Nearly six years of planning and meetings as well as almost a year of construction and renovation culminated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Catholic Campus Center at Rutgers University Jan 29.
It was a special day for those devoted to the memory of Maria Esperanza de Bianchini when the cause for her beatification and canonization was initiated Jan. 31 at St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral.
Following five months of discussions involving pastors and lay leaders and the Department of Diocesan Planning, Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski has decided the fate of four of the five missions operating in the Diocese of Metuchen.
The 2010 Pro-Vita Award winners defend life in a variety of ministries. Some provide spiritual and material support for women experiencing crisis pregnancies while another educates about the health risks of hormonal contraceptives. But they all share the goal of protecting life from conception to death.
An array of literary characters came to life Feb. 1 when award-winning children’s book author and illustrator Trinka Hakes Noble visited St. Francis Cathedral School.
The Department of Worship and Liturgical Formation is gearing up to help clergy and laity prepare for the new English translation of the Third Typical Edition of the Roman Missal beginning with introductory workshops this month.
The Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States have established a special fund for long-term assistance for the Church in Haiti, as it responds to the devastation of the Jan. 12 earthquake.
As a Church, we are rich in many, many ways, especially in the gift of our young people. So often it is said that the future of our Church is in the hands of our youth, and I would add that their future is in our hands. It is our responsibility to nurture their faith formation, to make Jesus present to them, to help them become disciples of Christ. That is an awesome responsibility shared not only by parents, family and friends but also parishes and, of course, the diocese.
Diocesan Youth Day, an annual event sponsored by the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, will be held Feb. 27. The effort brings together hundreds of teens from the diocese for a day of reflection and fun.
As I think back upon my life, it is with great joy and wonder that I reflect on the ways I have seen God’s plan for me unfold. Throughout my teen years and into my time as a young adult (which has only just begun), youth ministry has been an instrument of grace in my life, a major part of that plan.
The simplicity of a powerful and exciting youth ministry program had been most clearly defined to me recently in a short phrase by one of my students — “It has to be epic!” When I look back on experiences that have repeatedly defined my faith and have kept me connected, it’s the epic experiences that pop into my mind. The same is true for my students. How do you get them to come? How do you begin a powerful Scripture-based Catholic youth ministry program? Go epic!
The presence of young Hispanics in our communities offers opportunities and challenges for our parishes, especially for youth ministry. In our effort to help teens experience the love of God, it is important for our youth ministries to be prepared to serve every teen that comes through our parish doors.
When you can’t turn around without bumping into a big red heart or cardboard cutout of Cupid, Valentine’s Day is near. It’s hard not to like a holiday built around love, red roses, mushy cards and chocolate.
Have you ever wondered how parishes get their names? I never did until the Renewing the Church in Carteret process began. The churches I’ve attended over the years were usually 100 years old or more, the founders long dead and buried. As far as I knew, the Lord himself had named them.
These have been heart wrenching days! The television coverage of the devastating earthquake in Haiti has shown us endless images of bodies piled high on the streets amidst debris and ruin. Death and destruction are everywhere. Thanks to the 24/7 news media, we have been continuously reminded of the fragility and preciousness of each human life.
