Now I get it!

Priest gets to the heart of Hispanic Ministry

By Elisabeth Román

When Father Terry Fulton arrived at the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) in San Antonio, Texas he was driving a big black truck with a large camper attached and a Doberman named Wolfgang was riding in the front seat. Father Terry had been sent by the bishop to participate in the mini-pastoral on Hispanic Ministry offered at MACC. It seems the priest, who two years earlier had been assigned to a parish with a large Hispanic community in Woodland, California, was having some problems. In fact, Father Terry admits he was sent to MACC because he had “a big fight with the Aztecs.”

“When I arrived at MACC with my trailer and dog, I was in the mindset that all I needed was an excuse to go home as soon as possible. But the staff could not have been more welcoming and nicer. I had the perfect parking space for my camper and Wolfgang could run around unleashed in a secure gated area with no problem,” Father Terry said.

His arrival at MACC might have started off without a glitch, but the truth was that back home the pastor had been experiencing difficulties with his flock. “I could not understand why they didn’t like me,” says Father Terry. After all, the priest was working to build a badly needed new church, had expanded the youth and music ministry, revamped the parish radio station, increased enrollment of Hispanic students in the parochial school, increased the number of Spanish masses to five every weekend, and overall Father Terry worked about 14 to 16 hours a day in his parish.

Those who know Terry Fulton well also know he is not one to give up easily. Facing major challenges and overcoming them is nothing new for this priest who grew up in poverty and was ordained at the age of 50. The father of four daughters left home at the age of 16 to work on a chicken ranch, which Father Terry describes with a smile as the weirdest job he has ever had. Four years later he joined the Air Force and after his military service ended he began working as a respiratory therapist and enrolled in college earning a total of five degrees. After raising his daughters on a California ranch, Terry’s thoughts turned to his calling. "Why can't I become a priest? I've always wanted to be a priest ever since I was 14 year old," he thought.  

The greatest challenge Father Terry now faced as a priest was how to minister to a flock that included a large number of Hispanics and immigrants, whom he couldn’t seemed to reach, no matter how hard he tried. Despite his initial reluctance to attend the mini-pastoral on Hispanic Ministry, it didn’t take long before Father Terry was heard saying during many of the sessions and workshops, “oh that’s why they do that…”  “I never knew that…”  “No one told me…”  “They really don’t hate me…”  “When I go home I will do a lot of things differently.”

At MACC, Father Terry quickly learned to appreciate the complexities of ministering to Hispanic communities. But it was when he became immersed in the popular religiosity of Hispanics and the reasons behind many devotions, particularly to Our Lady of Guadalupe, that he was able to understand his parishioners.  “I feel better prepared to communicate and minister to the Hispanic community. I have learned how to reach their hearts,” Father Terry said, as he packed up his camper and Wolfgang for the long haul home to his California parish and a new start.

Your turn
Have you ever changed your opinion on some issue because you have received some insights you did not have before? How has that changed your life?

Saul of Tarsus knew he was right. He couldn’t allow those crazy Christians to continue in their error. On his way to Damascus, he was blinded by a bright light. He then asked the Lord, What do you want me to do? That light and that simple question—once answered—turned his life around totally. Can you ask that same question: What would you have me do, Lord?