October 19, 2023

Spirit atholic C Mental illness awareness & resources • 8

THE

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

OCTOBER 19, 2023 • VOL. 28 NO. 9

Samantha Lasluisa, left, and Bridget Caluna, dancers from St. Joseph Parish, New Brunswick, are the image of the joy that filled the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, Sept. 15, for the celebration of the Hispanic Heritage Mass: a day of devotion, pride, families, fellowship and dancing.

Bishop James F. Checchio served as principal celebrant for the Mass which filled the Cathedral to capacity.

Story and photos on pgs 4-5.

— Gerald Wutkowski, Jr. photo

INSIDE Perspectives

3

Eucharistic Revival

6-7

Our Faith

12

Movie Review

42

Diocesan Events

43

Mission Sunday

“Hearts on fire, feet on the move.”

21-24

2 UP FRONT

Bishop embraces life chains, life centers and life-giving prayer

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

OCTOBER 19, 2023

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

This year during the month of October we celebrate the 50th Respect Life Month! Here in our Diocese, we opened the month with seven life chains in different towns where many lined the streets giving witness to the sanctity of life. I was able to participate in the life chain in Somerville. There I met and gave witness to life with wonderful parishioners from Somerville, Raritan, Bridgewater, Hillsborough and other towns in the area.

There were students from Immaculata High School, too. The dedication of all the good people in life chains was certainly inspiring.

A few days before the life chains, I was able to join in a clergy evening at the Life Choices Resource Center in Metuchen. Gratefully, Life Choices is one of several such centers we have in our Diocese which support mothers, fathers and families in need, promoting the value of life and defending it. At the centers they believe with all their heart that every single life is a precious gift from God, so they work hard to support the babies in the womb as well as the mothers who are carrying them. Since 1985 they have graciously helped thousands of women choose life for their babies by providing them with practical, emotional, spiritual and material support. I am very grateful that so many of our parishes help to support these centers, especially through the Baby Bottle Blessings Campaigns and through prayer! Thank you!

Of course, creating a culture of life is challenging in our day, as there are so many things that challenge us. There is the mental health crisis, especially amongst our youth following the pandemic, the

opioid crisis, and the assisted suicide initiatives pressuring our elderly, sick and disabled, which indicates to those suffering that their lives are not worth much anymore. We believe that every life is a gift from God and is precious and should be respected as the wonderful gift from God that it is.

Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington serves as the chairman of Pro-Life Activities for the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. To mark this 50th anniversary of Respect Life Month, he has issued a statement titled, “Living Radical Solidarity” - (https://www.usccb.org/resources/rlp-23-RLM-Statement. pdf). It is worth reading and is only two pages. In his statement, Bishop Burbidge urges radical solidarity to accompany pregnant women or women dealing with difficult circumstances who are in vulnerable situations as they raise their children. Living radical solidarity demonstrates our care for them and respects God’s plan for human life!

October is also a Marian month and we celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7. It is a month when we turn to Mary more often in prayer, using her Rosary. I pray the Rosary every day, having had the example of so many in my family and schools growing up who did so. I don’t know what I would do without the Blessed Mother in my life, and I don’t remember a time when she was not a constant friend and intercessor for me. She always brings calm into my life when I meditate on the mystery of her life, and that of Jesus, as well. I urge you to do so, too. Pope Francis says that “when we knock on Mary’s door, Jesus always answers.” Indeed, our Lord must always answer His dear Mother’s prayers, so I often give to her many of my prayer intentions.

Mary’s help is needed now in so many ways. We pray for the troubled spots in the world where in many places, especially the Ukraine and now the Holy Land, life is not respected due to the

Catholic Spirit THE

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

Serving the Catholic community in Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties

The Catholic Spirit P.O. Box 191 • Metuchen, NJ 08840 PHONE: (732) 529-7934 • FAX: (732) 562-0969 PUBLISHER Bishop James F. Checchio ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Adam J. Carlisle EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mary Morrell 732-529-7985, ext2458

MANAGING EDITOR Father Glenn J. Comandini, STD (732) 562-2461 ADVISOR Joanne Ward

BUSINESS MANAGER Mary Gregory • (732) 529-7934

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Peter Nguyen • (732) 529-7956

e-Mail: news@catholicspirit.com The acceptance of advertising by The Catholic Spirit for print or online publication, does not constitute an endorsement of any product or service. The Catholic Spirit reserves the right to reject any advertising it considers objectionable.

The Catholic Spirit is a member of the Catholic Press Association and the New Jersey Catholic Advertising Network The Catholic Spirit (U.S.P.S.#14-804) is published monthly by the Roman Catholic Church, Diocese of Metuchen, 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Subscription price is $30 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Bellmawr, NJ and additional mailing office.

POSTMASTER: Send change of address notice to The Catholic Spirit, 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854.

ravages of war and aggression. We need Mary’s intercession to help us create a culture which respects life from conception until natural death and all the stages in between, particularly where vulnerable people need our help. Our Diocese is under her patronage, as the Queenship of Mary, and we have consecrated the Diocese to her as Our Lady of Guadalupe. How our Blessed Mother desires us to draw closer to her, so she can lead us into deeper union with her dear Son. May this month do just that. I urge you to join in praying the Rosary and turning anew

to her! You won’t regret it.

Know of my gratitude, love and prayers for you and your loved ones and know that you are included in my intentions during my daily Rosary! God bless you all.

Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA Bishop of Metuchen

Pregnancy Resources Care Net Pregnancy Resources of Warren County 326 Washington Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 908-684-3099 Talk or Text 908-409-1920 options4women.com info@options4women.com The Center for Great Expectations (Pregnancy/Addiction Help) 19 Dellwood Lane, Somerset, NJ 08873 732-247-7003, Toll Free 855-467-3548 www.cge-nj.org info@cge-nj.org First Choice Women’s Resource Center 116 New Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 908-561-0079 www.1stChoice.org Mail@1stChoice.org Friendship Center For New Beginnings 168 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822 Phone: 908-806-4444, 800-396-4357 www.friendship-center.org Jeannie@friendship-center.org Inspire Family Life Center 51 Mt. Bethel Road, Warren, NJ 07059 908-615-9008, InspireFamilyLifeCenter.com Info@InspireFamilyLifeCenter.com

Life Choices, Inc. 411 S Main St., Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 908-454-2066 158 S Main St., Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 908-387-0020 Mobile Unit 732-742-8005, lifechoicesonline.org St Anne’s Center 139 Roseberry St., Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 908-386-2066, www.grandmashouse.us Life Choices Resource Center 503 Main Street, Metuchen, NJ 08840 732-516-0911, www.lifechoicesrc.com LifeChoices@Optonline.net Pregnancy Aid & Information Center 59 Thompson Street, Raritan, NJ 08869 908-526-8121 www.pregnancyaidcenter.wixsite.com/raritan pregnancyaid@verizon.net Catholic Charities – Maternity & Adoption 319 Maple Street, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861 732-324-8200

A Call to Pray for Peace “Our hearts are heavy with profound concern and sorrow. Our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land and throughout Israel now endure unimaginable suffering in the aftermath of recent attacks. As our hearts move to respond, we join in a response of prayer, asking our Almighty Father for the safety and restoration of peace in this sacred land.

Just recently, through the kind invitation of Rabbi Philip N. Bazeley of Anshe Memorial Temple in New Brunswick, I had the honor of joining with our Jewish brothers and sisters alongside other religious and civic representatives from our local communities to mark the celebration of Sukkot. Together, we ascended to their rooftop to partake in a luncheon, prayer and fellowship. In a moment of shared faith and solidarity, we were acutely aware of the profound significance of how our God unites us all as children of the Father of Abraham.

Let’s not forget the enduring strength and compassion of our Blessed Mother, Mary, the Mother of God. Today, we call upon her to intercede and place her protective mantle over the Holy Land and promote peace.

May our Heavenly Father grant us all a path toward unity, reconciliation, and enduring peace and justice throughout the world.

Our Lady of Peace, pray for us.”

in emergency situations.

As a theologian, however, I would like to provide some insights on why we should seek out Reconciliation as God’s Vehicle of Mercy. If we look at St. Paul’s letters, we immediately sense that the reconciliation of which he speaks and which Christ effects for us through the Cross and Resurrection refers to the Sacrament of

Well, the problem with this answer is how can we know if we have perfect sorrow for our sins out of our love of God? St. Robert Bellarmine took up this question in the 16th century. He said that we cannot have moral certitude about being in grace.

Therefore, we cannot be sure that we have perfect contrition, which is indeed a grace.

Instead, we can only have conjectural certitude, which is to say, we hope that we are or are not in the state of sin. Through individual confession and absolution, we enter the confessional perhaps somewhat doubtful of the gravity of our sins, but we confess whatever comes to mind, regardless of whether they seem mortal or venial to us. We enter the Confessional in quest of God’s Vehicle of Mercy. There, we lay bare our sins. We hear counsel from the priest who is acting in Persona Christi.

Having received a penance and absolution, we leave the Sacrament confident of Christ’s forgiveness. Please God, having viewed Reconciliation from the perspective of the Deposit of Faith, from magisterial teaching and praxis and, as a Catholic priest, it is my hope that you will all avail yourselves of this gift, the Sacrament of Reconciliation: God’s Vehicle of Mercy.

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

PERSPECTIVES

What about cases where general confession and absolution are offered in parishes? Are they valid? Yes, without a doubt, these confessions affect what they signify - provided those who are in mortal sin go to individual confession shortly after the time of general absolution. Is the sacrament of reconciliation using the third rite fruitful? Yes it is, provided the person who attends is at least attrite upon arrival and contrite upon leaving - satisfying his collective penance and confessing his or her mortal sins, if any, as soon as possible.

However, there is more to a sacrament than validity and fruitfulness, there is the whole question of liceity, that is, the lawfulness of what is being done. It is the bishop’s privilege to decide what is best for the spiritual welfare of his diocese. It is the decision of our Bishop that general confession and absolution not be administered in the Diocese of Metuchen, except

Baptism. No scholar disputes this. Paul also instructs the faithful that Christ is Head of the Church, which is his Body.

Whatever offends the Head, therefore, offends the Body. Well, this is quite a theological statement. To the question, why can’t I confess my sins directly to God without a priest, one answer is the preceding conclusion. We need to be reconciled not only with our God but with our faith community which we also offended by our sins. After all, through Baptism, we made vows of fidelity to creeds and moral codes of that community. So, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are restored to communion with God and his Church.

St. Thomas Aquinas provides us with a very pastoral response to reconciliation. He says that if we love someone, we want to do that which our beloved desires of us. Christ instituted the sacrament of Reconciliation. It is his will that we should be reconciled to the Father and the Church through this channel of grace.

It follows then that we should cooperate with Christ’s will. St. Thomas Aquinas, in response to the dispute of whether one can be reconciled to God without sacramental confession, answer “yes,” provided one has “perfect contrition.”

3

History of the Sacrament of Reconciliation: Part 3

Graduation is the moment we begin to live what we have learned from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’”

They are blessed because they have fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick and imprisoned. They have practiced love to those in need. That is what we are here on this earth to learn: how to put into practice the love that is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

Does everybody graduate? Everybody passes through death, and everybody will practice what they choose to learn in this life. Those who refused to love others will practice that refusal in

unending emptiness. Those who choose to try to love in this life will find themselves sharing love with all their fellow learners. Together they will live the limitless love that is God and together they will all live his love throughout the timeless expanse of glory.

The limits of this life form the scaffolding for our learning experience. Scaffolding is meant to be removed. That is what happens when we die: A little time, a little space Are lent to me to grow in grace.

When finally, I’ve learned to love Both space and time will be removed.

Sister Gabriela of the Incarnation is a member of the Discalced Carmelites order in Flemington. Learn more at www. flemingtoncarmel.org.

How to report abuse

OCTOBER 19, 2023

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).

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

It has been nearly a year since my friend Elizabeth died. Elizabeth and I were friends all our lives. You could even say that we were friends before we were born because our mothers were friends before they married our fathers. Elizabeth’s mother was Russian Orthodox, and her father was Episcopalian. This made for an ecumenical richness in the bond that linked our two families.

Elizabeth’s brother, Alexander, married Sharon, who is a former officer in the Salvation Army. They shared with me one of their experiences that became for me a favorite ecumenical story: Sharon was called to attend a Salvation Army meeting held in Alaska, and Alexander went with her for the trip. Because of its closeness to Russia, there is a strong Russian Orthodox presence in Alaska, and Alexander, with his Russian Orthodox roots, visited the local Russian Orthodox church.

The trip took place in the spring, and in talking with an official at the church, Alexander learned that there was an important interdenominational event planned

to take place for the Blessing of the Fishing Fleet. The official mentioned that they were looking for volunteers to strengthen the choir, and Alexander, who says he can’t carry a tune in a bucket, volunteered Sharon, who has a lovely alto voice.

Sharon agreed, and when the liturgy took place, there, among the various singers in their choir robes, stood Sharon wearing her Salvation Army uniform. It caused quite a sensation!

This ecumenical richness was shown when Alexander, Sharon and I met and talked about Elizabeth’s death. Sharon told me that in the Salvation Army they refer to death as a “Promotion to Glory.”

I said that is like my own idea of death as “graduation.”

Graduation is the moment when all that I have tried to learn is confirmed and I am given the go-ahead to put it into practice. Graduation is a time of joy, of relief and anticipation as I move forward into fully living what I have studied.

How can the word “graduation” be applied to death? As Christians, we are disciples, disciples of Jesus, and the word “disciple” means “learner,” so we are all in the process of learning something.

What we are called to learn is described in the Gospel for the Solemnity of Christ the King: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.

All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one

4 SPECIAL FEATURE 1

By Adriana Molina Guillen Correspondent

OCTOBER 19, 2023

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

O

n the evening of Sept. 15, the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, a kneeling congregation that filled the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, was led in reverent prayer of the Rosary by Contracorriente, the youth group from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, New Brunswick, to prepare for the Diocesan Hispanic Mass.

Bishop James F. Checchio served as principal celebrant for the Mass which began with the traditional procession of parish banners carried by parish representatives. Father Jonathan Toborowsky, vicar general, and Father Timothy Christy, Cathedral rector, were among the many concelebrants.

Father Joseph Illes, parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception Church, Somerville, offered the homily, recalling his own origins as a descendant of immigrants from Eastern Europe and Northern Europe, saying, “I cannot speak of my own Hispanic heritage, but we can reflect on our commonalities, and our participation in the American culture and in our Church. Our celebration of Hispanic Heritage today, underscores the importance of the Hispanic community and culture in our nation and in our Diocese. It celebrates the common heritage of those with Latin American roots and, in doing so, importantly highlights Latin American culture, which is, by and large, a Catholic culture.”

Father Illes spoke about his experience in Somerville, saying, “I have observed many of the virtues of this culture. It values family in its broadest meaning, as many are known as uncles or cousins, more through familiarity than actual blood connection. It values tradition, maintaining a living connection with ancestors through inherited practices, dances, recipes and prayers. It encompasses an active life of faith and devotion, especially to the Blessed Mother whom we honor today with frequent prayer, and long hours of freely given service”.

2

3

Diocesan Hispanic Heritage Mass a powerful experience of

faith,family,culture,and joy Father Illes also highlighted the “multicultural tapestry of New Jersey, where various cultures, including Irish, Polish, German, and Hispanic, have enriched American society while sharing a common Catholic Christian root.”

He stressed that: “our country needs the moral voice of faith, Christ was a transformer of culture, as Christians we have a mission that unites us in our Diocese and in our Nation, that of rescuing our Catholic culture”, especially in a culture that increasingly distances itself from religious values.

The Mass continued with reverence and hymns, accompanied by the charismatic choir during the offertory and throughout the order of the Mass, followed by the procession of Marian Advocations, presented by members representing the 21 Latin-American countries within the Hispanic community.

Deacon Edgar Chaves, director, Office of Hispanic Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry, expressed gratitude to Bishop Checchio for presiding over the Hispanic Heritage Mass, for his dedication to celebrating it in Spanish, and for his unwavering support of the Hispanic community, its initiatives and projects.

“We consider ourselves blessed to have him as our Bishop.” he said. He also thanked Father Toborowsky, and Father Christy, for their presence at the Mass and for being attentive to what is happening with the Hispanic community.

Deacon Chaves encouraged young Hispanics with a vocational calling to consider serving in the Church, either as priests or religious, while urging parents and families to support such calls.

Before imparting the final blessing,

1. Bishop James F. Checchio blesses a young child, one of many at the liturgy along with their families, for the Hispanic Heritage Mass celebrated in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, Sept. 15.

2. St. Joseph Parish, Carteret, was among the many parishes represented in a procession of parish banners. 3. Baskets brought up during the Offertory and presented to Bishop Checchio were filled with non-perishable food for the Cathedral food pantry, donated by the parishes of St. John the Evangelist, Dunellen; Our Lady of Mount Virgin, Middlesex; Immaculate Conception, Somervile, and Sts. Philip and James, Phillipsburg. 4. Members of Hermandad de Emaús (Brotherhood of Emmaus) from the parishes of Most Holy Name of Jesus and St. John Paul II, Perth Amboy, carry 21 images of Our Lady representing the 21 countries of the Hispanic community.

5. Bishop Checchio greets some of the dancers from St. Joseph Parish, North Plainfield, who entertained guests at the reception following the Mass. Guests were also treated to a variety of breads from the different countries of the Hispanic community.

—Gerald Wutkowski, Jr. photos

Bishop Checchio shared his appreciation for celebrating the Hispanic Mass on the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. Quoting Pope Francis, he recalled “the great love that Jesus has for us in His journey to the cross, and how we all gather at the foot of the cross, much like our mother Mary did.” He added, “My love, my prayers, and my gratitude are extended to the entire Hispanic community for their invaluable contributions to our commu-

nities and parishes within our diocese, as well as for their profound love and devotion to Mary.”

Following the Mass, the faithful shared refreshments, music and dancing, as well as an opportunity to gather information about the upcoming courses, events, and conferences organized by the diocesan Hispanic Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry Office.

5 SPECIAL FEATURE

4

5

Misa Diocesana de la Herencia Hispana: una hermosa experiencia de

fe, familia, cultura y alegría

E

n la tarde del 15 de septiembre, el Día de la Memoria de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, el grupo juvenil Contracorriente, de la Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Monte Carmelo de New Brunswick, guiaba en oración reverente del Santo Rosario a la congregación arrodillada ,que llenaba la Catedral de San Francisco de Asís en Metuchen, preparándose para celebrar la Misa Hispana Diocesana.

El Obispo James F. Checchio fue el principal celebrante de la Misa, que comenzó con la procesión tradicional de estandartes

parroquiales llevados por representantes de las parroquias. El Padre Jonathan Toborowsky, Vicario General, y el Padre Timothy Christy, Rector de la Catedral, presentes entre los varios concelebrantes.

El Padre Joseph Illes, vicario parroquial de la Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción en Somerville, ofreció la homilía, recordando sus propios orígenes como descendiente de inmigrantes de Europa del Este y de Europa del Norte, diciendo: “No puedo hablar de mi propia herencia hispana, pero podemos reflexionar sobre nuestras similitudes y nuestra participación

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 19, 2023

en la cultura estadounidense y en nuestra Iglesia. Nuestra celebración de la Herencia Hispana hoy subraya la importancia de la comunidad y la cultura hispana en nuestra nación y en nuestra Diócesis. Celebramos la herencia común de aquellos con raíces latinoamericanas y, al hacerlo, destaca la cultura latinoamericana, que en su mayoría es una cultura católica”.

El Padre Illes habló sobre su experiencia en Somerville, diciendo: “He observado muchas de las virtudes de esta cultura. Valora a la familia en su sentido más amplio, ya que muchos son conocidos como tíos o primos, más por familiaridad que por conexión de sangre real. Valora la tradición, manteniendo una conexión viva con los antepasados a través de prácticas heredadas, bailes, recetas y oraciones. Encompassa una vida activa de fe y devoción, especialmente a la Santísima Madre a quien honramos hoy con oración ferviente y largas horas de servicio libremente dado”.

El Padre Illes también destacó el “tapiz multicultural de Nueva Jersey, donde varias culturas, incluyendo la irlandesa, polaca, alemana e hispana, han enriquecido la sociedad estadounidense mientras comparten una raíz cristiana católica común”.

Por otra parte, enfatizó que: “nuestro país necesita la voz moral de la fe; Cristo fue un transformador de la cultura, como cristianos tenemos una misión que nos une en nuestra Diócesis y en nuestra Nación, la de rescatar nuestra cultura católica”, especialmente en una cultura que cada vez se aleja más de los valores religiosos.

La Misa continuó con reverencia e himnos, acompañados por el coro carismático durante la ofrenda y a lo largo del

orden de la Misa, seguido por la procesión de las Advocaciones Marianas, presentadas por miembros que representaban a los 21 países latinoamericanos dentro de la comunidad hispana.

El Diácono Edgar Chaves, director de la Oficina de Evangelización y Ministerio Pastoral Hispano, expresó su gratitud al Obispo Checchio por presidir la Misa de la Herencia Hispana, por su dedicación a celebrarla en español y por su apoyo inquebrantable a la comunidad hispana, sus iniciativas y proyectos. “Nos consideramos bendecidos de tenerlo como nuestro Obispo”, dijo. También agradeció al Padre Toborowsky, y al Padre Christy, por su presencia en la Misa y por estar atentos a lo que está sucediendo con la comunidad hispana.

El Diácono Chaves alentó a los jóvenes hispanos con inquietudes vocacionales a considerar servir en la Iglesia, ya sea como sacerdotes o religiosos, al tiempo que instaba a los padres y familias que apoyen tales llamados.

Antes de impartir la bendición final, el Obispo Checchio compartió su aprecio por celebrar la Misa Hispana en el Día de la Memoria de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores. Citando al Papa Francisco, recordó “el gran amor que Jesús tiene por nosotros en su camino hacia la cruz y cómo todos nos reunimos al pie de la cruz, como lo hizo nuestra madre María”.

Agregó: “Mi amor, mis oraciones y mi gratitud se extienden a toda la comunidad hispana por sus invaluables contribuciones a nuestras comunidades y parroquias dentro de nuestra diócesis, así como por su profundo amor y devoción a María”.

Al finalizar la Misa, los fieles compartieron refrigerios, música y bailes, así como la oportunidad de obtener información sobre los próximos cursos, eventos y conferencias organizadas por la Oficina de Evangelización y Ministerio Pastoral Hispano de la diócesis.

6 EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL

REAL PRESENCE

Devotion to Mary nurtures devotion to Holy Eucharist

By Father Matthew Marinelli Special Contributor On May 30, 1862, Saint John Bosco, the founder of the Salesian Order, had a prophetic dream. In it, he describes seeing a naval battle, with numerous enemy ships in battle formation armed with cannons, bombs and firearms of all sorts, headed towards one great ship with the desire to destroy and set it aflame.

This great ship is the Church and the Pope who mans the helm is attempting to drive his ship in between two columns.

Above one column is an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On the other is the Holy Eucharist.

As the Pope guides this great ship through the two columns, the enemy fleet pursues the great ship. In so doing, they panic, collide with one another, and are defeated.

St. John Bosco ends his account of this dream with these words: “Very grave trials await the Church … The enemies of the Church are symbolized by the ships which strive their utmost to sink the flagship. Only two things can save us in such a grave hour: devotion to Mary and frequent Communion. Let us do our very best to use these two means and have others use them everywhere.”

In this month of the Holy Rosary and amid this National Eucharistic Revival, we need to cling to these two spiritual weapons for the salvation of our soul and our neighbor’s: devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and frequent reception of Holy Communion.

When we receive Our Lord in Holy

Communion, Christ dwells within our hearts in a tangible, substantial way. This is why the Church has always encouraged offering a prayer of Thanksgiving after receiving Holy Communion. In these few moments, we have the privilege of speaking to Christ, tangibly and substantially dwelling within us. St. Magdalen de Pazzi wrote, “The minutes that follow Communion are the most precious we have in our lives.”

Mary was the first disciple to have

Christ dwell within her in a tangible, substantial way as Our Lord developed within her womb. Mary understands how precious these moments are and thus she is a trusting guide for us, to lead us to understand more deeply how truly blessed we are to have the gift of receiving Our Lord in Holy Communion.

St. Louis de Montfort wrote in his classic “True Devotion to Mary,” the following: “Now since Mary is the most conformed of all creatures to Jesus

Christ, it follows that, of all devotions, that which most consecrates and conforms the soul to Our Lord is devotion to his holy Mother, and that the more a soul is consecrated to Mary, the more it is consecrated to Jesus.”

