January 26, 2023

Pope Francis presides over the funeral Mass of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peters’ Square at the Vatican Jan. 5. Coverage begins on

15. —CNS photo/Vatican Media

Pope Francis remembers Benedict’s ‘wisdom, tenderness, devotion’

By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI “spread and testified to” the Gospel his entire life, Pope Francis told tens of thousands of people gathered Jan. 5 for his predecessor’s funeral Mass.

Pope Francis presided over the Mass and Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, was the main celebrant at the altar. Some 120 cardinals, another 400 bishops and 3,700 priests concelebrated. More than 1,000 journalists, photographers and camera operators from around the world were accredited to cover the funeral in St. Peter’s Square.

“Like the women at the tomb, we too have come with the fragrance of gratitude and the balm of hope, in order to show him once more the love that is undying. We want to do this with the same wisdom, tenderness and devotion that he bestowed upon us over the years,” Pope Francis said in his homily.

Just as Pope Benedict dedicated his pontificate to directing the faithful’s focus to the person of Christ, at his funeral Pope Francis dedicated his homily to Christ’s loving devotion and suffering witness as the “invitation and the program of life that he quietly inspires in us,” rather than on a summary of his predecessor’s life.

Pope Francis spoke of Jesus’ grateful, prayerful and sustained devotion to God’s will and how Jesus’ final words on the cross, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,” summed up his entire life, “a ceaseless self-entrustment into the hands of his Father.”

“His were hands of forgiveness and compassion, healing and mercy, anointing and blessing, which led him also to entrust himself into the hands of his brothers and sisters,” he said.

“Father into your hands I commend

my spirit,” the pope said, is the plan for life that Jesus quietly invites and inspires people to follow.

However, he said, the path requires sustained and prayerful devotion that is “silently shaped and refined amid the challenges and resistance that every pastor must face in trusting obedience to the Lord’s command to feed his flock.”

“Like the Master, a shepherd bears the burden of interceding and the strain of anointing his people, especially in situations where goodness must struggle to prevail and the dignity of our brothers and sisters is threatened,” said the pope

“The Lord quietly bestows the spirit of meekness that is ready to understand, accept, hope and risk, notwithstanding any misunderstandings that might result. It is the source of an unseen and elusive fruitfulness, born of his knowing the One in whom he has placed his trust,” he said.

“Feeding means loving, and loving also means being ready to suffer. Loving means giving the sheep what is truly good, the nourishment of God’s truth, of God’s word, the nourishment of his presence,” Pope Francis said, quoting his predecessor’s homily marking the start of his pontificate April 24, 2005.

“Holding fast to the Lord’s last words and to the witness of his entire life, we too, as an ecclesial community, want to follow in his steps and to commend our brother into the hands of the Father,” he said of Pope Benedict. “May those merciful hands find his lamp alight with the oil of the Gospel that he spread and testified to for his entire life.”

“God’s faithful people, gathered here, now accompany and entrust to him the life of the one who was their pastor,” the pope said. “Together, we want to say, ‘Father, into your hands we commend his spirit.’”

“Benedict, faithful friend of the Bridegroom, may your joy be complete as

you hear his voice, now and forever!” he concluded, as the crowd prayed in silence.

At the pope’s funeral, like any Catholic funeral, Communion was followed by the “final commendation and farewell,” asking that “Pope Emeritus Benedict” be delivered from death and “may sing God’s praises in the heavenly Jerusalem.”

Pope Francis prayed that God have mercy on his predecessor, who was “a fearless preacher of your word and a faithful minister of the divine mysteries.”

Among the people in the crowd was Georg Bruckmaier who traveled nearly 10 hours by car to come to the funeral from his home in Bavaria, not far away from where the late pope was born.

Wearing a Bavarian flag around his back, he told CNS, “There are a lot of Bavarians here today, I’ve seen people I know from university. I wanted to be here for the atmosphere.”

“People felt very close to him, because he is a Bavarian, so this is a really big event to be here,” Bruckmaier said, adding that being able to pay his last respects before the pope’s remains in St. Peter’s Basilica, “is a different thing than seeing it on television. It’s something I won’t forget in my whole life.”

Fiona-Louise Devlin told CNS she and her companions were wearing scarves from the late pope’s visit to Scotland in 2010. She said they traveled to Rome from Scotland specifically for the funeral. “He’s the pope of our generation. Like, how so many people say that John Paul II was their pope, he was mine. I’ve traveled around the world to go to celebrations that he’s been a part of, so I wanted to be here for this,” she said.

Justin McLellan contributed to this story.

Bishop’s Appointments

Bishop James F. Checchio recently announced the following assignments effective immediately unless otherwise noted.

Rev. Virgilio Tolentino, on leave, incardinated

Rev. Alberto Ruiz, from Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Perth Amboy

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Rev. Baijumon Antony, VC, from Divine Prayer Center, Washington

Rev. John Kattattu Chacko, VC, to Divine Prayer Center, Washington

Rev. Pawel Michalowski, SDB, parochial vicar, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Martinsville, candidate to incardination

Rev. Paulus Marandi, CMF, parochial vicar, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Old Bridge, effective Jan. 1

Correction: On page 29 of the Dec. 22, 2022, issue of “The Catholic Spirit,” an article about Life Choices Resource Center should have said the faith-filled Christian ministry is beginning its 38th year of operation.

Bishop James F. Checchio’s column, which this month is a tribute to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, can be found on page 17 in our special pull out section on the pope.

Members of apostolate gather at traditional evening liturgy

By Christina Leslie Correspondent

METUCHEN — Reflecting the devotion of Catholics of Filipino descent in the diocese, a symbol of faith in the form of a regal child took its place at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Dec. 23 at the conclusion of Simbang Gabi celebrations.

“You prove yourselves as worthy successors of John the Baptist,” said Bishop James F. Checchio, who presided and gave the homily at the Dec. 23 Mass marking the feast’s novena. This year, the celebration took on an additional importance as the Filipino Apostolate introduced the statue of Santo Niño de Cebu to their non-Filipino brothers and sisters in faith.

Simbang Gabi, Filipino for “night Mass,” was introduced by Spanish evangelists to the Philippines in the 17th century wherein the faithful arise before daybreak during the nine days before Christmas to attend Mass before they set off to work in the fields. Adoration of Mary is central during the early morning Masses, which featured song and procession as early as 4 a.m.; over time and in urban areas, Masses most often are celebrated during the evening.

Under the coordination of the diocesan Filipino Apostolate, the tradition of Simbang Gabi Masses has blossomed. A total of 24 churches hosted Masses in the Filipino tradition, beginning with a Dec. 15 liturgy at St. Magdalen de Pazzi Church, Flemington, and concluding Dec. 23 at the Cathedral.

Misa de Gallo, or “Rooster Mass,” was held at 5 a.m. each day of the novena at St. Ladislaus Church, New Brunswick.

Simbang Gabi festivities began as youngsters re-enacted the journey of Mary and Joseph as they searched for a place to bear their son. The Filipino Apostolate Festival Choir sang traditional Christmas songs of praise in Tagalog as faithful processed into the Cathedral bearing banners and parols, or star-shaped lanterns meant to represent the Star of Bethlehem. Bishop Checchio, who was accompanied by Filipino priests and deacons of the Diocese at the altar, served as the liturgy’s homilist.

Reflecting upon the Gospel of Luke which detailed the birth of John the Baptist (1:57-68), the bishop spoke of the herald’s mission: to point to the Lord.

“Even in the womb, no matter what came his way, John kept pointing to the Lord,” Bishop Checchio said. “The Church brings us John the Baptist to bring us a good example: lead others to Christ.”

He told the Filipinos seated before him, “You point out Christ for others, make God’s presence present… Pause amid the hectic pace of these days, and remember what we are truly preparing for.”

Bishop Checchio gestured towards the statue of Santo Niño de Cebu, adorned with a red cloak and surrounded by red poinsettias at the foot of the ambo, and said, “This is one of the first devotions that the people of Cebu took up when faith was first established there 500 years ago. It is a child — gentle, meek, humble and merciful — but a king we need to rule our hearts, Ask him to bring us closer to his heart. May we cry out, ‘Long live the king.’”

The original depiction of Santo Niño de Cebu, the child king, was a gift from

Top left, processing into the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi for the annual Simbang Gabi Mass Dec. 23, Edgar Bansil carries the statue of Santo Nino de Cebu. He is followed by devotees of the Sto Nino, all parishioners of the Cathedral. Top right, Bishop James F. Checchio blesses the Santo Nino statue with holy water. Standing behind the statue is Father Jonathan S. Toborowsky, diocesan Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. Above, cantor Dianne Bautista, a member of St. Ann Parish, Raritan Borough, leads the congregation in song. The statue was scheduled to be enshrined in the Cathedral Jan. 21. — Marlo Williamson photos

explorer Ferdinand Magellan to the rulers of Cebu Island, Philippines, in 1521, sparking their baptism into the Catholic faith. The statue, the oldest Catholic relic in that island nation, survived a severe fire in 1565 and was believed to have miraculous powers. A church to house Santo Niño, built on the spot where the image was recovered, was elevated to the status of Minor Basilica on its 400th anniversary by Pope Paul VI.

Father Gerardo Paderon, pastor, Queenship of Mary Parish, Plainsboro, and coordinator of the Filipino Apostolate, informed the congregation that

the Santo Niño de Cebu statue will be permanently enshrined in the Cathedral Jan.21, and its feast day observed yearly on the third Sunday of that month.

“May all who look at this image be reminded of God’s faithfulness and his love for us,” prayed Bishop Checchio as he blessed the statue with holy water and incense. “May all who pray before this image be reminded of his presence among us. May all who seek the help of the Holy Child find favor with you. May our devotion to the Holy Child, Jesus, lead us to share the good news of Emmanuel: God is with us.”

The Baptism of the Lord evokes reflection on its significance

This year, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord fell on Monday, January 9. As a result, most Catholics, except for daily communicants, were not able to celebrate this nodal event in the life of Christ. Why is this closing feast of the Christmas Season so important to us? Moreover, did you ever wonder: “Why did Jesus ask to be baptized?” After all, the Church teaches that Christ shared in our humanity in all ways but sin. So, if Jesus was without sin, why would he ask for something that he really did not need?

Well, in his first book written as Pontiff, entitled “Jesus of Nazareth,” the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,

answers this question succinctly. Jesus’ baptism anticipates his death on the Cross. As our Lord asked for Baptism, he willingly took on the sins of the world and, later, he would vicariously atone for those sins on Mt. Calvary. At the same time, argues the Holy Father, the heavenly voice that is heard after Jesus’ baptism, anticipates his Resurrection. Just as the Eucharist is also the Sacrifice of Calvary in the sign order, and is offered in a non-bloody manner, so the Baptism of the Lord is, in the sign order, an enacted prophecy of what is to come in the life of Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus asks to be baptized in order to identify himself with us fully. The Baptism of the Lord both recapitulates and recreates all of history; it encapsulates the past and anticipates the future.

Pope Benedict has given great insight into the feast which we celebrate today. There’s only one problem to a purely theological homily—it can be a

little too cerebral, and therefore, it must contain a pastoral component, that is, a practical application to which people can relate. So, here’s the part you’ve all been waiting for!

If the Baptism of the Lord is ultimately about redemption, then it follows that this feast calls us to embrace anew our mission as co-redeemers, and sometimes to fulfill this role requires fortitude, perseverance, prudence and courage. We have as a model, Benedict’s successor, Pope Francis. Just look what he has done in the years since he arrived. He chooses to dress simply—to wear a simple silver pectoral cross. He will not travel on land by limousine but by a modest car. He will not inhabit the papal palace but chooses to dwell in a two-room suite. He eats with others and not by himself, as popes before him did. Like other Popes of our times, Francis reminds us all, clergy and laity, that baptism, which frees us from sin and gives us new life in the Spirit, is the beginning

of our faith journey, not its end.

Pope Francis has also voiced his concern for the many baptized Christians “whose lives do not reflect the demands of Baptism, who lack a meaningful relationship to the Church and no longer experience the consolation born of faith.” Part of our mission, then, is to help such people to “experience a conversion which will restore the joy of faith to their hearts and inspire a commitment to the Gospel.” (Evangelii Gaudium, 15) When our way of life reflects the precious gift we have received in baptism, then we share in the work of Christ, drawing others to live as children of our heavenly Father. This is what it means to participate in the New Evangelization, to proclaim the Good News by the example of our lives. How much our world yearns for this evidence of basic, human goodness, especially as we enter a new life in the key of Ordinary Time.

Father Comandini is managing editor of “The Catholic Spirit.”

In building the culture of life persevere, embrace the spirit of charity

As we enter into a new year, it’s a good time to look back and reflect on one of the highlights of 2022 — the historic Supreme Court decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and turned the abortion issue back to the states.

For almost 50 years, pro-life people have been working hard for this moment – praying, volunteering, advocating for pro-life legislation, marching for life in Washington, D.C., and Trenton and helping support moms in need. And now, with the Dobbs decision, Roe v. Wade is overturned and abortion is no longer the law of the land.

For me, it was an extraordinary day that I will never forget. Although the decision was announced almost six months ago, I still remember exactly where I was when I heard the news. It was the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and my husband and I were at the airport getting ready to board a flight to visit family who we hadn’t seen in some time.

While at the airport my phone suddenly lit up with text messages from friends and co-workers rejoicing over the news. The next thing I remember is TV screens throughout the airport flashing scenes of angry protesters and news pundits blasting the Supreme Court’s decision to reverse Roe.

All at the same time I felt joy in my heart and uneasiness in my spirit. Of course I was happy over the decision — something I have spent almost 30 years working towards, but a deep unrest flashed over me. Although I could exchange celebratory thoughts with some of my colleagues and friends, I knew in my heart that this would be a taboo subject with others, especially younger family members. You see, millennial and Gen Z Americans have only lived in a society that permits and even celebrates so-called reproductive rights and the destruction of unborn lives.

I realized in that moment that although we have made many strides in the legislature to restrict abortion and Dobbs is a huge pro-life victory in the courts, we have yet to change the culture. Sadly, we have yet to make abortion unthinkable! After all, “banning abortion” is different from “ending abortion.”

Shortly after the Dobbs decision, I heard some wise words from Professor Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University. He called on the pro-life community to remember President Lincoln: “to [avoid] the kind of triumphalism that rejoices in the downfall of an enemy; and, to embrace the spirit of charity that must inform the mind of people who would be reconciled to one another and animate any nation as would be reconciled to itself.”

George encouraged pro-lifers to read Lincoln’s Second Inaugural and be guided by its spirit. “Let us not exult over those of our fellow citizens — good people who are sincerely concerned

about women’s welfare — who see the demise of Roe as a disaster. Malice towards none; charity for all.”

In other words: This is no time to spike the football! We have much work to do! The task before us now is to recapture the narrative on what it means to be human. We need to roll up our sleeves. We need to transform the culture by reflecting Christ, who is the model of authentic humanity, to those around us.

To this end, we need only to look at and expand on the wonderful work of the 2,700 pro-life pregnancy help centers across the nation. From 2016 to 2020, working to transform a culture of death and destruction into a culture of encounter, the nearly 15,000 staff and almost 54,000 volunteers (including 10,200 licensed medical professionals) walked with moms in need and at risk for abortion to save more than 800,000 lives (as reported by The Lozier Institute). Conversely, abortions were 96.6 percent of all pregnancy resolution

services offered by Planned Parenthood according to its 2020-2021 annual report. Providing tangible support including medical care, referrals, education, mentoring, material needs as well as love and support, pro-life pregnancy help centers help to reveal Christ’s love and infinite mercy to vulnerable women who believe they have no other option for their unborn babies and are desperate for solutions.

Christ’s love and self-giving in the Eucharist is the foundation for all that we do in witnessing to the Gospel of Life. As we begin the new year, let us immerse ourselves in the love of the Eucharistic Lord so that we may increasingly imitate him in our daily lives. By partaking in his body and blood at Mass and spending time with him in prayer and adoration, may we receive the strength and graces needed in order to persevere in building a culture of life.

Ruggiero is Secretary, diocesan Secretariat for Family & Pastoral Life

How to report abuse

If you were sexually abused by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or you know of someone who was, you are encouraged to report that abuse to local law enforcement, the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency at 1-877-NJ ABUSE (652-2873) or 1-800-835-5510 (TTY/TDD for the deaf), and also the Diocesan Response Officer at (908) 930-4558 (24 hours/7 days a week).

Voters urged to contact state governor for nonpublic school funding

By Christina Leslie Correspondent

New Jersey voters are being asked to contact the Governor’s Office regarding the needs of nonpublic school students in the upcoming 2023-2024 Fiscal Year Budget.

In an Action Alert issued Jan. 18 by the New Jersey Catholic Conference, (NJCC) the public policy arm of the state’s Catholic bishops, voters are urged to request of Gov. Phil Murphy two types of education funding increases: school transportation and remedial instruction for language arts and mathematics.

The NJCC and New Jersey Network of Catholic School Families (NJNCSF) support an increase in transportation funding from the statutory ceiling of $1,000 to at least $1,300 per pupil. In their explanation, they note that the ceiling for the current school year was increased in the last state budget by a mere $22 per pupil, hardly enough to cover bids on the routes by private companies.

Sister Rose DiFluri, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Camden, observed, “As everyone who is trying to navigate this time of inflation knows, $22 does not even buy half a tank of gas. Parents deserve to be given enough money in lieu of transportation to cover bringing their children to and from school each day.”

