The Vine. E-Newsletter of the Office for Evangelization. What Do World Youth Day, The New Evangelization, and You Have In Common?

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1 Volume 2 Issue 5 I A M T H E V I N E. Y O U A R E T H E B R A N C H E S. J O H N 1 5 : 5 September 2011 The Vine Inside This Issue: Bishop s Corner 2 My E-Share Story 3 E-Share 4-6 Bible Studies 7-8 Family Outreach 9-12 Our Catholic 13 Identity Save the Date Flyers Newsletter Editor - Liliana Soto-Cabrera Layout Design - Marissa Acosta Spanish Newsletter Translation - Cristina Pardo E-Newsletter of the Office for Evangelization What Do World Youth Day, The New Evangelization, and You Have In Common? This past August 21, some two million young people gathered for the closing Mass of World Youth Day XXVI in Madrid, Spain, in an open field drenched with rain the night before, after a mostly sleepless night of dancing and singing that followed a reverent yet stormthreatened Prayer Vigil led by an 84-year old Pope. Why do they gather? WYD-Madrid proved again that these gatherings continue to attract millions from every continent who travel across the globe to spend 4-10 days with people they have never met; staying in homes, gyms, and convents of cities they have never visited; meeting and trading pins and bandanas with peers whose countries flags they can barely identify; to pray and share deep experiences with people whose languages they seldom, if ever, hear; and, of course, to be with the Pope who invites them to know Christ personally and make a lasting difference with their lives. Why do they go to such lengths? Why do they invest the time, money, and energy? Why do they put up with the tiresome travel and sleepless nights, the long walks in the summer heat, and the hardships of pilgrim living for a little over a week? Why do they look forward to gathering with the Vicar of Christ and a couple of million strangers in what resembles a Pentecost morning festival of faith? To hear the Lord speak to them; to strengthen their faith; to give themselves a chance to come and see what the Lord has in mind for them. They come to be rooted and built up in Christ, firm in the faith this year s theme. World Youth Day s key role in the new evangelization is indisputable. From the various parish events and diocesan programs designed to prepare the youth and young adults for the worldwide event, to the very travel with which they experience the universality of the Catholic Church, participants share that this is a life-changing Day. Young and younger many of whom had stopped going to Church regularly and had given into very worldly ways of thinking and behaving speak of the power of the Word of God to give them a new perspective on life at their prayer and teaching encounters with the Pope and the bishops catechesis sessions, dispelling doubts and the confusion created by the increasingly pervasive secular and relativistic mindset of the world they are growing up in. They testify that God touches hearts, minds, and wills, as thousands take advantage of the reconciliation festivals where hundreds of priests and bishops heard Confessions. They speak of being deeply moved by the days in the dioceses and the visits to local churches and museums, the service projects, cultural programs, exhibits, plays, concerts, and every opportunity to meet and greet people they will likely never see again, but can and do call rightly brother, sister. During these special days, bonds are formed - the most important of which is the bond of faith with Christ and His Vicar. (Continued on page 18)

2 The Vine Page 2 Bishop s Corner Synod and the New Evangelization Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. I am pleased to share some very exciting news with you emanating from Rome. His holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, after consulting his brothers in the episcopate, decided to convoke the XIII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops from October 7 to the 28, 2012 to discuss the topic: The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith. With the convocation of the next Synod on the New Evangelization and with the recent creation of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, it has become clear to the whole Church that the Holy Father sees that this is the time for the Church to respond to this profound need to Evangelize. In preparation for this very important Synod on the New Evangelization, a document was issued, called Lineamenta. This document was sent to bishops throughout the world, the dicasteries of the Roman Curia and the Union of Superiors General. Accompanying the Lineamenta is a series of 71 questions for discussions and response. The Bishops and Superiors General are asked to send their responses, their comments and input back to the Synod General Secretariat by November 1, The Synod secretariat will then take all those responses and comments, summarize them which will become the basis for the next document, the INSTRUMENTUM LABORIS, which will serve as the working document for the Synod. Following the completion of the Synod, the Holy Father will issue the Apostolic Exhortation, probably in 2013, based on the Synod s recommendation. This document will become the new instrument for the church throughout the world to use as the basis for the New Evangelization. Let us all pray for the success of the next Synod; that it will bear much fruit for the New Evangelization.

