Chilean Quake Rattles Archdiocesan Towns
AREA-A magnitude-8.8 quake, one of the eight strongest on record, struck the central coast of Chile on Feb. 27, leaving immigrants from the Archdiocese of Newark worried about their families living in the South American nation.

The death toll in Chile at press time, according to news reports, was in excess of 800 people. Here in the Archdiocese of Newark, there are several large Chilean communities, especially the Hudson County towns of Union City, West New York and North Bergen.

Dalia Serrano, a North Bergen resident and receptionist at Most Holy Name Parish, 99 Marsellus Pl., Garfield, came to the United States from Chile 16 years ago. She has 17 siblings, some of them living in Concepcion, Chile's second-largest city, which bore the brunt of the killer quake. Other members of her family live in the capital of Santiago.

NEWARK-With the emphasis on pre-registration, organizers of both the annual Catholic Men's Conference and Women's Day of Reflection are making final plans for this month's consecutive Saturday evangelization events.

Following the success of last year's inaugural effort, the Catholic Men's Conference will be held at Seton Hall University (SHU), South Orange, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, "Champions of Faith" is the theme for this year's gathering. The Women's Day of Reflection will be held Saturday, March 20, at SHU's Jubilee Hall.

NEWARK-An archdiocesan priest, who for more than 20 years worked on the front lines of international ecumenical dialogue, provided insights on the global efforts to pursue Christian unity.

Rev. Msgr. John A. Radano, a professor at Seton Hall University (SHU), South Orange, served on the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity from 1984-2008 (see The Catholic Advocate, Feb. 9, 2009). He concluded that despite global tensions 2010 is a moment that marks a "privileged time" for relationships between the great religions of the world as well as an opportunity to accelerate Christian unity efforts.

At this time of year, when every meal seems to be corned beef and cabbage and every drink a foaming pint of Guinness, spare a thought for the man we celebrate and the country he brought to Christ. Saint Patrick lived  over 1500 years ago and is surely not forgotten today but he is still, somehow, the saint that everyone  claims and the man that no one really knows. That is a pity, because to make his acquaintance is to meet an  extraordinary human being.

Historians have been fighting over him for ages. Even the simplest things-his date and place of birth, his length of life, his years in Ireland-still produce good-natured scholarly squabbles.

NEWARK-Thomas Conboy, a member of Saint Leo Parish in his hometown of Elmwood Park, is the new director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Archdiocese of Newark.

In his new post, Conboy, who is an Elmwood Park councilman, will be responsible for promoting, in conjunction with the pastoral moderator and staff, the pastoral plan for youth ministry in the archdiocese in accordance with the guidelines of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He will also direct day-to-day activities and ministry programs at the Kearny center.

AREA-It was only a matter of minutes.

At around 4:53 in the afternoon on Jan. 12, Barbara Pacuad, a student at the College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE) in Morristown, was 30,000 feet in the air over Haiti's Toussaint Louverture International Airport after visiting family members for winter break with her sister.

Meanwhile, on the ground, lasting just 35 seconds, a magnitude-7 earthquake struck the island nation, devastating Pacuad's home country, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives and creating billions of dollars in damage. It took about an hour for the CSE student - en route to the United States - to realize the chaos she narrowly escaped.

NEWARK-Archbishop John J. Myers has appointed Sister Joanne Bednar, S.C.C., as the new archdiocesan Delegate for Religious, effective June 1.

Sister Joanne will serve as the liaison between Archbishop Myers and the communities of Religious men and women and those belonging to Secular Institutes within the Church of Newark. She succeeds Sister Margaret Thomas McGovern, O.P., of the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell who served some seven years prior to resigning for health reasons.

St. Ann Church, Parsippany
This faith-filled community is seeking a part-time Director of Music to direct the Adult and Contemporary Choirs effective July 1, 2010.  Weekend Liturgies are Saturday at 5pm, and Sundays at 8am and 10:30am (All in English).  Other duties include Holidays,  Funerals, Devotions, First Penance, and sacramental celebrations.   Salary $20-$25k.  Additional stipend for weddings and funerals.

Please send resume to:
Sr. Frances Sanzo
stann@aint-ann.net
973-884-1986 x203 Phone
973-884-0940 Fax

BY WARD MIELE
Managing Editor

February 10, 2010

The depth and scope of human suffering, death and destruction from last month’s horrific earthquake that struck Haiti is almost beyond comprehension. As a result, Catholics throughout the four counties of the Archdiocese of Newark generously have answered the call to assist Haiti by raising $1 million (as of press time) from special collections in the parishes and schools of the archdiocese. The amount represents the largest collection in archdiocesan history in response to disaster relief.

Special to the Catholic Advocate

February 10, 2010

NEWARK - David Jones, president of the New Jersey State Troopers’ Fraternal Association, and Angelo J. Genova, partner and founder of Genova, Burns and Vernoia, have been selected as the honorees for the 17th annual Archbishop’s Business and Labor Recognition Reception, which will be held March 2 at Mayfair Farms, 481 Eagle Rock Ave., West Orange.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m., when attendees can get individual pictures with Archbishop John J. Myers. Cocktails and food stations open at 6 p.m. and the program is slated to begin at 7:15 p.m.

BY WARD MIELE
Managing Editor

February 10, 2010

NEWARK-Pope Benedict XVI, in his message for Lent 2010, declared that conversion to Christ gives people the strength to break the bonds of selfishness and work for justice in the world, according to a report by Catholic News Service.

“The Christian is moved to contribute to creating just societies where all receive what is necessary to live according to the dignity proper to the human person and where justice is enlivened by love,” the pope said in the message, which was released Feb. 4 at the Vatican.

Archdiocese Parishioners and Students Contribute $1 Million to Haiti Relief

NEWARK—A special Mass was celebrated Jan. 19 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart to launch the inauguration of Chris Christie as the 55th governor of New Jersey. The 8 a.m. Mass began four hours before Christie took the oath of office in Trenton. Archbishop John J. Myers served as the main celebrant and was joined by bishops from throughout the state as well as bishops from the archdiocese. Joining Christie at the Mass was Kim Guadagno, the state’s first lieutenant governor.

FULL STORY 

BY MELISSA MCNALLY
Staff Writer
January 27, 2010

Many young people have grand visions of stardom on Broadway—spotlights, their names on marquees and performing for an adoring crowd. For some Catholic high school students in the Archdiocese of Newark, that dream of reaching the “Great White Way” is becoming closer to reality.

The Union Catholic Performing Arts Company (UCPAC) at Union Catholic Regional High School, Scotch Plains, recently performed the original production “Love (Awkwardly)” not only on the school stage, but off-Broadway at The Manhattan Theatre Source.

Conference organizers select speakers for March 13 event

BY WARD MIELE
Managing Editor

NEWARK—Building on the success of last year’s inaugural Catholic Men’s Conference, organizers are busy with plans for an expanded program on Saturday, March 13. Father Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R., founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and cofounder of Good Counsel Homes, will serve as the keynote speaker.

Themed this year as “Champions of Faith,” the conference will be held 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Seton Hall University (SHU), South Orange. Registration online, at www.rcan.org/menscommission, is recommended. The conference is open to those within the archdiocese and beyond.

January 27, 2010

AREA — On Feb. 6 and 7, the 2010 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal (AAA) will kick off “pledge weekend” as parishes throughout the archdiocese gear up for the major fund-raising campaign.  Last year, despite the economic turmoil of a recession, the AAA managed to reach its goal of $10.5 million dollars in donations. This year, the appeal hopes to raise the same amount to benefit parishes, schools and charitable organizations throughout the four counties in the archdiocese.
The theme of this year’s appeal, “Fulfilling the Corporal Works of Mercy,” is especially poignant in continuingly difficult financial times. Jesus’ plea to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and aid those in need is extremely relevant today.

AREA-Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Newark will join with thousands of people from all corners of the United States to participate in the 37th annual March for Life rally, which will be held in Washington D.C. Jan. 21 and 22. The two-day rally, a national grass-roots effort that involves people of many faiths, is staged each year to protest the  Jan.

22, 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion throughout the United States. Jim Sondey, chairman of the archdiocesan Pro-Life commission, who first became involved in the event 20 years ago, said he draws inspiration from the growing number of teenagers and young adults who have joined the ranks.

NEWARK - Hundreds of faithful from around the archdiocese gathered last month to recognize the work of small Christian communities and local evangelization programs that enrich the spiritual lives of Catholics.
 
Most Rev. Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Newark, celebrated Mass Dec. 5 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart and acknowledged parishes that have participated in evangelization missions such as RENEW International's "Why Catholic?" program.

NEWARK-As he prepared for last weekend's three-day discernment retreat, Father John D. Gabriel, director of vocations for the Archdiocese of Newark, was guided by his vision of the experience as a time for men considering the priesthood "to discern, to listen, to speak and to enjoy the presence of Christ."

Reflecting on the essence of a retreat, Fr. Gabriel said "often in life, it seems to us that we are the ones making the decisions, that we guide our lives according to our own wishes and desires. Yet sometimes, even without knowing it, we are in fact being led by forces outside of ourselves." That, the former pastor of Saint Thomas More Parish, Fairfield, stressed, is what the retreat was all about.

