Recognizing that a critical element in the ministry of evangelization involves people of all cultures working and serving together to further the mission of the Church, the Diocese of Trenton will offer the “Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers” series. The workshops can help people enhance their skills and knowledge on multicultural awareness.

The training sessions, conducted in Spanish, will be offered Oct. 7 and 14 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Our Lady of the Angels Parish’s St. Joachim Church, 20-56 Butler Street, Trenton.

Sandra Lopez, diocesan coordinator of Hispanic Ministries, noted that any parishes that are interested in offering BICM in English are welcome to contact her at 609-403-7138 or [email protected].

The BICM program has been offered since 2013 in various parishes around the Diocese. Based on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ multicultural training program, BICM is designed to give clergy, pastoral ministers and parish leaders the opportunity to achieve a basic level of awareness and proficiency for working effectively across cultures according to the five guidelines recommended by the USCCB Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church. Participants will learn to define culture and identify ways in which culture influences communication. They will also learn to identify effective pastoral responses, principles and practices that will contribute and shape ministry in intercultural settings.

The five modules of training will include: Module 1 – framing issues of diversity theologically in terms of the Church’s identity and mission to evangelize; Module 2 – seeking an understanding of culture and how it works; Module 3 – developing intercultural communication skills in pastoral settings; Module 4 – expanding one’s knowledge of the obstacles which impede effective  intercultural relations; and Module 5 – fostering ecclesial integration rather than assimilation in Church settings with a spirituality of hospitality, reconciliation and mission.

Clergy, religious and lay ministers from the Diocese and from neighboring dioceses will present the workshop. All are experienced, have served in multicultural ministry settings and have been trained to present BICM. Participants must pre-register and attend both sessions in order to complete the training. Registration is $25, which includes a workbook, and lunch is provided.

For more information, and to register, contact Lopez.