NEWARK-It would be profoundly accurate to say Dr. Irma Chavez is fluent in many fields: languages, academics, international relations and a broad spectrum of spiritual outreach encounters.

Working with Plainfield-based RENEW International for the past 25 years in areas such as her native El Salvador, Chavez has been to the poorest communities in Central America, spreading the Gospel. Interaction with dangerous young gang members in rural El Salvador is a far cry from her previous role traveling the globe as a diplomat's wife, college professor and poet.

Born to an Irish-American mother and a Nicaraguan/Spanish father in Cojutepeque, El Salvador, Chavez speaks Spanish, English, Italian, French and German. She was educated in Europe, earned a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Bologna, Italy, and master's degree in theology from Saint John's University, New York.

AREA-If you have the faith, compassion and fortitude to do God's work inside the walls of a prison, then please call this phone number: (973) 618-3302. Deacon Gregory Quinn, director of the archdiocesan Office of Prison Ministry, has issued a call for volunteers to priests, deacons, Religious and lay people. The ministry has members ranging in age from 14 to 85 years and needs to expand its ranks to continue its outreach mission.

In a dozen facilities throughout the four counties that comprise the archdiocese there are 12,000 men and women in the prison population; all 12,000 have unique spiritual needs, according to Deacon Quinn. "(Inmates) have an insatiable appetite for learning our devotions, developing a knowledge of our saints and deriving the source of our strength-the Trinity," he declared.

Former Pastor Recalls his Path to Priesthood



While serving as a pastor during the past nine years, Father John D. Gabriel, saw the parish as a focal point of supporting men who are considering the priesthood. Now, as the new director of vocations for the Archdiocese of Newark, that outlook will carry an even greater emphasis and sense of urgency. A product of Nativity Parish in Midland Park, Fr. Gabriel was ordained in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark 21 years ago. Looking back fondly on his recent pastorate at Saint Thomas More Parish in Fairfield, he says it was "perfect preparation" for his new responsibilities at the Newark chancery.