29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Oct. 18, 2009) Readings: Is 53:10-11; Ps 33; Heb 4:14-16; Mk 10:35-45.
Throughout the world thoughtful people seek answers to the riddles of human life. "The problems that weigh heavily on the human heart are the same today as in past ages. What is the meaning and purpose of life? What is upright behavior and what is sinful? Where does suffering originate and what purpose does it serve? How can genuine happiness be found?" (Vatican II, Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, No. 1).

Archdiocese Lauds Papal Honors Recipients



NEWARK-The Archdiocese of Newark, will celebrate the papal honors that Pope Benedict XVI bestowed on archdiocesan priests and men and women Religious with an evening prayer service Sunday, Sept. 13, 4 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 89 Ridge St. Archbishop John J. Myers will lead the celebration.

KEARNY-After four "wonderful" years as the associate director of parish outreach and training at the Archdiocesan Youth Retreat Center, Sister Loretta DeDomenicis, F.M.A., is leaving her beloved post and heading west.

NEWARK-Most Rev. Edgar M. da Cunha, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark, presented awards to the top four finishers at this year's annual The Catholic Challenge competition, which was held April 4 at the Archdiocesan Center.

Job Fair Seeks to Ease Employment Angst



CALDWELL-"There are jobs," Cassie Pfister, assistant director of career planning and development of Caldwell College said. "It is important to not be nervous about the lack of opportunity."

For any college senior, worrying about the future and the aftermath of graduation is to be expected. In these trying economic times, however, anxiety over job security and choosing careers is at a fever pitch.

NEWARK-After moving to the United States from Puerto Rico at age 11, Beatriz Capella leaned on her faith to get her through the difficult cultural transition.

"(My parents) didn't have any family here in America. I didn't speak any English and I was separated from the other kids because I was in ESL (English as a second language) classes. I felt lonely so I turned to God."

Blair Shares Wisdom on Global Challenges


Global alliances based on shared values are essential to meet the challenges of the 21st century, the most crucial of which is the worldwide economic freefall, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair declared Feb. 3 at Seton Hall University (SHU), South Orange.

Joyful Event Lifts Spirits at Homefirst



SCOTCH PLAINS-Confirmation students at Saint Bartholomew Parish hosted a Christmas party Dec. 12 for local homeless families-a joyful celebration that attracted 80 guests and was part of a service project to demonstrate the true meaning of Christmas.

Mother Seton Regional High School, founded in 1963, is committed to the "complete education" of the 425 young women who attend the Middle States Association accredited institution. Affiliated with the Sisters of Charity of Convent Station, the mission of the Catholic girls' high school is to "challenge, empower and inspire" its students and have them excel in "academics, personal growth and service to others" while learning in a diverse environment.

Sister Regina Martin, S.C., is proud of every student and stresses the importance of forming smart, capable young women. "They really are delightful girls," she said. "These young women are the future of the Church and the future of our families."

LINDEN-End-of-life decisions were the focus of two national leaders who spoke Oct. 4 at the annual Life Issues Seminar at Saint John the Apostle Parish.

Oct. 4 Forum to Gather at Linden Parish



LINDEN-Archdiocesan and national leaders in the pro-life movement will speak at a Life Issues Seminar on Saturday, Oct. 4 at Saint John the Apostle Parish, 1805 Penbrook Terr.

Norwood's Parish Outreach Spans 14 Years



There are any number of ways to describe the glowing friendship between the parishioners of Immaculate Conception Parish, Norwood, and Zion Baptist Church, located in Lottsburg, VA-a once-ayear gathering of kindred spirits; a nine-hour car ride to perform community service projects for those in need; an opportunity to temporarily leave the familiar sights of northern New Jersey and see what summer days are like for those who live along Northumberland Highway in the Old Dominion state.

There will be several important moments during Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States. No doubt the event that will attract the most media attention from around the world will be Benedict XVI's address to a session of the United Nations' General Assembly. The next-most important news event will occur when Pope Benedict visits with President George W. Bush in the White House.

But, in addition to what will interest news media from around the world, other moments in the pope's visit will hold even greater importance for some of us here in the United States.

The season of Lent is upon us today. It is a time of conversion and of self-reflection. It is a period of time in which we are called to search within ourselves, to hold up the light of God's truth to those dark places that exist within us, that we might be illuminated by the light of mercy the Lord provides in Himself.

Through this intense time of prayerful introspection, we gain insights-not only about ourselves, but about the Lord who created us, loves us, and, as we remember solemnly each Good Friday, died so we might have eternal life.

SUMMIT-Sacred Music is a big part of Gregory S. Scime's life and since 2001 he has traveled to the medieval town of Assisi, Italy-the birthplace of St. Francis-with the goal of assuring others of the same spiritually uplifting and satisfying experience.

Only 'Adult' Research gets Blessing from the Church
The emotional debate concerning embryonic stemcell research and the cloning of human life moves front and center onto the New Jersey political scene when voters go to the polls on Nov. 6.

At stake is a statewide "Stem Cell Research" bond issue question. If approved, the measure would authorize $450 million in taxpayer dollars for state-sponsored stem-cell research programs. It's expected the overwhelming majority of funds in the bond issue would be earmarked for research on embryonic stem cells.

The Catholic Church strongly supports adult stem-cell research, but remains adamantly opposed to embryonic stem-cell research and cloning.

Today many young adults struggle with living the Catholic stewardship way of life. Stewardship consists of giving time, talent and treasure to God as a gift of gratitude for all the blessings we have received from Him. It is intentional, planned and proportionate to our blessings.

In the past month, a lot has been written and said about the two most recent announcements from the Vatican: the Holy Father's letter permitting wider use of the Latin Mass, and the document from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on the Church.

My office has received letters and phone calls about both items, and I have to say that, as often happens, the secular media has made far too much of the announcements. As a result, they have riled up Catholics and non-Catholics unnecessarily.

In fact, if I were to believe some of the letters and calls I have received, I'd say it might be time for all of us to start preparing for another round of religious warfare among Christians that would make the time of the Reformation look tame. Fortunately, this isn't the case. Let's look at the two announcements and what they really mean.

NEWARK-The Archdiocese of Newark will host the "Festival of Faith" on Sept. 29, a celebration of Catholicism that will be held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 89 Ridge St.

The festival, which begins at 10 a.m. and ends with a Mass at 6 p.m., will include music and cultural celebrations at Barringer High School as well as events at the Archdiocesan Center. The high school and the center both are located adjacent to the cathedral.

ELIZABETH-Sister Mariette Therese Bernier, O.S.B., professed her final vows of the Benedictine monastic way of life (stability, obedience and fidelity to the monastic way of life) during a special Mass on April 28 held at Saint Walburga Monastery.

ALLENDALE-The first stage of a strategic healthcare initiative to encourage the state's Catholic hospitals to donate umbilical cord and placenta blood to further adult stem-cell research has been accomplished.