August 20, 2020

Profiles of new transitional deacons for the diocese, 14-15, 18-19

Spirit atholic C THE

AUGUST 20, 2020 • VOL. 25 NO. 9 • $2.00

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

Newly

Ordained

Bishop James F. Checchio, holding crosier, and Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski pose with newly ordained transitional deacons, from left: Timothy M. Eck II, Ariel Robles Bautista Jr., Gregory J. Zannetti and Jun Joseph Querubin Alquiros, after Mass and Rite of Ordination at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi July 25. See stories and photos pages 16-17. — Mike Ehrmann photo

INSIDE Perspectives Our Faith

Leaving the Nest

4 24-25

Diocesan Events

31

Classifieds

31

Seniors receive diplomas at commencement exercises. . .3 This issue was mailed on August 18 Your next issue will be September 17

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Need for compassionate care more important than ever

UP FRONT

My dear brothers and sisters,

Bishop James Checchio

AUGUST 20, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

For months we have been hearing about the “precious souls,” we as a family in New Jersey, have sadly lost due to the coronavirus.

The number of deaths, particularly amongst our nursing home communities, has been especially disturbing. Everyone has been called upon to sacrifice and to do their part in slowing the spread of this deadly virus.

To help save lives, we are urged, even mandated, to wear masks and practice social distancing. Ironically, while the pandemic has us focused on saving lives, on Aug. 1, we marked the one-year anniversary of the enactment of New Jersey’s so-called “Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill” Act, a law that enables some people to take their own life.

Every suicide, including state-sanctioned suicide, is tragic and, as Catholics, we oppose its practice. Our faith tells us, “We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of…”

(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2280).

We believe that all life is a gift from God and that every person has inherent and inalienable dignity because we are made in God’s image and likeness. Young or old, healthy or sick, all human life is precious.

When any human life, especially the weakest, is devalued by society it promotes a devaluing of all human life. We know that this is the same foundation of our belief and efforts to eliminate racism from our midst, too, and recommit ourselves to join with others in our state to do all that we can to proclaim the truth that every life is sacred.

As Christians, we have a “duty to care” for the sick and dying. Instead, the inherent abuses of laws, like the physicianassisted suicide act, often make the sick and elderly feel they have a “duty to die.” This has been exacerbated over recent months by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has

brought a raft of new stressors including loss of community and social isolation that has been especially difficult for the elderly and the sick and for their families. Sadly, some reports indicate a rise in suicides as well as an increase in requests for medically assisted death.

In the face of these trying times, our need for compassionate care is more important than ever. We are now challenged with finding creative new ways to provide tender accompaniment for those who are sick or near the end of life so that no one feels compelled to choose assisted suicide.

We cannot be complacent and just accept that physician assisted suicide is the law now in our state. Let us pray and work for a society here in New Jersey that will stand against what Pope Francis has called a “throw away culture” and that we might embrace what St. John Paul II called “the way of love and true mercy” — a readiness to surround patients with love, support, and companionship, whether in-person or virtually, providing the assistance needed to ease their physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering, always anchored in an unconditional respect for all human life.

We are blessed with our own diocesan sponsored Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, which is known for this type of compassionate care. We count on our faithful and all people of good will to join in this effort to make our state one we can be proud to be a part of.

While we continue to promote the sacredness of all human life, especially during this pandemic, it is important to note that we are indebted to our medical professionals and all who have been heroic in their efforts to care for those sick and dying from the virus, as well as those working around the clock to find a vaccine that will eliminate COVID -19.

I am most grateful, too, knowing that our diocese can count on you, as you are always so generous in putting your faith into good works. Thanks to your support of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal I can report we have reached 97 percent of our goal, even without an in-pew solicitation this year.

Catholic Spirit THE

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

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

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One of the major services funded by the appeal is our diocese’s Catholic Charities.

Since the pandemic started, our Catholic Charities has given out $1.3 million in rental assistance and more than $100,000 worth of food assistance. In Unity Square in New Brunswick, it has helped more than 900 households with more than 2,000 bags of food, while the Food Pantry we run in Phillipsburg has given out more than 3,800 bags of food serving almost 1,500 people who have come for assistance. This is in addition to what our parishes and St. Vincent de Paul Societies have done through our parishes.

The economic impact of this pandemic has hurt the poorest amongst us, but others have felt its effects, too. Thank you for making this possible, but if you have not

contributed as yet, it’s not too late to help, if you are able. Fortunately, the Bishop’s Annual Appeal is still receiving gifts and matching gifts from corporations, too.

I want to assure you of my daily thoughts and prayers. I truly miss being in our parishes and praying with you and seeing you. I ask for remembrance in your prayers for me too that I might be the shepherd you so deserve and need during this time. God bless you!

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

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

Appointments are effective Sept. 1.

Pastors / Administrators Rev. Msgr. John B. Gordon, from pastor of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Perth Amboy, to pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Carteret Rev. Juan Carlos Gaviria, from parochial vicar of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Bernardsville, to administrator of St. James the Less Parish, Jamesburg Rev. Kevin Kelly, CO, from parochial vicar of St. Joseph Parish, Raritan, to administrator of that same parish Rev. Ronald Machado, from parochial vicar of St. Joseph Parish, North Plainfield, to administrator of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Perth Amboy.

Parochial Vicars Rev. Msgr. Robert Medley, to parochial vicar of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Martinsville Rev. James W. McGuffey, from pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Carteret, to parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception Parish, Spotswood Rev. Kenneth Kolibas, from pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Raritan, to parochial vicar of St. James the Less Parish, Jamesburg Rev. Dario Endiape, from parochial vicar of St. Peter the Apostle University and Community Parish, New Brunswick, to parochial vicar of Our Lady of Peace Parish, Fords Rev. Lukasz Blicharski, from parochial vicar of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Martinsville, to parochial vicar of St. Joseph Parish, Bound Brook Rev. Martin Espinoza, from parochial vicar of St. Ambrose Parish, Old Bridge, to parochial vicar of Our Lady of Victories Parish, Sayreville Rev. Tholitho, from Director of Catholic Identity, Immaculata High School, Somerville, to parochial vicar of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater Additional Appointments Rev. Mauricio Tabera-Vasquez, from Vocation Director, to Vocation Recruiter and also Chaplain of The Catholic Center at Rutgers, New Brunswick, with continued residence at the St. John Vianney House of Discernment, Highland Park Rev. Msgr. John N. Fell, to Director of Seminarians and weekend assistant of St. Joseph Parish, Hillsborough, while remaining Director of Priest Personnel and Episcopal Vicar for the Healthcare Apostolate Rev. Joseph Illes, to Director of Catholic Identity of Immaculata High School, Somerville, while remaining as parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception Parish, Somerville Rev. Sebastian Kaithackal, CMI, from residence at St. James Parish, Woodbridge, to residence at Our Lady of Peace Parish, Fords, while remaining as chaplain, Hackensack Meridian Health JFK Medical Center, Edison Rev. Lazaro Perez, to weekend assistant of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, South Bound Brook, while remaining as chaplain of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick Rev. Pauly Thekkan, CMI, from residence at Transfiguration of the Lord Parish, Edison, to residence at Our Lady of Peace Parish, North Brunswick, while remaining chaplain of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick

Five men to be ordained to priesthood On Aug. 22, 9:30 a.m., Bishop James F. Checchio is scheduled to ordain Oratorian Brother John Fredy TrianaBeltran, Deacon David E. Keyes, Deacon Thomas W. Lanza, Deacon Gus-

CORRECTION

tavo Andres Rodriguez-Perez, Deacon Gilbert Z. Starcher to the priesthood for the diocese at a Mass and Rite of Ordination at the Blue Army Shrine, Asbury.

In the July 30 edition of “The Catholic Spirit,” a story about Catholic Charities benefitting from the former “Deacons’ Table” incorrectly stated that its founder, Deacon Samuel J. Costantino, is retired from active ministry at Good Shepherd Parish, Hopelawn. Deacon Costantino continues to exercise his ministry there.

of the

Private, all-boys prep school holds non-traditional graduation

By Christina Leslie Correspondent

— Marlo Williamson photo

Above, because of the coronavirus pandemic, commencement exercises for Saint Joseph High School were held outdoors for the first time in its history.

