Catholic University Director of Moral Theology/Ethics to Keynote Diocesan Family Conference

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK, September 6, 2007- John Grabowski, director of moral theology/ethics of Catholic University’s School of Theology and Religious Studies will talk about spirituality for families in the 21st century, during the first annual family ministry conference by the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

The family ministry conference, also known as the Cornerstone Conference will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2007 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at St. John the Baptist High School, West Islip. Bishop William Murphy, bishop, Diocese of Rockville Centre, will celebrate Mass at 9:00 a.m.

Mr. Grabowski has published widely in the areas of moral theology, marriage, sexuality and bioethics. His book, “Sex and Virtue: An introduction to Sexual Ethics” was published by the Catholic University of America Press in 2003. He also wrote the forward to the 1997 English edition of Pope John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body.”

Other sessions will delve into family ministry including:

- Addiction And Its Effects On The Family
- Single Parents And Stress
- Life After Divorce: Coping With Family Occasions
- Spirituality Of Marriage
- Praying With The Sick
- Getting Through The Teenage Years
- Adoption
- Cultivating Prayer Life Within Children And Youth

For registration information contact Kathleen Logan at 516-678-5800 ext. 236.

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About The Diocese of Rockville Centre
Celebrating its Golden Jubilee, the Diocese of Rockville Centre (www.drvc.org) was formed in 1957 and covers 1,198 square miles in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The diocese serves approximately 1.4 million Catholics (total population in both counties is approximately 2.8 million). There are 134 parishes in 115 towns. Last year over 18,000 baptisms, 18,000 confirmations, 19,000 first communions and 4,000 marriages took place in the diocese. There are approximately 22,000 students in Catholic elementary schools; 13,000 in secondary schools and 3,300 in higher institutions. There are 69 Catholic elementary and high schools and one Catholic college in the diocese. There are also 120,189 total students in religious education. Catholic Health Services of Long Island consists of five hospitals, three nursing homes, a community-based home for those with special needs and a hospice. Last year, Catholic Charities assisted more than 59,000 individuals who are poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged on Long Island.