Office for
Family Life Ministry
Hearts and Homes Centered on Jesus
The Office for Family Life Ministry helps families flourish as prayer-fueled communities of faith with hearts and homes centered on Jesus.
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 fruitful 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.
The Office for Family Life Ministry wishes you and your family abundant blessings this Christmas Season and throughout the New Year!

Happy, Healthy, and Holy Families Newsletter – New Advent and Christmas Edition Available Now!
The Office for Family Life newsletter, Happy, Healthy, and Holy Families, is a new digital resource just for you and your family to help keep Jesus at the center of your hearts and home this Advent and Christmas. Available in English and Spanish!

Updated Family Life Events Flyer
Click on the link below to view and download the full flyer of dates to share with your family, friends, and parish community.

Marriage Preparation
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Marriage Enrichment
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Ministry of Loss & Healing
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Natural Family Planning
Visit PageResources & Additional Information
- 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.
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:
Our Archdiocesan contact is Deacon Vincent DeFedele.
A confidential voice message can be left for him at:
Courage Men’s Chapter
201-220-3968
deacon@olphoakland.org.
NJ Statewide Domestic Violence Hotlines
1-800-572-7233
24-Hour Hotlines
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