The 138 members of the Class of 2020 received more than $28 million in scholarships from colleges and universities.

— Marlo Williamson photo

“Being known as a Saint Joseph’s man is not something you earn, but something you live up to,” Fleetwood concluded. “Now you are ambassadors of hope.”

Co-valedictorians William Zafian and Miguel Zavalla addressed their classmates for the last time at the commencement ceremony. The two, both bound for studies at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind., expressed their gratitude toward their parents and the staff, teachers and supporters known as the school’s Partners in Mission for four years of faith-filled education.

“You inspired us to be our best selves,” said Zafian, “and instilled in us the traits of responsibility, respect, integrity and selflessness. With hard work, perseverance and a bit of luck, and when we work together in faith and unity, we can accomplish any goal.”

Though their achievements in sports Continued on page 9

The image, which was featured on page 3 of the June 25 issue of The Catholic Spirit, can be found at Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish, Middlesex.

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AUGUST 20, 2020

One of the 138 graduating seniors of the private, all-boys preparatory Saint Joseph High School receives a diploma at commencement exercises July 27.

Last issue's image...

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

METUCHEN — It was a finale to a school year like no other in the history of Saint Joseph High School. Rather than sitting shoulder to shoulder together in the front pews of a church during a baccalaureate Mass and graduation ceremony scheduled for mid-May, each of the 138 young men of the Class of 2020, flanked by his parents, sat on folding chairs set six feet apart on the school’s Great Lawn July 27 for the school’s baccalaureate Mass and graduation ceremony.

The strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” accompanied the seniors, who wore green caps and gowns, as

they processed across the lawn. Dragonflies and a mechanical drone buzzed beneath the 81-degree sunny sky as a new tradition was etched into the history of the private preparatory school run by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.

“It’s a good day to be a Falcon,” declared Anne Rivera, principal. Referring to the school’s suspension of in-person instruction and institution of at-home distance learning since March, she added, “This [ceremony] is not as our tradition, but we are here.

We will no longer take this moment for granted.”

“Each class of 2020 is in the same storm,” said Justin Fleetwood, the school’s outgoing principal and president, “but Saint Joe’s class is in a better boat.”

Fleetwood noted that the 138-member class had received more than $28 million in scholarships by colleges and universities across the country, and 72 percent of the graduates received scholarships totaling more than the cost of four years’ tuition at the Catholic high school.

SPECIAL FEATURE

Where in the diocese can it be found?

3

Image Week

4 PERSPECTIVES

Miracles in our midst, God intervenes even now Body & Soul

By Father Glenn J. Comandini, STD Several years ago, I went to Portugal for the First Communion of my buddy’s son. While I was there, I had the good fortune of visiting Fatima — where, in 1918, the Blessed Mother appeared to three shepherd children: Lucia, her cousin Jacinta and her brother Francisco. Lucia would later become a Carmelite nun in Coimbra. Francisco died a year after the apparitions and his sister shortly thereafter. The latter two have since been canonized and Lucia’s cause for canonization is gaining momentum. I was awestruck as I watched pilgrims arrive at the shrine after walking there on foot — some, making the final approach on their knees for almost one thousand feet. Most of these pilgrims are desperate people who are either pleading with Mary to assist them in their need or, having experienced a miracle, are there to thank the Mother of God for favors received.

As I was discussing my impressions with my Portuguese friends, one of them asked me if I believed in miracles. “Well,” I said, “if I did not, I would never be a priest.”

The truth is, because we do believe in miracles, we, Catholics, are still apt to approach the Blessed Mother or other saints — wherever we find ourselves in life, to plead our cause before the throne of Christ Jesus.

Most of us associate miracles with healings — such as someone who was blind and now sees; someone who was deaf and now hears; someone who was plagued with a terminal illness but is now healthy.

The coronavirus pandemic has changed our lives dramatically; yet, we have adapted to wearing masks, socially distancing ourselves from others, washing our hands frequently, restricting our lifestyles in a way that we will not infect others or be infected by others. While the pandemic has been bothersome and has caused much suffering, death and inconvenience, the miracle is that most people who have contracted the illness globally have survived. As of August 13, 20.6M people contracted COVID-19 worldwide. Of these, 749K

have died while 12.8M have recovered.

If we break down the numbers even more, focusing on particular countries, we find that here, in the United States, there have been 5.29M confirmed cases of the coronavirus, 168K of these have died and 2.68M have recovered. In Brazil, 3.17M have contracted COVID-19, 104K have died but 2.3M have recovered. In India, 2.4M have had the coronavirus. Over 47K have died, while 1.7M have survived. In South Africa, 569K got COVID-19, 11K have died and 432K have survived.

The School of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University reports that the coronavirus, like the flu, are both respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses. There is a yearly vaccine for the flu but, at present, in the United States vaccines for the coronavirus are still being developed and tested. Given the numbers, the mysterious nature of the virus and the severity of symptoms that the COVID illness has had on the elderly, on those with compromised immune systems and even on seemingly healthy individuals, it would seem that it is a miracle that anyone has recovered from the coronavirus at all. When science cannot explain why somebody

has recovered from a disease, people of faith usually dub these “miracles.”

We have been told by infectious disease specialists that it is possible we will have a COVID vaccine by the end of this year; so 2021 looks promising. This feat of technology is a grace because had God not given these scientists, technicians and group trial volunteers the incentive to take on this quest; we’d find ourselves stuck in the ebb and flow of this pandemic indefinitely.

The history of our salvation is the story of God’s intervention in our lives.

Whenever God chooses to intervene first and foremost through Christ, then, through the vessel of one or more of his saints, such as Our Lady of Fatima, it’s a miracle!

Yes, God continues to enter the life of his people. He has not abandoned us nor does he intend to leave us to fend for ourselves. God is good, all the time.

This same God gives me the faith to believe in miracles or I would not be a priest. Evidently, he does the same to you or you would not bother to read this column or choose to be Church.

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

What I find disturbing about the campaign is its “branding” slogan. I first became aware of it when, driving past the campus a few months ago, I noticed a billboard at the corner of Rockville Pike and Tuckerman Lane. In large, bold letters, it proclaimed, “FOR THE GREATER GLORY.” And I wondered, “…of what?” Then one day, when traffic allowed, I slowed down and espied the much smaller inscription in the bottom right corner: “Georgetown Prep’s Legacy Campaign.”

Ad maiorem Dei gloriam [For the greater glory of God], often reduced to the abbreviation, AMDG, was the Latin motto of St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus. Georgetown Prep is a Jesuit school. So what happened to the D-word? What happened to God? Why did AMDG become AM[D]G while being translated into fundraising English?

I made inquiries of Jesuit friends and learned that amputating the “D” in AMDG is not unique to Georgetown Prep; it’s a tactic used by other Jesuit institutions engaged in the heavy-lift fundraising of capital campaigns. That was

not good news. Nor was I reassured by pondering Father Van Dyke’s campaignopening message, in which the words “Jesus Christ” did not appear. Neither did Pope Francis’s call for the Church’s institutions to prepare missionary disciples as part of what the Pope has called a “Church permanently in mission.” And neither did the word “God,” save for a closing “Thanks, and God bless.”

Father Van Dyke did mention that “Ignatian values” were one of the “pillars” of Georgetown prep’s “reputation for excellence.” And he did conclude his message with a call for “men who will make a difference in a world that badly needs people who care, people who, in the words Ignatius wrote his best friend Francis Xavier as he sent him on the Society of Jesus’s first mission, will ‘set the world on fire’.” Fine. But ignition to what end?

Ignatius sent Francis Xavier to the Indies and on to East Asia to set the world on fire with love of the Lord Jesus Christ, by evangelizing those then known as “heathens” with the warmth of the Gospel and the enlivening flame of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic faith.

