Archbishop Nelson Perez, seen here at his Feb. 18 installation Mass with young adults he mentored while a Philadelphia pastor, will provide a reflection for participants in a May 30 online retreat for Hispanic young adults sponsored by the Office for Hispanic Catholics. (Photo by Gina Christian)

By Gina Christian • Posted May 29, 2020

Archbishop Nelson Perez will offer a reflection and conversation with Hispanic young adults throughout the Archdiocese as part of a May 30 retreat that will take place online due to current COVID-19 restrictions.

“Retiro Virtual Juvenil: Iglesia Viva” will be livestreamed from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. through the Facebook page of the Office for Hispanic Catholics, which is sponsoring the gathering.

The office provides a wide array of pastoral services to the archdiocese’s roughly 82,000 registered Catholics of either Latino or Hispanic origin.

That outreach includes a vibrant ministry to youth and young adults, whose spiritual needs can vary widely, according to director Kathia Arango.

“For those who don’t speak English, outreach has to be in Spanish – and not just the Mass,” she said. “Catechesis, evangelization and prayer groups have to be in their own language.”

Youth already fluent in English and in American culture “need somebody to welcome them, and then somebody to walk with them,” said Arango.

Lucia and Ricardo Luzondo from EWTN’s “Creados por Amor” will serve as guest speakers at the retreat, and Philadelphia Auxiliary Bishop Edward Deliman will deliver the event’s final remarks and blessing.

For more information and to participate in the retreat, visit the Facebook page of the Office for Hispanic Catholics.