If devotion to Mary consecrates and conforms the soul to Jesus Christ, then devotion to Mary consecrates and conforms the soul to the Holy Eucharist.

During this National Eucharistic Revival, where we desire to grow in greater devotion and love for our Eucharistic Lord and where we desire to inspire our brothers and sisters to encounter Our Lord Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist, it is imperative that we do not forget devotion to Our Blessed Mother.

Rather, as we grow in greater devotion to Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist, we must grow in greater devotion to Our Blessed Mother.

She is the one who “contemplated the mysteries of the Lord in her heart” (see Luke 2:51). She is the one who believed in faith the message of the Angel, and she is the one who first received our Lord tangibly and substantially in the Incarnation.

Devotion to Our Lady, coupled with devotion to the Holy Eucharist, is what will lead us out of this time of darkness and disbelief in the Real Presence.

May Our Lady increase our faith in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist as we continue our National Eucharistic Revival.

Father Matthew Marinelli serves as parochial vicar in St. Magdalene de Pazzi Parish, Flemington.

For doctoral student, ‘Mass of the Americas’ expresses joy in Eucharist

OCTOBER 19, 2023

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

By Jim Davis, OSV News MIAMI (OSV News) – Many people post selfies from glamorous vacation spots. Richard Carrillo's selfies were with yellowed, centuries-old sheet music. The texts, at archives in Mexico City, touched him at two of his deepest levels.

Going back to the 16th and 17th centuries, they're the first-known compositions in the language of his Aztec ancestors – and they're Catholic songs and prayers. "Those are my roots! This is where it all started!" Carrillo said gleefully at St. John Neumann Church, where he directs the choir.

He's doing more than posting pictures; he's organizing a Mass that blends Aztec and European heritages. The "Mass of the Americas," by composer Frank La Rocca, will have its Miami premiere the evening of Oct. 3 at Epiphany Church.

The "Mass of the Americas" earns its name well. It's a double tribute to Mary: both as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the United States,

and as Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of Mexico and all the Americas.

First performed in 2018, the Mass blends classical music with traditional Mexican music – plus lyrics in Latin with some in Nahuatl, the indigenous language of the Aztec tribe.

Carrillo plans to gather a 15-piece orchestra with 150 singers from St. Thomas University, the University of Miami and parishes around the archdiocese.

But it will be a real worship service, with Father José Alvarez, pastor at Epiphany, as the celebrant.

That's important to Carrillo, who will produce the Mass as part of a doctoral thesis for the University of Miami.

"To me, it's about blending a faith experience with a music experience," he said.

"If music helps me express my joy in the Eucharist, why not share it?"

Carrillo said he hopes the more modern, diverse treatment of worship in "Mass of the Americas" will draw younger people. He says many people have given up the search for two of the

three classical "transcendental" values – truth, goodness and beauty – meant to draw them to the divine.

"They believe truth is relative, and people don't know what goodness is any-

more," Carrillo said sadly. "Beauty is the only one that most people still recognize.

I want to bring the beauty of music to draw people closer to God, and closer to the Mass."

Richard Carrillo poses Aug. 9, 2023, in front of the altar in the chapel of St. John Neumann Church, Miami, where he directs the choir.

He's organizing a Mass that blends Aztec and European heritages, "Mass of the Americas,"

by Los Angeles composer Frank La Rocca, and it had its Miami premiere the evening of Oct. 3 at Epiphany Church, also in Miami.

— OSV News photo/ sJim Davis, Florida Catholic

(OSV News) – When the parish of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Thomaston, Ill., experienced the multiplication of hosts during a March 5 Mass in St. Thomas Church, the event was reported to the Holy See’s Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith for investigation as a potential Eucharistic miracle.

If authenticated, it would join about 100 Church-recognized Eucharistic miracles, including a miracle in rural Honduras approved in July by Bishop Walter Guillén Soto of Gracias. Four others have been recognized in the 21st century, according to the California-based Magis Center, which aims to connect faith and science.

While some recognized Eucharistic miracles involve circumstances like multiplication, others involve the Eucharistic host taking on characteristics of blood or flesh. Within the last 10 years, three such miracles - two in Poland and one in Mexico - have been recognized by bishops overseeing the dioceses where they occurred.

Studying the Miraculous

the body, is growing out of the substance of the host, integrated with the consecrated host on the level of the thin filaments of the myofibrils, a few microns of separation," he told OSV News. "This is unbelievable. This is naturalistically, scientifically inexplicable."

Dr. Scott French, an emergency medicine physician, is on the Magis Center's board of advisers and presents on the science behind the recognized 21st-century Eucharistic miracles. He said those miracles show heart tissue and the presence of white blood cells, which do not ordinarily live outside of the body beyond 30 minutes. Addition-

Freshly baked and cut altar bread is waiting to be sorted in the bakery at the Monastery of St. Clare in Langhorne, Pa., July 21, 2021. The monastery produces up to 3 million altar breads a year, selling what may eventually become consecrated hosts to parishes throughout Pennsylvania and other parts of the U.S. —(OSV

News photo/Chaz Muth, CNS)

occurred in the eighth century, where during Mass the consecrated body and blood of Christ became visibly flesh and blood. Both miracles have undergone scientific analysis, with results reportedly indicating the substance included human heart tissue.

Notably, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, the future Pope Francis, as archbishop of Buenos Aires initiated the investigation of the 1996 miracle, and reportedly said of it, "The Lord passed and left his mark."

Inspiration to Faith

Documenting Miracles O'Neill is in the midst of a documentary project with interviews of experts and scientists who have studied the miracles at Lanciano, Buenos Aires,

OCTOBER 19, 2023

Eucharistic miracles, especially those that have been scientifically studied, may inspire or bolster faith in people who need "a little bit of empirical verification" for the Real Presence, said Jesuit Father Robert Spitzer, president of the Magis Center, which includes information about Eucharistic miracles among popular topics on its website.

Father Spitzer said that "good lab tests" on alleged Eucharistic miracles can help "convince a skeptical generation that's scientifically clued-in" – particularly young people – that the Eucharist is truly Jesus' body and blood. He said that kind of evidence is available in the lab reports from the miracles at Buenos Aires, Tixtla and Sokolka.

"If you put together all the scientific data from those reports ... it really forms a strong preponderance of evidence for authenticity – that human heart tissue from the region of the upper left ventricle, which pumps blood to the rest of

ally, all scientifically studied Eucharistic miracles indicate the presence of the rare AB blood group, the same blood group found on the Shroud of Turin, he said.

In some cases, scientific queries have shown that visible changes to a consecrated host are natural. In 2011 in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and in 2015 in the Diocese of Salt Lake City, biological analyses of consecrated hosts with red staining determined the cause to be fungus, which some skeptics say could be the cause of other alleged Eucharistic miracles.

Michael O'Neill – known as "The Miracle Hunter," with a show by the same name on EWTN – said that when an alleged miracle occurs, the diocesan bishop may choose whether to investigate it, and following an investigation, whether to approve the event as a miracle worthy of belief.

"In a lot of cases, miracles are complicated, in that they leave room for faith, where we must put in some faith to really believe a miracle is happening," he told OSV News. "But when it comes to miracles that are the most scientifically testable, or provable, Eucharistic miracles are remarkable and unique, because we can see a true miracle really happening, as provable by science."

Tixtla, Sokolka and Legnica. He said the project has special relevance for the National Eucharistic Revival, an initiative of the U.S. bishops underway to inspire greater understanding of and reverence for the Real Presence.

The documentary – and O'Neill's accompanying book – are expected to be available ahead of the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress, the pinnacle of the three-year revival.

While Eucharistic miracles have been getting more attention through the revival, including through the International Eucharistic Miracles of the World exhibit, a traveling exhibit of Eucharistic miracles initially cataloged online by Blessed Carlo Acutis, they fall under the category of private revelation, and Catholics are not required to believe in them, O'Neill said.

He emphasized that the most important miracle is the miracle of transubstantiation that occurs at every Mass – the bread and wine becoming Jesus Christ in his body and blood, soul and divinity.

"That is the true miracle and that's what Catholics are to believe – that's a dogma of our faith," O'Neill said. "When it comes to Eucharistic miracles, we might say it's a miracle on top of a miracle. It's just a little bit of a bonus that God gives us, perhaps, to help our faith, because it is the hardest of all Catholic beliefs – that God, in all his power and might, would humble himself and make himself present to us in something that can be eaten."

However, Stacy Trasancos, a Catholic with a doctorate in chemistry, cautions people from basing their faith solely in these miracles. In the 2021 book "Behold It is I: Scripture, Tradition, and Science on the Real Presence" that Trasancos co-wrote with Father George Elliott of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, she examined the lab reports from analyses of the miracles at Lanciano and Buenos Aires, and she said their results were less conclusive than reported.

"We're Catholics and we're after the truth," Trasancos told OSV News. "We don't have to make exaggerations. We don't have to be ambiguous about the scientific data. We don't have to be afraid of what the science might reveal."

If the Church wants to promote the scientific basis for accepting Eucharistic miracles, Trasancos advises the miracles be restudied with the same rigorous standards of proof and that scientists devise a standard set of procedures for the study of future reported miracles. If the results show that there are natural, not supernatural, explanations for the alleged miracles, she said, it should not shake anyone's faith.

"We don't really need these miracles to be true in order for us to believe in the Real Presence," she said. "Our faith in the real presence ought to be primarily based on our faith in Jesus Christ."

Maria Wiering is senior writer for OSV News.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

In 2006 in Tixtla, Mexico, a religious sister was distributing Communion at a retreat when a host she was holding appeared to begin to bleed. The host was given to a team of scientists to study, and their analysis reportedly found the reddish substance "corresponds to blood in which there are hemoglobin and DNA of human origin."

Two years later, in Sokolka, Poland, a consecrated host the priest dropped during Communion was placed in water to dissolve, according to standard practice, and it was locked in a safe in the sacristy. A week later, the sacristan, a religious sister, checked on the host, which she discovered to have a red stain on it.

The host was removed from the water and as it dried, the stain ultimately appeared to look more like a wound. It was studied and found to include myocardial, or heart, tissue that was inexplicably interwoven with the bread fibers.

In July, Honduran Bishop Soto confirmed an alleged miracle that occurred in a small rural parish with no resident priest. In June 2022, an extraordinary minister of holy Communion opened the parish's tabernacle to remove the wooden ciborium containing the Eucharist and discovered dark stains on the corporal, a liturgical linen, wrapped around it.

The cloth was studied in October 2022 by a toxicology center in Tegucigalpa, and according to the news agency ACI Prensa, tests ruled out wood resin, animal blood or pigment, and it was also found to be free of mold, fungus or contamination. Instead, the stain was determined to be human blood of AB blood type with a positive Rh factor.

According to ACI Prensa, "the scientific evidence and the notarized oaths of the

witnesses were collected and sent to the Vatican for further investigation" at the request of apostolic nuncio in Honduras, Archbishop Gábor Pintér.

"God loves the marginal, the hidden, the simple. In an obscure village, without any social relevance, far from the urban area, the Lord chooses to manifest himself," Bishop Soto told ACI Prensa.

Eucharistic miracle experts also frequently point to two other alleged miracles – one in Buenos Aires in 1996, where a desecrated host left in water in the tabernacle to decompose reportedly turned to bloody tissue, and the much older miracle at Lanciano, Italy, which

EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL

By Maria Wiering, OSV News

7

Eucharistic miracle science should not distract from faith, say experts

8 STEPPING FORWARD IN CHARITY

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, offers hope during Mental Illness Awareness Week The Diocese of Metuchen released the following notification 10/2/23.

PERTH AMBOY – During Mental Illness Awareness Week, Oct. 1- Oct. 7, a dedicated time to spotlight the profound impact of mental health on individuals and communities, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, one of the largest nonprofit social service providers in New Jersey, offers hope and unwavering support for those in need.

Established by Congress in 1990, Mental Illness Awareness Week serves as a poignant reminder for understanding, empathy, and support in the face of mental illness.

For countless individuals facing mental health crises, Catholic Charities represents a lifeline – a place to turn when they have nowhere else to go – remaining steadfast in its mission to provide comprehensive, compassionate, and accessible care to all, and recognizing the overwhelming financial burden that can deter individuals from seeking essential mental health services.

“At Catholic Charities, we deeply understand the immense financial barriers that often deter individuals from seeking essential mental health care. Our mission is to remove those barriers and ensure that everyone, regardless of their walk of life, receives the care they deserve. We are here for the whole person, mind, body, and soul.” shared Julio Coto, LCSW, executive director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen.

“By living our mission by providing short-term, outpatient counseling and treatment to individuals, families, and couples grappling with a wide spectrum of challenges, including depression, anxiety, grief, [and] parenting difficulties, we are here to serve almost every need,” Coto said.

“While the treatment of mental illness has always been a priority for CCDOM, its import has been intensified in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic,” according to Anthony Kearns, CEO and chairman of the board of CCDOM. He added, “Catholic Charities is particularly well suited to confront the crisis of mental illness as it

provides the psychiatric/ psychological infrastructure to treat people with mental illness within the framework of the Catholic faith.”

In addition, statistics have also shown that the COVID-19 pandemic facilitated a significant decline in the mental health of youth, causing the surgeon general to report that the pandemic has had a “devastating” impact on the mental health of America’s young people, and the need to address the situation is “not just medical, it’s moral.”

As Mental Illness Awareness Week unfolds, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, commits to nurturing a compassionate and enlightened community where mental health challenges are met with unwavering empathy, understanding, and effective support.

Luann Dias, Catholic Charities Service Area Director for Somerset County, emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between Mental Health Awareness Month in May and Mental Illness Awareness Week in October.

Dias explains, “Mental Health Awareness Month in May focuses on the importance of mental health in general, often citing mental health statistics and data.” However, she stresses, “Mental Illness Awareness Week places a spotlight on understanding what mental illness looks like and the critical need to recognize its manifestations.”

Statistics indicate that one in five adults experiences mental illness each year.

Similarly, statistics show that one in every six U.S. youth, aged six through 17, experience a mental health disorder each year. For those who believe they, or someone under their care, may be grappling with mental illness and are searching for a compassionate and affordable source of care, Catholic Charities stands ready to offer support in all four counties within its reach. Accessing psychiatric screening services is as simple as contacting the screening centers in your respective county.

Counseling services are readily available throughout the Diocese, serving Warren, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Middlesex counties. For more detailed information regarding the comprehensive services provided by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, please visit www.ccdom.org/counseling.

OCTOBER 19, 2023

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Catholic Charities’ services strive to improve quality of life, mental health Driven by Catholic social teaching, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, provides quality services with dignity and respect to the poor, vulnerable, and all people in need and partners with families and communities to improve the quality of life. For those who live in the counties of Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset and Warren, Catholic Charities offers a variety of services to help those in need to meet mental health challenges. Among those programs, which are determined by county, are:

Counseling and Wellness Services, which include outpatient counseling and treatment to individuals, families, and couples who may be impacted by depression, anxiety, the loss of a loved one, parenting difficulties, child behavior problems and other common life stressors.

their family/living situation, school and/or community environments.

Crisis Intervention-Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) delivers services to youth vulnerable to or experiencing stressors, coping challenges, emotional or behavioral symptoms, difficulties with substance use as a coping strategy or traumatic circumstances that may compromise the youth’s ability to function optimally and thrive within

Intensive Family Support Services, meant to improve the overall functioning and quality of life of families with relatives living with serious mental illness. Family members and professionals work collaboratively to provide each family with knowledge, skills and support, which they identify as useful to a family’s overall functioning and sense of control.

SPIRIT, Supportive Partners in Recovery and Treatment, which is an intensive outpatient program that provides individualized acute outpatient mental health care.

Last year, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen served 51,000 people in the Diocesan counties of Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren through more than 100 programs. Not all programs are available in all counties. For more information on services and what’s available in each county visit https://www.ccdom.org.

988

Anyone in the United States experiencing a mental health crisis can text or dial 988, the new National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The 988 number was established to address the growing suicide and mental health-related crisis care needs in the U.S., according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

9 OUR DIOCESE

Flemington Carmel marks feast with blessing of roses

By Deacon Patrick Cline Correspondent

image the nun said that St. Thérèse while lying in her sick bed would often pluck off rose petals and cover the Crucifix with them, symbolizing sufferings and trials. “In her ‘littleness’ she magnifies the Lord,” he concluded.

A period of silence followed, allowing for reflection and meditation before the Blessed Sacrament. Bishop Checchio then led a Novena prayer and offered a Pontifical Benediction. He then blessed the roses before offering them to each participant as they approached the sanctuary to venerate a relic of St. Thérèse.

This year, as in past years, James Besch donated all the roses, in memory of his mother, Jacqueline, who had a deep devotion to the saint. Carmelite Sister Gabriela of the Incarnation noted the generosity of the gift, professing, “We could never have afforded to buy them all!”

In addition to the roses that surrounded the Saint’s statue, a garland of small pink roses adorned the image. Tra-

ditionally this garland is presented each year to a special friend of the Carmel.

One woman in attendance has been a professed member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites at the Flemington Carmel for 20 years. As lay Catholics, members of the Order promise to strive to live evangelical perfection in the spirit of chastity, poverty, obedience and of the beatitudes. Commenting on the beauty of the Blessing of the Roses and Carmelite spirituality, she said, “I am always amazed when I wear the scapular of our Order at Catholic events how many people are not aware of the Carmelite tradition. I try to spread the knowledge of our Carmel here and the Order in general.”

The Carmel of Flemington is located at 26 Harmony School Road, Flemington, and is open to the public Monday to Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Mass is offered Monday to Saturday at 7 a.m. and at 8 a.m. on Sunday.

— Gerald Wutkowski, Jr. and Rev. Roy Quesea photos

OCTOBER 19, 2023

Scores of religious and faithful gathered for the annual blessing of the roses Oct. 1 in honor of St. Thérèse of Lisieux in Flemington. At top left, Bishop James F. Checchio celebrated the service assisted by Bishop Manuel Cruz, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark.

Center, Father Anthony Sirianni, pastor of St. Helena Parish, Edison, places a monstrance above the tabernacle.

Right, some 50 dozen roses adorned the small Carmel. Bottom, left, Bishop Checchio is joined by Archdiocese of Newark auxiliary Bishops Gregory J. Studerus, left, and Manuel A. Cruz.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Legions of saints who have performed public miracles have enriched the faith of Catholics throughout the ages, but the simple efforts of a young, ailing Carmelite novice intent on living “the little way” continues to enrich followers with spiritual roses to this day.

On Oct. 1, the feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a Doctor of the Church, scores of religious and faithful gathered in the Carmel of Mary Immaculate and St. Mary Magdalen for the annual blessing of the roses in the Flemington convent.

Bishop James F. Checchio was principal celebrant of the service and was assisted by Bishops Manuel Cruz and Gregory Studerus, auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of Newark. They were accompanied by priests from surrounding areas who processed into the small chapel overflowing with 50 dozen roses of all hues while the Discalced Carmelite sisters sang a hymn to the Saint. Father Luke Mary Fletcher, a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, was the homilist.

Bishop Checchio thanked the Carmelite community for “inviting us to share in this great Feast of the Little Flower,” and asked her to pray for all present. The Bishop also thanked those in attendance for participating. The Blessed Sacrament was then exposed on the altar.

Father Luke Mary shared a few reflections on St. Thérèse and devotion to her, noting. she was always the Patron Saint of his family and that his mother died on her feast day in the pre-1969 Roman Calendar, October 3rd.

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus or Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897) died very young at 24 years of age after

living the life of a Carmelite novice for ten years. She felt that she had not accomplished very much in her short life.

Subsequent generations have proven that untrue: her living the “little way” and her writings published after her death began to inspire people from around the world and continue to do so today.

Saint Thérèse has long been associated with flowers, especially roses. She referred to herself as a “little flower in the Garden of the Lord.” As her death from tuberculosis was imminent she is reported to have said that she would spend her time in heaven praying and sending roses down on people below who ask for her help. Many people believe they have been the recipients of her roses, both physical and spiritual.

Father Luke Mary related that even during the lifetime of the saint a contemporary in the convent drew a picture of her holding a Crucifix and surrounded by roses. When asked why she chose that

10 OUR DIOCESE

NBCC informative day a time for inspiration, perspective and planning

Left, Deacon Rick Fortune of the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi leads a Sept.

23 Information Day on this summer’s National Black Catholic Congress at St. Matthias Parish, Somerset. Below, Erin Jones Batchelor of St. Bartholomew Parish, East Brunswick, listens intently to the lively and engaging question and answer period included in the day’s program.

— John Batkowski photos

OCTOBER 19, 2023

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

By Deacon Rick Fortune Special Contributor On Saturday, Sept. 23, the Diocese of Metuchen’s African American, African and Caribbean Apostolate held an “Informative Day” in follow-up to July’s National Black Catholic Congress XIII in Washington D.C. Despite the rains falling upon our area from Tropical Storm Ophelia, 12 women and men from around the Diocese began the gathering with greetings, as they got to know each other and dried off.

After an opening prayer, I felt it was important to go back before we moved forward; to gain inspiration and perspective from the history and intent of the NBCC. We watched two videos - “Servant of God,” Sister Thea Bowman’s 1989 speech to the USCCB, and “Answering The Call To Thrive:The Legacy of the National Black Catholic Congress.”

Sister Thea gave an impassioned testimony about what, in her mind and heart, it means to be Black and Catholic.

The bishops’ reactions are priceless as Sister Thea outlines, in word and song, how Black Catholics are a gift to the Church.

Next, with comments and testimony from clergy and laypersons, the NBCC Legacy video underscored the purpose which I hoped to infuse into whatever efforts and actions we propose for our Diocese … to evangelize and save souls.

I highly recommend watching both videos. They are informative, eye-opening, and inspiring.

Our group then moved on to hearing the personal reflections of our diocesan delegates to the Congress, guided by (three) prompting questions:

1) How would you capture your experience attending the Congress in a few brief sentences?

2) What two or three takeaways would you want to share from your experience and the sessions that you attended?

3) What one recommendation would you make to the Diocese of Metuchen as an action item?

A lively and engaging Q&A session followed with responses and suggestions gathered for further discussion as we prepare to merge our decided initiatives with the five-year pastoral plan suggestions that will be released by the NBCC towards the end of this year.

The National Black Catholic Plan of Action is that all offices of Black Catholic Ministry have been asked to work for the next five years. The document is a shared vision and commitment to various areas of life for Black Catholics including evangelization.

One of the suggestions addressed a clear challenge that we face in our Diocese; to identify, reach out to, and gather the Black Catholics within our Diocese into a community to receive what will come out of these important efforts.

A list of relative resources, links, podcasts and articles was shared with the attendees and sent via email to an evergrowing contact list.

Simultaneously, along with Sister Miriam Perez and our multi-cultural ministries, we will be connecting with nearby dioceses’ Black Catholic and Multi-Cultural Offices for guidance, information sharing and event collaboration.

The personal reflections convinced me that those of us who attended Congress XIII have not lost the excitement that we brought home with us.

The spirit of the “Holy Six” AfricanAmerican Servants Of God and Venerables was certainly felt in our midst.

That morning, as I walked out the door in the rain, something prompted me to stop, go back into my house and take my personal picture of the “Holy Six” and bring it with me.

The picture greeted all who entered and looked over their shoulders as they left.

Venerable Pierre Toussaint, Venerable Henriette Delille, Venerable Augustus Tolton, and Servants of God Mary Lange, Julia Greeley and Thea Bowman - pray for us!

The two mentioned videos, “Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA: What does it mean to be Black and Catholic?” and “Answering The Call To Thrive: The Legacy of the National Black Catholic Congress,” may be viewed on YouTube.

Deacon Rick Fortune serves The Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, and led the diocesan delegation who attended the National Black Catholic Congress XIII.

RESPECT LIFE

Life Choices Resource Center, Metuchen, hosted its First Annual Clergy Wine and Cheese/Meet and Greet night Sept. 22. Bishop James F. Checchio and some two dozen priests, deacons and volunteers gathered at the center’s Main Street offices for refreshments and a tour of the facility located across from the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi.

Elaine Yunker, Life Choices Director of Outreach, explained, “The purpose of the evening was to gather in faith, fellowship and thanksgiving for the life saving support and prayers of all our clergy. Without our clergy speaking openly and honestly to their congregations about God’s Sixth Commandment, ‘Thou Shalt Not Kill’, our center would be rudderless. It is our clergy who steer us in the right direction and keep us focused on the Light of Christ and his sacred creation of new life.”