St. Ignatius was a New Evangelization man half a millennium before Pope St. John Paul II used the term. St. Ignatius’s chief “Ignatian value” was gloria Dei, the glory of God. Forming young men into spiritually incandescent, intellectually formidable and courageous Christian disciples, radically conformed to Jesus Christ and

just as deeply committed to converting the world, was the originating purpose of Jesuit schools in post-Reformation Europe. Those schools were not content to prepare generic “men for others;” they were passionately devoted to forming Catholic men for converting others, the “others” being those who had abandoned Catholicism for Protestantism or secular rationalism. That was why the Jesuits were hated and feared by powerful leaders with other agendas, be they Protestant monarchs like Elizabeth I of England or rationalist politicians like Portugal’s 18th-century prime minister, the Marquis of Pombal.

Religious education in U.S. Catholic elementary schools has been improved in recent decades. And we live in something of a golden age of Catholic campus ministry at American colleges and universities. It’s Catholic secondary education in the U.S. that remains to be thoroughly reformed so that Catholic high schools prepare future leaders of the New Evangelization: leaders who will bring others to Christ, heal a deeply wounded culture, and become agents of a sane politics. Jesuit secondary education, beginning with prominent and academically excellent schools like Georgetown Prep, could and should be at the forefront of that reform.

Jesuit secondary education is unlikely to provide that leadership, however, if its self-presentation brackets God and announces itself as committed to “the greater glory” of…whatever.

AUGUST 20, 2020

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Schools should form leaders of New Evangelization

Last November 11, on the centenary of its relocation to a 93-acre campus in suburban Washington, D.C., Georgetown Preparatory School announced a $60 million capital campaign. In his message for the opening of the campaign, Georgetown Prep’s president, Jesuit Father James Van Dyke, said that, in addition to improving the school’s residential facilities, the campaign intended to boost Prep’s endowment to meet increasing demands for financial aid. Like other high-end Catholic secondary schools, Georgetown Prep is rightly concerned about pricing itself out of reach of most families. So Prep’s determination to make itself more affordable through an enhanced endowment capable of funding scholarships and other forms of financial aid for lessthan-wealthy students is all to the good.

How to report abuse

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

For more information on how to report abuse, visit our diocesan website: https://diometuchen.org/healing

By Jennifer Ruggiero Under the banner of “death with dignity,” the right-to-die movement is alive and well. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has stalled some legislative efforts, there continues to be a nationwide effort underway to legalize physician-assisted suicide state-by-state. Physician-assisted suicide, which is a practice defined as deliberately providing an individual with the means to commit suicide, is already legal in 10 jurisdictions across the United States. New Jersey’s assisted suicide law, the so-called “Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill” Act was enacted here a year ago on Aug. 1, 2019.

To mark the one-year anniversary of this new law, a report was issued by New Jersey’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which includes data from the first five months the law was in effect. The law permits competent New Jersey residents with a terminal diagnosis of six months or less to live to seek permission from two doctors to end their lives with a lethal prescription.

According to the report, a total of 12 New Jersey residents -- six men and six women -- ended their lives under the

require an ongoing relationship with the physician – one where the doctor might be able to detect the possibility of depression. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has even been a push to have physicians do their evaluations virtually, using Telehealth. The law does not require the doctor to be present at the time of death.

The law does not require that the patient notify family members. In fact, there is no sure-fire suicide pill. The patient is given a lethal prescription of narcotics which he can use to poison himself at a time of his choosing. There could be complications.

Poisoning is never a dignified way to die.

• Many argue that assisted suicide is for those who fear dying in unbearable pain. Eliminating the patient in order to eliminate suffering is misguided compassion. Instead we should be supporting improved palliative care and hospice.

We should work for more effective pain management so that the patient does not have to seek death to escape the pain. A “quick fix” of an overdose of drugs cannot substitute for these efforts.

Physician-assisted suicide presents death as a solution. Not surprisingly, the public is closely divided on the issue.

Proponents of assisted suicide argue that a person who is terminally ill and is able to make a decision has a right to choose how and when to die. For those who share the Catholic faith, we believe that life is a mystery, a gift from God, a blessing over which we do not have complete

control. We believe that there is a difference between compassionately managing pain and artificially extending life.

We believe that there is a fundamental difference between allowing death and assisting it.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the reality of death and the necessity of caring for others into our living rooms, making the preciousness of all lives and the tragedy of all deaths real.

We see the humanity of the elderly and frail; no longer are they burdens, but victims of a horrifying virus that all of us are invested in fighting.

Each of us can play a role in building a caring community, one that reaches out to its members who are vulnerable and facing difficult times. Becoming a respite volunteer, or parish nurse, visiting the homebound (in-person or virtually), starting a senior citizen’s group in the parish or simply praying for the sick are all ways that we can help offer hope and comfort. We must keep company with the dying in order to affirm their dignity in every phase of life.

Let’s work together with a lifeaffirming response to those in need so that assisted suicide does not become the American way of death. Let us pray for all who suffer, that they never abandon hope, but place their trust in the God who gave them life.

Ruggiero is Secretary, diocesan Secretariat for Family and Pastoral Life

OUR DIOCESE

Thoughts on Life

provisions of the new law during the time between Aug. 1, 2019 and Dec. 31, 2019.

The report also reveals that those who ended their lives were mostly white (11), college-educated people (10), with 59 percent having cancer (7) as the underlying illness. Data regarding the total number of requests for assisted suicide and the total number of lethal prescriptions written during that time period were not included in the report. Incomplete reporting is just one feature of this law that makes it bad public policy. Here are few more considerations: • Most people would agree that suicide is an act of abandonment and despair. Crisis intervention hotlines and bridge signs offering hope to those contemplating suicide are among the many ways society attempts to reduce the number of these tragic deaths. Shouldn’t those who are dying have their suicidal desires treated as seriously as a troubled teenager? This is especially important now during the pandemic when so many of the sick and elderly are experiencing social isolation and loneliness. Yet, under this law, psychological screening is not a requirement.

• Advocates of physician-assisted suicide use the euphemisms “death with dignity” and “compassion in dying” to sell its practice. These terms conjure up an image of a family doctor holding the patient’s hand, assisting him as he peacefully administers death. In reality, this image is far from true. The law does not

5

Keep company with dying to affirm their dignity

Faith community seeks donors for victims of explosion in Lebanon

Parishioners of St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church in Somerset pray for Lebanon with their pastor, Father Simon El Hajj.

— photo courtesy of St. Sharbel Maronite Church

The explosion adds to other problems for the country, including a deep economic and political crisis since Oct. 2019.

Lebanon, as St. John Paul II called it — “a message of freedom and an example of pluralism for East and West” — is going through extremely difficult dark

days not seen since the 1975-1990 wars.

World leaders offered their sympathy and Pope Francis invited the world to pray for Lebanon and its people. To that effect, Bishops Gregory Mansour, Bishop of the Eparchy of St Maron, Brooklyn, issued an appeal for fasting, prayer and almsgiving from the Feast of

the Assumption, Aug 15 until the Feast of the Holy Cross, Sept. 14, to increase our Christian generosity by these special spiritual practices.

Since October, the Lebanese currency has lost more than 80 percent of its value, unemployment soared, prices skyrocketed, the middle class has suddenly plunged into poverty and more than 50 percent of the population live in poverty.

Compounded by the assistance Lebanon offers to more than 1 million Syrian refugees, and the COVID-19 pandemic hitting its hospital, the humanitarian crisis is unimaginable. Hunger is spreading, lack of fuel, electricity, and basic need are all deepening rapidly. Hospitals are shutting down their doors for lack of medicine, and electricity, not to mention that four hospitals in Beirut are severely damaged due to the recent blast. The people’s salaries, for those who still hold on to their jobs, are worthless and decades of savings have disappeared.

Food security experts estimate that 75 percent of the population is on food handouts. The explosion in Beirut destroyed the silos that store up to 60 percent of grain supply to the people of Lebanon and rendered Beirut port inoperable.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 20, 2020

SOMERSET — Members of St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church are helping to raise money to assist victims of an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, according to Deacon Joseph Chebli, CRS Global Fellow, who exercises his ministry at the parish.

