This year’s Camden Diocesan Summer in the City program, traditionally a week-long sleepaway service experience for the young church, is going virtual next week, courtesy of COVID-19.
In Augusts past, the retreat would include youth spending their days living out the works of mercy (such as visiting the sick or feeding the hungry), and spending their evenings in reflection and prayer.
This year, from Aug. 17-21, the virtual Summer in the City will comprise previously-shot video, followed by live Zoom reflections.
Although the young church can’t gather physically, the videos and Zoom sessions will be “opportunities to learn about the program, reflect and pray with and for our brothers and sisters in need,” said Jose Rodriguez, director of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries.
Contained in next week’s four videos will be footage of youth performing the works of mercy throughout South Jersey, and conversations with them about their experience. The videos focus on a visit to a Salem County farm and picking crops to feed the hungry; work at a Vineland food pantry; serving the homeless at Atlantic City’s Father Benedict House; and a beautification project at Berlin’s Saint Simon Stock Parish.
One video will be uploaded each afternoon from Monday to Thursday, with a live Zoom discussion with Rodriguez, youth and guests. On Friday, there will be a live-streamed prayer experience with Father Josh Nevitt, parochial vicar at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Absecon.
For more information, or to register for next week’s virtual Summer in the City, contact Jose Rodriguez at 856-583-2908, or at jose.rodriguez@camdendiocese.org
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