Kujenga +PLUS retreat scheduled for high school youth
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
The diocesan Department of Multicultural Ministry will sponsor the second Kujenga +PLUS retreat for high school students Jan. 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, 61 Georgia Rd., Freehold.
Kujenga retreats have existed as a way to increase faith and build leadership skills among African American young adults. Kujenga is a Catholic based offering which began in the Archdiocese of Chicago in the 1970s under the guidance of Father Martin J. Carter, who was the director of the archdiocesan Office of Black Ministry. Over the years, Kujenga retreats expanded into other diocese, including the Trenton Diocese.
Last year, the Department of Multicultural Ministry expanded on the concept of the Kujenga retreat by developing the Kujenga +PLUS with the intent of making the retreat a multicultural experience that promotes leadership and unity through service, according to Deanna Sass, director.
“Kujenga is not only for African American Catholic teens, but those of all ethnic, racial and national origins,” she said. “We create the retreat experience as an intentional intercultural community so that teens can break down barriers and build bridges across cultures,” she said.
The activities for Kujenga +PLUS include guest speakers, group activities, faith sharing, prayer and self reflection. The retreat will conclude with Mass to be celebrated by Msgr. Joseph Roldan, rector of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, at 4 p.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Church.
In addition to Sass, the Kujenga +PLUS team members include Matt Greeley, coordinator of the Spanish-language media for the diocesan Office of Communications; Rudy Gomez, diocesan coordinator of youth ministry; Widian Nicola, social worker; Marielena Marroquin, a student in Seton Hall University, South Orange, who is studying to become a lay minister; Gerald Charmant, music minister in Blessed Sacrament-Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd Parish, Trenton, and pastoral associate for outreach to the Haitian Apostolate.
Registration fee is $10 and includes a hot lunch. All participants will receive a certificate of completion. Deadline to register is Jan. 10.
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The diocesan Department of Multicultural Ministry will sponsor the second Kujenga +PLUS retreat for high school students Jan. 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, 61 Georgia Rd., Freehold.
Kujenga retreats have existed as a way to increase faith and build leadership skills among African American young adults. Kujenga is a Catholic based offering which began in the Archdiocese of Chicago in the 1970s under the guidance of Father Martin J. Carter, who was the director of the archdiocesan Office of Black Ministry. Over the years, Kujenga retreats expanded into other diocese, including the Trenton Diocese.
Last year, the Department of Multicultural Ministry expanded on the concept of the Kujenga retreat by developing the Kujenga +PLUS with the intent of making the retreat a multicultural experience that promotes leadership and unity through service, according to Deanna Sass, director.
“Kujenga is not only for African American Catholic teens, but those of all ethnic, racial and national origins,” she said. “We create the retreat experience as an intentional intercultural community so that teens can break down barriers and build bridges across cultures,” she said.
The activities for Kujenga +PLUS include guest speakers, group activities, faith sharing, prayer and self reflection. The retreat will conclude with Mass to be celebrated by Msgr. Joseph Roldan, rector of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, at 4 p.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Church.
In addition to Sass, the Kujenga +PLUS team members include Matt Greeley, coordinator of the Spanish-language media for the diocesan Office of Communications; Rudy Gomez, diocesan coordinator of youth ministry; Widian Nicola, social worker; Marielena Marroquin, a student in Seton Hall University, South Orange, who is studying to become a lay minister; Gerald Charmant, music minister in Blessed Sacrament-Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd Parish, Trenton, and pastoral associate for outreach to the Haitian Apostolate.
Registration fee is $10 and includes a hot lunch. All participants will receive a certificate of completion. Deadline to register is Jan. 10.
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