More than 160 people were killed and about 4,000 were injured in the blast, which was caused by a chemical stored in a warehouse. About 140 people were listed as missing and 300,000 were homeless.

The explosion caused extensive damages for a 15-mile radius and was felt as far as the island of Cyprus (about 250 miles).

St. Sharbel has set up a GoFundMe account, out of which 100 percent of the proceeds will go the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (www.saintsharbelnj. org.)

Caritas Lebanon USA (www.caritaslebanon.org) and Catholic Relief Services (www.crs.org) have sites to donate on their webpages.

The three organizations are on the ground assisting in rescue missions, providing shelter for the 300,000 homeless and providing medical and nutritional assistance to those devasted by the blast.

6 OUR DIOCESE

Bishops’ survey highlights importance of deacons for Church WASHINGTON — What is the status of the diaconate in the United States? Each year the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) undertakes a study to answer that question. At the end of June, the bishops’ group shared the results of its annual survey conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA).

The USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, chaired

by Bishop James F. Checchio, commissioned the survey, “A Portrait of the Permanent Diaconate: A Study for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) 2019-2020.”

Bishop Checchio, in remarks on the study, expressed his gratitude for the ministry of the diaconate.

“Permanent deacons provide an invaluable service to the universal Church,” he said. “Through their leadership in parish and pastoral ministry, proclamation and preaching of the Gospel, and involvement in corporal and spiritual works of mercy, deacons imitate Christ the Servant by bringing the presence of Jesus to those who are often the most vulnerable in our society.”

For its survey, in February of this year, CARA contacted the 187 dioceses and eparchies in the United States with an active Office of the Permanent Diaconate. Of this total, 129 responded to

Estate Planning

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

Elder Law

AUGUST 20, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

□ Medicaid □ Guardianships □ Social Security

Estate Administration □ Probate □ Asset Distribution □ Taxes

the survey for an overall response rate of 69 percent. Of that total, 71percent, or 125 responses were from Latin Catholic dioceses and 36 percent or four were from Eastern Catholic eparchies.

The survey collected data on the number of deacons in the country and how many are in active ministry. It includes information of the marital status, age, race, and education of deacons, as well as their formation. Some of the major findings on the report follow.

Of the dioceses that responded to the survey the largest number of permanent deacons were in Chicago (764), Galveston-Houston (478) and New York (355). In the Diocese of Metuchen, there are 178 permanent deacons. Overall, the CARA survey reported the 123 Latin Rite dioceses that responded to the survey had a total of 13,810 permanent deacons, both active and non-active. The four eparchies that responded reported a total of 57 permanent deacons. Extrapolating to include the dioceses and eparchies that did not respond to the survey, it can be estimated that there are as many as 19,833 permanent deacons in the United States today.

Three quarters of deacons in responding arch/dioceses (75 percent) are active in ministry. Of the remaining 25 percent, 20 percent are retired from ecclesial ministry, two percent are on a

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leave of absence, two percent were suspended from active ministry, and one percent had other reasons. In the Diocese of Metuchen, there are 143 deacons in active ministry. An additional 17 deacons were incardinated in the Metuchen diocese but are serving in another diocese.

Of the 35 deacons no longer in active ministry, 31 are retired and four not serving for other reasons.

During the 2019 calendar year, 383 new permanent deacons were ordained in the United States. At the same time, 334 deacons retired from active ministry and another 289 deacons died. The CARA study states, “As is the case with priests in the United States, there are not enough new permanent deacons being ordained to make up for the numbers who are retiring from active ministry or dying each year.” Last year in the Diocese of Metuchen, four deacons retired, seven died, and five were ordained by Bishop Checchio.

The CARA study also reported of the active permanent deacons, 20 percent are between 50 and 59; 41 percent, 60 to 69, and 34 percent are 70 or older. With regards to race, 76 percent of active deacons are Caucasian/white and 17 percent Hispanic or Latino. The remainder of the deacons are African American, Asian or Pacific Islander.

With regards to the highest level of education deacons achieved, CARA noted, 31 percent have a bachelor’s degree, 20 percent are high school graduates, 19 percent have a graduate degree not related to the diaconate, 17 percent have some college or an associate’s degree and 12 percent have a degree in religious studies, theology or related field.

Deacon Stephen F. Kern, director, diocesan Office of the Diaconate, said that the academic portion of the Metuchen diocese’s formation for men studying for the diaconate includes instruction from the Immaculate Conception School of Theology at Seton Hall University, South Orange. At Seton Hall, the deacon candidates who successfully complete their academic studies earn a Certificate of Diaconal Ministry. If a candidate

Bishop James F. Checchio chaired the USCCB committee that commissioned a survey on the permanent diaconate in the United States. already has a bachelor’s degree, he receives the certificate and a master’s degree in theology.

Most arch/dioceses, the CARA study reported, require post-ordination formation of deacons. In the Metuchen diocese, deacons spent 10 hours each year on formation and attend an annual retreat.

The Diocese of Metuchen, Deacon Kern stressed, is blessed with its deacons and he said their numbers are growing. While in 2019 only five permanent deacons were ordained, in January of 2019, 16 Spanish-speaking men took the first step to becoming deacons, and this month a new class of 18 aspirants started their academics for the diaconate.

The entire CARA report can be accessed at: http://usccb.org/beliefsand-teachings/vocations/diaconate/ upload/Diaconate-Post-OrdinationReport-2019-2020.pdf — Joanne Ward

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7 OUR DIOCESE

Members of the the Hispanic/Latino diaconate formation class of 2022, which is limited to Spanish-speaking candidates and some of their wives gathered at the Carmel of Mary Immaculate and St. Magdalen, Flemington, Aug. 8 to clear brush from around statues and stations of the cross. The Carmel is home to the Discalced Carmelite Nuns, a cloistered, contemplative religious order under solemn vows.

Deacon Stephen F. Kern, director, diocesan Office of the Diaconate, said the nuns gave the group a "5 Star rating" and "grateful and appreciative for their generous gift of labor. and gracious friendship." —Jose Diaz, Vidal Gonzalez, Jose Suarez and Paul Flor photos

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 20, 2020

8 OUR DIOCESE

CONGRATUL ATIONS

AUGUST 20, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

to the Saint Joseph Class Of 2020!

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and academics were many, Zavalla noted, “The most important achievement is the brotherhood we have created during these four years.” He noted the success of a recent fundraiser for JFK Medical Center, Edison, which yielded nearly $23,000 for medical supply needs and concluded, “Modeled by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, we have built a community where we have learned how important service is and how it helps each member of the community.”

Jessamyn Bergin, Dean of Students, read aloud the names of the graduating class as each one in turn strode to the stage to receive his diploma. As the last graduate’s name was read, parents erupted in applause and cheers.

Maureen Quigley smiled under her

face mask as she snapped photos of her son, Patrick, in his green graduation robe, then explained the family’s long history of faith-filled education at Saint Joe’s. “[Patrick] is the youngest of my four sons to graduate, and this ends a period of 10 consecutive years at Saint Joe’s,” said Quigley, who serves as the school’s Director of Events and Parents Club Moderator.

“They all went through St. Augustine [of Canterbury] School [Kendall Park] as well.

“My husband and I attended Catholic schools in Bayonne,” she continued.

“Catholic schools gave my boys an important foundation. It allows them to learn the total life experience, and St. Joe’s makes them the total man in academic education, spiritual growth and community involvement.”