Now embarking upon its 39th year, Life Choices’ material goods portion of their ministry has grown from serving about five people in need per week to now supporting more than 25. The center is one of the few in the area which offers a full-time, licensed ultrasound technician, thus eliminating long wait times for pregnancy tests and ultrasounds vital to women in crisis situations.

11

Friends for ‘life’

Pictured at top, from left, are Father Roy Quesea, vicechancellor and secretary to the Bishop; Virginia Palmer; Father Pervaiz Indrias, Sacred Heart Parish, South Plainfield; Deacon Bob Gerling, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Milltown; Father Sean Winters, Prison Ministry; Joann Gerling; Elaine Yunker; Nitza Maskati; Deacon Bob Yunker, St. Helena Parish, Edison; Mimi Romeo; Bishop James F. Checchio; Marie Hack; Bernadette Kaiser; Mitzi Hozjan; Christine Riggio; and Deacon Roel Mercado, St. James Parish, Woodbridge.

At bottom, from left, are Joann Gerling; Nitza Maskati; Father Jan Armelson Magcawas, Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen; Father Edward Czarcinski, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Milltown; Brother Steven Bolton, St. Ann Parish, Raritan, Father Edmund Luciano III, Sacred Heart Parish, South Plainfield, and Elaine Yunker.

— Courtesy photos

Respect Life Sunday

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

On , Bishop James F. Checchio, along with parishioners and Immaculata High School students, gathered at Immaculate Conception Parish, Somerville, to give witness to life at the annual Life Chain, a peaceful and prayerful public witness of pro-life individuals standing for 90 minutes praying for the nation and for an end to abortion. Life Chains, at locations across the Diocese, stood as a visual statement of solidarity by participants of all faiths, especially the Christian community, that abortion kills children and that the Church supports the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception until natural death. Since 1987, believers have gathered nationwide on the first Sunday of every October, Respect Life Month, to prayerfully stand for Life. —Frank Wojciechowski photos

OCTOBER 19, 2023

12 OUR FAITH

The Lord’s prayer is the perfect prayer, prayer of the world Article 179 - Catechism of the Catholic Church Series Paragraphs 2759-2772

A woman once wrote me a letter describing the priestly kindness and fatherly care that I demonstrated toward her more than 10 years before when I was serving as her parish priest. She and her fiancé had approached me with a “holy” request – to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony. The woman was in her early 40’s and her boyfriend was in his 20’s when they came seeking marriage preparation. That was not the problem. The problem was that the young man had just gotten out of prison for armed robbery and kept busy spending the hard earned funds of his fiancée while refusing to seek gainful employment for himself. All of these things, coupled with the shabby way this man publicly treated his fiancée, made it clear to me as God’s priest that, in conscience, I could not officiate at their wedding or provide my blessing for them to get married. They left my office that day, screaming and shouting obscenities at me.

I was reminded of this event when reflecting on the very different way in which Jesus was approached by one of his disciples with the “holy” request – “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught

his disciples” (CCC 2759).

Depending on the circumstances, it is not always easy to fulfill the request of another. In response to the disciples’ request, however, Jesus entrusted the familiar words of the “Our Father”. The Catechism tells us: “St. Luke presents a brief text of five petitions, [of the “Our Father”] while St. Matthew gives a more developed version of seven petitions” (CCC 2759). In my case, I was unable to entrust the Sacrament of Matrimony to a couple who were obviously incompatible (one being a giver and the other a taker).

They would evidently be unsuited and otherwise incompatible, too, as custodians of one of Christ’s precious sacraments.

In Christ’s view, the disciples’ request was sincere and they were, in fact, the best custodians of his prayer to the Father. Later, the familiar doxology following the “Our Father” – “for yours are the power and the glory, for ever” (CCC 2760) – originating from an early church document called the Didache, would be added. “The Apostolic Constitutions add[ed] to the beginning: ‘the kingdom’, and this is the formula retained to our day in ecumenical prayer.” (CCC 2760) …

The Catechism tells us further, “The Roman Missal develops the last petition in the explicit perspective of ‘awaiting our blessed hope’ and of the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then comes the assembly’s acclamation or the repetition of the doxology from the Apostolic Constitutions.” (CCC 2760).

The early church writer, Tertullian (155 AD-220 AD), quoted in the Catechism, states that the Lord’s Prayer “is truly the summary of the whole gospel” (CCC 2761). Fourth Century bishop and

theologian, Saint Augustine (354-430), goes as far as to say, when commenting on all 150 acclamation or psalms, “I do not think that you will find anything in them that is not contained and included in the Lord’s Prayer” (CCC 2762).

Much later, in the Thirteenth Century, Dominican priest-theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), quoted in the Catechism, observes: “The Lord’s Prayer is the most perfect of prayers…In it we ask, not only for all the things we can rightly desire, but also in the sequence that they should be desired. This prayer not only teaches us to ask for things, but also in what order we should desire them” (CCC 2763). The Catechism teaches that “the prayer that comes to us from Jesus is truly unique: it is ‘of the Lord’…He is the model of our prayer” (CCC 2765).

When praying the “Our Father”, it would be a mistake for us to assume it is a prayer that we repeat mechanically, even though we pray the “Our Father” repetitively when praying the Holy Rosary. The Catechism explains: “Jesus does not give us a formula to repeat mechanically”…[Rather,] “as in every vocal prayer, it is through the Word of God that the Holy Spirit teaches the children of God to pray to their Father” (CCC 2766).

Jesus, therefore, “gives us the Spirit by whom these words become in us ‘spirit and life’” (CCC 2766).

We are reminded in the Didache that “the first (Christian) communities prayed the Lord’s Prayer three times a day, in place of the Eighteen Benedictions customary in Jewish piety” (CCC 2767). The Catechism goes on to explain that “the Lord’s Prayer is essentially rooted in liturgical prayer”… [which we know because,

Fourth Century Early Church Father Saint John Chrysostom (347-407), observed that Jesus] “did not say ‘my Father’ who art in heaven, but ‘our Father,’ offering petitions for the common Body” (CCC 2768). It is, “in all the liturgical traditions… an integral part of the major hours of the Divine Office” (CCC 2768), which priests, monks and consecrated men and women Religious pray every day.

As well, “the three sacraments of Christian initiation” (CCC 2768) – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist (CCC 2769/2770) – include the “Our Father” in their rituals. The Catechism explains: “In the Eucharistic liturgy the Lord’s Prayer appears as the prayer of the whole Church” (CCC 2770). In addition, when celebrating the Eucharist, “the Lord’s Prayer also reveals the eschatological character of its petitions. It is the proper prayer of ‘the end-time’, the time of salvation that began with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and will be fulfilled with the Lord’s return” at the end of the world (CCC 2771).

Recall how I began this article…A couple requested that I preside at their wedding. Although I was unable to fulfill their request, the woman later tracked me down and wrote an incredible letter of deep gratitude – thanking me for declining their request for marriage! That same woman likely prayed the “Our Father” hundreds, maybe thousands of times. Her grateful heart and ours ought to thank Jesus often for providing the “Our Father” to the disciple who asked, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples?” (Luke 11:1).

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

OCTOBER 19, 2023

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Cultivating the garden of the soul with humility I was first introduced to Harry Emerson Fosdick through a quote: “… real Christians do not carry their religion; their religion carries them. It is not weight, it is wings. It lifts them up, it sees them over hard places. It makes the universe seem friendly, life purposeful, hope real, sacrifice worthwhile. It sets them free from fear, futility, discouragement, and sin – the great enslaver of men’s souls.

You can know a real Christian when you see him, by his buoyancy.”

What a powerful description of our faith, I thought, and what an amazing image, as I remembered watching parish volunteers make 100s of sandwiches, pack them into lunch bags and then into boxes to deliver to those who waited for them at an ecumenical center in town. They power walked throughout the morning, with a spring in their step, propelled upward and forward like Neil Armstrong walking on the moon.

I wanted to know more about this man, who I would discover was an American clergyman, a Baptist minister

who often preached in the Presbyterian Church. He was a proponent of liberal Protestantism, and felt the Christian faith had room for people of many opinions regarding Christian doctrine.

While surely, Harry and I would have disagreed about many things, I was certain I would have enjoyed the conversations and the opportunity to gain his insights on what weighs a Christian down, taking the spring out of his step.

I think we would have been in agreement that one of the greatest impediments to being lifted up by faith is a lack of humility and our tendency toward self-absorption.

In fact, in his influential book in the emerging field of pastoral counseling, “On Being a Real Person,” Fosdick wrote, “At very best, a person wrapped up in himself makes a small package.”

How different is such a person – swaddled in pride and enamored only of his own opinion and enjoyment – from our Lord, a babe swaddled in the simple clothes of humble birth, whose life was

a sacrificial offering of love for each one of us.

At every time of year, the heart of our faith is the humility of the Nativity; God, the creator of all things, born a vulnerable infant into a stable full of animals and the care of a young, inexperienced mother chosen by God. It was this paradoxical love of our Creator that Paul tried to explain to the Corinthians: ‘God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

When St. Teresa of Avila founded the Discalced Carmelite Order, she identified three virtues that must be lived in her communities – love of neighbor, detachment from created things, and humility, with humility being the foundation.

She also stressed that true humility

is not possible without self-knowledge, which we seek when we purposefully examine our own sinfulness in the light of God’s perfection.

In her book, “The Interior Castle,” St. Teresa writes, “Self-knowledge is so important that, even if you were raised right up to the heavens, I should like you never to relax your cultivation of it; so long as we are on this earth, nothing matters more to us than humility.”

Or, as beautifully expressed by another Carmelite, “Every garden requires good soil in order to be productive; in the garden of the soul, that soil is humility.”

The Apostle Paul’s words and St. Teresa’s wisdom remind us to look in the mirror so we may grow in the good soil of humility and remember whose children we are.

By Deacon Patrick Cline Correspondent A sign on Main Street in front of Annunciation Church, Bloomsbury, welcomed Bishop James F. Checchio, parishioners and guests – a visible example of the pride and excitement parishioners felt as they celebrated the 75th anniversary of the founding of Annunciation Parish on Sept. 24.

Bishop James F. Checchio, who served as principal celebrant and homilist for the anniversary Mass, was assisted by Father Roberto D. Coruña, pastor, who served as concelebrant.

Bishop Checchio welcomed each member of the congregation as they entered with, “Happy Anniversary!”

Annunciation Parish is the successor to the parish of St. Joachim that was built in 1874 to serve the Catholic railroad workers working on the Musconetcong Mountain tunnel in Bethlehem Township. That church burned down in 1944 and the Diocese of Trenton dedicated the present church in September, 1948.

Similar to the earlier church, it was originally a mission of St. Ann Parish, Hampton. In 1982 with the appointment of its first resident pastor, Father Raymond V. Attanasio, it became an independent parish under the newly erected

Diocese of Metuchen.

As the Jubilee Mass began, Bishop Checchio and the other minsters were led to the sanctuary by Helen Fitzpatrick, a parishioner for 50 years, who carried a statue from St. Joachim Church, the only surviving item from the 1944 fire.

In his homily, Bishop Checchio reflected on the Gospel parable of the generous landowner who paid all his workers a full day’s wage, even those who were hired only for a few hours.

Some grumbled about the unfairness of having to work a full day to earn what others were given for an hour or two. The parable, said the Bishop, reflects our relationship to God. Bishop Checchio reminded the con-

gregation that to follow Jesus is an honor, not a burden; to be invited to the Lord’s Supper, to live our Christian dignity. “But how quickly honors can become burdens.

That happens when we think we are doing God a favor rather than acknowledging it is God who always favors us. We don’t have a right to be his servants. Jesus wants servants who come in from the vineyard and say thank you, not looking for a reward. Our Lord is asking us today to serve our bothers and sisters.

“Gratefully the parish of Annunciation has been generous for 75 years and more,” the Bishop said. He enumerated many examples of the food and clothing drives that the parish and their various organizations have organized, on local, di-

PARISH

years of faith, family, generosity

13

Parish celebrates

ocesan, national and international levels.

“I want to thank you for your generosity these past 75 years,” the Bishop said.

According to David Dalrymple, a lay trustee who served as an usher for the Mass, “Given the size of our parish many of us wear a number of different hats, but fortunately we all enjoy working together.” He credits this spirit of cooperation largely to Father Coruña, “He is the warmest hearted person you’ll ever meet.”

Father Coruña has been the pastor of Annunciation Parish since 2004. He was born in the Philippines where he completed his studies for the priesthood and was ordained in 1977. Prior to coming to Bloomsbury, Father Coruña served as parochial vicar in Our Lady of Victories, Sayreville, and Our Lady of Fatima, Piscataway.

Although it is a small parish with about 175 registered families, Father Coruña remarked it has a strong family base. He said, “It is a pleasure to see that even when the children leave for college or move away, if they are back home for any period of time, the families attend together.”

Following the Mass, parishioners were invited to a reception in the Mountain View Chalet, Asbury, with an opportunity to review photos, videos and mementoes of the parish’s history on display.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 19, 2023

Left, Bishop James F. Checchio serves as principal celebrant of a Mass marking the 75th anniversary of Annunciation Parish Sept. 24.

Right, longtime parishioner, Helen Fitzpatrick carries a statue which survived the 1944 fire which destroyed St. Joachim Church. —Ed Koskey Jr. photos

14 PARISH

Holy Trinity Parish celebrates

years of ‘rich history’

By Deacon Patrick Cline Correspondent

my Father.

“Actions over words are more important,” Bishop Checchio reminded the congregation. “Jesus wants disciples who will respond to his teaching on their own initiative without preference or prejudice. We are called to be disciples not just in words but in deeds too,” he said, repeating the adage, “People may not always believe what you say but they will believe what you do.”

The Bishop told the parishioners, “I am so grateful for all you do here at Holy Trinity Parish, for striving to live the faith here for 75 years You have such rich his-

tory and you have strived to assure that the faith has been passed on generation after generation.

According to church records, the possibility of providing Sunday Masses to the residents of the Bradley Gardens community in Bridgewater Township was investigated as early as 1938. Initially Masses were celebrated in a private home and the local fire station by priests serving St. Bernard Parish, then in Raritan. It was not until 1948 that the Parish of Holy Trinity was established, and in 1949 Mass was celebrated for the first time in the auditorium of the present

OCTOBER 19, 2023

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Raritan’s Holy Trinity Parish, which, in the words of Bishop James F. Checchio, “sees what needs to be done and meets those needs,” celebrated 75 years of such faith-filled service Sept. 30 with a jubilee Mass.

The Bishop served as principal celebrant and homilist. Concelebrating were pastor emeritus Father John Pringle, who had served the parish for 38 years, and its current shepherd, Father Jeffrey M. Calia, a member of the Raritan Oratorian Community of St Philip Neri.

In addition to Holy Trinity, the community serves the parishes of St. Ann, St. Joseph, and the Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, all in Raritan.

In his homily, Bishop Checchio answered the question, “How can I grow closer to the Lord at this very moment?” with Jesus’ parable of the two sons asked to work in the vineyard. The Bishop reminded the congregation of Jesus’ own words, “Not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

But only the one who does the will of

Church structure.

Due to an increase of both residential and commercial activity in the area the parish outgrew the initial church building and a parish center was completed in 1967 to provide space for Sunday Mass and other parish programs and functions.

Prior to his 2018 retirement, Deacon Michael J. Forrestall had served the parish for 40 of its 75-year existence. He commented, “It was a wonderful experience working with so many wonderful parishioners and the great priests that the parish has been graced with over the years.”

Holy Trinity, like many parishes, saw a downturn in parish life due to the COVID pandemic. Joseph Raimondo and his wife Mary, who have been parishioners since from the mid-1950s, noted that impact.

“All the pastors and other priests who have been assigned to Holy Trinity over the years have fostered that sense of community and involvement,” Raimondo said. He deemed the positive response of so many to the Jubilee celebration, reception and dinner dance that followed as “a hopeful sign of return to involvement in parish life.”

Left, Bishop James F. Checchio, pictured at the altar with, left, Father John R. Pringle, pastor emeritus, and Oratorian Father Jeffrey M. Calia, pastor, was main celebrant for the 75th anniversary Jubilee Mass held in Holy Trinity Church, Raritan, Sept. 30. Right, Bishop Checchio chats with parishioners during the 75th Jubilee dinner dance and reception which followed the Mass. —Oratory of St. Philip Neri, Raritan, photos

15

New Parish Catechetical Leaders Shine!

Kelly Craigle

Maggie Marcinko

Alice Fogarty

PCL, St. Bernard of Clairvaux Bridgewater

PCL, St. Joseph Parish Hillsborough

PCL, St. Frances Cabrini Parish Piscataway

PCL, St. John the Evangelist Parish Dunellen

Denise Metzgar is a long-time catechist, having taught faith formation for 11 years. Prior to that role, Denise served as parish secretary for Blessed Sacrament Church in Martinsville. This year, the parish is planning to engage parent participation by hosting a movie night during class sessions and hold Eucharistic Adoration. She says, “I hope to build excitement for our faith in the hearts of our children through our curriculum and engagement opportunities.

It is a gift to be in service to the Lord and to our community.”

Kelly Craigle is a teacher from Montana and new Catholic. Anxious to do something with his new faith he packed his bags and flew across the country to get his master’s degree in theology at St. John’s University, spending two years in Queens for his degree. He saw an ad that St. Joseph’s Parish was hiring and was soon putting everything in his car and driving from Montana to New Jersey. He says, “I am excited to be part of the St. Joseph’s team. The parish here is one of the liveliest I have ever seen, and the people were so kind in welcoming me to the church. As the new director of religious education my goal is to build a program focused on family faith, encouraging both parents and students to be active in their faith and see how Jesus can be present in their lives.”

Maggie Marcinko is a life-long parishioner of St. Frances Cabrini Church, Piscataway, and is now happy to serve as the parish’s new parish catechetical leader. Maggie attended the parish school during most of the grammar school years, and also taught first grade there for a few years. She says, “I have taught religious education on and off for the past 10 years. I am looking forward to working with the children and their families to spread God’s word.”

RELIGIOUS FORMATION

Denise Metzgar

Alice Fogarty has served as a catechist for 15 years, first responding to her parish’s request for volunteers and taking on a first-grade class. Over the years, this mother of two sons has taught almost every elementary grade level, and most recently served for a year as PCL in St. Matthew Parish, Edison. Looking forward to her new position, she says, “I was inspired by many teachers, aides and PCLs. Today, our families are growing in their faith as it is passed on to their children. Our mission is to build-up the family and empower parents in their Catholic faith.”

New Directory for Catechesis emphasizes evangelization

By Jill Kerekes, Special Contributor

about catechesis but also considers catechesis in light of the circumstances of the present.

OCTOBER 19, 2023

The new "Directory for Catechesis" (2020) lays the how-to guidelines for catechesis and presents universal norms to guide pastors and catechists in the work of evangelization.

How do we present our catechesis to prompt this desire for union with Jesus in our hearts? The message to catechists in the new Directory is very clear: catechists need to constantly refer to what is known as the ‘kerygma.’ The kerygma is the fundamental message of redemption in Jesus. Pope Francis, in his apostolic exhortation known as “Evangelii Gaudium” or “The Joy of the Gospel” presents the kerygma as: “Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free you.” This message, which can be expressed in many different ways, needs to be the foundation of every catechetical activity or lesson. Catechists are challenged to constantly refer back to some form of the kerygma in hopes of opening hearts to Jesus while at the same time informing minds about him.

As our parish catechetical programs dive deeply into the Good News that Jesus came to redeem us from the sin of our first parents and desires that we unite with him in this life and in eternity in Heaven, I pray that hearts and minds are opened to this message. St. John Bosco, patron saint of catechists, pray for us!

Jill Kerekes serves as diocesan director, Office of Discipleship Formation for Children.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Summer has ended, autumn is upon us, and parish catechetical programs are now in full swing. For the average volunteer parish catechist, the task of partnering with parents to provide an age appropriate systematic presentation of the Catholic Faith can be daunting. Whether you are a seasoned catechist or a newbie, getting to know your class while at the same time striving to provide engaging lessons can be a challenge. To avoid being overwhelmed, sometimes it is helpful for us to take a step back and remind ourselves what our main objective really is.

What is the goal of a parish catechetical program? The goal is for everyone involved to have an encounter with Jesus such that we desire to understand in both our hearts and our minds who Jesus is, why he came and dwelt among us, his message, and how we each need to personally respond to this message.

The Church has recently provided us with a modern guidebook to help us in our catechetical work: the Directory for Catechesis. Developed by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization and approved by Pope Francis on March 23, 2020, the Directory for Catechesis references past documents

The new Directory examines contemporary influences: the changing landscape of the family, the virtual world, science, and digital culture, and advises catechists of all types how to approach catechesis in a way that takes these influences into account.

The beginning section of the new Directory emphasizes that catechesis is intertwined with evangelization. What does this mean? In simple terms, in order to learn in our heads about Jesus and our redemption through him in his Church (catechesis), we need to know him and desire union with him in our hearts (evangelization). If we desire union with Jesus in our hearts, catechesis helps us to grow in knowledge and love of Jesus in our heads.

If we don’t desire union with Jesus in our hearts, the fruits of catechetical efforts are dry and without life. Interesting facts may be stored in our brains on a short term basis but these facts will not penetrate our hearts and minds to help us grow in our union with Jesus in our lives. Desiring union with Jesus prompts us to live lives of virtue and prayer and to turn away from sin and vice. Desiring union with Jesus prompts us to fully and actively participate in Mass rather than attend because we are being forced or to follow the rules of a program.

16 OCTOBER 19, 2023

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

OUR DIOCESE

Celebrating those who serve the teaching ministry of the Church

Catechetical Sunday, which this year fell on Sept. 17, is an opportunity to celebrate catechists – those who share the Gospel and the teachings of the Church with others, especially the young.

On this special day, parishes across the Diocese joined with others across the country and around the world in commissioning those who are called to serve within their parish families, and who play an invaluable part in nurturing young disciples of Jesus.

The effort to recognize the value of catechists began in 1935 when the Vatican published, “On the Better Care and Promotion of Catechetical Education,” a document that asks countries world-wide to acknowledge the importance of the Church’s teaching ministry and to honor those who serve the Christian community as catechists.

“Recognizing the efforts of parish catechists on Catechetical Sunday highlights the unsung efforts of the many catechists and parish catechetical leaders who share their time, energy, and talent in response to God’s call to spread the Gospel to the next generation,” said Jill Kerekes, diocesan director, Office of Discipleship Formation for Children.

“The amount of energy and dedication given to the parish catechetical program very often goes unnoticed by the rest of the parish. As parish catechists quietly go about serving in the rewarding and sometimes difficult ministry of catechesis, let us all pray that their efforts bear much fruit for the future of the Church,” she said.

For the first few years after Catechetical Sunday was established, national catechetical congresses were held in conjunction with the celebration. Eventually, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops designated the third Sunday of September as Catechetical Sunday.

This year’s theme, “Come to me all you who labor and are burdened” (Matthew 11:28), shares the invitation

of Jesus which catechists pass on to others, bringing them the Good News of the Gospel and a life in Christ which provides strength and hope for the journey.

By Mary Morrell, editor, The Catholic Spirit

Following a “Welcome Back” gathering for all parish catechetical leaders held in the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway, Sept. 13, Bishop James F. Checchio celebrated Mass in the chapel for PCLs and guests, including, from center to left, Msgr. Malak Saadalla, and Deacon Sabry Abdelmarak, members of the Coptic Catholic community. Also present was Jill Kerekes, diocesan director of Discipleship Formation for Children, second to right of Bishop Checchio. —Gerald Wutkowski, Jr. photo

Top photo, Father David V. Skoblow, pastor, Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish, Middlesex, commissions catechists for service to the parish. Bottom photo, catechists are commissioned by Father Thomas Naduviledathu, pastor, to serve in St. James Parish, Woodbridge. —Courtesy photos

Ava Nagengast, a senior at Immaculata High School, was recently named a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program, and Samantha Hummel and Sharbella Jacobs, both also seniors at the school, were named Commended Students in the program.

According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, over 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. Hummel and Jacobs are among the nationwide pool of 34,000 commended students, placing among the top 50,000 students who entered, and Nagengast is among the 16,000 semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.

As a semifinalist, Nagengast will have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition.

While her academic success can be attributed to a number of factors, Nagengast credits her teachers for supporting her along the way.

