Workshops for those who work with intercultural ministries

July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.


The diocesan Department of Pastoral Planning-Hispanic Ministry is sponsoring a series of workshops designed for all Church ministers wishing to more effectively serve the people of God, no matter their ethnicity or cultural differences.

Clergy and religious, lay ecclesial ministers and volunteers are invited to the “Building Intercultural Competency for Ministers” program to be conducted in the Holy Family worship site of St. Mary of the Lake Parish, Lakewood, Feb. 20 and 27 in both English and Spanish (separately), and in St. Isaac Jogues Parish, Marlton, April 2 and 9 in English only.

Each workshop, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., will offer a five-module presentation by a slate of speakers trained by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Topics will offer keen insights on what it means to serve in the multicultural atmosphere of the Church today: an analysis of the Church’s identity and mission to evangelize; an understanding of culture and how it works; intercultural communication in pastoral settings; an examination of obstacles which impede relations, and integration, not assimilation, of different cultures with hospitality, reconciliation and mission.

In a March, 2015 interview with The Monitor, Terry Ginther, executive director of the Office of Pastoral Life and Mission, intercultural competency consists of transferable skills that can be applied in a variety of arenas, whether it be the Church, a Little League field, a medical setting or other aspects of daily life.

At the Feb. 20 and 27 English workshops, presenters will include Father Rene Pulgarin, pastor of Christ the Redeemer Parish, Mount Holly, and liaison for the diocesan Hispanic community; Gerald Charmant, minister to the diocesan Haitian community, and Grace Conte, lay ecclesial minister. Spanish-language presenters include Father Jorge Bedoya, parochial vicar in St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton; Deacon Raul Pamplona of the Diocese of Paterson; Sandra Lόpez, diocesan coordinator of Hispanic Ministry Initiatives, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Ruth Bolarte, director of Multi-Cultural Ministries for the Diocese of Metuchen.

Presenters at the April 2 and 9 workshops will include Father Charles Muorah, parochial vicar in St. Isaac Jogues Parish; Mary Neary, director of ministries and adult faith formation coordinator in Sacred Heart Parish, Riverton, and Charmant.

Registration is $15 and includes lunch and a workbook. Financial assistance is available. For more information and to register, contact Sandra Lόpez at 609-403-7138 or [email protected].

St. Mary of the Lake Parish’s Holy Family worship site is located at 1141 E. County Line Road, Lakewood. St. Isaac Jogues Parish is located at 349 Evesboro-Medford Rd., Marlton. 

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The diocesan Department of Pastoral Planning-Hispanic Ministry is sponsoring a series of workshops designed for all Church ministers wishing to more effectively serve the people of God, no matter their ethnicity or cultural differences.

Clergy and religious, lay ecclesial ministers and volunteers are invited to the “Building Intercultural Competency for Ministers” program to be conducted in the Holy Family worship site of St. Mary of the Lake Parish, Lakewood, Feb. 20 and 27 in both English and Spanish (separately), and in St. Isaac Jogues Parish, Marlton, April 2 and 9 in English only.

Each workshop, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., will offer a five-module presentation by a slate of speakers trained by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Topics will offer keen insights on what it means to serve in the multicultural atmosphere of the Church today: an analysis of the Church’s identity and mission to evangelize; an understanding of culture and how it works; intercultural communication in pastoral settings; an examination of obstacles which impede relations, and integration, not assimilation, of different cultures with hospitality, reconciliation and mission.

In a March, 2015 interview with The Monitor, Terry Ginther, executive director of the Office of Pastoral Life and Mission, intercultural competency consists of transferable skills that can be applied in a variety of arenas, whether it be the Church, a Little League field, a medical setting or other aspects of daily life.

At the Feb. 20 and 27 English workshops, presenters will include Father Rene Pulgarin, pastor of Christ the Redeemer Parish, Mount Holly, and liaison for the diocesan Hispanic community; Gerald Charmant, minister to the diocesan Haitian community, and Grace Conte, lay ecclesial minister. Spanish-language presenters include Father Jorge Bedoya, parochial vicar in St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton; Deacon Raul Pamplona of the Diocese of Paterson; Sandra Lόpez, diocesan coordinator of Hispanic Ministry Initiatives, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Ruth Bolarte, director of Multi-Cultural Ministries for the Diocese of Metuchen.

Presenters at the April 2 and 9 workshops will include Father Charles Muorah, parochial vicar in St. Isaac Jogues Parish; Mary Neary, director of ministries and adult faith formation coordinator in Sacred Heart Parish, Riverton, and Charmant.

Registration is $15 and includes lunch and a workbook. Financial assistance is available. For more information and to register, contact Sandra Lόpez at 609-403-7138 or [email protected].

St. Mary of the Lake Parish’s Holy Family worship site is located at 1141 E. County Line Road, Lakewood. St. Isaac Jogues Parish is located at 349 Evesboro-Medford Rd., Marlton. 

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