Young Adult Program (ages 22-35)

“Young people who are well-trained in faith and prayer must become more and more the apostles of youth.”  (Pope Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, no. 72)

The mission of our young adult ministry is the conversion of one’s mind, heart, and will to Christ. We seek to engage and accompany young adults in their search for Truth, Beauty, and Goodness, each of which reveals the mystery of God. The three pillars of our ministry include spirituality and discussion to inspire the mind, liturgy and prayer to nourish the heart, and service to those in need in order to put our faith into action.  In addition to celebrating Eucharist on a regular basis, the Center will host “Fireside Chats” on two evenings per month.  These informal gatherings will be a forum for conversations integrating catechesis, spirituality, and timely topics for young adults.

Contact:  Rev. Geno Sylva, Ginger Kamenitzer, Sister Mary Joseph Schultz, SCC

Click here for calendar of young adult events.

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Evangelization within the Family:  Spiritual GRAND-parenting

“The Christian home is the place where children receive the first proclamation of the faith.   For this reason the family home is rightly called ‘the domestic church,’ a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and of Christian charity.”(CCC no.1666)

“What is it about grandparents that is so lovely?  I’d like to say that grandparents are God’s gifts to children.  And if they can but see, hear, and feel what these people have to give, they can mature at a fast rate.” (Bill Cosby)

St. Paul Inside the Walls will initiate a first-of-its-kind evangelization program geared for grandparents.  We will network with diocesan parishes to identify and invite grandparents alive in their faith to foster a greater ability to speak the Good News to all members of their families.

“How does a grandmother speak to a child who has left the Church and does not want the grandchild baptized?”  “How does a grandfather speak to his grandson who is struggling with an addiction?”  “How do grandparents speak of faith to a child/grandchild with terminal illness?”

Our Center will assist those who come for training in forming similar programs in their parishes.

Contact:  Ginger Kamenitzer

Click here for schedule of events

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Companions of St. Paul (women over 30)

“Love grows through love. Love is ‘divine’ because it comes from God and unites us with God; through this unifying process it makes us a ‘we’ which transcends our divisions and makes us one, until in the end God is ‘all in all’.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, no. 18.)

The women’s group, open to women over the age of 30, was formed in answer to the desire of local women searching for nourishment in their spiritual journey.  The group meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year’s meetings will be focused on the first encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love). The gospel message of love is an important antidote to the poison of hatred and violence that seems to be sweeping our world.

Contact:  Ginger Kamenitzer or Sister Mary Joseph Schultz, SCC

Click here for calendar of meeting times.

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Servant Brothers of St. Paul (men over 30)

“The Church’s social doctrine holds that authentically human social relationships of friendship, solidarity and reciprocity can also be conducted within economic activity, and not only outside it or ‘after’ it.  The economic sphere is neither ethically neutral, nor inherently inhuman and opposed to society.  It is part and parcel of human activity and precisely because it is human, it must be structured and governed in an ethical manner.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, no. 36.)

The men’s group, open to men over the age of 30, meets on the third Wednesday of every month from 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM .  The men celebrate the Eucharist and explore together various aspects of male spirituality based on Scripture and the teachings of the Church.  This year’s meetings will be based on Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth), the most recent encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI.  In this encyclical, the Holy Father addresses principles that govern moral action, such as justice and the common good, from within the contexts of economics and globalization.

Contact:  Rev. Geno Sylva
Facilitator:  Dr. Douglas A. Sylva.  (For Dr. Sylva’s CV, see www.c-fam.org).

Click here for calendar of meeting times.

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Theological Chairs  

In 2010 Catholic scholars will hold the following chairs in order to present the Catholic Tradition in areas of social thought and medical ethics.

Catholic Social Thought “Only through an encounter with God are we able to see in the other something more than just another creature, to recognize the divine image in the other, thus truly coming to discover him or her and to mature in a love that ‘becomes concern and care for the other.’” (Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, no. 11) Presentations will be given on economic ethics, truth, globalization issues…

Catholic Medical Ethics  “For science to retain its true independence and for researchers to retain their freedom, ethical values must be brought to the fore.  To subject everything to profit involves a real loss of freedom for the scientist.  And those who would uphold scientific freedom by appealing to a ‘values-free science’ prepare the way for the supremacy of economic interest.” (John Paul II, Conflict of Interest and its Significance in Science and Medicine) Presentations will be given on euthanasia, stem cell research, genetics…

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In conjunction with the Diocesan Office of Evangelization the following are offered:

Lay Leadership Recipient Formation (“Prepare the Way” Endowments)

The “Prepare-the-Way” campaign recipients are those who are pursuing certificates or degrees in areas of religious studies at various Catholic institutions. The Center will provide these recipients with an orientation to ministry within the diocese of Paterson and formation in what it means to evangelize and serve within our three counties.

Fall meeting dates:  Tuesday, September 29, 7:00-9:00 pm
Saturday, October 3, 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Contact:  Ivannia Vega-McTighe

Spring meeting dates to be announced.

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Parish Evangelization Directors

“Ever since Pentecost when three thousand were converted and entered the Church, evangelization remains an essential dimension of our life as Church.  We are called to move from a model of maintenance to mission.  We are called to grow.  A church that is not growing is dying.” (Bishop Serratelli, Evangelization:  Grace and Vocation, no. 70)

“To facilitate (parish evangelization efforts), each pastor or administrator must designate a person to co-ordinate the (evangelization) efforts of the whole parish.  The parish evangelization director should form a team of faith-filled parishioners to help the parish fulfill its mission of evangelization.”  (Bishop Serratelli, Evangelization: Grace and Vocation, no.71-72)

In response to this mandate, the Center will serve as a resource for the directors by hosting opportunities for shared experiences and updates in current trends in evangelization.

Contact:  Rev. Geno Sylva

Dates to be announced

Committees - Please contact us to join a committee

 

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