ASHEVILLE — St. Eugene Church hosted a bilingual Global Solidarity and Parish Social Ministry Capacity Building Retreat March 10, jointly sponsored by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte and Catholic Relief Services.
Latino and Anglo parishioners from seven parishes in the Asheville, Hickory and Smoky Mountain Vicariates celebrated in song, prayer and mealtime fellowship, and heard presentations on such topics as: Global Solidarity Engagement in the Parish, Human Trafficking-Domestic and Global Perspectives, and Sharing the Journey with Migrants. Keynote presenters were Deacon Robert Vigil, director of pastoral outreach for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and a CRS Global Fellow, and Mercy Sister Rose Marie Tresp, director of justice for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas South Central Community.
Pictured: Retreatants and presenters joined together to promote the two-year long “Share the Journey – Love Your Neighbor!” campaign of Caritas Internationals in support of migrants and refugees that was launched by Pope Francis last fall. Learn more about this campaign at www.sharejourney.org and find resources available in English and Spanish.
— Joseph T. Purello