The first class of 60 students from the Archdiocese of Atlanta has completed a three-year formation program in Spanish through the University of Dallas, earning a pastoral theology certificate. In a recent graduation ceremony at Holy Spirit Church, Auxiliary Bishop Luis R. Zarama of Atlanta sent forth the Spanish-speaking church leaders to catechize and evangelize the faithful from Gainesville to Jonesboro and fortify Hispanic ministries across the archdiocese. The online program aims to form leaders and strengthen the Spanish-language catechetical foundation in the church of the archdiocese, where 68 of 100 parishes offer Mass in Spanish and nearly half—44 percent—of Catholics are Hispanic. “This program has really made a difference in reaching out to the leaders in the diocese. It has provided this formation for them and raised awareness of the importance of forming these Hispanic leaders,” said the program coordinator, Monica Oppermann of the Atlanta archdiocesan Office of Formation and Discipleship.