Friday, October 12

A Day for the Youth 

This segment of the congress is reserved for 7th through 12th grade students in Catholic schools, and parish religious education and youth ministry programs around the diocese.  Attendance must be arranged in advance through the parish or school. 

7:30 a.m. 

Students arrive by bus.

7:45 – 8:45 a.m. 

Main Stage – Musical performance by Sibling Rivalry

9 a.m.             

Main Stage – Welcome

9:15 a.m.

Main Stage – Morning Prayer

9:45 – 10:20 a.m.

Main Stage – Keynote talk by Catholic Christian music performing artist, John Angotti: “Sunday’s All About Monday!”  …  Through song and story we will embrace the human stories of where we find Jesus in our everyday life with the divine story we hear on Sunday…so that Sunday is all about Monday!

10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

Main Stage – Performance by rap/hip hop artist, Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father Stan Fortuna

VIP Club – Musical performance by Sibling Rivalry

VIP Tent – Outreach Project begins; *Students will package meals for people in the West African country of Burkina Faso, and collect food to be distributed locally

Plaza Tent – “Hollywood vs. Faith – The Struggle to Live Faithfully in the Age of Media Values”: Presenter and actor Frank Runyeon admits he has always felt torn between the world of the media and the world of faith.  He speaks with humor about that struggle, and shares the fruit of lessons he has learned over the years, from studies at Princeton University and Yale Divinity School, funny experiences on set,  and surprising discoveries that come from ‘looking behind the curtain’ at the wizards of Hollywood.  Frank Runyeon identifies the “Three Big Lies” of Hollywood and suggests a simple answer to how we can live faithfully as members of the Church—while still enjoying the best of the media.

Cenacle Chapel – Prayer and Adoration: Introduction to Ignatian meditation from Father William Lago followed by group prayer; Time for silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

Plaza Area – Reconciliation stations open

11:15 a.m.

Main Stage – Students return; prepare for Mass

Noon

Main Stage – Mass with Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., principal celebrant

1 – 2 p.m.

Main Stage area – Lunch break

1:15 – 1:50 p.m.

VIP Tent – Outreach Project continues

Cenacle Chapel – Prayer and Adoration: Introduction to Ignatian meditation from Father William Lago followed by group prayer; Time for silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

Plaza – Reconciliation stations open

2 – 2:35 p.m.

Main Stage – Realfaith TV LIVE, interactive presentation on the diocesan teen television talk show

VIP Club – Musical Performance by Sibling Rivalry

VIP Tent – Outreach Project continues

Plaza Tent – Address by hockey personality, Kerry Fraser, to Catholic Athletes for Christ gathering (pre-registration required)

Cenacle Chapel – Prayer and Adoration: Introduction to Ignatian meditation from Father William Lago followed by group prayer; Time for silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

Plaza – Reconciliation stations open

2:45 – 3:20 p.m.

Main Stage – Musical performance by JAMM (John Angotti Music Ministry)

VIP Club – Performance by rap/hip hop artist, Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father Stan Fortuna

VIP Tent – Outreach Project continues

Plaza Tent – “Hollywood vs. Faith – The Struggle to Live Faithfully in the Age of Media Value” presented by Frank Runyeon (see 10:30 a.m. session for description)

Plaza – Reconciliation stations open

Cenacle Chapel – Prayer and Adoration: Introduction to Ignatian meditation from Father William Lago followed by group prayer; Time for silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

3:30 – 4 p.m.

Main Stage – Bishop’s sending prayer and departure

Friday, October 12

An Evening for Priests/Seminarians

4:30 p.m.

Priests/Seminarians arrive

5 p.m.

VIP Club – Evening Prayer

5:30 p.m.

VIP Club – Colloquial – “Eucharistic Adoration in the Life of the Priest” – Bishop Arthur Joseph Serratelli, Diocese of Paterson

6 – 7 p.m.

VIP Club – Priests’ dinner

7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

VIP Club – Holy Hour; Musical Meditations and Eucharistic Reflection by Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father Mariusz Koch, well-known speaker and missionary from the Archdiocese of Newark

Saturday, October 13

A Day for the Church Family

Open throughout day (except during Mass)
Plaza Area – Reconciliation stations and Diocesan exhibits
Vendor Village – Shopping and Exhibits between VIP Club and VIP Tent

8 a.m.