Barbara Stevens, superintendent of Schools in the Diocese of Metuchen, asserted that a lack of transportation “disallows Catholic schools to be a viable choice in the education of children.”

She continued, “The per-pupil increase actually helps to save the taxpayer money. If a nonpublic school is not a viable option for a student due to the lack of transportation, that child will transfer to the public school at a greater expense to the taxpayer.”

“Transportation is the lifeblood of nonpublic schools,” the NJCC stated in materials promoting the Action Alert, noting that private bus contractors currently serving over 85 percent of the nonpublic school routes may charge whatever they want. “No public school child is ever denied a ride to school because of transportation costs.”

Attempting to accommodate the lower per-student funding, nonpublic schools have tried combining public and nonpublic students on the same bus, eliminating half-school days and bidding routes at a reduced number of days. However, increases in fuel and decreasing numbers of school bus drivers have thwarted efforts to make busing available to all nonpublic school students, the NJCC stated.

“The per-pupil amount for nonpublic school transportation was frozen for 17 years, and we are still trying to recover from that freeze,” according to the NJCC. “Legislation was enacted

ACTION ALERT

Voters are urged to request of Gov. Phil Murphy two types of education funding increases:

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION AND REMEDIAL INSTRUCTION FOR LANGUAGE ARTS AND MATHEMATICS

To call, write or email Gov. Murphy, visit njcatholic.org/faith-in-action.

in 2003 that provided for an increase in the nonpublic transportation ceiling commensurate with the Consumer Price Index figure; the figure now should be at least $1,300.”

In addition, the NJCC and NJNCSF are advocating for an increase in funding for compensatory education from $1,040 to $1,300 per service. Known as Chapter 192, it has provided remedial instruction in language arts and mathematics for nonpublic school students since 1977.

“Less funding for Chapter 192 services means that students will have class minutes cut, overall sessions reduced and larger group sizes offered from state providers that are working with fewer educational dollars,” enumerated Barbara Dolan, Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Newark. “This frustrates the purpose of the program, which is to give students the time and attention they need to bolster their basic skills.”

Public school closures during the COVID pandemic, and the subsequent student transfers to nonpublic schools that remained open, exacerbated an already-dire deficit with the number of services increasing from 40,760 to 45,466. Said the NJCC, “Necessary adjustments for the loss of funding over the [pandemic] freeze include an increase in class size, reducing the number of minutes per week offered for each service, and eliminating services prior to the end of the school year.”

Sister Rose noted that the Camden Diocese plans to disseminate the Action Alerts on budget shortfalls in transportation and compensatory education to all of its elementary and high schools and requests they post the data on their school websites.

“The advantage is that the school community will be able to use the hyperlink for Voter Voice to send a message to Gov. Murphy regarding the budget priorities,” she said.

“Awareness leads to advocacy, which calls us to let our voices be heard in Trenton,” added Dolan.

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Trenton will receive information through their principals’ connection newsletter and the schools’ legislative action committees, said Dr. Vincent de Paul Schmidt, superintendent for Catholic schools. He, too, recommended parents make their voices heard on the important role Catholic schools play.

“The notion of ‘choice’ in schools for children is not just a parent concern, but that of all citizens of the state of New Jersey,” Dr. Schmidt said. “All people living in the state should benefit from programmatic support provided by the state. To exclude one student in favor of another, merely because they need or choose to attend a school that better serves their educational needs, is fundamentally bad for all. If the state excludes equal funding for children, especially as it relates to the best fit for their educational needs, it could be a signal to the direction the state might go on other pertinent issues.”

Dolan added, “It is important for our families and schools to be involved at the beginning. These are not big budget asks, but they mean the difference to students and their families in choosing nonpublic education, which is a savings to the taxpayers of New Jersey. At its most fundamental level, New Jersey is strengthened by the diversity of its residents, which is reflected in the educational choices that

are available throughout the state, and most especially in our Catholic schools.”

Dr. George V. Corwell, NJCC director of the Office of Education, urged all concerned citizens, not just parents of schoolchildren, to become advocates for these students.

“Children in Catholic schools are a major part of the Church’s future,” Dr. Corwell said. “Catholic schools maintain the Church’s perspective daily.” To those who think that the budgetary cuts might not apply to them if they do not have children in Catholic schools, he said, “They probably have friends, relatives and neighbors who do.”

Sister Rose concurred, saying, “We are asking that parishioners who may no longer have children in our schools, but believe in the value and mission of Catholic education, also contact the governor. We need to present a united front in which all South Jersey Catholics express their support on behalf of the children in our schools.”

Noting the budget likely will be announced around mid-February, she added, “It is crucial that he [Gov. Murphy] be contacted now by as many … as possible. We need to remember that there is strength in numbers, and we can accomplish much by working together with one voice as voters in the state of New Jersey.”

After Gov. Murphy announces the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year Budget, legislators will convene to discuss it over the next few months before their vote; a final draft must be signed by Gov. Murphy by July 1, the start of the fiscal year. To call, write or email Gov. Murphy, visit njcatholic.org/faith-in-action.

Bank Deposit

For the second consecutive year, members of the Knights of Columbus Council 14675, St. Mary’s-Stony Hill Parish, Watchung, presented a check to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County, Bound Brook, Dec. 16. This year’s donation was $8,000. Posing in photo, from left: Knights Resty Rivera and Dick Wellbrock; Steve Katz, executive director of the food bank; Knight Dick Blundin; Paulette Adams, assistant director of the food bank; and Knight Chuck Recenello. photo courtesy of Knights of Columbus Council 14675

Including Pompeii, Sorrento, Amalfi, Capri, Pietrelcina, San Giovanni Rotondo, Lanciano, Assisi, Rome & the Vatican.

Under the spiritual direction of Fr. George Winne April 24 – May 5, 2023 $4,195 all-inclusive from Newark

Price includes round-trip direct flights from Newark, first-class hotels, breakfast and dinner daily, expert tour guide with deluxe motor coach, all sightseeing with admission/entrance fees. Also included are all taxes, fuel surcharges and gratuities for personnel utilized during the tour.

Mass Celebrated Daily

Registration due date: Friday, February 3, 2023

Catholic Daughters of Americas (CDA) celebrate century of service

By Sue Getz Correspondent

WOODBRIDGE – From throughout the diocese, members of the Catholic Daughters of Americas (CDA), Court Mercedes #769, gathered at St. James Parish, Oct. 9, to celebrate their 100th anniversary. CDA members of Sister Courts and state leaders joined in the celebration.

Ninety women established Court Mercedes #769, Oct. 8, 1922. Today the court has 70 members in the Diocese of Metuchen’s four counties, Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren.

One of the oldest and largest organizations of Catholic women in the Americas, the CDA was formed in 1903 and now has 63,000 dues paying members in 1,150 local chapters called Courts in 45 states and in Guam, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. In New Jersey, the CDA has 36 courts.

Court Mercedes #769 marked its milestone with a Mass of Thanksgiving, honoring its living and deceased member. Father Thomas Naduviledathu, SDV, Court #796 chaplain and pastor of St. James, presided at the Mass. Msgr. Charles W. Cicerale, who served as the Court’s chaplain for the 18 years he was pastor of St. James, concelebrated the Mass. Deacon Roel Mercado delivered the homily.

Following the Mass a luncheon was held at Lou Cas, Edison. Bishop James F. Checchio, took time from his busy schedule to stop by the gathering. Audrey Spenard presented Court Mercedes with a plaque from the National CDA commemorating its 100th Anniversary. Spenard has belonged to the CDA for 39 years. She is a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Dunellen and its CDA Court Regina Coeli #940.

At the luncheon, the CDA New Jersey State Board presented Court Mercedes #769 with a Perpetual Mass card from the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. Thirty-seven members received pins for their years of service with the CDA, including Lucille McCann who was recognized for her 65 years as a CDA member.

CDA Courts help those in need in their local communities, their state, the nation and beyond like the Knights of Columbus. Both organizations use Unity and Charity as their mottos. The local charities that Court Mercedes supports are St. James Parish Food Pantry, St. Joseph’s Parish Life Care Center in Carteret and the Veteran’s Hospital and Home in Menlo Park.

There are times when Court Mercedes and Our Lady of Peace Parish, of Fords Columbiettes will join in a local project such as with the Child Life Resource Center to do a baby shower.

Court Mercedes # 769’s current Court Officers include: Andrea Smykia, Grand Regent, Debra Kozub, Vice Regent, Julie Haklar, Secretary, Mickey Brady, Financial Secretary, and Kathleen Dalton, Treasurer.

Members of the CDA pray together, donate to charities, administer scholarships programs, and strive “to be help-

principle of faith working though love in the promotion of justice, equality and the advancement of human rights and human dignity for all.

Loretta Zimmer joined the CDA when her aunt needed her to drive her to the Court meetings and some of her cousins were already members. She has been a member of Court Mercedes for 43 years and is a lifetime parishioner of St. James Parish. A past Grand Regent of Court Mercedes, currently, Zimmer is the CDA Second State Regent and District Deputy of Court Fulgens Corona #1684. She says that being a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas has been for her a very worthwhile experience. To encourage other women to join the CDA Zimmer would like to distribute CDA flyers to women in the diocese’s parishes.

Andrea Smykie, the Court’s Grand Regent is a member of St. James Parish for the past eight years and a member of the parish’s Rosary Altar Society. She

be part of CDA,” Smykie asserted. “I believe that if we want to be true disciples of Christ, we must follow in his footstep. Above all it is our charitable work and being in unity as sisters in doing this charitable work that brings me closer to Christ.”

The Blessed Mother is the patroness of CDA members who are united by their faith in Jesus Christ, in their devotion to the church and the Holy See.

Below, After the Mass celebrating their 100th Anniversary, CDA Court Mercedes members, CDA state board members and visiting CDA members pose for a photo with Msgr. Charles Cicerale and Father Thomas Naduviledathu, SDV. On bottom left, Deacon Roel Mercado delivers the homily at the Mass. In center, Father Naduviledathu and Msgr. Cicerale pray during Mass. Bottom right, Bishop James F. Checchio talks with CDA members Mary Ellen O’Connor and Loretta Zimmer, seated.

Kathleen Poracky, Ct. Fulgens Corona #1684, and Sue Getz, Ct. Mercedes #769 photos

By Tara Smith

SOMERVILLE — Admired by generations and lauded as the “saint of the gutters” during her life, St. Teresa of Kolkata, better known as Mother Teresa, was “wonderfully, beautifully human,” according to Jim Towey, who came to know her as a friend.

Towey, an attorney by trade who has also worked in government and education, first met Mother Teresa, or Mother as he affectionately refers to her, during a trip to India in 1985.

His book, “To Love and Be Loved — A Personal Portrait of Mother Teresa,” released Sept. 6 last year, just one day after the 25th anniversary of Mother Teresa’s death in 1997, documents his friendship with the saint. On Dec. 9, he served as the headline speaker of a diocesan event by the same name.

“It’s a mistake for us when we think that saints are superhumans that are made a different stuff than us,” he said to those gathered in the theater of Immaculata High School. “Saints aren’t perfect. They are perfected in holiness through the grace of the Holy Spirit.”

Talking about his time with Mother Teresa, he recounted her heart for others, her infectious laughter, her joyous sense of humor, and her love of chocolate. “But she also wasn’t perfect,” he said point-

Right, author Jim Towey, who gave a talk on St. Teresa of Kolkata at Immaculata High School, Somerville, signs one of his books (at far right) on the life of the founder of the Missionaries of Charity order. In his talk, Towey shared stories of his 12-year friendship/advisership with St. Teresa, who died in 1997. She was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje, Macedonia, in 1910.

edly. “She was famously stubborn and impatient, but those weaknesses of hers, the Lord used for his purposes.

“God called her to leave the confines of the cloister and go out into the streets, into the slums, to serve the poorest of the poor,” the author continued. “Think about what kind of courage, tough-mindedness, and perseverance she needed. Well, this was fueled by that Albanian grit and stubbornness that she had, and God used it for his purposes,” adding she often held her ground when confronted by those who opposed her missionary work.

“In the midst of our own humanness, God approaches us and invites us to new life, to greater life, to become better, and Mother answered that call.” It was the qualities she held, those human qualities, that made her loveable, human, and real, he said.

Sharing stories of his 12-year-long friendship and advisership with Mother Teresa, Towey recalled his everyday inter-

actions with her and his favorite memories of her, including the time she hurriedly ran to his car to give him a peanut butter and banana sandwich since he had not eaten breakfast before leaving, or how, in her motherly way, she would reach her hand into her purse and pull out candy to give to those accompanying her on her travels.

“She didn’t have children biologically, but what she did throughout her life was teach us how important it is to grow, to move from being self-centered to otherminded,” he said.

His years of working alongside the now-saint, who was canonized in 2016, just 19 years after her death, taught him lessons about human life and dignity, service to others, the plague of loneliness, and aging. Equipped with those lessons, and with Mother Teresa’s prompting and encouragement, Towey started Aging with Dignity in 1996, a nonprofit dedicated to advocacy for senior citizens, where he serves as chief executive officer.

“Mother truly teaches us about aging, and at the heart of it is prayer,” said Towey. “It doesn’t have to be fancy prayer; it has to be a disposition. There has to be an awareness of God’s presence and a willingness to be with God and to experience that same voice you heard at your baptism in your soul: ‘You are my beloved and in you I am well pleased.’”

Before concluding his talk, which preceded a showing of “Mother Teresa: No Greater Love,” a documentary film produced by the Knights of Columbus on the life and legacy of Mother Teresa, Towey encouraged those present to make a change.

“We may not get the Nobel Peace Prize or change the world like Mother did, but we can change the world around us. ‘What you are doing I cannot do, what I’m doing you cannot do, but together we are doing something beautiful for God,’” he said, invoking the famous quote by Mother Teresa. “That’s the invitation for us tonight.”

Smith is Director of Marketing and Communications for Immaculata High School

Academy recognized for work toward gender representation

WATCHUNG – Mount Saint Mary Academy recently earned the College Board’s 2022 AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for expanding young women’s access to AP Computer Science Principles (CSP). This award has been garnered by the Academy since 2018.

This prestigious designation acknowledges 1,105 schools for their work toward equal gender representation during the 2021-2022 school year. Mount Saint Mary is one of only 832 schools to be recognized for achieving this important result in AP CSP.

Jacqueline Muratore, assistant directress for Faculty, Curriculum and Planning and a 2001 graduate of the Mount, said, “Over the past few years, we have been expanding our Computer Science Department and providing more opportunities for our students to learn about coding, problem-solving with

technology, and digital design. We hope to empower our students with knowledge and help them to grow as leaders in these fields.”

Phillip Dequina, Computer Science teacher, added, “I am so proud of these girls for taking AP Computer Science Principles. Women in computer science (and STEM) have been underrepresented and I am glad to be part of a community where our girls are taking the initiative and diversifying the field.”

“I love the AP Computer Science class at Mount,” said sophomore Eliza beth (Ellie) Baglien. “The curriculum is engaging and through this class I have been introduced to a field that I may con sider a career in. I have been able to ex plore coding and other computer science concepts and it is a class I can always look forward to.”

Students from Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung, are shown recently working on laptop computers. Front row from left, sophomores Sarah Mooney and Zoe Tseng; center, senior Arden Schmidt; back row from left, seniors Olivia Encarnacion and Giuliana Pelcher. photo courtesy of Mount Saint Mary Academy

Tara Smith photos

Catholic school students grow in faith, excel in academics, serve others

By Barbara Stevens

It is with great anticipation that we approach Catholic Schools Week 2023!

This week is a special time for us as we celebrate the many accomplishments of our students, despite the challenges of the past few years. We enthusiastically celebrate the mission of our schools: to form Disciples of Christ in a Catholic atmosphere where children can grow in faith, excel in academics and serve others. Throughout the week we recognize with gratitude the various stakeholders in our school communities who contribute to the education of the whole child.

Our students have reaped the benefits of consistent, rigorous, in person

Project-Based Learning, where students have the opportunity to look at problem solving in a global context. Important communication and collaboration skills are developed as students present creative solutions to global problems, such as world-wide hunger and climate change. The themes of our Catholic Social Teachings are integrated throughout the projects as our students learn the responsibilities of putting our faith into action.

The past few years have proven challenging and educators have seen a great need to support the social and emotional needs of children. We are so blessed in our Catholic schools to provide this support in the classrooms as we affirm our identity as sons and daughters of God.

ristic Adoration and participate in Holy Mass and Reconciliation. Students learn about saints, holy men and women, whose lives were dedicated to serving God. The saints serve as role models for our students as they learn and grow in virtue. We are especially grateful for the strong relationships that are built with the parents and guardians of our students. Recognizing that parents are the primary educators of their children, we seek to support families and work with them for the benefit of the children. Strong Home School Associations exist within our schools, and we applaud the commitment of so many parents as they work in conjunction with teachers and administrators. Family engagement is of primary importance to the successful op

Checchio states in his pastoral letter, “Catholic education should educate our young people to be truly free, intellectually honest and dynamically prepared to engage the wider culture with confidence. As we continue to provide Catholic education and faith formation, we not only are evangelizing; we are forming the next generation of evangelizers.”

I invite you to come visit our schools as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week January 29 – February 3. Many of our schools host Open Houses on January 29th as well as other days during that week; check school websites for further details. Come and learn more about the Catholic school experience!

