Thirty-six diocesan and parish staff working in Hispanic Ministry throughout the Diocese of Camden recently joined Bishop Dennis Sullivan, and over 3,000 of their counterparts from over 100 dioceses, in a two-day National V Encuentro virtual event.
In step with past parish, diocesan, regional, and national V Encuentro gatherings, this year’s Oct. 9-10 program saw clergy, lay leaders, and young adults celebrate their Hispanic heritage and discuss best practices in creating missionary disciples in the Hispanic community.
Along with Bishop Sullivan “encouraging us in our ministry,” said Andres Arango, Bishop’s Delegate for Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Camden, other national leaders, such as Archbishop Nelson Perez of Philadelphia and Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, were present during the event. The schedule included national and breakout sessions, a presentation by exhibitors and a dialogue between Bishop Sullivan and the diocesan delegation.
Specifically, the conversation of the diocesan participants centered on eight priorities for Hispanics in South Jersey to focus on in the next decade: youth and young adults; vocations; Catholic schools; immigration; family life; evangelization; social services; and the formation of leaders.
“It was great to see the enthusiasm of our faithful missionary disciples, serving our communities with a prophetic vision of the future in Hispanic ministry,” Arango said.