VINELAND — The annual meeting of the Federation of Pastoral Institutes (FIP) was held recently at the Pope John Paul II Retreat Center, Vineland. The Jan. 17-20 gathering focused largely on leadership and ministry formation.
FIP is an organization which brings together national, regional, diocesan and local institutes engaged in the formation and enrichment of the Hispanic people at all levels. The organization promotes the spirit of the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry, the National Encuentros of Hispanic Ministry, and Encounter and Mission.
Since its founding in 1985, FIP has undertaken several projects in response to the needs and cultural characteristics of the Hispanic/Latino communities. Its most recent contribution being a Manual for Catholic Institutes in Pastoral Formation at the service of the Hispanic community in the USA: Constructores del Presente y Futuro de nuestra Iglesia, 2011
Auxiliary Bishop Felipe J. Estévez of Miami, moderator of the organization, celebrated Mass at the annual meeting. Sister Sonia Avi, associate director of Lifelong Faith Formation for Hispanics, Diocese of Camden, serves as treasurer of the organization.