An Evening with The Most Reverend Manuel A. Cruz and a Concert with Catholic Musician Chris Padgett

The Saint Thomas the Apostle Youth Group is pleased to present an evening with The Most Reverend Manuel A. Cruz Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark.   The Bishop will address our youth. followed by a Concert with Catholic Musician and Speaker Chris Padgett.

All are Welcome to Join Us! Bishop Cruz is the first Cubanborn priest of the Archdiocese. Bishop Cruz fled to this country with his parents as revolution took hold in Cuba. Eventually, the Cruz family settled in Union City. Bishop Cruz attended the seminaries of the Archdiocese at Seton Hall University. He was ordained a Priest in 1980 and as Bishop in 2008. He is well-known and highly regarded for his deep and strong commitment to the health and the needs of the poor. In leadership roles in chaplain service and hospital ministry he served the needs of people in the Archdiocese at their most vulnerable moments. Throughout his life as a priest, Bishop Cruz has continued to provide the very real presence of Our Lord at times when it is most needed.

A brilliant songwriter, musician, speaker and worship leader, Chris Padgett travels around the world giving talks, missions and concerts. One of the most effective champions of family life in the church today, Chris can speak from experience. He’s been married to his high school sweetheart for over 15 years and has eight children. As he likes to say, the Padgett family is taking the call to make disciples very seriously! Chris holds a master’s in theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, and has begun doctoral work in Marian studies at the International Marian Research Institute in Dayton, Ohio. His television appearances include Life on the Rock with Jeff Cavins and Living His Life Abundantly.