Symposium to examine the parish’s role on drug addiction recovery

Sept. 29 the Department of Pastoral Care will host the state-wide event, “Breaking the Chains of Addiction: The Role of Catholic Parishes in Supporting Recovery” in St. Robert Bellarmine, Co-Cathedral, Freehold.
 
Deanna Sass, diocesan director of Pastoral Care, which is sponsoring the event, explained the rationale for the statewide symposium saying, “Among the many afflictions of modern man and woman is the undeniable epidemic of opioid abuse, addiction and ultimately the many deaths, particularly of our youth and young adults, due to overdoses. In recognizing this sign of our times, the Church, as it has been commanded, must respond to these particular signs that plague the people of God in our day and age.”

This event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include presenter Father John Stabeno, coordinator of Recovery Ministries in the Diocese of Camden, and keynote speaker, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark. You can read more about this event and the speakers that will be in attendance from the Trenton Monitor.
 
Registration fee is $25 and includes all handouts necessary for the symposium, lunch and a free copy of “Unchained: Our Family’s Addiction Mess is our Message” by Nancy McCann Vericker. To register online, please visit https://dioceseoftrenton.org/pastoral-care. If you have any questions, please e-mail dthoma@dioceseoftrenton.org.
  The Diocesan Department of Evangelization and Family Life is hosting a pilgrimage with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.
 
Set for Dec. 2-7, the itinerary includes, in addition to the Shrine in Mexico City, visiting other historic and holy sites, attending Masses in various noteworthy churches and cathedrals, viewing and praying before relics of saints, and sampling local cuisine and music. For a more detailed itinerary, read about this pilgrimage in the Trenton Monitor.

Registration for this trip is a $500 check due Aug. 20, with final payment due Oct. 1.
 
For full details on cost, itinerary and registration, click here.
 
For more information, please call 800-842-4842 or e-mail Kristine@select-intl.com .