“Because we have such a familial environment at the school, the teachers at Immaculata not only know you but truly care about you and what you’re going through,” the semifinalist said. “They re-

SCHOOLS

By Tara Smith, Special Contributor

17

Immaculata seniors earn National Merit Scholarship recognition

ally want to see you thrive and succeed in all endeavors.”

A Marian Scholar and AP research student, Nagengast also acknowledged that the academic programs at Immaculata High School have helped her cultivate skills she never thought possible to develop in high school.

“The academic programs here were a huge part of my decision to attend Immaculata and my time as a Marian Scholar has definitely been formative in my journey as a student and as a person,” she said.

Ed Webber, the school’s principal, echoed those words, saying, “Immaculata, gratefully thanks to the hard work and dedication of our faculty and my fellow administrators, has a strong academic

standing. Year after year, we’re seeing our students achieve extraordinary accomplishments; we’re looking on with admiration as they receive more and more scholarships to their first-choice universities; and, most importantly, we’re here to support them along the way, from their first days in our buildings until they come back for their 50th class reunion, we’re here for all our students and all Spartans, for that matter,” said Webber.

“So, to say I’m proud of these seniors, yes, of course, I’m proud, but I’m proud of all our students; of all our Spartans, past and present; and I’m certainly proud of all our faculty and staff, who’ve helped to shape our students and graduates both academically and person-

Students in Immaculata High School, Somerville, excelled in the National Merit Scholarship Program. From left, Ava Nagengast was named a semifinalist in the program, while Samantha Hummel and Sharbella Jacobs were named Commended Students.

— Tara Smith photos

ally along the way, myself as an alumnus included.”

Tara Smith serves as Director of Marketing and Communications for I.H.S., Immaculate Conception School; and the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Somerville.

First place float goes to Holy Savior Academy!

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 19, 2023

Father Edmund A. Luciano III, parochial vicar for Sacred Heart Parish, South Plainfield, stands in front of Holy Savior Academy’s “Dancing Through the Decades” award-winning Labor Day parade float.

—Courtesy photo

Every year South Plainfield hosts the oldest and largest Labor Day parade in N.J. It has been a yearly tradition that Holy Savior Academy comes together to celebrate and promote Catholic education by decorating, dressing up and entertaining crowds on an HSA float flatbed entered in the parade.

This year, Holy Savior Academy was awarded Best Float of the 2023 South Plainfield Labor Day Parade, the 64th in the parade’s history, due to the vibrant energy, music, and representation of the year's Labor Day theme, “Marching Through the Decades,” as well as families coming together to demonstrate their school spirit. The HSA community adapted that theme to “Dancing Through the Decades.”

This is not the first time HSA has won best float at the parade, in great part because of the way the HSA community comes together and displays love for their school, faith and community every year.

HSA students from all grade levels, Pre-K to eighth grade and their families, rode or walked alongside the float dressed according to styles of the various decades, from the ‘50s onward. Posters of the various decades encircled the float, giving tribute to the different historical events that happened during those decades.

Aboard the float, along with HSA families, was MC Steph (HSA parent and professional emcee), her sidekick, Miss Jocelyn (HSA parent) rockin' their ‘80s garb and music from DJ Elms (HSA parent and professional DJ) who brought the music of the different decades played from our float, as well as inspired the crowds to dance as the float passed by from Maple Ave., starting at the South Plainfield Community Center, all the way to the Judges’ Grandstand on Plainfield Ave. in front of the South Plainfield Middle School.

HSA thanks the Americold Corporation for its donation of the flatbed truck and our driver for donating time and allowing HSA to decorate and represent HSA. Everyone is looking forward to next year’s parade as HSA celebrates its 13th year as a school and represents excellence in Catholic education.

Submitted by Stephanie Ubungen, Holy Savior Academy PTO family coordinator.

18 OUR DIOCESE

Bishop encourages new acolytes to ‘hang on to the altar’

By Deacon Patrick Cline Correspondent The journey towards ordination to the permanent diaconate in the United States follows directives issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. These directives specify a five-year program of human, intellectual, spiritual and pastoral formation with three preliminary stages prior to ordina-

tion: candidacy, lector and acolyte.

On Sept. 16, sixteen men from 14 parishes took this third step in their formation, as they became acolytes for the Diocese of Metuchen.

The Mass of Installation was celebrated in Sacred Heart Church, a worship site of Christ the Redeemer Parish, Manville. Bishop James F. Checchio served as principal celebrant and homilist. Redemptorist Father Stanislaw Slaby, pas-

Life Celebrate

OCTOBER 19, 2023

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

A Morning for

Seniors (55+)

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2023 at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway “Health Care Considerations for Aging Catholics” GUEST SPEAKER: REV. MSGR. JOHN FELL, STD Episcopal Vicar for Health Care Apostolate

SCHEDULE OF DAY

9:30 AM: Welcome and Continental Breakfast 10:30 AM: Presentation by Msgr. John Fell 11:45 AM: Holy Mass

Cost: $10, registration is required. Mail completed form to Office of Family Life, Diocese of Metuchen, P.O. Box,191,

COST: Metuchen, NJ$10 08840. You may also register onlineName: at www.diometuchen.org/familylife. Please call for more inforRegistration isThis Required mation at 732-562-1543. event is sponsored by the Diocese of Metuchen’s Office of Human Life and Dignity and the ofform Family Life.of Family Life MailOffice completed to Office

Diocese of Metuchen, P.O. Box,191, Metuchen, NJ 08840

Name:

Please call for more information at 732-562-1543

This event is sponsored by the Diocese of Metuchen’s Phone: Office of Human Life and Dignity and the Office of Family Life

Email: Email: Phone: Parish/Town: Parish/Town:

YOU MAY ALSO REGISTER ONLINE AT WWW.DIOMETUCHEN.ORG/FAMILYLIFE

tor, and a number of pastors and priests from the parishes of the candidates were concelebrants.

Father Slaby welcomed Bishop Checchio and thanked him for coming to the parish for the installation. He added that he and the entire parish community were pleased to witness the candidates taking the final step before hopefully being ordained next spring.

In his homily the Bishop recounted that a former vice rector of the North American Seminary in Rome had been diagnosed with a neurological disease that affected his muscle control. One day during a Mass the priest realized he would not be able to reach the ambo to preach and decided to preach from the altar. He thought, “I know that I am not supposed to preach from here, but if I hang on to the altar I know I will be OK.” Echoing that thought, “Hang on to the altar,” Bishop Checchio said, “We reverence the altar as the symbol of Christ. You men to be ordained will serve the altar, you will serve on it, it will be the source and summit of all the service you will do throughout the week for God’s holy people. It must determine what you do and who you are. Hang on to the altar.”

“Today the Church is certainly grateful for your gift of self as you prepare for the diaconate,” Bishop Checchio said.

The Roman Missal defines the acolyte as one who, “is instituted to serve at the altar and assist the priest and deacon … it is his responsibility to prepare the altar and sacred vessels.”

In recognition of this role, after the homily, Deacon Stephen F. Kern, diocesan director, Office of the Permanent Diaconate, called the candidates forward and as each man knelt before the Bishop he was handed a paten with a host on it. The Bishop then instructed, “Take this vessel with bread for the celebration of the Eucharist. Make your life worthy of the service at the table of the Lord and of his Church.”

Left: Deacon Harold DeFreitas, St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish, Kendall Park, receives the unconsecrated host from Bishop James F. Checchio as part of the Rite of Acolyte.

Right: Bishop James F. Checchio gathers with new acolytes and is joined by: front, second from right, Deacon Stephen F. Kern, diocesan director, Office of the Diaconate; far right, Redemptorist Father Stanislaw Slaby, pastor, Christ the Redeemer Parish, Manville; middle row, far right, Father Brian J. Nolan, pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Martinsville; second from right, Father Paul DeSilva, pastor, Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Piscataway, and, third from right, Msgr.

Seamus F. Brennan, retired. Back row, far left, Redemptorist Father Piotr Grezeskiewicz, is parochial vicar, Christ the Redeemer Parish.

— Photos by Caz Bielen

As is the custom, these preparatory rites are celebrated in various parishes throughout the Diocese. One of the newly instituted acolytes, Robert Greco of St. Francis Cabrini Parish, Piscataway, commented, “As a candidate, one can sense the welcome of these communities as well as the hope and good wishes they share in our path to potential ordination.”

Maria Scarpantonio, of the host parish and daughter of candidate Anthony Scarpantonio, agreed, saying, “Everyone came together to make the ceremony.

There was an atmosphere of unity, and love throughout.’

Anna Bui of Immaculate Conception Parish, Somerville, and wife of deacon candidate Tuan Bui, reflected, “I realized that as long as we hold onto the altar and keep Christ at the center of our lives, we will always be supported regardless of what we are called upon to do.”

At the end of Mass, the congregation was invited to join the newly instituted acolytes and their families for a reception.

(OSV News) – The approaching world Synod of Bishops on Synodality aims to be a lesson on the “exchange of gifts,” said Sister Nathalie Becquart, undersecretary of the Vatican’s Synod of Bishops office and one of the highest-ranking women in the Vatican.

Asked about her expectations of the synod Pope Francis will open Oct. 4, Sister Nathalie said “that we listen to the Holy Spirit, we discern together, and we learn more and more as a Church, really to be a Church of brothers and sisters in Christ,” all through the reception of the Second Vatican Council.

In 2021, Pope Francis named the 54-year-old French sister of the Congregation of Xavières the first female undersecretary in the Vatican’s Synod of Bishops office. Since then, she has taken a multitude of flights across the globe to listen to synod participants.

“I like to quote a theologian from Australia, Father Ormond Rush. He says that synodality is the Second Vatican Council in a nutshell. So this synod is a call to continue the reception of the Second Vatican Council,” Sister Nathalie told OSV News.

Vatican said Sept. 25.

Following the ecumenical prayer service, the synod’s delegates will begin a three-day retreat outside of Rome to prepare for the synod.

Asked about the attitude of delegates, who are from different parts of the world and may be from regions where local Churches express disagreement, the synod undersecretary said she hopes “that every synod member could really come to the synod with an open heart to the Holy Spirit.”

“One of the main fruits … coming from all this process is really the experience of the synodal methodology that we call ‘conversation in the Spirit.’ So, we hope that we can really continue the journey with this methodology. That is a way to bring together and to foster communion between people who are so diverse,” Sister Nathalie told OSV News.

Pope Francis attends a session of the Synod of Bishops on young people in the Vatican synod hall in this file photo from 2018. The October assembly of the “synod on synodality” has been moved to the larger Vatican audience hall where members will sit at round tables, rather than in rows. —CNS photo/Paul Haring

Answering the Call

Xavière Missionary Sister Nathalie Becquart, an undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops, poses outside the media center during World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, Aug. 4, 2023. —OSV News photo/Bob Roller

The Church Today

Diversity and Dialogue “But really, I think what we hope is that we understand more and more, as Pope Francis said, that unity is not about uniformity, but about the diversity in which there is a dialogue among all. And a mutual listening and trying to have a mutual understanding,” Sister Nathalie said.

According to the Vatican, the Sept.

30 prayer vigil prior to the synod opening will be a “celebration of gratitude centered on four gifts”: gratitude for the gift of unity and for the synodal journey, for the gift of the other, for the gift of peace and for the gift of creation.

The vigil will include listening to the Word of God, praise and intercession, Taizé songs and silence – “a strong sign

of fraternity, unity and peace,” the Vatican said.

“The ecumenical dimension of the synod is very, very important,” Sister Nathalie told OSV News. “And through all this dialogue – to foster unity among the different Christian Churches and communities (is important). We need to learn this exchange of gifts. That doesn’t mean that we all have to be exactly the same way.

“But we share one baptism, one faith, and we follow Christ,” she continued. “I see that this synod is also helping us to learn more and more how to be one Church united, but with and through diversity, because at the end that’s the code of God: ‘May all be one so that the word believes,’” a reference to John 17:20-23.

A Listening Church Thousands of young adults ages 18 to 35 from various countries also will take part in a program of workshops and meetings around Rome Sept. 29-Oct. 1, as part of a synodal “Together” program, the Vatican announced.

Workshop themes include hearing refugees share their experiences, learning from other denominations and faiths, visiting the work of the city missions to the marginalized, recognizing Christ in the diversity of Catholic traditions, ecumenical panel discussions and caring for creation.

Sister Nathalie, who spoke to OSV News during World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, said that young people are crucial for the synodal process.

Paulina Guzik is international editor for OSV News. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @Guzik_Paulina.

OCTOBER 19, 2023

Sister Nathalie is used to navigating turbulent waters: She is a sailor, and that’s how she formed young people when she ran youth ministry programs in her native France.

“That’s the Church today. The Church is very diverse, and there are different visions. There are tensions. That’s part of the journey,” she said. “But at the end – and Pope Francis likes to repeat that every time he speaks about synodality – at the end, the Holy Spirit brings harmony. So that’s what we hope – that the synod will continue to foster communion to allow the participation of all, so that we are a more missionary Church to better serve the people of today.”

For her, the most important word of

this synod is “together.” In a world so polarized with violence and division, she said, “it’s really about that, about togetherness.”

“If you look at the members, you have a diversity of members. That was already the experience in the continental phase. Especially in Europe, you have very, very different visions between Western Europe and the Church in Eastern Europe. But they said (in the first phases of the synod) it was the first time they could really listen to each other, understand more (of) why the others have another view,” she said.

Recalling her own experience, she said, “Each local Church is also very much shaped by the context, the culture, the societies, the history of the society and of the Church. So we need to understand that we have one face, but expressed in different ways, because we are not coming from the same context and the same culture, and we have different lenses.”

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

“We have discerned that synodality is the path for the Church in the third millennium. It’s the call of God for the Church today in this context, in this time of history,” she said.

“My profound desire is that we answer the call of God, and we discern the concrete way to become a more and more synodal Church, because that’s the call of God for the Church today: to be more a missionary Church and to continue to transmit the faith. Today we need to have this synodal style,” she stressed.

She pointed especially to young people who became important protagonists of the synodal path, the two-year process leading up to the synod’s general meeting, which will be held in two parts, in October 2023 and October 2024.

“My expectation is that we continue personally and together (on) a path of conversion and a path of really listening to each other, to listen to the Holy Spirit also, in a very prayerful way,” she said.

On Sept. 30, Pope Francis will preside at an ecumenical prayer service with leaders from different Christian denominations joining him in prayer “in order to entrust together to the Holy Spirit the work of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of the Catholic Church.”

The service will be in St. Peter’s Square with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury among faith leaders in attendance, along with thousands of other Christians, the

OUR DIOCESE

By Paulina Guzik OSV News

19

Synodality is a call from God for the Church today

20 OUR DIOCESE

Maryknoll Sister: ‘We’re here to make God’s love known to the world’

“When you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received - only what you have given.”

St. Francis of Assisi

PLEASE REMEMBER US ...

in your prayers and in your generous gifts of charity

AND CONSIDER US ...

“Heralds of the Gospel” who minister to the poor, the disadvantaged and persecuted Catholics

IN YOUR ESTATE PLANNING

Pontifical Mission Societies Diocese of Metuchen Attention: Father Hillier, Director P.O. Box 191 Metuchen, NJ 08840 • 732-243-4580 pontifical.mission.societies@diometuchen.org

The Catholic Spirit, 4.722 x 3”, September 22, 2023

Sister Mary Vertucci engages some of the many girls who are students at the Emusoi Center, Arusha, Tanzania, where young women who belong to the pastoralist and hunter-gatherer communities are empowered through education. Right, Sister Mary visits with Miriamu, a member of the community. —Emusoi Center photos Maryknoll Mission Sister Mary Vertucci and her family have been an integral part of St. Matthias Parish, Somerset, since her birth. Her family was among those who started the parish, which, for many years has supported the Maryknoll mission – the Emusoi Center in Arusha, Tanzania – which Sister Mary helped to found in 1999 and where she had her first mission assignment in 1971.

Sister Mary recently visited St. Matthias Parish, speaking about the mission at the 10 a.m. Mass on Sept. 3. Emusoi, which means “a place of discovery and awareness,’ in Maa, the Maasai language, is a center which prepares school-

Please remember us...

OCTOBER 19, 2023

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Society for the Propagation of the Faith By enrolling your loved ones in the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, they will enjoy the spiritual benefits of Missionary Masses, which are offered daily, including daily Mass at the Vatican.

They also share in the good works of Missionaries worldwide.

How to Enroll: Please call 732-243-4580, or E-mail: pontifical.mission.societies@diometuchen.org.

The suggested offering is as follows:

Mass Offering For the living or deceased ($10)

Get Well/Birthday /Healing Mass ($10)

The Catholic Spirit, 7.083 x 3.9”, September 22, 2023

Perpetual Enrollment Mass ($50)

Added birthday card

Gregorian Mass

30 consecutive Masses for deceased ($300)

age girls who grew up among nomadic peoples in Tanzania. The center’s motto is, “When you educate a girl, you change a community’s future.”

Sister Mary said, “At Emusoi, we give the students the background to enter the world and help their country.” The center provides a home for 270 Maasai girls who live at Emusoi and at secondary schools around Arusha. There are very few college-educated women among the Maasai, so the need is great for education at all levels.

According to the Emusoi website, “The Center provides a transitional space for young women coming from traditional lifestyles. Most of the girls belong to the pastoralist/hunter-gatherers’ communities, including the Maasai. They are prepared academically, socially, and psychologically to join the multicultural/multi-tribal environment of secondary school. The Center supports and assists them as they progress from secondary school, vocational training, and diploma/certificate courses to university education.

Following the Mass, the Altar Rosary Society hosted a reception in the cafeteria.

Anyone interested in donating to Emusoi may send a check or money order to Maryknoll Sisters, Box 317, Maryknoll, N.Y. 10545-311, U.S.A. Include “Emusoi Center” on the memo line or include a note designating the donation for Emusoi Center c/o Sister Mary Vertucci.

To learn more about Emusoi, visit https://emusoicentre.co.tz/.

Chris Retz, parishioner of St. Matthias Parish, submitted this article.

21 WORLD MISSION SUNDAY

THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH A PONTIFICAL MISSION SOCIET Y

OCTOBER 22

their ration of food and drink to their children, too often the children still remain undernourished.

Through your prayers, and your missionary zeal, our brothers and sisters in foreign lands can receive support.

This is especially the case through our “children helping children” program that is sponsored by our Propagation of the Faith “Missionary Childhood Association” as well as other programs we sponsor throughout the year.

With the help of three powerful women interceding for us from Heaven: Our Blessed Mother Mary, Blessed Pauline Jaricot (foundress of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith) and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (patroness

of missionaries), we can do wonders.

By following this year’s World Mission Sunday’s theme: “Hearts on fire, feet on the move,” our determination as messengers of the Gospel to do God’s work can be fulfilled.

To donate NOW please make check payable to: Propagation of the Faith and send to my attention at Propagation of the Faith, Diocese of Metuchen, P.O. Box 191, Metuchen, NJ 08840.

In Christ,

Reverend John G. Hillier Director, Pontifical Mission Societies

OCTOBER 19, 2023

The theme for World Mission Sunday 2023, “Hearts on fire, feet on the move,” given to us by Pope Francis, is inspired by the story of the disciples on the Road to Emmaus in St. Luke’s Gospel (24:13-35). Although they are initially confused and discouraged, their encounter with the Risen Christ makes their “hearts burn within them” as they listen to Jesus explain all the Sacred Scriptures and reveal Himself to them “in the breaking of the bread.”

Suddenly, “their eyes were opened” and, their hearts were consumed with a holy enthusiasm to proclaim that the Lord Jesus had risen from the dead —

as they made their way to Jerusalem.

Bishop Checchio reminds us that, as missionaries in our own right, young and old, we need to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and place ourselves in the proper missionary spirit to go outward. Share your resources, and the multitude of blessings that have come your way, with others, especially the most vulnerable at home and in missionary lands!

People worldwide need the compassion, healing and mercy of our Risen Lord, especially in places where children go to bed with hunger pains and adults do all in their power to console and provide spiritual nourishment to them. Even when parents surrender

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

22 WORLD MISSION SUNDAY

Town

ANNUAL REPORT Your Gifts to the Pontifical Mission Societies

Your prayers and sacrificial gifts on World Mission Sunday will support Priests, Consecrated Sisters & Brothers and Lay Pastoral Leaders who proclaim the Gospel, serve the poor and support persecuted Christians throughout the world.

Summary of Gifts from Donors Society for the Propagation of the Faith Missionary Childhood Association (Includes Chrismas Appeal) The Society of St. Peter the Apostle

553,614 49,129 12,663

Diocesan Mission Commitments

OCTOBER 19, 2023

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Catholic Near East Welfare Association Mass stipends sent to missionaries Financial assistance given to visiting foreign missionaries Diocesan Sharing (local missionaries working abroad) Missionary Cooperation Plan (MCP)

26M

38,140

12,000

844,000

Children

Health Centers

Seminarians

Catechists

18,077 24,050 43,468 9,000 293,951

8,750 Shelters

258,540

Religious Sisters

Parishes

Missionary Propagation of the Faith Childhood Assn.

World Mission M.C.P. Schools Religious Sunday 2022 2022 Education

Alpha St. Mary Church Annandale Immaculate Conception Avenel St. Andrew Baptistown Our Lady of Victories Basking Ridge St. James Belvidere St. Patrick Bernardsville Our Lady of Perpetual Help Blairstown St. Jude Church Bloomsbury Annunciation Bound Brook St. Joseph Bound Brook St. Mary of Czestochowa Bridgewater Holy Trinity Bridgewater St. Bernard of Clairvaux Califon St. John Neumann Carteret Divine Mercy Carteret St. Joseph Colonia St. John Vianney Dunellen St. John the Evangelist East Brunswick St. Bartholomew Edison St. Helena Edison St. Matthew the Apostle Flemington St. Magdalen de Pazzi Fords Our Lady of Peace Great Meadows Ss. Peter & Paul Hackettstown Assumption of the BVM Hampton St. Ann Helmetta Holy Trinity Church High Bridge St. Joseph Highland Park Transfiguration of the Lord, Edison-HP Hillsborough Mary, Mother of God Hillsborough St. Joseph Hopelawn Good Shepherd Iselin St. Cecelia Jamesburg St. James the Less Kendall Park St. Augustine of Canterbury Lambertville St. John the Evangelist Laurence Harbor St. Lawrence Manville Christ the Redeemer Martinsville Blessed Sacrament Matawan Most Holy Redeemer, Old Bridge Metuchen Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Middlesex Our Lady of Mt. Virgin Milford St. Edward the Confessor Milltown Our Lady of Lourdes Monmouth Junction St. Cecilia Monroe Twp. Nativity of Our Lord New Brunswick Holy Family Parish New Brunswick Our Lady of Mt. Carmel New Brunswick Parish of the Visitation

1,900 5,100 2,023 1,605 5,413 793 5,285 1,520 586 1,856 1,367 1,211 4,179 1,017 630 919 2,412 1,381 2,719 947 2,218 4,364 1,543 1,273 1,290 1,077 653 401 2,691 2,201 3,341 1,519 1,833 1,588 6,028 1,606 763 1,579 3,719 1,881 9,178 2,688 537 1,236 1,828 2,909 785 3,168 2,058

1,244 7,068 2,922 2,941 8,904 2,115 6,433 1,542 762 2,125 1,859 1,147 3,298 4,727 619 1,707 1,800 2,224 4,976 3,483 8,297 4,373 1,558 1,551 1,049 2,004 1,214 1,059 3,257 6,002 3,268 1,823 2,003 1,342 17,054 5,753 1,866 2,678 4,407 3,313 9,808 3,415 1,400 2,254 2,255 7,366 2,934 8,350 3,021

300 64 235

2,300 5,123 1,074 627

236 1,793

718

1,000

450 200

1,774 1,221 2,031

Parishes

Schools / Institutes / Other Perth Amboy Perth Amboy Catholic School Edison St. Thomas Aquinas High School Metuchen Saint Joseph High School Somerville Immaculata High School Watchung Mount Saint Mary Academy Flemington Carmelite Monastery

1,587 3,529 2,959 408 3,303 2,207 185 1,422 6,874 2,694 1,869 1,693 1,489 4,487 706 1,398 1,773 1,109 1,269 1,750 1,194 2,390 665 1,571 5,252 5,217 2,826 4,184 1,684 2,036 1,156 2,176 965 300 768 4,683 2,503 1,139 2,185 2,454 2,843

5,236 2,587 2,238 711 5,177 3,900 761 1,457 4,500 6,188 7,105 2,560 4,578 11,438 3,228 3,819 3,358 1,176 1,187 5,021 1,585 2,407 1,085 4,099 6,260 6,229 3,315 2,171 6,580 5,354 1,631 2,362 853 900 1,581 6,561 9,574 1,692 6,256 2,929 4,482

3,205 2,730

Attention all youth 603

442 2,250

395 444

550 200

1,369

300

298

All youth from the Diocese of Metuchen (Religious Education Programs and Catholic Schools) are invited to our Mission Sunday Family Celebration.