I smiled to myself at a pre-Christmas luncheon a few weeks ago as I listened to some of our Transfiguration Academy faculty members reminisce how, when they were children, they organized areas in or around their homes, either with dolls or other playmates, into mini classrooms where they could be the teachers. It seemed a hint of an early calling to this most noble profession, perhaps influenced in part by those who taught them.

I smiled, because it helped me think back to my own early childhood years and the minialtar I created on the top of my bedroom bookcase and the vestments cut from old sheets and marked with a simple cross that I wore, to offer a private Mass with my teddy bear in attendance. (Somehow, he didn't answer any of the Latin responses!)

Not every budding teacher creates a childhood classroom, nor does every future priest establish his own mini-sanctuary. Indeed, in these more recent decades, many teachers and priests (and deacons and Religious) only come to discern a call later in life, after having already pursued one or several other professions.

Readings: Is 62:1-5; Ps 96;
1 Cor 12:4-11; Jn 2:1-11
The various aspects of the Christian teaching about marriage should be presented time and again as young people mature to adulthood and its responsibilities. A deeper understanding of marriage should come progressively to each couple as they live their vocation, wherein “they signify and share the mystery of the unity and the faithful love between Christ and the Church” (Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the Church, No. 1).

This mystery is rooted in the divine plan for the progress of human history toward its goal. Its purpose was shown in the natural order since the human couple becomes one flesh (person) in the permanent, exclusive commitment that they make to each other (see Gn 2:24). This unity can be taken up into the Paschal Mystery of Christ's death and resurrection, whereby His altruistic love became the foundation for the new creation. His sacrificial self-giving for the Church becomes the pattern for Christian marriage (see Eph 5:23-33).

Would that all preparing for marriage develop a prayerful appreciation of the extent of Christ's love, realizing that He offers them the graces to imitate His example. Like other profound realities of the spiritual order, a lifetime of reflection and prayer is required for its full meaning to be fathomed and applied to each couple's unique situation.

The Sacraments of Eucharist, Reconciliation and Confirmation for People with Developmental Disabilities:  A brief discussion of determining readiness ^1,2

For readiness for First Eucharist, Canon Law simply requires the ability to differentiate between the Host and regular food.  This can be nonverbally as well, by demonstrating reverence or pointing when asked where Jesus is, for example.  In the USCCB Guidelines to Celebration of the Sacraments for People with Disabilities, it says we should err on the side of inclusion^{_. 3}

For readiness for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, in general it is asked if there is the ability to communicate remorse or sadness for his/her actions, verbally or some other way.  It is also possible for the child to be ready to celebrate Eucharist, but not Reconciliation.  The Commentary acknowledges that parents, who have the primary responsibility for a child’s catechesis, may feel their child is not ready for the Sacrament of Reconciliation but is ready to celebrate First Eucharist. The important thing to note here is the deference to a parent’s determination of readiness. 

Relative to the Sacrament of Confirmation, Guidelines to Celebration of the Sacraments for People with Disabilities specifically says, “Persons who because of developmental or mental disabilities may never attain the use of reason are to be encouraged either directly or, if necessary, through their parents or guardian to receive the sacrament of confirmation at the appropriate time.”⁴  The Commentary’s discussion allows that preparation is not necessary for a person who does not have the use of reason.⁵  See below for more on this. 

The above specifically addresses the question of readiness.  Relative to preparation and celebration of the Sacraments, it is good to be as inclusive as possible.  There is significant value for all when there is at least some shared experiences for the person with a developmental disability and his/her peers preparing for the sacrament, as well as with connections with the worship community.  However, as in all questions of parish life, pastoral implications should be considered.  The preference of the person (if able to be determined) and the family are very important. 

Please feel free to contact the office for Pastoral Ministry with Persons with Disabilities regarding any questions or particular details.                   

973-497-4309      masteran@rcan.org        www.rcan.org/disabilities                 

It is often said the spirit of Christmas is lost during the commercial holiday season. Among the parties, mad dashes to shopping malls and general stress, the importance of giving is overshadowed by the need for material, superficial things.

However, at Most Holy Name Parish in Garfield, Pastor Rev. Msgr. William J. Reilly and several volunteers keep the spiritual essence of the season alive by raising funds for constructing an orphanage in Malacatan, Guatemala.

"By giving, we are blessed. The love you get in return is reward enough," Msgr. Reilly explained.

So, here we are, Christmas Eve and we wonder where our Advent went. Maybe we resolved at the beginning of this holy season that this year was going to be different. We weren't going to get so caught up in the commercial. Certainly the state of the economy and the lightness of our pocketbooks might have "helped" keep that promise.

Still, now that Christmas is upon us, we might wish we had done better in focusing our thoughts on the reason for the season. But, like Scrooge awakening from his dreams and finding he hasn't missed Christmas at all, it's not too late for us either. Just because we have misplaced the spirit of Christmas doesn't mean we can't reclaim it. It's as near as the excited faces of our children and grandchildren or the warmth we feel on truly listening to an ancient carol.

AREA-The fifth annual archdiocesan "Young Adult Month" celebration, sponsored and organized by the archdiocesan office of Youth and Young Adults Ministries and Youth Retreat Center, 499 Belgrove Dr., Kearny, will kick off the New Year with a slate of events to be held throughout January 2010.

Various activities planned in Bergen, Hudson, Essex and Union counties, and outside of the archdiocese, will look to socially and spiritually engage young adults-20- and 30-something young adults (married or single).

There are, in my eyes, three moments in time that mark the greatest events in cosmic history. I refer to the universe, the entire limits of space to the very edges of creation. I am speaking of time where it meets infinity.

The first moment is what we so easily refer to as the "Big Bang." It is that instant when time began, when an inconceivable sphere (I dare not call it a mass) of energy was created and then exploded into trillions of elements of gas and matter that became the countless galaxies of the heavens.

Since there is a law of conservation in nature that says nothing is ever gained or lost, but only transformed, all that existed at the beginning still remains either as energy or as matter.

NEWARK-What if?

A clipped phase-two words and a question mark. However, it can reveal a multitude of possibilities on the purpose and direction of a single life. It can come at a critical moment, when someone pauses to consider one choice among many; a choice that will have profound consequences.

Father Pedro Bismarck Chau posed the what-if question to students at Saint Benedict's Prep, 520 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., on Nov. 3 as the featured speaker at the school's third annual Vocation Awareness Day program.

"Bill was a great teacher. He loved to teach. He once told me that often, when he was teaching, 'time stood still.' He taught us that the family is holy. It is a continuation of God's creation and life in the world. Even with all its sorrows and difficulties, family life is holy."

Rev. Msgr. Richard M. Liddy, Ph.D., used these heartfelt words during his homily at a Funeral Mass celebrated nearly two years ago at Saint Elizabeth Parish, Wyckoff. Msgr. Liddy, professor of Catholic Thought at Seton Hall University (SHU), South Orange, was describing his dear friend and colleague Deacon William J. Toth, Ph.D.

One night in early November, a Muslim community leader and a Catholic priest got together before a diverse audience at an Episcopal church in Bergen County to discuss the best ways to share the stories of spiritual journeys between people of different faiths.

Good-will dialogue between Catholics, Muslims, Jews, Protestants and people of other faiths has been an ongoing conversation in the four counties of the Archdiocese of Newark. This local engagement, which typically is lost in the shuffle of turbulent international events, reflects the words of Pope Benedict XVI.

Readings: Zep 3:14-18; Isaiah 12:2-6; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18.

The greeting extended within a culture as people come and go provide an indication of the values shared by members of the group. The biblical greetings "The Lord be with you" (Ruth 2:4) or "Peace be with you" (Jn 20:21) have profound resonances in the liturgy; in Catholic cultures these wishes or similar phrases were repeated throughout the day.

Unfortunately much of this echo of worship has been lost. How many of the ordinary people who say "Good-bye" to a friend realize that it means "God be with you?" Upon reflection, we find shallow modern attempts at variety to indicate sincerity and thoughtfulness. "Have a nice day!" or "Enjoy!" are expressions that show a belief in the goodness of life that should be shared. However, God-centered greetings are much richer.

For many people, December is a month of great challenge. The minutes of daylight continue to decrease as we approach the first day of winter. The pressures of sending Christmas cards, buying Christmas gifts, decorating Christmas trees and preparing for Christmas gettogethers can all converge to make people feel overwhelmed and even depressed.

Whether we place unreasonable expectations on ourselves or allow others to make us feel guilty, this is hardly the spiritual journey that the season of Advent envisions.

People will wait on long lines at toy or electronics stores for the latest gadget or gizmo to please their children, spouse, relative, or friend, often only to learn that the item is sold out by the time they get to the front. Fights frequently ensue. The joy of the season evaporates in an instant. By contrast, the lines tend to be much shorter at parish penance services and reconciliation rooms, although people always find themselves renewed and refreshed after such a sacramental encounter.

Continuing their efforts to advocate for maintaining the definition of marriage as that of a union of one man and one woman only, the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey have called on all Catholics in the state to observe Sunday, Nov. 29, as a “Day of Prayer” for the Vocation and Sacrament of Marriage.

The bishops also called on Catholics to pray that the NJ State Legislature preserves the definition of marriage. In addition to praying, the bishops asked Catholics to “pledge their personal support for family members, including those who choose to remain single, to help those entering marriage to prepare for the challenges, sacrifices and joys of marriage, and to reach out with the special compassion of Christ to those married couples and families experiencing difficulties, anxiety, and illness.”

