By Mary Morrell | Managing Editor

Sitting across the desk from Josue Arriola, one is likely to notice the two bands he wears on his left ring finger.  When asked, he graciously explains that the first, a slender gold band, is his wedding ring, representing his devotion to his wife. The second, a wide pewter band engraved with a prayer, reminds him of his devotion to God, who makes all things possible through faith.

Arriola, the new diocesan director of the Department of Youth, Marriage and Family Life, brings years of service in the Church to his new position and a deep understanding that faith in God and walking, as well as talking, the Gospel message is at the heart of Catholic ministry.

The former associate director of evangelization for the Diocese of Metuchen, who has deep roots in the Diocese of Trenton, explained that his eight years of experience there “was an incredible school for me, it gave me a solid foundation on the understanding of our Great Commission as Church: ‘Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations’ (Matthew 28:19) and understanding that evangelization and the New Evangelization are the processes to accomplish it. With this understanding, I hope to develop a unified vision, and advance a plan, for effectively assisting parishes with the vision of our Great Commission as they minister to youth, young adults, families, single persons, and engaged and married couples from diverse backgrounds, languages and cultural groups.”

Arriola, who is trained as a facilitator for both Natural Family Planning and VIRTUS, Protecting God’s Children, earned a master of arts degree in theology from Augustine Institute, Denver; a bachelor of arts with a concentration in humanities from Thomas Edison State College, Trenton, and undertook studies in pastoral ministry in Georgian Court University, Lakewood, and pastoral Hispanic leadership in The Catholic University of America, Washington.

While working as a graphic designer and web developer in the late 1990s, Arriola began a long-time commitment as a volunteer in youth and Hispanic ministry in the parishes of St. Paul, Princeton, and St. Anthony of Padua, Hightstown, where his great love and commitment to the people of God took hold.

Arriola, who with his wife, Brenda, and two sons, Joshua, 10, and Anthony, 7,  are members of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, firmly believes that he is where he is meant to be, and is looking forward to the opportunity to work closely with the unique communities to whom his department ministers. Stressing the importance of embracing the present moment, and recalling the memorable words of a bishop who influenced him, he said, “Now is the time to make history, not through fame but through faithfulness.”

Arriola added that if there were anything he would pray for it would be just that: faithfulness…to the will of God and to the needs of God’s people; that, and a safe and healthy delivery for their third child, expected in the spring.