Office for Family Life Ministry

The office for Family Life Ministry is committed to placing the Christian family at the heart of the Church’s mission to strengthen families as the basic foundation of both Church and society. Toward this end, we offer resources, training, and opportunities for spiritual growth throughout the vibrant parishes of the Archdiocese of Newark. Our mission is to advocate for the sanctity of life and the importance of a strong Christian family unit. We strive to prepare engaged couples for happy, holy, and successful marriages as well as encourage a spirit of healing for families struggling with loss through grief and separation. We seek to build up families in prayer that they may be beacons of Christ’s love to a broken world.

Leadership Training

Bereavement Ministry Support Facilitator Training
Registration for the Spring Session is now open. The six sessions will begin Wednesday evenings from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. on Zoom starting April 17-May 22, 2024  Support groups provide the… Read More
“Surviving Divorce” Facilitator Training Course
There’s no such thing as “Catholic divorce” but the bad news is Catholics do civilly divorce. “Surviving Divorce” is a program here to help, and to encourage healing through the… Read More
Mental Health Ministry Training
In an effort to address the mental health crisis we are facing, we are offering training for parishes interested in learning more about this ministry. This is intended for spiritual… Read More

Family Study Guide for Cardinal Tobin’s Pastoral Letter

Resources & Additional Information

Catholic Counseling & Psychotherapy
Saints for Pregnancy and Infant Loss
  • Mary, Mother of God – Witnessed the death of her son, Jesus. Watches over mothers and families especially when they are suffering.
  • St. Elizabeth Ann Seton – A servant to widows, orphans and children. She herself lost two very young children.
  • Blessed Michelina of Pesaro – Lost a very young son.
  • St. Gianna Beretta Molla – Patroness of unborn children. The miracle for her beatification was the healing of a woman suffering consequences of a stillbirth.
  • St. Catherine of Siena – Patroness of miscarriages. Catherine had many siblings who died in infancy, including her twin sister.
  • St. Gerard – Patron of expecting mothers, children (including the unborn).
  • Sts. Louis Martin & Marie-Azélie Guérin – Parents of St. Therese of Lisieux, they experienced the loss of children in infancy.
Same Sex Attraction

Courage and Encourage International

Prayer and support groups for persons who experience same sex attraction and groups for family who have loved ones who experience same sex attraction:

New Atlantis Report on Sexuality & Gender

Truth and Love

Love and Same Sex Attraction Video by Fr. Mike Schmitz

Domestic Violence

NJ Statewide Domestic Violence Hotlines

1-800-572-7233
24-Hour Hotlines

Bergen County

Union County

Hudson County

Essex County

973-484-4446
Batterers Services: 973-399-3400

201-333-5700
TTY: 201-333-0547 (for the hearing impaired)

908-355-4357
TTY: 908-355-1023 (for the hearing impaired)
Batterers Services: 908-355-1995

201-944-9600
TTY: 201-836-3071 (For the hearing impaired)
Batterers Services: 201-336-7575 

Follow the Office for Family Life Ministry

Contact

Brian Caldwell

Director
973-497-4324

email

Jennifer Ferraioli

Associate Director
Marriage Preparation
973-497-4328

email

Yamilka Genao

Associate Director
Hispanic Life Ministries / Pastoral Familiar Hispana
Marriage Preparation / Enrichment
Natural Family Planning (NFP)
Ministry of Loss & Healing
973-497-4326

email

John Kalinowski

Ministry of Loss & Healing Coordinator
973-497-4327

email