Stevens is superintendent, diocesan Office of Schools

A SPECIAL SECTION OF THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Hunterdon County

Immaculate Conception Annandale icsannandale.org 908-735-6334

Middlesex County

St. Joseph, Carteret sjps.net 732-541-7111

St. John Vianney, Colonia school.sjvianney.com 732-388-1662

St. Bartholomew East Brunswick school.stbartseb.com 732-254-7105

St. Helena, Edison sthelenaedison.org 732-549-6234

St. Matthew, Edison school.stmatthewtheapostle.com 732-985-6633

St. Augustine of Canterbury Kendall Park school.staugustinenj.org 732-297-6042

St. Francis Cathedral Metuchen stfranciscathedralschool.org 732-548-3107

St. Ambrose, Old Bridge stambroseschool.net 732-679-4700

St. Thomas the Apostle Old Bridge sttaob.com 732-251-4812

Assumption Catholic Perth Amboy assumptioncatholicschool.net 732-826-8721

Perth Amboy Catholic pacatholicschool.org 732-826-1598

St. Stanislaus Kostka, Sayreville sskschool.org 732-254-5819

Holy Savior Academy South Plainfield holysavioracademy.com 908-822-5890

Immaculate Conception Spotswood icsspotswood.org 732-251-3090

St. James, Woodbridge sj-school.org 732-634-2090

Somerset County

Saint James, Basking Ridge sjsbr.org 908-766-4774

School of St. Elizabeth Bernardsville steschool.org 908-766-0244

St. Ann, Raritan stannclassical.org 908-725-7787

St. Matthias, Somerset stmatthias.info 732-828-1402

Immaculate Conception Somerville icsschool.org 908-725-6516

Warren County

Saints Philip and James Phillipsburg sspjnj.org 908-859-1244

High Schools

St. Thomas Aquinas, Edison stahs.net 732-549-1108

Immaculata, Somerville immaculatahighschool.org 908-722-0200

Mount Saint Mary Academy Watchung mountsaintmary.org 908-757-0108

Saint Joseph, Metuchen stjoes.org 732-549-7600

To find a Catholic school visit: diometuchen.org/ schoolfinder

T h e C a t h o l i c c l a s s i c a l a p p r o a c h w e a r e i m p l e m e n t i n g v i e w s t h e p u r p o s e o f e d u c a t i o n a n d o f t h e h u m a n p e r s o n d i f f e r e n t l y t h a n t h e “ m o d e r n ” a p p r o a c h O u r c u r r i c u l u m a n d s t y l e o f t e a c h i n g i s g e a r e d t o w a r d s a f f i r m i n g t h e d i v i n e a t t r i b u t e s t h a t u n i t e a l l s u b j e c t s o f l e a r n i n g W e p r o m o t e t h e p u r s u i t o f t h e T r u e , G o o d a n d t h e B e a u t i f u l t h r o u g h a p r o c e s s o f d i s c o v e r y a n d r e a s o n e d t h i n k i n g , t h e r e b y d r a w i n g s t u d e n t s i n t o d e e p e r p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n t h e l i f e o f G o d

T h r o u g h a v i b r a n t a n d d i s t i n c t C a t h o l i c c l a s s i c a l e d u c a t i o n a t S t A n n C l a s s i c a l A c a d e m y i n R a r i t a n , y o u r c h i l d w i l l g r o w i n p e r s o n a l a n d a c a d e m i c c o n f i d e n c e , k n o w t h e y a r e u n i q u e l y l o v e d a n d c o m e t o r e c o g n i z e t h e d i g n i t y o f t h e h u m a n p e r s o n a s g i f t f r o m G o d .

power benefits two families

Bishop James F. Checchio presided at the annual St. Thomas Star Mass and gave the homily Dec. 15.

The Aquinas Star Spaghetti Dinner is the first event of the year and opportunity for the whole community to welcome the newest members of the Aquinas Star family and begin the fundraising to provide financial support to the Stars and their families. The “Aquinas Star/Ahr Star” program began in 1987 as a way for the St. Thomas Aquinas (STA) community to come together and support a chronically or terminally ill child.

Concelebrants were: Father Michael K. Tabernero, STA’s director of Catholic Identity; Father Ronal Vega, Campus Ministry member; and Father Keith M. Cervine, former former STA chaplain.

Music for the liturgy was provided by Joseph Cullinan (Class of 2002) along with the talents of the Liturgical Band and Choir. After communion, the much anticipated and moving rendition of “Mary Did You Know?” was performed by TJ Reilly (‘96).

In his homily, Bishop Checchio, reflected on John the Baptist’s role in making a way for the Lord and challenged the faithful to make a way for the Lord in their lives.

After Mass, members of he Aqui -

nas Star Board presented the Aquinas Stars and their families with many gifts and expressions of love. All the gifts were bought with money donated by the students and faculty.

The financial gifts were from the proceeds of the Spaghetti Dinner.

In addition, Santa Claus made a surpirse visit.

The parents of both Aquinas Stars thanked the St. Thomas community for the support of the program and the love and prayers that they shpoered them with.

The families stayed to enjoy a special luncheon, after which the Aquinas Stars along with their families had an opportunity to visit with faculty, staff, and students.

Above right, the Liturgical Band and Choir at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison, sings during the annual Aquinas Star Chistmas Mass Dec. 15.

Below righ, Bishop James F. Checchio (center) and Harry Ziegler, far right, principal, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison, pose with this year’s Aquinas Stars — Brandon and Anthony, their families student organizers — after the bishop presided at the Mass and gave the homily.

photos courtesy of St. Thomas Aquinas High School

In case

Diocese celebrates memorial Mass for late pope at Cathedral

By Christina Leslie Correspondent

METUCHEN – The diocese joined faithful around the world in a solemn yet hope-filled Jan. 5 Mass of praise for the life and ministry of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi.

Scores of priests -- vested in funereal white -- deacons and seminarians led the procession towards the altar. Father Jonathan S. Toborowsky, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, presided at the liturgy and gave the homily.

Pope Benedict XVI, born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, died Dec. 31, 2022, at age 95. The 264th successor of St. Peter, he served as pontiff from April 19, 2005, until his resignation Feb. 28, 2013.

Father Toborowsky, Vicar General, read a statement from Bishop James F. Checchio about his days in Rome during Pope Benedict XVI’s pontificate.

In his prominent and silent ways, he encouraged us to have a deep relationship with the Lord,” wrote the bishop. “Through his grace-filled counsel and leadership, he defined the essence of Vatican II’s Universal Call to Holiness… Whether in a private meeting with him or in the square or Paul VI Audience Hall with so many others, his fatherly love and

encouragement moved us priests and seminarians to give more fully of ourselves to the Lord and His people. We are indebted to him for his faithful life of service to the Church and for the beautiful teaching legacy he leaves behind.”

In his homily, Father Toborowsky urged the congregation to give thanks for the body, mind and spirit of the late Pope Emeritus, and pray for him as an elder in our family and the family of God.

The sacramentality of the body reflects our inner disposition towards God, the vicar general began. With all the challenges of young Joseph Ratzinger’s experiences of the devastation of a world war and his time in prison, “It would have been easy for him to be bitter.”

He continued, “In the introduction to ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ that three volume series which is his life’s work, he says it was the culmination of a lifelong process and search for Jesus. Thankfully he looked for Jesus and found peace, found hope, found mercy. We are grateful for his yes as a priest and bishop, a member of Roman curia, and then as pope.”

Father Toborowsky referred to Pope Emeritus’ mind as “that awesome, unimaginable intellect.” In addition to writing 66 books in his lifetime, the Vatican website is filled with his scholarly guidance and insights. “The professor has left

During the diocese’s Memorial Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict, his portrait., shrouded in a purple cloth was displayed at the communion rail. Next to the portrait was the pope’s coat of arms, a gift sent to Bishop James F. Checchio by the artist, Cerulli. —

us homework to do,” he quipped.

Finally, the spirit of the recentlydeceased pope emeritus still lives, Father Toborowsky assured the congregation, and quoted St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the pope’s favorite saints.

“Think of heaven as the goal which we can obtain only through the portals which are death’” Father Toborowksy said. “Well, his soul is now freed from his body. He journeyed to that mountain Isaiah speaks of, more spectacular than any of the Bavarian Alps I am sure he spent his childhood looking at.

“If you allow me to go from the theological to the poetic,” he concluded, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI “finally gets his books and his piano and maybe a few cats to pet, some orange Fanta on the side. After a life here on earth and that pilgrimage in a search for Jesus, he arrived at the end of his quest. Death no longer has power over him, he can rejoice and be glad. God, who is love, has in hope saved him. Well

done, good and faithful servant. May his memory be eternal, may he rest in peace.”

As befitting a pope who advocated much wider use of the Tridentine Mass popular before the Second Vatican Council, much of the music of the memorial Mass was in the style of Latin chant. The congregation joined with the choir and clergy in singing a Communion antiphon, praying “Lux aeterna, luceat eis Domine, cum sanctis tuis in aeternum quia pius es [May eternal light shine on them, oh Lord, with all your saints for eternity, for you are pious (full of goodness)].”

Following the liturgy, faithful touched the purple-shrouded picture of the late pope in prayer and stopped to view the depiction of Pope Benedict XVI’s coat of arms with the motto “Cooperatores Veritatis” (Cooperators of the Truth.)

“Our prayers join with prayers from around the world,” Father Toborowsky said. “His body dies, but his soul remains.”

Gerald Wutkowski, Jr. photo

“ We are indebted to him for his faithful life of service to the Church and for the beautiful teaching legacy he leaves behind.”

— Father Jonathan S. Toborowsky

Bishop Bootkoski’s reflection on Pope Benedict’s visit to U.S. in 2008

“I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep and they know me.”

-- John 10:14

Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States was truly a once in a lifetime experience for many including me. It gave us American Catholics the opportunity to witness firsthand our new pope -- the man who previously led the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, representing Christ in a very compassionate, loving way. It gave us a chance to know Benedict, our chief shepherd and pastor, whose pastoral sensitivity won him the hearts of the American people.

I had the honor to participate in seven papal events, three in Washington, D.C., and four in New York. Let me share my thoughts on some of them with you. At the White House reception for the pope on April 16, the Holy Father concluded his address with the words, “God Bless America.” He, too, blessed us with his visit. That evening, the pope addressed the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It was a very positive experience for the bishops. Benedict was extremely supportive of our ministry. For me, this event was uplifting. It gave me a sense of pride in our Church that is trying to be the presence of Jesus Christ in our world and in our country and in our diocese.

On April 17, the Mass at Nationals Park exhibited the beauty and the diversity of the Catholic Church in the United States. Benedict’s message at Nationals Park, as it was throughout the visit, was one of hope. As much as everyone focused on his presence, what I was so very pleased about was that he really pointed to Christ. The pope is the Vicar of Christ but the message was not his own; it was Gospel-oriented and it was the message of Jesus Christ.

At Dunwoodie on April 19, I tried to greet as many of our young people as possible. Although there were more than 25,000 youth and seminarians there, our kids were easy to find because they all wore gold t-shirts. When the popemobile arrived, the crowd became electrified. I think the Holy Father was really taken aback by the enthusiastic reception, and I will never forget the wonderful smile that broke out on his face. The welcoming must have gone on 20 minutes with applause and shouts of “We love you Holy Father” and “Viva papa!.” In his address, he encouraged our youth to accept the Gospel message and to live it and to enter into the life of the Church.

In stark contrast to the Youth Rally, on April 20, I attended the pope’s visit to Ground Zero. Steven Coccia, director of the New York Port Authority, invited me to this most solemn and moving event. I

Left, then Pope Benedict waves to the faithful in attendance at the Mass he celebrated in Yankee Stadium. Top, the pontiff poses with then Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski, present for the 2008 “ad liminum” visit of the Diocese of Metuchen. Msgr. William Benwell, then Vicar General and Msgr. David Fulton, then Promoter of Justice accompanied the bishop. Above, Bishop Bootkoski is personally greeeted by the Holy Father. —Catholic Spirit file photos

was the only bishop under the tent that was situated on the upper level of Ground Zero. From there I watched as the Holy Father prayed and then greeted the 24 people representing survivors, family members of those who died and rescue workers. He spent time talking with each person. I talked with a firefighter whose son, also a firefighter, had been killed in the World Trade Center, and whose other son was one of the individuals who met with the pope. He told me that the visit brought him a sense of peace knowing that ground was made holy by the prayer and blessing of the Holy Father. I think the pope’s visit to Ground Zero and his ability to identify with our suffering really touched the lives of many Americans.

Later that afternoon, I participated in the Mass at Yankee Stadium, which was just spectacular. The diocese had 500 people in the stands. I tried to see them, but they were way in the back, and I was on the other side of the backdrop for the altar. They couldn’t see me and I couldn’t see them but I did wave.

During this visit, Benedict did not

shy away from the clergy sexual abuse scandal. He spoke plainly about the scandal at several of his events. I was very pleased that he met with several victims and I appreciated the way he did it, meeting with them in private and not informing the media until afterwards. He met with them because he is their pastor and because they were hurting. He represented the Church that had hurt them, and he wanted to make amends, to bring about reconciliation. I was extremely moved by what I read in the newspapers about what the victims said about the meeting. I think he understands a little better the pain and the suffering they are going through.

I returned to our diocese with admiration for our pope. Benedict’s example to those of us who are in ministry was inspiring. He conveyed sensitivity, compassion and selflessness to the people.

It is my hope and prayer that the pope’s visit and the message of Christ’s hope and love which he left with us will be kept alive in our diocese, our parishes and our lives.

In his column Bishop Checchio shares his memories of Pope Benedict

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Growing up, I recall my mother teaching us to give others the benefit of the doubt in regard to what others say about someone, “Believe none of what you read and half of what you see!” She wanted us to build our own impressions of people. Relatedly, she also taught us “if you don’t have anything nice to say, then say nothing!”

Entering the seminary at a young age,19, I did not really know much at all about the, then at times, controversial Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Even during college seminary, besides hearing people talk about him, we were studying philosophy so did not read much by him, although you could hear a lot of opinions about him! When I was sent to Rome for my theological studies, we began to read some of his works like “Introduction to Christianity and Church, Ecumenism and Politics” in our Ecclesiology classes. His writings were certainly influential on us seminarians and lay students in class. Occasionally, after going to St. Peter’s Basilica for Mass or to pray, we would pass the Cardinal in St. Peter’s Square as he was going to or from the Holy Office to his apartment, and he was always so gracious and kind. He always paused to say hello to us seminarians and encouraged us to study theology well in these years, inquiring what we were being asked to read by our professors! I was present in the square years later, when I was on the faculty at the North American College and he preached Pope John Paul II’s funeral homily in St. Peter’s Square with millions gathering to pray for the saintly pope during and after his death.

I was fortunate to be in Rome at the Pontifical North American College during the entirety of the Pope Emeritus Benedict’s pontificate, from his election to his resignation. When he left St. Peter’s for Castelgandolfo for his retirement, his helicopter paused over our college and he waved to us, as we gathered on the roof to wave goodbye and say thank you to him. His love of seminarians and priests was ever evident to us. Whether in a private meeting with him or in the square or Paul VI Audience Hall with so many others or taking our new seminarians to Castelgandolfo to see and hear him and receive his blessing as they began their years in Rome, his fatherly love and encouragement moved us priests and seminarians to give more fully of ourselves to the Lord and His people. We are indebted to him for his faithful life of service to the Church and for the beautiful teaching legacy he leaves behind.

Pope Emeritus Benedict from the very beginning of his pontificate urged us all, including himself, to listen always to the will of the Lord. In his prominent and silent ways, he encouraged us to have a deep relationship with the Lord. Through his gracefilled counsel and leadership, he defined the essence of Vatican II’s Universal Call to Holiness—becoming Christ-like—selflessly giving of one’s whole self.

As we pause to remember and pray for the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, we remember, too, the promise of the resurrection, eternal life. Giving thanks to God for the life of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, I ask all the faithful and people of good will in the Diocese of Metuchen to pause and to pray for his soul, that he may be welcomed by our Heavenly Father and reunited in paradise with his Savior whom he loved before all else.

May our Blessed Mother, who held her dying son in her arms, intercede for the Church so that we may continue to have faith in the victory and hope of the resurrection.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

As I think about my relationship with this holy man, I am so grateful that I was taught to be open to all people and hence was open to learning not just theological truths about our Lord and His Church from this prominent theologian but also learned a way of holiness and humility from him too! God be good to him, and all of you, too, here in our beautiful Church of Metuchen, who are also teaching me so many worthy lessons about our faith! Know of my love, prayers and gratitude for all of you as we begin this New Year!

Top: Bishop James F. Checchio, then Monsignor and rector of the Pontifical North American College, Rome, greets Pope Benedict XVI during an audience for the 150th Anniversary of PNAC in 2009. Center: During the Pope’s visit to the college for its 150th Anniversary, he met privately with Msgr. Checchio. Remembering the picture, Bishop Checchio said he was thanking Pope Benedict for a “really moving talk.” Bottom: Msgr. Checchio shows Pope Benedict the portrait of him which the North American College commissioned. The pope blessed the portrait and it still hangs in the college. — photos courtesy of Bishop James F. Checchio

l Humble and Kind. I had the honor of meeting Pope Benedict briefly in December 2011. I experienced that same humility and kindness mentioned by everyone who has commented on Pope Benedict the man. I was one of probably a hundred people the Pope had already met that morning, and he would probably meet another hundred, or more, by the end of that day. But he greeted me with a warm smile and some kind words as if I was the only person he was scheduled to meet that day. He certainly manifested his own definition of holiness: “Charity lived to the full.”

— MSGR. WILLIAM BENWELL, PASTOR ST. MARY CHURCH – STONY HILL, WATCHUNG

l Inspirational. Deus Caritas Est, the first encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, is still an inspiration to me. The concept of Christ’s love as light shining in our dark world still rings true to what I can observe.

