The diocesan Department of Catechesis is sponsoring a Lenten retreat day, “Prayer, Fasting and Works of Service,” for all parish Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults team members, elect and candidates April 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mother of Mercy Parish’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel Campus in Asbury Park.

“Each Lent, the Diocese offers a retreat to help elect and candidates prepare for the Sacraments they will receive at the Easter Vigil,” said Stephen Bulvanoski, diocesan RCIA coordinator. In addition to the customary prayer aspects of the retreat, he noted this year teens are invited to participate, and all attendees will have the opportunity to participate in works of service. “Almsgiving can be carried over into their daily lives,” Bulvanoski said.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and two keynote speakers, Father Robert Kaeding and Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Ruth Bolarte, will address the attendees beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Father Kaeding attended Seton Hall University, South Orange, and Assumption College, Worcester, Mass., earning a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and a graduate degree in French literature. He prepared for the priesthood in St. Francis Seminary, Loretto, Pa., and was ordained in 1973. In addition to his various parish assignments in the Diocese, Father Kaeding served as chaplain in the Monmouth County Detention Center, Freehold, and was assigned to a three-year term as director of the new diocesan Office of Parish Life. In 1992, he founded The Center in Asbury Park to serve people living with HIV/AIDS. He continues to lead The Center while serving as pastor of Precious Blood Parish, Monmouth Beach.

Sister Ruth earned degrees in theology rom Immaculata University, Immaculata, Pa., and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa. She received her doctorate in ministry from The Catholic University of America, Washington. Sister Ruth has served on local, diocesan and national boards ministering to the Hispanic community, and currently serves as director of the Office of Multi-Cultural Ministry for the Diocese of Metuchen.

In addition to presentations by Father Kaeding and Sister Ruth, there will be witness talks by people who serve the poor of Asbury Park, talks on prayer and fasting and time for prayer in various reflective settings.

Opportunities for service in the Asbury Park area will commence following lunch at noon, including assistance in the Mother of Mercy Parish food pantry, which serves approximately 150 families each week, and aid to the residents of The Center, which houses about 25 homeless men with HIV/AIDS.

Attendees are encouraged to solicit donations of new white socks, T-shirts and boxer shorts for the residents of The Center and take the items with them to the retreat.

All team members of RCIA parish programs are encouraged to attend along with their elect and candidates during which “they can journey together and strengthen their own faith,” Bulvanoski said.

Registration is $15 per person, including a light breakfast and lunch, and must be completed by March 29. Send a check payable to the Diocese of Trenton to 701 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, N.J. 08648, attention Doreen Griffin-Gallway. Include the names of those who will attend, their parish, email address, and whether they prefer to attend the presentations in English or Spanish. To register online with credit cards, see dioceseoftrenton.org/events/rcia-lenten-retreat.

Mother of Mercy Parish is located at 1201 Asbury Ave., Asbury Park.