Serving in Multicultural Communities retreat planned for September

A retreat titled “Navigating Difference: Serving in Multicultural Communities” will be presented by Dr. Daniela Abraham on September 20-22, 2024, at the Saint Meinrad Guest House and Retreat Center, St. Meinrad, IN.

What are the different assumptions we make about others based on their race and cultural background and, more importantly, why do we make them? How do these assumptions affect our behavior? How does this impact our ability to successfully manage intercultural interactions and diverse ministry environments?

This retreat is designed for those who wish to serve in multicultural communities. It will provide a safe place to engage in deep dialogue about issues of race and ethnic relations. Participants will learn through case studies, authentic testimonies, and relevant scholarly material. Even though this retreat will focus mainly on Latino populations, the information and strategies covered can be applied to most multicultural contexts.

Dr. Abraham is an assistant professor at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, where she teaches all levels of Spanish language, Latin American literature and culture, and courses in intercultural and global competence. She previously taught Spanish and international studies at Texas A&M University.

Dr. Abraham has published in the areas of literary and social theory, interracial and interethnic relations, solidarity, cultural competence, and Catholic education. In addition, she has presented papers in many prestigious conferences, such as the American Academy of Religion, the Western Regional Conference on Christianity and Literature, the Society for Latin American Studies at the University of Manchester in England, and the Annual African Conference at the University of Texas in Austin.

She is also a supporter of indigenous rights and co-leads educational retreats to Guatemala for seminarian formation and to bring awareness to issues concerning the K’iche’ people in the rural areas of the country.

The fee for the retreat is $300 for one person, $425 for two, and it includes a guest room and meals. The commuter rate is $150.

For more information and to register, visit www.saintmeinrad.org/retreats or call the Saint Meinrad Guest House and Retreat Center at 812-357-6611.