Please come and represent your parish or school.

The Award Ceremony will take place

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY

New Brunswick St. Peter the Apostle North Brunswick Our Lady of Peace North Plainfield St. Joseph North Plainfield St. Luke Old Bridge St. Ambrose Old Bridge St. Thomas the Apostle Oxford St. Rose of Lima Parlin St. Bernadette Peapack St. Elizabeth-St. Brigid, FarHills-Peapack Perth Amboy Most Holy Name of Jesus Perth Amboy Our Lady of Fatima Perth Amboy St. John Paul II Phillipsburg St. Philip & St. James Piscataway Our Lady of Fatima Piscataway St. Frances Cabrini Pittstown St. Catherine of Siena Plainsboro Queenship of Mary Port Murray St. Theodore Port Reading St. Anthony of Padua Raritan St. Ann Raritan St. Joseph Sayreville Our Lady of Victories Sayreville St. Stanislaus Kostka Skillman St. Charles Borromeo Somerset St. Matthias Somerville Immaculate Conception South Amboy Sacred Heart South Amboy St. Mary So. Bound Brook Our Lady of Mercy South Plainfield Church of the Sacred Heart South Plainfield Our Lady of Czestochowa South River Corpus Christi South River St. Mary of Ostrabrama Church South River St. Stephen Protomartyr Spotswood Immaculate Conception Three Bridges St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Warren Our Lady of the Mount Washington St. Joseph Watchung St. Mary-Stony Hill Whitehouse Station Our Lady of Lourdes Woodbridge St. James

23

Town

Missionary Propagation of the Faith Childhood Assn.

World Mission M.C.P. Schools Religious Sunday 2022 2022 Education

Save the date, October 22, 2023

St. Francis Cathedral, Metuchen Mass at 12 noon with Bishop Checchio as main celebrant.

All families and youth are first invited to the CYO building for a presentation by Sister Ella Mae McDonald, MPF, prior to Mass at 11 am. Sister has served extensively in the missions. For more information or questions, please call 732-243-4583 or email us at pontifical.mission.societies@diometuchen.org.

From left to right: On June 5, 2023, the Most Reverend Dennis Isizoh, right, the first Bishop of the newly erected Diocese of Aguleri in Nigeria, visited the Office of Missions including Reverend John Hillier, front center, Mila Dionisio, left, Tess DeGuzman, center, and Diocese of Metuchen’s Vicar General Very Reverend Jonathan S. Toborowsky, back.

On June 12, 2023, the Most Reverend Peter Abir, left, Bishop of the Diocese of Sultanpet in India, visited the Office of Missions and Reverend John Hillier.

1000

As part of the diocese’s celebration of World Mission Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, young people, emulating missionaries, walk a mile from St. Francis of Assisi’s CYO building to the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi where they were met by Bishop James F. Checchio, who joined them in prayer.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 19, 2023

24 WORLD MISSION SUNDAY

In memory of all missionaries, as well as benefactors, who have died this past year.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Metuchen’s own missionaries doing work abroad Deacon Enock Berluche Source de Vie, Beraud, Haiti Mr. William Mosca Franciscans In Action, Beraud, Haiti Sister Mary Vertucci, MM Maryknoll Sisters, Anrusha, Tanzania Ms. Joanne Garcia Family Missions Company, Camiguin Island, Philippines Father Daniel Healy and Ms. R. Carol Vaccariello Anawim Community, Metro Manila, Philippines

Mission Office family Reverend John G. Hillier, Ph.D Director Mila Dionisio Assistant Director Tess DeGuzman Part Time Administrative Assistant Volunteers Patricia Murphy, Shannon White, Charlie Zammit, Barbara Peterson Below left: Reverend Daniel Healey, center, (Anawim Community, Philippines) leads the Stations of the Cross with locals during Lent, 2023.

OCTOBER 19, 2023

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Below right: Deacon Enock Berluche, left, (Source DeVie, Haiti) and William Mosca, 2nd from left, (Franciscans In Action, Haiti) shown here with local priests and seminarians.

For more information about Catholic Missionaries, or how to help the Mission Church, call or write us: Pontifical Mission Societies, P.O. Box 191, Metuchen, N.J. 08840 (732) 243-4580 pontifical.mission.societies@diometuchen.org

In line with the Holy Father’s exhortation that mankind must better care for the God-given gifts nature provides, one Bridgewater community of faith is doing their part to lead the way to green.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish welcomed participants to an evening of eco-spirituality Oct. 4 entitled “Awaken to the Sacredness of the Earth.” Elizabeth Dransfield, a member of the parish’s “green team,” led a program of Scripture reading, reflection, Night Prayer and a keynote presentation by Msgr. Joseph J. Kerrigan, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Bound Brook.

The modern faith-based attention to care for the planet dates back to 1989, when Orthodox Patriarch Demetrios I of Constantinople proclaimed Sept.

1 as a day of prayer for creation. The World Council of Churches extended the celebration to encompass a Season of Creation, from Sept. 1 through Oct. 4, the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology and a role model for Christians of many denominations.

“You are indeed Holy, O Lord, and all you have created rightly gives you praise.”

For example, just by asking ourselves how much time we spend outside during the day, or if we had any interaction with non-humans, we might see some practical gaps that we can correct or improve.”

Going forward, Msgr. Kerrigan suggested, “As with many things, Jesus’ own prayer book, the Book of Psalms, is a great guide for integrating creation with prayer.”

For further information on the St. Bernard Green Team, contact Doreen Sekora at doreents13@gmail.com or see stbernardbridgewater.org/green-team-1.

Msgr. Joseph J. Kerrigan, pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Bound Brook, served as keynote speaker for “Awaken to the Sacredness of the Earth,” an eco-spirituality workshop offered Oct. 4 in St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bernardsville.

Gerard Mutek, St. Bernard of Clairvaux parishioner, left, and Benedictine Father Sylvester Jayakody, have an opportunity to discuss the relationships between care of creation, faith and the Church.

— John Batkowski photos

Immaculate Conception Fall Festival/Craft Show Hosted by the Rosary Altar Society

Saturday: November 25 th, 9 am to 4 pm 23 Manalapan Road • Spotswood, NJ Quality holiday and handcrafted items Breakfast/Lunch/Snacks available for sale Free admission & parking • Crafters tables still available Contact Jay at 609-409-0199

OCTOBER 19, 2023

beauty of their own creation.

Keynote speaker Msgr. Kerrigan observed that, though his family instilled in him a deep appreciation for nature, he believed his experiences living and working with Trappist Monks enhanced that appreciation. Additionally, his travels to many countries as the former diocesan director of Catholic Relief Services have given him the opportunity to experience God’s work in nature around the world.

Msgr. Kerrigan commented that it was an auspicious day for this service of celebration to examine our relationship with God’s creations for two reasons: the Holy Father’s Synod on Synodality had begun in Rome and the Vatican released an Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis entitled, Laudate Deum, “Praise God.” In the new document, the Pope states that eight years after his encyclical he believes our responses have not been adequate in relation to our care for our common home. In Laudate Deum he asks “everyone to accompany this pilgrimage of reconciliation with the world that is our home and to help make it more beautiful.”

Msgr. Kerrigan pointed out the concept of creation is embedded in Catholic beliefs and is not new but an idea that we must bring to the front and center of our way of living. “In our liturgy and in the rhythm of daily and seasonal church life, our intimate relation with creation is embedded in [our] prayer,” he said.

“Sometimes we have to step back a bit and observe, for example, ‘Oh wow, I didn’t realize that Eucharistic Prayer III begins with, ‘You are indeed Holy, O Lord, and all you have created rightly gives you praise.’”

Being conscious of these connections and attuned to our interactions with nature in all its forms will allow us to be better inhabitants of our common home and accompany Pope Francis on that pilgrimage, Msgr. Kerrigan stressed, highlighting the value of action steps, which “open up for us when we include creation in our daily examination of conscience.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

In 2015, Pope Francis officially welcomed the Catholic Church’s participation in the Season of Creation. That same year the Holy Father issued his encyclical Laudato Si, (Praise be to you, my Lord.) On Care For Our Common Home.

This groundbreaking document focused on caring for the environment and the true relationship between God and all his creations, humans and the natural world.

St. Bernard Green Team member Doreen Sekora proclaimed a passage from the second chapter of the Book of Genesis. She described her daily walks with her dog along the Delaware Raritan Canal path and how much more in tune with and aware of the environment she became.

By noticing the daily and seasonal changes and the cycle of life and death presented in nature, she began to experience the natural world that has been there and has surrounded her for years with a deeper appreciation. Sekora then invited the members of the congregation to close their eyes and silently recall that one special place where each person could reflect upon the wonders of God and the

PARISH

By Deacon Patrick Cline Correspondent

25

Faithful invited to ‘awaken to the sacredness of the earth’ at workshop

26 PARISH

Faith and Duty Local first responders blessed by relics at Evening Prayer

By Christina Leslie Contributing Editor Citizens often rely upon the skilled and selfless service of their local first responders – police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians – for help in times of need. But when these men and women seek assistance, they often call upon a Higher Power.

“We look to St. Florian to protect us as we serve,” said Christopher Golubieski, a member of North Brunswick Fire Company #3, during a Sept. 29 Evening

Prayer in St. Augustine of Canterbury Church, Kendall Park. Golubieski, scores of his fellow first responders, clergy and faithful joined in prayer and song as they venerated a first-class relic of St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters, and a relic of the True Cross of Christ on the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of police officers.

A deft blend of faith and patriotism, the sanctuary was adorned by the American flag, uniformed police officers standing at attention and clergy seated behind the altar. Taking a prominent role

in the procession, Golubieski carried the St. Florian relic forward, while Detective Brady Shelcusky of the South Brunswick Police Department carefully set the relic of the True Cross upon the altar.

St. Augustine pastor, Father Robert G. Lynam, welcomed the first responders, saying, “It is a joy for St. Augustine to celebrate the gift of your vocation and your ministry to the parishes and the communities.” Revealing the relic of the True Cross of Jesus Christ had been brought back from Jerusalem during the time Father John J. Reilly was pastor, and that of St. Florian gifted to the parish from the Cardinal of Krakow, Poland, Father Lynam concluded simply, “God is good.”

Chief Raymond Hayducka of the South Brunswick Police Department addressed the congregation, asserting, “We are only as good as the support we get…

Father Bob and this entire parish does a lot behind the scenes in supporting police, fire and EMS.” “You guys deal with many things that are horrendous, that can affect your life,” Father Lynam responded. “There are some things you may not process [alone] or with your families. Don’t be afraid to be open and share your wounds. When Jesus appeared to the apostles the first time [after his Resurrection,] he shared his wounds. Bring your wounds to Christ.”

Father Lynam introduced his fel-

1 The parish of St. Augustine of Canterbury, Kendall Park, welcomed local police, firefighters and EMTs Sept. 29 for Evening Prayer in thanksgiving for their work in the community. 2 The faith-filled and patriotic opening procession included 3 firefighter Christopher Golubieski carrying the relic of St. Florian; later 4 police officer Brady Shelcusky offers a blessing with a relic of the True Cross. 5 The first responders heard St. Augustine pastor Father Robert G. Lynam acknowledge, “You are not alone… we are here to help you.” —Michael Ehrmann photos

1

4

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 19, 2023

low priest in the sacristy, Father Charles T. O’Connor, pastor of St. Cecilia Parish, Monmouth Junction, and stated he, too, would welcome a first responder in need of counsel. Father O’Connor is no stranger to the world of public service: his father was a retired Newark police officer who spent 24 years atop a horse in their mounted patrol squad.

“It’s not an easy profession,” Father Lynam concluded, “so we thank you for your service. You are not alone; if you ever need to talk, we are here to help you.”

South Brunswick Police Deputy Chief Jim Ryan expressed his joy that his faith and service to the community went hand in hand. “I am blessed to be in a profession that is recognized by our faith.

There is a close relationship,” Ryan said.

“It is so important, what we do; with the things we see, we have to have faith otherwise we can’t get through it.”

At the close of evening prayer Shelcusky and Golubieski shared the meaning of their role in the service. “I felt honored to do the blessing with the relic of the True Cross and I am very thankful to have been given the opportunity,” said Shelcusky.

“It was a privilege to participate in this special service,” said Golubieski, “and as a firefighter, I was honored to venerate and bless my fellow first responders with St. Florian’s relic.”

2

3

5

ALBANY, Minn. (OSV News) – Earlier this summer, Jeff Gerads volunteered to construct a giant rosary for the Harvest of Hope Area Catholic Community. When he invited his sons Ethan, 16, and Owen, 12, to help, he could never have known how special that rosary would become.

Ethan was killed in a car accident July 21.

Now that rosary and the community are helping the family, Jeff and his wife, Melissa, Owen and his sister, Emma, to cope with the loss.

People from across the Harvest of Hope Area Catholic Community, or ACC, which includes the parishes in Albany, Avon, St. Martin and St. Anthony, in central Minnesota, gathered Sept. 3 at Seven Dolors in Albany to pray a special living rosary to remember Ethan using the rosary he helped make.

The Catholic community also invited a grief counselor to give a brief presentation, followed by small-group conversation.

"This tragedy has brought so many people together, brought people to pray,"

Pictured is one bead from a living rosary prayed in memory of Ethan Gerads Sept. 3, at Seven Dolors Church in Albany, Minn. Ethan, 16, was killed in a car accident July 21, a short time after he helped make the rosary.

— OSV News photo/Dianne Towalski, The Central Minnesota Catholic

said Melissa Gerads, Ethan's mom.

She said that the rosary was displayed outside during Ethan's wake and funeral and many people stopped to pray there.

"Nobody would just walk by, they would stop and they would start praying.

It's just amazing, the community of that.

It brought everybody together," she told The Central Minnesota Catholic, magazine of the Diocese of St. Cloud.

Ethan was an usher and an altar server and would have been a junior this year at Albany High School. He grew up

seeing his dad pray the rosary while they were hunting and had started bringing his own rosary on hunting trips, Jeff said.

"The four parishes each have an identity, but then an event like this happens and we discover something that we hold in common," said Deacon Steven Koop, one of the permanent deacons assigned to Harvest of Hope community.

"And that is how much we love family, how much we respect one another, and how much we understand that when a family loses someone like Ethan, when a family loses part of their future, we can immediately identify with that. Some have already experienced that in their own way, and so the heart just reaches out to them.

'Behold your mother': Jesus' most human action shows us who God is

By Father Eric Banecker, OSV News

A detail from "What Our Lord Saw from the Cross" (Ce que voyait Notre-Seigneur sur la Croix),

by James Tissot.

The watercolor is on permanent exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum.

— OSV News photo/courtesy Brooklyn Museum)

OCTOBER 19, 2023

behalf of disciples of all ages. The last unfinished business has been accomplished.

“From that hour, the disciple took her into his home.” The Greek rendered as “his home” is “ta idia.” Its first appearance in John’s Gospel is in the great prologue: “He came to what was his own (“ta idia”), but his own people (“oi idioi”) did not accept him.” In taking Mary into his care, John does what those who sent Christ to the cross did not: he accepted Jesus’ identity as God-with-us and Word made flesh.

As the prologue continues, “to those

who did accept him, he gave power to become children of God.” The beloved disciple, in other words, is each one of us, or what each one of us are called to be: a beloved disciple of Jesus, rendered by grace a child of God who then accepts Jesus’ mother into his home.

John accepts the mystery of who she is as Theotokos and does so on behalf of all of us.

Just as Eve became the mother of all the living, so the new Eve – through this divine-human act of entrustment – is forever the mother of all who live in Christ, who acknowledge her son as savior of the world.

Father Eric Banecker serves as pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Philadelphia.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

When we speak about the Incarnation, the reality of the second person of the Trinity taking on human nature, we can fall into two bad habits.

One is to resort to technical language, which, though necessary at times, can serve to obscure the sublime truth of this dogma.

The other tendency is to oversimplify to the point of incoherence. The Gospels offer us an opportunity to overcome this whenever we encounter the Lord doing something both profoundly human and at the same time perfectly revelatory of his divinity. We see this via John 19:25-27.

John’s Gospel paints a stark and poignant scene: from the cross, Jesus looks out upon a small band of friends amid a sea of enemies and gawking onlookers.

Among those friends standing close by are two figures, “his mother” and “the disciple whom he loved.” These characterizations exclusively denote relationships to Christ. The woman is not “Mary” but “his mother.” The young man is not “John” but “the disciple.”

Then, at that most consequential hour of human and cosmic history, Jesus, the God-man, does something profoundly human and altogether mysterious at once. He says to his mother, “woman, behold your son.”

As the last act of an only child, there could be nothing more practical

than ensuring the welfare of his widowed mother. In fact, this scene provides excellent verification of the theological truth of Mary’s status as “ever-Virgin Mother of God.” After all, any children of Mary would have automatically taken on the responsibilities of caring for her.

That fact that she herself has no children (notwithstanding one’s opinion about the “cousins” or “half-siblings” of Jesus) is precisely the reason why someone must be designated to “adopt” her and thus provider for her care.

John is told to do just this when Jesus says, “Behold, your mother.” Here we peer deeper into the mystery: the human necessity of finding a home for his mother is at the same time the spiritual be-gifting of Mary to the world, as Mother to the Church.

Every act of Christ’s earthly life is the act of a divinity who possesses an integral human nature. For this reason, paradoxically, the most deeply human actions of Jesus’ life – eating, weeping, praying, turning over tables, dying – also show most clearly who God is. The mutual adoption of his mother and the beloved disciple represents just one more example of this phenomenon: God sees to every detail, and we can trust in this.

Immediately after this, John’s Gospel tells us that Jesus was “aware that everything was now finished.” On a human level, mom has a home. From the perspective of eternity, everything she embodies has been received by John on

He added, "Whatever the separation that might exist between four parishes, either in distance or their own little cultures, suddenly falls down and everybody just steps forward."

And they have been stepping forward. So many people came to their home on the day of the accident, that Melissa said it looked like a parish festival.

Neighbors, friends and fellow parishioners brought food, water and support for the family.

And about 60 people came to pray the rosary outside in 100-degree heat.

"You never really know who's affected by something like this, and when they come to an event like this, I recognize them and see how they might have known Ethan," said Father Edward Vebelun, pastor of Harvest of Hope. "I know who Ethan's cousins, his aunts and uncles and his grandmother are. They are all from different communities, but they come together here. That's the natural part of the ACC, that we're all connected."

Dianne Towalski is social media manager at The Central Minnesota Catholic, magazine of the Diocese of St. Cloud.

OCTOBER DEVOTIONS

By Dianne Towalski, OSV News

27

Rosary, community help family through grief over loss of son

Women’s Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston.

TeamBirth was designed around best practices in communication, teamwork, and clinical care. The initiative ensures that the individuals giving birth and the clinicians who are caring for them have shared input and understanding into decisions made during labor and delivery. The New Jersey Department of Health is a TeamBirth N.J. partner and is providing funding, ensuring that lessons learned will be shared statewide.

TeamBirth has now been implemented in more than 60 hospitals around the country, collectively involving more than 1,500 clinicians and more than 67,000 mothers and babies. Many other practices and procedures implemented at Saint Peter’s have become standard protocol in women’s maternal health and neonatal care statewide.

28 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

NEW BRUNSWICK – On Sept. 19, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, in conjunction with members of the New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services, celebrated the launch of TeamBirth, an evidence-based, national model for better provider and patient communication during the birthing experience. The goal is to empower all members of the care team, including the patient, to play an active role in shared decision-making as it has been shown to significantly improve safety, quality of care, and overall birthing outcomes.

TeamBirth is a structured method to foster better communication between laboring mothers and the clinical team caring for them. The N.J. Quality Institute, in partnership with Ariadne Labs, is leading the initiative in the state. The program was developed by Ariadne Labs, which is a joint center for health systems innovation at Brigham and

Top row from l. to r.: Dr. William J. Lowe, interim chairman, Dept. of Obstetrics, Saint Peter’s University Hospital; Linda Carroll, vice president of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Saint Peter’s Healthcare System; Linda J. Schwimmer, president and CEO, N.J. Health Care Quality Institute; Adelisa Perez-Hudgins, director, Health Care Quality Institute; Amber Weiseth, director, Delivery Decisions Initiative, Ariadne Labs, and research scientist, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health; Pamela Harmon, director, Women and Children’s Division, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, and administrative director, Mary V. O’Shea Birth Center; Tara Santiago, nurse manager of Perinatal Services, Saint Peter’s University Hospital; Kathleen Rivellino, Mary V. O’Shea Birth Center; Katelyn Rasmus, midwifery clinical director, Mary V. O’Shea Birth Center.

OCTOBER 19, 2023

OUR DIOCESE

Saint Peter’s University Hospital launches ‘TeamBirth’

Bottom row from l. to r.: Judith T. Caruso, board member, Saint Peter’s Healthcare System; Abby Slattery, Clinical Implementation, Ariadne Labs; Nancy Scotto-Rosato, assistant commissioner, Division of Family Health Services, New Jersey Department of Health; Alea Challenger, Delivery Decisions Initiative, Ariadne Labs; Ashley Zapolski, nurse manager, Mother/Baby Units, Saint Peter’s University Hospital; and Ria Rodney, director, NURTURE N.J. — Courtesy photo

ACADEMY

administrations, over 85% of Mount St. Mary Academy students achieved a score of 3 or higher (scores are out of 5).”

“Additionally, 28 graduates from the Class of 2023 earned recognition as AP Scholars, AP Scholars with Honors,” stated Mrs. Muratore.

“Congratulations not only to our AP Scholars but also to our AP teachers,” she said as she invited each of them to stand to be applauded by the school community. “Each year, our teachers dedicate themselves to provide students with the best education in their AP courses and preparation for the AP exams.”

SCHOOLS

Jacqueline Muratore, assistant directress for Faculty, Curriculum, and Planning at Mount St. Mary Academy, Watchung, announced Sept. 22, that the College Board has recognized 52 students as Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars.

“The College Board offers a number of Advanced Placement courses and exams for students, allowing them to engage in college level work and the possibility of earning college credit or course placement,” she said. “In May of 2023, Mount St. Mary Academy administered 303 AP exams in 22 subjects to 130 students. Of the 2023 AP Exam

Mount Saint Mary

29

52 Mount St. Mary Academy students named AP scholars

YourJourney Starts Now! Mount St. Mary Academy students recognized for Advanced Placement achievements were honored during an Installation Ceremony, Sept. 22. From left, front row, are: Sai Chavan, Victoria Fekete, Lillian Del Rossi, Isabelle Fretz, Remy Batista, Melissa Ramirez; second row, Zoe Daly, Natalia Colon, Marin Bohlman, Gabrielle Zuretti, Anne Tighe; third row, June Gill, Nina Heim, Caitlyn Falkowski, Akshaya Karanam, and, back row, Rachel Castela, Catherine DeCiantis, Reese Hannon, and Cornelia Rovito. Not pictured: Aayushi Arvikar, Charlotte Jotz, Sofiya Piede, and Gwendolyn Oakley. —Courtesy photo

Mount student attends legislative summit

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2023 12:30 to 3:30 pm

Tours from noon to 2 pm Special Presentation at 2:30 pm in Chapel by S. Lisa Gambacorto, RSM, Ed.S., Directress To pre-register, e-mail enrollment@mountsaintmary.org Student/Faculty Ratio - 8:1 Students can choose from

13 SPORTS and over 50 extra-curricular Activities

Mounties reside in 8 counties and 80 different New Jersey communities

22 AP Courses and 29 Honors Courses Offered Grade-Level Spiritual Retreats 2 Kairos Retreats and Our Annual Service Day

To pre-register for Open House or to learn about our MERCY GIRL EXPERIENCE and ZOOM EVENTS, contact Donna Toryak, Director of Enrollment Management, at dtoryak@mountsaintmary.org.