Issued through the Trenton-based New Jersey Catholic Conference to the almost 700 parishes throughout New Jersey, the bishops reiterate the clear and emphatic teaching of the Church that marriage, as a union of one man and one woman, has its roots not only in human tradition and history, but also in natural law, which transcends all man-made law.

CALDWELL - Nancy H. Blattner, Ph.D. was inaugurated Nov. 7 as Caldwell College’s eighth president and the first lay president in the college’s 70-year history. Over 500 people attended the installation ceremony, which was themed "In Celebration of Community."

Dr. Alexander Giaquinto, chair of the Caldwell College board of trustees, presented the chain and the medallion to Dr. Blattner as a symbol of the office of the president and formally conferred the investiture. Most Rev. Thomas A. Donato, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Newark, gave the invocation.

Most Rev. John J. Myers, J.C.D., D.D., Archbishop of Newark, presided at a Mass Nov. 6, held at the college’s Newman Center, to celebrate the inauguration.

Despite concerted and well-financed efforts to establish "same-sex marriage" in numerous states in recent years, most Americans know better. They won’t support it. In every state where same-sex marriage has been put to a vote of the people, the people have said "No."

In fact, only a minority of Americans wants to redefine marriage, according to a CBS News/NY Times Poll conducted this past summer and reported on by both organizations. And support is falling, down almost 10 percent this year. Instead, most Americans want to protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman, as husband and wife.

The great truth about marriage is a fact of human nature, recognized from time immemorial by virtually every faith and culture. Throughout human history, marriage between a man and a woman has been a foundational element of the common good-and must remain so.

NEWARK-The New Jersey Catholic Conference (NJCC), Trenton, will join forces with the New Jersey Knights of Columbus, the New Jersey Family Policy Council and other faith groups to stage a "Protect Marriage" rally Sunday, Oct. 25, 2-3:30 p.m. on the steps of the Statehouse, 121 West State St., Trenton.

Patrick Brannigan, NJCC executive director, said the purpose of the rally is to send a clear message to the New Jersey Legislature that the vast majority of New Jersey residents support traditional marriage, defined as a union of one man and one woman. He said NJ legislators have given notice that a vote to allow same-sex marriage would be taken after the November election.

EAST RUTHERFORD - Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, issued a clarion call to North American vocation directors Sept. 28, addressing the ubiquitous "sense of emptiness and uncertainty" that troubles many young adults.

The keynote speaker for the 46th annual National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors (NCDVD), which was held at the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel and Convention Center, Archbishop Sambi spoke directly and forcefully to over 190 vocation directors, many of whom face daunting challenges with regard to cultivating priestly and Religious vocations in their respective communities.

NEWARK-Most Rev. Michael A. Saltarelli, D.D., Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Wilmington, DE, who answered God's call to serve as a priest and a bishop in the Archdiocese of Newark and then went on to become a prominent national figure in the Church, died from cancer Oct. 8 at Christiana Hospital, Newark, DE. He was 77.

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Oct. 18, 2009) Readings: Is 53:10-11; Ps 33; Heb 4:14-16; Mk 10:35-45.
Throughout the world thoughtful people seek answers to the riddles of human life. "The problems that weigh heavily on the human heart are the same today as in past ages. What is the meaning and purpose of life? What is upright behavior and what is sinful? Where does suffering originate and what purpose does it serve? How can genuine happiness be found?" (Vatican II, Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, No. 1).

AREA-The Archdiocese of Newark will host its annual Heritage Tour Saturday, Oct. 17, an all-day bus excursion that will explore the architectural and artistic treasures of The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Saint Patrick Pro-Cathedral, Saint Dominic Monastery of Most Blessed Sacrament Friary (all in Newark), and Queen of Peace Parish, North Arlington.

Troy J. Simmons, archdiocesan historian and associate director of capital campaigns for the Archdiocese of Newark's Office of Development, will lead the expedition. The Office of Development is the sponsor for the tour.

WASHINGTON (CNS) - Though they believe the Church is largely on the same page as Congress when it comes to other aspects of healthcare and immigration reform, a delegation of Hispanic bishops-including Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark- came away from meetings with several groups of House and Senate leaders Sept. 17 concerned that immigrants might be left out of the ongoing reform conversation.

NORTH ARLINGTON-"A Call to Action: Overcoming the Culture of Death," a seminar cosponsored by the archdiocesan Respect Life Office and Pro-Life Commission, will be held Oct. 3, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Queen of Peace Parish and high school, 10 Franklin Pl.

Our Lady of Peace Church, New Providence.
Duties include serving as parish music director and conducting various choirs (Adult, Children and Bell);  other responsibilities may include Liturgy Committee meetings. Salary range $12,000 - 15,000.  

Direct inquiries to:
Fr. Bill Mahon, Pastor
111 South St.
New Providence, NJ 07974
908-464-7600 Phone
908-508-1845 Fax
OLPNP@aol.com 

Posted: 9-15-09

Archdiocese Lauds Papal Honors Recipients



NEWARK-The Archdiocese of Newark, will celebrate the papal honors that Pope Benedict XVI bestowed on archdiocesan priests and men and women Religious with an evening prayer service Sunday, Sept. 13, 4 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 89 Ridge St. Archbishop John J. Myers will lead the celebration.

The phone rang. Diane Starita held her breath and sank to the floor at her home in Westfield. The voice on the other end of the line was her husband, Anthony. He told her was trapped on the 106th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center, surrounded by smoke and flames, desperately trying to find a way out.

The brief conversation took place Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, following the deadly impact of American Airlines Flight 11 at 8:46 a.m.

"Somehow he found a working phone," she recalled. "He said: 'I'm still here,' meaning he was still in the building. He told me he loved me."

Ever since Harry Truman introduced comprehensive healthcare for all Americans almost 65 years ago, we have struggled to attain this ideal. While there have been successes, today's avalanche of ideological combat, misinformation, partisan positioning, public anger and confusion shows we have far to go to realize this dream.

Executive Summary of the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey’s Message on Marriage

Questions and Answers on Same Sex “Marriage”

A Message on Marriage from the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey

Urgent Call to Protect, Promote Marriage
In the face of the attempts to establish same-sex "marriage," the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey have issued a comprehensive message: "The Call to Marriage is Woven Deeply into the Human Spirit."

The message from the NJ bishops calls upon all Catholics to: protect and promote marriage; hold firm to the Church's teaching on marriage and the complementarity of the sexes; support all family members, including those who choose to remain single; help those entering marriage to prepare for the challenges, sacrifices and joys to come; and reach out with the special compassion of Christ to those married couples and families experiencing difficulties, anxiety and illness.

"Life is co-ed." Father Warren R. Hall, principal of Hudson Catholic Regional High School, said those three words originally were spoken by a parent in May 2008, after learning the all-boys school would welcome both genders this year. The understated observation is symbolic of the changes underway at Hudson Catholic. The De LaSalle Christian Brothers Order has operated the Jersey City school as an all-boys institution since 1964.

Keystone State Educates New Jersey on EITC Program



Last May over 2,000 supporters of Pennsylvania's Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program joined with REACH (Road to Educational Achievement through Choice) Alliance and Foundation in Harrisburg, PA, to mark the eighth anniversary of the nation's first corporate educational tax credit program. Parents, students, educators and legislators were on hand to celebrate what many consider to be one of the Keystone State's biggest educational achievements of the past decade.

NEWARK-Heeding the advice of Pope Benedict XVI's call for encouragement of "spiritual perfection" as he declared a "Year for Priests," the Archdiocese of Newark has launched a series of events and liturgies to do just that.

NEWARK-The Archdiocese of Newark dutifully expresses its generosity to Peter's Pence, a global, long-standing form of financial support given by the worldwide Catholic community for the pope's ministry in the universal Church.

Saint Paul in his letter to the Romans chapter 10:15-17 reiterated the wonderful words of Isaiah: "How beautiful are the footsteps of those who bring good news." In the Archdiocese of Newark, schools are being repainted, repairs are almost complete, and book orders have arrived for a new school year.

KEARNY-After four "wonderful" years as the associate director of parish outreach and training at the Archdiocesan Youth Retreat Center, Sister Loretta DeDomenicis, F.M.A., is leaving her beloved post and heading west.

ROSELLE-For her years of service with RENEW International, Sister Alice Yohe, S.S.J., was honored with the organization's "President's Award" on June 4.

It was, in many ways, a golden moment for Msgr. Joseph Chiang when members of his family were on hand to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his ordination during a Mass at Saint John Vianney Retirement Home, Rutherford, earlier this year.

SOUTH ORANGE - For Holocaust survivor Luna Kaufman, her life has come full circle as one of only two Jewish children in a Catholic elementary school in her native Poland to recipient of an honorary degree last month from Seton Hall University (SHU).

NEWARK-As the oldest bishop in the United States, Archbishop Emeritus Peter L. Gerety has reached a multitude of ministerial milestones. The latest is the 70th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on June 29, 1939. That will be followed by his 97th birthday July 19. He has served as a bishop for 43 years.
 
