Serving Across Cultures: A Conversation with Karla Alvarez on Multicultural Ministry

In the latest episode of the Auxilium Podcast, I had the privilege of interviewing Karla Alvarez, the Director of Multicultural Ministries for the Diocese of Shreveport, Louisiana. This interview was particularly special for me personally, as Karla is a longtime friend from college who has been a tremendous support to me over the years. Karla is a passionate and dedicated leader whose ministry work is as diverse as the communities she serves. In our conversation, Karla shared her journey in multicultural ministry, how her diocese is supporting different cultural groups, and the powerful role that presence and personal connection play in her work.

The Heart of Multicultural Ministry

Karla began by defining “Multicultural Ministry.” With a significant Hispanic, Vietnamese, Filipino, and Indian community, there is great diversity among Catholics in the Diocese of Shreveport. In her first interview before stepping into the role, Bishop_____ expressed his desire to cater to each culture, making them feel valued and respected in the Catholic community. As Karla put it, “People want to be seen and heard, and ministry becomes so much more impactful when it acknowledges the unique identity of each community.”

Presence Over Programs: Building Connection Beyond the Parish

Karla shared that for her, the essence of multicultural ministry lies in presence—showing up, listening, and being part of people’s lives. She has adopted a highly relational approach, going door-to-door with her team and visiting families, which has been essential for reconnecting with people who may feel isolated from the Church. “We go to different houses, we give them prayers and Mass times, and we let them know they are missed,” Karla explained. “Sometimes it’s at a family dinner; other times it’s in the middle of a volleyball game—but the point is, we show up.”

This kind of ministry, as Karla sees it, is about more than just Church attendance. It’s about making people feel like they belong to a family that sees them and values them. The Diocese of Shreveport’s approach is a beautiful reminder of how important it is to step outside our buildings and be present to people in the spaces where they feel comfortable, so as to help them grow in their comfortability within the larger Catholic community.

Meeting Challenges with Courage and Faith

Karla didn’t sugarcoat the challenges of her role. As a young leader, she initially faced skepticism, especially within the Hispanic community, which highly values age in leadership. She admits, “I had to prove that I was capable, that I could be trusted in this role.”

But Karla has met these challenges head-on, seeing every interaction as an opportunity to evangelize. She shared how she often reaches out to quiet members of the parish, inviting them to take on roles of leadership or service. For Karla, these invitations not only aid her efforts in carrying out events and retreat, but also affirm the inherent dignity of the faithful she serves “It’s about letting people see that they are needed, that they have something important to contribute,” she said.

Integrating Tabella: Technology as a Tool for Connection

One exciting recent addition to Karla’s ministry toolkit is Tabella. “It’s wonderful to have a tool that’s specifically Catholic and available in both English and Spanish,” Karla explained. “The great thing about Tabella is that there is nothing secular about it. It’s a space for them to access Catholic content without distractions.” Karla and her team plan to keep promoting the app within their communities, knowing that consistent use will help build familiarity and encourage more people to use it.

Final Thoughts: The Power of Silence and Service

Before we wrapped up, Karla shared a powerful piece of advice for anyone involved in ministry: make time for silence. “Silence with the Lord is where I find the strength I need to serve,” she said. “In silence, we’re reminded that it’s God’s work we’re doing, not our own.”

As we ended our conversation, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by Karla’s dedication to serving each person as Christ would. Her work is a beautiful reminder that multicultural ministry is not just about meeting different people’s needs—it’s about meeting them where they are, with love and open arms.