Saint Joseph High School Awards

OUR DIOCESE

Continued from page 3

9

High school modeled by Brothers of Sacred Heart graduates 138 seniors

Above, graduates of Saint Joseph High School, Metuchen, pose for a photo after commencement exercises July 27. Right, one of the graduates stands with classmates. Below, the graduates process into the ceremony, which was held outdoors because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Valedictorians: William Zafian Miguel Zavalla Anthony S. Spezio Memorial Award: Arien Yeddanapally Bishop Checchio Medal: Alexander Internicola Curtis Nurnberger Memorial Award for Excellence in Music: Jayden Daniel Gavin McDonald Memorial Award for Excellence: Monit Patel George F. Smith Memorial Award: Maxwell Shubert Kevin Reinhard ’05 Memorial Scholarship: Alex Havardansky Senior of the Year as Chosen by the Edison Rotary: Riley Wilkins William Perdue Memorial Award for Excellence in Mathematics: Jack Bostjancic Honors Diploma: Chibuike Amadi, Jack Bostjancic, Adam Boucher, Benshel Bright, Andrew Chan, Joshua Joo, Monit Patel, Juan Rivera Giraldo, Jake Rothstein, Maxwell Shubert, William Zafian, Miguel Zavalla Scholar-Athlete Award: Adam Boucher NJSIAA Scholar Athlete Award: Maxwell Shubert GMC Scholar Athlete Award: Craig Talerico GMC Sportsmanship Award: Eric Freda National Latin Exam: Latin IV – Prose, Silver Maxima Cum Laude: Jake Rothstein National Merit: Commended Students -- Andrew Chan, Marcel Milewski, Jake Rothstein, William Sorge, Brett Subers, William Zafian. Semi Finalist -Brett Subers. Finalist with Scholarship: Brett Subers National Hispanic Recognition Program: Scholar -- Joshua Joo, Juan Rivera Giraldo

Above, graduates of Saint Joseph High School pose for a photo after the ceremony. Left, members of the Class of 2020 stand in the school’s “great lawn” after the procession.

— Marlo Williamson photos

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 20, 2020

Valedictorian Award: William Zafian and Miguel Zavalla Cum Laude Four-year (seven semester) cumulative GPA > 3.8: Isaiah Acosta, Gurkaran Ahuja, Andrew Franco, Ajaypal Jagra, Lawrence LeBrocq, Uladzislau Lenko, Jack Moore, Christopher Moyer, William Muench, Akshay Nambiar, Mikail Saeed, Austin Schuhrer, Zachary Suter, Brian Toczek, Connor Walsh, Riley Wilkins, Arien Yeddanapally, Thomas Young Magna Cum lade Four-year (seven semester) cumulative GPA > 4.0: Joshua Aguillon, Eric Amponsah Jr., Connor Angeles, Daniel Bradshaw, Henri Brignol, Arthur Diem III, Mick Willar Estiler, Thomas Fehl, Eric Freda, John Gorman, Alex Havardansky, Jeremiah Himaia, Alexander Internicola, Joseph Jurado, Saul Lebreault, Norman Matyi, Marcel Milewski, Justin Monahan, Sebastian Mueller, Gregory Murawski, Gavin Murillo, Evan Ocasio, Justin Prekeris, Andrew Repak, Jakob Sarmiento, Adam Slawinski, William Sorge, Brendan Sosinski, Craig Talerico, Christian Vazquez Summa Cum Laude Four-year (seven semester) cumulative GPA > 4.40: Chibuike Amadi, Jack Bostjancic, Jake Bothe, Adam Boucher, Benshel Bright, Andrew Chan, Daarsh Goradia, Nicholas Gutierrez, Christian Haynes, Joshua Joo, Shaun Machado, Akhil Neerati, Paul Padilla, Monit Patel, Jonathan Penna, Alexander Portner, Juan Rivera Giraldo, Jake Rothstein, Maxwell Shubert, Brett Subers, William Zafian, Miguel Zavalla Alumni Award: Eric Freda and Patrick Quigley

10

Miracle attributed to Knights’ founder saved unborn child’s life

AUGUST 20, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

OUR DIOCESE

By Theresa Laurence

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CNS) — Five years ago, Dan and Michelle Schachle of Dickson, Tenn., prayed to Father Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, to intercede with God to save their son, still in his mother’s womb, who was given no hope of surviving a life-threatening case of fetal hydrops.

When the condition, which is a dangerous accumulation of fluids throughout the body, disappeared, it triggered a long and complex process of evaluating whether a miracle attributable to Father McGivney’s intercession had occurred.

“It’s a strange thing to investigate, whether God has intervened in the world in an extraordinary way,” said Father Dexter Brewer, pastor, Christ the King Parish, Nashville, and a vicar general of the Diocese of Nashville and former judicial vicar of the diocese, who oversaw the local tribunal investigating the miracle.

“It’s all very formal, and very intense,” Father Brewer said of the process, which involved dozens of interviews, examinations of medical evidence, months of work, and a very specific submission process to the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints’ Causes.

The process begins in the diocese where the miracle occurred, explained Brian Caulfield, vice postulator of Father McGivney’s sainthood cause.

The local bishop, which in this case was Bishop David R. Choby, appoints members of a tribunal to gather all the facts of the case. (Bishop Choby died in 2017.)

“They weren’t leaving the question of is this a miracle to us,” Father Brewer told the “Tennessee Register,” Nashville’s diocesan newspaper. “We collected the information and passed it along to the Vatican.

We didn’t make a recommendation or judgment.”

The investigation began in 2016, and it was the first time in the Diocese of Nashville’s history that what was believed to be a miracle had been formally investigated.

“Basically, a miracle is defined as an extraordinary event that has no current medical or scientific explanation,” Caulfield said.

To verify an event is a miracle, “you have to prove two things,” Caulfield said.

“The first thing is to prove this was a healing that’s not explained by medical science.”

The second is to clearly identify who people were praying to for their intercession, in this case, whether the intercession of Father McGivney was clearly invoked, Caulfield said.

Before the official investigation opened, Vatican officials visited Nashville to place the members of the tribunal under oath and walk them through the process. At the time, said Dr. Fred Callahan, “it was top secret.”

Callahan, a neurologist and close friend of Bishop Choby, was asked by the bishop to lead the medical side of the investigation.

Callahan was personally present for each of the detailed interviews with about

Above, Daniel and Michelle Schachle hold their son Mikey, 5, near their home in Dickson, Tenn., June 2. Five years ago, Dan and Michelle prayed to Father Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, to intercede with God to save their son, still in his mother's womb, who was given no hope of surviving a lifethreatening case of fetal hydrops. Right, Mikey examines a statue of Father Michael McGivney at the home where he lives with his parents. In March 2008, Father McGivney was declared a Venerable Servant of God by Pope Benedict XVI. On May 27, the Vatican announced Pope Francis had signed the decree recognizing the miracle through the intercession of Father McGivney. Once he is beatified, he will be given the title “Blessed.” A native of Waterbury, Conn., Father McGivney is scheduled to be beatified at a Mass at at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, Conn., Oct. 31.

— CNS photo/Rick Musacchio, Tennessee Register

20 different Vanderbilt University Medical Center physicians who cared for Michelle Schachle during her pregnancy and after the birth of Michael (“Mikey”), the Schachles’ 13th child, as well as other maternal-fetal medicine specialists familiar with the case.

Callahan had learned about hydrops as a medical student, “in the remote past.” He had to re-familiarize himself with the condition “so I could ask the right questions,” he said. “I didn’t want this to fail because of my failures.”

Callahan, with help from tribunal member Valarie Cooper, had to work diligently for months to schedule and conduct the interviews, navigate HIPPA privacy regulations to assemble medical records and reports, ultrasound imaging, and ultimately compile a full dossier of evidence to send to the Vatican.

Callahan said he felt the weight of the task, because “the medical portion of the investigation would determine whether it was a miracle.”

The other key part of the investigation was whether the miracle is truly attributable to the intercession of Father McGivney. “The Vatican had very precise questions about the timing and the prayers, who prayed when, and to whom,” said Father Brewer.

The tribunal needed “to see if there was a correlation between the prayerful petition and the medical cure,” said Callahan.

The Schachles were certain their prayers to Father McGivney resulted in God curing their son of the condition that almost certainly would have killed him before he was born or shortly after. They told the interviewers how they specifically prayed for the intercession of Father McGivney and asked so many others to do the same.

Knights of Columbus around the world had simultaneously been offering up prayers for Father McGivney’s canonization.

Beyond witnessing the faith of the Schachle family, one of the most rewarding experiences of serving on the committee, Callahan said, was seeing how the medical team members who cared for Michelle and Michael Schachle, who is now 5 years old, “had been transformed by the outcome” of the case.