Archbishop John J. Myers and the entire Church of Newark will celebrate Archbishop Gerety's long and holy life with a commemorative noon Mass Monday, June 29, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 89 Ridge St., followed by a reception at the nearby Rink in Branch Brook Park.

Born in 1912, the oldest of nine boys, Archbishop Gerety credits his parents as among of the major influences on his decision to become a priest. Another source of inspiration was the clergy at his boyhood parish, Saint Joseph, located in his hometown of Shelton, CT.

EAST RUTHERFORD - Seton Hall University, South Orange, awarded diplomas to 1,052 undergraduate students during its 152nd commencement ceremony held May 11 at the Izod Center.

Separate ceremonies were held for SHU's 1,070 graduate students. In all, the university graduated 2,122 undergraduate and graduate students this year.

NEWARK-As the oldest bishop in the United States, Archbishop Emeritus Peter L. Gerety has reached a multitude of ministerial milestones. The latest is the 70th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on June 29, 1939. That will be followed by his 97th birthday July 19. He has served as a bishop for 43 years.

Pope Benedict XVI Honors 28 in Archdiocese



His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has bestowed the honorary title of Reverend Monsignor upon 18 priests of the Archdiocese of Newark, and further elevated two monsignors of the archdiocese. Eight Religious priests, Brothers and Sisters also were honored by the pontiff with the Benemerenti Medal for Religious men and women.

When I began looking over the names and faces of the priests and Religious celebrating significant jubilees this year, I naturally felt both awed and humbled. Awed because of the number of jubilarians this year. Humbled because in these few pages, we come face to face with living examples of Catholics who willingly and faithfully have observed Jesus' exhortation in the Gospel of Matthew to "teach all that I have commanded you" (Mt. 28:20).

For the third time in recent years, the Archdiocese of Newark is leading the nation with the number of men to be ordained to the priesthood. Archbishop John J. Myers will ordain 13 new priests, including two who call the Church of Newark home, on Saturday, May 23, at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 89 Ridge St., Newark.

Providing a global backdrop for the ordination of priests in the Archdiocese of Newark, Pope Benedict XVI, in his recent call for a "year of the priest," declared that priestly ordination creates "new men who are bestowed with the gift and office of sanctifying, teaching and governing."

As part of the worldwide celebration, the pope will proclaim Saint John Vianney to be patron saint of all priests (see The Catholic Advocate, April 22). Saint John Vianney currently is considered the patron saint of parish priests. In addition, the pope praised the grand legacy of Pope John Paul II as a spiritual leader who inspired many to pursue vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.

NEWARK-Most Rev. Edgar M. da Cunha, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark, presented awards to the top four finishers at this year's annual The Catholic Challenge competition, which was held April 4 at the Archdiocesan Center.

Catholic Concerns Focus on Access Rights
Whither Catholic healthcare and the urgent call for universal coverage in the age of soaring federal budget deficits, global economic meltdowns and the desperate medical needs of those who are uninsured?

The Catholic Church has been dedicated to the healing and healthcare ministry since the days of Jesus. In the United States, one out of every six patients is treated in a Catholic facility. Catholic healthcare is based on the principle that every person is created in the image and likeness of God and has an inalienable dignity. Catholic teaching states that life-from conception until natural death-is sacred and should be protected.

MONTCLAIR, MAHWAH-This is a story about a low-tech, longdistance form of communication employed by students on two college campuses in the Archdiocese of Newark that is more powerful and user friendly than any cell phone, Blackberry or Internet site.

The bandwidth is unlimited and eternal. The content is spiritual. The format requires outreach and a heartfelt sharing of values. The system is designed to cultivate faithful friendships, develop soulsearching retreats and facilitate a meaningful exchange of religious dialogue and ideas-concepts and connections designed to last well beyond undergraduate years.

Madigan's Outreach Efforts Touch Students



There have been defining moments on my faith journey that have led me to where I am today and why I have been serving in Catholic Campus Ministry for almost 12 years. In July 2007 I was appointed as the archdiocesan director of Catholic Campus Ministry, which is my current position. In addition, I work as the lay campus minister at Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken.

Mary Eased Sorrow, Pain of Benkovic
NUTLEY-"If it wasn't for the intercession of Mary, I wouldn't be here today," Johnnette S. Benkovic, keynote speaker at the annual Women's Day of Reflection, declared.

The April 4 event at Holy Family Parish drew over 800 guests. This year's theme "Mary and the Holy Spirit," holds special significance for Benkovic. After tragically losing her son Simon in a car accident, she lost her husband of 34 years, Anthony, to cancer just a few years later. She credits Our Lady with helping her through her trials.

After years as a non-practicing Catholic who "turned her back on The Way," Benkovic had a profound conversion in 1981 following a charismatic prayer meeting. Since then, she has made it her life's mission to spread the word of God throughout all media.

Conference Hosts 2,500 Fathers, Sons
WEST ORANGE-In numbers that exceeded expectations, fathers, sons, uncles and brothers from throughout the Archdiocese of Newark and beyond joined in spiritual fellowship at the inaugural Catholic Men's Conference.

Some 2,500 participants filled the Essex County Richard J. Codey Arena on Saturday, March 28 for the two-tier English and Spanish eighthour program. Archbishop John J. Myers, a primary proponent of the conference and Men's Commission, described the event as "a gathering of men seeking a deeper relationship with God and stronger participation in parish life." The conference was co-sponsored by the Newark-based Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.

As executive assistant to Archbishop John J. Myers, Roseann Vazquez spends her days bustling, organizing and ensuring that the Church in Newark's leader is prepared for his daily activities. As a busy wife and mother, she views all three responsibilities as one vocation; a way to strengthen her relationship with the Lord while doing His work.

Vazquez has been at the archbishop's side since he arrived in Newark in eight years ago and has been working at the Archdiocesan Center for 34 years. "I handle the archbishop's travel arrangements, calendar and appointments. I coordinate and supervise the archbishop's office staff. Everything that touches the archbishop has to go through my little hands first. It can be a lot of pressure," she explained.

JERSEY CITY-Mary Baier sits at the helm of Our Lady of Czestochowa Elementary School and Little Harbor Academy. The schools are located at the crossroads of the Garden State's second-largest urban center. The education mission involves a creative, interactive approach to developing 21st century curriculum in a faithbased environment, which is populated by students of many nationalities, cultures and religions.
 
Welcome to the kaleidoscopic world of a New Jersey Catholic school principal.
 
Faith plays a central role for Baier's approach to Pre-K and elementary school education. She said it is at the heart of her spiritual grounding and her vision as an educator, as well as in the streetwise attention to detail and negotiation skills that are required of her profession.

The two schools operate under one roof as an outpost in a world of complex, diverse inner-city demographics. The financial crisis that continues to unfold in the power corridors of Wall Street-just across the Hudson River-is a long stone's throw from the school's main entrance at 248 Luis Marin Blvd.

TRENTON-Most Rev. Thomas A. Donato, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark, led a diverse coalition of faith-based leaders who addressed lawmakers at the Statehouse on March 25, urging support for the long-stalled bill designed to aid low-income students in underperforming innercity school districts.

Job Fair Seeks to Ease Employment Angst



CALDWELL-"There are jobs," Cassie Pfister, assistant director of career planning and development of Caldwell College said. "It is important to not be nervous about the lack of opportunity."

For any college senior, worrying about the future and the aftermath of graduation is to be expected. In these trying economic times, however, anxiety over job security and choosing careers is at a fever pitch.

NUTLEY-The annual "Day of Reflection," sponsored and organized by the Women's Commission of the Archdiocese of Newark, will be held Saturday, April 4, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Holy Family Parish, 28 Brookline Ave.

Johnnette S. Benkovic, the founder and president of Living His Life Abundantly International Inc.-a Catholic evangelization apostolate based in Oldsmar, FL, with outreaches in television, radio, print, and Internet/new media-will serve as the keynote speaker for the conference.

"Mary and the Holy Spirit" will be the theme of this year's reflection. Archbishop John J. Myers will celebrate Mass for the gathering at 10 a.m. to open the event.

NEWARK-After moving to the United States from Puerto Rico at age 11, Beatriz Capella leaned on her faith to get her through the difficult cultural transition.

"(My parents) didn't have any family here in America. I didn't speak any English and I was separated from the other kids because I was in ESL (English as a second language) classes. I felt lonely so I turned to God."

Throughout his lecture "The Holocaust by Bullets: A Priest Uncovers the Truth" at Seton Hall University (SHU), South Orange, on March 1, Father Patrick Desbois frequently prefaced his remarks with the phrase "you must understand" as a solemn plea to the audience of over 200. However, the words also revealed a profound sense of grief by Fr. Desbois, as though he himself was trying to comprehend the staggering horror he has uncovered in the remote farm villages of Eastern Europe.

NEWARK-The inaugural Catholic Men's Conference for the Archdiocese of Newark will be held Saturday, March 28, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring a Mass celebrated by Archbishop John J. Myers, along with keynote presentations by NFL legend Danny Abramowicz and Bishop Manuel A. Cruz.

Organized under the auspices of the archdiocesan Men's Commission in cooperation with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, the gathering of spiritual fellowship will be held in the Essex County Richard J. Codey Arena (formerly South Mountain Arena) at 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange.