1645 US Highway 22 W, Watchung, NJ (908) 757-0108, EXT. 4506 • www.mountsaintmary.org

OCTOBER 19, 2023

our country … the opportunity to have face-to-face conversations in the offices of my representatives empowered me to continue to use my voice and positioned me to be a confident change agent in the future,” Daly said.

The Class of 2023 received over $23 million in grants/scholarships

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Zoe Daly, a Mount St. Mary Academy senior, attended the recent Jack and Jill of America On the Hill Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C. joining some 600 high school students from around the country who learned about advocacy and put that learning into action.

At Capitol Hill, Zoe met with legislative staffers from the offices of New Jersey Congressmen Thomas Kean, Jr., and Frank Pallone. She advocated for The Crown Act, Raise the Age (gun control), George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Stigma Free Campaign. She heard several notable speakers including author Bakari Sellers, attorney Benjamin Crump, and surprise guest Vice President Kamala Harris.

“This was an incredible experience to advocate for things that I care about and learn how to make effective change in

Open House

30 CARE FOR CREATION THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 19, 2023

As the climate crisis clock ticks, there’s no expiration date for the care of creation

By Rev. Msgr. Joseph J. Kerrigan Special Contributor Many pastors know this annual phenomenon well: on the day after Ash Wednesday, new faces suddenly appear at daily Mass. The churchgoers return again and again, perhaps daily, throughout Lent and into Holy Week. They might be parishioners, or workers in the vicinity of the parish who have committed to participation in the daily Eucharist as part of a personal Lenten discipline.

And then, just like that, for Easter Monday and thereafter, there’s another sudden shift: those faces are now all or mostly gone, not to be seen again until either the following Sunday or next Lent, in many cases. The newcoming regulars were apparently only around for the duration of Lent.

The thing is, however worthy something like a Lenten commitment may be, even though a particular season or designated stretch of time has concluded, there’s no expiration date for continuing to do these good works in prayer and action. And this is especially true for our care of creation.

Pope Francis is doing his best to assure that we don’t just pat ourselves on the back and then return to our failing status quo because we held a prayer service or added special intercessions at Mass for the Church’s yearly Season of Creation.

On October 4, the very last day of Season of Creation, he released the apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum, a follow-up and fact-filled lament to his landmark 2015 environmental encyclical Laudato Si. In the new document’s final paragraphs, the Pope uses the words “pilgrimage” and “commitment” to point to the continuing struggle needed to care for creation in light of a worsening situation.

“I ask everyone to accompany this pilgrimage of reconciliation with the world that is our home and to help make it more beautiful,” the Pope writes, “because that commitment has to do with our personal

Experiencing the impact of continuing climate change, village children pass the time in front of a home next to a flooding sea wall at high tide in Serua Village, Fiji, July 15, 2022. As the community runs out of ways to adapt to the rising Pacific Ocean, the 80 villagers face the painful decision whether to move. —CNS photo/Loren Elliott, Reuters dignity and highest values.”

Since Laudato Si, Francis has observed, with a hint of heartbreak, that climate change has only worsened. “With the passage of time, I have realized that our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point.”

Laudate Deum speaks powerfully of the situation we find ourselves in, and with sobriety about what it will take to turn things around: “Although the measures that we can take now are costly,” writes Francis, “the cost will be all the more burdensome the longer we wait.”

While one person or one family cannot make a strategic difference in this battle, the Pope counsels that household efforts are not without effect. “The mere fact that personal, family and community

habits are changing is contributing to greater concern about the unfulfilled responsibilities of the political sectors and indignation at the lack of interest shown by the powerful.”

Those sectors of the political and powerful are chastised directly by the Pope. “It continues to be regrettable that global crises are being squandered when they could be the occasions to bring about beneficial changes,” he said.

Pope Francis looks to this December’s United Nations’ Conference of the Parties (COP) Summit in Dubai (COP28) as a moment of reckoning in the crisis.

He writes with hope grounded in harsh reality: “If there is sincere interest in making COP28 a historic event that honors and ennobles us as human beings, then one can only hope for binding forms

Laudate Deum From left, Luisa-Marie Neubauer, a German climate activist; Jonathan Safran Foer, writer; Giorgio Parisi, winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics; and Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, speak at a conference about Pope Francis’ document on the climate crisis “Laudate Deum” (“Praise God”) in the Vatican Gardens Oct. 5, 2023.

— CNS photo/Lola Gomez

of energy transition that meet three conditions: that they be efficient, obligatory, and readily monitored. This, in order to achieve the beginning of a new process marked by three requirements: that it be drastic, intense and count on the commitment of all.”

Pope Francis’ hope is a tall order, but so is the reality behind the task at hand.

Laudate Deum expresses an individual and communal call to action. And so, no matter what date it is according to a calendar, any and every day is an important and inviting day to join or continue the fight against climate change, and to persevere in caring for creation for the long haul.

Msgr. Joseph J. Kerrigan is pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Community, Bound Brook.

Compiled from Our Sunday Visitor and the Catholic News Service

Ancient Christian enclave faces ‘genocide by starvation,’ says Armenian Catholic bishop

JERUSALEM (OSV News) – The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem called Oct. 7 for secular and religious leaders around the world to help de-escalate the violence between Hamas and Israel following an unprecedented surprise dawn attack

by Hamas militants on a major Jewish holiday. Hamas breached Israeli security along the Gaza border at dawn Oct. 7 and attacked border communities amidst a barrage of over 2,000 rockets that reached into Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv areas some 80 kilometers (50 miles) away.

“The operation launched from Gaza and the reaction of the Israeli Army are bringing us back to the worst period of our recent history,” the patriarchate, led by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, said in a

GLENDALE, Calif. (OSV News) – An Armenian Catholic bishop is calling for prayer and action as some 120,000 ethnic Armenians face what he and other experts call “genocide by starvation.” “It is a violation of every kind of law,” Bishop Mikael A. Mouradian of the Californiabased Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Nareg told OSV News. For the past nine months, Azerbaijan has blocked the only road leading from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh (known in Armenian by its ancient name, Artsakh), an historic Armenian enclave located in southwestern Azerbaijan and internationally recognized as part of that nation. The blockade of the three-mile (five-kilometer) Lachin Corridor, which connects the roughly 1,970 square mile enclave to Armenia, has deprived residents of food, baby formula, oil, medication, hygienic products and fuel – even as a convoy of trucks with an estimated 400 tons of aid is stalled at the single Azerbaijani checkpoint. U.S. and international officials have decried the humanitarian crisis, which raises the specter of the 1915-1916 Armenian Genocide, during which up to 1.2 million Armenians perished under the Ottoman Empire. Bishop Mouradain told OSV News that current U.S aid to Azerbaijan is enabling that nation to conduct an “ethnic cleansing of Christians,” since the Arme-

statement. “The too many casualties and tragedies, which both Palestinians and Israeli families have to deal with, will create more hatred and division, and will destroy more and more any perspective of stability.” At least 200 Israelis, including civilians, have been killed and more than 1,100 people injured. The Palestinian Health Ministry reports around 200 people have been killed and more than 1,600 wounded in the Gaza Strip from Israel’s retaliation. “We are at war,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address declaring a mass army mobilization. “The enemy will pay an unprecedented price. Israel will return fire of a magnitude that the enemy has not known.”

A building in Tel Aviv, Israel, is ablaze following rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip Oct. 7, 2023. Hamas militants breached Israeli security along the Gaza border and sent a barrage of over 2,000 rockets that reached into Jerusalem and Tel Aviv areas, resulting in dozens dead and hundreds injured.

—OSV News photo/ Itai Ron, Reuters

As FDA considers artificial wombs, ethicist recommends ‘courage and caution’ to discuss and provide recommendations on the future of artificial womb technology for extremely premature infants, or babies born before 28 weeks of pregnancy. The independent committee considered plans to establish the safety and effectiveness of the technology, including regulatory and ethical considerations for use with humans. The advisers examined artificial womb technology as an alternative to current standard-of-care management of extremely premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit. While the technology has developed animals, it has yet to be used on humans.

OSV News photo/Andrew Kelly, Reuters

Paul Haring)

nians are the sole Christians in the Muslim-majority area. In addition, democracy and basic human rights are in danger, he warned. “It is a God-given freedom ... to live on the land of our ancestors and to make our own laws according to the beliefs that we have, be it (as) Armenians, Turks, Ukrainians, Russians,” Bishop Mouradain said. “As human beings, we have the right to live freely on this earth.”

Mother of Blessed Carlo Acutis visits U.S., invites all to encounter Christ in Eucharist Antonia Salzano Acutis, mother of Blessed Carlo Acutis, is pictured after an interview in Assisi, Italy, Oct. 9, 2020.

Antonia Acutis spoke at gatherings in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington and Texas during a Sept.

28-Oct. 4, 2023, tour. —CNS photo/ Junno Arocho Esteves

PHILADELPHIA - The mother of an Italian teen on the road to sainthood recently toured several U.S. parishes to kindle increased devotion to the Eucharist, which was “the center of life” for her late son. Antonia Salzano Acutis, mother of Blessed Carlo Acutis, spoke at gatherings in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington and Texas during a Sept. 28-Oct. 4 tour. It was organized in part by Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez of Philadelphia and one of his priests, Father

Francesco Maria D’Amico, who happens to be a native of Assisi, Italy, where Carlo Acutis is buried. At each gathering, Antonia Acutis echoed her late son’s call to draw close to Christ in the Eucharist, which was “the most important thing” for the teen, who in 2006 died at age 15 from acute promyelocytic leukemia, having offered his sufferings for the Pope, the Church and his own deliverance from purgatory. He was declared venerable in 2018 and beatified in 2020. “I am happy to speak about the Eucharist,” Antonia Acutis told some 400 assembled at St. Martin of Tours Parish in Philadelphia for an Oct. 1 presentation. “It was the most important thing for Carlo. It is his holiness; his sanctification was in the Eucharist.” That same experience is available to all, she said. “Everybody is called to holiness.”

OCTOBER 19, 2023

Signage is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration headquarters in White Oak, Md., Aug. 29, 2020. In midSeptember of 2023, the FDA’s Pediatric Advisory Committee met to discuss and provide recommendations on the future of artificial womb technology for extremely premature infants, or babies born before 28 weeks of pregnancy. —

Bishop Mikael A. Mouradian of the California-based Armenian Catholic Eparchy, who is the head of Armenian Catholics in the U.S. and Canada, is pictured in a 2012 file photo. —CNS photo/

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

WASHINGTON (OSV News) – Catholics should approach the issue of artificial wombs with both courage and caution, an ethicist stressed after U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisers met about the new technology. “Courage because this endeavor is highly complex technologically and may positively impact human lives and health at very vulnerable stages,” said John F. Brehany, the executive vice president and director of institutional relations at the National Catholic Bioethics Center.

“Caution because -- when it is deployed – such technology will be powerful and subject to abuse.” In mid-September, the FDA’s Pediatric Advisory Committee met

WORLD & NATION

Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem calls for help to de-escalate violence amid Hamas attack

31

WORLD & NATION

32 OUR FAITH

Sunday, 8 October 2023

Reflecting on the parable of the landowner who plants a vineyard (Mt 21:33-43): “Jesus reminds us what happens when a person deceives him/herself into thinking that he or she does things on their own, and they forget to be grateful, they forget the real basis of life: that good comes from the grace of God, that good comes from his free gift. When someone forgets this gratitude to God, he or she ends up no longer facing their own situation and their own limits with the joy of feeling loved and saved, but with the sad illusion of needing neither love nor salvation. That person stops letting him/herself be loved and finds him/herself a prisoner of their own greed, a prisoner to the need to have more than others, of the desire to stand out over others. This process is ugly, and many times it happens to us. Let us think seriously about this. This in turn gives rise to many dissatisfactions and recriminations, so many misunderstandings and so many feelings of envy; and, driven by resentment, the person can fall headlong into a spiral of violence. Yes, dear brothers and sisters, ungratefulness generates violence, it takes peace away, and makes us feel and yell when we speak, without peace, while a simple “thank you” can bring back peace! … In this month of October dedicated, in addition to the missions, to praying the Rosary, let us not tire of asking through Mary’s intercession for the gift peace in the many countries throughout the world marked by war and conflicts. And let us continue to remember the dear Ukraine, which suffers so much every day, which is so battered.

Return to the Agape Meal: a practical step toward Eucharistic Revival

OCTOBER 19, 2023

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

We believe that the Eucharist draws us into communion not only with Jesus, as we receive his body, but also with our fellow Catholics, who are members of his body. Nonetheless, most Catholics feel disconnected from one another, coming to their parish for Mass and leaving quickly afterward. It’s hard for the Eucharist to become the center of our lives that way, let alone to build a vibrant culture through the parish.

In any age, a community will be strong when its members depend upon one another and build a common life together. Charity, above all else, characterized the early Christian community and caught the attention of pagans. Christians cared for one another and also did what they could to care for anyone in need.

This charity became expressed in what was known as an “agape,” a meal or feast to express the love of the community. Early Christian meals were prone to abuse, as we see in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, where he said that rather than caring for the needy, some Christians indulged in excess. Likewise, Jude, in the 12th verse of his letter, spoke explicitly about the agape meal, telling Christians that their love feasts were blemished by looking first after themselves. These dynamics haven’t changed much.

Not all was perfect in the early community, but they did strive for greater unity and charity by holding meals for

this very purpose. The origin of the agape meal and its connection to the Eucharist are somewhat shrouded in mystery, but Anglican Vicar Alistair Stewart does his best to untangle them in a new scholarly book: “Breaking Bread: The Emergence of Eucharist and Agape in Early Christian Communities” (Eerdmans, 2023). To begin, he makes a fundamental distinction in defining the agape meal. Unlike the Eucharist, which focuses on communion with God, the agape focuses on communion with fellow Christians (9). What else can we say with relative clarity about the agape meal? Reviewing Stewart’s painstaking analysis of ancient texts, I would describe it this way: the agape developed into a meal distinct from the Eucharist, whose purpose was to strengthen fellowship among Christians and to exercise charity in offering food to the needy, including those not present (chapter 2).

As funny as it sounds, coffee and doughnuts offer a scanty remnant of the agape meal, recognizing that after the celebration of the Mass, something further is needed for fellowship. This doesn’t mean that coffee and doughnuts are the answer, for we all know that is not nearly enough, but it does preserve something of earlier traditions, such as offering blessed bread after Mass, as Eastern Catholics still do (and which was also practiced in the West in earlier days).

Why not build upon this instinct and return to something like the agape meal?

Christian community demands more than just one hour a week. We need to get to know one another, encourage and support each other, and focus on expressing charity within our local community. All of this could be done through regular fellowship meals.

Practically, there are a few ways we could go about this. First, rather than coffee and doughnuts, we could offer a potluck meal or brunch after Mass.

People are already at church, and we could organize fellowship as an immediate extension of the communion received at Mass. Many people may baulk at the labor involved, as there are multiple Masses at most parishes, but, on the other hand, most everyone recognizes the need to do something to kickstart community in our parishes. These meals could be the basis for continuing education, organizing outreach to the poor to share parts of the meal, and simply feeling more connected.

Another approach would be to organize smaller groups in the home. This would more closely reflect the personal character of the ancient agape meal. This also could be on Sunday, as an expression of the ongoing celebration of the Lord’s Day or on another day. These small groups could join together a few families as well as others in the parish of various ages and states of life. These meals

could serve as the foundation for a Bible study, watching and discussing catechetical material and times of prayer. These agape-like meals would give Catholics the opportunity to invest in others stably over longer periods of time, providing concrete expression to Christian charity through a commitment to particular people in the parish. Rather than vague expressions of community and charity, we would have certain people to love and support, personalizing the community of our larger parishes.

If we focus more on loving one another in the Catholic community, making tangible our belief in the centrality of Christian charity, others may notice and want to join in. This would be a great way to instantiate our ongoing Eucharistic Revival through a continued expression of the unity and fellowship we find in the Mass.

Dr. Staudt’s column is syndicated by the Denver Catholic, the official publication of the Archdiocese of Denver.

Bishop Flores: Synod aims to make Church more effective in advancing Christ’s Gospel

WASHINGTON (OSV News) – October’s general assembly in Rome for the Catholic Church’s Synod of Bishops on synodality aims to address human reality – not abstractions – in order to more effectively share Jesus Christ and his Gospel with others, said Bishop Daniel E. Flores, a U.S. member of the global assembly’s preparatory commission.

Bishop Flores of the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas, has been leading the synod process in the United States for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and is a voting member at the Oct. 4-29 general assembly. He is also among nine appointed “delegate presidents” who have special duties, including presiding over the meeting on behalf of the Pope, who is the synod’s president.

Bishop Flores said it’s especially

important for Catholics in the U.S. to understand that “the focus of the synod is what we can do to adjust how we make decisions and how we talk to each other for the sake of the mission” of announcing Christ. Issues of importance to the universal Church are being discussed “ultimately so we can be effective in the missionary work of the Church,” he said.”

The communion of the Church is at the heart of it – how we talk to each other, how we work together, how we listen to each other, how we make decisions in the local church and even the universal Church,” he said. “There’s a way to do that that is uniquely keeping with the way of Christ, and that’s what the synod will be asking about. It’s really a ‘how’ question: How can we do this?”

Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, Texas, is pictured during the 2017 Catholic Convocation in Orlando, Fla. Bishop Flores is a U.S. member of the preparatory committee for the October assembly of the world Synod of Bishops.

— OSV News photo/CNS file, Bob Roller

‘Left photo, from left to right: Father Michael Saharic, Knight chaplain and pastor, St. Ann Parish, Hampton; Father Michael Fragoso, Knight chaplain and pastor, Visitation Parish, New Brunswick; Her Excellency Vicki Downey, lieutenant of the Eastern Order; Deacon Edward Majkowski, Our Lady of Victories, Sayreville; Dame Josephine Marchetta, Visitation Parish, New Brunswick; Deacon Dennis Mayer, St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish, Kendall Park; Dame Donna Morelli and Sir Frank Morelli, St. Augustine of Canterbury. • Center photo – Dame Commander Josephine Marchetta receives her Pilgrim Shell. • Right photo - Members of the Order preparing to make their solemn entry into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem. —Photos courtesy of Josephine Marchetta

Monthly Prayer Intentions

OUR FAITH

On Sept.18, several members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem were welcomed into the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem to receive their Pilgrims’ Shells – an honor bestowed on Dames and Knights who make a special pilgrimage to the Holy Land with the Order. The ten-day pilgrimage walked in the footsteps of Jesus as well as visiting places which the Order supports, such as the Holy Child program in Bethlehem and Holy Savior Seminary in Beit Sahour. Today, the purpose of the Order, which was approved by the pope in 1113 A.D., is to preserve and propagate the faith in the Holy Land.

Pope Francis’s

33

Honors bestowed on members of the Holy Sepulchre

November

Coat of arms of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre by Mathieu Chaine.

For the Pope: We pray for the Holy Father; as he fulfills his mission, may he continue to accompany the flock entrusted to him, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Artisans of the culture of life to the poor who should be embraced, not counted, for they are faces, not numbers.

The change of direction in our communities lies in treating them as brothers and sisters whose stories we know, not as troublesome problems or chasing them away, sending them home; it lies in welcoming them, not hiding them; in integrating them, not evicting them; in giving them dignity.”

The real social evil in our world today, the Pope observed, is not so much the increase of problems, but the decrease of care. “Who nowadays becomes a neighbor to the young people left to themselves, who are easy prey for crime and prostitution? … Who is close to people enslaved by work that should make them freer? Who cares for the frightened families, afraid of the future and of bringing children into the world? Who listens to the groaning of our isolated elderly brothers and sisters, who, instead of being appreciated, are pushed aside, under the false pretenses of a supposedly dignified and ‘sweet’ death that is more ‘salty’ than the waters of the sea? Who thinks of the unborn children, rejected in the name of a false right to progress, which

is instead a retreat into the selfish needs of the individual?”

These forceful words of Pope Francis present many fields of action calling out for our pro-life convictions and engagement.

It is in involving ourselves in the full breadth of situations in need of our care and commitment that a credible and truly radical solidarity will emerge.

Each member of the Body of Christ has unique gifts and abilities, different interests and convictions. Each of us has an unrepeatable, God-given mission – but we are all called to be artisans of the culture of life.

Through our prayers, words and actions we are all called to proclaim that human life is always precious – it is not to be played with!

Sister Constance Veit is the communications director for the Little Sisters of the Poor in the United States and an occupational therapist.

OCTOBER 19, 2023

must arise from a profound understanding of the inviolable dignity of every single human life, through every stage of life, with special attention given to those who are the most frail or in situations of the greatest vulnerability.

Although abortion is an issue of utmost urgency, we cannot limit our prolife enthusiasm to this issue alone. Our commitment to human life must be allembracing, or it will not be credible at all.

Pope Francis often voices this allembracing concern for human life.

In a press conference after his recent trip to Marseille, France, the Pope spoke of both the beginning and the end of life.

“You don’t play with life, neither at the beginning nor at the end. You don’t play with it,” he insisted.

Speaking of the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean the Pope said, “God will bless us, if on land and at sea we know how to take care of the weakest, if we can overcome the paralysis of fear and the disinterest that, with velvet gloves, condemns others to death.”

He spoke of the mindset that radical solidarity requires: “Let us, the Church and civil society, start anew by listening

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Each October the Catholic Church in the United States observes Respect Life Month as a time to focus on the protection of God’s precious gift of human life. The theme of the month varies from year to year, but it usually concentrates our attention on the issue of abortion.

This year’s theme is Living Radical Solidarity. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, explains, “While ending legalized abortion remains our preeminent priority, the most immediate way to save babies and mothers from abortion is to thoroughly surround mothers in need with life-giving support and personal accompaniment. This is radical solidarity.”

Bishop Burbidge noted, “Being in radical solidarity with women who are pregnant or raising children in difficult circumstances means putting our love for them into action and putting their needs before our own.”

The bishop cited Pope Francis, who has emphasized that such radical solidarity presumes a transformation of the heart and the creation of a new mindset.

I believe that this new mindset – and our credibility as the People of Life –

34 OUR FAITH THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 19, 2023

Render to God what belongs to God 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

By Msgr. John N. Fell “I am the Lord and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:6). This invocation of God’s divine majesty serves as an apt summary of our first reading and Gospel this Sunday. God’s supremacy includes even the ability to use other, subordinate authorities (for example, governmental or societal leaders) to further his own divine purpose. These lesser authorities exercise legitimate dominion within their appropriate spheres of influence. Everyone, however, must always recognize God’s supreme Lordship over all; despite whatever loyalty we may owe to Caesar, rendering “to God what belongs to God” (Matthew 22:21) must always be our first priority.

Our first reading is taken from the book of the Prophet Isaiah. In this passage, Isaiah refers to the Persian king, Cyrus, as “the Lord’s anointed.” This title was reserved by the Jewish people for their own kings, and ultimately, for the coming Messiah. To apply it to a foreign, Gentile ruler was shocking; in fact, even Cyrus would have been surprised to hear himself labeled as the “anointed” of the Hebrews’ God. And yet, Isaiah legitimately attributes the title to the Persian ruler because Cyrus, while not knowing it, had served as God’s instrument in the life of the Hebrew people. It was Cyrus who ended their captivity in Babylon and allowed the Chosen People to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple after nearly 50 years of exile.

The All-Powerful God was able to use this powerful pagan leader to further his own purposes.

Like Isaiah, Jesus also testifies to the legitimacy of civil rulers, provided they recognize their subordination to God, in this Sunday’s Gospel reading. The issue at hand involved payment of a head tax. Imposed by the Roman authorities around 6 BC, the head tax amounted to one denarius (equivalent to one day’s sustenance) for every man, woman, and child between the ages of 12 and 65. The tax had to be paid with a Roman coin on which the head of the Emperor, Tiberius Caesar at the time, was stamped, along with the inscription, “Tiberius Caesar, Son of the Divine Augustus, High Priest.”

While the Roman authorities and their sympathizers looked upon this as simply the price of enjoying the cache and protection of the Roman Empire, the religious Pharisees were deeply offended. First of all, their sense of being subordinated to a foreign power was inflamed.

Second, and more deeply troubling, the design of the coin violated the Hebrew ban on graven images. For a religious Jew to possess and handle a coin with

the Emperor’s picture and claim of divinity was itself a terrible insult. Having to hand over the coin to a pagan ruler as tribute made the insult that much worse.

The Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus with the seemingly innocent question, “It is lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” (Matthew 22:17). Jesus immediately recognized their bad faith; if he answered yes, he would offend many religious people as well as the common folk for whom the tax was a heavy burden; if he said no, he would offend those of his followers who were sympathetic to the Romans and perhaps even open himself up to arrest for inciting rebellion against the Emperor.

Jesus asked for a coin. They presented him with a coin bearing the emperor’s head and inscription. Jesus asked his questioners, “Whose image is this, and whose inscription?” (Mt. 22:20).

When they replied that these were Caesar’s, Jesus concluded the exchange by saying, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” This response neither angered the crowd nor branded Jesus as a political subversive.

Jesus’ response was not an endorsement of the Roman political structure.

He simply recognized the fact that the coin was the property of the Imperial Roman government which had the right to demand it back. The Roman Emperor existed, had a legitimate role to play, and should have his due. Jesus did not want to come out against civil authority, recognizing that his Heavenly Father could just as effectively use the Roman Emperor as well as anyone else to accomplish his plan. This is really the point which Isaiah is making in this Sunday’s first reading; even though Cyrus was a pagan king, Isaiah calls him “the Lord’s anointed” because he released the Hebrews from their exile. God can use anyone to accomplish his purpose.

The message that comes down to us is a recognition that we have many legitimate responsibilities – to our governments, communities, families, employers, and so on. We must do our best to meet these responsibilities, to act justly toward all who have a claim upon us. Even though some or even many of these competing claims can seem more important, or especially more urgent, the point of these readings is that our first responsibility is always to render “to God what belongs to God” (Matthew 22:21). By recognizing and meeting this supreme responsibility, may we find that we are become better able to genuinely fulfill all our other duties as well.

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

Blessed Contardo Ferrini 1859-1902 October 27

CNS

From his father, a teacher in Milan, Italy, Contardo inherited a love of learning. He studied law at Pavia’s Borromeo College and won a scholarship to the University of Berlin. A daily communicant from age 14, he joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and in 1881 made a private vow of celibacy. He mastered ancient and modern languages, and became the world’s leading expert on Roman law, teaching it in Pavia. His spiritual life in the Third Order of St. Francis focused on eucharistic devotion, prayer and meditation. He died of typhoid fever.

Saints

SCRIPTURE SEARCH® Gospel for October 22, 2023 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-5b/ Matthew 22:15-21

Following is a word search based on the Second Reading and Gospel for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A. The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle.

TIMOTHY PEACE CHOSEN PLOTTED TRUTH TO PAY TAX

LORD PRAYERS GOSPEL ENTRAP TELL US MALICE CAESAR

GRACE LABOR POWER DISCIPLES LAWFUL HYPOCRITES TO GOD

CHOOSE D

I

S

C

I

P

L

E

S

K W

L

O

G

A

N

A

N

L

J

K

E

S

F

G

F

O

D

R

E

W O

P

E

M

M

O

R

A

S

E

A

C

C

T

L

K

E

T

Y

T

O

P

A

Y

I

K

T

N

G

I

P

R

A

Y

E

R

S

S

T

E

R

M

I

U

G

B

C

L

U

R

F

S

D

O

L

T

G

O

I

L

A

H

N

O

R

T

Y

H

P

R

L

P

E

W

I

H

O

H

A

Y

P

E

A

C

E

G

F

C

B

Y

H

X

T

N

M

C

C

T

L

U

A

A

L

L

E

M

B

G

E

D

R

O

L

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

For our personalized placement services, call Karen at

908-377-9375

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.

They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction.

But they are in peace.

For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.

As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.

In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever.

Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect. ~Wisdom 3:1-9

OCTOBER 19, 2023

Senior Care at Home is the lower cost alternative to nursing homes or assisted living. Family Care Placement, LLC, provides live-in caregivers allowing them the comfort of their own home. We specialize in placing FILIPINO caregivers.

All candidates are fluent in English with excellent References.

A L L S O U L S D AY • N O V E M B E R 2

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Senior Care at Home

Edward H. Powers, 75, of Metuchen, passed peacefully at home Sunday, September 24, 2023.

Born on June 5, 1948, Mr. Powers was raised in the Ironbound section of Newark and resided in Metuchen for 34 years. He graduated from St. Peter’s High School, Jersey City, and received his bachelor’s degree from St Peter’s College (now University) in Jersey City.

He attended graduate school at University of Virginia for their Political Philosophy program, and received his Masters of Arts in Teaching at Colgate University.

At St. Peter’s College, he played free safety and served as co-captain for the 1970 Peacocks football team. He was also selected as an All-American Nation-

al Club Football Association player in 1970 for his performance on the field in leading the nation in pass interceptions.

The celebrated 1969-1970 football teams in which he played were also inducted into the St. Peter’s University Hall of Fame in 2018.

Mr. Powers began teaching at St. Joseph’s High School, Metuchen, in 1982 and retired in 2021. During his 39 years at St. Joe’s he wore many hats – History Department chair, Lay Teachers Association where he negotiated contracts on behalf of his colleagues, as well as founder and moderator of the College Bowl and History Bowl teams which won numerous national and international championships.

His greatest legacy at St. Joe’s was his passion for teaching history where he challenged every student to think critically and helped them understand their responsibilities as good citizens. Mr. Powers was also a great friend and confidant to many in the faculty.

Mr. Powers was predeceased by his parents, Henry and Frances Powers, and his sister, Margaret Brady. He leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Rose M. Powers, and his two sons, Patrick F. and Joseph M. Powers, and his sister, Frances Green of Mount Laurel.

Contributions may be made in Mr. Power’s memory to St. Joseph’s High School Scholarship Fund at https://www. stjoes.org/support, the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.

OBITUARY

A Mass of Christian Burial was held in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, Sept. 9 for Martin “Marty” Malague of Rosemont, Pa., who died peacefully on Sept. 2 and who was described by his family as an avid suburban outdoorsman and family man.

Born June 3, 1926, in Newark and raised in Belleville, Marty was a graduate of Seton Hall University and earned an MBA from New York University.

He also served for two years in the U.S. Army during World War 11.

Marty lived in Edison for more than 40 years and was an active parishioner in the Cathedral, Metuchen. As a daily communicant, he was also a longtime lector in St. Francis, and, during his lunch hour, for noon Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City.

As a human resources professional, Marty specialized in executive compensation during long tenures at Reigal Paper, RCA, ITT, and then as an independent consultant, before proudly serving in the Metuchen Diocese as a long-time director of personnel.

Father Charles O’Connor, pastor, St. Cecelia Parish, Monmouth Junction, remembered Marty’s time in the Diocese, which stretched back to when the dioc-

esan chancery was located in Iselin. He recalled, “Back in the old chancery you could often find Marty walking at a quick pace between offices, always with a smile and ready with a quick, contagious laugh.

“The lunchroom was always a fun place whenever Marty was there. He was such a positive person and a warm presence among us. While Marty was technically the director of personnel, as it was called in those days, he was so much more than that. He had an understanding heart and a willing ear for anybody who needed to talk about how things were going. People always felt uplifted after speaking with Marty.”

Father O’Connor shared that, while he had not seen Marty in more than 20 years, he was “saddened by his passing and joyful for Heaven’s gain. May he rest in peace, a peace that he spread so generously among us.”

In retirement, Marty delivered for Meals on Wheels; served as a Eucharistic Minister at the Veterans Home, conducted home visits and sat on the board for the Interfaith Network of Care.

Marty was predeceased by a brother, Paul Malague. Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Mary Ellen (Grace); children Rose of Philadelphia; Peggy MacKay and her husband Doug of Charlotte, N. C.; Marty and his wife, Anissa, of Brunswick, Maine, and Katie of Washington, D.C.; a sister, Sister Rose Mary Malague, of Watchung; and sisters-inlaw Margaret Ann Schoder of Frederick, Md., and Marianne Malague of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Chris and his wife Inara, Marty, and Joe MacKay, Jack, Eddie, and Molly Malague; and three great-grandchildren, Astrid, Marigold, and Birdie MacKay. Reflecting on his passing, Marty’s family shared, “A child of the hard times and driven by his faith, Marty lived generously and gratefully counted his blessings literally every day. In his memory, we will try to do the same.”

Obituary Edward H. Powers, 75, long-time faculty member, St. Joseph High School

35

Obituary Martin A. Malague, 97, former Diocese of Metuchen personnel director

36 OUR DIOCESE

Ukrainian Catholic leaders condemn ‘unconscionable’ attacks on Israel

By Gina Christian (OSV News) – Ukrainian Catholic leaders have expressed their support for Israel, following a surprise attack by Islamic militants that has so far killed at least 1,600 and left some 2,500 wounded.

On Oct. 7, Hamas militants stormed from the Gaza Strip into some 22 locations in Israel, gunning down civilians and taking some 100-150 hostages, including infants, the elderly and people with disabilities.

Among those killed were at least 260 attendees, mostly young adults, at the outdoor Tribe of Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im, just over three miles from the border wall with Gaza. The ambush is believed to be the worst civilian massacre in Israeli history.

At least 11 U.S. nationals have been killed in the attacks, with an unspecified number among the hostages.

The coordinated attack took place on a Sabbath that marked the final day of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, which celebrates the gathering of the harvest and the divine protection of the ancient Israelites as they escaped from slavery in Egypt.

Israel declared war on Hamas Oct. 8, placing Gaza under siege and pounding the region with airstrikes. Hamas has continued to launch strikes against Israel, including the southern city of Ashkelon.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is Jewish, said in an Oct. 7 statement that “the world must stand in unity and solidarity so that terror never attempts to conquer or destroy life any-

where,” adding that “Israel’s right to defense is beyond question.”

In a statement released Oct. 9, Metropolitan Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia offered the Jewish community in that region and throughout the U.S. his “condolences on … the unconscionable attack on Israel.”

Archbishop Gudziak decried the “scale and pitiless nature of the assault” as “heartrending.”

“Terrorism is never an answer! I express my sincere solidarity with your people,” he said.

Also on Oct. 9, the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations in Kyiv issued a statement expressing “full solidarity with the people and the State of Israel,” after what the council described as a “brutal and unprovoked attack by the militants of the terrorist movement Hamas.”

The council noted “this cowardly terrorist attack was carried out by Hamas militants during the Jewish religious holidays, while millions of people were gathered in synagogues praying or resting peacefully.”

In addition, said the council, footage of the Hamas attacks evoked scenes from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which continues assaults launched in 2014. To date, more than 9,700 Ukrainian civilians have been killed by Russia, with almost 17,750 injured and close to 109,200 Russian war crimes documented.

“The terrifying videos remind us of the dramatic situation that Ukraine

OCTOBER 19, 2023

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

EthicsPoint remains important tool for diocesan fiscal management As part of continued efforts to ensure accountability and transparency for financial practices in diocesan administration, parishes and institutions, the Diocese of Metuchen reminds the faithful of the Navex Global EthicsPoint program that was implemented in the Diocese in 2021.

EthicsPoint is a confidential reporting structure used throughout the world in private sector organizations, and in dioceses across the country, so members of a diocese may file a report of suspected financial ethics violations in the diocese or in any of its parishes, schools or cemeteries.

EthicsPoint employs an anonymous hotline providing the opportunity for people with concerns, including employees, to report suspected fiscal malfeasance without fear of repercussion for their jobs.

In a letter introducing this new tool,

Bishop James F. Checchio wrote, “The Diocese of Metuchen is committed to be transparent and forthright in the protocols and policies that help ensure integrity on every level of our diocesan life.

“These measures are all meant to be proactive steps to ensure that our entire Diocesan family functions in a healthy and wholesome way in order to be responsible with the welfare of each individual and the general financial stewardship entrusted to the mission of our local Church.

“I pray that this tool will serve as a reminder as to how we are called to responsibly cultivate the life, mission, and work of our local Church, proclaiming our faith by our own credible witness to love, healing, unity and charity.”

Reports may be filed via the web by visiting https://diometuchen.ethicspoint.com or by calling one of EthicsPoint’s trained specialists toll free at: 844-796-1296.

People mourn at the graveside of Eden Guez in Ashkelon, Israel, Oct. 10. She was killed while attending a festival that was attacked by Hamas gunmen from Gaza.

Israel increased airstrikes on the Gaza Strip Oct. 9 in retaliation as the death toll rose to nearly 1,600 on both sides. —OSV News photo/Violeta Santos Moura, Reuters has suffered and is still suffering during Russia’s aggressive invasion: civilians killed while trying to evacuate, cars shot at, massive missile attacks on peaceful locations, damage inflicted on civilian infrastructure and hospitals, private homes and apartments set on fire, hostages captured, including women and children,” said the council. “The attacker is brazenly violating all moral norms and international law.

“We strongly condemn yet another act of inhuman and brutal violence being perpetrated by the terrorist movement Hamas, with the support of other terrorist organizations and the states that finance it,” the council said. “Attempts to foment further military conflict serve the interests of those in this world who neglect humanity and humanism, care nothing for international law and diplomacy and do not appreciate the most precious gift given to us by Creator: life.”

Archbishop Gudziak said in his statement that Philadelphia-area Ukrainian Catholics had “raised prayers for justice and peace” for the Jewish community.

On Oct. 9, the archbishop attended a local commemoration for the victims of

Babyn Yar (also spelled Babi Yar), a site in Kyiv where over a two-day period in 1941 close to 34,000 Jews were shot by Nazi SS, German police and their auxiliaries. An estimated 100,000 people, both Jews and non-Jews, were ultimately murdered there by German forces.

During the memorial service, “we were not only mourning past antisemitic crimes and crimes against humanity,” said Archbishop Gudziak, but also “we stood together renewing our commitment to work for peace and justice for all. We stood together as brothers and sisters in shock regarding what is happening before the world’s eyes today, both in the Holy Land and in Ukraine. No more genocide!”

He said that “more than ever today, Ukrainians and Jews, people of faith and people of goodwill, can understand each other as we face acts meant to lead to our annihilation.”

“At a time when the person of the president of Ukraine unites our peoples, let us pray together that the will of God may be done on earth as it is in heaven,” said the archbishop. “I pray that Israel enjoys freedom and independence, democracy, justice and peace.”

Bishop’s Appointments Bishop James F. Checchio has announced the following appointments.

Rev. Jojappa Thippabathini, has been appointed parochial vicar of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Old Bridge, effective September 12 Rev. Justin Akkara, CMI, has been appointed parochial vicar of Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, effective September 29 Rev. Roberto Coruna, from pastor, Church of the Annunciation, Bloomsbury, to retired status, effective November 1, 2023.

Rev. James McGuffey, from parochial vicar, Immaculate Conception Parish, Spotswood, to pastor, Church of the Annunciation, Bloomsbury. Effective November 3 he is the new pastor as well as chaplain at St. Luke’s Hospital – Warren Campus

37

Youth’s perfect score nets international recognition

“He is really into practicing,” she said. “He goes on his own now and practices about two hours a day.

“He sees the value of the hard work he puts in has been rewarded and he wants to keep that up, which is really nice.”

Cristian, a shooting guard on the Bulldogs’ Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team, said one of the skills he wants to improve is dribbling the ball with his left hand since he is right-handed.

As for advice for anyone who struggles to convert free throws, Cristian suggested creating a pre-shot routine. His consists of dribbling the ball and spinning it before releasing a shot.

According to the website of the Catholic men’s fraternal organization, Councils sponsor Free Throw Championship for boys and girls ages 9 to 14 to provide an athletic outlet and encourage the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition.

Participants compete with their own gender and age and progress from local level to district, regional and state/province competitions.

Each contestant is allowed 15 consecutive free throws in Council competition and 25 consecutive free throws in all other levels.

—Chris Donahue photo

— Chris Donahue photo

BREAKTHROUGH EVENT

with JUSTIN FATICA and HARD AS NAILS MINISTRY

NOVEMBER 4, 2023 6:30-9:00PM Immaculata HS Gymnasium You’re Amazing Experience This Diocese-wide event is an active and dynamic encounter for 7th-12th graders and families to experience a breakthrough that will (re)ignite their relationship with Christ and the Catholic Church.

TICKETS $10.00 PER YOUTH

OR

$25.00 PER FAMILY

Register today on our Diocesan Website: https://www.diometuchen.org/youthministry

OCTOBER 19, 2023

KOC State Advocate Scott Williams presented nine-year-old Cristian Ferrer with a personalized, engraved trophy in recognition of his being named a 2022-2023 international champion in the annual Knights of Columbus Free Throw Tournament.

Cristian Ferrer, center front with trophy, a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Milltown, was named 2022-2023 international champion in the annual Knights of Columbus Free Throw Tournament in the nine-year-old division. With Cristian, from left front, are Father Edward Czarcinski, Our Lady of Lourdes pastor; Annette Ferrer, grandmother; his brother, Michael; his mom, Nicole; Lorraine Estrada, grandmother; Scott Williams, State Advocate, and Tom Olson, Deputy Grand Knight, council 7250.

Back row, from left, grandfather Steve Ferrer, and Michael, Cristian’s father.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

MILLTOWN – Nine-year-old Cristian Ferrer is not resting on his laurels as a basketball free throw shooter, even though his most recent award netted the highest honor he could achieve.

Cristian, a member of our Lady of Lourdes Parish, won the State Championship title in the boys 9-year-old division by converting 25 of 25 attempts at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Old Bridge, March 25.

On Sept. 19, at a meeting of Our Lady of Lourdes Knights of Columbus Council 7250, Cristian was named an International Champion in a ceremony led

by State Advocate Scott Williams.

Cristian was one of five winners in his division from around the country to be named a 2022-23 International Champion and one of 20 overall, according to the Knights’ website. He was the only contestant from New Jersey to receive the honor.

Cristian is the first International Champion from Council 7250 since the tournament began in 1972, said Thomas Olson, Deputy Grand Knight.

Cristian was joined by family members at the ceremony, during which Williams, a member of St. Cecilia Parish, Monmouth Junction, presented him with a trophy. Cristian also received a new Wilson basketball from Council 7250.

After receiving the trophy, Cristian posed for photos with family members, officers of the Catholic men’s fraternal organization and Father Edward Czarcinski, Council chaplain and pastor.

Cristian, who wants to be a professional basketball player, said he planned to put his International Champion trophy on a shelf in his bedroom.

A fifth-grader at Joyce Kilmer School, Milltown, Cristian said he has been practicing for the 2024 free throw tournament, which begins at the parish level in January.

The experience of winning the state title has given him more confidence as a player as well as for other activities. “It has had a more positive impact on my shot,” he added.

His mother, Nicole, said she has also noticed her son’s increased confidence.

YOUTH

By Chris Donahue Correspondent

38 STEWARDSHIP

‘The Tender Parting’ featuring the Fauré Requiem benefits African Mission Caritas Chamber Chorale, directed by Barbara Sanderman, with Simply Strings and organist, Wayne Dietterick, will present three concerts of sacred music, entitled “The Tender Parting,” for the benefit of Adorno Fathers’ Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa.

Through the music, “The Tender Parting” embraces life’s journey, recalls the loss of loved ones while acknowledging grief, and offers prayers for the dead.

Listeners will be invited to write their deceased loved ones’ names in Caritas’s Book of the Dead. The Fauré Requiem will be dedicated to these loved ones, who will also be remembered at Mass by the Adorno Fathers.

The program opens with a cappella music, including Kevin Ziegfried’s arrangement of the Shaker hymn Come to Zion, and Rheinberger’s exquisite motet for six voices, Abendlied. O Pulse of My Heart by Karen Marrolli and Jake Runestad’s Let My Love Be Heard touch on the complicated emotions of both grief and hope.

Simply Strings, with concert master Maria Ramsay, and organist Wayne Dietterick join the Chorale for the Fauré Requiem. Caritas Chamber Chorale, comprised of about 20 singers and with just a few instruments, will provide an immediate and intimate rendering of the Requiem, which is more closely aligned with the original 19th century performance by Fauré himself than the often-heard orchestral version with large chorus.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

• Friday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Magdalen de Pazzi Church, 105 Mine St., Flemington • Saturday, Nov. 18, at 8 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 390 County Rd. 523, Whitehouse Station • Sunday, Nov. 19, at 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church, 111 South St., New Providence

BLUE ARMY OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA SHRINE 674 Mountain View Road E., Asbury, NJ 08802 908-689-7330 • retreat@bluearmy.com

THE SHRINE OF ST. JOSEPH 1050 Long Hill Road, Stirling, NJ 07980 908-647-0208 • www.stshrine.org

LOYOLA JESUIT CENTER 161 James Street • Morristown, NJ 07960 973-539-0740 • Fax: 973-898-9839 www.loyola.org • retreathouse@loyola.org

ST. FRANCIS CENTER FOR RENEWAL, INC. 395 Bridle Path Road, Bethlehem PA 18017 610.867.8890 • sfcr-info@stfrancisctr.org • stfrancisctr.org

Lift Up Your Soul at the tranquil 150-acre Fatima Shrine.

Host Your Retreat for Youth, Couples, Parish or Vocational Group.

OCTOBER 19, 2023

The concert will be presented on:

Retreats for lay men, women, priests, religious; days/evenings of prayer. Groups planning their own programs are welcome.

Day & Overnight Retreats Gift & Book Shop - open daily

55 acres of natural beauty await you! Programs for personal and spiritual enrichment, directed and solitude retreats. Air conditioned facilities for retreats, spiritual programs, meetings and staff days for church related and not-for-profit groups.

MOUNT ST. MARY HOUSE OF PRAYER 1651 U.S. Highway 22, Watchung, NJ 07069 908-753-2091 • www.msmhope.org e-mail: msmhope@msmhope.org

ST. FRANCIS RETREAT HOUSE 3918 Chipman Road, Easton, PA 18045 Phone: 610-258-3053, ext. 10 • Fax: 610-258-2412 Info@stfrancisretreathouse.org • stfrancisretreathouse.org

SAN ALFONSO RETREAT HOUSE 755 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch NJ 07740 732-222-2731 • info@sanalfonsoretreats.org www.sanalfonsoretreats.org

ST. JOSEPH BY THE SEA 400 Route 35 North, S. Mantoloking, NJ 08738 732-892-8494 • sjbsea@comcast.net • sjbsea.org

Retreats, Spiritual Direction, Programs

A Redemptorist Spiritual Center overlooking the Atlantic Ocean offering preached retreats, days of prayer and use of the facility for outside groups.

Franciscan retreat and confrence center. Retreats for men, women, youth, religious, preached, private, directed

A Retreat House Sponsored by the Religious Teachers Filippini overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay. Offering days of prayer, retreat weekends, spiritual programs, meetings and staff days.

The concerts are free and open to the public. The entirety of a freewill offering will benefit the Pierluigi Fabbiani Nursery School, the Gianni Diurni Primary School and the Foyer de l’Enfance Paolo Di Nardo Orphanage, run by the Adorno Fathers’ St. Francis Caracciolo Mission in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa.

For more information, please visit www.caritaschamberchorale.org or email director@caritaschamberchorale.org.

VILLA PAULINE RETREAT AND SPIRITUAL CENTER 352 Bernardsville Road, Mendham, NJ 07945 973-738-4266 • smpdemek@scceast.org • www.scceast.org Preached/Directed/Guided & Private Retreats, Spiritual Direction, day & weekend programs

Caritas Chamber Chorale sings for a spring concert, May, 2023, in St. Catharine Church, Spring Lake. The group is dedicated to serving the poorest of the poor through the art of sacred music.

Since its founding in 2005, the Chorale has sung for the benefit of the Adorno Fathers’ St. Francis Caracciolo Mission in DRC, Africa. —Courtesy photo

To join this retreat guide, email Ads@CatholicSpirit.com

This month’s featured retreat house

The Loyola Jesuit Center is a very special place that has been used for retreats since 1927. Since then thousands of people have walked through its doors, seeking peace, restoration and God’s presence. Rooted in our Catholic and Jesuit identity, we will fulfill this welcoming mission by: • sponsoring a variety of retreats and days of prayer, offering the experiences of discernment and contemplation at the heart of lgnatian spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises • providing spiritual direction, contemporary programming, and other resources for growing in a personal, mature relationship with God in a place of peace and serenity.