Multiple physicians recommended that Michelle Schachle terminate her pregnancy because the diagnosis was so bleak. “Our society has a lot of judgments about the value of life, and the disposable nature of life,” Callahan said.

Maybe after their experience with the Schachles, some of those physicians won’t be so quick to make that judgment, Callahan said.

After talking with the doctors, Callahan said, he could tell that this case “appropriately tickled their intellect, but even bigger, it changed their hearts.”

After the Nashville tribunal compiled its findings — sealed and tied in red ribbon — and sent them off to Rome, it was up to the Congregation for Saints’ Causes to review the information and make a recommendation to Pope Francis whether the case was indeed a miracle.

The tribunal’s findings first went to the postulator of Father McGivney’s sainthood cause, Andrea Ambrosi, a civil and canon lawyer in Rome, Caulfield said. He had the findings translated into Italian and then presented them to the congregation.

The postulator, who must be certified to present cases before the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, “puts together the strongest

possible case, as any lawyer would, taking the facts and presenting them in the most convincing way,” Caulfield said.

After assuring the record is in the proper canonical form, it is reviewed by a panel of medical experts, practicing physicians and medical professors in Rome, who aren’t necessarily religious, Caulfield said. With their review complete, “one day in Rome, they get together and cast their votes. Is this a miracle or not, can we explain this or not,” Caulfield said.

“It went through the medical commission pretty easily,” Caulfield said of the Schachle case. “That’s the huge hurdle.”

Next the case is reviewed by a theological commission that examines the question of whether the cure can be attributed to Father McGivney’s intercession, Caulfield said.

“They came down yes, there was more than ample evidence that Father McGivney was invoked exclusively,” Caulfield said.

On May 27, the Vatican announced Pope Francis had signed the decree recognizing the miracle through the intercession of Father McGivney. Once he is beatified, he will be given the title “Blessed.”

The beatification ceremony will be scheduled in the fall in the Archdiocese of Hartford, where his sainthood cause was formally opened in 1997, and he was given the title “Servant of God.” In March 2008, the Catholic Church recognized the priest heroically lived the Christian virtues, giving him the title “Venerable.”

Generally, two miracles attributed to the candidate’s intercession are required for sainthood — one for beatification and the second for canonization.

Laurence is a staff writer at the Tennessee Register, newspaper of the Diocese of Nashville. Andy Telli, managing editor, contributed to this story.

“Helper of Mothers” or “Helper in Childbirth”

These are priest cookies made by Genevie Alejandro. She made her first batch of sugar cookies, shaped as priests with their Roman collars, for the birthday of Bishop Steven J. Lopes of the Houston-based Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter.

—CNS photo/courtesy of Geneva Alejandro via The Tablet

One of her customers is her college friend, Jo Anne Castillo, a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish outside of Houston. She ordered cookies from Simply Yummy for her family members’ birthdays.

“They taste fresh, soft and filling,” Castillo said. “There is definitely a unique ingredient that I don’t find in any other cookie, but I doubt Genevie will tell me what it is.”

On June 29, her brother, Armando, ordained as a priest for the ordinariate in the middle of a global pandemic.

Although he was worried about how that might affect his ordination, she reminded him to surrender it to God and his will.

Alejandro’s gift to the church and her brother was sweet — 90 treats that included customized priest-shaped cookies, vestments and all, and chalice-shaped cookies representing the Eucharist.

“I’m very honored to be his sister,” she said. “Making cookies for his ordination was … out of love.”

A labor of love meant a lot of time around a table, with her family, crafting the special dough.

Her mission isn’t to make a profit, but to treat her business as a ministry, sharing her time and talents to make cookies for low-income families or single-parent households and not charge as much as competitors or boutique bakers.

“I have a full-time job and this is mainly a hobby,” she said. “If I can help someone and make their birthday, or baptism, or ordination, or whatever it is, a little more meaningful with dessert, that’s the best that I can do. That’s all I can ask for.”

Enaje is a reporter and youth page editor at “The Tablet,” newspaper of the Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y.

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BROOKLYN, N.Y. (CNS) — Genevie Alejandro never expected her future in the baking entrepreneurial world to begin with a bishop.

But in April, she made her first batch of sugar cookies, shaped as priests with their Roman collars, for the birthday of Bishop Steven J. Lopes, who heads the Houston-based Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter.

“I did not want to mess them up!”

Alejandro said an interview from Texas with “The Tablet,” newspaper of the Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y. “Not many people have the opportunity to make cookies for a bishop.”

She credits her new business venture as a result of two distinct, unrelated factors: the free time in lockdown due to the global pandemic and being rooted in faith and service within the traditions of her loving Mexican Catholic family.

“My mom is a sweetheart, she’s always shown love,” Alejandro said. “We didn’t grow up poor, we didn’t grow up rich, but she always put her heart and made those special little efforts.”

Alejandro was raised in a small town called D’hanis, located west of San Antonio, where a lot of her extended family — from grandparents and great-grandparents to her aunt and cousins — lived close by.

As a child, faith was instilled by the guidance of her maternal grandmother, who made sure Alejandro followed stern rules like waking up for the early Mass on weekends and not eating an hour before it started. For her start in baking, she credits her great-grandmother, Vicenta: “Every Christmas she made a cookie. We called it ‘reposteria,’” which, in Spanish, means making pastries or baked goods.

Alejandro’s idea to start baking for others came after college when she was based in St. Louis. There, she met a family who baked cookies for local firefighters. She took that idea with her when she moved back to Texas to work in Houston. When she volunteered with the nonprofit Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America, Alejandro and her little sister made cookies for Houston firefighters.

After people started raving about the taste of her cookies — that she bakes with a special Mexican vanilla — Alejandro decided she would consider doing it more often for friends and families during the holidays. Then the pandemic hit. But the lockdown didn’t stop her from baking. Instead, it allowed her more free time to dedicate to her business.

“I decided to name my company Simply Yummy — I wanted to keep it simple … and I wanted to make sure that the cookies were really good,” she said.

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OUR DIOCESE

By Melissa Enaje

11

‘Special dough’ is key to ministry

OUR DIOCESE

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When uncertainty and fear struck due to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the faculty/staff and administration at Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung, pushed forward and succeeded in providing its students with an exemplary distance learning program.

Karen Calta, assistant directress, Faculty and Curriculum, said, “We began on March 13. We used Moodle, Skype and Zoom. Our teachers used a variety of apps as well, including Flipgrid, Kahoot and others.

“Four of our teachers already have a background in distance learning because they teach for One Schoolhouse,” she added. “We have teachers who have created classes and taught for Mercy Learning OnLine, also.”

“When the pandemic hit, we were completely impressed by the Mount's ability to shift gears and deliver an outstanding educational experience for our daughter,” said parent Jamie Schleck. “In our family, we have two in college, two in different high schools, and one professional educator -- five uniquely different vantage Kelsie Neidenbach, then a freshpoints ... and the Mount experience man at Mount Saint Mary Academy, was the best by far.

Watchung, is joined by her dog, Max, “In addition to delivering out- on the first day of distance learning, standing academic content, the Mount March 16. community of staff and faculty made — photo courtesy of Kelsie Neidenbach sure our daughters were socially and emotionally cared for during this difficult time...We are so grateful."

There was a noticeable difference Debra and Frank Cotter, the par- in the quality of the education that ents of one alumna and a rising junior, my daughter received at the Mount. said, “Distance learning at Mount There was no disruption in her educawas a godsend for our tion despite the unfamily as it provided “I have three chil- precedented circumour daughters with the stances. I am grateful ability to continue and dren attending for all the dedicated more importantly comMount faculty and different private plete their studies. staff.”

“All the while, they and public schools.

Mercy Sister were able to interact Lisa D. Gambacorto, and stay connected to There was a notice- directress, concludstudents, faculty, and able difference in ed, “In true Mercy administration and this spirit, our faculty, provided a sense of stathe quality of the staff and students bility during an uncerthe challenge education that my met tain time,” they said. of distance learning Rising junior daughter received during tumultuous Bridget Mooney said, times with excelat the Mount.”