Fate Knocks at Door One Morning in Gettysburg
Born in 1834 in Gettysburg, PA, Mary Virginia (Jennie) Wade was witness to one of the greatest battles of the American Civil War (July 1-3, 1863). During the morning of July 3, Jennie was baking bread to feed hungry soldiers. Tragically, a stray bullet mortally wounded Jennie as she was mixing dough. Earlier that day, unknown to Jennie, her fiancé was wounded. He would die nine days after Jennie was killed. The two are buried together in Gettysburg's Evergreen Cemetery. Jennie is believed to be the only civilian to have been killed in the historic Battle of Gettysburg.

Blair Shares Wisdom on Global Challenges


Global alliances based on shared values are essential to meet the challenges of the 21st century, the most crucial of which is the worldwide economic freefall, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair declared Feb. 3 at Seton Hall University (SHU), South Orange.

AREA-FaithQuest, a four-week Lenten adult faith-formation program hosted by Saint Aloysius Parish, 219 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell, will begin Wednesday, March 11, 7:30 p.m. Registration will be held that evening in the school auditorium, which is located behind the church.

NEWARK-On Ash Wednesday (Feb. 25), as the worldwide Church marks the beginning of Lent, or in the weeks immediately afterward, parishes in the archdiocese will again take a special collection to benefit the Retired Priests' Pension Fund.

Today, some 200 of the more than 700 archdiocesan clergy are retired from active ministry. Although they no longer have regular parish assignments, the vast majority of retired priests continue to minister in some way to the people in the state, and we are all grateful for their contribution to the life of the Church. For example, retired priests celebrate Mass on weekends in parishes, temporarily replace priests who are on vacation or ill and visit the sick in hospitals and nursing homes.

Given the unique status of the Holocaust as an icon of evil in a morally confused world, Holocaustdenial triggers revulsions similar to those triggered by blasphemy in the Middle Ages: the Holocaust-denier must be shunned for everyone else's moral health.

Thus it was completely understandable that, when Pope Benedict XVI lifted the excommunications of four bishops illegally ordained in 1988 by the late French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, reporting and commentary focused on the fact that one of the four, Richard Williamson, is a Holocaust-denier and a man given to extolling that hoary anti-Semitic forgery, "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion."
 
Understandable, but something of freakish sideshow, for Williamson is an internationally known crank and no serious person can believe that Benedict XVI's act constituted an endorsement of Williamson's lunatic view of history. As the pope made clear at his Jan. 28 general audience, he has long recognized the Holocaust as a unique icon of wickedness-one that should call all of us "to reflect on the unpredictable power of evil when it conquers the heart of man."

NEWARK-An archdiocesan taskforce has been formed to work in solidarity with the national "Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America," which is being coordinated by Catholic Charities USA. The taskforce will work as a partner with similar organizations in other dioceses in New Jersey and throughout the United States.

Ecumenical Dialogue Strives for Unity

"Pray for those who will believe in me through their word that all may be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you. I pray that... they may be one as we are one... that their unity may be complete"
(John 17:21-23)

The goal of the international ecumenical movement is "visible unity" among all of Christ's disciples; unity in a common understanding of the one apostolic faith, a common sacramental life and a common understanding of ministry, which for Catholics means hierarchical ministry.

NEWARK - The annual "Women's Day of Reflection," an all-day forum sponsored by the Women's Commission of the Archdiocese of Newark, will be held Saturday, April 4, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Holy Family Parish, 28 Brookline Ave., Nutley.

AAA Assists Most-Vulnerable Neighbors



NEWARK-The 2009 Archbishop's Annual Appeal (AAA) will kick off "pledge week" the weekend of Feb. 7 and 8, as parishes throughout the four counties of the archdiocese gear up for this year's fundraising campaign.

NEWARK-With just over two months left before the first-ever Catholic Men's Conference in the Archdiocese of Newark, those planning to attend are urged to register immediately.

Scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Essex County Richard J. Codey Arena (formerly South Mountain Arena), 560 Northfield Ave. in West Orange, the conference is open to males high school age and older (see The Catholic Advocate, Oct. 22, 2008).

Service has always been an essential part of Catholic education. It is so completely intertwined within the mission of the Church that when Catholic school students are asked, "What do you do for service?" they are completely overwhelmed.

NEWARK-Although the April visit of Pope Benedict XVI to New York will forever distinguish 2008 for the faithful in Archdiocese of Newark and the nation, significant local events during the year inevitably left their mark.

The year that just slipped into history was a time when the Church of Newark installed a new auxiliary bishop, Most Rev. Manuel A. Cruz, a native of Cuba. Another auxiliary bishop, Most Rev. David Arias-the first Hispanic auxiliary bishop in New Jersey-joyfully celebrated the 25th anniversary of his episcopal ordination.

AREA - Faithful from the Archdiocese of Newark will be among thousands of people from throughout the country who converge on the nation's capital Thursday, Jan. 22 at the 36th annual March for Life rally to protest the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion and remind lawmakers that the pro-life movement is more fervent than ever.

Groups from around the archdiocese plan to make the trek to Washington D.C. and brave the frigid temperatures in support of life. Father Joseph Meagher, director of the archdiocesan Respect Life Office, will depart on a bus the night before to attend a youth rally with those involved with campus ministry organizations.

Fr. Meagher, who has attended the March for Life since the early 1980s, believes the rally energizes and unifies the pro-life movement.

On Dec. 14, 2008, an advertorial-a paid advertisement that expresses an opinion on a current events topic-paid for by the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) appeared in numerous newspapers in the state. The advertorial presented the group's opinion on the subjects of school choice and educational reform.

The author, NJEA President Joyce Powell, claimed that advocates of reform are trying to both gut the state's public school system and eliminate tenure in favor of "patronage positions to be filled at the whim of administration and politicians." The author used a very broad brush to spread her words around, but she succeeded only in painting herself into a corner.

Like the other Catholic dioceses in New Jersey and a broad coalition of civil rights, faith-based and parent organizations throughout the state, the Archdiocese of Newark is a proponent of school choice. We make no apologies for this stance. None of the Catholic dioceses has taken a position on eliminating tenure.

Homilies Aim to Cultivate Men Considering Call of Priesthood



Director of vocations for the Archdiocese of Newark less than a year, Father John D. Gabriel has already been struck by the "beautiful experience" of how the Lord works in the lives of men contemplating dedicating their lives to the Church.

CALDWELL-Caldwell College will host "Empowering Faith Communities to Include Individuals with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities," a seminar and workshop on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Academic Building Lecture Hall.

The event, organized by the Caldwell College Department of Theology/Pastoral Ministry, will focus on providing resources and information to help communities of faith welcome individuals with autism. New Jersey, statistically, has the highest rate of autism in the nation, with 1 in 94 people affected.

"Early-bird" registration for the seminar is $25 per person ($35 after Jan. 5, 2009). Checks can be mailed to: Pastoral Ministry Program, Caldwell College, 120 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell, NJ 07006-attention: Sister Barbara A. Moore, O.P., D. Min. Contact Sr. Barbara via e-mail (SBMoore@caldwell.edu) or call the college at (973) 618-3931 for more information. The snow date for the seminar is Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009.

Joyful Event Lifts Spirits at Homefirst



SCOTCH PLAINS-Confirmation students at Saint Bartholomew Parish hosted a Christmas party Dec. 12 for local homeless families-a joyful celebration that attracted 80 guests and was part of a service project to demonstrate the true meaning of Christmas.

ELIZABETH-It was a celestial, "full-circle" moment for the principal of Blessed Sacrament elementary school and one of her former students, who is now a space traveler.

Students and staff at Blessed Sacrament welcomed NASA astronaut Col. Alvin Drew on Nov. 25. Drew, an Air Force colonel, is based at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. He was a member of the crew for the August 2007 Endeavor Space Shuttle mission that went into orbit and visited the International Space Station to make repairs and replenish supplies.

ROME-Archbishop John J. Myers has been elected president of the Pontifical North American College in Rome, it was announced last week.

He will hold this post for a term of three years as he continues to serve as Archbishop of Newark. Archbishop Myers is an alumnus (class of 1967) of North American College.

NUTLEY-"Procrastination is the real culprit," financial expert Sal Salvo cautioned last month at an archdiocesan-sponsored estateplanning seminar held at Saint Mary's Parish.

Salvo, co-founder of the Institute for Family Wealth Counseling in Parsippany (Web site: www.thefamilywealthinstitute.com), focused on income tax reduction, elimination of estate tax and estate planning from a Catholic perspective during the seminar. His warning on procrastination regarding individual estate planning is all the more urgent these days, given the uncertainty created by the unfolding global financial meltdown.

AREA-The fourth annual archdiocesan "Young Adult Month" celebration, sponsored and organized by the Archdiocesan office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries and Youth Retreat Center, 499 Belgrove Dr., Kearny, will kick off the New Year with a slate of events to be held throughout January 2009.

Various activities planned in Bergen, Hudson, Essex and Union counties, and outside of the archdiocese, such as an assortment of topics in the popular "Theology on Tap" series, will look to socially and spiritually engage young adults-twenty- and thirty-something women and men, married or single. Reflections on the life of Saint Paul, in honor of "The Year of Saint Paul" as declared by Pope Benedict XVI, are a featured theme in several activities.