I will remember Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as a scholar, an accomplished pianist, and most importantly as a man of prayer. May he enjoy his reward of eternal happiness.

— SISTER ANNA NGUYEN, SCC, DELEGATE FOR RELIGIOUS AND CONSECRATED LIFE

l Insightful One of the first things that comes to my mind whenever I think of Pope Benedict involved my youngest sister, Christine. She was injured on a family skiing trip. When I went to visit her while she was recovering at her family home, she was reading Pope Benedict’s Jesus of Nazareth. While she was always religious – having been a catechist and stills serving as an Extraordinary Minister in her own parish – it was the last thing I expected!

We spoke about the book for a while, and she told me it was good reading. I agreed, having read much of it myself. Indeed, it is through that book that Pope Benedict most influenced my priestly ministry, as I have turned to it on many occasions while preparing homilies. His ability to express deep theological and biblical insight in ways that I can use in a homily, and my sister could find spiritually enriching, allowed Pope Benedict XVI to touch many lives.

— FR. JOHN J. BARBELLA, ST. JOHN VIANNEY CHURCH, COLONIA, NJ

l Shining example I am very grateful to Pope Benedict XVI. I recall how he was inspired to call for the Year of the Priest from June 2009 to June 2010. I was blessed to be present in Rome along with an estimated 15,000 priests from all over the world to concelebrate the Mass presided by Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican Square in June of 2010, which officially closed the Year of the Priest. As I reflect today upon the mystery of the priesthood, I believe Benedict’s life, before during and after his 8 years as pope, is a shining example for others of a deep participation in the priesthood of Jesus Christ, for his life was one of many difficult personal

choices and sacrifices, that he was asked to make, for the good of the church and for others.

—

FR. RONALD L. JANDERNOA PASTOR, ST. JUDE CHURCH, BLAIRSTOWN

l A mentor

It was September of 2011 when through the kindness of Bishop emeritus Paul Bukowski that myself and eight brother priests had papal honors conferred on us through the goodness of Pope Benedict. All of a sudden I was a newly minted monsignor, and I have forever felt a spiritual connection to this particular bishop of Rome. Although I never met him, he feels like a mentor to me. I will forever be grateful for this honor.

— MSGR. CHARLIE CICERALE

TRIBUTES TO POPE

l Critic of Relativism Pope

Benedict XIV’s Regensburg speech in 2006 emphasized the connection between reason and faith, a passion for me. My employment as a scientist required reasoning alone to succeed. But any human endeavor, whether science or something else, done without faith input is often aimless and, sometimes worse, harmful. The Pope criticized relativism, which permits people to choose what’s morally right for them while accepting an opposite morality for someone else. Benedict labeled relativism a “dictatorship” because relativism is reasoning devoid of faith. The connection between reason and faith has strongly influenced my preaching ministry. Requiescat in pace, Pope Benedict XVI

— DEACON THOMAS J. GIACOBBE, CHRIST THE REDEEMER PARISH, MANVILLE

l Unwavering Pro-Life Voice

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will be remembered as a strong advocate for promoting the sanctity of human life and the centrality of marriage and family life for a healthy society. He beautifully emphasized that “the right to life is a fundamental truth and that every human person, from conception to natural death, is loved by God and bears His image and likeness.” He was an unwavering voice for the unborn, those with disabilities and the elderly. He always wrote and spoke with clarity especially regarding emerging bioethical issues such as human cloning and new reproductive technologies. His teachings always stressed Christian love and mercy. In addition, Pope Benedict XVI gave great encouragement to all those involved in the pro-life cause.

— JENNIFER RUGGIERO, SECRETARY, SECRETARIAT FOR FAMILY & PASTORAL LIFE

l

Wonderful Smile

. I was “introduced” to Pope Benedict as Cardinal Ratzinger in my seminary classes, when his books and articles were assigned reading. I first came into his presence at the 1999 Diaconate Ordinations of the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He was the ordaining prelate, and I was there because some friends of mine were being ordained. I’ll always remember an exchange between he and an extremely nervous seminarian who served as the Master of Ceremonies that day. In Rome, it’s not unusual for the M.C. to physically put the miter on the bishop’s head at the appropriate times. At

XVI

l Faithful Friend “After the great Pope John Paul II, the Cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble labourer in the vineyard of the Lord.” This was the first line that Pope Benedict said after his election in 2005. He saw himself as “a simple and humble labourer.” However, many commentators point to the profound impact he has made on the Church will last for centuries- (see George Weigel). His towering intellect was respected by even his theologically opponents. Yet, when reads about Pope Benedict or his writing itself, the thing that radiates the most is his love for Jesus and for the Church. What a faithful friend Pope Benedict was to the Lord and all who were brothers and sisters in the Lord.

— BR. PATRICK REILLY, BH THE CATHOLIC CENTER AT RUTGERS

And then there is this poignant reflection on his own death, written less than a year ago:

one point of the ordination, this nervous seminarian had trouble simultaneously navigating his hands and the miter, the eyeglasses, and the head of Cardinal Ratzinger. Thinking his days in God’s service were finished, he was instead met with a smirk and giggle from the future Pope, known only to a few of us who were seated in the right spot to witness the exchange. In that little moment, I realized he had been mislabeled as “God’s Rottweiler.”

My first actual meeting with him came after his election as Pope. In 2006 I had helped to write “John Paul II for Dummies,” including the chapter about Pope Benedict. I visited Rome in October of 2007, and through the intercession of Bishop Bootkoski it was arranged I would be able to present a copy to the Holy Father. Having seen this done before and knowing how many people he would be meeting, I figured I would have about 10-15 seconds with him. I wondered not only what to say but how to say it (English? Italian? My 20-year-old memories of high school German?). Knowing what I was going to say and practicing it made me calm. Then the moment came, and my hand is shaking his hand. I planned it all: introducing myself while holding the

book properly, a paper clip on the chapter about Pope Benedict. What I didn’t plan on is what happens when he decides to stick around longer than the 15 seconds? In my head I knew I had run out of things to say, and my mind went blank. I think I started talking about his writings (though honestly, I might have possibly said something about chocolate). That’s when the Prefect of the Papal Household (an American who knew I had gone off the rails) said, “OK, we’re done” and mercifully ended my sinking in quicksand. Through it all, I must say, Pope Benedict kept his wonderful smile, and my pictures of the moment look like we had an amazingly profound conversation.

What I loved about Pope Benedict was his ability to teach the same theological point to a Doctoral student or to a 7-year old, with both walking away from the conversation having understood the points he wanted to make. That’s the task of parish priesthood in a nutshell.

— VERY REV. JONATHAN S. TOBOROWSKY VICAR GENERAL AND MODERATOR OF THE CURIA

l

Model Pastor

. I have had the honor of meeting both Pope Benedict and Pope Francis, with whom I concelebrated a Mass in St. Martha’s Chapel at the Vatican. Both visits were the highlights of my life and were published in our Catholic Spirit at that time. What impressed me most about Pope Benedict is his charisma to bring both Conservatives/Traditionalists and Liberals into a mutual understanding of communion or unity. He was a man of prayer. I was also touched by his wisdom, faith and holiness. He was a model pastor for our Priests and laity. Most profoundly, Pope Benedict emphasized that Christianity is a religion of love, not a religion of rules.

— FR. PAULY THEKKAN CMI ST. JOSEPH CHURCH, BOUND BROOK

“Quite soon, I shall find myself before the final judge of my life. Even though, as I look back on my long life, I can have great reason for fear and trembling, I am nonetheless of good cheer, for I trust firmly that the Lord is not only the just judge, but also the friend and brother who himself has already suffered for my shortcomings, and is thus also my advocate, my ‘Paraclete.’ In light of the hour of judgment, the grace of being a Christian becomes all the more clear to me. It grants me knowledge, and indeed friendship, with the judge of my life, and thus allows me to pass confidently through the dark door of death. In this regard, I am constantly reminded of what John tells us at the beginning of the Apocalypse: he sees the Son of Man in all his grandeur and falls at his feet as though dead. Yet He, placing his right hand on him, says to him: ‘Do not be afraid! It is I…’ (cf. Rev 1:12-17)

- Letter regarding the Report on Abuse in the Archdiocese of Munich-Freising, February 8, 2022

This and so much else published from the mind and heart of Benedict is a gift to Catholics that will resonate for generations.

— DEACON STEPHEN F. KERN DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF THE DIACONATE,

l

Towering intellect

l Gracious

I met Card. Ratzinger in New York after the First Things Erasmus Lecture in 1988. He was standing by himself in the lobby of the venue. The Ratzinger Report, a book length interview with Vittorio Messori, had just been published so I went to thank him for the work. After a very brief chat a hand came darting in at my left accompanied by this greeting, “Hi, John O’Connor here. Who are you?” Suddenly I’m there with two Cardinals! A little awkward but funny and through it all Cardinal Ratzinger was his classically gracious self.

— BR. JOE DONOVAN

l Gift to Catholics

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was a consummate teacher of the Faith. Here are just two quotes of his that have inspired me.

The first is a neat distillation of what it means to be a Christian: “Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.”

- Deus Caritas Est, 1

In many ways, I attribute my conversion to the Catholic Church to Pope John Paul II and Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, whose voluminous writings had a profound influence on me while studying at Princeton Theological Seminary in the late 1990s. Shortly after my conversion, I transferred to The Catholic University of America where I enrolled at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family. While studying at CUA, I was given the opportunity to serve as an editorial assistant at Communio: International Catholic Review, which was founded in 1972 by Hans Urs von Balthasar, Henri de Lubac, and, of course, Joseph Ratzinger. As an advocate of Ressourcement theology (or a “return to the sources”), Joseph Ratzinger helped to reinvigorate an appreciation for Sacred Scripture and the Church Fathers. While I had a deep and abiding respect for the theological and philosophical underpinnings of the Catholic Church, even as a Protestant, it was Ratzinger’s love for St. Augustine (a convert, himself) and, in particular, his spiritual Christology that not only paved the way for my conversion, but also deepened my love of Christ. I will miss Benedict XVI’s towering intellect, spiritual acumen, and humble service. Requiescat in pace. (Matthew 25:21)

— ADAM JOHN CARLISLE, M.A., M.T.S. SECRETARY FOR EVANGELIZATION AND COMMUNICATION DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo designed the coat of arms of Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. This vector image was created by Piotr Michał Jaworski

Tributes to Pope Benedict

l Truly Good Shepherd

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was a great friend of the Ordo virginum. We remember him with love and thanksgiving. We also pray for him as he himself asked, “Pray for me, so that the Lord, despite all my sins and insufficiencies, welcomes me into the eternal dwelling.”

The Feb. 2, 2023 issue of the Lamp will be devoted in tribute to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and will re-print the text of his address to the Ordo virginum in Rome in 2008.

I thank our Eternal Father for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, his gift to the Church. I thank God for his wisdom and his unwavering faithfulness to the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, the doctrines of the Church and for leading his flock in clarity of the Father’s will.

Pope Benedict was a true light in the darkness. Our heroic and courageous Pope Benedict was “like a bright-ringing bell, a clarion call of truth, in a darkened age.”

With the rest of our universal Church, we mourn the loss of a truly Good Shepherd, but our mourning is tempered with the hope of the Gospel which Pope Benedict preached with such eloquence. I further appreciate his extraordinary intelligence and knowledge coupled with Christ-like meekness and humility. He truly served according to the inspired words of his episcopal motto as one of our Lord’s “fellow workers in the truth (3 Jn 8)

— HELEN QUA, CONSECRATED VIRGIN

Former mentor says pope’s ‘core writings’ will live on in print

By Jodi Marlin

There was a time — it encompassed most of the 1980s — that Catholic publishers were not very interested in what the largely unknown Father Joseph Ratzinger of Germany had to say about Christian morality, the mystery of the heart of Christ, the role of religion in post-Marxist Europe or, for that matter, any other topic.

writings in print.

“He will be not only a saint but a doctor of the Church someday,” Father Fessio predicted.

Jesuit Father Joseph Fessio (right) poses with then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in this 1987 photo. Father Fessio is the founder of Ignatius Press, a publisher of the late Pope Benedict XVI’s books.

CNS photo/Dorothy Peterson, courtesy Ignatius Press

insight. He was such a great person and had a great mind.”

After graduation, Father Fessio began to participate in the annual three-day-long reunions of his mentor’s “Schulerkreis,” or group of former students. Father Ratzinger, meanwhile, was named the archbishop of Munich and Freising, and soon afterward, a cardinal.

In 1989, under Cardinal Ratzinger’s tutelage, Father Fessio and three others were instrumental in forming a house in Rome called Casa Balthasar -- a place of discernment for young men and women. The house took its inspiration from the life and works of Adrienne von Speyr and two highly regarded theologians: Jesuit Father Lubac, whom St. John Paul elevated to cardinal in 1983, and Father von Balthasar, named a cardinal by thenPope, now St. John Paul II in 1988.

At the time Casa Balthasar was established, Cardinal Ratzinger had been appointed prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith by St. John Paul II. He became cardinal-protector of the home and remained involved with Casa Balthasar into the beginning of his papacy.

Pope Benedict’s capacity to understand, summarize and evaluate extended beyond the great theological discussions for which is he was known, said Father Fessio. “It was philosophy, literature, history, art, music -- all these things that make up the so-called humanities. He was immersed in and interested in all these things.

l “Renaissance” Man

We, the Sisters of Mercy at Mount Saint Mary in Watchung, would like to express our sincere gratitude for the many years of love and service that Pope Benedict XVI gave to the People of God through the Church. Benedict was a “renaissance” man – accomplished in theology and scripture, music, history and life.

We would also like to convey our appreciation for the “courage” it took for Pope Benedict to decide, for the good of the Church, to retire and become the first Pope Emeritus in 600 years. His help and support to Pope Francis during his retirement was inspirational - indispensable during this very difficult historical time in Church and in society. Benedict’s contemplative spirit during his years in retirement proved to be an excellent model for people of all ages. We pray and wish Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, peace and love as he remains forever in the arms of a loving God.

— MERCY SISTER ALICE SWARTZ AND SISTERS OF MERCY

Jesuit Father Joseph Fessio was an exception. The California priest had already become convinced of the highly academic German priest’s ability to synthesize Christian truth and complex theological issues and express them succinctly, as well as in a way that encouraged deep reflection and meditation.

By intention and providential design, Ignatius Press, established by Father Fessio in 1978, became the sole English-language publisher of the prepapal books and the biography of the man who was elected Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.

“We knew we wanted to publish translations of fine European theologians like Ratzinger, Henri de Lubac, Hans Urs von Balthasar and others,” Father Fessio told Catholic News Service before the retired pope’s death Dec. 31. “It was kind of a golden age of Catholic theology, in the mid-20th century. But their works were rarely translated into English. That was our mission.”

Pope Benedict’s body of writings will be his legacy, said Father Fessio. Ignatius Press pledges to keep his core

Father Fessio gained a deep-seated admiration of Father Ratzinger in the early 1970s, while pursuing a doctorate in theology at the University of Regensburg, in what was then West Germany. His thesis, “The Ecclesiology of Hans Urs von Balthasar,” was directed by Father Ratzinger, his professor and mentor.

During that process, he also gleaned an appreciation of his mentor’s great intelligence.

“We had these seminars with theological and doctoral students — maybe seven or eight of us — and he’d be directing the seminar. They’d last about two hours, and he’d make sure everyone had his chance to speak. He would ask people what they thought about this or that, and at the end, he would sum up the whole seminar in just a few very long, German sentences. He had a tremendous power of synthesis. He listened so well. He grasped things immediately, and he organized them very organically,” said Father Fessio.

The Jesuit said that later, when then-Cardinal Ratzinger oversaw the writing of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church,” he saw the same qualities.

“He had the tremendous ability to understand what others were saying and writing,” Father Fessio added. “He could be critical, but he was fair, and then he would present what he thought was a more accurate view of things.

“He really had a serene and humble

“He had a warm and wonderful sense of humor. It would come up all the time,” Father Fessio added. “He would grasp the irony of things.”

When members of the Schulerkreis would gather with him to pray, celebrate Mass and share meals and engage in discussion, not all the discussions were of an ecclesial nature. But Pope Benedict could speak to them all.

“He was a great listener and conversationalist, always with a warm sense of humor. He has done all things well. He was a wonderful orator and speaker, preacher, writer and thinker.”

Father Fessio also said the late pope’s great love for the Church was always evident.

“His insistence on the continuity of the Church before and after Vatican Council -- that was an important part of his papacy. In fact, he emphasized that in the very first talk he gave when he was made pope. He was elected around 6:30 at night, and the next morning at 9:30 he gave a talk in Latin, which he himself wrote without any help, and he made it very clear that he was a pope of the council -- but that we had to see the council not as a rupture from previous Church teaching, but rather in continuity with it.”

Will Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI become a Doctor of the Church?

In the days since his death on December 31, several commentators have expressed the hope that Joseph Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict XVI and then Pope Emeritus, will eventually be named as a Doctor of the Church. In light of those hopes, I thought it would be interesting to revisit a conversation I had with thenCardinal Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, when I was preparing Witness to Hope, the first volume of my two-volume biography of Pope St. John Paul II.

It was September 20, 1997, and we spoke, as we usually did, in the cardinal’s office in the Palazzo Sant’Ufficio. As always, the cardinal was dressed simply in a black house cassock with no pectoral cross. After discussing several other matters, I asked him about John Paul II’s recent decision to name St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower, a Doctor of the Church, after petition to do so had been received from (if memory serves) well over two thousand bishops, in a campaign led by a retired auxiliary bishop of New York, Patrick Ahern. The decision had caused some controversy, as that rare title was typically given to distinguished theologians.

