership roles. Grounded in Catholic teaching and inspired by the lived experiences of Hispanic/Latino communities, the initiative responds to the call of the National V Encuentro to invest in the formation of both emerging and experienced leaders.

Participants will engage in six 90-minute online sessions that explore key leadership concepts, offer opportunities for scripture reflection, introduce practical tools and skills, foster small group dialogue, and encourage personal reflection on leadership style and impact. Delivered in English and supported by bilingual materials, the course intends to deepen faith-based leadership and foster a strong community of Catholic leaders across the U.S. Church.


Desired Outcomes

Through the course, participants will:

  • Gain practical leadership tools and grow in confidence to serve effectively in pastoral ministry.
  • Reflect on their leadership in light of Catholic teachings and discern their unique role in the life of the Church.
  • Build meaningful connections within a national network of Hispanic/Latino Catholic leaders.

 

Session Topics

  1. Creating a Vision for Your Ministry
  2. Servant Leadership for a Synodal Church
  3. Managing Volunteers and Growing Disciples
  4. Meeting Management
  5. Managing Conflict
  6. Building Bridges in the Church.

 

Participant Commitments

  • Sessions — Six (6) 90-minute online sessions via Zoom. As a participant, we ask you to attend no less than five of the six sessions.
  • Preparation — Between sessions, you’ll engage with additional resources to support your growth — this may include reading an article, watching a short video, or responding to a reflection prompt.
  • Engagement — Each session is an opportunity for discussion, prayer, and discernment. These sessions will be held online in a group setting and, as a participant, we invite you to contribute by reacting to the material, questions, and small group exercises.
  • Feedback — Participants will be asked to complete a brief survey at the end of the course to share their experience and help improve future offerings.
  • Cost — There is no cost to participate, thanks to the generous support of a grant, which has underwritten the online course.

What LPLI participants have to say

“It’s really transformed how I approach ministry now…like, I’m not here to necessarily just lead my ministry, but bring up other leaders…making disciples of our people and helping them rise up to the challenge.” 

Enrique Velazquez
Diocese of Austin

“The best part of this entire initiative, um, was how personal it all became. It started at first, at least in my mind, as something instructional, an opportunity to gain skills, to evaluate our abilities, but it really became something deep, something personal to me.” 

Daniel Cobreiro
Diocese of St. Augustine

“The [Catholic] Leadership 360 helped me to see like a picture of myself in, in front of others. It was very reassuring to me in some areas, and it opened my eyes to see other areas of what I needed to improve.” 

Deacon Victor Alvarado
Diocese of Austin

“The biggest surprise I had with this initiative was how obvious the work of the Holy Spirit has been in it. Because there’s been so many details that only God can reveal. This was done with a lot of time, a lot of wisdom, and a lot of prayer, and a lot of intervention from the Holy Spirit. This program is so Christ-centered that it gives me great hope that everything Christ taught us, and Christ left us in the Gospels . . . Everything will fulfill the Mission of Christ through these leaders. Slowly, we will continue expanding this Church and focusing on the Mission that Christ entrusted us with. This program, this initiative, is bringing us closer to this mission. I have great hope for that.” 

Clara Sowers
Diocese of St. Augustine

Ready to grow as a pastoral leader?

Course Facilitators

Andrea Blanco Program Manager, Latino Pastoral Leaders Services Team
Fr. Kevin Kennedy Senior Leadership Director Services Team
Peter Denio Senior Program Manager Services Team
Kathleen Porter-Magee Managing Partner
Leslie Rodriguez Communications Manager, Bilingual/Bicultural

Have questions? Contact us at LPLI@leadershiproundtable.org