Special Windows Illuminate Mausoleum



COLONIA - Most Rev. Dominic A. Marconi, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Newark, celebrated Mass Nov. 8 to dedicate Saint Gertrude Chapel Mausoleum of the Crucifixion.

In addition to creating a visually stunning sacred space for families to remember their loved ones, the chapel mausoleum now serves as the permanent archive and exhibition site for three vintage stained-glass windows that previously were part of the now-closed Saint Brigid Parish, North Bergen. A fourth window installed at the chapel-the Nativity scene- offers an interesting sidebar of "rediscovered" liturgical art history.

Finding 'Shelter' in a Turbulent Storm, Women Receive Support, Reject Abortion



Embarrassed, alone, confused and afraid. For young women who endure the many trials from an unplanned pregnancy, these emotions can make the decision to have their child extremely difficult. The women, some of whom are only 15 years old, often defy their families and friends by carrying their child to term.

Mother Seton Regional High School, founded in 1963, is committed to the "complete education" of the 425 young women who attend the Middle States Association accredited institution. Affiliated with the Sisters of Charity of Convent Station, the mission of the Catholic girls' high school is to "challenge, empower and inspire" its students and have them excel in "academics, personal growth and service to others" while learning in a diverse environment.

Sister Regina Martin, S.C., is proud of every student and stresses the importance of forming smart, capable young women. "They really are delightful girls," she said. "These young women are the future of the Church and the future of our families."

Started in the fall of 2001 following the 9/11 tragedy, the ministry began as a way to help those who lost their jobs due to the terrorist attacks. Ed McCabe, a career coach/senior counselor/master trainer at Lee-Hecht-Harrison, is one of the ministry's founders. Carol Shea, vice president of information technology recruiting at Berman, Larson, Kane in Paramus, is also a member of the ministry team.

Since I was first called to serve as a bishop more than 20 years ago, I have taught plainly and forcefully on the primacy of protecting the sanctity and the dignity of life at all stages, and on the need to care and nurture pregnant women so they will choose to have their babies.

I have also plainly and forcefully taught that it is the responsibility of all Catholics, whether in public life or not, to form our consciences according to authentic Catholic teaching and tradition, and not societal fashions and fads. Even more so, it is our responsibility to live our teaching and tradition every day, not just on Sundays.

Most recently, I joined with the Administrative Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to endorse statements by Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia and Bishop William E. Lori of Bridgeport, CT, that point out that life begins at conception, and that from her very beginning the Church has taught the grave moral evil of abortion.

Mass at CSE to Reflect on Beatification



CONVENT STATION - Most Rev. Arthur J. Serratelli, Bishop of the Paterson Diocese, will be the main celebrant at the 29th annual Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation Memorial Mass Tuesday, Dec. 9, 5 p.m., at Holy Family Chapel on the campus of the College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE).

LINDEN-End-of-life decisions were the focus of two national leaders who spoke Oct. 4 at the annual Life Issues Seminar at Saint John the Apostle Parish.

Group Hopes to Reinvigorate Sons, Fathers



NEWARK-With in excess of 2,500 men from throughout the Archdiocese of Newark expected to attend the first Catholic Men's Conference next March, preparations for the massive undertaking are solidifying.

NEWARK-Archbishop John J. Myers, in a formal ceremony Oct. 17, officially transferred the Catholic mission, ministry and healthcare operations of Saint Michael's Medical Center to Hope Ministries, a religious community within Catholic Health East (CHE).

Through the covenant, Israel was initiated into intimacy with God, which may be described as a filial bond. "I have called my son out of Egypt" (Hos 11:1; see Ex 4:22-23). Brought into God's family, Israelites should recognize the divine presence in their midst. The title "glory" designates the impressive, illuminating presence of God, especially associated with the Temple that demands acknowledgment (which is the act of "giving glory" to God).

Well into their summer assignments at parishes throughout the four counties of the Archdiocese of Newark, a predominate reaction among adjunct clergy from around the world is a deep appreciation of this country's multiculturalism, which they gained during an enriching pastoral experience among a devote and welcoming faithful.

The archdiocese-one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse corners of the United States-is one of the national leaders in utilizing summer adjunct priests. While the visiting priests benefit from their U.S. experiences, faith communities, in turn, learn about the broad spectrum of cultures these priests represent.

Operating under the guidance of Father Stanley Gomes, director of adjunct clergy for the archdiocese, some 60 parishes are participating this year in the program that allows pastors and parochial vicars to take a break from their demanding duties.

NEWARK-Rev. Msgr. John P. Hourihan, pastor emeritus of Saint John Parish who died at the age of 84 on Sept. 10, leaves a legacy of tireless work with the deaf community as well as compassionate outreach to the poor, hungry and homeless.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Sept. 15 at, Saint John Parish, the oldest parish in New Jersey.

(Editor's note: the following feature continues The Catholic Advocate's coverage of the "Year of Saint Paul," as proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI. Previous articles on Saint Paul have appeared in the July 16, June 18 and May 7 editions.)

When Saint Paul dictated his letters, could he have imagined that they would be proclaimed throughout the world in a great variety of translations? Could he have dreamed that commentaries on his writings would fill libraries and spark major conflicts over the centuries?

The pilgrimage of the Salesians of Don Bosco Youth Ministry, South Orange, to World Youth Day (WYD), Sydney, Australia, last July was a long journey and spiritual quest that was three years in the making. Sixty-six members of the group worked hard to prepare themselves spiritually for this pilgrimage, taking part in special masses, retreats, increased prayer and meditations. Preparations also included making financial sacrifices to pay for the trip.

Oct. 4 Forum to Gather at Linden Parish



LINDEN-Archdiocesan and national leaders in the pro-life movement will speak at a Life Issues Seminar on Saturday, Oct. 4 at Saint John the Apostle Parish, 1805 Penbrook Terr.

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Archbishop provides background on decision made by Holy See



Every once in a while, especially as we come close to the day of an episcopal ordination, someone asks me about what is involved in selecting an auxiliary bishop. How does the process start? What are the steps that a diocese must follow? Does an auxiliary bishop always come from the diocese where he has served as a priest? Does the pope actually choose an auxiliary?

Bishop-Elect Cruz Shares Wisdom from the Infirmary



During almost three decades of ministry in the archdiocese, Bishopelect Manuel A. Cruz has dedicated his life to enhancing a sense of community through God's love. With his new positions as Regional Episcopal Vicar of Union County and Episcopal Vicar for the Hispanic Apostolate, he will continue to reinforce the spiritual bond between the Church and its people.

A Bishop 'Made' in Union City



Last June, when it was announced that Pope Benedict XVI had appointed Msgr. Manuel J. Cruz as an auxiliary bishop, the blessed news spread quickly throughout the Archdiocese of Newark's Hispanic community. As the first Cubanborn priest in the Archdiocese of Newark, Bishop-elect Cruz has dedicated his ministry to the Hispanic community for more than 28 years.

ASL Mass at Saint John's to Welcome Deaf Catholics



NEWARK-A long history of serving the deaf community throughout the Archdiocese of Newark comes full circle on Sunday, Sept. 7 at Saint John Parish on Mulberry Street with the initiation of a regularly scheduled American Sign Language (ASL) Sunday Mass.

Norwood's Parish Outreach Spans 14 Years



There are any number of ways to describe the glowing friendship between the parishioners of Immaculate Conception Parish, Norwood, and Zion Baptist Church, located in Lottsburg, VA-a once-ayear gathering of kindred spirits; a nine-hour car ride to perform community service projects for those in need; an opportunity to temporarily leave the familiar sights of northern New Jersey and see what summer days are like for those who live along Northumberland Highway in the Old Dominion state.

Archbishop Draws Parallel to Ancient Roman Catacombs



AREA-In its latest effort to provide state-of-the-art facilities and services to the Catholic people of the northern New Jersey, Archbishop John J. Myers and Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark recently broke ground on two new mausoleum projects-in Jersey City and Mahwah-and began an expansion of its cemetery in Mahwah.

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.

NEWARK-The Urban Ministry Task Force-the first in a comprehensive evaluation of spiritual, cultural, economic and community life throughout the four counties of the Archdiocese of Newark-is defining and addressing challenges faced by inner-city parishes.

Reimbursement from State to Drop by $111M


NEWARK-Nine of the remaining 13 Catholic hospitals in New Jersey will operate in a "strained financial situation" for the foreseeable future as they face a major reduction in state funding of Charity Care.

Beloved Late Wife Inspired Journey of Fr. Sammarco


When his wife died of breast cancer on Good Friday a decade ago, Father Bruno S. Sammarco-ordained May 24 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark by Archbishop John J. Myers-literally and spiritually put his future into God's hands.

Msgr. Cruz Expresses Thanks for His 'Cuban Refugee' Journey



Pope Benedict XVI has named Rev. Msgr. Manuel A. Cruz, 54-a priest who has spent his life in service in both parish and in medical and pastoral care ministry- as a new auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Newark. Archbishop John J. Myers made the announcement during a June 9 press conference at the Archdiocesan Center.

NEWARK-The Archdiocese of Newark will inaugurate its observance of the "Year of Saint Paul" with a special noon Mass to be celebrated by Archbishop John J. Myers on Sunday, June 29, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

The worldwide celebration, proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI last year, will run from June 28 to June 29, 2009. Pope Benedict announced the Church's Pauline year marking the 2,000th anniversary of the saint's birth last June on the eve of the feast of Saint Paul and Saint Peter. The pontiff said the celebration year, to be marked by liturgies and special events in Rome, also should be celebrated in dioceses throughout the world.