161 James Street, Morristown, NJ 07960 973-539-0740 • www.loyola.org

ACCOMPANYING ALL WHO SEEK A DEEPER FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD

1

DOWN 1 Boss monk 2 Cousin of Mary 3 “O Salutaris ___” 4 Catholic author of The Power and the Glory 5 A book of the Bible 6 “You ___ love the Lord, your God…” (Mt 22:37) 7 Lucifer 8 “The Last Supper” painter 14 “…thus death came to ___” (Rom 5:12) 15 What the sea bottom became when Moses parted it 18 Characteristic of God 19 “For however many are the promises of God, their ___ is in him.” (2 Cor 1:20) 20 Document stating that a person is a priest in good standing 21 Aaron’s staff turned into this 23 “…until the end of the ___” (Mt 28:20) 26 “Salve ___” 27 Archdiocese in the Czech Republic 28 Time of preparation for a feast 29 Baby Moses traveled down one 31 Land with a queen in Kings Answers can be found on page 43

2

3

4

5

6

7

8 9

10

11

12

13

15

16

18

23

24

29

32

19

21 25

26 28

14

17

20 22

OUR DIOCESE

ACROSS 1 Catholic portrayer of Alexander Graham Bell 4 First book of the Bible 9 One of the 10 plagues 10 A Hail Mary, for short 11 The Immaculate ___ of Mary 12 Teaching handed down from the Apostles 13 Italian archdiocese with the Ambrosian rite 15 “So the Lord God cast a ___ sleep on the man” (Gen 2:21) 16 Four Catholic colleges in Australia were combined to make this in 1991 (abbr.)

17 The domestic church 22 Personal name of God revealed to Moses 24 One of two popes who is a Doctor of the Church 25 Prophet quoted on the Civil Rights Memorial 28 The Book of Esther has the longest one in the Bible 30 One of the rivers in Eden 32 God loves a cheerful one 33 There was no room here 34 Catholic actor of “Gone with the Wind” fame 35 Catholic Academy-Award winning actress Young 36 Catholic actress/singer Gomez

39

Crossword Puzzle

27

30

31

33

34

35

36 www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

Family owned and operated since 1900 Four generations of caring www.flynnfuneral.com Flynn and Son Funeral Homes 23 Ford Ave., Edison-Fords, NJ 08863 Brendan J. Flynn, Jr., Mgr. - NJ Lic. # 4105 (732) 826-0358

Flynn and Son/Koyen Funeral Home 319 Amboy Ave., Metuchen, NJ 08840 Brendan J. Flynn, Jr., Mgr. - NJ Lic. # 4105 (732) 548-2134

Flynn and Son Funeral Homes 420-424 East Ave., Perth Amboy, NJ 08861 James J. Flynn IV, Mgr. - NJ Lic. # 4152 (732) 826-0358

Your diocesan cemeteries ready to serve you!

419 Barclay Street, Perth Amboy • 732-826-4525 GREGORY B. CHUBENKO, Manager - NJ Lic. No. 4322

Lester Memorial Home

Costello - Runyon Funeral Homes 568 Middlesex Ave. (Rt 27)

1225 Green St.

METUCHEN

ISELIN

(732) 548-0149

(732) 283-0075

NJ Lic. No.3670

www.costello-runyon.com

GreGory S. LeSter, ManaGer, nJ Lic. no. 3364 DaviD L. LeSter, Director, nJ Lic. no. 3483

732-521-0020

16 W. ChurCh Street • JameSburg, NJ 08831

www.LesterMemorialHome.com

Resurrection Cemetery

Cranbury & South River Road, Jamesburg, NJ Featuring Mary Sorrowful Mother Mausoleum and Crematory

Hoes Lane & Park Avenue, Piscataway, NJ Announcing the new Mausoleum of the Holy Spirit

For information about purchase of crypts, niches or plots at the diocesan-owned and operated cemeteries, call: 800-943-8400 or visit: diometuchen.org/cemeteries (Financing available, credit cards accepted) Thomas J. DeMarco, Manager, N.J. LIC. NO. 4651 Peter S. Winther, Director, N.J. LIC. NO. 4763 Jennifer L. Burry, Director, N.J. LIC. NO. 5172

M. DAVID

FUNERAL HOME, INC.

Raymond J. & Thomas E. Sheenan, CFSP Founder

Owner/Manager NJ Lic No 2592

www.SheenanFH.com

(732) 968-4227

To advertise in this directory email ads@catholicspirit.com

OCTOBER 19, 2023

Family Owned & Operated

188 Easton Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901 732-545-4040 10 Wooding Avenue, Edison, NJ 08817 732-572-0076 Robert Fox, Manager, NJ License No. 4371 BoylanFH.com

Serving your community for 85 years Prearrangement price guaranteed

Family Owned and Operated 205 Rhode Hall Road, Monroe Twp., NJ 08831 info@demarcofuneralhome.com demarcofuneralhome.com 732-521-0555

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Joseph V. Costello III - Manager

Thoughtful, Personal Dignified Service

Holy Cross Cemetery

40 LIVING FAITH

A

Our Catholic faith teaches us that lying is an offense against the eighth commandment and is in principle always wrong. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church Jenna Marie Cooper, states: “By its very nature, lying is to be who holds a licenticondemned. It is a profanation of speech, ate in canon law, is whereas the purpose of speech is to coma consecrated virgin municate known truth to others. The and a canonist whose deliberate intention of leading a neighbor column appears weekly into error by saying things contrary to the at OSV News. Send your questions to truth constitutes a failure in justice and CatholicQA@osv.com. charity” (CCC 2485).

However, as your question suggests, there are some nuances to consider. For one thing, a lie might be mortally or venially sinful depending on the objective importance of the truth Is it always wrong in every case being obscured and on the serito lie? What about the so-called ousness of the “little white lie?”' I’m thinking of potential harms situations where you tell a person that might come something you know is false to spare about because of their feelings, when they’re likely never the lie. A quick going to know the truth anyway. fib about eating the last piece of cake is obviously not on the same level as a lie in a business transaction that causes a family to lose their entire savings.

It also might be useful to consider what a lie technically is. As the catechism,

Q

referencing St. Augustine, puts it: “A lie consists in speaking a falsehood with the intention of deceiving” (CCC 2482).

This means that not every untrue statement is a lie. To give some examples, acting and some jokes involve saying things that aren’t true, but untruths uttered by an actor in a play or as part of the set-up for a clear punchline aren’t intended to deceive and typically aren’t misleading in actual fact. Likewise, inaccurate statements that come about from an honest mistake also are not lies, because there was no intention in such statements to distort the truth.

The catechism further specifies that: “To lie is to speak or act against the truth in order to lead into error someone who has the right to know the truth” (CCC 2483). It should be noted that not every-

one has the right to know the truth about every situation. In most cases it is not at all sinful to give an intentionally vague answer to a question that isn’t the proper business of the one asking.

Similarly, since we live in society and must be sensitive to the feelings of others, we don’t always need to be brutally honest and outspoken in all our thoughts and opinions. So, it’s fine – and even at times required by charity – to answer certain questions with diplomacy and tact, as long as we’re not saying anything radically untrue in doing so.

Personally, I’m against telling white lies that are clear-cut falsehoods, even if they only concern trivial matters. Beyond the question of whether this is a sin, telling even small lies can cause people to lose their trust in us over time.

Q

When I was Evangelical, we were told Jesus wanted to heal us, every time; we need only ask “in his name.” If we weren’t healed it was because we lacked sufficient faith to “claim it.” I remember my Catholic Grandma saying though, that sometimes God heals and sometimes not, and that the best thing to do is “offer it up” to God, just asking for the strength to bear it. What does the Catholic Church actually say about all this, especially “healings?” (St. John’s, KY)

A

Estate Planning

□ Last Will and Testament □ Power of Attorney □ Living Will

Elder Law

OCTOBER 19, 2023

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

□ Medicaid □ Guardianships □ Social Security

Estate Administration □ Probate □ Asset Distribution □ Taxes

□ Income Only Trust □ Asset Protection

□ Estate Planning □ Asset Sheltering

□ Will Contests □ Accounting

Helping families in the Metuchen area for more than 15 years!

Free parking in CHASE lot

Handicap Accessible

Call us today for a FREE consultation!

732-548-5400 • www.WolfeOssaLaw.com 475 Main St. 2nd Floor, CHASE Bldg. Metuchen, NJ

While your question involves many layers, the short answer is no, Catholics don’t believe that a lack of physical healing is due to some fault in the faith of the one suffering, nor can it be attributed to a lack of faith on the part of that person’s loved ones.

For millennia, philosophers and theologians have reflected on the “problem of evil,” or how a good and loving God could create a world with so much suffering in it. Looking through the eyes of faith, though, we know that physical illness, infirmity and death were not part of God’s original plan; as we read in Wisdom: “God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living. For he fashioned all things that they might have being” (Wis 1:13-14).

Suffering entered the world because of original sin, when Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, and in doing so set the world on a course that was not in harmony with God’s will.

Jesus came into this world to accept suffering and death on the cross in order to free us from the ultimate consequences of original sin. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we are able to enter into eternal life in heaven. Still, we are all stuck living in a fallen world in the meantime, and physical illness and pain are unavoidable parts of this – for everyone, eventually.

To be sure, Catholicism certainly recognizes the possibility of miraculous healings. Jesus is recorded in all four

Gospels as having healed a great many people from their illness as a sign of his redeeming mission. At the same time, Jesus also makes it clear that he wasn’t just a “miracle dispenser.”

God is still at work in the world today, and so miraculous healings can still happen. But miracles, by definition, are extraordinary and not to be counted on in a presumptuous way. So an illness taking its natural course despite our prayers is not a sign of God’s indifference towards us – and it certainly doesn’t indicate a defect in anyone’s faith. Many of our most beloved saints, like St. Therese the “Little Flower,” and St. Francis of Assisi, endured tremendous bodily sufferings even amidst their heroic faith and trust in God. Your grandmother’s expression “offer it up” is a very traditional Catholic phrase that often gets a bad reputation for sounding flippant or dismissive but references a real truth: that we can join our sufferings to Christ’s on the cross, “offering them up” for the sake of others.

We can trust that whatever suffering God permits to befall us – because God will only ever allow suffering to happen; he does not actively will it – will ultimately be for our good, even if we never clearly see how in this life.

41

Book of the Month

On the night of March 24, 1944, German Nazis raided their farmhouse and cruelly shot all of the Jews the Ulmas were hiding and every member of the Ulma family. In just minutes, seventeen people, including the Ulma’s six young children and the child in Wiktoria’s womb, were brutally executed.

In an unprecedented event, the entire Ulma family was beatified on September 10, 2023, in Markowa, Poland, where the family lived and was martyred. This is the first time the Catholic Church has beatified an entire family together.

Martyred and Blessed Together provides a detailed account of the virtuous lives and martyrdom of the Ulma family, while placing their lives and actions within the horrors of World War II and the historical relations between Poles and Jews.

While tragic, the story of the Ulma family demonstrates great sacrificial love. The Ulmas found strength in the parable of the Good Samaritan in the Gospel of Luke, and moved with compassion for their Jewish neighbors, went beyond even the Good Samaritan’s example by sacrificing their lives for the sake of total fidelity to Jesus Christ.

Blessed Józef, Wiktoria, Stasia, Basia, Wládziu, Franio, Antoś, Marysia, and unnamed baby Ulma, pray for us!

ARTS & MEDIA

T

he extraordinary story of the Ulma family is one of faith, courage, and heroic love of neighbor. Józef and Wiktoria Ulma risked their lives to protect three Jewish families during the Holocaust.

FURTHER READING 2016 CPA Book Awards Winner!

3rd Place, Biography category “The shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger.” - Father Stanley Francis Rother Father Stanley Rother was true to his word. He did not run. And was martyred at the age of 46.

Father Stanley arrived in Guatemala in 1968, and immediately identified with his parishioners’ simple, farming lifestyle. He learned their languages, prepared them for the Sacraments, and

cared for their needs. Father Stanley, or “Padre Francisco” as he was called by his beloved Tz’utujil Indians, had found his heart’s calling.

After nearly a decade, the violence of the Guatemalan civil war found its way into the peaceful village. Disappearances, killings, and danger became daily occurrences, but despite this unrest Father Stanley remained hard at work, building a farmer’s co-op, a school, a hospital, and the first Catholic radio station, used for catechesis.

In early 1981, his name was on a death list, so he returned to Oklahoma and was warned not to return. But he could not abandon his people, so he went back, and made the ultimate sacrifice for his faith.

“Pray for us that we may be a sign of the love of Christ for our people,” said Father Stanley, “that our presence among them will fortify them to endure these sufferings in preparation for the coming of the Kingdom.”

Also available in Spanish.

New Jersey Chinese Catholic Apostolate

NJCCA - Holy Cross Church

16 Church Square, Harrison, NJ 07029 Every 1st, 3rd, 4th & 5th Sunday 2pm Chinese Mass

NJCCA - Our Lady of Mount Virgin Church

650 Harris Ave, Middlesex, NJ 08846 Every 2nd Sunday 3:30pm Chinese Mass

Licensed • Insured • Bonded

CALL NOW: 888.349.4511 or 908.265.7450 Office: 312 Franklin Rd. North Brunswick, NJ 08902 www.gladhomehealthcare.com help@gladhomehealthcare.com

Thinking about buying or selling?

Please keep me in mind.

Office: 908-874-8421 Cell: 908-229-5045 Kgenco48@gmail.com www.kengenco.com

Call me anytime for a free market analysis!

njcca.net See all updates on

Cantonese Prayer Meeting 2nd Saturday at 3:30pm

Call 862-686-1170 for free rides Ang7371@gmail.com

To join this Business Directory, email Ads@CatholicSpirit.com

OCTOBER 19, 2023

Kenneth “Ken” Genco, SFR, ABR

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

10, 20 & 30 yard boxes Residential and commercial dumpster rental www.stilodisposal.com 908-754-0776

We specialize in providing Filipino Caregivers!

Our Services: - Certified Caregivers - Light Housekeeping - Doctor's appointment - Nurse on Staff - Bathing and Dressing - 24/7 Live-in Care - Grocery Shopping - Companionship - Meal prep. and more...

- Respite Care

A Haunting in Venice Kenneth Branagh stars in a scene from the movie “A Haunting in Venice.”

ARTS & MEDIA

42

Movie Review

— OSV News photo/ Rob Youngson, 20th Century Studios

By John Mulderig OSV News

OCTOBER 19, 2023

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

NEW YORK (OSV News) – “A Haunting in Venice” (20th Century) is the third in a series of Agatha Christie adaptations, all featuring her famed sleuth Hercule Poirot, on which director and star Kenneth Branagh has collaborated with screenwriter Michael Green. Yet, in at least two related respects, the newcomer is noticeably distinct from its predecessors.

Both 2017’s “Murder on the Orient Express” and last year’s “Death on the Nile” were straightforward whodunits and both included dialogue indicating that Poirot, a self-identified Catholic in print, was indeed a believer. This time out, the brilliant Belgian is up against supposedly supernatural forces and is

also portrayed as having lost his faith.

In large part, that’s due to the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust, both of which are still recent events given the film’s 1947 setting. Apparently worn out and disenchanted, Poirot has retired to La Serenissima where, with the help of police officer-turned-bodyguard Vitale Portfoglio (Richard Scamarcio), he resolutely refuses all attempts to lure him back to work.

He does so, that is, until celebrated detective novelist Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey), an old friend, appears on the scene.

Instead of a murder case, she presents Poirot with the opportunity to unmask the fraudulent techniques of spiritualist Joyce Reynolds (Michelle Yeoh).

At the invitation of renowned opera singer Rowena Drake (Kelly Reilly),

Reynolds will be presiding over a Halloween-night seance at Drake’s reputedly haunted palazzo. Reynolds’ goal will be to summon up the spirit of Alicia, Drake’s recently deceased adult daughter who died in tragic, and murky, circumstances.

Of course, where Poirot goes, homicide either precedes or follows – and the seance proves no exception. As Poirot sets out to solve the ensuing crime, Green’s script, loosely based on Christie’s 1969 novel “Hallowe’en Party” (along with some of her other works) raises an interesting philosophical point.

Poirot’s habitual method is, of course, to use logic to arrive at a rational explanation for whatever set of circumstances he’s investigating and thus bring order out of chaos. Yet, without God, the ultimate source of rationality, the

Of Gods and Men Brilliant dramatization of real events, recounting the fate of a small community of French Trappists (led by Lambert Wilson and including Michael Lonsdale ) living in Algeria during that nation’s civil war in the 1990s. Targeted by violent Muslim extremists, the monks must decide whether to continue their medical and social work for the local population or abandon them by fleeing to safety. Using the tools of the monastic life itself, director Xavier Beauvois finds a path to the heart of the Gospel through simplicity, a compassionate sense of brotherhood and an atmosphere of prayer enriched by sacred music and potent silence. The result, a profound mediation on the cost of discipleship, is a viewing experience from which

every adult as well as many mature teens can expect to profit. In French. Subtitles.

Brief gory violence, some unsettling images and a single instance each of rough and crass language. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III – adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 – parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Lambert Wilson and Jean-Marie Frin star in a scene from the 2011 movie “Of Gods and Men.” John Mulderig of Catholic News Service’s Media Review Office ranked the film as one of the top 10 faith related films. —CNS photo/Sony Pictures Classics

universe is an unintelligible tumult of accidental circumstances.

Accordingly, just as Poirot’s withdrawal from work is mute testimony to his newfound atheism, so his return to it suggests a restored belief. So far so good.

However, in establishing this theme, Green somewhat conflates necromancy with religion.

If souls can be conjured up, the argument seems to run, then human beings are not merely physical but spiritual as well and must have been endowed with their souls by God. Yet, while Scripture appears to indicate that communicating with the dead is a real possibility, it’s quite clear on the point that engaging in such a practice is sinful.

Not a very apt starting point, then, for a proof of God’s existence.

Although some of the thinking at work in the screenplay may be muddled, it’s at least sophisticated enough to deserve careful analysis. Parents will have to assess whether mature teens are sufficiently equipped to take on such material. Those who are will appreciate, along with their elders, a lush, eerily atmospheric production with a generally satisfying outcome.

The film contains occult and atheism themes, disturbing images, some physical violence, a couple of instances each of profanity and crass language, about a half-dozen mild oaths and at least one crude term. The OSV News classification is A-III - adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 – parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

John Mulderig is media reviewer for OSV News. Follow him on Twitter @ JohnMulderig1.

43

OCT

Diocese of Metuchen 21st Annual Blue Mass, 10:30 a.m., Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. Bishop James F. Checchio will celebrate the Blue Mass for local, county, state and federal law enforcement officials. The Mass is an opportunity to honor and prayer for law enforcement officials of all faiths who live and work in the Metuchen Diocese. For more information visit: https:// www.diometuchen.org/bluemass

OCT

Webinar on The Divine Office Hymnal 1 p.m., the Secretariat of Divine Worship and the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions will co-sponsor a 75-minute webinar on The Divine Office Hymnal. This recently published hymnal will be found in the forthcoming new edition of the Divine Office in English. To learn more about this new hymnal sign up at https://fdlc.org/2023/08/thedivine-office-hymnal-webinars/.

NOV

Health Care Considerations for Aging Catholics, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. St. John Neumann Pastoral Center. The day begins with Mass, followed by a continental breakfast, fellowship and guest speaker: Msgr. John Fell, STD, Episcopal Vicar, Health Care Apostolate. Cost is $10 per person. To register, email Angela at amarshall@diometuchen.org or call 732-562-1543.

25

26

8

NOV

RCIA Formation Event – Team RCIA – Making Disciples Institute will be held at Immaculate Conception Church, Annandale. This two-day Institute, run by Nick Wagner and Diana Macalintal from Team RCIA, will provide RCIA team members a comprehensive overview of the entire catechumenate process, focusing on each period; explore how evangelization is the ongoing work of all the baptized, and how the entire parish becomes the training ground for catechesis. The Institute is meant to help catechumenate teams deepen their community’s engagement with seekers, become more confident, and find more joy in this life-changing ministry. To learn more about this important event, contact Adam Carlisle, Secretary for Evangelization and Communication, at acarlisle@diometuchen.org.

NOV

Annual Girl Scout Gathering Day for Catholic Junior, Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church, Bridgewater. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Sponsored by the Diocese of Metuchen Catholic Scouting Apostolate, the day will include activities toward Catholic scouting awards. Cost for the program is $15. For more information contact: domgirlscouts@gmail.com

10-11

11

DIOCESAN PROGRAMS Lectio Divina A meditative reading of a short Scripture passage; no experience or preparation are required. The program began Sept. 18 and will be held two Mondays per month on Zoom at 7 p.m. For details contact Cristina D’Averso-Collins, diocesan director, Office of Family Life at cdaverso@diometuchen.org.

AROUND THE DIOCESE Perpetual Adoration - Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament The Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, Raritan,

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

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.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER The Diocese of Metuchen is seeking a freelance photographer to cover important events throughout the diocese, including the Bishop’s pastoral visits. The ideal candidate will assist the Office of Communications and Public Relations, as well as The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the diocese, in telling the story of the diocese and its partners. Interested candidates should contact Jerry Wutkowski at communications@diometuchen.org.

Do you want to know more about • Being Catholic in today’s world • The teachings of the Church • Engaging youth in the Church • Protecting human life • Living your faith every day

Find out by subscribing to

Catholic Spirit THE

Subscribe today, call (732) 529-7934

Crossword Puzzle Answers: A M E C H E G E N E S I S B L O D R E H A B O I L S A V E H E A R T Z T V E E L A O M I L A N T R A D I T I O N B A N E I L D E E P A C U F A M I L Y T C I S H M E R L E O A M O S Y A H W E H G L R R P U V E R S E E U P H R A T E S I I B G E A A H G I V E R I N N G A B L E E E N T U L B I L O R E T T A S E L E N A www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

OCTOBER 19, 2023

Liturgical Music News The Diocesan Festival Choir is seeking new members in all sections (SATB) to join those who already give generously of their time to serve the Church as liturgical musicians. Rehearsals are on the three preceding Tuesdays for any particular Diocesan liturgical event; rehearsals are typically held at the Cathedral of Saint Francis in Metuchen. Interested persons may set up an interview/ audition by contacting Christopher Deibert, diocesan director of Liturgical Music, at cdeibert@diometuchen.org.

Healing and Penance Service On Nov. 4, Father John Campoli, a priest of the Voluntas Dei Institute, known for his international prayer and healing ministry, will present an afternoon of spiritual reflection including discussion and a healing service at Our Lady of Peace Parish Center, North Brunswick.

Sponsored by the parish’s Columbiettes, the service will be held from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Parish Center. At 4 p.m., across the parking lot at Our Lady of Peace Church, Father Campoli will offer a Penance Service and then celebrate a 5 p.m. Vigil Mass. All are invited.

For more information visit: www.frjohncampoli.com.

On Friday, Sept. 22, Bishop James F. Checchio met with Bishop Emmanuel Kanon Rozario of the Diocese of Barisal (Bangladesh). With a current Catholic population of nearly 20,000 and a presence of the Catholic faith since 1537, Pope Francis established the Diocese of Barisal out of the Diocese of Chattogram in 2015. The Diocese of Barishal comprises the 11 Civil Districts of Barishal, Barguna, Bhola, Jhalokathi, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Gopalganj, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Faridpur and Rajbari. Please join us in praying for our brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Barisal and Bishop Rozario as he appeals to the U.S. Church for the missionary work of his young diocese. —Photo Office of the Bishop

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Eucharistic Adorers Wanted Now that the pandemic is over, Bishop Checchio would like to offer Eucharistic adoration at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Monday through Friday, from 9:00-11:45 a.m. As St. Pope John Paul II noted. “The Church and the world have a great need of Eucharistic adoration.” Anyone who is interested in signing up should contact Angela Marshall at amarshall@diometuchen.org.

is looking for adorers to sit with the Blessed Sacrament Monday through Friday for a time from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is also being offered the third Thursday of each Month (Night Vigil) from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Anyone interested in signing up should visit https://blessedsacramentshrine.com/.

OUR DIOCESE

DIOCESAN EVENTS

44 OUR DIOCESE

Conducted by Rev. Alphonse Stephenson

Welcome to Trappistine Quality Candy

Mount Saint Mary’s Abbey is home to close to forty nuns of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, more commonly known as Trappistines. Trappistine Quality Candy, our candy making industry, allows us to be self-supporting. Through this work we are able to share with the poor the many blessings we have received. It also supports the communal life, giving Sisters the opportunity to work together for the common good.

OCTOBER 19, 2023

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Mt. St. Mary’s Abbey, 300 Arnold Street, Wrentham, MA 02093 trappistinecandy.com • 866-549-8929 • info@trappistinecandy.com

149 South Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080

General Admission: $40 Seniors: $35 and Students: $20 Buy your tickets today online at: www.churchofthesacredheart.net or call: 732-742-5034 or 908 -756-0633 x110