3 Volume 2 Issue 5 Page 3 E-Share Tell us your E-story. How are you evangelizing in your daily life? What are you doing as an individual, as a part of a ministry, as a parish or as a lay movement? NAME: PARISH/MINISTRY: ADDRESS: CITY, STATE, ZIPCODE: TELEPHONE: Mail to: Archdiocese of Newark Office for Evangelization 171 Clifton Avenue Newark, New Jersey Or sotolili@rcan.org ********************************************************************************************************************* My E-story: My E-Story: by Brian Honsberger, St. Antoninus Parish, Newark I ve found that non-catholic Christians come into the unity of the Church through either Church History or devotion to the Eucharist. I recently met a former Catholic turned Jehovah s Witness. After explaining the history of the Church, especially the history of the Bible, he s back in the fullness of Truth - To God be the Glory!

4 The Vine Page 4 E-Share World Youth Day... and Beyond! by Jennifer Draeger How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news! Romans 10:15 At one of the Catechesis Sessions at World Youth Day this past summer, Archbishop Chaput of Philadelphia encouraged us pilgrims with this wonderful verse. Looking down at our pilgrim feet; they may have been a bit bruised, blistered, or sore, but they were beautiful because they carried the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Well, now that our beautiful feet have made their way back home, how will we pilgrims bring the good news of God's work at WYD to others? For me, this call bears special meaning because of my role as Director of Youth Ministry at Church of the Little Flower in Berkeley Heights. This past August, thirteen pilgrims (a combination of teens from our Little Flower Life Teen Youth Ministry, chaperones, and young adults) journeyed to Madrid, Spain for World Youth Day (WYD) as part of the Archdiocese of Newark group. In 2005 I attended first WYD in Cologne, Germany, accompanied by my family, fellow parishioners from Thomas the Apostle Church in Old Bridge, and Fr. John Rozembajgier, the leader of our group. The incredible experience that I had as a participant gave me a great foundation to be a leader of a parish group at this year s WYD. It was a tremendous blessing to be able to bring a group from Little Flower Parish. Some highlights for me at this past WYD were experiencing the transforming, universal power of the Eucharist; witnessing the workings of the Holy Spirit in fellow pilgrims; seeing the Holy Father for a second time; and watching our Little Flower group take a leadership role in facilitating two Catechesis Sessions for English-speaking pilgrims. Now that we have returned, I am ever-mindful of our call to share what we have experienced with others. Our sharing actually started while we were still in Spain, via a blog that was created by one of our adult Core Members, Matthew Boyle (littleflowerwyd.tumblr.com). This gave parishioners the opportunity to stay connected with us and to share in the joy of WYD. Now that we are back, there are several activities planned. On the weekend of September 17 th -18 th, teen and young adult pilgrims will share about their WYD experience during the homily portion of each of the Parish Masses. On Tuesday, September 27 th at 7:30 pm, there will be a special WYD presentation at Little Flower Parish. That night the entire parish will be invited to experience our stories in greater depth, and view our pictures! Our Pastor, Fr. Andy Prachar, and our whole parish, have been extremely supportive of our pilgrimage, both spiritually and financially. The talks at Mass and the presentation will also be an opportunity to thank our parish for all of their support. The theme verse of WYD 2011 was from St. Paul s letter to the Colossians: Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith (Colossians 1:23). One way to stay rooted in Christ and firm in our faith is through community. During our time at WYD, we had the opportunity to grow closer to our fellow Catholics from the Archdiocese of Newark, especially our new friends from Assumption/Corpus Christi Parish in Hasbrouck Heights and the Felician Sisters Marilyn and Clare. I plan to provide opportunities for our Little Flower pilgrim group to get together with our new friends, as a way to help keep our memories alive and to give us the strength and encouragement to keep sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. Our Church of the Little Flower Group, along with some of our new friends!

