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.