When I asked Cardinal Ratzinger, point-blank, “Why is Thérèse of Lisieux

a Doctor of the Church,” the cardinal laughed (which he did readily, caricatures of his personality notwithstanding), and refraining from any comment on the bluntness, even impertinence, of my question, he began to speak—in complete paragraphs, as was his wont. The following is a direct transcription of his response, which I think sheds light on his own concept of holiness and its many expressions:

We have had distinct forms of Doctors of the Church, even before Anthony of Padua. We have on the one hand the great scholastic Doctors, Bonaventure and Thomas Aquinas, who were professors and academicians and great Doctors in the scientific sense; in the patristic period we had great predicators who developed doctrine not in theological discussion but in predication, in homilies; we also have Ephraim, who developed his theology essentially in hymns and music. Now in these times we have new forms of Doctors and it’s important to lift up the richness of the different means of teaching in the Church. We have Teresa of Avila with her mystical experiences and her interpretations of the presence of God in mystical experience. We have Catherine of Siena with an experiential theology. And now we have Thérèse of Lisieux, who [created] in a different… way a theology of experience.

It is important, in our scientifically minded society, to have the message of a simple and deep experience of God, and a teaching about the simplicity of being a saint: to give, in this time, with its extremely action-oriented approach, to teach that to be a saint is not necessarily a matter of great actions, but of letting

Pope Benedict loved 2008 WYD

ROME (OSV News) — In St. Peter’s Basilica this week, tens of thousands of visitors have been able to see him dressed in striking red posthumous vestments — the same as he wore in Sydney at World Youth Day in 2008. On Jan. 5, he will be buried in them.

“Pope Benedict XVI remarked to me on many occasions how much he loved his visit to Sydney to celebrate World Youth Day in 2008,” Archbishop Anthony Fisher, O.P. of Sydney wrote on his Facebook profile. “What a wonderful tribute.”

Cardinal George Pell, archbishop of Sydney at the time of World Youth Day in Australia, told OSV News that he had been “delighted and honored” to host Pope Benedict in Sydney.

“We had some beautiful memories there. One of the most lovely photographs is of him, and I happened to be beside him, on the row of the boat coming up Sydney Harbor on a perfect day for the opening Mass,” Cardinal Pell recalled. “It was beautiful.”

World Youth Day, a meeting of

youth from around the globe with the pope begun by Pope St. John Paul II, is organized every two to three years in a different corner of the world. When John Paul II died in April 2005, preparations for the summer World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany, were already underway, and Pope Benedict was enthusiastic to continue the legacy of his predecessor.

“With that decision, Benedict XVI made the Polish pope’s ‘invention’ as part of the ordinary life of the Catholic Church forever,” Yago de la Cierva, executive director of World Youth Day in Madrid in 2011, told OSV News.

World Youth Day in Madrid was the third and final of the events that Pope Benedict attended before his 2013 resignation.

De la Cierva recalled how Benedict instantly mesmerized the young people who had been waiting for him in the Spanish capital. When he was driving from the airport to the Vatican embassy through the streets of the city, the affection was visible — and loud.

“I could see from the car of the en-

the Lord work in us.

This is also interesting for the ecumenical dialogue. Luther’s doctrine of justification was provoked by his difficulty in understanding himself justified and redeemed through the complex structures of the medieval Church. Grace did not arrive in his soul and we have to understand the explosion of ‘sola fide’ in this context: that he discovered finally that he had only to give fiducia, confidence, to the Lord, to give myself into the hands of the Lord—and I am redeemed. I think in a very Catholic way this returned in Thérèse of Lisieux: You don’t have to make great things. I am poor, spiritually and materially; and to give myself into the hands of Jesus is sufficient. This is a real interpretation of what it means to be redeemed; we don’t have to do great things, we have to be confident, and in the freedom of that confidence we can follow Jesus and realize a Christian life. This is not only an important contribution to the ecumenical dialogue but to our common question—how can I be redeemed, how am I justified? [Thérèse’s] “little way” is a very deep rediscovering of the center of Christian life.

The other concept is that from the cloister, far from the world, one can do much for the world. Communion with Christ is presence to Christians all over the world. Everybody can be “efficient” for the universal Church in this day. This is also a new definition of “efficiency” in the Church. We have so many actions, and we have to discover that “efficiency” begins with communion with the Lord.

Church, an “efficient” Church in the external sense. It’s a rediscovery of the roots of all Christian action.

She also had a new idea of heaven, of the relationship between eternity and time. To be present on earth and to do good on earth is my heaven. We have a new relationship between eternity and time: heaven is not absent from earth, but a new and stronger presence. Eternity is present in time, and living for eternity is living in and for the time at hand. By living a Christian life we are more present to earth, we are changing the earth; we can speak about a new eschatology here, which is an important doctrine.

This dialectic of presence and absence is a very great doctrine. The subtlety of Thérèse is also wonderful in dealing with some of the demands for new Marian dogmas. She wrote, “Don’t always speak about the privileges of Mary, speak about her as being as we are.” There are some wonderful texts [along these lines] and these are very helpful corrections against these [hyperMarian] tendencies…

That was Joseph Ratzinger, twentyfive years ago, on the vocation to holiness and its many forms and modalities in the Church; on time and eternity; on handing oneself over in confidence to the Lord; on the irreducible Christocentricity of the Christian life. In remembering that conversation from a quarter-century ago, I cannot help but think that Ratzinger was allowing me a glimpse into his own deep interior life: the life of a man aptly described by Cardinal Joachim Meisner as having “the mind of twelve professors” and the clear piety of a child making his

But what really will go down in history of the Madrid event is the Saturday vigil. Aug. 20, 2011, was the hottest day of the summer in Spain, with a temperature reaching 102 degrees Fahrenheit. At night, the hot day transitioned to a brutal storm, with torrential rain and driving winds. Lightning struck the light towers, and make-shift chapels set up at the Cuatro Vientos airport collapsed.

At the scene, the choir deserted the stage, thinking it was on the verge of collapse. Assistants were covering Pope

The fact that his love for World Youth Day was highlighted by Benedict XVI even upon his death is something very special for World Youth Day organizers.

“I saw this love in person, and it comes as no surprise to me, but I must admit it’s such an incredibly touching moment and legacy to be remembered forever for the organizers of World Youth Day,” de la Cierva said.

Paulina Guzik is international editor for OSV News.

Benedict with three umbrellas. But the pope refused to leave the stage. “He was standing there and repeating, ‘If the young people are here, how can I leave

By Marianne Zanko Komek

EAST BRUNSWICK — The faculty and students of St. Bartholomew School raised $3,700 for the Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen’s Diocese of Ozanam Family Shelter for Women and Children, Edison, by participating in a “Change Spree Challenge” coordinated by second-grade teacher Jennifer Balestrieri and principal Theresa Craig.

The students collected loose change while their teachers spurred them on in a friendly competition among the grade levels to see who could raise the most money.

Craig would announce who the current winner was in her daily morning announcements. The teachers encouraged the students to play the contest like a snowball fight and become champions. Students were told that the money would be used to help families.

St. Bart’s began participating in the challenge last year under the guidance of the former principal, Ann Wierzbicki, as part of the celebration of the diocese’s 40th anniversary. The school decided to do something for the needy, which is how they decided on helping the homeless around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Balestrieri had the idea, which became one of the 40 Acts of Kindness for the celebratory year. In 2021, they school raised

$2,700 dollars. This year, a $1,000 surge on the last day of the fundraiser brought it to $3,700.

“I love to help people,” Craig said, “and it’s a way to teach children when they’re very young to do good to others. We started the project on All Saints Day. Everybody can be a saint if you work together and really make an impact.”

Balestrieri asked the staff at the shelter to furnish her with a list of items that were most needed for the 40 families housed there, and items such as toiletries and snacks were at the top of the list. She bought the supplies and this year found that there was extra money, so she also bought hats, scarves and gloves for the adults and children as well as towels, bedsheets, water and diapers.

Last year, Balestrieri also made a cash donation to the challenge. It was a tangible way for the students to see what their efforts were accomplishing when the boxes of deliveries arrived every day and filled Balestrieri’s classroom to overflowing.

“You usually don’t think much of extra change, we just toss it in the bottom of our purses, but we could see how it really made a difference,” Balestrieri said.

“Everybody can do a little bit and together we can do a lot,” Craig said.

Last year, Balestrieri’s own children, Melania, a sixth-grader, and Anthony, a fourth-grader, helped her count the mon-

ey. In 2021, an eighth-grader donated $50 from his allowance.

Sister Mary Louise Shulas, director, curriculum, diocesan Office of Schools, attended a celebration of the success the fundraiser. Craig said because that Sister Mary Louise was a principal for a long time, she was very understanding.

On Dec. 9, Craig drove her husband’s pickup truck to the school. Balestrieri, Craig, Rachel Januse, a fourthgrade teacher; Stephanie Bianchino, a first-grade teacher; and Migdalia Block, a second-grade teaching assistant; loaded up the supplies with the help of students and the faculty delivered them to the

homeless shelter. Ozanam staff members were grateful.

“Participating in the change spree was a fun and exciting experience that helped us spread the Kingdom of God and inspired us to care for others,” said eighth-grader Jake Caravello, an eighth grader said.

“This change spree challenge really taught my class the joy of giving to others while making the competition a fun challenge for everyone,” eighth-grader Giovanna Schwam said.

The faculty plans to continue to hold the fundraiser in the future.

Second-grade students at St. Bartholomew School, East Brunswick, under the guidance of their teacher, Jenniffer Balestrieri and Theresa Craig, principal, help load a truck to deliver items to the

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen’s Ozanam Homeless Shelter, Edison.

photo courtesy of St. Bartholomew School

Academy seniors plan to continue leadership roles in army, navy

WATCHUNG — Elizabeth Roper, director of College Counseling at Mount Saint Mary Academy, recently announced that seniors Mary Claire Scheck of Metuchen and Renee Vozza of Westfield were appointed to United States service academies.

In early December, Scheck received her Certificate of Appointment to the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. Later in December, Vozza received her Letter of Appointment to the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. Outside of the Mount, Scheck is a Girl Scout.

Vozza is President of the Student Council Executive Board; co-president of Spanish Club, a member of the Peer Ministry Leadership team. She is also a volunteer at the Jardine Academy (a school for children with multiple disabilities, Cranford)) throughout the year.

Scheck hopes to become an Army officer and do scientific research. She wants to major in life science in college.

“I am so honored to have received an appointment to the United States Military Academy, as well as an ROTC [Officer Training Scholarship,” stated Scheck. “I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to the entire Mount community, especially [Mercy] Sister Lisa Gambacorto, [directress], the administration, and all of my teachers for their support

and kindness.”

Vozza, when asked about why she was drawn to the USNA program, said, “I can think of no better place to lead and serve than the Naval Academy. Combining this opportunity with my desire to pursue a STEM-focused (science, technology, engineering, math) degree and wanting a career in the Navy, USNA is the best place to achieve both.” Her longterm goal is to become an engineer.

“In addition to bringing a new per-

spective as a female leader, I also bring a gentler approach as someone who is kind and compassionate,” added Vozza. “An effective officer needs to be able to show empathy and care for the people they are leading. I have developed these skills through the Mercy Core Values of the Sisters of Mercy.

“Mount Saint Mary Academy provided all the opportunities to strengthen skills necessary for success — like hard work, self-discipline, and good study

support the Mount has given me is exemplary, and I know this will be with me always,” she concluded.

In the fall, Renee Vozza, left, plans to study at the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.; and Mary Claire Scheck will study at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. photos courtesy of Mount Saint Mary Academy

School of St. Elizabeth ensures personal academic success while fostering confidence, self-respect and traditional Catholic values. Our students are guided by expert teachers, surrounded by kindness and compassion, and inspired by faith and ser vice. 100% of our graduates are offered acceptance to their preferred high school.

Students at all-boys’ prep school excel in academics, athletics

The Saint Joseph High School Class of 2027 admission’s cycle is already one for the record books, with a 24 percent year-over-year increase in total number of accepted students as of December 2022, with more expected in the coming months.

A total of 73 of the currently accept ed students were part of the Saint Joseph Early Action Program, a weeklong Sum mer institute for rising eighth-graders held every July. The program offers inter ested students the opportunity to prepare for and take the Saint Joseph Entrance & Scholarship Exam.

Early Action Program students receive their Saint Joseph High School admission decision in early September. Of those students, 58 have already committed to Saint Joseph High School leaving just shy of 100 seats available for the recently accepted students to claim.

Many of the recently accepted students participated in the Saint Joe’s Entrance & Scholarship Test Prep Course. Multiple sessions are offered each year beginning in mid-October. Taught by experienced Saint Joseph faculty, students learn specific test taking strategies and acquire greater expertise in verbal and mathematical skills.

“Here at Saint Joe’s, we pride ourselves in putting our students in a position to be successful during and after high school,” said Miguel Cabrita, director of Admissions and a 1991 graduate of the school. “We offer strong academics, successful athletics and an excellent extracurricular activity program that sets Saint Joe’s apart from its competition. Our faith-based and family centered school has proven time and again to be a difference maker in our students’ lives.”

Saint Joe’s students continue to set the bar higher and higher each year. Aside from obtaining a 100 percent college acceptance rate, 95 percent of the Class of 2022 earned a total of $34.8 million in college scholarships. These stats equate to 81 percent of the class earning a college award that exceeds their fouryear Saint Joseph High School tuition.

More than 20 percent of the Class of 2022 and Class of 2023 are recognized as AP Scholars, while Class of 2022 Salutatorian Matthew DaSilva, was a National Merit Scholarship winner.

The Falcons’ athletic programs are competing at levels not seen in nearly a decade.

The Class of 2022 sent 24 students into the collegiate athletics arena. With more than 20 current seniors expected to play at the next level this coming fall.

Saint Joe’s Bowling team has been ranked No. 1 in New Jersey since the second week of the season. As a group, the team has not lost a single game in any of their matches and are the current favorite to win the NJSIAA Group 2 title. Four members of the squad (juniors Devon

Giovanni Alejandro, right a senior at Saint Joseph High School, has been one of the wrestling team’s top performers this season. —photo courtesy of Saint Joseph High School

Kiessling and EJ Chin and freshmen Kai Struthers and Will Cunningham) are expected to qualify for the exclusive NJSIAA Individual Championships in late February. Kiessling is one of five bowlers in the state to throw a perfect game this season.

On the mat, the Saint Joe’s wrestling team continues to launch onto the scene as a new state powerhouse. Five years since its relaunch, the Falcons currently sit as one of the top 12 programs in New Jersey. With a key dual victory over No. 20-ranked South Plainfield in early January already on their resume, the Falcons dream of a successful run in February and March is close to coming to fruition. Senior Giovanni Alejandro, a top-10ranked wrestler in the 138-pound weight class, leads the squad.

With an endless array of co-curricular and extracurricular activities, Saint Joe’s has something for every student to enjoy and gain leadership skills away from the classroom.

Recent successes include 13 awards at the YMCA Model United Nations Conference in Hershey, Pa., and a first place with Special Merit award for the Vignette Literary and Art Magazine from the American Scholastic Press Association. The Falcons Robotics Team continues its preparation for upcoming local, state and regional competitions this coming spring.

“Saint Joe’s is committed to providing a well-rounded, Catholic education to all of our students,” said Anne Rivera, principal. “Through challenging academics, inclusive clubs and activities and a nationally recognized athletics program, a Saint Joe’s education more than prepares students for college. It creates a foundation for a lifetime of success.”

Anyone interested in learning more about Saint Joseph High School’s Journey to Excellence, visit www.StJoes.org/ admissions.

Publication recognized for excellence by national association

For the second consecutive year, “Insight,” the yearbook produced by the staff and advisor Dianne Fucci at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison, received a First Place Award from the American Scholastic Press Association.

In addition to a First Place Award, the school’s 2021 yearbook won the award for the Best Yearbook for schools with 500 to 1,000 students.

The yearbooks are scored in areas of content presentation, general page design, general photography, publication structure and creativity.

About 200 schools entered this year’s contest, which is open to any institution. Winners are ranked first, second and third based on scores. “Insight”

scored 940 out of a possible 1,000 points.

St. Thomas Aquinas’ staff ranges from about five to 15 students each year, Fucci said.

“In addition to the creative book created by the students, what makes this publication stand out among the best is the sense of family and community that is evident each year,” Fucci said. “The book is filled with memories and history. Academics, sports, performing arts, clubs, community service and special events are all well represented.

“In addition, the book is created by the students, with guidance from the adviser and administration. The dedication of the staff members is amazing and demonstrated in the final product that is

enjoyed by all each year.”

According to its mission statement, “St. Thomas Aquinas High School is a coeducational college preparatory school of the Diocese of Metuchen. The school provides an atmosphere in which each individual’s Godgiven abilities are nurtured and developed. Every student is encouraged to strive for spiritual, academic, social, creative, and athletic excellence through the interaction of a caring community. With Christ as our model, the St. Thomas Aquinas community fosters a uniquely Christian environment. Each individual can grow in self-esteem, in so-

‘Seniors’ are special guests at high school’s liturgy

Grandparents of students at Immaculata High School, Somerville, gathered with the school community for a First Friday Grandparents Day Mass and reception Jan. 6.

Msgr. Joseph G. Celano, pastor and director for schools, presided at the liturgy, which was celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church, and gave the homily.

