NEWARK—On May 2, Fr. Michael Fugee, a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, wrote the following to the Most Rev. John J. Myers, Archbishop of Newark: “For the good of the Church and for my peace, I have requested permission to leave public exercise of my priestly ministry.”

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LODI—The Religious Studies Department at Felician College will present a special lecture entitled “John Cardinal Newman and Conscience” to celebrate the worldwide Year of Faith. The lecture will be held in Obal Hall on Felician’s Lodi campus Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. Father Joseph W. Koterski, a Jesuit priest of the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus, will serve as the featured speaker.

KEARNY—Saint Stephen Parish, 676 Kearny Ave., observed the 70th anniversary of the Four Chaplains with a noon Mass on Feb. 3 and a dedication of a dramatic monument, created by Canadian artist Timothy P. Schmalz.

Bailey Ramirez, Raymond Berry, Kristen Nugent and Nicolle Kott, four freshmen at Union Catholic Regional High School in Scotch Plains, recently were awarded the 2012-13 Navin Brothers’ Food Service Scholarship.

Faith Quest 2013, a Catholic adult faith-formation forum, will be presented on Wednesdays evenings during the Season of Lent: Feb. 27; March 6, 13 and 20, 7:30-9 p.m. Saint Aloysius Parish, 219 Bloomfield Ave., will host the series.

Twenty-five years after he was ordained a bishop in its sanctuary, Archbishop John J. Myers of Newark was warmly welcomed back to Saint Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria during a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sept. 6, concelebrated by his successor as Bishop of Peoria and more than 125 diocesan priests.

In its effort to call attention to the evils of human trafficking and modern-day slavery, the Frederick Douglass Family Foundation (FDFF) has united with Benedictine Academy, naming the school as its first “Douglass Freedom Partner.”

Nearly 5,000 people filled Washington’s Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on July 4 for a Mass that celebrated the closing liturgy of the nationwide June 21-July 4 “Fortnight for Freedom” campaign.

LODI—As part of a five-year trend of lay educators being installed as leaders of the four Catholic colleges in the geographic confines of the Archdiocese of Newark, Anne M. Prisco, Ph.D., will become Felician College’s first lay president on July 1.

LODI—The importance of humor among the faithful of the Catholic Church will be the focus of Felician College’s annual Pope John Paul II lecture, which will feature a keynote address by author Father James Martin, S.J.

SOUTH ORANGE — Sustained applause filled the Seton Hall University field house on March 11 as Most Rev. Arthur J. Serratelli, Bishop of the Paterson Diocese, told an audience of close to 2,000 faithful at the fourth annual archdiocesan Men’s Conference that “as disciples we should never be ashamed that we are Catholic.”

THE ORANGES—The Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of the Oranges will hold its 111th anniversary dinner Thursday, March 15 at Mayfair Farms, 481 Eagle Rock Ave., West Orange. The organization will honor B. Matthew Cannan as its “Young Irishman of the Year.”

NEWARK—With emphasis on the practical benefits of immediate registration, organizers of next month’s annual Day of Reflection and Catholic Men’s Conference are in the final planning stages. Archbishop John J. Myers, an avid proponent of both spiritually enriching experiences, will be the main celebrant at the concluding Mass of both events.

Being appointed pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Ridgefield Park, means you are the “unofficial mayor” of the Bergen County village, according to Father Larry Evans, who was selected for the position in July of 2011.

Our journey toward Easter begins with Lent. We recall the words of Saint Peter Chrysologus (a homilist born 405 in Imola, Italy) who said: “Fasting is the soul of prayer; mercy is the lifeblood of fasting.”

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark Chancery Office condensed financial information for fiscal years ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.

NEWARK—The Archdiocese of Newark will conduct the annual Call to Continuing Conversion and Rite of Election Feb. 25 and 26 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The liturgical rites are celebrated the first weekend of the Season of Lent throughout the United States.

A group of friends in their 20s with similar interests, living together under one roof and trying to make ends meet, might seem like the concept for a new TV sitcom. However, as members of the Salesians of Don Bosco Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, the four friends in question share a deep, spiritual vocation along with a house in Orange. Mary Elise Zellmer, director of development at the South Orange based Salesian office, started her position last fall. A native of Denton, TX, Zellmer spent a year doing mission work in Rwanda with the Salesians before relocating to the Archdiocese of Newark.

ELIZABETH—As mounds of boxes and canned groceries are being unloaded into the Saint Joseph Social Service Center food pantry, one question is constantly being asked: Will there be enough? Even after purchasing a large supply from The Community FoodBank of New Jersey in Hillside, Sister Jacinta Fernandes, O.S.B., director of the center, worries that clients won’t get all the food they need—a troubling situation considering the spirit of the Thanksgiving season.

PARAMUS—Citing the “richness of our faith,” Most Rev. Edgar M. da Cunha, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark, welcomed 800 participants to the annual Catechetical Convocation at Paramus Catholic Regional High School on Nov. 12. The day-long event is sponsored by the Catechetical Office of the Archdiocese of Newark.

