The Year of Faith diocesan celebration at Divine Mercy Parish in Vineland on Oct. 25 included a procession of all of the flags of the Latin American and Caribbean countries and the United States flag, representing the Hispanic cultures coming together in one country. Above, worshippers carry a poster with the flag of Costa Rica. Right photo: Bishop Dennis Sullivan greets children after Mass.
Photos by Alan M. Dumoff
As main celebrant to the liturgy marking the Hispanic diocesan celebration of the Year of Faith at Divine Mercy Parish in Vineland on Oct. 25, Bishop Dennis Sullivan reflected on how Catholic Hispanics in the Diocese of Camden are “Viviendo el regalo da la Fe,” “Living the gift of faith,” and sharing it with others.
With 800 gathered in the church, representing the 24 Hispanic parish ministries in the Diocese of Camden, the celebration for the Year of Faith continued Pope Benedict’s invitation in his Apostolic Letter Porta Fidei to have “an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord,” and “profess the faith in fullness and with renewed conviction, with confidence and hope.”
Beginning on Oct. 11, 2012, the Year of Faith will conclude on Nov. 24 of this year.
Preceding the 7:30 p.m. Mass was a concert performed by members of the diocesan Hispanic music ministry; a procession of all of the flags of the Latin American and Caribbean countries and the United States flag, representing the Hispanic cultures coming together in one country; and the procession of the banners of the 24 Hispanic parish ministries in the diocese.
At the end of the liturgy, Bishop Sullivan said a special blessing for the members of the Hispanic Ministry Commission, acknowledging and encouraging their work to spread the Gospel.
“Even though we come from different countries or parishes,” said Andres Arango, the Bishop’s Delegate for Hispanics in the Diocese of Camden, “we are a family of faith here in South Jersey.”