“The distance learning lence, grace and proat the Mount was very — Kerry Mooney fessionalism. good. I think all the “I am truly imteachers were helpful pressed by their reand supportive during the transition silience and commitment to academic and the structure helped me continue rigor along with sensitivity to the to be productive and stay on task.” emotional upheaval this pandemic Her mother, Kerry Mooney, add- created. We continued to meet with ed, “I have three children attending our students and put virtual programs different private and public schools. in place for emotional well-being.”

13 DEACON ORDINATION

a special section of the catholic spirit august 20, 2020

— John Batkowski photo

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 20, 2020

From left, Timothy Mark Eck II, Gregory Joseph Zannetti, Jun Joseph Querubin Alquiros and Ariel Robles Bautista Jr. are shown after they were ordained to the transitional diaconate at a Mass and Rite of Ordination at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, July 25.

14 DEACON ORDINATION AUGUST 20, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Newly ordained deacon seeks to be ‘bridge’ between God, parishioners

By Christina Leslie Correspondent Sometimes an introverted and analytical young man needs to make a 180-degree pivot to find his true happiness.

One of four new transitional deacons ordained in July for the diocese, Jun Joseph Querubin Alquiros, made just such a radical change when he decided to pursue a vocation to the priesthood.

“I am an introvert. I needed to get out of my shell,” said Deacon Alquiros, 30, reflecting upon the challenges he faced during his priestly studies. “My mind is analytical. It was difficult at the beginning.”

Deacon Alquiros, who calls St. Ambrose Parish, Old Bridge, his spiritual home, was born in Lucena City, the Philippines, one of three children of Lutgardo and Angelina Alquiros.

When he was a child, the family moved to New Jersey and he attended St. Joseph Grammar School, Keyport, then graduated from Nathan B. Forrest High School (now Westside High School), Jacksonville, Fla. The deacon, known as “Jay,” graduated from the University of North Florida, Jacksonville, in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Over the next three years, he worked in ac-

counting positions at companies in Seton Hall University, South Orange, Philadelphia, New York City and Princ- where he pursued the priesthood. Dureton before the introverted, analytical ing his studies, which included Spanyoung man discerned ish language immersion it was time to take that “When I was in the courses in Mexico City, life-changing pivot tothe transitional deacon wards the priesthood. seminary, I fell in exercised his ministry “I had some friends Holy Family Parlove with service. at in college who were ish, New Brunswick; curious about their faith St. John Vianney ParI look forward to and open to ask me quesish, Colonia, and St. being in a parish Bartholomew Parish, tions,” Deacon Alquiros recalled. “Faith can atBrunswick. He is full-time with the East tract and make a converpresently ministering sation. I loved being that people, being avail- in Most Holy Name of bridge between God and Jesus Parish, Perth Amhis people, and seeing able to their needs boy. the joy they receive.”

“When I was in the sacramentally and Discussing it with seminary, I fell in love pastorally, and those closest to him with service,” Deacon came later, he admitted.

Alquiros said. “I look bringing them “I kept everything forward to being in a closer to God.” between me and God so parish full-time with the there was no push or pull people, being available either way,” the deacon to their needs sacramenexplained. “I thought it was important tally and pastorally, and bringing them not to be influenced by the externals.” closer to God. Once the faith-filled Catholic revealed “It’s important to be flexible, his plans to his family, he recalled, though,” he continued. “Right now, I “They were very supportive, and they don’t know what a parish needs until respected my decision.”

I am there. I want to bring the people In 2015, Deacon Alquiros enrolled back to God, serve as a bridge for at Immaculate Conception Seminary, people coming back to Church.”

His advice to young adults considering taking up the mantle of religious life is a mix of analytic and philosophical consideration.

“Ask the Lord what you should do,” Deacon Alquiros said. “Have a conversation with him. I found it helpful to attend daily Mass and spend time in adoration and silence. Listen to his will.”

Deacon Ariel Bautista Jr.’s parents have lived in the diocese even though he grew up and spent most of his life in the Philippines.

A chance to improve their lot in life led Lucia and Ariel Bautista Sr. to move to Flemington and find work.

But that meant Deacon Bautista, who was eight years old when his parents left for America, stayed behind in the Southeast Asian republic with family.

He didn’t arrive in Flemington until 2018, when he entered Seton Hall University’s Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange to study theology to begin his final years toward becoming a priest and attend liturgies at his parents’ home parish, St. Magdalen de Pazzi.

Next year, Deacon Bautista will be ordained into the priesthood to serve the diocese.

He recalled how he felt the pull toward the priesthood as early as age 11 or 12.

“I was thinking of entering the seminary, but my father was a little hesitant, because they were working here,” said the deacon, who was ordained to the transitional diaconate by Bishop James F. Checchio July 25 at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, and is serving at St. John Vianney Parish, Colonia.

Deacon Bautista, who turns 28 on Sept. 12, entered the seminary after finishing high school. He credits his former parish priest, Father Severino “Rekto” Hernandez, as “God’s instrument” in his decision.

“He always invited me to join “But for me, I think the most sighim, whenever he went reflecting, nificant challenge is to keep in mind when he brought the sacraments to that my formation is not always about the people, to the sick,” Deacon Bau- myself,” Deacon Bautista said. “It is tista said, noting the important aspect for the people whom I will be serving of taking Christ to the in the future.” people, especially the He said Christ’s “He [Father most needy. words from St. Mark’s Severino ‘Rekto’ Gospel: “Do not be After his father’s initial hesitancy, the afraid; just have faith,” Hernandez] deacon’s parents supremind him that he can always invited ported his plan to beovercome challenges. come a clergy, Deacon “Jesus knows my me to join him, Bautista said. limitation and weak“Without their whenever he went nesses, but by having prayers and support, it this reminder to ‘not be reflecting, when afraid’ and ‘just have would surely have been a more challenging faith,’ I become more he brought the journey for me,” said energetic and firm that Deacon Bautista, the sacraments to the I will never be lost in third of five children his call,” he people, to the sick.” answering in his family, “but God said. uses my family to help Becoming a priest me realize his love and in an unprecedented providence for me to continue heeding era brought on by the coronavirus this call.” pandemic does not seem to be a source He also credits Father Gerardo of strong concern for Deacon Bautista.

“Gerry” Paderon, pastor, Queen- He visits his parents, both of whom ship of Mary Parish, Plainsboro, and work in a nursing home, who have coordinator of the diocesan Filipino not been infected by the potentially Apostolate, and Father Jason Pavich, deadly coronavirus. “They always ask administrator, St. Peter the Apostle me to pray for them,” he said.

University and Community Parish, Deacon Bautista hopes through New Brunswick, the former director, his ordination, he will bring comfort diocesan Office of Vocations, for helping him decide to pursue his ordination in the U.S., something he called a “big decision.”

The deacon said he has faced challenges, such as dealing with a different culture in coming to America, besides the normal tests a deacon faces from academics and spiritual formation.

DEACON ORDINATION

By Anthony Salamone Correspondent

15

Deacon looks forward to comforting, walking with faithful

to parishioners, to walk with them in their spiritual journey.

“They feel alone sometimes,” he said. “A priest can bring hope to them.”

It seems Deacon Bautista has adapted to the move to America and two years of changes, judging from his hopeful comments. That unflappable attitude should serve him well going forward.

“Come follow me” (Mark 10:21)

If you think maybe...

Contact the

Office of Vocations: (732) 562-2453 or e-mail: vocations@diometuchen.org

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 20, 2020

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

16 DEACON ORDINATION Above, the candidates to the transitional diaconate stand in the front row of the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi as fellow clergy and family sing the opening hymn. — John Batkowski photos

AUGUST 20, 2020

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Above, Bishop James F. Checchio places the Book of Gospels in the hands of Transitional Deacon Jun Joseph Querubin Alquiros, telling him, “Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you have become.

Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.�

Left, Transitional Deacon Gregory Joseph Zannetti is vested by Father Anthony M. Sirianni, pastor, St. Helena Parish, Edison.

