Two Archdiocesan priests and a Catholic school principal recently traveled to the Diocese of Yakima in Washington State to learn about ministries serving migrant orchard workers who pass through the area every summer and are offered spiritual support on their journey.

Two high school students united their talents and passions to produce a bilingual children’s environmental stewardship book inspired by their faith and time at a Catholic school.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone‘s Union Catholic family gathered at the Stage House Tavern in Mountainside to watch the alum take the gold in the women’s 400-meter hurdles at the 2024 Olympics at Stade de France in Paris.

Rejoice in the Lord

During the summer, Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church students delved into the study of Mary, exploring appearances of our Lady at a Fatima, Lourdes, Guadalupe, Knock, and Mount Carmel. The New Providence church hosted its inaugural Vacation Bible Camp from July 15 – 19, with the program “Tracking Mary: Aboard the Queen of Heaven Express.”

Dr. Marla James, a distinguished Union Catholic Regional High School educator, has been honored as Archdiocese of Newark Teacher of the Year. The Archdiocese of Newark has also nominated her for the 2024 NJCAPE Nonpublic School Teacher of the Year Award.

Back-to-school giveaway and Italian ice social will be celebrated at three locations.

For the second year, teenagers from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Tenafly traveled to Portland, Maine, to serve over 200 of the city’s most vulnerable through cooking, cleaning, landscaping, and organizing efforts.

The short life of Blessed Carlos Acutis, who died in 2006 at 15, offers a contemporary and youthful role model of Christian devotion and service. He will soon become the Church’s first millennial saint, profoundly influencing young and millennial Catholics.

Rejoice in the Lord

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has introduced a new “National Pastoral Framework for Ministries with Youth and Young Adults,” intended to guide the Church’s engagement with younger generations. Titled “Listen, Teach, Send,” the framework draws inspiration from the biblical Emmaus journey (Luke 24:13-35), focusing on the three core actions.

Oratory Prep recently concluded a week-long service trip for six students and their mentors at Nazareth Farm, a Catholic community in Salem, West Virginia. The trip underscored the Summit Catholic school’s commitment to spiritual development through hands-on service trips and community engagement.

National Eucharistic Congress attendees are likely to recognize the faces of the daily revival session emcees, who are known for their prominent media presence and various ministries.

Women religious from the Archdiocese of Newark board a plane bound for Wisconsin in June 1960. They will study special education techniques at St. Coletta’s School. Pictured left to right: Sisters of Charity: Sister Anna Rosalie and Sister Mary Immaculate. Religious Teachers Filippini: Sister Lillian Ernest, M.P.F.; Sister Geraldine Canale, M.P.F.; Sister Victoria LiPuma, M.P.F.; and Sister Cecelia Rotondo, M.P.F. (Archdiocese of Newark Archives, Catholic Advocate collection)

Mia Caldarone, a Catholic student in the 7th grade at St. Joseph School in Oradell, NJ, won the 5th annual “Christ Is Alive!” National Essay Contest, sharing a heartfelt story about the role of forgiveness and faith in her life.

Four young women who have played rugby during their high school years at Hudson Catholic — the only high school offering women’s rugby in New Jersey — will go on to play collegiate women’s rugby at their universities of choice.

Rejoice In the Lord

Jersey Catholic has compiled a travel resource of some of the most notable pilgrimage destinations for spiritual renewal and exploration this summer.

In response to Pope Francis declaring 2024 as a Year of Prayer, the Archdiocese of Newark hosted an uplifting Day of Prayer that saw over 100 local faithful gather for hours of song, praise, and storytelling at Kearny’s St. John Paul II Youth Retreat Center on June 29.

Sydney McLaughlin, an alumna of Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains, once again shattered her own world record in the 400-meter hurdles at the Olympic Trials on June 30. Racing at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, McLaughlin finished in 50.65 seconds to secure her place on Team USA. The time surpassed her previous best of 50.68 seconds set at the 2022 World Championships.