Archdiocese of Newark to Host an Evening of Legislative Dialogue

On Wednesday, October 18, 2006, New Jersey state legislators from Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties will gather with the Most Reverend John J. Myers, Archbishop of Newark, members of action networks and representatives from over 400 parishes, schools, and institutions of the Archdiocese of Newark to learn more about and discuss issues which concern Catholic voters during an Evening of Legislative Dialogue.   The event, which begins at 7:30 p.m. and will end at 9:00 p.m., will be held at Mother Seton Regional High School in Clark and will be moderated by Cynthia Scott, senior correspondent for News 12 New Jersey.

The Evening of Legislative Dialogue will include presentations on three specific issues to which the legislators in attendance will have the chance to share their responses.  Mary McElroy, Director of the New Jersey Network of Catholic School Families, will address education issues; Anita Holland, Executive Director of the Mount Carmel Guild Behavioral Health System under the auspices of Catholic Health and Human Services, will present on social concern issues; and Richard Watson, M.D., Director of Ambulatory Urology at Hackensack University Medical Center, will speak on issues concerning the Archdiocese of Newark to Host Evening of Legislative Dialoguevalue of human life. 

“The Evening of Legislative Dialogue is a fitting forum in which to discuss subjects close to the hearts and minds of Catholic voters,” said Archbishop Myers in announcing the event.  “It is a valuable opportunity for both presenters and legislators to express their thoughts on important legislative issues and to learn about the others’ perspectives in a respectful and informative way.”

Catherine Furlani, Director of the Office of Human Concerns for the Archdiocese and one of the coordinators of this year’s dialogue, agrees.  “It is important for our elected officials to see that there is a constituency that exists that care about these subjects,” she says.  “There are voters who care about housing issues, stem cell issues, and education issues; and this is a good opportunity for each side to express their views.”
All are invited to attend this important event.  For more information, contact Mary McElroy by phone at 973-467-9396 or Christy Guerra at 973-497-4187.

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Note to editors: Media organizations who wish to attend the Evening of Legislative Dialogue should contact the Office of Communications at 973-497-4187.