KEARNY— Over the past two years, the Archdiocesan Youth Retreat Center, 499 Belgrove Dr., has undergone tremendous changes. Not only is there a fresh coat of paint on all the walls throughout the building, but additional full-time staff, innovative programs and pioneering conferences have made the center the premiere local retreat destination in the Archdiocese of Newark.

NORTH ARLINGTON—Young people and the future of the pro-life movement was at the forefront of the Life Issues Seminar Oct. 1 at Queen of Peace High School. “Fear Not! ‘There is hope for your future,’ says the Lord” (Jer 31: 17) was the theme of the annual seminar. Attending the forum was one courageous, living example of that theme of hope: 16-year-old Nichelle Alexander and her six-month-old baby. Sponsored by the archdiocesan Respect Life Office, the event began with a Mass at Queen of Peace Parish celebrated by Most Rev. Thomas A. Donato, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark.

That was the passionate call heard from the voices of over 300 teenagers and young adults who attended the 12th annual Rejoice retreat, which was held April 16-18 at the Archdiocesan Youth Retreat Center, 499 Belgrove Ave.

Over the years Rejoice has grown into one of the largest retreats held in the Archdiocese of Newark, attracting young people from Bergen, Hudson, Essex and Union counties and beyond. The retreat featured presentations by guest speakers and archdiocesan clergy members.

AREA-The fifth annual archdiocesan "Young Adult Month" celebration, sponsored and organized by the archdiocesan office of Youth and Young Adults Ministries and Youth Retreat Center, 499 Belgrove Dr., Kearny, will kick off the New Year with a slate of events to be held throughout January 2010.

Various activities planned in Bergen, Hudson, Essex and Union counties, and outside of the archdiocese, will look to socially and spiritually engage young adults-20- and 30-something young adults (married or single).

AREA-The fourth annual archdiocesan "Young Adult Month" celebration, sponsored and organized by the Archdiocesan office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries and Youth Retreat Center, 499 Belgrove Dr., Kearny, will kick off the New Year with a slate of events to be held throughout January 2009.

Various activities planned in Bergen, Hudson, Essex and Union counties, and outside of the archdiocese, such as an assortment of topics in the popular "Theology on Tap" series, will look to socially and spiritually engage young adults-twenty- and thirty-something women and men, married or single. Reflections on the life of Saint Paul, in honor of "The Year of Saint Paul" as declared by Pope Benedict XVI, are a featured theme in several activities.

There seemingly could be little to draw 56 New Jersey college students to the Lone Star State the day after the New Year began. However, an overwhelming love and appreciation for the Catholic Church along with the distinct presence of the Holy Spirit at the Garden State schools inspired the journey.

Nearly 3,000 students and members of religious orders from across the nation convened in Grapevine, TX, Jan. 2-6, for the 2008 Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) national conference. The five-day event was held at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center.

AREA-The Archdiocesan Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, based at the Archdiocesan Youth Retreat Center, 499 Belgrove Dr., Kearny, is coordinating an assortment of activities to mark the third annual "Young Adult Month" celebration.

Notre Dame Teens Help Build Hope in Mississippi


NORTH CALDWELL-The desperate need of people living along the Gulf Coast, two years after the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, made the decision of where the youth group at Notre Dame Parish would go this year an easy one.