Mission & History

Mission:

MACC’s mission is to empower and educate leaders for service in a culturally diverse Church and society by offering a biliterate, multicultural formation program that can lead to a college
degree in Pastoral Ministry.


MACC’s mission is accomplished through the following core purposes:

  1. offering biliterate, educational and ministry formation programs – including language
    and cultural studies – that meet the pastoral priorities of the U.S. Catholic Church,
    especially for leadership in Hispanic Ministry;
  2. conducting interdisciplinary research, publish resources, provide ministry formation certificates, offer specialized training, and promote continuing education;
  3. conferring post-secondary degrees of higher education in theology and religious studies, namely the Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, and Master of Arts degrees in Pastoral Ministry, that are offered consistent with the teachings of the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church, and in accordance with the exemption granted by the State of Texas from Chapter 132.002(a)(2) of the Texas Education Code;
  4. providing other educational and charitable services that meet the strategic goals set by the Board of Trustees and that continue MACC’s historical commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Church’s teachings on the sacredness of human life, peace, justice, respect for cultural diversity, and public policies that promote the common good.

History:

MACC began as the Mexican American Cultural Center in 1972, at a time of social change and renewal in the Catholic Church following Vatican Council II. Mexican Americans and other minorities joined the struggle for civil rights in the 1960s and 1970s—risking security, reputation, and life itself to ensure liberty and justice for all. Many Mexican Americans took pride in their identity as American citizens with strong cultural roots, resisting the assimilation of their treasured Spanish language and Mexican traditions.


Within this social context and in response to the call of the Second Vatican Council, MACC was established as the first pastoral center dedicated to researching the Mexican American religious and social experience, fostering leadership, and promoting understanding and appreciation of
cultural diversity in the Church and society. What began as a very specific mission soon became a model for other Hispanic pastoral centers around the country and a key resource for translations, innovative programs, and the development of Hispanic Ministry in the U.S.

In the following decades, MACC embraced a broader mission to foster unity in the culturally diverse Church and society of the United States. MACC achieved accreditation for its ministry
formation program in Hispanic and Multicultural Ministry from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1998. Through a very successful capital campaign, MACC’s beautiful new campus and facilities opened in the spring of 2000. Over the course of more than five decades, thousands of students have benefitted from MACC’s specialized programs. Historically, MACC has contributed in meaningful ways to the National Encuentro process—including Encuentro 2000 and more recently the V Encuentro, the proceedings of which are available online and represented in the USCCB’s revised National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry. For many years, as an institution MACC has been committed to youth and young adult ministries in the renewal of the Church. Alumni of MACC’s programs presently currently serve as bishops, priests, deacons, diocesan directors, lay ecclesial ministers and in other leadership positions throughout the country and abroad.


In 2008, MACC reorganized as a Catholic college in order to meet the growing needs in Hispanic Ministry for biliterate theological education at the post-secondary level. MACC has degree-granting authority through an exemption from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rules and regulations, because it is primarily a religious institution of Higher Education. MACC also holds certification from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to sponsor student visas and is approved by the Veteran’s Administration to train veterans and other eligible persons.


To fulfill its historic mission, MACC operates in solidarity and close partnership with the University of the Incarnate Word, Oblate School of Theology, Assumption Seminary, and other institutions of higher education and ministry formation. Since 2011, the College has also collaborated with the Archdiocese of San Antonio to offer an academic certificate designed to educate permanent deacons. Since that time, MACC, the Archdiocese of San Antonio, and the
University of Incarnate Word established the Institute for Lay Ecclesial Ministry and Service in 2020, with the purpose of forming parish and lay ecclesial ministers. Through its distance learning programs established in 2017, MACC continues to offer dynamic, immersive coursework beyond San Antonio. Today, as in years past, MACC’s faculty teach in workshops and conferences throughout the country and in international settings.

Catholic Identity:

MACC’s Catholic identity is integral to every dimension of the institution—its mission, goals, curriculum, library, research agenda, and community life. MACC’s Catholic identity is a living reality that is expressed in relationships of mutual respect, daily prayer, and frequent celebration of the Eucharist. Further, MACC has an institutional commitment to social justice and global solidarity, intercultural living, and an ongoing dialogue between faith and reason. Together, MACC’s teachers and students seek the truth that leads to a deeper encounter with Jesus Christ.

As an independent Catholic institution of higher learning, MACC is committed to upholding academic freedom and integrity. MACC’s governance and administration are carried out in faithful union with the Archbishop of San Antonio, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and the Holy See. In the spirit of Ex Corde Ecclesiae and the USCCB’s published guidelines for its implementation, MACC requires all faculty who teach “Catholic theological disciplines” to seek a mandatum from the Archbishop of San Antonio, to sign a profession of faith, and to pledge an oath of fidelity as suggested by the motu proprio issued by John Paul II in the Apostolic Letter Ad tuendam fidem.

Finally, in accomplishing its Mission and expressing its Catholic identity, MACC believes:

  • in the dignity, giftedness, power, and leadership potential of each person;
  • in communities where everyone is accepted, respected, and valued;
  • that through developing and claiming one’s faith and culture, personal leadership is deepened, enhanced and empowered;
  • that the gifts of diverse cultures are essential for the fulfillment of human potential;
  • that leaders are to be at the service of the community;
  • that systemic change and peace come when people recognize that they are brothers and sisters to each other.