The Respect Life Office and Pro-Life Commission of the Archdiocese of Newark, on March 15, sponsored a pro-life enrichment day for priests and deacons. The theme for the day was “End of Life Issues” and the speakers included Archbishop John J. Myers; Bobby Schindler, brother of Terri Schiavo; and Fr. Tad Pacholczyk from the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC).

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although attempts were made to simplify the ceremony, Pope Francis officially inaugurated his ministry as pope and bishop of Rome in a liturgy filled with biblical symbolism and signs of the universality of his mission.

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope Francis’ papal motto is based on the Gospel account of “The Call of Saint Matthew,” the tax collector, in a homily given by Saint Bede the Venerable. The pope decided to keep his episcopal motto and coat of arms for his pontificate with just a few minor adjustments in line with a papal emblem.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With his fisherman's ring and the pallium -- the main symbols of the Petrine office -- Pope Francis chose styles in continuity with two of his predecessors. The fisherman's ring Pope Francis chose is made of gold-plated silver and is based on the same design of a papal ring handed down from Pope Paul VI's personal secretary.

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Saying he no longer has the strength to exercise ministry over the Universal Church, Pope Benedict XVI announced Feb. 11 that he would resign at the end of the month. Pope Benedict, who was elected in April 2005, will be the first pope to resign in almost 600 years.

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In acknowledgment of his universal view of the Church and his consistent encouragement and support of missionary outreach, the New York-based Pontifical Mission Societies designated Archbishop John J. Myers a “Pontifical Ambassador for Mission,” the organization’s highest honor.

In a very real sense, although Sacred Heart Parish closed three years ago, its spiritual heartbeat continues in Leesburg, VA. A focal point of the new church building, dedicated during a special Mass on Aug. 3, is the 64-ton Italian marble main altar and two side altars that traveled piece-by-piece on flatbed trucks from Sacred Heart Parish to Saint John the Apostle Parish.

Fall marks the beginning of the global “Year of Faith” celebration for the Catholic Church, as proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI (see The Catholic Advocate, Aug. 8). Catholics will focus on renewing their faith and commitment to Jesus Christ and His Church. The Church, locally and universally, will look to revitalize the manner and method for the continued transmission of that faith to future generations.

Christians have been going on pilgrimages from the very beginning of our faith. Early Christians visited the birth place Jesus and other sites documented in the Gospels. There was special devotion to visiting the place of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection in Jerusalem. Christian pilgrims also visit locations important to lives of the Apostles, martyrs and saints.

The loss of a loved one does not wait for convenience or a time when family members and friends are ready. “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be watchful! Be alert! You don’t know when the time will come” (Mark 13: 32-33). The topic of death and funerals is something that tends to be put on the backburner. Pre-planning a memorial or funeral service and selecting a burial option is a growing trend in the United States.

Sacred vessels have played an important role in the history of the Judeo-Christian religion. The most laudable and easily discernible evidence of the importance of these vessels in worship is the continued utilization of precious materials for their construction.

WEST ORANGE—“Charity does not exist without justice,” noted Jonathan Lace, theology faculty and speaker at Seton Hall Preparatory School’s Peace and Social Justice Conference March 21. 

SOUTH ORANGE — The Salesians of Don Bosco are hosting New Jersey’s ninth annual Pro- Life Youth Rally Friday, April 27, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on the campus of Seton Hall University, 400 South Orange Ave.

Archbishop John J. Myers celebrated the Palm Sunday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark. Concelebrants included Bishop Manuel A. Cruz, Rev. Msgr. John E. Doran and Rev. Msgr. Michael A. Andreano.

On Feb. 14 I was greeted with a front-page headline in The Star-Ledger: “By deciding to die, she set everyone free.” At first it seemed an appropriate human interest story for Saint Valentine’s Day— someone giving up her life for others. But that is not at all what this story was about.

WEST ORANGE — Last month Seton Hall Prep and the Community Food Bank of Hillside held a “Summit on Hunger,” a program designed to engage students, raise awareness on the social and healthcare concerns and explore strategies to deal with the complex issues of poverty and hunger.

