NEW YORK — Spots are still open for participants in this year’s JPIC Local Contacts Retreat. The annual gathering of representatives from the Province’s nearly 40 ministries is being held June 25 to 27 at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center near Greensboro, N.C.
As in the past, the weekend retreat will include sharing of plans, challenges and best practices regarding justice, peace and integrity of creation programs.
“Each of our ministries offers a unique perspective and together we can create a stronger and more effective JPIC plan for our Province,” said Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, in an April 15 letter to guardians and pastors that was mailed with a retreat flyer and registration form.
Participation in this year’s retreat is “especially important as we will be planning for Chapter 2011,” said Russell Testa, director of the Province’s JPIC Office.
“I found last year’s retreat to be very informative,” said HNP communications director Jocelyn Thomas, who attended the event in New Jersey. “The enthusiasm and dedication of the participants were impressive.”
Information about the event is available through the Province’s JPIC Office. Testa and Fran Eskin-Royer, senior staff assistant, at 202-527-7561 or jpic@hnp.org.
A cost of $120 includes all meals, board and materials. Though the JPIC Office encourages parishes to cover their own transportation expenses, a flyer for the event states: “We will do what we can to help those with financial hardship.”