Doors Open

VIP Tent – Reception for Vowed Religious with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

8:30 – 9:15 a.m.

Plaza Tent – Music with Dan Dirkes

9:30 – 10 a.m.

Main Stage – Morning Prayer

10 a.m.

Main Gates – Procession to Veterans’ Memorial begins

Cenacle Chapel – Prayer and Adoration: Introduction to the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary from Sister of St. Joseph Marcy Springer followed by group prayer; Time for silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

Plaza Tent – “Being Attentive to the Liturgy of the Hours”: Presenter, Bob Bursley; This presentation will help to remind us that we are called to “Make Holy the Day,” not just this moment, but every day and in a special way as the Liturgy of the Hours invites us, for it is the prayer of Christ and the Church (until 10:45 a.m.).

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

N.J. Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial (adjacent to arts center) –
Prayer service for all veterans led by
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

VIP Club – “Holy Communion and our Spiritual Life": Presenter, Father William Lago; The gift of Jesus in Holy Communion is the “source and summit” of our lives – our spiritual lives lived out in our everyday world.  Join Father Lago as he reflects on how to approach our participation in and celebration of the Eucharist at Mass and ways to live out a Eucharistic spirituality.  Father Lago will draw on the teachings of the saints and Father Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher of the papal household

VIP Tent – Performance by children’s songwriter Rob Evans “The Donut Man” for families with young children

11 – 11:45 a.m.

Cenacle Chapel – Prayer and Adoration: Introduction to Ignatian meditation from Sister of St. Joseph Marcy Springer followed by group prayer; Time for silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

Plaza Tent – Music

Noon

Main Stage – Mass with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., principal celebrant

1:30 p.m. 

Main Stage, VIP Tent – Lunch break for general audience

VIP Club – Young Adults/College block: Music by John Angotti; boxed lunch available; Rob Swantek, facilitator

Plaza Tent – Music with Tom and Marissa Miller (until 2:15 p.m.)

2 p.m.

VIP Tent – For families with young children: Clown and puppet presentation from husband and wife team John and Joanne Tyne (JMT Productions), who portray “Rainbow the Clown and Mr. T”  (until 3 p.m.; three performances, each 20 minutes based on the Scripture stories centered around meals.)

Cenacle Chapel – Prayer and Adoration: Introduction to Lectio Divina from Sister Marcy Springer followed by group prayer; Time for silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

2:30 – 3 p.m.

Main Stage – Opening movement of the Bishop’s Anniversary Blessings as Damon Clarke Owens presents:  “Marriage:  Between Intimacy & Awe”. God's covenant and grace comes to the world through the sign of marriage. From Adam and Eve in Genesis to Christ and the Church in Revelation, the salvation story begins and ends with marriage. These "book-ends" of the Bible give us a lens to understand everything in between - from the Old Testament prophets, Tobit, and Song of Songs, through the Wedding at Cana to the "Great Mystery" of Ephesians 5. Living marriage as a sign preparing for the eternal marriage is learning to live a tension between intimacy and awe.

VIP Club – Young Adult/College Block …  “Hollywood vs. Faith – The Struggle to Live Faithfully in the Age of Media Values”: Presenter and actor Frank Runyeon admits he has always felt torn between the world of the media and the world of faith.  He speaks with humor about that struggle, and shares the fruit of lessons he has learned over the years, from studies at Princeton University and Yale Divinity School, funny experiences on set,  and surprising discoveries that come from ‘looking behind the curtain’ at the wizards of Hollywood.  Runyeon identifies the “Three Big Lies” of Hollywood and suggests a simple answer to how we can live faithfully as members of the Church—while still enjoying the best of the media.

Plaza Tent – Catholic Q & A led by Father Pablo Gadenz

3 p.m.

Main Stage – Anniversary Blessings: Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., to lead prayer service and blessing of couples (in groups of 1, 25 and 50 + years of marriage), followed by a blessing of individual couples (until 4 p.m.)

