Bishop Cepeda: Open the Doors

Open the Doors: A Call to Embrace and Invite Hispanic Catholics Back to the Church

In a recent conversation on the Auxilium Podcast, Bishop Arturo Cepeda issued a profound challenge to Catholic leaders: to step outside the walls of our parishes and open the doors—to actively invite Hispanic Catholics, especially immigrants, to participate in the life of the Church. Bishop Cepeda’s words are a call to action, shedding light on the fact that many souls remain on the peripheries, waiting for the pursuit and invitations of Catholics to help bring them back home.

For many immigrants, the realities of adjusting to life in a new country—separation from family, economic hardships, cultural barriers, and a whirlwind of new responsibilities—create significant obstacles to attending Mass or joining parish life. As a Church, we cannot sit back and assume that everyone will find their way. We must go out, meet them where they are, and offer a welcoming invitation to return to their family, the Church.

Lost in Translation

While Hispanic Catholics, in particular, bring with them a deeply rooted Catholic identity, immigration and resettlement can disrupt even the strongest faith practices. Without familiar routines, support networks, and the encouragement of extended family, many find it easy to drift away from the Church. This gradual drift isn’t always intentional; it’s often a matter of survival and adaptation to a new way of life.

Bishop Cepeda shared an anecdote from his conversations with priests across his diocese and beyond. He often asks clergy and community leaderss about the presence of Hispanic Catholics in their communities. “Are you aware of the Hispanic community in your parish?” he’ll ask. Often, the response is, “Well, Bishop, they don’t come here.” To this, Bishop Cepeda gently yet firmly challenges them: “Then open the doors.”

In his words, simply waiting for people to enter our parishes isn’t enough. Catholic leaders need to be proactive—reaching out beyond parish walls and meeting people in the neighborhoods, marketplaces, and places they frequent daily. This isn’t just about numbers or filling pews; it’s about being a Church that actively brings people into the life-giving communion that only Christ can offer.

This isn’t just a Hispanic issue; it’s a reality that affects immigrants of all backgrounds. Many new arrivals feel isolated and assume they’ll rejoin the Church “eventually,” but in the meantime, they lose out on the essential graces of the Sacraments and life in the Church. This is why Bishop Cepeda’s message is so essential: it’s a reminder that the Church can’t passively wait for people to come; rather, we must take the first step to meet them, to seek them out, and to invite them back into communion.

Don’t Assume—Be Proactive

In his call to “open the doors,” Bishop Cepeda urges us to look around our communities and recognize the faces that may have once been regulars in the pews but are now absent. He reminds parish leaders, “Don’t assume they’re okay.” Many of our brothers and sisters may be struggling silently, feeling disconnected and uncertain about where to turn for support.

In the spirit of Pope Francis’ call to reach the peripheries, this means more than just opening the church doors on Sundays. It’s a call to reach out in person, and to actively communicate that everyone is wanted, missed, and needed. Making the first step can make a world of difference to someone who is feeling lost or out of place.

Bishop Cepeda also encourages leaders to “go out”—to venture beyond our parishes and meet Hispanic immigrants and all immigrants where they work and live. From neighborhood restaurants to marketplaces, Catholic leaders have a tremendous opportunity to connect with those who may not be actively seeking out the Church but who would respond to a genuine invitation. By moving beyond our comfort zones, we can bridge the gaps, reestablish connections, and become an inviting presence to let all people know they have a seat at the table in the Church.

Technology as a Tool to Foster Community

In today’s digital age, there are more ways than ever to reach out to our community members who may not be attending Mass regularly. Bishop Cepeda highlighted Tabella as a solution to help create open and safe Catholic spaces for communities to thrive. By providing easy access to information Mass times, Catholic content in multiple languages, and updates on community events, Tabella can help bridge the gap for those who may be distant from the Church. Mirroring the call issued by Bishop Cepeda, Tabella goes beyond Sunday Mass to instantly reach people in their homes, workplaces and beyond.

Welcoming People Back to Their Spiritual Home

For those of us in parish leadership or active ministry, let us ask ourselves the same question Bishop Cepeda asks clergy and leaders in his diocese— Are we aware of the Hispanic community in our parishes? As we give this question time and prayer, let us consider who is missing from our community and remember the call to go outside our comfort zone to foster a community where everyone feels they belong.

As Bishop Cepeda so passionately expressed, our challenge is to “open the doors” and welcome others as Christ would. Together, let’s be the hands and feet that guide people back home, creating a Church that truly reflects the love, unity, and hospitality that Christ calls us to live out.