"You are not going to find Jesus as a friend request on Facebook,” Father James Chern, director of Montclair State University’s (MSU) Newman Catholic Center, advises his young adults. Newly appointed by Archbishop John J. Myers as director of Catholic Campus Ministries for the Archdiocese of Newark (see TheCatholic Advocate, Aug. 10), Fr. Chern utilizes innovative methods, including instant messaging via Facebook Chat, to reach out to the large Catholic population on campus.

Last month this whole part of the country was put on alert for a devastating hurricane that was fast approaching us. Television channels cancelled all their regular programming to bring us the very latest news on the progress of Hurricane Irene. Our governors and mayors spoke to us constantly to warn us of the possible dangers.

In somewhat the same manner as we prepared for Hurricane Irene, Rev. Msgr. James M. Sheehan prepared himself for an event that was fast approaching in his life. This was not just a threat for someone to think about. This event was guaranteed by the best medical information available. The diagnosis was cancer and the prognosis was that it was terminal. Msgr. Sheehan accepted this information with a prayerful calmness that characterized his whole life.

On the bright sunny Saturday afternoon of May 7, in a ceremony presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints, in Pianura on the outskirts of Naples, Italy, the name of Father Justin Russolillo, founder of the Society of Divine Vocations, was added to those declared “blessed” in the Catholic Church. One had to be there to fully understand and appreciate the joy and enthusiasm of an estimated 30,000 people who joined three cardinals, 30 bishops, 400 priests and hundreds of Religious for this occasion.

The first time that Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., visited the rectory of Saint Rocco/Saint Brigid Parish in Union City, he said, “I have never seen so many pictures of Pope John Paul II in one place.” It so happened that he was visiting the parish to bless the statue of Pope John Paul II located in front of the church on Kennedy Boulevard. Whoever knows Father Manuel D. Rios, the pastor of Saint Rocco/ Saint Brigid, knows why he has so many of these pictures: they go along with his love and devotion for the Polish pope. We interviewed Fr. Rios a few days before the May 1 beatification of John Paul II.

The 76th annual Newark’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, led by grand marshal Archbishop John J. Myers and deputy grand marshal Susan A. Feeney, Esq., State Bar Association president-elect, will be held on Friday, March 18.

Members of the NJ Army and Air National Guard will be honored as recipients of the parade dedication. The day begins at 9:15 a.m. with an Investiture Mass at Saint Patrick’s Pro-Cathedral, 91 Washington St. Grandstand ceremonies will begin at noon and the parade steps off at 1 p.m.

AREA—Faith Quest 2011, an adult spirituality forum to help celebrate the season of Lent, will be held Wednesdays, March 16 through April 6, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Notre Dame Parish, 359 Central Ave., North Caldwell.

To defray expenses an offering of $3 a session or $10 for the four-week series is requested. Preregistration is required to help with logistics planning. Each week participants can choose one course they wish to attend. Sessions will “stand alone,” meaning attendance at a prior session is not required. For brochures and registration forms, contact Notre Dame Church office at (973) 226-0979 or any of the other sponsoring parishes. Call Patricia Fitzpatrick at (973) 994-0173 for further information on the program.

PARAMUS—Praising their ministry as a spiritual journey and “an awesome calling,” Rev. Msgr. Kevin M. Hanbury, Ed.D., vicar for education and superintendent of schools, welcomed 800 faithful from throughout the Archdiocese of Newark on Nov. 13 to the annual Catechetical Convocation, which was held at Paramus Catholic Regional High School.

ROSELLE-Hauling wheelbarrows, meticulously painting a gymnasium and tilling stubborn soil are not activities most high school students look forward to as they embark on summer vacation.

However, instead of basking in the sun at the shore, over 150 students at Roselle Catholic High School gave back to the community and their school during Summer Service Days June 16-18.

MOUNTAINSIDE-The importance of welcoming persons and families living with autism and other developmental disorders were explored April 19 during the "Charism of Hospitality" seminar at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.

Anne Masters, director of pastoral ministry with persons with disabilities for the archdiocese, led the discussion that was attended by priests, catechetical leaders and parents with autistic children. There are 150,000 people with developmental disabilities in New Jersey,  according to Masters.

Archdiocese Parishioners and Students Contribute $1 Million to Haiti Relief

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Two Women Share Odyssey of Healing


Donna Pfluger-Murray and her associates at Aon Risk Services Inc. were holding an important client meeting on the 105th floor of the South Tower of the World Trade Center on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Pfluger- Murray, along with her colleague Jen, had worked late the night before to prepare for the meeting and arrived early that day to finalize details.

AREA - Students at three schools in the Archdiocese of Newark are learning valuable lessons on faithfully protecting the Earth and its environment.

Our Lady of the Lake School (OLL) in Verona, Resurrection School in Jersey City and Demarest's Academy of the Holy Angels High School were selected to participate in a yearlong collaborative statewide pilot project designed to encourage environmental leadership.