North American Church leaders have issued calls for the faithful to study the life and missionary spirit of Saint Paul during the next 12 months (see The Catholic Advocate, May 7). Father C. Anthony Ziccardi, executive director of mission and ministry and a professor at Immaculate Conception Seminary on the South Orange campus of Seton Hall University, said most of the information on...

Reporters Murray, Friedman Plan to 'Blog' All About It



ROSELLE - Among the thousands of young people attending World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia (July 15-20), 11 students from Roselle Catholic High School will be part of a contingent representing the Archdiocese of Newark at the international event.

The group from the Marist Brothers-led Union County high school-15 in total including chaperones-has many activities to look forward to as they head "down under" from July 6-20. Prior to World Youth Day, a Marist International Youth Festival will be held at a Marist high school in Sydney, gathering together over 700 students from the order's schools worldwide.

NEWARK-With rising gang violence plaguing their city, students and administrators of Saint Rose of Lima School are fighting back.

As the first private school in the state to offer the federal Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) program curriculum, the parish school on Orange Street is combating the recruitment of gang members at a younger age.

GREAT is a school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curriculum. With prevention as its primary objective, the program is intended to resist youth violence and gang membership. Offered to the third, fourth and sixth grade students, it is taught by Officer Raymond Vonderheide, senior parole officer in the street gang unit of the New Jersey State Parole Board.

This is a time for rejoicing. Any of you who has ever attended an ordination at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark knows first-hand the elation, the energy, the celebration that springs forth when the sacrament of Holy Orders is conferred.

'Indifference' Fuels Tension in Middle East



SOUTH ORANGE-The Middle East is the geopolitical challenge of our time that will take generations to solve, declared U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad, speaking at a Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations forum on the campus of Seton Hall University (SHU).

Key Position Eyes Application of Canon Law for the Church



Pope Benedict XVI has named Most Rev. John J. Myers, Archbishop of Newark, as a member of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts. The appointment was effective April 1 and is in addition to his continuing role as leader of the Newark Archdiocese. Archbishop Myers has served as a consultor to the council since 1996.

Lesniak Declares Funds for Students Not a 'Voucher'



In an emotionally charged hearing of the State Senate Economic Growth Committee, which pitted a growing statewide coalition of parents and community advocates against New Jersey's public teachers' union and other public school interest groups, the Urban Enterprise Zone Jobs Scholarship Act (S-1607), moved closer to full consideration by the NJ legislature.

Archbishop Myers to Ordain Nonet of Priests on May 24 at Cathedral Basilica Mass



Archbishop John J. Myers will ordain nine men to the priesthood for service to the Church of Newark on Saturday, May 24 at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. As was the case last year, the Archdiocese of Newark is among the national leaders with the number of men to be ordained. Newark led the nation the last two years with 13 and 17 newly ordained respectively.

Allendale Site Supports Adult Stem-Cell Research



ALLENDALE-The New Jersey Cord Blood Bank (NJCBB), the state's only public cord-blood bank that supports adult stem-cell research, is in danger of closing due to lack of funding.

MORRISTOWN-For the many Catholics living in New Jersey, ethical, morally sound, end-of-life care for loved ones is a difficult issue. Not only do theological principles of innate human dignity arise, but there are practical matters of cost to weigh.

Keynote Speaker Describes her Abortion-Survival Saga



Traveling from all five dioceses throughout the Garden State, 750 high school students attended the fifth annual New Jersey Pro-Life Rally on Friday, April 18 on the South Orange campus of Seton Hall University (SHU).

NEW YORK-When the sun suddenly broke through the clouds last Sunday afternoon, Greg Tobin knew it was going to be an extraordinary day.

YONKERS, NY-"Take Courage! Fix your gaze to our saints," cried Pope Benedict XVI as he addressed the crowd of 22,000 young Catholics and seminarians from across the nation at Saint Joseph Seminary on April 19.

Large, colorful banners of yellow and violet were hung on the stage of the field where thousands gathered, including over 2,000 seminarians, on the field of the 40-acre seminary. The crowd was given flags in the papal colors of white and gold, which were emphatically waved as the Holy Father arrived on stage.

Pope Benedict, during his address, stressed the idea of courage in faith to the young people at the rally. "You are Christ's disciples today," he said. "Shine His light upon this great city and beyond."

For most college students, doing manual labor in rural West Virginia-compared with reclining on a sunny beach in Florida-would not be high on a top-10 list of "favorite things to do" during winter break. However, a dedicated group of Caldwell College students discovered that working at Nazareth Farm in Salem, WV, proved to be an invaluable, spiritual experience-one that turned out to be far more meaningful than beach time.

On Aug. 1, 1849, a hot sun baked the harbor of the city of Gaeta, near Naples in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. As noon approached, Pope Pius IX, dressed in white cassock and wide red Roman hat, stepped into an ornate barge and comfortably settled under a large canopy protecting him from the sun.

Twelve sailors rowed the pontiff past Spanish, French, and British warships with their yards manned. As the papal party drew near a majestic frigate, cannons roared a 21-gun salute and the papal flag was hoisted to the top of the mainmast.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the dean of the College of Cardinals, was elected pope on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 in the shortest conclave in modern history. He succeeded Pope John Paul II who was the second-longest serving pope in recorded history: nearly 27 years. (Blessed Pius IX occupied the Chair of St. Peter for nearly 32 years, from 1846 to 1878.) He was reportedly elected on the fourth ballot with 84 of the 115 votes.

There will be several important moments during Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States. No doubt the event that will attract the most media attention from around the world will be Benedict XVI's address to a session of the United Nations' General Assembly. The next-most important news event will occur when Pope Benedict visits with President George W. Bush in the White House.

But, in addition to what will interest news media from around the world, other moments in the pope's visit will hold even greater importance for some of us here in the United States.

Community Service Remains Essential for Bishop Arias



On the eve of the 25th anniversary of his episcopal ordination, Bishop David Arias, O.A.R., is thankful for his many pioneering accomplishments. As the first Hispanic auxiliary bishop in New Jersey, his impact as a pastor, author and teacher in the Archdiocese of Newark is well documented and undeniable.

Beloved Pets Touch Heart of Deacon's Faithful Work



NEWARK-Ever since his childhood, Deacon Joseph A. Dwyer Jr., vice chancellor for administration in the Archdiocese of Newark, has had an abiding compassion and respect for all of God's creatures-deep feelings that have inspired his religious life and spiritual work.

Speakers Share Tales Straight from the Heart



Commemorating the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's apostolic letter Mulieris Dignitatem ("On the Dignity and Vocation of Women"), the annual Women's Day of Reflection-sponsored by the Women's Commission of the Archdiocese of Newark-addressed issues of faith and life facing modern women in society and the Church.

When we look at the whole Easter tridiuum (the three days leading up to Easter) and the event of the Resurrection, what we would see is the greatest motivational story of all time. Beginning from Palm Sunday (the Sunday we celebrate Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem), everything looked bleak for Christ, the Son of God.

Guided by Sister Eileen, All Saints to Greet 560 Students in September



BAYONNE-Sister Eileen Jude Wust, S.S.J. will bring 22 years of experience as a principal to the new All Saints Catholic Academy when it opens its doors next September.

Most days, the richly wood-paneled York Room in the historic Birch Mansion of Ramapo College in Mahwah is home to chamber music and jazz performances, lectures by visiting professors and authors, art and seasonal exhibits and other events.

Two Caldwell Students Add their Energy to Movement

CALDWELL-On Jan. 20, two days before thousands gathered at the March for Life in Washington D.C., 800 students from across the country showed their deep commitment to the pro-life movement at the Students for Life of America (SFLA) conference.

There seemingly could be little to draw 56 New Jersey college students to the Lone Star State the day after the New Year began. However, an overwhelming love and appreciation for the Catholic Church along with the distinct presence of the Holy Spirit at the Garden State schools inspired the journey.

Nearly 3,000 students and members of religious orders from across the nation convened in Grapevine, TX, Jan. 2-6, for the 2008 Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) national conference. The five-day event was held at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center.

ELIZABETH-First Friends, a volunteer group based out of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, puts Catholic compassion and social teaching into action by simply "being there" for international asylum seekers at the Elizabeth Detention Center.

NEWARK-Close to a 1,000 of the faithful from throughout the Archdiocese of Newark filled the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Feb. 11 for an evening prayer service, celebrated by Archbishop John J. Myers, and a Plenary Indulgence granted by Pope Benedict XVI, honoring the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes.

NEWARK-The initial task for Dosso Kassimou as the president of Newark's new African Commission will be to connect the city's growing African community with the established Catholic African-American diaspora.

NEWARK-When the people of the Archdiocese of Newark join with others from around the world on the weekend of Feb. 16 and 17 to celebrate World Marriage Day, they will be doing much more than honoring the lifelong commitment of husband and wife and the openness to life.

