Created by Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, the Catholic Center for Family Spirituality was designed to respond to the challenge of Pope John Paul II to create new institutes dedicated to theological and pastoral dimensions of family life. Through a generous grant from the William E. Simon Foundation, the Center will focus on the spiritual foundations of family life. It also will reflect on the family as the “Church in miniature,” and will explore ways to meet the challenges and stresses attending modern family life. 
 
Experts in the field will offer retreats, courses, lectures and book club meetings. Retreats will address the overarching theme of Pope John Paul II’s Letter to Families, Familiaris Consortio.  
 
The Center’s cornerstone activity will be the William J. Toth Summer Institute for Family Spirituality, which will offer graduate-level courses about family life topics. The Institute has been named in honor of Dr. William Toth, Associate Professor of Christian Ethics, Deacon, and father of eight, who created the Center alongside Dr. Dianne Traflet, Associate Dean.  Dr. Toth suffered a fatal heart attack as plans for the Center were being finalized.
 
Graduate-level courses about the family will be offered at four sites:

• The Seminary on Seton Hall's main South Orange campus
• Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Jersey City
• St. Henry's Parish, Bayonne
• Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Ridgewood
  

All courses may be taken for credit towards a Certificate in Spirituality or Pastoral Ministry or towards a Master’s Degree in Theology or Pastoral Ministry. Students also may choose to enroll on a non-matriculating basis.