VIP Tent – “Unpack the Treasures of the Faith”: Presenter, Dr. Linda Dix has prepared a session in which parents and/or grandparents can explore with their children some ways to live the “treasures of our Catholic faith” at home and share them with the world.  The time will be filled with fun and learning; “take home” activities will be provided for parents and grandparents

Cenacle Chapel – Prayer and Adoration: Introduction to the Divine Mercy Chaplet followed by group prayer; Time for silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

3:15 p.m.

VIP Club – Young Adult/College Block … “Why Be Catholic? (When You Could Be Anything Else?)”: Presented by Patrick Madrid. This talk is a charitable and respectful examination of a dozen key biblical and historical reasons for being Catholic. Includes a discussion of common reasons why Catholics leave the Church, why they return, and what lay Catholics can do to help people better understand the teachings of the Catholic Church from a biblical and historical standpoint. One of Madrid’s most popular talks!

3:30 p.m.

Plaza Tent – Music

4 p.m.

VIP Club – Young Adult/College Block:  Praise and Worship with Rob Swantek – Holy Hour of Adoration with music by John Angotti

Cenacle Chapel – Prayer and Adoration: Introduction to Praying the Rosary for Life from Donna Goodwin, followed by group prayer; Time for silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

4:30 p.m.

Dinner break for general audience members

VIP Tent – Gathering for deacons and their families (until 6 p.m.)

Plaza Tent – Open-Forum Q & A Workshop led by Patrick Madrid; This free-wheeling and exciting question-&-answer workshop covers the waterfront of issues pertaining to the teachings of the Catholic Church, Scripture, Tradition and Church history. Audience members determine the questions and are encouraged to bring their Bible, a note pad and their toughest questions – all of which will be answered in a friendly, charitable and informative style. (until 5:30)

6 p.m.

Main Stage – Vespers (Evening Prayer)

6:30 p.m.

Main Stage – Dramatic Performance and Reflection:  “Sermon on the Mount” by actor Frank Runyeon

7:15 p.m.

Main Stage – Concert at the Congress: begins with performance by Koinonia Choir (20 min set)

7:35 p.m.

Main Stage – Video presentation

7:50 p.m.

Main Stage – Concert at the Congress: Ken Perry and Band (25 min. set)

8:15 p.m.

Main Stage – Video Presentation

8:30 p.m.

Main Stage – Concert at the Congress:  John Angotti and Band (40 min set)

9:30 p.m.

Adjourn

Sunday, October 14

The Eucharist: ‘Source and Summit’

Open throughout day (except during Mass)
Plaza Area – Reconciliation stations and Diocesan exhibits

9 a.m. - Doors open

9:15 a.m.

Cenacle Chapel – Blessed Sacrament brought to the Main Stage area

9:30 a.m.

Main Stage –  A Spanish-language celebration of Morning Prayer; Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., to address congregation

10 a.m.

Main Stage – Music and presenter Father Carlos Garcia to give address in Spanish

VIP Tent – A four-hour Multicultural Song and Dance EXPO featuring speakers and performers representing Guatemalan, Filipino, Mexican, African American, Ukrainian, Polish and Brazilian heritages (until 2 p.m.)

11:45 a.m.

Cenacle Chapel – Blessed Sacrament is reposed in Chapel with time for Adoration

1 p.m.

VIP Club – Gathering of St. Vincent de Paul members: “Journey with the Poor and See the Face of Christ.” presented by Marge McGinley, pastoral administrator in Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly, and a member of the board of directors of the National St. Vincent de Paul Council 

2 p.m.

VIP Tent – First Communion children arrive

2:30 p.m.

VIP Club – Catechesis for First Communion children and their families with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

3:30 p.m.

Cenacle Chapel – Adoration concludes

3:45 p.m.

Main Stage – Liturgical procession enters

4 p.m.

Main Stage – Great Mass with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. as principal celebrant; Archbishop John J. Myers of Newark as principal concelebrant

5 p.m.

Main Stage – Conferral of papal, diocesan honors

5:30 p.m.

Main Stage – Eucharistic Procession followed by Solemn Benediction and Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament

6 p.m.

Main Stage – Closing talk from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.; Singing of hymn: “Holy God, We Praise thy Name”; Congress is adjourned (before 7 p.m.).