Forming leaders for Hispanic communities

A version of this story originally appeared in the Fall 2026 edition of The True Voice magazine. Copies of the magazine can be found at parishes across the archdiocese.

When Andrea Corral first stepped into the Lay Leadership Ministry Formation Program classroom two years ago, she was already coordinating the Divine Mercy ministry at Assumption-Guadalupe Parish in south Omaha. She never imagined how much the program would deepen her own faith.

The program helped increase her faith and leadership abilities, “to help others become disciples,” Corral said.

Over two years of monthly weekend classes – Friday evenings through Sunday afternoons – taught locally by Mundelein Seminary faculty, she and her classmates studied Scripture, Church tradition, and the writings of the popes, building a theological foundation many had never encountered before. 

“It’s not only the Word of God, the Bible, but more tradition and everything,” Andrea explained. “It’s very important for leaders to know where everything is rooted.”

She now brings that formation to her work teaching catechism before Sunday Mass and leading Assumption-Guadalupe’s Kerygma evangelization initiative — one of many ministries her graduating class has carried back to parishes across the archdiocese.

Deacon Gregorio Elizalde, who manages Hispanic ministry for the Archdiocese of Omaha, launched the program in partnership with the Diocese of Des Moines, drawing 20 students from as far as South Sioux City and Norfolk.

Faculty told him they had never seen a group complete two full years without a single missed class. The commitment paid off: The first cohort graduated at Mundelein Seminary, and the next class has already been accepted, with even more Catholics from Hispanic communities asking to join.

READ MORE FROM THE CATHOLIC VOICE: