The annual New York Catholic Bible Summit is set for Saturday, October 12, at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, with the stated goal of helping attendees deepen their “understanding of the Bible and learn new ways its teachings can bring hope into your life.”

The gathering is offered to “all Spanish-speaking Catholics who are yearning for an encounter with Christ, formation in the faith, and empowerment for mission,” said Gilbert Rodriguez, interim director of the Office of Adult Faith Formation, Archdiocese of New York.

Organizers said the event theme will be “We are people of hope,” based on St. Paul’s letter to the Romans: “Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us,” (Romans 5:5).

Scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., this year’s summit will be conducted entirely in Spanish, led by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph A. Espaillat, who will also serve as principal celebrant and homilist of a morning Mass. The Office of Adult Faith Formation organizes the gathering; each year it attracts many of the faithful who are active in Hispanic Ministry and other parish ministries.

“The Holy Spirit is going to set us on fire through them for our mission and love for the Eucharist,” Rodriguez said in a September 12 phone interview with The Good Newsroom, citing the talents of the main speakers and others who will be on hand, including a singer-guitarist. The director said the talks will focus “on aspects of (parish) community life and our identity as missionaries that flows from the Eucharist. … They’re going to help us continue the graces of the Eucharistic Revival.”

Along with Bishop Espaillat, Mari Pablo, a prominent Catholic speaker, will be the other main presenter. Mother Jesussandra Rosa, SCR, will serve as master of ceremonies and lead attendees in prayer throughout the day. The Rev. Ambiorix Rodriguez, pastor of St. Elizabeth Church in the Washington Heights area of Manhattan, will preside over an afternoon Holy Hour.

Bishop Espaillat serves as episcopal vicar of the Bronx and pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Church. Before being ordained a bishop in 2022, he was the director of the Hispanic Catholic Charismatic Center in the Bronx and the spiritual director of the Hispanic Charismatic Renewal of the archdiocese. Mother Jesussandra Rosa is the music director at St. Anthony of Padua.

Pablo presents for Ascension Press on numerous projects. She also makes presentations at the annual Steubenville Youth Conferences, National Catholic Youth Conference, NET Ministries, Life Teen events, FOCUS conference, and diocesan events.

Bishop Espaillat and Pablo were among the speakers at the New York State Eucharistic Congress in Auriesville last year. For more information or to register for the New York Catholic Bible Summit, visit Cumbre Bíblica Católica de Nueva York – Archdiocese of New York. Registration closes on October 4.