UPPER MONTCLAIR—Lacordaire Academy’s Fine Arts Department presents the academy’s annual “Museum Show.” The art exhibit, free and open to the public, will be on display May 3-7 in the academy’s gymnasium. This year’s show “The Changing Landscape: A Panorama of Identity and Culture,” includes works by the academy’s Pre K-grade 12 students.

UPPER MONTCLAIR—Lacordaire Academy, 155 Lorraine Ave., will host an open house event on Wednesday, March 13. The program, which will begin promptly at 7 p.m. and finish at 8:30 p.m., welcomes prospective students and their parents for the Lower School, co-ed Pre-K through 4th grade, with a special focus on Pre-K and Kindergarten families.

The Little Sisters of the Poor have been ministering to the elderly in the spirit of their foundress, Saint Jeanne Jugan, for nearly 170 years.  The recent mandate from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) threatens to take our financial challenges to an entirely new level.

Saint Peter’s College awarded 872 degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels at its 121st commencement exercises May 21 at the PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel. The Jersey City college will become a university in the fall.

BAYONNE—Saint Vincent de Paul Parish, 979 Avenue C, on Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, will present a program celebrating the lives of three Irishmen who worked in the early 1900s on the Lombard- Romanesque church building.

I first met Archbishop John J. Myers 35 years ago when I was a newly ordained priest and he was newly returned to the Diocese of Peoria, IL, after completing a doctorate in Canon Law. He was named vice chancellor and vocation director and was assigned to live at the cathedral rectory, which was the next parish over from where I was assigned after my ordination that year (1976).

I remember he called to welcome me to the area and invited me to the Cathedral for a get together. I remember how impressed I was as a young priest that he would take the time to personally call me and offer me his friendship when I was new in the city and had no real friends there.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In the first effort of its kind by any faith group in the state, the New Jersey Catholic Conference (NJCC) launched an initiative with the statewide Maternal and Child Consortia to educate clergy, Religious and lay professionals in New Jersey's 684 parishes to recognize the warning signs of Postpartum Depression (PPD).

At the press conference, held in Newark May 25 in the Archdiocesan Center, Archbishop John J. Myers said he was proud to be a part of this new venture, which he hopes will be a model for other religious groups in the state and across the nation.

Every day in this great archdiocese, literally thousands of Catholic men and women work closely with parish pastors through pastoral and financial councils and committees. In today’s world, the operation of a parish is a very complex undertaking.

Pastors are fortunate when they can rely upon the advice and support of experienced laypeople who bring to the service of the Church the skills they use in the world within which Jesus has called us to minister.

SOUTH ORANGE-The role of Mary in the modern world and her role in shaping the character of women were the main points discussed at the annual Women's Day of Reflection, which was held March 31 at Seton Hall University.