They will be taking a stand, along with hundreds of thousands of people of all faiths across the state, to defend the definition of marriage as a union of one man and one woman at a time when the very meaning of marriage itself is being challenged by a society more focused on individual satisfaction than on God's plan for married couples as seen in the Old Testament and the Gospel. They also will continue to recognize that while traditional marriages may not always be perfect, they are by far the best setting for a child to grow and learn while excercising his or her natural right to know, love and be loved by his or her natural parents.

NEWARK-For priests and religious who are recent immigrants from Africa, adapting to the culture and practices of the Catholic Church in America can be a difficult experience. The African Conference of Catholic Clergy and Religious in the United States (ACCCRUS) seeks to help African clergy adjust to their new life in America.

The season of Lent is upon us today. It is a time of conversion and of self-reflection. It is a period of time in which we are called to search within ourselves, to hold up the light of God's truth to those dark places that exist within us, that we might be illuminated by the light of mercy the Lord provides in Himself.

Through this intense time of prayerful introspection, we gain insights-not only about ourselves, but about the Lord who created us, loves us, and, as we remember solemnly each Good Friday, died so we might have eternal life.

Cathedral Basilica to Host Evening Prayer on Feb. 11
Catholics around the world will join together during the month of February to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes. To honor the Blessed Virgin Mary on the occasion of this sesquicentennial event, Pope Benedict XVI has granted a Plenary Indulgence to those who honor her in a special way.

On this joyful occasion, all of the faithful of the Archdiocese of Newark are invited to participate in a celebration of evening prayer on Monday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m., at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 89 Ridge Street, Newark, where, having fulfilled certain conditions, they will have the opportunity to gain the Plenary Indulgence. Archbishop John J. Myers will preside at the evening prayer.

Saint Michael's Becomes Hub for the City


NEWARK-As part of a comprehensive hospital transition plan designed to preserve a much-needed Catholic healthcare presence in Newark, the boards of Cathedral Healthcare System, Cathedral Health Services, and Columbus Hospital have approved a strategic transaction with Catholic Health East (CHE).

SUMMIT-Sacred Music is a big part of Gregory S. Scime's life and since 2001 he has traveled to the medieval town of Assisi, Italy-the birthplace of St. Francis-with the goal of assuring others of the same spiritually uplifting and satisfying experience.

Riley Inspires Young Adults to Value Life



NORTH ARLINGTON-Thousands of pro-life supporters will travel to Washington D.C. for the 35th annual March for Life on Jan. 22-each with a mission, a journey and a story to tell.

Small Allotment Provided to Archdiocesan Parishes

NEWARK-Pope Benedict's choice to celebrate the Eucharist with the Catholic people of the tri-state area at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, April 20, during the Easter season, makes this first Papal Visit to the United States a special blessing.

Home to Build Trust, Good Will in Newark Area



NEWARK-The real foundation of a new Habitat for Humanity home on South 6th Street just off South Orange Avenue will be the area's diverse faith traditions.

"Based on the analysis of the results of the 2007 Full Audit of the Archdiocese of Newark, you have been found to be in compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People."

A few simple words, but they speak volumes and speak them loudly.

Council 13678 Sends Joy from Wyckoff Parish


WYCKOFF-The spirit of giving this Christmas season not only abounds in the Archdiocese of Newark, but with the help of the Knights of Columbus Council 13678, it extends to U.S. soldiers thousands of miles away in Iraq and Afghanistan.

AREA-The Archdiocesan Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, based at the Archdiocesan Youth Retreat Center, 499 Belgrove Dr., Kearny, is coordinating an assortment of activities to mark the third annual "Young Adult Month" celebration.

Pope Benedict XVI, in his homily on the 2006 Feast of Corpus Christi, declared that the Eucharist "constitutes the treasure of the Church. The Eucharist is the Lord Jesus...in all times and places, He wishes to encounter men and women and bring them the life of God."

Notre Dame Teens Help Build Hope in Mississippi


NORTH CALDWELL-The desperate need of people living along the Gulf Coast, two years after the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, made the decision of where the youth group at Notre Dame Parish would go this year an easy one.

to the Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Men, Women Religious and all Lay Faithful "On Christian Hope."

Introduction
1.) SPE SALVI facti sumus-in hope we were saved, says Saint Paul to the Romans, and likewise to us (Rom 8:24). According to the Christian faith, "redemption"-salvation-is not simply a given. Redemption is offered to us in the sense that we have been given hope, trustworthy hope, by virtue of which we can face our present: the present, even if it is arduous, can be lived and accepted if it leads towards a goal, if we can be sure of this goal, and if this goal is great enough to justify the effort of the journey.

Now the question immediately arises: what sort of hope could ever justify the statement that, on the basis of that hope and simply because it exists, we are redeemed? And what sort of certainty is involved here?

BALTIMORE (CNS) - Pope Benedict XVI will visit New York and Washington D.C. April 15-20, 2008. Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States, confirmed the dates of the papal trip on Nov. 12 at the beginning of the annual fall meeting of the U.S. bishops.

MONTCLAIR-There is a "real chance" New Jersey could soon legislatively abolish the death penalty, longtime anti-capital punishment advocate Sister Helen Prejean declared Nov. 8 during a presentation at St. Peter Claver Parish.

325 Attendees Gain Insights on Faith, Caring


PARAMUS-The sixth annual Stewardship Day conference, held Nov. 3 at Paramus Catholic High School and sponsored by the archdiocesan Office of Development, celebrated an understanding of stewardship and its importance to the Church.

NEWARK-Recent Rutgers-Newark alumnus Brian Honsberger is accustomed to teamwork. As an All-American volleyball athlete who received a scholarship to attend college, he planned on playing professionally in Europe.

Today, the Buffalo, NY, native has used his affinity for teamwork by starting "Second Mile," a relief ministry in the University Heights neighborhood.

The original name for Immaculate Conception Parish was St. John the Baptist. On June 24, 1921, the feast day of the saint, the first Mass in Norwood was celebrated.
 
The property of the old Borough Club on Summit Street was purchased in 1921 for about $4,000. Catholic families, going door-to-door, collected the money. Sometime between June and December 1921, the parish name was changed to "Immaculate Conception" from St. John the Baptist. The Carmelite Fathers agreed to take over the care of the parish only if it was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, thus the name change.

Bus caravan Visits Parishes in Orange Area


AREA-Against the inspirational backdrop of a beautiful autumn day, over 100 participants enjoyed the Oct. 20 archdiocesan Heritage Tour, sponsored and organized by the archdiocesan Office of Property Management.

The daylong excursion-three buses led by a special police escort-included stops at four treasured churches located in the towns of East Orange, South Orange, and Orange (see The Catholic Advocate, Oct. 10 and Aug. 8).

LINDEN-It was a powerful confession reflecting the life of a woman who was at the heart of the historic legal decision that ignited the abortion controversy in the United States 34 years ago.

"I am sorry that I listened to the lies. I was part of the court case that brought the holocaust of abortion into this country and for that I deeply apologize."

Earlier this year, at a lecture on prayer-sponsored by Immaculate Conception Seminary (on the campus of Seton Hall University)-a guest remarked almost incredulously to a friend: "I never experienced prayer like that." In just one sentence, she captured the enthusiasm of the crowd attending Father Vincent Fortunato's presentation: "Praying with the Imagination."

Much has been written in the media about the Nov. 6 bond question that would authorize the State of New Jersey to spend $450 million to support stem-cell research (see The Catholic Advocate, Oct. 10 edition). Because there continues to be much confusion over the nature of stem-cell research, the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey, in concert with the Trenton-based New Jersey Catholic Conference, have sought in the time leading up to this election day to clarify for Catholic voters the Church's teaching related to stem-cell research.

Only 'Adult' Research gets Blessing from the Church
The emotional debate concerning embryonic stemcell research and the cloning of human life moves front and center onto the New Jersey political scene when voters go to the polls on Nov. 6.

At stake is a statewide "Stem Cell Research" bond issue question. If approved, the measure would authorize $450 million in taxpayer dollars for state-sponsored stem-cell research programs. It's expected the overwhelming majority of funds in the bond issue would be earmarked for research on embryonic stem cells.

The Catholic Church strongly supports adult stem-cell research, but remains adamantly opposed to embryonic stem-cell research and cloning.

Outreach Work Sparkles under Midnight Sun


SADDLE RIVER-In a far-away land famous for its cold weather, glaciers and "midnight sun," youth group members and their chaperones from St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish received a warm welcome. And then they went to work.

Today many young adults struggle with living the Catholic stewardship way of life. Stewardship consists of giving time, talent and treasure to God as a gift of gratitude for all the blessings we have received from Him. It is intentional, planned and proportionate to our blessings.

Honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary, parishes in the Archdiocese of Newark will organize a one-day pilgrimage on Saturday, Oct, 27, to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C.

NEWARK-The Archdiocese of Newark has awarded its annual stewardship grants to five schools and six parishes-the third consecutive year that funds have been made available for much-needed maintenance and capital improvement projects.

The grants were announced as the archdiocese gears up for its annual Stewardship Day event, which will be held Nov. 3, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Paramus Catholic High School, 425 Paramus Rd.

Sept. 29 Event will Celebrate Catholic Gifts


Newark's Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart will display the sacred statue of Our Lady of America, Sept. 27 to Oct. 1-an exhibition that will serve as the spiritual centerpiece for the archdiocesan Festival of Faith celebration, which will be held Saturday, Sept. 29.