Prayer was an important part of the game plan that saw the Ironmen of Don Bosco Prep, chalk up an undefeated season as the country’s number one ranked football team with the nation’s longest winning streak now at an impressive 48 games. Such outstanding gridiron achievements are nothing new for veteran Head Coach Greg Toal, who has been on the sidelines since 1976, and his players. The Ironmen are also numero uno in New Jersey for the sixth straight year. Overall the team has been the Garden State’s best eight times.

The promise of the birth of the Messiah came at a time when the people of God were under the threat of annihilation. The kings of Syria and Israel had conspired and joined forces to make the land of Judah desolate. In response to this threat, God declared that this aggression will not stand and promised the birth of Emmanuel—God Himself pitching His tent among us to take care of business (Ref. Isaiah 7:1-17).

WEST ORANGE — In the forthcoming season of Advent, the Church prepares for the birth of Christ through prayer and reflection. At Seton Hall Preparatory School, young men share their own unique voices in a publication titled: “Student Prayers.” The collection of prayers was penned by students and offers insights into their concerns, fears and yearning for connection with God. Father James White, school chaplain, compiled anonymous prayers written by students on note cards during retreats and spiritual exercises. Fr. White also assembled a selection of traditional Catholic prayers, reflections and scripture verses.

NEWARK—Already active for many years in their parish communities and beyond, 35 men from throughout the Archdiocese of Newark will deepen their commitment to God and His people when they are ordained to the permanent diaconate on Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m. at a Mass in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

Among the national leaders with the number of ordinandi, across the country the average class is 15, Newark’s Class of 2011 is a diverse and devout brotherhood who have diligently prepared over the past several years to become a deacon.

NEWARK—Parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Newark, which reflect a Polish community heritage and tradition, have planned special masses and events that will coincide with the May 1 beatification of Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.

Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate the beatification of his predecessor, an event that’s expected to attract thousands of pilgrims to the Eternal City. According to biographical information provided by the Vatican’s Holy See press office, Pope John Paul II, elected to the papacy Oct. 16, 1978, was born Karol Józef Wojtyla in the Polish town of Wadowice, not far from Krakow, on May 18, 1920. He was the youngest of three children born to Karol Wojtyla and Emilia Kaczorowska.

AREA—The joyful sounds of colorful parades and gala dinner-dances to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day (March 17) soon will be heard throughout the Archdiocese of Newark.

Archbishop John J. Myers and Susan A. Feeney, Esq., president-elect of the NJ State Bar Association—serving as grand marshal and deputy grand marshal, respectively—will lead the city’s 76th annual Saint Patrick’s Day parade, which will be held on Friday, March 18. For more information, call (973) 746-3280 or visit the parade’s official Web site (www.NewarkParade.org) or facebook.com/NewarkParade.

NEWARK-The Respect Life Office of the Archdiocese of Newark and the archdiocesan Pro Life Commission will present its annual life issues seminar series on Saturday, Oct. 2, at Queen of Peace High School and Parish, 10 Franklin Pl., North Arlington.

Registration for the seminar is required by Friday, Sept. 24. Registration fee for general admission is $10, while the fee for students and parish pro-life representatives is $5. Call the archdiocesan Respect Life Office, headquartered in Linden at Saint John the Apostle Parish, at (732) 388-8211 for information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

(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?

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.

'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.

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

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.

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.

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-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.

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.

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.

As soon as the publication of the Pope's new book, "Jesus of Nazareth," was announced earlier this year (see The Catholic Advocate, May 23), the immediate reaction of many Catholics was one of eager anticipation.

AREA-The 2007 Archbishop's Annual Appeal (AAA), as it nears the midway point of the campaign, has garnered 2,500 more donors and received $700,000 more in pledges compared with the equivalent period last year.

Last year the AAAcampaign registered a final collection of $10 million with a 1-percent increase in the overall number of donors. Pledge Week, which opened the 2007 AAA program, was launched at archdiocesan parishes on Feb. 3 (see The Catholic Advocate, Jan. 24).

BALTIMORE (CNS)-Calling teachers "the greatest artists in the world," Pope Benedict XVI's representative to the United States opened the annual National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) convention in Baltimore on April 10 with praise for the "special qualities of mind and heart" that educators bring to their work.