SAVE THE DATE -- Rev. Mpho Tutu, who along with her father, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, is the author of a recently published book, “Made for Goodness,” will speak at the College of St. Elizabeth on September 8. An Episcopal priest, she is an experienced preacher, retreat facilitator, and the founder of the Tutu Institute for Prayer & Pilgrimage in Alexandria, Va. More info: Fran Sullivan, College of St. E., (973-290-4416) or fsullivan@cse.edu.   

 

100 YEARS in America are being celebrated by the Religious Teachers Filippini. Opening Liturgy of Thanksgiving will be celebrated on Saturday, September 11, at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Attendance by invitation only: Contact Sr. Ascenza Tizzano, MPF, at 973-538-2886 x165 or atizzano@hotmail.com ASAP

 

ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC.... sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, will take place on Thursday, September 16, at Navesink Country Club in Middletown, NJ. The event will benefit retired and infirm Sisters. Visit www.golfdigestplanner.com/15675-SOMGolfClassic or call Linda Cavallo (908-756-0994 ext. 4006).

 

Running Team called "Soles for Souls." SAVE THE DATE -- in an effort to reach out to inactive / unchurched Catholics, the Office of Evangelization has formed a Running Team called "Soles for Souls." Soles for Souls will hold a 5K Run and 3K Walk in Branch Brook Park, Newark, on Saturday, October 2. For more information, go to www.rcan.org/evangelization or call 973-497-4353 -- also on Facebook: Soles for Souls.

 

CLASS REUNION for the Class of 1960 of Holy Family Academy, Bayonne, NJ, will be held on Sunday, October 3, following 10 a.m. Mass at St. Henry's Church and a tour of the Academy. A luncheon will follow at Puccini's Restaurant in Jersey City. More info: marylynn2862@yahoo.com or Pat Whalen Lee (201-437-7323).

 

ALUMNI WANTED -- for a class reunion of St. Michael School in Elizabeth, NJ, on 10/10/10. Class lists are needed and any information to share. Please contact: Yolanda (908-354-1274) or www.capemayteddybear.com/StMichaels/index.htm or e -mail stmikealumlists@aol.com.

 

Legislative Dialogue...SAVE THE DATE -- for an evening of Legislative Dialogue, hosted by Archbishop Myers, on Wednesday, October 20 (7:30 - 9:30 p.m.) at Mother Seton Regional High School, Clark. Meet your legislators, learn about issues of concern to the Catholic Community and exercise your responsibility as faithful citizens.

 

IMANI, IMANI (the Swahili word for Faith), a newsletter which will include articles of interest around the Archdiocese, is being introduced by the Office of African American, African & Caribbean Apostolate. It can be seen online at www.rcan.org click on Ministries and Offices, then on African American, African & Caribean Apostolate.

 

SUMMER READING PROGRAM at the Cranford Public Library will include speakers, movies, live performances and prizes for reading. Registration will continue at the main desk any time during the program. More information is available by calling Sally Hanford, Adult Summer Reading Program Coordinator at 908-654-7212.

 

SUMMER INSTITUTE FOR FAMILY SPIRITUALITY...is offering graduate-level courses at the South Orange and Ridgewood locations. Students will explore the spiritual, pastoral and theological dimensions of family life. Further info: Andy Saunders, Director, at Andrew.Saunders2@shu.edu or visit www.shu.edu/go/ccfs.

NEEDED ... are beds with mattresses, living room furniture, kitchen sets, refrigerators, etc. St. Joseph's Social Service Center will arrange for pick-up. If you have any of these basic furnishings please contact Sr. Ruthe Morgan at 908-337-4070 (leave a message) or Pam Bonifacio at 908-353-5247.
 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Mountainside. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed 24/7. More info: call Irene Ciccarino at 732-574-0064.

 

SEND A CITY CHILD TO CAMP ... cost per child has increased to $200 per week. However, donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. Please make checks payable to Eddie Gray Camp Fund and mail to: Sr. Jacinta Fernandes, St. Joseph Social Service Center, 812 Rebecca Place, Elizabeth, NJ 07201.

 

FREE/LOW COST HEALTH INSURANCE coverage for children is available, if eligible, through NJ Family Care. Call Catholic Charities Healthy Children, Healthy Families Outreach Program (973-266-7947) for more information.

 

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.

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.

NEW JERSEY'S FIRST CATHOLIC DEAF CHURCH ... ST. JOHN'S DEAF CATHOLIC COMMUNITY, 22 Mulberry St., Newark (parking lot entrance on Rte. 21 [McCarter Hwy.] between Raymond Blvd. and NJ Performing Arts Center) will celebrate SIGNED MASS, Social and Bible Study, every Sunday 1-3 p.m. ALL ARE WELCOME! Note: although services are in ASL only - low-voice interpreting is available for hearing family members or interpreting students who may not be fully fluent. More info: Deacon Thomas M. Smith, CSW TTY: 973-497-4311 or Voice: 973-497-4312 or smiththo@rcan.org.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES are available at Cranford Health Care facility for caring individuals to offer some time with residents. Cranford is a 200-bed facility with long and short-term care services. A variety of activities are conducted where volunteers may be helpful, such as Bingo assistant, arts & crafts, one-to-one visits, letter writing, book reader, pet therapy, etc. Info: Activities Dept. 908-272-6660 x28.

