Though Spanish speaking Minnesotans have found homes in our congregations for many years, Hispanic ministry began intentionally with the founding of a diocesan mission in 1993. The Rev. Vincent Schwahn, founding vicar and The Rev. Bill Teska, former rector of St. Paul’s on the Hill responded to the pastoral needs of a grieving family by opening the doors of St. Paul’s on the Hill for a funeral of a Latina-Indian child. Several hundred Latinos attended the funeral and the call to reach out to Spanish speaking immigrants was heard and responded to.
The birth and early years of this mission were aided by generous financial assistance from St. Paul’s on the Hill and diocesan funds. Bishop Jelinek was an outspoken supporter and advocate for ministry to and with Spanish speaking immigrants throughout his episcopate.
Santo Niño’s membership (as well as membership in other Regional congregations) rises and falls in response to immigration patterns, opportunities for employment, federal immigration policies and changes in leadership.
Father Schwahn served the congregation for 4 years, followed by Father Joel Almono for 8 years, the Rev. Susan Moss for 5 years. Currently, The Rev. Népali Rodríguez is the priest.
Santo Niño is a resilient community of faith. Its core leadership functions in ways similar to a Total Ministry team and it has been a hub for other forms of ministry to Spanish speaking immigrants. Santo Niño members have provided leadership to the Montgomery Migrant Ministry, now called Misión San Jose Obrero.