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9 Family Outreach Volume 2 Issue 5 Page 9 40 Days for Life Participants Sought HACKENSACK Volunteers from throughout the Archdiocese of Newark are being sought for a 40 Days for Life campaign at a local abortion facility from Wednesday, Sept. 28 to Sunday, Nov. 6 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. 40 Days for Life began in Texas seven years ago and has expanded to the national and international levels. It is a 40 day period dedicated to prayer, fasting and peacefully standing vigil and praying outside abortion facilities. God has provided many blessings through 40 Days for Life campaigns. In just the last four years, 4313 lives have been reported as spared from abortions, 14 abortion facilities have shut down and 53 abortion workers have quit their jobs and walked away from the abortion industry, according to a local spokesman. The most well known of those affected by 40 Days for Life is Abbey Johnson. She was director of the Planned Parenthood where the first 40 Days for Life was held. Johnson tells her story in her book Unplanned. The local 40 Days for Life will take place at Women s Choice, 10 Zabriskie St, Hackensack, NJ.. It will begin with a concelebrated 11 a.m. Mass at Holy Trinity Parish, 34 Maple Ave. The main celebrant and homilist will be Father Mariusz Koch, C.F.R. of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in Newark. Following Mass there will be a procession to Women s Choice. Organizers plan to have at least two persons signed up for each hour from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. For additional information or to sign up call Linda Maliani at (551) or via at lindamaliani@yahoo.com or contact Margaret Scully at (201) or her at scullyfam@yahoo.com. Reprinted from The Catholic Advocate, Aug. 24, 2011.

10 The Vine Page 10 Family Outreach With great pleasure and joy we would like to introduce the new Associate Director of Hispanic Family Life Ministries, Yamilka Genao I look forward to this opportunity to serve, with many other dedicated leaders, the Archdiocese of Newark and particularly the parishes involved in ministry to Hispanics. By God s grace this ministry will continue to identify and minister to the specific needs of Hispanic families in the Archdiocese and inspire them to pass the faith down to many generations to come. We will be continuing to offer Marriage Preparation programs, as well as Family Enrichment programs (retreats, support groups, etc.) and Educational programs (workshops, seminars, courses, etc.). These programs are intended to help families deal with the different situations of life. En todo amar y servir. Please feel free to call our office at any time. Yamilka Genao Associate Director Hispanic Family Life Ministries GENAOYAM@rcan.org

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13 Volume 2 Issue 5 Page 13 Our Catholic Identity Your Suffering is Worth Much Below is an excerpt from the Apostolic Letter, Salvifici Doloris (On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering) by Blessed John Paul II THE QUEST FOR AN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION OF THE MEANING OF SUFFERING 9. Within each form of suffering endured by man, and at the same time at the basis of the whole world of suffering, there inevitably arises the question: why? It is a question about the cause, the reason, and equally, about the purpose of suffering, and, in brief, a question about its meaning. Not only does it accompany human suffering, but it seems even to determine its human content, what makes suffering precisely human suffering. Our Catholic Identity It is obvious that pain, especially physical pain, is widespread in the animal world. But only the suffering human being knows that he is suffering and wonders why; and he suffers in a humanly speaking still deeper way if he does not find a satisfactory answer. This is a difficult question, just as is a question closely akin to it, the question of evil. Why does evil exist? Why is there evil in the world? When we put the question in this way, we are always, at least to a certain extent, asking a question about suffering too. Both questions are difficult, when an individual puts them to another individual, when people put them to other people, as also when man puts them to God. For man does not put this question to the world, even though it is from the world that suffering often comes to him, but he puts it to God as the Creator and Lord of the world. And it is well known that concerning this question there not only arise many frustrations and conflicts in the relations of man with God, but it also happens that people reach the point of actually denying God. For, whereas the existence of the world opens as it were the eyes of the human soul to the existence of God, to his wisdom, power and greatness, evil and suffering seem to obscure this image, sometimes in a radical way, especially in the daily drama of so many cases of undeserved suffering and of so many faults without proper punishment. So this circumstance shows perhaps more than any other the importance of the question of the meaning of suffering; it also shows how much care must be taken both in dealing with the question itself and with all possible answers to it... For the complete text, go to: documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_ _salvifici-doloris_en.html

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16 The Vine Page 16 SAVE THE DATE! Please join the Women s Commission of the Archdiocese of Newark for a special Healing Mass for those whose lives are touched by breast cancer. Archbishop John J. Myers, celebrant Sunday, October 23, :00 Noon Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart 89 Ridge Street Newark, NJ Stay tuned to for more information or call Sponsored by the Women's Commission of the Archdiocese of Newark Find us on Facebook FaithbookForWomen

