NEWARK—“I can.”

These were the two simple words used by Rev. Msgr. Anselm I. Nwaorgu, Ph.D., in his passionate homily during a Mass celebrated Nov. 6 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, to succinctly define the spirit, faith, vision, courage and leadership of Bishop Joseph A. Francis.  

The Office of African American, African and Caribbean Apostolate for the Archdiocese of Newark hosted the third annual Bishop Joseph A. Francis Mass and Awards Luncheon. Archbishop John J. Myers presided at the 11 a.m. Mass.

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.

NEWARK - Hundreds of faithful from around the archdiocese gathered last month to recognize the work of small Christian communities and local evangelization programs that enrich the spiritual lives of Catholics.
 
Most Rev. Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Newark, celebrated Mass Dec. 5 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart and acknowledged parishes that have participated in evangelization missions such as RENEW International's "Why Catholic?" program.

NEWARK-As he prepared for last weekend's three-day discernment retreat, Father John D. Gabriel, director of vocations for the Archdiocese of Newark, was guided by his vision of the experience as a time for men considering the priesthood "to discern, to listen, to speak and to enjoy the presence of Christ."

Reflecting on the essence of a retreat, Fr. Gabriel said "often in life, it seems to us that we are the ones making the decisions, that we guide our lives according to our own wishes and desires. Yet sometimes, even without knowing it, we are in fact being led by forces outside of ourselves." That, the former pastor of Saint Thomas More Parish, Fairfield, stressed, is what the retreat was all about.