Earlier this month, 80 individuals from all over South Jersey currently in lay ministry formation took part in the annual IMEC (Instituto de Ministerio Eclesial de Camden) retreat at Vineland’s Saint John Paul II Retreat Center.
IMEC is a three-year Spanish-language formation program for those seeking a foundation in theology, spiritual formation, and catechesis, with the goal of ministering to Hispanic Catholics.
The May 12 gathering included presentations on discerning the path of ministry, and becoming missionary disciples for Christ; music by Jose Rodriguez, diocesan coordinator of Hispanic, Youth & Young Adult Ministries; and Eucharist Adoration led by Father John Jairo Franco Cardenas of Saint Clare of Assisi, Swedesboro.
“This retreat is a key component of their formation program,” noted Andres Arango, Bishop’s Delegate for Hispanic Ministry, who was pleased to see “Hispanics from different areas of the diocese deepen their relationship with Jesus. They were able to discern their call and to be empower to serve as missionary disciples.”