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Faith formation
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As we walk with the parishes and each of you during this time of pandemic, we continue to offer various opportunities for your enrichment and growth in our Catholic faith. Below are some of the opportunities that are available at the diocesan level in coordination with the parishes.
Instituto San Agustín — Programa de Formación Pastoral y Liderazgo de Kalamazoo (ISAK)/(Hispanic Pastoral Leadership Formation Program) — During the pandemic, ISAK continued with classes for its 80 students through Zoom. Before the pandemic, the group would meet in Kalamazoo, which is the central location for most of the students. Now, after three years of formation, 2017-2020, some 80 students will graduate before the end of the year. This is a very diverse group of students who come from three different dioceses. The first diocese is our own Diocese of Kalamazoo, which has students from Battle Creek, Bronson, Niles, Sturgis, South Haven, Fennville, Kalamazoo and Hartford. The second and third dioceses that participated are the Diocese of Grand Rapids and the Diocese of Lansing. Most of the students have roots from Mexico but there are also students from Nicaragua, Cuba, Guatemala and the United States.
ISAK was formed in 2011 with the purpose of educating and preparing lay leaders. It is a three-year intermediate program with professors from the local, regional and national levels. With this 2020 graduation, the doors are now open for a fourth group, 2020-2023, which will now begin in mid-October. If you wish to enroll in ISAK, please contact your pastor. Even though you may have missed the first class, you can still enroll in the program and begin with the second class which will be on Nov. 21. If you have questions, you can also speak to the program coordinator, Dr. Angelica Valdes, at [email protected] or leave a message at 269.903.0155.
Classes through the University of Dayton — The University of Dayton has awarded a scholarship to the Diocese of Kalamazoo to be a member of the university. With the scholarship awarded, the University of Dayton provides an opportunity for Hispanic leaders of our diocese to take courses in Spanish at a low cost and earn credit hours. These courses are virtual and are offered during different times of the year. In addition to the professor, the participants have a person who guides them throughout the course. Since April, around 80 leaders from across our diocese have taken advantage of this opportunity. The next cycle will start in November. If you have questions or would like to know more about the courses through the University of Dayton, please contact your pastor or you can also contact Sister Maryud Cortes at [email protected] or leave a message at 269.903.0209 or 269.903.0197.
En el Camino — Faith Formation Program for Parents — Like schools, the pandemic affected the teaching of religious education in the parishes. To assist the parishes that wish to participate, the Secretariat for Parish Life and Lay Leadership has created a virtual program to assist parishes with faith formation. This program is available in English, called The Way; for Spanish-speaking parents, there is a program in Spanish called En el Camino. En el Camino is designed to help parents teach their children the faith. It contains videos that are an introduction to each topic and as well as the content material. Although the program also contains homework in Spanish, the parishes can use the homework provided by The Way for the children/youth. Visit the Diocese of Kalamazoo’s web page to view both programs www.diokzoo.org.
Virtual Diocesan Retreat for Men — Another great opportunity that we are offering is for men; we want to invite you to the first virtual diocesan retreat in Spanish that will take place on Nov. 14. We hope that many men who wish to give themselves an opportunity for spiritual and human growth will participate. For more information contact the person who is in charge of this event at your parish or at the diocese you can contact Sister Maryud Cortes at [email protected] or leave a message at 269.903.0209 or 269.903.0197. You can also send an email to Maria Trumm at [email protected].
Migrant Ministry — And finally, what greater enrichment of our faith is that of a missionary disciple, just as Jesus has shown us. During the summer, join the migrant ministry of your parish. This ministry visits the camps that are in the nine counties of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, about 300 camps. Every summer migrant workers come to work in the harvest of these camps. The people are called migrants because they travel from state to state following the harvest season.
This is a beautiful ministry of listening and sharing and a great opportunity to meet your neighbor who is only here for the summer. Contact your parish or if your parish does not have this ministry, call the diocesan office of Hispanic Ministry for more information.
If you have any questions about any of the opportunities we have available for the enrichment of your faith, talk to your pastor or contact the Office of Hispanic Ministry at 269.903.0197, [email protected] or [email protected].
