BLACKWOOD – Maria Michaca smiled as she handed a bouquet of flowers to her mother and gave her a big, warm hug.
Her mother, Paulina Ramirez, held an IMEC certificate in hand, having just completed her first year of the Instituto de Ministerio Eclesial de Camden – the Diocese’s three-year lay ministry formation program that equips Hispanic Catholics for service in their parishes and communities.
“She’s a great example to me and my four kids, who go to Mass with her every Sunday,” Michaca said.
Ramirez was one of the 125 IMEC students who gathered Aug. 6 at Saint Jude Church, Our Lady of Hope Parish, to celebrate the completion of courses. The evening included Mass, the presentation of certificates, words of congratulations from Bishop Dennis Sullivan and dinner.
PHOTO GALLERY: IMEC CERTIFICATES AND CELEBRATION MASS
Comprising Levels 1, 2 and 3, IMEC instructs women and men in areas such as Scripture, theology, spirituality and pastoral skills. Participants can earn a diocesan certificate in catechetics or pastoral ministry through these courses.
The IMEC program has been a transformative journey for Ramirez, of Saint Gabriel the Archangel Parish, Carneys Point. “I feel so blessed. Thanks to my priests and teachers, I can feel His love.”
The fruits of the past year go even further for Ramirez’s family, as evidenced in her daughter’s future plans. “She’s now inspired me to sign up for IMEC,” Michaca said of her mother.
Praising the IMEC graduates, Bishop Sullivan recognized “all the sacrifices you have made to complete this program of study, growing in faith to know better, follow better and love better our Jesus.”
He expressed hope that the IMEC graduates will “reach out to others [and] help them get to know the truth of our Lord,” not only through their words, “but because of the way you live.”
“You are agents of evangelization. … May you be present to your pastors in your parishes, to assist them in their work [in creating communities] filled with the Holy Spirit,” Bishop Sullivan said.
Joining the Bishop for Mass were Father René Canales and Father Ricardo Lozano, pastor and parochial vicar, respectively, of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine, Lindenwold; and Deacon Pedro Espinal of Mary, Queen of All Saints Parish, Pennsauken.
One of those already energizing his parish was Paul Martinez, from the Parish of Saint Monica, Atlantic City. Martinez, who earned his Level 3 certificate, said he is thankful for the program in giving him a deeper understanding of the Church. A ministry leader in his parish as a guitarist, Martinez said he also appreciated the community of believers IMEC has connected him to.
“We all motivate and support one another as we grow and learn about Jesus together,” he said.
Mariela Hernandez, a Level One graduate, celebrated her achievement with her husband, mother and two children.
“Today is amazing; I’m so proud,” she said.
Born and raised Catholic, Hernandez admits she “got lost along the way.” She credits IMEC for helping to bring her back to the Church and realize that “it’s important to read the Bible and share it with my family. I want to bring all of the faith that I can to them, so they can start loving God.”
Her daughter, Angie, has seen a marked change in Hernandez. “My mom’s been happier since starting IMEC, and I’m happy for her. Maybe one day, I’ll join her in taking classes,” she said.
Andrés Arango, Bishop’s Delegate for Hispanic Ministry and director of evangelization in the Diocese of Camden, said it’s the witness of individuals like Ramirez and Hernandez that demonstrate the importance of IMEC.
“These members of the young Church are seeing their parents completing an important goal, and I hope it motivates them to work hard, do well in school and contribute to society,” he said.
Of the graduates who have either finished their IMEC journey or are moving on to the next level, he said, “I’m confident that they will continue to grow in their relationship with God and use the tools they’ve learned through IMEC to evangelize in their communities.”
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