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18 The Vine Page 18 Truly, WYD is an evangelistic event that awakens and rejuvenates the faith of millions worldwide! Not only among the pilgrims: it also touches the families, parishes, and dioceses that send them and receive them, and the lives of the chaperones, priests, and bishops who accompany them. It even seems to rejuvenate the faith and certainly the hope of the Pope! WYD is reaching Catholics who might otherwise lose their faith, and is training them to reach their peers. WYD is teaching us all that not all is lost, that there is hope; that even the young can become convinced of the worthiness of the Gospel message when properly taught and modeled for them! WYD is modeling for us what the new evangelization is meant to be: new in fervor, new in methods, and new in expressions (Blessed John Paul II: Haiti, 1983) - a new evangelization capable of engaging the committed and the lesscommitted, the practicing and the non-practicing, the young and the old, shepherds and sheep alike through teaching and preaching, service and prayer, fellowship and dialogue, in a climate of unequivocal proclamation of the love of God in Christ. So what do World Youth Day, the New Evangelization, and you (and I) have in common? A desire to see our relatives, friends, and neighbors come to know the God who invites us to come and see what He has in store for us. We share a commitment to extending far and wide an invitation to the thousands who have stopped practicing the Catholic Faith of their childhood and youth. We are moved by a longing to see the whole world touched by He who is the Light of the World and the Savior of mankind. The preparatory phases at home, as well as the actual World Youth Day experience abroad is equipping young Catholics to be effective evangelizers in the 21 st century. They are stating loud and clear to an unbelieving or wavering world: The Faith of the Church is alive and well! And so are we, her future leaders! They are stating unambiguously: Jesus Christ and His Church are worth the investment of the best years of our life! And WYD planners and participants are inviting us to say with joy and conviction: Try it! You ll like it! World Youth Day 2011 has barely ended. Preparation for an effective new evangelization at WYD 2013 has just begun! Along with the millions who will prepare financially and spiritually for that summer festival of faith, you and I can and must do our part to ensure that this fruitful means, moment, and method of outreach continues to play its key role in the new evangelization of tomorrow s world and Church leaders. Are you ready? Let us join our young fellow evangelizers as they begin to tell the world and we tell those within our circles of influences that they too can Always be joyful in the Lord! (World Youth Day is scheduled for July 23-28, 2013 in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.) This article was first published in Evangelization Exchange, the online newsletter of Paulist Evangelization Ministries, and in Today s Catholic, the Archdiocese of San Antonio s newspaper. It is reprinted with permission by the author. Martha Fernández-Sardina is the Director of the Office for Evangelization of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, as well as a national bilingual speaker and trainer, ministry consultant and translator. She hosts a weekly TV show, is a frequent guest on radio shows, authors newspaper ( and online columns ( maintains a website ( blogs ( and tweets periodically ( and can be found on Facebook (Office for Evangelization) and YouTube too (ievangelize1). But above all, Martha strives to be found holy before the Lord, and encourages others to do the same.

19 Volume 2 Issue 5 Page 19 Save the Date Fall 2011! Revelation Bible Study September 14 thru November 16, 2011 Livingston Great Adventure Bible Timeline - September 20, 2011 thru May 29, 2012 New Providence A Quick Journey Through the Bible - October 1, 2011 Roseland Life Issues Seminar October 1, 2011 Hispanic Heritage Mass October 2, 2011 African American, African & Carribean October 22, 2011 Apostolate 30th Anniversary Mass 2012 Women s Day- March 3, 2012 Men s Conference- March 10, 2012 Healing Mass for Breast Cancer October 23, 2011 Nourishing Your Faith Dinner November 9, 2011 Catechetical Convocation November 12, 2011 Third Edition Roman Missal November 27, 2011 Navidad Latina December 9, 2011 Check Us Out! Check out our website: Find us on Facebook: Follow us on Twitter: Watch us on YouTube: Mailing List Request If you would like to be added to our mailing list for Events, Newsletters and much more, please complete the form below and mail to the address provided. NAME: ADDRESS: CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE: TELEPHONE: Mail completed form to: Archdiocese of Newark, Office of Pastoral Life, Marissa Acosta, 171 Clifton Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07104

20 Archdiocese of Newark Office For Evangelization 171 Clifton Avenue PO Box 9500 Newark, NJ Phone: Fax: Website: Most Rev. Edgar M. da Cunha.,S.D.V. Vicar for Evangelization Liliana Soto-Cabrera Coordinator for Evangelization Maureen Srinivasa Ministry Assistant MISSION STATEMENT The Office for Evangelization serves as a resource for programs, courses, workshops, and consultations intended to complement and enhance the evangelizing efforts in the Archdiocese of Newark.