Faithful learn to create engaging ‘culture of vocations’ at workshop

Rhonda Gruenewald, founder of Vocation Ministry, presented Hundredfold, a vocations workshop for 67 parishioners of the Paterson Diocese on April 20 at St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison. They learned how to start a vocation ministry in their own parishes to “build a culture of vocations.” The workshop ran as two concurrent sessions — one in English by Gruenewald and another in Spanish by Leticia Ramirez, also of Vocation Minis­try and the mother of two priests. The event began with Mass celebrated by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. It also included a reflection on priesthood by Father Edward Rama, diocesan vocations director, and a holy hour led by Father Charles Lana, assistant vocations director and parochial vicar of Holy Family Parish in Florham Park. On March 5 at St. Paul’s, Gruenewald spoke to 50 priests about the need to promote vocations. Then, participating priests returned to their parishes and invited members to attend the April 20 workshop.