 

PAINLESS ASSISTANCE .... If you are wondering what to do with those old books you have taking up space, consider sending them to: Father Ed Morley, OCSO, Monastery of the Holy Spirit, #2625 Hwy. 212 S.W., Conyers, GA 30094-4044. Books will be read by older, incapacitated (bedridden) monks who rely on reading material to get through the day.

 

IGNATIAN VOLUNTEER CORPS … provides men and women, Age 50 and over, the opportunity to serve the needs of people who are economically poor, to work for a more just society, and to grow deeper in Catholic Christian faith by reflecting in the Ignatian tradition once a month. More info: Liz McMahon, at 201-618-6924 or www.ivcusa.org or e-mail emcmahon@ivcusa.org. 

 

LEGISLATION THAT WILL HELP CATHOLIC SCHOOLS ...we are asked to support S1607/A2897 which is the Urban Enterprise Zone Jobs Scholarship Act - a pilot program limited to students in specific districts i.e., Camden, Trenton, Newark, Orange, Lakewood, Paterson and Elizabeth. We are asked to call, e-mail or write our legislators in N.J. Senate and General Assembly and ask for hearings on this bill in the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee and the Assembly Education Committee. If you enter your town & zip code, the links to your legislators will be provided: http://capwiz.com/njsca/home/.  For a copy of the bill: www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/S2000/1607_S1.pdf.

 

VOLUNTEER NEEDED by Catholic Charities Adult Restorative Justice Program (one day per week) to assist with special projects at 505 South Ave. East, Cranford. Contact Catherine L’Insalata at 973-266-7978 or e-mail at Cl’insalata@ccannj.org.

 

New Jersey FamilyCare provides quality, free or low-cost health coverage for uninsured children 18 and younger and low-income parents. If family income falls within a certain range, the children may be eligible. If a family's income is above the limit, affordable health insurance for children may be possible through New Jersey FamilyCare Advantage. More info: 1-800-791-0710 or www.njfamilycare.org.

 

BECOME AWARE of needs at St. Joseph Social Service Ctr. in Elizabeth by going online at www.stjosephelizabeth.org.

 

HISTORIC RESOURCE BOOK (for township religious communities) is available through the Cranford Historical Society ($15). "Faith and Community: A History of Local Belief" may be purchased by calling 908-276-0082 or e-mail cranfordhistoricalsociety@verizon.com.

 

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH (No. & Forest Aves.) has opened Canterbury Lane Thrift Shop featuring good quality merchandise at fair prices. Call for hours: 908-276-4047.

 

FURNITURE ASSIST is a local non-profit agency that works with more than 60 social service organizations and churches in the area which refer people in need. They will take items such as beds, couches, chairs, tables, small appliances, area rugs, clothing, medical items, etc. which may be dropped off at the self-storage facility they use for warehousing items: Self-Storage Depot, 404 North 14th St., Kenilworth. Drop-off is accepted on Sundays 11 a.m.-to 3 p.m. You can e-mail at furnitureassist@westfieldpc.org.

 

MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT & PARENTING HINTS … To improve the quality of marriage and parenting. Suggestions available weekly by logging onto: www.susanvogt.net

RESPITE CARE SERVICES are provided by Engel Senior Day Care Ctr., 505 South Ave., East, Cranford, for Union County residents Age 60+. More info. call Gloria Wierzalis at 908-497-3945.

 

NEEDED … are loving, nurturing homes for children who are in the NJ Foster Care System. Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen Therapeutic Foster Care Program, is seeking warm, supportive individuals and families to serve as Resource families to children in need, many of whom are innocent victims of abuse/neglect. Call: 1-866-247-HOME (4663) for more information.

 

USED FURNITURE DONATIONS ... are needed by St. Joseph Social Service Center, Elizabeth. Most needed (in decent condition) are bedding (incl. mattresses in usable condition), working refrigerators, living & dining room furniture, cribs, etc. Please call Sr. Ruthe Zelena Morgan at 908-337-4070 or 908-354-5456.

 

 

RELIGIOUS ALLIANCE AGAINST PORNOGRAPHY (RAAP) .... is an interfaith group formed more than 20 years ago to help families deal with the increasing threat of pornography. Its most recent project is a booklet entitled "Sex and Cell Phones: Protect Your Children," which provides parents with information. This booklet and other resources are available from RAAP for download on the organization's website www.icarecoalition.org. 

 

HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH, UNION … Divorced/separated group meets every Thursday 7:30 pm. Call John (908-964-1683) or Marie (908-931-9073) or the Rectory (908-687-3327).

 

MONTHLY FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP ...meets the 3rd Monday of each month 10:30-12 Noon, 14 Commerce Drive, Suite 301, Cranford. This group is for adults and family members whose lives have been touched by a blood cancer diagnosis — leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkins, multiple myeloma & myeloproliferative disorders. Another group has been formed, a Bereavement Support Group, which meets weekly on Mondays 7-8:30 pm at The Ambulatory Ctr., St. Barnabas, Livingston. For info on both: Deborah Halpern 908-956-6607 or Deborah.Halpern@lls.org or www.lls.org/nnj.

 

DAYS OF PRAYER & HEALING - for women & men suffering from the effects of abortion.
     - For women: info or to register 866-575-0075 or email postabortion@sistersoflife.org or www.sistersoflife.org/ec.htm
     - For men: call 877-586-4621 or email Lumina@postabortionhelp.org.