A weekend of evangelization and formation took place in Vineland for South Jersey’s Hispanic Catholics, courtesy of the diocese’s Hispanic Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
The organization’s seventh annual conference twas held at Divine Mercy Parish in Vineland, and included praise, worship, liturgy and presentations from national Hispanic Catholic leaders.
The Saturday conference, in this Jubilee Year
of Mercy, focused on Pope Francis’ thoughts on forgiveness as the “wellspring of new life and hope.”
Presenters included Deacon Santiago Guerrero of Las Vegas, spiritual director of the Hispanic Renewal in the Pacific Region of the United States; and Andres Arango, the Diocese of Camden’s director of Evangelization and the Bishop’s Delegate for Hispanic Ministry.
Silvia Mariella, a musician from Paraguay, led those gathered in praise and worship, and Father Rene Canales, vicar from Blackwood’s Our Lady of Hope Parish, celebrated Mass for the over 400 faithful in attendance.
Kathia Arango, diocesan coordinator for the Hispanic Catholic Charismatic Renewal said: “In this Year of Mission in Mercy and in preparation for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal’s 50th anniversary, the conference provided us a wonderful opportunity to reflect about our Christian journey. It empowered us to be authentic disciples and missionaries”.
The next day, Hispanic Catholic parish leaders from around South Jersey were brought together for a day of formation that emphasized mission; prayer groups; pastoral leadership; and holiness.
Calling the weekend a “meaningful event, as we prepare for the Jubilee anniversary of the Worldwide Charismatic Renewal next year,” Arango added that attendees found a wider community coming together in Vineland, outside of their local parishes. “We are part of a bigger family,” he said.