Spanish-speaking Catholics from Bloomington, Peru, LaSalle, Mendota, Peoria, Seneca and Streator gathered at Nazareth House in rural Henry last weekend to celebrate the Year of Faith by reflecting on “Faith in Christ and His Church.”

The retreat — conducted completely in Spanish — included Masses, the sacrament of reconciliation, eucharistic adoration, a rosary procession on the retreat house grounds, talks by the permanent deacons serving the Latino community and the Sisters of the Sacred Heart and of the Poor, and small group discussions. Several individuals also shared their own stories of faith.

Breaks were filled with movement and music, led by musicians from St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria, Holy Cross Church in Mendota, and St. Mary Church in DePue.

In her talk, Sister Marina Ramirez Meza, HSCP, encouraged her listeners to seek out the Lord in prayer throughout the day and to look for Jesus in the people around them, especially the poor and marginalized. She reminded them that Scripture is a good way to get to know Jesus since he reveals who he is there and said the sacraments are wonderful ways to encounter God.

In the end, God lives inside each of us, she said. “It depends on us how we want to live, how we want to spend our day, how we want to spend our life.”

Father Kevin Creegan, pastor of St. Mary in DePue, provided spiritual direction for the retreat and celebrated the liturgies. Offering leadership for the weekend was Hector Diaz, a member of Holy Cross in Mendota, who is pictured above leading a spirited musical break between talks.