Lenten family encounter brings thousands together

IC photo/Laura Vallejo

Photo 1 of 2

DRAPER — Nearly 1,300 Hispanic Catholics gathered at Juan Diego Catholic High School March 23-24 to celebrate the VI Family Charismatic Lent Encounter.

During the two-day event under the theme “Families Rescued Through Christ’s Blood (Familias Rescatadas pro la Sangre de Cristo),” Catholics from all over the Diocese of Salt Lake City learned, lived and enjoyed singing, prayer, worship, a Holy Hour, Penance services, reflections and Masses.

The people were divided by age group. Almost 200 children ages 5 to 10 years old received catechism from the charismatic servants from St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Logan.

Under the direction of Delia Perez, the charismatic servants presented talks, prayers and entertainment targeted to the children.

“The parents come here to learn, and on this occasion so did their kids,” said Dulce Garcia, a St. Thomas Aquinas parishioner who was in charge of registering the children.

Another 200 youth, those from 11 to 18 years old, had the opportunity to hear from some of their peers from San Diego, Calif.

Daniel Godinez, Javier Ornelas Ramirez and Yolanda Osuna told their life stories and gave talks specifically for the local youth.

“These presenters are very involved with the charismatic youth movements in San Diego. When youth come to preach to youth, the lines of communication are more open,” said Deacon Honorio Moreno, the diocesan coordinator of the charismatic renewal.

For him, educating, preaching, planting and caring for the seed of God’s love in the youth is very important in today’s world.

“We are really worried for our youth,” he said. “There are lots of negative things going on in our world. … We are really happy that the youth are here – that they are opening their hearts to God.”

Deacon Moreno said that they want all the youth to know that they care for them, that they are there for them.

“We need to form them. They are the future of our Church. … We want to give them positive options for their lives,” Deacon Moreno said.

Going together as families to these retreats is important because together the family welcomes God into their lives, said Veronica Cruz, a charismatic servant from Saint Francis Xavier Parish in Kearns.

“Being on the same road together, we accompany each other, listening to God and learning from him,” Cruz said.

During the encounter, Father Juan Navarro from the Diocese of Orange, Calif., Carlos and Monica Salazar from the Diocese of San Diego, and some youth participants  from San Diego, presented talks such as “Lent: A Time to Confirm the Calling to Sainthood,” and  “Strengthening the Bonds of Unity in the Families with the Holy Spirit,” among others.

“This is the first time that we, as a family, have come to this type of retreat,” said Mirna Hernandez, from Orem. “I feel renewed, happy, and I feel that I can guide my family better to God’s love.”