Workshops aim to raise awareness of cultural factors in ministry
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By EmmaLee Italia | Correspondent
In our increasingly diverse society, the ability to communicate, work and relate across cultural boundaries is essential to anyone who wishes to minister in service to God and his Church.
But every Catholic person is a minister in some way, and the call to make disciples and spread the Gospel is shared by every member of the faithful by virtue of his baptism. According to Terry Ginther, executive director of the Office of Pastoral Life and Mission, intercultural competency consists of transferable skills that can bring value to one’s experience on the Little League field, a medical setting and many other daily activities.
In order to build that competency for those in ministry, and anyone who wishes to communicate and understand others better, the Diocese’s Department of Pastoral Planning-Hispanic Ministry Initiatives will sponsor workshops that will help educate participants about ministering to people of many cultures.
Based on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ multicultural training program, Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers – a series of five modules – will be offered April 18 and 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Parish, 121 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank.
The BICM program content will offer attendees an opportunity to achieve a basic awareness and proficiency in intercultural ministry. Participants will learn to define culture, and to identify ways in which culture affects communication. They will identify effective pastoral responses, principals and practices that will contribute to and shape ministry in intercultural settings.
The workshop defines intercultural competence as “the capacity to communicate, work and relate across cultural boundaries,” illustrating the aptitude as a three-legged stool, comprising “attitude, knowledge and skills.” It emphasizes concepts such as “planning with the people, not for the people,” and empowering leadership from within various cultural and ethnic groups.
Presentation materials indicate that an imperative to effective communication is learning how to avoid the pitfalls of prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination. How we behave toward others is affected by our personal values, perceptions, beliefs and attitudes.
Instruction will include how to recognize and affirm cultural, linguistic and racial differences as a gift from God, not a problem to be solved; promoting the formation of culturally specific ministries, parish groups and apostolic movements as a means for conversion and community building; and avoiding the temptation to expect others to assimilate into a one-size- fits-all youth group, program or activity.
BICM training will benefit catechetical leaders, deacons, administrators, business managers, secretaries, music ministers, youth ministers and pastoral associates, as well as all parish ministry volunteers.
The USCCB-trained presenters scheduled for the April 18 workshop are Dr. Catherine Martin and Mary Neary; April 25 presenters will be Matt Davis and Grace Conte.
Dr. Martin is professor of theology at the College of St. Elizabeth, Morristown, and author of “A Conspiracy to Create Joy: Circus Spirituality Beyond the Center Ring.” She ministered for 21 years as a parish director of religious formation; prior to that she was the original co-director of the National RENEW Office.
Neary is director of ministries and adult faith formation coordinator in Sacred Heart Parish, Riverton, as well as a retreat leader and human formation speaker.
Davis, from Millville, is director of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office of Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees. He studied religious studies at Washington University, St. Louis, Mo., and philosophy at Kenrick Glennon Seminary and St. Louis University. He has taught English as a second language in St. Louis, Boston and the Dominican Republic, the latter of which he lived and worked in for 18 months. For six years he helped refugees in Boston secure employment and job training.
Conte was certified as a spiritual director and supervisor of spiritual directors for the Diocese through the Upper Room Spiritual Center, Neptune. She was commissioned as a lay ecclesial minister for the Diocese in 2004, and is also certified in pastoral care. She has certification through the USCCB for training in multicultural competence for ministers. Conte conducts retreats through Georgian Court University, Lakewood, and at parishes throughout the Diocese on spirituality, wellness, prayer and young adult faith formation.
The $15 registration fee includes both lunch and a workbook. Financial assistance will be provided if needed.
For more information and to register, contact Sandra López, 609-403-7138 or [email protected]
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By EmmaLee Italia | Correspondent
In our increasingly diverse society, the ability to communicate, work and relate across cultural boundaries is essential to anyone who wishes to minister in service to God and his Church.
But every Catholic person is a minister in some way, and the call to make disciples and spread the Gospel is shared by every member of the faithful by virtue of his baptism. According to Terry Ginther, executive director of the Office of Pastoral Life and Mission, intercultural competency consists of transferable skills that can bring value to one’s experience on the Little League field, a medical setting and many other daily activities.
In order to build that competency for those in ministry, and anyone who wishes to communicate and understand others better, the Diocese’s Department of Pastoral Planning-Hispanic Ministry Initiatives will sponsor workshops that will help educate participants about ministering to people of many cultures.
Based on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ multicultural training program, Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers – a series of five modules – will be offered April 18 and 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Parish, 121 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank.
The BICM program content will offer attendees an opportunity to achieve a basic awareness and proficiency in intercultural ministry. Participants will learn to define culture, and to identify ways in which culture affects communication. They will identify effective pastoral responses, principals and practices that will contribute to and shape ministry in intercultural settings.
The workshop defines intercultural competence as “the capacity to communicate, work and relate across cultural boundaries,” illustrating the aptitude as a three-legged stool, comprising “attitude, knowledge and skills.” It emphasizes concepts such as “planning with the people, not for the people,” and empowering leadership from within various cultural and ethnic groups.
Presentation materials indicate that an imperative to effective communication is learning how to avoid the pitfalls of prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination. How we behave toward others is affected by our personal values, perceptions, beliefs and attitudes.
Instruction will include how to recognize and affirm cultural, linguistic and racial differences as a gift from God, not a problem to be solved; promoting the formation of culturally specific ministries, parish groups and apostolic movements as a means for conversion and community building; and avoiding the temptation to expect others to assimilate into a one-size- fits-all youth group, program or activity.
BICM training will benefit catechetical leaders, deacons, administrators, business managers, secretaries, music ministers, youth ministers and pastoral associates, as well as all parish ministry volunteers.
The USCCB-trained presenters scheduled for the April 18 workshop are Dr. Catherine Martin and Mary Neary; April 25 presenters will be Matt Davis and Grace Conte.
Dr. Martin is professor of theology at the College of St. Elizabeth, Morristown, and author of “A Conspiracy to Create Joy: Circus Spirituality Beyond the Center Ring.” She ministered for 21 years as a parish director of religious formation; prior to that she was the original co-director of the National RENEW Office.
Neary is director of ministries and adult faith formation coordinator in Sacred Heart Parish, Riverton, as well as a retreat leader and human formation speaker.
Davis, from Millville, is director of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office of Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees. He studied religious studies at Washington University, St. Louis, Mo., and philosophy at Kenrick Glennon Seminary and St. Louis University. He has taught English as a second language in St. Louis, Boston and the Dominican Republic, the latter of which he lived and worked in for 18 months. For six years he helped refugees in Boston secure employment and job training.
Conte was certified as a spiritual director and supervisor of spiritual directors for the Diocese through the Upper Room Spiritual Center, Neptune. She was commissioned as a lay ecclesial minister for the Diocese in 2004, and is also certified in pastoral care. She has certification through the USCCB for training in multicultural competence for ministers. Conte conducts retreats through Georgian Court University, Lakewood, and at parishes throughout the Diocese on spirituality, wellness, prayer and young adult faith formation.
The $15 registration fee includes both lunch and a workbook. Financial assistance will be provided if needed.
For more information and to register, contact Sandra López, 609-403-7138 or [email protected]
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