In his homily, Msgr Celano reminded the students and their grandparents that “faith is not something that is simply received, it is something that is passed on and nurtured in family. And with a long line of family, of people who hoped and trusted and believed, that is what nurtured faith; that is the context in which Christ came.”

Recalling his own family lineage, Msgr. Celano said he often recalls the faith passed on by his grandparents and parents.

“Faith and service are what define us,” he said, offering that the gifts of faith and service were passed to him through the example set by his mother and father, respectively, “and they are formed within the context of community and family,” he continued.

Freshman Chloe Polk, left, and her older sister, junior Helena Polk, pose with their grandmother, Sandra Martin.

Msgr. Joseph G. Celano, pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish, Somerville and director for schools, presided at the liturgy and gave the homily.

cial and moral responsibility and in those values needed to face the challenges of tomorrow’s world.”

Brenda Redmond, grandmother of senior Harrison Redmond (left) and sophomore Charlotte Redmond, poses with the students at a reception.

Some of the congregation who came to worship at the First Friday Grandparents Mass Jan. 6. photos courtesy of Immaculata High School

Knights of Columbus host ‘Honor Our Veterans’ program at parishes

Reverend John G. Hillier, Ph.D. 4th Degree - Council 11386

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the Great War, as it was called prior to the start of World War II, ended. Initially called Armistice Day, it marked the end of hostilities when Germany signed an armistice agreement with the Allies. A year later, Armistice Day became a day to celebrate peace and to honor our men and women who served in the armed forces. In the United States in 1954, Armistice Day was renamed “Veterans Day,” while other nations either kept the name “Armistice Day” or renamed it “Remembrance Day.” Through the decades, as wars and conflicts arose, Veterans Day remained a day to honor our men and women who served, whether that service was during a time of war or peace.

For the fifth consecutive year, James Gallombardo, a member of St. ElizabethSt. Brigid Parish, Far Hills-Peapack, a past Grand Knight of the parish’s Knights of Columbus Council 11386 and district deputy for six Diocese of Metuchen councils, has been leading the charge to honor our veterans. Gallombardo created a program that includes a field of flags placed on the grounds of the church coupled with a short program comprising of a solemn blessing by the priest/pastor and musical selections.

This past November, a field of American flags were placed on the grounds of St. Brigid Church, and a custom placard was created with each veteran’s name along with branch of service logo and information provided by parishioners, such as service details, medals and ribbons earned. A black streamer was attached if the veteran was deceased. Msgr. Edward C. Puleo, pastor, St. Elizabeth-St. Brigid Parish, blessed the field of flags, while the veterans in attendance offered a prayer for deceased veterans. Then, following a moment of silence, Gallombardo played “Taps” on a bugle. He also recruited the efforts of the talented church choir to sing “America the Beautiful” while the local Fourth Degree Assembly provided an Honor Guard.

When asked about his motivation for starting this program, Gallombardo stated, “It was definitely inspired by my father’s WWII service in the Navy and I thought this would be a great program to recognize all veterans in our parish family. It would also provide an opportunity for many of our communicants and parish organizations to come together in this common cause including the Knights Council, music ministry, parishioners and, of course, our priests. It also provides a very visible sign to the community at large as they pass by the church and notice how we Catholics honor our veterans. From a Knights of Columbus perspective, this program enables us to live out all four of our principles of

charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.” Gallombardo has offered to assist other parishes and councils to provide similar programs for our veterans. Blessed Sacrament Church in Martinsville, NJ hosted their first Honor Our Veterans program at the urging of Gallombardo. During the Supreme Convention in Nashville, Tennessee this past August, our clergy challenged the Knights to find creative ways to get parishioners back to Sunday Mass. Gallombardo feels that “running a program like this is one small way to help in that regard.”

The parish priests also think this is a worthwhile program for all Knights of Columbus to initiate in their parishes.

When asked for his perspective on the program, Msgr. Puleo, said, “Jim Gallombardo’s initiative has developed into a yearly custom at our parish, drawing parishioners of all ages to pause and recognize the unique contributions of our veterans. Both the living and deceased are honored, drawing special attention to those in our midst who were not previously identified as veterans. Many parishioners have thanked me for supporting this program. The Knights do the

ward to each November.”

Father Brian J. Nolan, pastor, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Martinsville, added: “The Veterans Day Program is a wonderful opportunity for the parish to honor those men and women who served our nation so bravely. Many parishioners show their gratitude to our veterans and our veterans are pleasantly surprised to see so many honoring their service. Our parish now has a new tradition courtesy of our Knights of Columbus Council 5959.”

Any other Councils that wish to receive more information on how to initiate this program in their parish next year may contact James Gallombardo at gallombardo@gmail.com.

In November, several parishes in the diocese observed Veterans Day with a program created by James Gallombardo, a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 11386. Top of page, American and Armed Forces flags adorn the lawn at St. Brigid Church, Peapack. Center photo, Father Brian J. Nolan, pastor, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Martinsville, blesses the veterans of his parish and (left) blesses American flags for the living and deceased veterans of that parish. Above, members of the Honor Guard from George Washington Assembly 653 pose for a photo: (from left) Dan Germaine, Scott Morrisey, Bob Warren, Gallombardo and Hugh Gallagher.

photos courtesy of Father John G. Hillier

Brothers and sisters, we are all called – the first gift, the call – we are all called by Jesus, we can all discern –the second gift, discernment – discern his presence, we can all experience his surprises – the third gift, the surprise. Today, it would be beautiful to remember these gifts: the call, discernment and the surprise, these gifts that we have already received – to think back to when we sensed God’s call in our life; or even when, perhaps after quite a struggle, we succeeded in discerning his voice; or even still, of an unforgettable surprise he gave us, astounding us. May Our Lady help us remember and treasure the gifts received.

Consecrated life: ‘everything else I wanted and more’

Editor’s Note: On Feb. 5, we celebrate World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life and Sister Carol Ann’s reflection is an uplifting story of her life as a religious.

By Sister Carol Ann Nawracaj, OSF

So, what do you want to be when you grow up? I was asked that question many times while growing up in Manville. I was taught by the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters at Sacred Heart School and had an aunt in the congregation. Inspired by their lives of prayer, peace, joy and community, I often responded that I wanted to be a “nun” or “religious” (more accurately known today as a vowed woman religious).

I enjoyed playing school and thought about becoming a teacher; I was gifted in art and considered a career as an artist; and I loved to make people laugh, so I deliberated the possibility of becoming a stand-up comedian. However, my decision always returned to being a religious. I had a plan, but God had a better one and in the end I became a religious, plus everything else I wanted and more.

In 1960, at the age of 14, I entered Mount Alvernia High School to nurture my religious vocation. My initial years of formation were spent in the postulancy in Reading, Pa., and in the novitiate in Villanova University (Pa.).

A prayer for new beginnings

Consult not your fears, but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential.

In June 1964, I exchanged my name, Ann Marie Nawracaj, and took the religious name, Sister Carol Ann. I professed my perpetual vows in 1970 and received a ring as a symbol of a total, loving commitment of my life to God.

My teaching career begun in 1967 spanned numerous schools throughout New Jersey and Massachusetts. Since my community had 11 schools in New Jersey, it was not a surprise that I would teach in a number of them – St. Mary’s in Bound Brook; St. Ann’s in Garwood, St. Gregory the Great in Hamilton Square, St. Casimir’s in Riverside, and Saint Mary’s in South River.

In 1971, I graduated from Alvernia College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education.

In 1973, I was assigned to teach at our Villa Maria School for children with learning disabilities in Stamford, Conn. Here, I utilized my creativity in developing teaching strategies for students who needed to learn differently. I went on to earn a Master’s Degree in special education and my administrative training at Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University, and within five years was appointed the Executive Director of Villa Maria, a position that I held until 2016 when I became Director of Mission Advancement and Alumni Relations.

My artistic abilities and professional experience were combined in a variety of ways both in the classroom and out of the classroom. My drawings and calligraphy resulted in numerous kinds of artwork and publications, including greeting

cards and coloring books with my whim sical Little Sisters. I also created banners and brochures, plus the cover and illus trations for “Souper Bowl of Recipes” a recipe book compiled by the wives of some NFL coaches.

Although I never became a comedian, I found magic to be a fascinating hobby. As I worked on perfecting my magic tricks, I would occasionally try them out on my Sisters in the convent. My early magic tricks were homemade, and the comical aspects of not working were often more entertaining than the tricks themselves. At that time, my only success as a magician was to announce that I had a new trick, and the others sisters disappeared.

After obtaining and practicing several professional tricks, I acquired quite a repertoire of magic. Since 1987, I have been a member of the Society of American Magicians and was a board member of the local Society of Young Magicians. I performed for David Copperfield, “Entertainment Tonight,” and the audience of “Nunsense” at the Connecticut Broadway Theatre. For several Christmas seasons, I orchestrated a magic show called The Birthday Party for Jesus at my home parish in Manville. Most of my MAGIC was to Motivate And Give Inspiration to Children, but I also entertained parents and teachers at Villa Maria and performed at various charitable events and public speaking appearances. One of my fondest magic moments occurred after contacting Newman’s Own Foundation to request a grant for our school. When the foundation discovered that I was a professional magician, I was invited to perform at the company’s annual Christmas party. The result was a standing ovation, a hug from actor Paul Newman and a donation to Villa Maria.

Besides being an author of several articles for educational publications, I coauthored two books with photographer Monica Rich Kosann. “Treasures from Heaven – The Gift of Children” was published in 1997 and “Thank Heaven for Little Girls – A Celebration in Words and Pictures” was published in 2001, both of which were my witness to God’s love for His children.

Last, but not least, my affiliation with the New York Football Giants is widely known. My involvement began in 1974 when I was studying at Fairfield University, and the team was there for training camp. At that time, I knew little about the Giants or football, and probably would have defined “sudden death” as the quickest way for a devout soul to get to heaven. I started a friendship with the players, coaches and management that has grown over the years. My motivational and inspirational efforts were so appreciated that I was officially proclaimed an Honorary Assistant Coach in 1981. In this capacity, I have boosted the morale of the team through my talks at training camp, team meetings, congratulatory messages and faithful collection of

newspaper clippings that I present to the players at the end of each season. I was in attendance for all the Super Bowl games in which the Giants were contenders, and my status as coach has been recognized in national newspapers and appearances on CBS, WOR, NFL Today, ESPN, and Sports Channel – to name a few.

At present, I am the Vocation Director and Aspirant Director for our congregation. I am not a recruiter. That’s God’s job. I accompany women on their journey of discernment. For the Vocation Day at a Catholic high school, I told my vocation story, and asked if there were any questions. One young man raised his hand and said that he didn’t have a question but a comment. I responded, “Okay! What’s your comment?” And he said, “You remind me of Forrest Gump.” Noticing my puzzled expression, he asked, “Don’t you know who Forrest Gump is?” I responded, “Yes, I know who Forrest Gump is.” He went on to explain, “In his lifetime, Forrest Gump met many people who influenced his life and whose lives he inspired. He didn’t plan any of it. It just happened. That’s how I see you and your life.” Whew! I wondered there for a minute. God has a goal and purpose in bringing us into contact with people and events, and we need to do His will in situations in which He places us.

God has challenged me so much in my life to do things I never dreamt were possible. He has worked so many awesome wonders in my life thus far, that I can’t even imagine what He has in store in the years ahead.

Drawn by prayer, spirituality, charism, community life and mission, men and women continue to respond to the call to the priesthood and religious life. From a recent study, the National Religious Vocation Conference learned that in a recent study 70 percent of new entrants considered religious life before age 21, and 95 percent found meeting with a member of the institute most helpful. So… Who will serve? How about you?

Franciscan Sister Carol Ann Nawracja poses in front of one of her community’s displays which she helped to create with her drawings.

photo courtesy of Sister Carol Ann

Beatitudes reveal mind of God

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

By Msgr. John N. Fell

This Sunday we are treated to one of the most beautiful and beloved passages in St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ presentation of the Beatitudes. Understanding the Beatitudes is crucial for understanding the rest of Jesus’ mission for they express the definitive ethics of the Christian community, and are, in a certain sense, the constitution of the Kingdom of God. The Beatitudes refine the moral absolutes of the Ten Commandments by setting believers on the road to perfection; our task as followers of Christ is not simply to avoid evil, but always to be striving to do (ever better) good.

In order to properly approach the Beatitudes, however, we would do well to consider our second reading this Sunday, a reading taken from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. In this section of his letter, Paul is exhorting the Corinthian community to look at life, not in their old earthbound ways, but rather through God’s eyes. As an example, Paul tells the Corinthians to simply look at themselves -- a rather motley crew by human standards, without many connections to the learned, the powerful, or the noble. Yet, it was they who had been chosen by God to carry forward his mission of converting the entire world to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul explains that God did this precisely so that no one

could boast that the success of the Gospel was due to their eloquence or power or wisdom. Rather, it was the wisdom of God that had formed them into his community, and it was the power of God’s wisdom that was to prevail in drawing the world to himself.

Paul emphasized that, for Christians, salvation comes not from what we have done, but rather from what God has done for us. God’s standards are different from human standards, and all people must open their hearts and minds to accepting this. Thus, Paul says, if they want to boast about anything, make it boasting, not about their wisdom, power, or prestige, but rather about the fact that God has chosen them in Christ Jesus, and that, through Christ Jesus, we have all come to salvation. That, Paul teaches, is truly the mind of God.

The Beatitudes as well reveal the mind of God. They are expressions of the blessing and good fortune of those lucky enough to find themselves in certain concrete situations. And yet, to the human mind, they must seem terribly puzzling -- after all, if one wants to get ahead in this world, it is really better to be meek or humble or oppressed? Is it really the merciful and those who mourn who are seen as the powerful ones? Are the righteous and pure of heart really satisfied with the condition of society?

God will show special favor to those who are meek and merciful. The pure of heart and those who seek after peace will have their greatest longings satisfied. And to those who are chosen to suffer for the sake of the Gospel Jesus says, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven” .

(Mt 5:12a)

It is precisely here that we are reminded that God’s ways are not the ways of humanity, and that God’s foolishness is wiser than even the greatest human wisdom. The Beatitudes are prophetic declarations of the mind of God, Jesus’ revelation of how God sees things. The truth of the Beatitudes does not come from human experience, but rather from the supreme fact that they express the mind and will of the Father.

As such, the Beatitudes present God’s definitive answer to the question, “Who are the important ones in the Kingdom of Heaven?” We learn that the heavenly nobility consists of those who are “poor in spirit,” that is, those who profoundly recognize their need of God. Those who mourn the sinful condition of the world and who thirst for justice, they are the ones who will be raised up in heaven. God will show special favor to those who are meek and merciful. The pure of heart and those who seek after peace will have their greatest longings satisfied. And to those who are chosen to suffer for the sake of the Gospel Jesus says, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven” (Mt 5:12a).

The Beatitudes are not simply beautiful religious poetry, but rather a real challenge to set aside earthly perspectives and to see things through Jesus’ eyes. May we adopt Paul’s advice and come to boast about and rely upon not our own abilities and achievements, but rather on everything our God has done for us. That is the first step of our journey toward heavenly glory and a good orientation for our spiritual focus as we seek to adopt the mindset of God.

Msgr. Fell is a Scripture scholar and director, diocesan Office for Priest Personnel

Francis-Xavier Bianchi

1743-1815 January 31

Born in Sicily, he was educated at Naples and wanted to enter religious life, despite his father’s opposition. But he persevered and entered the Congregation of Clerks Regular of St. Paul, or Barnabites, though the conflict prompted a long illness. He was ordained in 1797, serving as superior of two colleges for 15 years and in other posts. More and more he exercised his priesthood by hearing confessions, and his health was affected. He was seen as a living saint; one miracle attributed to him was stopping the flow of lava from an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1805.

Saints

SCRIPTURE SEARCH®

Gospel for January 29, 2023 Matthew 5:1-12A

Following is a word search based on the Gospel reading for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A: Teachings on the mountain. The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle.

2023 TRI-C-A Publications; tri-c-a-publications.com

CROWDS MOUNTAIN POOR SPIRIT KINGDOM HEAVEN MOURN MEEK INHERIT HUNGER THIRST HEART PEACEMAKERS CHILDREN OF GOD PERSECUTED UTTER EVIL REJOICE REWARD GREAT

THE BLESSED

N S R E K A M E C A E P R S H I N H E R I T E O U D P R H U N G E R G O O W U I L Y A N S L R R M O H C R D K E N W E E O R E J O I C E D K A W U C D G H U T T E R T A N B F H T G H R N M S R T O H E A V E N A A R D A Y D J O H C V N E I X I H O M O D G N I K H J N E R D L I H C F L T O

Community House is Home for Adults with Disabilities

By Tiffany Workman

The mission of Community House at St. Thomas, Corp. is to provide affordable, stable housing for adults of very low income who are living with significant physical disabilities and to provide social services that compliment, support and foster the resident’s independence and quality of life.

Susan Kuzma who is an employee of Catholic Charities has spent 16 years as the supervisor for Community House in Old Bridge and has always worked with people with disabilities. She feels that adults with disabilities are somewhat of a forgotten community. Kuzma says, “they don’t have a lot of money, and are not as outspoken as other communities.” She stresses that there is a severe housing shortage as well as a shortage for transportation.

