AREA—The Catholic Cemeteries Office of the Archdiocese of Newark will host the annual outdoor Memorial Day masses (Monday, May 27) at archdiocesan cemeteries located throughout northern New Jersey.

Rev. Msgr. Richard J. Arnhols, pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Bergenfield, since 1998, will be honored by the parish community for his four decades in the priesthood with a special celebration on Saturday, May 25. A Mass of Thanksgiving at 5:30 p.m. will be followed by a dinner/dance in Conlon Hall.

Faithful from throughout the Archdiocese of Newark and beyond joined in fellowship, prayer and worship at the fifth annual Catholic Men’s Conference on March 2 on the campus of Seton Hall University.

The Debate Team of the Academy of the Holy Angels (AHA), Demarest, competed at Northern Valley Demarest High School on Jan. 8 with impressive results.

A colleague and a friend, Rev. Msgr. Kevin M. Hanbury, whom I had known for more than a decade and with whom I’d worked closely during his years as vicar for education and superintendent of schools of the Archdiocese of Newark, finally succumbed after a courageous two-month battle with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

The Catholic Cemeteries Office of the Archdiocese of Newark will host the annual Memorial Day masses at seven archdiocesan cemeteries throughout northern New Jersey on Monday, May 28, at 11 a.m.

Maryrest Chapel Mausoleum, Mahwah, operated by Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark, is installing treasured spiritual artwork—old and new. Archbishop John J. Myers will dedicate and bless the facility on Oct. 13.

WOODLAND PARK—Pope Benedict XVI, on Jan. 19, appointed Most Rev. William Charles Skurla, D.D., as Metropolitan Archbishop of the Byzantine Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. He will be enthroned in Pittsburgh on April 18.

NEWARK—Seven members of the Archdiocese of Newark will be invested into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem during a Mass and ceremony Saturday, Oct. 1, 2:30 p.m., at the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Fifth Avenue at 50^th St., New York. The seven were nominated by Archbishop John J. Myers. Most Rev. Timothy M. Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, will preside at the Oct. 1 Mass.

NEWARK—Mary’s Meals, an international organization dedicated to feeding and educating children who suffer from the ravages of poverty and war, recently established its first U.S. headquarters at Saint Antoninus Parish, 337 South Orange Ave. Patty Decker, a member of Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Bloomfield, will direct the Mary’s Meals office. The organization feeds 526,000 children each day in 16 countries in Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.

Archbishop Calls on Community for Aid and Prayers For Victims of Earthquake, Tsunami and Aftermath in Japan

ARCHBISHOP ISSUES DISPENSATION FROM LENTEN OBLIGATION FOR FEAST OF ST. PATRICK

NEWARK—Too often the true spirit of Christmas is marred by a consumer culture interested in getting the newest gadget instead of giving back to the community. The birth of Our Savior and His message of hope and giving are outshined by the glitzy decorations and lure of bustling shopping centers.

From Jan. 3-9, 2011, the Gratia Plena Evangelical Community at Saint Antoninus Parish, 337 South Orange Ave., will host volunteers in a “mission immersion” week.

Along with morning and evening prayer, volunteers will reside at the parish while helping out at a local soup kitchen, visit the elderly at a nursing home and build housing for the less fortunate with Habitat for Humanity. Plans also include a bus trip to New York to minister to the homeless and daily Mass with eucharistic adoration.

NEWARK — The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 89 Ridge St., will host the 40th annual “Candlelight Carol Sing” on Dec. 15 and 16. Doors open at 7 p.m.

John J. Miller, archdiocesan director of music ministries, will conduct the performance, which will feature the Cathedral Choir accompanied by organ, brass and percussion.

“Christmas Cantata,” composed by Daniel R. Pinkham in 1957, will be featured composition of the concert. According to information on various Web sites, Pinkham was born in Lynn, MA, on June 5, 1923.

NEWARK-The Missionaries of Charity in Newark will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mother Teresa of Calcutta on Saturday, Aug. 28, at Saint Augustine Parish, 170 Sussex Ave. A special Mass will be celebrated at 5 p.m.

Most Rev. Edgar M. da Cunha, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Newark, will preside at the Mass. The public is invited to attend. Call the convent of the Missionaries of Charity at (973) 483-0165 for more information.

NEWARK-Rev. Msgr. Ro-bert J. Fuhrman, the former pastor of Saint Gabriel the Archangel Parish, Saddle River, was in-stalled July 1 as the assistant national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies, New York.

"A new era," Rev. Msgr. John Kozar, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies, said, pointing to Msgr. Fuhrman's starting date at the national office. "With his efforts as a diocesan liaison and for planned giving, Msgr. Fuhrman renews our focus in these important areas. And, as with all we do at the Pontifical Mission Societies, we feel strongly that this will help us to better serve the mission Church to bring the 'Good News' of Jesus to two-thirds of our human family."

Witness awakens vocations. This is the theme for the 47th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, offered by Pope Benedict XVI and celebrated  April 25. One man, like Rev. Msgr. Raymond J. Pollard, who died March 21, can make a difference. In Jesus Christ we know this to be true. In  and through Christ this continues to be true for His priests.

How does this happen and what brings it about? It boils down to three things: a personal relationship (friendship) with Christ through  prayer; the increased ability to give one's self to God and others without compromise; and living a life of communion with others, by being  open to them and their needs. There is a beauty and attraction, born of God, that continues to draw men to this priestly way of life.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Catherine Attara-Fink and her eighth-grade son Thomas are a unique tandem. Both are involved in the Archdiocese of Newark's Prison Ministry program.

Parishioners of Notre Dame Parish in North Caldwell, they admitted their calling is not for everyone. But for those who reach out to the incarcerated, they said it is a fulfilling experience. The mother and son deal with people of all faiths who are, in Attara-Fink's words, "hungry for spiritual life."

Argentina, Philippines, Poland Serve as Starting Points of Faith Journeys

Reflecting the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of the Archdiocese of Newark, Archbishop John J. Myers will ordain 13 new priests on Saturday, May 26 at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. After leading the nation last year with 17 ordinands (see The Catholic Advocate, May 24, 2006), the Archdiocese of Newark is again among the leaders with this year's class.

"This achievement of the archdiocese is the fruit of much prayer, effort and commitment," Father Brian Plate, the director of vocations for the Archdiocese of Newark, said, citing the Class of 2007. "The perseverance of these men is a tribute to their faith and the formation and faculty of our seminary."