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Office for Family Life Ministry

The office for Family Life Ministry is committed to placing the Christian family at the heart of the Church’s mission to strengthen families as the basic foundation of both Church and society. Toward this end, we offer resources, training, and opportunities for spiritual growth throughout the vibrant parishes of the Archdiocese of Newark. Our mission is to advocate for the sanctity of life and the importance of a strong Christian family unit. We strive to prepare engaged couples for happy, holy, and successful marriages as well as encourage a spirit of healing for families struggling with loss through grief and separation. We seek to build up families in prayer that they may be beacons of Christ’s love to a broken world.

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Marriage Preparation

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Marriage Enrichment

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Ministry of Loss & Healing

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Natural Family Planning

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Leadership Training

Pornography Harms

Here are resources for those whose lives are affected spiritually and psychologically by the dangers of pornography.

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Mental Health Ministry

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Family Study Guide for Cardinal Tobin’s Pastoral Letter

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Resources & Additional Information

Church Teaching on the Definition of Marriage

USCCB Committe Chairs Reaffirm the Catholic Church’s Teaching on Marriage

Questions and Answers on Same Sex “Marriage”

Executive Summary of the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey’s Message on Marriage

A Message on Marriage from the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey

Catholic Counseling & Psychotherapy

CatholicPsych Institute

Pastoral Solutions Institute

Grief and Loss

Life-Giving Wounds

Red Bird Ministries

Perinatal Loss Resources

Perinatal Loss Resource List

Catholic Miscarriage Support

Perinatal Hospice

I knew miscarriages were sad—but nothing could prepare us for the experience

Archdiocese of Dubuque – Behold Your Child Ministry

Saints for Pregnancy and Infant Loss
  • Mary, Mother of God – Witnessed the death of her son, Jesus. Watches over mothers and families especially when they are suffering.
  • St. Elizabeth Ann Seton – A servant to widows, orphans and children. She herself lost two very young children.
  • Blessed Michelina of Pesaro – Lost a very young son.
  • St. Gianna Beretta Molla – Patroness of unborn children. The miracle for her beatification was the healing of a woman suffering consequences of a stillbirth.
  • St. Catherine of Siena – Patroness of miscarriages. Catherine had many siblings who died in infancy, including her twin sister.
  • St. Gerard – Patron of expecting mothers, children (including the unborn).
  • Sts. Louis Martin & Marie-Azélie Guérin – Parents of St. Therese of Lisieux, they experienced the loss of children in infancy.
Chastity

Lifenet Presentations

Same Sex Attraction

Courage and Encourage International

Prayer and support groups for persons who experience same sex attraction and groups for family who have loved ones who experience same sex attraction:

New Atlantis Report on Sexuality & Gender

Truth and Love

Love and Same Sex Attraction Video by Fr. Mike Schmitz

Defending Marriage

Ruth Institute

Marriage: Unique for a Reason

Overcoming Pornography

Integrity Restored 

Convenant Eyes  

Reclaim Sexual Health

End Sexual Exploitation

End Of Life Issues

USCCB Video & Resources On Assisted Suicide

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Outreach

NJ Statewide Domestic Violence Hotlines

1-800-572-7233
24-Hour Hotlines

Bergen County

Union County

Hudson County

Essex County

201-944-9600
TTY: 201-836-3071 (For the hearing impaired)
Batterers Services: 201-336-7575

908-355-4357
TTY: 908-355-1023 (for the hearing impaired)
Batterers Services: 908-355-1995

201-333-5700
TTY: 201-333-0547 (for the hearing impaired)

973-484-4446
Batterers Services: 973-399-3400

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