At Community House, adults with physical disabilities are welcomed with open arms into a boarding home that has a family atmosphere. Most people that live at Community House have become disabled as adults from either strokes, accidents or other ways. Kuzma says the adults that are living there currently are very independent. “They are all like a family,” Kuzma says. “They look out for each other and they will let someone know if they aren’t coming home.” Susan also says, “my favorite part about working here are the people who live here.” She has had residents stay for years and has developed close relationships with them all. She finds out what they need, motivates them and sometimes just gives them someone to talk to.

Community House offers case management services and referrals are made to Catholic Charities and other community providers. Community House is American Disabilities Act compliant and wheelchair accessible. Residents must be able to self-medicate, self-evacuate, and have a desire to become as independent as possible.

Community House is well maintained by the residents themselves. Residents have daily responsibilities to clean their rooms, cook and grocery shop. They eat breakfast and lunch on their own, but each resident prepares dinner once a week. They each put in money every month that sits in a special account and they all decide what they are going to buy and go grocery shopping. Rent at Community House is 30% of their adjusted income.

Kuzma hopes that the disabled community will be viewed by the general population as no different than themselves. That is one of the reasons why Community House is located right in the middle of a residential neighborhood in Old Bridge. These individuals don’t deserve to be hidden away.

Community House has openings for adults with disabilities right now. Kuzma encourages those who feel they would be a good fit for Community House to call her at 732-251-0022. Community House has two shared rooms and four single rooms available. Kuzma can answer any questions, and once an application is received, applicants are going to be invited to Community house for an interview and tour of the facility. If all works out, a move in date is set up.

Donations are always welcome and can be made at communityhouse-saintthomas.com.

For more information about Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen, please visit ccdom.org. LIKE and visit us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @ ccdom1 to stay updated on upcoming events and ways we help clients get the services and assistance they need.

Workman is the Communications Specialist in the Office of Communications and Public Relations

Upcoming Catholic Charities Events

• Thursday January 26th —7p-8:30pm- Intensive Family Support Services Zoom Presentation, Future Planning: Do you often wonder what the future holds for your loved one? Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of New Jersey (PLAN NJ) will be leading a presentation and discussion about Practical Solutions for Families of People with Disabilities. Please email ifss@ccdom.org for Zoom Link.

• February 7th – 6:30pm- Mobile Family Success Center’s Friendship Dance in North Brunswick - Families are welcome to join in a Family Valentine Celebration themed Friendship Dance to celebrate inclusivity, diversity, and friendship. All are welcome to attend. Event will have an ice cream bar, music, and photo booth. Please Call the MFSC at 732-387-1220 for details and to register.

Ron Romanowski resident Community House at Saint Thomas. Susan Kuzma photo

Article 170 - Catechism of the Catholic Church Series Paragraphs 2568-2589

“God has always called people to prayer. But it is above all beginning with our father Abraham that prayer is revealed in the Old Testament” (ccc 2569).

for men and he dares to intercede for them with bold confidence” (ccc 2571).

Former prisoner of war and U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Doug Hegdahl reports that fellow U.S. captives in the Vietnam War would authenticate a new prisoner’s U.S. identity by using “Shave and a Haircut” as a shibboleth, tapping the first five notes against a cell wall and waiting for the appropriate “two note” response.

When we pray to our Creator who called us into being, we can say that we use a shibboleth. Although God takes the initiative “tirelessly calling each person to that mysterious encounter known as prayer…our own first step is always a response” (ccc 2567). Thus, the shibboleth, at least at first, is God’s initiative and our response.

In the Old Testament, we learn that “prayer is bound up with human history, for it is the relationship with God in historical events” (ccc 2568). In the Book of Genesis, God asks: “Where are you? … What is this that you have done?” (Gn 3:9, 13) and the response of God’s only Son on coming into the world is: “Lo, I have come to do your will, O God.” (Heb 10:5-7) As the Catechism points out,

In the Book of Genesis (12:4), we learn that God calls Abraham and he goes forth “as the Lord had told him.” His heart “is entirely submissive to the Word and so he obeys. Such attentiveness of the heart, whose decisions are made according to God’s will, is essential to prayer, while the words used count only in relation to it” (ccc 2570). His prayer “is expressed first by deeds…Only later does Abraham’s first prayer in words appear” (ccc 2570).

“Abraham believed in God and walked in his presence and in covenant with him, the patriarch [later] welcomed a mysterious Guest into his tent” at Mamre (ccc 2571). These guests (there were three) are understood to be a visit from God himself. Even the Jews interpreting Scripture see this as a visit from God, and Christians delight in the fact that there were three men – a rich symbol of the Trinity. Abraham offers them hospitality: a time to relax, to cool off, to rest, and to have a fine meal. After they leave, Abraham tells Sarah that she will have a son. Sarah giggled because she was 90 years old! [Later, they did have a son named Isaac, “the Son of the Promise”].

The Catechism explains: “Abraham’s remarkable hospitality at Mamre foreshadows the annunciation of the true Son of the promise” who is Christ Jesus, Our Lord (ccc 2571). Following this, after God had entrusted his plan, “Abraham’s heart is attuned to his Lord’s compassion

The final stage in the purification of Abraham’s faith is when he is asked to sacrifice Isaac, the son God had blessed him and Sarah with. “Abraham’s faith does not weaken…the father of believers is conformed to the likeness of the Father who will not spare his own Son but will deliver him up for us all” (ccc 2572). Thus, we discern how “prayer restores us to God’s likeness and enables us to share in the power of God’s love” (ccc 2572).

God renews his promise to Jacob, the son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham and “the ancestor of the twelve tribes of Israel” (ccc 2573). Jacob “wrestles all night with a mysterious figure who refuses to reveal his name” (ccc 2573). At daybreak, the mysterious figure says that Jacob has wrestled with God, and tells Jacob that his name will no longer be “Jacob,” but will be “Israel.” “From this account, the spiritual tradition of the Church has retained the symbol of prayer as a battle of faith and as the triumph of perseverance” (ccc 2573).

Next, regarding Moses (a descendent of Levi – one of Jacob’s 12 sons), the Catechism teaches that “the prayer of Moses becomes the most striking example of intercessory prayer” (ccc 2574). Again, we discern that the initiative is God’s: “From the midst of the burning bush he calls Moses” (see Exodus 3:2). We later see that “the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Ex 33:11). “Moses converses with God often and at length” (ccc 2576). It is from this intimate exchange with

God that “Moses drew strength and determination for his intercession. He does not pray for himself but for the people whom God made his own” (ccc 2577).

“David is par excellence the king ‘after God’s own heart,’ the shepherd who prays for his people and prays in their name. His submission to the will of God, his praise, and his repentance, will be a model for the prayer of the people” (ccc 2579). “In the Psalms David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, is the first prophet of Jewish and Christian prayer. The prayer of Christ, the true Messiah and Son of David, will reveal and fulfill the meaning of this prayer” (ccc 2579), and “The Temple of Jerusalem, the house of prayer that David wanted to build, will be the work of his son, Solomon” (ccc 2580).

“Prayed by Christ and fulfilled in him, the Psalms remain essential to the prayer of the Church” (ccc 2586). “The words of the Psalmist, sung for God, both express and acclaim the Lord’s saving works; the same Spirit inspires both God’s work and man’s response” (ccc 2587).

In summation, prayer is the raising of our hearts and minds to God and listening to his Word through the Lord and Giver of Life, the Holy Spirit, speaking within us. Prayer is likewise reciprocal, likened to a shibboleth. We request good things from God, seeking all according to his will for us.

Father Hillier is director, diocesan Office of Pontifical Mission Societies, the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Censor Luborum

Video series urges collegians to ask questions on life issues

DENVER — Ahead of the first March for Life since the reversal of Roe v. Wade, FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) launched the “Love Life” video series to better equip college students to engage on the abortion issue. The post-Dobbs landscape means the fight to end abortion is more at the state and community-level and college campuses are on the front lines of these evolving abortion laws and conversations. FOCUS’ new “Love Life” video series (https://focusequip.org/introducingthe-love-life-video-series/) provides practical talking points on the pro-life issue, encouraging students to ask and tackle these tough questions. The 11-part video series features a range of prominent pro-life voices, from Dr. Ryan Anderson explaining why unborn people are people to Kristan Hawkins sharing how abortion abuses women. Irene Zamorano Archacki, a post-abortive woman, shares her healing journey in a compelling “Love Life” interview.

Other voices include FOCUS Founder and chief executive officer Cur-

tis Martin on the pro-life aspect to the New Evangelization, Father Josh Johnson on the Church’s teaching on abortion, Life Sister Maris Stella on walking alongside abortion-minded women, and David Bereit on how abortion is more than a religious issue.

John Bishop, director of FOCUS formation, conducts the “Love Life” video interviews and sees this project as an extension of FOCUS’ outreach to the world and culture, saying, “The ‘Love Life’ video series is one way FOCUS, through the New Evangelization, intends to positively influence the pro-life movement.

“We utilize YouTube and other social-media platforms, not as replacements for FOCUS’ important ministry,

but as aids to our person-to-person work on campuses and in parishes,” Bishop said.

FOCUS is a Catholic apostolate whose mission is to share the hope and joy of the Gospel. FOCUS missionaries encounter people in friendship, inviting them to a personal relationship with Christ and accompanying them as they pursue lives of virtue and excellence. Through Bible studies, outreach events, mission trips and discipleship, missionaries inspire and build up others in the faith, sending them out to live out life-

long Catholic mission wherever they are.

For the 2022-23 academic year, 861 missionaries are serving at 216 locations: 193 campuses (including eight international campuses and 10 Digital Outreach campuses) and 23 parish locations.

By 2027, FOCUS expects to have more than 1,000 missionaries serving in more than 250 locations around the world.

For more information or to register, visit the website: https://ascensionpress. com/pages/biy-registration

Senior Care at Home

Candidates for sainthood

named by pope

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — On Jan. 19, Pope Francis signed decrees recognizing that six candidates for sainthood heroically lived the Christian virtues. Beatification will require a miracle attributed to the candidate’s intercession, and canonization — a declaration of sainthood — will require an additional miracle.

Causes that were advanced: Spanish poet and priest, Father Miquel Costa i Llobera (1854-1922.) He studied in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University and was ordained a priest in 1888. He ministered in Majorca and was renowned for his speaking and preaching abilities. He was made a member of the Spanish Royal Academy in 1902.

— Italian Father Gaetano Mauro, (1888-1969) founded the Congregation of Rural Catechists. He served as a military chaplain during World War I and ended up in the Katzenau internment camp in Austria.

He went to Calabria after the war and sought to alleviate the intense poverty and

lack of religious instruction among the farmers by dedicating himself to evangelization and promoting their human dignity. He founded an association for teaching church doctrine in rural areas, which later became a religious congregation.

— Italian Father Giovanni Barra (1914-1975) was dedicated to reaching out to young people and using culture as a way to open people’s minds and share the Gospel.

— Marianist Father Vicente López de Uralde Lazcano of Spain (1894-1990). He was a popular confessor who was known for being welcoming, listening and sharing God’s mercy.

— Sister Maria “Diomira” Allegri of Italy (1651-1677), a member of the Congregation of Sisters Established in the Charity of the Good Shepherd. She sought God’s will in prayer and serving others. Tradition holds that when she was 7, she survived an earthquake when a young boy appeared in her room and put her in an outdoor courtyard as her house collapsed.

— Bertilla Antoniazzi (1944-1964), Italian laywoman. At the age of 8, she was struck by rheumatic heart disease, which left her hospitalized often and physically weak. She was a member of Catholic Action and other volunteer organizations and prayed for those who were more ill than her.

ACROSS

Catholic entrepreneur Monaghan is founder of this company

They manage the Vatican Radio

Fr. Junipero ___

Popular Catholic TV sitcom actor Newhart

Ministers of Hospitality often do this

Describes the man who left sad when Jesus told him to sell all he owned

Xavierian letters

First question of the Baltimore Catechism, “Who ___ me?”

“Look to yourselves, that you may not ____ what you have worked for” (2 Jn 1:8)

___ hosts

It is worn around the neck

David asked 6D if he pursued a “___ dog” (1 Sam 24:15)

Genesis man

“But ___ do you say that I am?” (Mk 8:29)

“…thy kingdom ___”

St. Francis de Sales is the patron saint of those who do this

The Supreme Being

Catholic actor who plays the father on “Everybody Loves Raymond”

Certain veil

Catholic actress who won an Academy Award for It Happened One Night DOWN

The Israelites wandered here

The Archdiocese of Rabat is here

He survived the flood

Order founded by St. John Bosco (abbr.)

He retained his faith, though severely tested

See 23A

Brother of Isaac

Assisted at Mass

Patron saint of cab drivers

Entice one to sin

Old Testament town that was home of the tribe of Ephraim 18 Consecrated virgin and art historian, Sister ___ 22 Gift used for the good of the Church

What you might call someone who did 8D 25 Name of God 26 “___ and be baptized” (Acts 2:38)

___ wrongs patiently 31 Fourth person 33 It precedes Eph 34 St. Nicholas’ feast is in this mon.

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Felician event prompts eBook, first course in fall

Pastor to serve in prominent role at annual parade

Msgr. John B. Gordon, pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Carteret, will serve as deputy grand marshal of the South Amboy St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 19, 2023.

When told of his nomination as deputy grand marshal of the parade, Msgr. Gordon said he is “is very humbled and honored to serve as Deputy Grand Marshal and congratulates all honorees for this year’s parade and all things Irish.”

Msgr. Gordon, a native of South Plainfield who earned a bachelor’s de-

gree in philosophy at St. Pius X Seminary, Scranton University (Pa.), and a Master of Divinity degree at Christ the King Seminary, Buffalo. He was ordained to the priesthood May 18, 1985, at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen.

Msgr. Gordon served in the parishes of St. Bartholomew, East Brunswick; Guardian Angels, Edison; St. Magdalene de Pazzi, Flemington, and St. Mary, Perth Amboy.

For five years, he served as director, diocesan Hispanic Apostolate.

He served as chaplain for thenBishop George Ahr High School, now St. Thomas the Aquinas High School, Edison; the now-closed St. Pius X High School, Piscataway, and the now-closed St. Mary High School, South Amboy.

He was installed as Chaplain to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI with the title of Monsignor Jan. 29, 2012.

RUTHERFORD — Following the success of Felician University’s first independent forensics event, faculty from the Schools of Nursing and Arts & Sciences co-authored and published an electronic book titled, “An Interdisciplinary and Interprofessional Forensic Simulation in Higher Ed.”

In this eBook, faculty members from the Schools of Nursing and Arts & Sciences share their experience hosting a student-focused forensic simulation in June 2022. The learning event involved Felician students across the disciplines of nursing, chemistry, and criminal justice

“Collaboration among students, especially across different disciplines, is a priority of Felician’s immersive experiential education,” said Dr. Daria Waszak, associate dean, School of Nursing. “Our interdisciplinary forensic simulation model offered students from three major departments the opportunity to combine their specialties and practice hands-on learning.”

Met with significant student participation and interest, the event also prompted faculty to develop a new forensics course in the form of a one-credit Interprofessional Forensic Lab, NURS 438. The course will be officially offered for the first time in fall 2023 for students in the disciplines of nursing, chemistry, or criminal justice.

An Interdisciplinary and Interprofessional Forensic Simulation in Higher Ed” is available for free in Apple Books, and is authored by Dr. Daria Waszak, professor Theresa Fanelli, Dr. Robert Keesey, Dr. Carleen Graham, Dr. Gina Robertiello, professor Mary Clare Smith, and two colleagues from Fairfield University (Conn.).

Its multimedia format, which includes videos, external links, illustrations, and more, allows readers to engage in a more comprehensive learning experience.

The eBook is available at https://books.apple.com/us/book/aninterprofessional-and-interdisciplinary/ id6445166379

Cardinal dies at 81; kept faith amid tribulation, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis praised the late Australian Cardinal George Pell as a faithful servant of God and of the Catholic Church, who steadfastly followed the Lord even “in the hour of trial” when he was jailed for sexual abuse before his conviction was overturned by Australia’s highest court.

Cardinal Pell died in Rome Jan. 10 at the age of 81 after suffering a heart attack following hip replacement surgery.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, was scheduled to preside over the cardinal’s funeral Jan. 14 at St. Peter’s Basilica with Pope Francis presiding over the final commendation and farewell at the end of the Mass. Cardinal Pell will be buried at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney Feb. 2, according to his secretary, Father Joseph Hamilton.

In an interview with Italy’s “Mediaset” broadcast Dec. 18, Pope Francis was asked what part of his job he would have preferred not having had to deal with, and he responded, the Vatican’s financial

chaos and scandals.

The need for a thorough clean up “was clearly seen by Cardinal Pell, who is the one who started” making progress, the pope said, but then he was required to return to Australia “because of this calumny” of being accused of sexual abuse.

“He was innocent,” Pope Francis said in the December interview. “He is a great man, and we owe him so much.”

Australian Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane, former president of the conference, said, Cardinal Pell “didn’t claim to be a saint; he knew he was flawed. But he did claim -- and rightly -- to be a man of faith and a man of the Church.”

Cardinal Pell “became the victim of an outrageous injustice as he was convicted and jailed for 13 months before a final vindication,” Archbishop Coleridge said, referring to the cardinal’s conviction in late 2018 on five counts of sexual abuse. The cardinal had served more than 400 days of a six-year sentence when the judges of the High Court of Australia

overturned the conviction, concluding there was “a significant possibility that an innocent person has been convicted because the evidence did not establish guilt to the requisite standard of proof.”

“The spiritual poise and strength he showed through all of this was extraordinary,” Archbishop Coleridge said. “It revealed a depth to George Pell that often went unrecognized.”

