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Hispanic ministry director takes new position with Regis University
By Julie Filby
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| Luis Soto |
After nine years serving the Archdiocese of Denver in Hispanic ministry, Luis Soto will leave to head up a new program at Regis University as of July 5.
Soto, 38, was hired by Regis University as executive director of a new dual language program to start up later this year. The program will be based at a new Regis campus at 500 E. 84th Ave. in Thornton, the former site of ITT Technical Institute.
“I will miss the archdiocese, Centro and the wonderful staff,” Soto told the Denver Catholic Register. “I look forward to the possibilities and challenges that lie ahead; and to continued collaboration in this new venture.”
Soto was hired in 2002 as Director of Hispanic Youth Ministry, a position he held until 2005. That year he began serving as director of the Office of Hispanic Ministry. In 2007 he also took over as executive director of Centro San Juan Diego, the archdiocese’s Hispanic institute for family and pastoral care.
Under Soto’s leadership Hispanic ministry has grown—serving more than 30,000 individuals last year—and improved its image throughout the Catholic, Hispanic and business communities.
“What I’m most proud of is that we’ve changed the image of Hispanic ministry with the wider community,” he said. “We’ve become very professional … and financially sound.”
The office has increased and developed educational opportunities for Hispanic leaders including a bachelor’s degree in religious studies through top Mexican university, Universidad Anahuac, added in 2009.
“I’m very proud of that program in particular,” he said. “That was a big accomplishment.”
In 2009 Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., designated Soto to lead One Family Under God, an initiative designed to bring Spanish- and English-speaking individuals together into one united parish community.
Soto credits the leadership of Archbishop Chaput for advancing Hispanic ministry efforts.
“I think we have positioned Hispanic ministry in the archdiocese to a level it wasn’t at before,” Soto said. “This has been in great part because of Archbishop Chaput; it’s been a great honor working for him, and following his example of professionalism and dedication and service to the Church.”
In November 2010 Soto’s contributions were recognized with the Benemerenti (“To a Well-Deserving Person”) Medal, an honor bestowed by Pope Benedict XVI for exceptional service to the Church. Soto was nominated by Archbishop Chaput.
“Luis has made a huge contribution to the life of the Church here in northern Colorado over the past nine years, and he’ll be deeply missed,” said Archbishop Chaput. “He is a great young leader and a devoted husband and father, with the gift of being able to reach across issues that divide people to build a common sense of mission.”
Soto will continue outreach in his new position at Regis.
“In many ways, Hispanics are the future in many (professional) positions,” he said. “I think (the dual-language program) is going to provide great opportunities for the influence and growth of the Hispanic community in Colorado and all over the United States.”
The dual-language program will offer nine bachelor’s degree programs and three master’s, including degrees in marketing, business administration, nonprofit management, education and psychology. An online program in organizational leadership will also be available.
“This can provide an opportunity for many Latinos that want to be professionals, so they can better serve corporations and nonprofit institutions,” he said. “And in that way, better serve the wider community.”
According to 2010 U.S. census figures more than 50 million Hispanics live in the United States, with more than 1 million in Colorado. An estimated 52 percent of Catholics in the Denver Archdiocese are Hispanic.
“Luis will continue to have many, many friends here at the archdiocese, and I know his career will be one of service both to his Catholic faith and the wider community,” said Archbishop Chaput.
Soto’s replacement has not been named. Msgr. Juan Jorge De los Santos, vicar for Hispanic ministry, will oversee operations in the interim.
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