St. Michael Church, Cranford, New Jersey

Free Ministry to Traveling Catholics for nationwide Mass times and locations: www.Masstimes.org

PARKING … Prohibited Areas:
Cleveland Plaza is private business property. The parking areas are for the purpose of their tenants and clients. The management has contacted us about people parking there to attend Mass, parish activities or meetings during business hours. Such is inconveniencing their tenants and clients. They request we inform you not to park there. Please use public parking areas to avoid your vehicle being towed.
Other Areas... Also, during school days, local ordinances prohibit parking in front and on the side of the school. This is for the safety of our school children. Another prohibited area is in front of the Church / Rectory. All areas are posted.

REPORTING OF ABUSE … The Archdiocese takes very seriously any and all allegations of sexual misconduct by members of the clergy, religious and lay staff of the Archdiocese. We encourage anyone with knowledge of an act of sexual misconduct to inform us immediately so that we may take appropriate action to protect others and provide support to victims of sexual abuse. Individuals who wish to report an allegation of sexual misconduct may do so by calling the Archdiocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection at 201-407-3256.

ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE ... for those who need help with rent, mortgage, security deposits, utilities, food gift certificates, and deliverable fuels including oil, kerosene, propane, coal and wood. For eligibility requirements, call Ms. Gloria Wierzalis, Program Mgr., Union County Parish Access Center(PAC), Catholic Charities, at 908-497-3966. Also available is help from PAC to middle-income families for utility assistance from New Jersey Shares.

PAPAL VISIT – Greetings from Pope Benedict XVI to the People of the U.S. – The Holy Father has delivered a video greeting in anticipation of his visit to Washington and New York. You can find it on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyaUNK0cgx4. Simply click on this link to reach the YouTube site.

SEND A CITY CHILD TO CAMP through the Eddie Gray Camp Fund which seeks funds to send inner city children to summer camps in NJ. The cost is at least $75 per child for a week. Donations of any amount are gladly accepted. Please make checks payable to the Eddie Gray Camp Fund and mail to: Sister Jacinta Fernandes, OSB, 812 Rebecca Place, Elizabeth, NJ 07201.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS – Do you have a relative who is serving in the military overseas? Cranford Knights of Columbus Council #6226 will send them care packages. Please contact Mark at 908-276-4738 or Mdingel@verizon.net for more information.

EXHIBIT on view at Museum of the City of New York through December 31, 2008 entitled Catholics in New York 1808-1946 traces the growth of Catholics from a tiny religious minority to a powerful force in the city. Further info: Jurek Lipski at 212-534-1672 x 3406 or jlipski@mcny.org.

PROJECT READY, a job readiness program of St. Joseph Social Service Center in Elizabeth, is in need of volunteers. People with business and education backgrounds are especially welcome, although not exclusively. The commitment is 2-3 mornings for each 6-week program. There are 7 such programs from September-August. Its purpose is to make participants more competitive in the job market by increasing their level of confidence, job search skills and basic computer skills. Call Jim (908-353-1045) or Sr. Jacinta (908-354-5456).

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS (Grades 9-12) … earn up to 30% of Annual Tuition at Benedictine Academy. Students who demonstrate financial need and who desire a quality college-prep education that includes involvement in community service or volunteerism or paid employment are encouraged to apply. Spots are still available for Fall 2008 at Benedictine Academy. Call (A.S.A.P.) 908-352-0670, ext. 105 or 107.

VOLUNTEER at Cranford Health to spend time with residents. For further information, call Activities Dept. at 908-272-6660 x28.

JOURNEY TO THE HOLY LAND – September 2-9, 2008 with Chaplain Rev. Fr. Ed Jocson. Depart from JFK Intl. on Alitalia Airlines to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv (includes dinner & bkfst.) Spend time in Tiberias, Jerusalem, Masada, and visit points of interest (detailed itinerary available in flyer at Parish Center). Cost for double occupancy $2,100 p.p. and add $250 for tax and fuel surcharge. Further info: Asian Pacific Travel, 117 South Washington Ave., Bergenfield, NJ
(201-501-8388 / 201-384-8550).

WEEKEND RETREAT for SEPARATED or DIVORCED – September 12-14 in Newton, NJ by a Franciscan Retreat Team. Info: Fr. Tom Kelly, OFM (973-985-9736) or Deacon Milt (973-271-5097).

50TH ANNIVERSARY of Roselle Catholic High School Community will occur on September 14, 2008, with a 10:00 a.m. Jubilee Mass at the Church of St. Joseph the Carpenter, Roselle. All are welcome to join at Mass. A luncheon will be held immediately following. Further info/ or tickets: http://alumni.rosellecatholic.org/Events.aspx or call Rich or Debbie at 908-245-0705.

LET GOD TOUCH YOUR LIFE through prayer, study and reflection. Eight-week courses in spirituality are offered at a parish near you beginning the week of September 15. To register: The Old Testament and Spirituality; The Church; Spirituality and Ministry. For info and a brochure: call 973-497-4350 or e-mail stantovi@rcan.org.

WORLD YOUTH DAY …. Catholic Youth Services and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops invite all young people and families to participate in a year-long online World Youth Day Global Pilgrimage. The website will help you learn about the cultures of some of the people the U.S. Catholic Church serves around the world. It invites you to pray for peace and justice and to take action by acting justly and living in solidarity with those who are our brothers and sisters around the world. You are invited to begin this journey with http://education.crs.org/wyd.

SUPPORT FOR THE DIVORCED & SEPARATED … group meets every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Spirit, Union (Drexler Hall). More info: call John (908-964-1683) or the Rectory at (908-687-3327).

HOLY HOUR FOR LIFE…
- St. John the Apostle Church, Linden - 3rd Monday of every month, beginning with 7:00 p.m. Mass.
- Our Lady of Sorrows Church, South Orange - 1st Wednesday of every month

- Holy Spirit Church, Suburban Rd., Union - 1st Wednesday of every month 7:30 p.m.

ROSARY for Life - EVERY SATURDAY- 9:15-10:15 a.m. the Rosary is said in front of 700 Broad St., Elizabeth. Info: John or MaryEllen Mulholland 908-322-2314.

MOUNT ST. MARY HOUSE OF PRAYER - A Eucharistic Hour of Prayer, a communal experience of Eucharistic devotion, which includes Vespers and quiet time for Centering Prayer, is held on Thursdays, 8:00-9:00 p.m. Please call 908-753-2091 or e-mail msmhope@att.net.

HOPE ON WHEELS - Do you know someone who has been deprived of his/her ability to walk due to illness or disease? If so, Hope on Wheels can help your loved ones regain their confidence and their independence with a power wheelchair or scooter. Hope on Wheels helps Seniors who suffer from respiratory disorders, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, have a mobility limitation and difficulty in propelling a standard wheelchair, to receive a power chair or scooter paid primarily by Medicare. For eligibility info. call 1-866-631-3028.

CAREGIVER'S SUPPORT GROUP….for those caring for elderly or chronically ill loved ones meets on the first non-holiday Monday of each month at 8:00 p.m. in the Parish Center of St. Helen's Church, Westfield. These are information and sharing sessions. Further info: Marilyn Ryan 908-233-8757.

SEASONS is a support group for divorced, separated and widowed individuals of all faiths, including anyone who has experienced the loss of a relationship. Meetings are held every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at St. Helen's Church, Activities Center Building, 1600 Rahway Ave., Westfield (7:15 to 9:00 p.m.). Info: Mickie (732-381-7801) or Bob (908-322-7762).