Metuchen Diocese gives employees adoption benefits

Published: 2005-12-07

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (CNS) -- The Metuchen Diocese has inaugurated an adoption assistance program for employees that offers both financial assistance and paid time off, believed to be the first such program in any U.S. Catholic diocese. The diocese also held its first Mass to celebrate adoption, drawing 300 people, nearly half of them children. Adoptive families filled the chapel at St. John Neumann Pastoral Center in Piscataway Nov. 21. The Mass, which also marked November as National Adoption Awareness Month, was sponsored by the newly formed diocesan Adoption Assistance Committee. Metuchen Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski, principal celebrant, smiled as he spoke above the cacophony of babies' and young children's voices. He welcomed all present and thanked parents "for being open to life, to the gift of children, to the choice of raising children." Homilist Father Thomas J. Walsh, parochial vicar at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Old Bridge, underscored the generosity of adoptive parents, saying their "little ones" are gifts to their lives and to the life of the church.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .