Author and educator James B. Stenson was the keynote speaker for the annual Day of Reflection sponsored by the Women’s Commission of the Archdiocese of Newark.

Caldwell- How can Catholic parents and grandparents raise good, faith-filled children in a society opposed to Christian values?

Hope and faith in the Lord are the keys.

Archbishop John J. Myers and educational consultant James B. Stenson delivered this encouraging message at the Day of Reflection sponsored by the Women’s Commission of the Archdiocese of Newark. “The Light of Hope: Christ’s Divine Promise for the Future” was the theme of the event, held March 12 at St. Aloysius Parish, Caldwell.

Providing hospitality, seven students from Trinity Academy, Caldwell, opened doors and warmly greeted visitors.

In the sanctuary just before Mass, singer Valerie Sue Muller and accompanist David Maiullo performed Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria”—creating a prayerful ambience for attendees.

In his homily, the archbishop sketched the battle lines facing the Catholic family. Our society has launched “a full frontal attack on the family, on the dignity of life, and on many other of the most fundamental values on which society is built,” he stated.

“It is wonderful that you meet in hope, a hope which we know is not founded in ourselves or our own power but in the power of God,” the archbishop continued.

If we live according to the Gospel, we will face enemies, just as our Savior and the prophets did, he added.

How should we face this opposition?

Always, we should trust our cause to God, Archbishop Myers said. We also should seek the Blessed Mother’s intercession to be true to our faith and to help “those in our society to understand the true dignity of each human person, the importance and worth of the human family, and … the dignity of each woman,” he said.

Further stressing the value of Marian devotion, the archbishop blessed Rosaries, which later were given to participants.

Concelebrating the Mass were Msgr. Frederick M. Eid; Msgr. Ronald J. Marczewski, pastor of St. Aloysius, and Fathers Stephen J. Toth, Ernest Rush, Thomas D. Nicasto, Jr. and Sylvester Mary Mann, C.F.R. Fathers James M. Sheehan and Michael A. Andreano, vice chancellors of the archdiocese, were Masters of Ceremony. Five young parishioners assisted as altar servers.

“The Mass had such a special feel to it. … People went into Mr. Stenson’s speech very uplifted from the Mass,” said Pamela Swartzberg, chair of the Women’s Commission.

Theresa Zappe, from Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Hackettstown, agreed. “It was a lovely Mass today,” said Zappe, cradling her 10-month-old son David Joseph.

After Mass, participants headed to the gym for Stenson’s address, lunch, a Q&A session and meditative Rosary.

In a talk peppered with anecdotes from history and the lives of holy people, Stenson offered hope for families.

“Ninety percent of what the kids learn that’s important in life is learned at home. And our job as educators is to support” parents and grandparents, said Stenson, a Boston-based educator, author and founder of two schools.

“The real role of parents is to raise their children day by day so that they grow up to become competent, responsible, considerate, generous men and women who are committed to live by Christian principles,” said Stenson.

“Don’t be worried about your children or your grandchildren,” he said. “Keep telling yourself and reminding yourself: ‘God knows what He is doing.’ … Never give up on your children.”

No act of kindness on behalf of any child is wasted, he noted.

Stenson recounted the story of a Catholic who had been away from the Church for 55 years. As the man lay dying in a hospital, memories of his mother praying the Rosary played through his mind. Finally, he asked for a priest, who heard his confession.

Stenson sees reasons for hope for the Church as well. “Whenever the Church has really been in great trouble, God has sent a great pope.”

For our tumultuous era, God chose Pope John Paul II as the ideal shepherd, Stenson asserted. The Holy Father—as philosopher, vigorous, charismatic leader, magnet for the young, multilingual sophisticate and humble man of faith—is uniquely qualified for our times, Stenson said.

Stenson’s message of hope for the family and the Church resonated with the participants (almost all of them women), Swartzberg pointed out.

Two-thirds of attendees filled out evaluation forms. “Virtually all were overwhelmingly positive,” said Swartzberg, a member of the Women’s Commission since January 2003 and its chair since September 2004.

Swartzberg, a stay-at-home mother of five and member of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, Franklin Lakes, drew inspiration from the day. “It is beyond encouraging to be reminded that there are other families like us with small children, and we’re all trying hard to instill the faith in our children.”

Melissa Courter, a member of St. Aloysius and mother of three, was equally pleased. “It was … very encouraging toward what the future might bring.”

Stenson’s talk reinforced what is already going on in the family of Zoraida Bell, a member of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Hoboken, and grandmother of two.

“I am taking care of one of my grandchildren. She’s only 3 years old now,” Bell said. “I show her everything—how to make the Sign of the Cross, how to do different prayers. And she just goes home and tells her mother: ‘Mommy, we’ve got to do the prayers before we go to sleep.’ ”

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