The novices of the St. Barnabas community, Br. Abi Santiago, Br. Thomas Sulaimanee, Br. Björn Lie, and Br. Nikolaos Roussopoulos, participated in an Inter-Formation Program weekend held April 17 to 19 in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.

The three-day workshop, titled Culture of Encounter, focused on how digital media and social platforms can become meaningful spaces for evangelization and connection. Inspired by last year’s Jubilee of Digital Missionaries and Pope Francis’s invitation to share hope in the digital world, the program explored how the Church can accompany people in today’s digital culture.

Throughout the weekend, participants reflected on ways to engage audiences who primarily communicate through digital media, especially social platforms. The workshop introduced practical tools and strategies for sharing the Gospel online while fostering authentic encounters rooted in faith.

The novices joined participants from several other religious communities, including the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, the Sisters of Notre Dame, and the Congregation of Holy Cross. Together, the group explored how emerging digital tools can help bring people closer to God while strengthening the Church’s presence in the digital world.

For the novices of the St. Barnabas community, the weekend offered an opportunity to deepen their understanding of evangelization in today’s culture while learning alongside other religious communities committed to sharing the message of hope and faith with new generations.