“Through his legal troubles,” the archbishop said, “he was identified wholly with the Catholic Church and vice versa. Pell was the Church, and the Church was Pell -- big, powerful and heartless in the eyes of many.

“Yet,” he continued, “if George Pell

Cardinal George Pell was a dear friend of and frequent visitor to the Pontifical North American College. In 2015, then Msgr. James Checchio, rector of PNAC, presented Cardinal Pell with the “Rector’s Award” for his service to the Church and the College.

— Pontifical North American College photo

had anything they were a good heart and a sense of humor. It was a pity that more of this didn’t show in his media appearances.”

Born June 8, 1941, in Ballarat, Australia, he was a star football player in high school and college, but left that behind to enter the seminary, studying first in Australia and then at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1966 at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

Then-Pope, now St. John Paul II appointed him an auxiliary bishop of Melbourne in 1987, archbishop of Melbourne in 1996, archbishop of Sydney in 2001 and gave him the cardinal’s red hat in 2003.

Soon after his election, Pope Francis named Cardinal Pell to his international Council of Cardinals to advise him on the reform of the Roman Curia and, in 2014, Pope Francis named him prefect of the new Council for the Economy.

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Armed members of Islamist extremist group kill member of clergy, 17 parishioners in Africa

Another priest who was at the house, identified only as Father Collins, was shot and injured as he tried to escape.

An Indigenous priest from the area ordained in 1995, Father Achi recently was the priest in charge of St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church in the Diocese of Minna, Nigeria.

Boko Haram, the north Nigerian militant group, during a Christmas church service. The attack left 44 parishioners dead. He also had been shot while blessing a child and had survived an abduction by militants.

Demonstrators march during a protest by the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Catholic and Protestant churches, against escalating violence in Kinshasa Dec. 4, 2022. Deadly violence hit Christians in Africa Jan. 15 with a Catholic priest in northern Nigeria burned to death and as many as 17 Christians killed in a blast in eastern DRC.

OSV News photo/Justin Makamgara, Reuters

By Fredrick Nzwili, OSV News

NAIROBI, Kenya (OSV News) — Deadly violence hit Christians in Africa Jan. 15, with a Catholic priest in northern Nigeria burned to death and as many as 17 Christians killed in a blast in eastern Congo.

In Nigeria, Father Isaac Achi was burned to death at his residence in Paikoro, a local government area of Niger state. The armed men had set his house ablaze after a failed break-in at 3 a.m.

Government and Church officials in the state have condemned the killing of the priest. The Christiswan Association of Nigeria called for speedy investigations and arrest of the killers.

“Enough of the attacks and wanton killings of innocent Nigerian citizens,” said Archbishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, chairman of the association in Minna in a media statement. He called for the repose of Father Achi’s soul and all others killed in the violence.

The association said the attackers had arrived in the area in the early Sunday hours and shots were heard sporadically, before turning on the priest’s house.

The motive for the latest attack was not immediately clear, however. In the predominantly Muslim north of Nigeria, armed men — commonly referred to as “bandits” in the country — have targeted priests and pastors in the recent past, but as the West African country prepares to vote Feb. 25, kidnappings for ransom are on the rise, according to reports.

It was not the first attack against Father Achi, who in 2011 survived an attack by

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the death toll from a Jan. 15 church attack is an estimated 17 people, according to figures provided by DRC’s government spokesman, with some sources however saying 10 people were killed and 39 others were injured. People were killed in a bomb explosion during a service in a Pentecostal church in the eastern town of Kasindi, near the DRC border with Uganda.

They had been gathered in the church for baptism.

“Several among us died on the spot, others had their feet cut in two,” Esdras Kambale Mupanya, the 42-year-old deacon at the evangelical church in Kasindi, told the AFP news agency. “God saved me, and I came out in good health with my choir members. Today was not the day I should die.”

The army has linked the attack to the Allied Democratic Forces, an Islamic extremist group originally from Uganda, operating in central Africa. In 2019, the militant group pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, also known as Daesh.

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi condemned the attack saying he was saddened by the “heinous crime.”

Silvana Puleo (née D’Amico), surrounded by her loving family,peacefully passed away on January 2, 2023 at age 93. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Salvatore and her son Anthony. She was the devoted daughter of the late Arduino D’Amico and Maria (née Marinelli).

Silvana is survived by her loving son Reverend Monsignor Edward C. Puleo, Episcopal Vicar of Clergy and Religious in the Diocese of Metuchen. He is also pastor of the churches of St. Elizabeth, Far Hills and St. Brigid, Peapack. She is also survived by her younger sister Johanna D’Amico. Silvana was cherished as grandmother of Steven and his wife, Jennifer, and Taryn and her husband, Joseph. She was the devoted great grandmother of Nicholas, Alyssa and Avah. Silvana was born in Ceprano, Italy. She loved her Catholic faith and her family and took great pride in the care of her garden, most especially her flowers. Silvana was waked in the Church of St. Brigid on Thursday, January 5 from 9:30 to 11:30AM. Her Funeral Mass followed at 11:30AM. Entombment was private and took place at St. Bernard’s Cemetery and

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The Banshees of Inisherin

By John Mulderig

NEW YORK (Catholic Review Media)

– There are some things to celebrate but others to bewail about “The Banshees of Inisherin”(Searchlight). In fact, this bleak combination of black comedy and rural drama incorporates elements that make it acceptable for only a small number of grown movie fans.

Set in 1923 on the imaginary Irish island of the title, the film focuses on the friendship between two of its residents, amateur fiddler and composer Colm Doherty (Brendan Gleeson) and farmer Pádraic Súilleabháin (Colin Farrell). When, after years of shared daily trips to the local pub, Colm abruptly ends their relationship, Pádraic is bewildered by this wholly unexpected turn of events.

Though Colm eventually explains himself, claiming that Pádraic’s conversational dullness is cramping his style and interfering with his creativity, his pal not only continues to brood about the cause of the mysterious breach, he refuses to accept that their bond is at an end. Whereupon Colm threatens a drastic reaction if Pádraic doesn’t leave him alone.

As the increasingly dire consequences of the rift between the pair play out – against the distant background of the real-life Irish Civil War that was then raging – writer-director Martin McDonagh carries Celtic bloody-mindedness to an extreme some may not find credible. Yet he manages to maintain suspense via viewer dread.

Though Catholicism – personified by the unnamed priest (David Pearse) who makes periodic visits from the mainland – pervades the atmosphere, it does nothing to soften the human relations of the community. Nor does it offer hope to any of the characters.

Besides the two ex-pals, the more prominent of these include Pádraic’s goodhearted sister, Siobhán (Kerry Condon), and Dominic Kearney (Barry Keoghan), an intellectually challenged youth to whom Pádraic turns for companionship after Colm abandons him. Dominic’s brute of a policeman father, Peadar (Gary Lydon), is oppressive in public as well as vicious and perverse to his son behind closed doors.

‘Love is the answer’: Life Fest rally opens new chapter of pro-life movement in nation’s capital

WASHINGTON (OSV News) — Driving to Washington for a morning rally ahead of the 2023 March for Life, Pete and Tricia DeMaio did something unusual for a family road trip: they decided upon names for the two children that the couple — high school and college sweethearts — had lost to abortion prior to their marriage.

Selecting the names was a family decision, made by the DeMaios and their seven surviving children, who suggested Raphael (after the archangel and patron of healing) and Maria (for St. Maria Goretti, a patron of forgiveness).

“Now those two babies have a name,” Pete DeMaio, a Philadelphia-area businessman and pro-life advocate, told those gathered at the first-ever Life Fest, which took place Jan. 20 at the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington’s Congress Heights neighborhood.

Sponsored by the Sisters of Life and the Knights of Columbus, the morning gathering drew some 4,200 people — most of them teens and young adults — for a program of prayer, worship music, and personal testimonies that concluded with Eucharistic adoration and Mass.

Along with the DeMaios, Life Fest featured attorney David Scotton, who discussed his experiences as an adopted child detailed in the documentary “I Lived on Parker Avenue,” singer-songwriter Sarah Kroger, Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Brother Isaiah, and Sister of Life Mary Casey.

Sister of Life Mariae Agnus Dei told OSV News her congregation created the event after realizing that “a number of other events and youth rallies were not

going to be taking place” around the time of this year’s National March for Life in Washington, the first following the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade in June 2022 with the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision.

Yet although “the law has changed … hearts (still) need to change toward advancing a culture of life in this nation,” said Sister Mariae. “Some of the biggest battles are in front of us.”

Celebrating “the gift of life and the beauty of the human person” is essential to that task, she said.

“Here we are, just focusing and recognizing that love is the answer as we move into this new era, as we usher in this new time,” rally emcee and fellow Sister of Life Bethany Madonna, told Life Fest attendees.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding one’s conception, each human being is divinely willed into existence, she said.

“There was a moment when God

said, ‘Not another moment without you. I call you to be,’” said Sister Bethany. “Nothing about you is a mistake. You are always wanted.”

That message resonated with attend ees who spoke with OSV News.

Cecilia Howell, a student at Pius X High School in Lincoln, Neb., said she was delighted to see “so many happy faces” celebrating the post-Roe chapter of the pro-life movement.

Katie Nichols, a junior at Bishop Machebeuf High School in Denver, Colo., said she was impressed by “how much love there is throughout the community right now. Instead of everybody throwing shame, throwing hate, it’s more of a refocusing to spread the love of life.”

Following Life Fest, attendees made their way to the National Mall to join the 50th March for Life.

Gina Christian is a national reporter for OSV News. Contributing to this report was Father Patrick Briscoe, OP, in Washington.

Grisly sights and grim themes make Inisherin a destination fit only for the hardiest. Whether they will find its striking inhabitants and sweeping landscapes – beautifully captured by cinematographer Ben Davis – sufficient reward for the rigors of their sojourn remains an open question.

Look for: Strong performances and an interesting study in moral degeneration. Look out for: An ambivalent portrayal of faith, numerous gruesomely gory images, full male nudity in a nonsexual context, mature references, including to incestuous sexual abuse, about a half-dozen instances each of profanity and milder swearing, pervasive rough language and some crude terms.

The Catholic Moviegoer’s guidance is L – suitable for a limited mature audience. The Motion Picture Association rating is R – restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

John Mulderig is Media Reviewer for OSV News.

Listeners seek clarity amid current chaos

By Maria Wiering, OSV News

(OSV News) -- The Jan. 1 launch of “The Catechism in a Year” podcast has generated notable excitement, especially among listeners of “The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)” podcast. The new podcast jumped to the No. 1 spot on Apple podcasts Jan. 1. Part of the appeal for both podcasts is the host, Father Schmitz, and the podcast’s occasional commentary from Scripture scholar Jeff Cavins. Cavins thinks anticipation is sparked, in part, by the national and international turmoil of recent years, from U.S. politics to the pandemic, and people’s hunger for real truth amid various “truths.” Other Catholic catechetical leaders agree that cultural confusion and division are driving Catholics’ desire to better understand the faith.

DIOCESAN EVENTS

Retrouvaille – Weekend for couples in troubled marriages. For information and registration contact Rich Colasuonno at 732-236-0671 or Annette Colasuonno at 732-672-0748.

Eucharistic Revival Lecture Series: The Liturgy of the Eucharist, 7 p.m., the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. Father Timothy Eck II, director, diocesan Office of Divine Worship, will discuss the nuances of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Within the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass there are two main parts: Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist. Following the presentation the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be celebrated. For more information contact: teck@diometuchen.org.

Marriage Encounter – This Worldwide Marriage Encounter gives married couples the time and tools to revitalize romance, deepen communication, and nourish the spirituality in their marriage. Contact Tom and Ruth DeFalco 1-732-904-9636 for application and information.

Diocesan Youth Day, 12 noon to 5 p.m., St. Thomas Aquinas High School. All high school teens are welcome. Registration will be posted on the Diocesan website: diometuchen.org. For more information contact Megan Vantslot Callahan, director, diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Evangelization, at mcallahan@diometuchen.org.

DIOCESAN PROGRAMS

Adoration and Mass at Pastoral Center

On Tuesdays and Thursdays in the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center chapel there is adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 9 to 11:45 a.m. followed by Mass. On Wednesday there is Mass at 11:45 a.m. Adorers are needed so Eucharistic Adoration can be offered before Mass begins. For more information, contact Angela Marshall at: amarshall@diometuchen.org.

Catechism in a Year for Women

This virtual Women’s Group will meet each week on Sundays at 2:30 p.m. on Zoom for discussion of Fr. Mike Schmitz’s “Catechism in a Year” podcast which began on January 8. For details, contact Cristina at cdaverso@diometuchen.org

Virtual Book Study for Women

All ladies are invited to join in a study of “Listening for God in Everyday Life,” by Joseph D. White, Ph.D. The group will meet each Sunday at 2:30 p.m. on Zoom. For details or to join, please contact Cristina D’Averso-Collins, Director of Family Life, at cdaverso@diometuchen.org

“The Chosen” Study Series

All young adult engaged and married couples are invited to join in a virtual study series based on the hit series, “The Chosen.” A different episode will be discussed each meeting and virtual watch parties will be planned sporadically. Meetings take place every other Monday evening at 7p.m. on Zoom. For details or to join, please contact Cristina D’AversoCollins at cdaverso@diometuchen.org.

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Piano Concert

RCIA Webinars

The diocesan Office of RCIA is offering online webinars on the various stages of RCIA. The schedule of talks include: Catechumenate Period, January 10 facilitated by Sara Sharlow, Director of RCIA, Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. Purification and Enlightenment, February 7, facilitated by JoLynn Krempecki, Director of RCIA, Nativity of Our Lord, Monroe. The Triduum, March 7 facilitated by Sara Sharlow; The Mystagogy Period, March 28, facilitated by Russ and Janet Baker, RCIA Team, Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi. Each of these talks are begin at 7 pm. To receive the zoom link, register at https://diometuchen.org/rcia.

Surviving Divorce

Surviving Divorce is a 12-week program beginning March 2, for men and women seeking healing from separation or divorce. For information contact Ro Bersch at 908-313-5947.

Blue Rosary Guild

The Office of Family Life is pleased to announce the creation of the Blue Rosary Guild. The purpose of the Guild is for community members of all ages to make pocket Rosaries for law enforcement officers, providing them with support and spiritual strength and promoting devotion to the Rosary among all the faithful. All materials and instructions will be provided and a Zoom virtual tutorial will also be scheduled. Anyone interested should contact Cristina D’Averso-Collins, Director of the Office of Family Life at cdaverso@diometuchen.org.

Crossword Puzzle Answers:

perform works by Mozart, Schubert/Liszt, William Grant Still, Margaret Bonds, and the 24 Preludes of Alexander Scriabin. No tickets are required, but a $20 donation is suggested. For further info, see https://stfranciscathedral.org or email Music@ StFrancisCathedral.org.

Being Catholic in today’s world • The teachings of the Church

SELLING YOUR HOME?

Willing to buy your home or townhouse in as-is condition. Quick 30 day cash closing. I’m a Licensed realtor in the State of NJ. Eugene “George” Pantozzi 908-392-2677 (call or text) georgepantozzi@hotmail.com

WINDOW & DOOR SCREEN REPAIRS

Installation of Fiberglass screens for your doors and windows. Pick-up and drop off services available. George & Sons: (908) 392-2677

FREELANCE WRITERS

The Catholic Spirit, official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, is seeking freelance reporters to cover events and programs in the counties of the diocese: Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren. E-mail resume and writing samples to: news@catholicspirit.com.

(Mark 10:21)

If you think maybe… Contact the Office of Vocations (732) 562-2453 or e-mail: vocations@diometuchen.org

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - GRAPHIC DESIGNER

The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, seeks a Graphic Designer to assist with the layout and design of its publication. The ideal candidate will have Adobe InDesign and Photoshop experience in a PC environment, be familiar with all aspects of electronic publishing, be well-organized and reliable, and have a proven track record of meeting deadlines. Interested candidates should forward their resume to hr@diometuchen.org.

ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE

The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, seeks an Advertising Sales Representative to assist with the sale of advertising space. The ideal candidate will be responsible for initiating, developing, and closing sales of print media advertising in The Catholic Spirit by creating and building effective client relationships with area businesses and organizations. Interested candidates should forward their resume to hr@diometuchen.org.

SEARCHING FOR NEW CHOIR DIRECTOR

St. Lawrence Parish, 345 Elmwood Lane, Riegelsville, PA is searching for a new Choir Director. Please see a more complete job description on our website. 610-749-2684 / saintlawrence@verizon.net / saint-lawrence-church.org

We are a small parish located in Upper Bucks County, 8 miles south of Easton, PA

“Come, follow me.”

Is God calling you to serve as a priest, religious sister or brother?

Mission of St. Ambrose

and reflective life-long learners,

and achievements are rooted in a foundation of Catholic doctrine, social self-awareness, and engaging academic experiences. The students of St. Ambrose are inspired to be dynamic members of our community supporting each other while embracing the challenges of today with a positive and assured mindset.

Little Scholars: (Pre-K3 - Kindergarten)

• Dedicated teachers ignite a passion for exploration and life-long learning through the use of differentiated centers, STEM, and project-based activities.

• Acknowledge academic/social readiness and provide support in personalized goal-setting.

• Students develop social independence, scholastic confidence, and positive relationships.

• Participate in active learning centers and small-group instruction, to cultivate healthy social interactions through collaborative play.

• Utilize our multimodal reading readiness program to instill listening, speaking, and spelling proficiency.

• Weekly “special” classes include Art, Library, Computers, Physical Education, Music, and World Language.