Bishop Checchio presides at the Rite of Ordination, during which the four candidates kneel to make their “Promise of Obedience.� Kneeling replicates the gestures of Christ when he was in the midst of a crisis of will.

By Christina Leslie Correspondent METUCHEN — “This is not the day we envisioned, the way we envisioned, but we can be sure the Holy Spirit is with us,� declared Bishop James F. Checchio during the Mass of the Rite of Ordination of Deacons in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi July 25. “It is a day of grace in the diocese.�

Rescheduled for the Feast of St. James, the Mass was no less joyful despite the constraints of the coronavirus pandemic.

Family and friends joined clergy intent on witnessing four men take another step toward the priesthood. They sat masked and six feet apart throughout the cathedral as Jun Joseph Querubin Alquiros; Ariel Robles Bautista Jr.; Timothy Mark Eck II, and Gregory Joseph Zannetti prepared to take on the mantle of service to the faithful in the diocese.

After one more year of formation in their respective seminaries, the four will be ordained to the priesthood for the diocese in the spring.

During the Rite of Ordination, the four candidates were called into the sanctuary to take a public step towards a life of service in the Church. Father Mauricio Tabera-Vasquez, diocesan director, diocesan Office of Vocations, certified all

were ready for this momentous step as resounding applause echoed throughout the cathedral.

In his homily, Bishop Checchio said, “Brothers, don’t ever lose the foundation of your call.� Reminding the men that they were among the spiritual descendants of Christ’s 12 apostles, the bishop continued, “You

four brothers — Ariel,

Greg, Jay, Tim — have similarly been called by

Jesus to be with him.

“The apostles were chosen in an act of love,�

he continued. “It was only after their time to gether that Jesus sent them forth to preach the

Gospel. Spend time with

Jesus and learn about him

through your prayer, your studies, your apostolic

service, your communal life. That foundation will properly feed you through the rest of your life with Jesus.�

Along with fellow disciples Peter and John, St. James witnessed first-hand many milestones in the life and ministry of Christ, including his transfiguration, agony in the garden and crucifixion, Bishop Checchio reminded the four.

17 DEACON ORDINATION — John Batkoski photos

replied, “May God, who has begun the good work in you, bring it to fulfillment.�

As a cantor led the congregation in a litany to the saints, the four ordinandi lay prostrate before the altar.

One by one, each man was invested with a stole and dalmatic, then Bishop Checchio presented them with a “Book of the Gospels� with the words, “Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.� The bishop embraced each in turn, then each stood in the cathedral’s center aisle to accept long-distance wellwishes from the all present.

Bishop Checchio noted the new deacons were among the 22 seminarians of the diocese studying for the priesthood, the most in the diocese for more than 26 years. Furthermore, he added, nine new men have enrolled to begin their seminary studies this year.

Bishop Checchio accepts a chalice from newly ordained Deacon Timothy Mark Eck II during the Mass. The four newly ordained deacons will complete one more year of formation in their respective seminaries and parishes before being ordained to the priesthood in the spring.

Bishop James F. Checchio lays hands on the head of candidate Ariel Robles Bautista Jr., conferring the Holy Spirit upon him and ordaining him to the transitional diaconate. Right, Bishop Checchio congratulates newly ordained Deacon Gregory Joseph Zannetti.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 20, 2020

“The Holy Spirit at Pentecost gave him the grace, courage and words he needed to preach the Gospel. These gave him the fortitude to persevere in the face of challenges,� he said. “You, too, have been privileged, called and loved by our Lord to be with him.�

The needs of the current time seem unsurmountable, the bishop warned, but they

cannot deter us if we stay grounded to Jesus. He told

the new deacons, to accept

Jesus’ call, they must leave pride and ambition,

behind feelings of unworthiness,

insecurities and trust that God’s mercy and love will always be present. “Our people need to

see you living the faith, be ing men of prayer, humble, obedient, chaste, celibate,�

Bishop Checchio concluded. “The Holy Spirit gives you all you need to do so‌ Jesus promised to remain with us always. May your road to sainthood be guided only by him.â€?

Each man publicly resolved to discharge the office of deacon and show respect and obedience to Bishop Checchio and his successors, to which the bishop

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18 DEACON ORDINATION AUGUST 20, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Deacon Eck heard calling to vocation in priesthood in college

By Kyra Stevko Correspondent Deacon Timothy Mark Eck II’s connection to God has grown from an enjoyment for charitable acts in college to his time in the seminary. It was strengthened even more through his ordination to the transitional diaconate by Bishop James F. Checchio, July 25, at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assis, Metuchen.

The son of Timothy and Barbara Eck, Deacon Eck was raised in Blairstown with his two sisters, Alexandra and Meghan.

The family were members of St. Jude Parish, Blairstown, where the new deacon said he went to Mass regularly.

After graduating from North Warren Regional High School, Blairstown, Deacon Eck earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va. “When I entered college I was at the beginning of my journey with the Lord and developing my relationship with him” he said. “It was at this point that I decided to live my faith because I wanted to, not out of a sense of obligation to my family.

This led me to really develop a relationship with God.” It was during an internship in college that Deacon Eck was inspired to join

the seminary. He said he realized that his ago, he said, “I never imagined that I work was leaving him “dry and unsatis- would study in Rome and the great blessfied” while prayer, meditation and chari- ing that has been.” table acts at locations such as his local “Since choosing to seek the Lord soup kitchen and habitat for humanity left as I entered college, God has frequently him the happiest, and cost shown me just how much him very little to pursue.

“You will either grow better his plan for my life Deacon Eck began his is,” he added. studies for the priesthood into greater love of The hardest part of beat Immaculate Conception ing in the seminary, Deacon the calling [to the Seminary at Seton Hall Eck said, was “growing University, South Orange, priesthood] and so in humility and dying to where he earned a Cerconcerning how grow closer to God notions tificate in Philosophy. He things should be done.” continued his studies at the As for what advice he [in a seminary] or Pontifical North American would give to someone conCollege, Rome. He earned find out that you are sidering a vocation to the a bachelor’s degree in not called and still priesthood, he said, “Grow Sacred Theology (STB) in prayer and charitable acts. at Gregorian University, grow closer to God Then, just go for it.”

Rome.

Entering the seminary, having sought him. he said, While pursuing the does not mean that priesthood, he “found the You have nothing to you have to have everyintellectual and logical thing figured out or that you rigor required for [his] lose by seeking and are even certain that you are computer science studies everything to gain.” called to be a priest. That is were naturally helpful for what the seminary is for. [his] philosophy and theolSeminary, whether it leads ogy studies.” to the decision to become a priest or not, Reflecting on his journey to the can help you grow closer to God. priesthood, Deacon Eck stated that “his “God loves us,” he said, “and giving life has taken [him] to so many places [he] ourselves in love to him always draws us never imagined [he] would go.” A decade closer to him. You will either grow into

greater love of the calling [to the priesthood] and so grow closer to God or find out that you are not called and still grow closer to God having sought him. You have nothing to lose by seeking and everything to gain.”

Quoting from Scripture, Deacon Eck added, “Seek first the kingdom of God. All the rest will be given unto you!” (Mt 6:33).

God calls each one of us to our vocation in many ways. For Greg Zannetti, the call to the priesthood came through the devotion and faith of people in his life.

When Deacon Zannetti, who was ordained a transitional diaconate July 25, reflects on the individuals who most influenced his vocation, he begins with his grandfather. “For all of my life, I will remember my grandfather going to daily Mass. He was a Eucharistic minister, a man of prayer, and had a great devotion to St. Padre Pio,” he said, adding, “his house was filled with religious books and he would often slip away to say the rosary.”

Reflecting on his visits to his grandfather’s, Deacon Zannetti said he and his brothers would love to go there and watch movies about Padre Pio and other mystics.

The son of Eugene and Geralyn Zannetti Jr., Deacon Zannetti grew up in Edison with his two older brothers, Eugene III, and Jeffrey. He credits his brothers as being a positive influence on him. “They were both altar servers and I always wanted to do what they did,” he explained.

The Zannetti family worshipped at St. Helena Parish, Edison. There, Deacon Zannetti followed his brothers’ example

and served the 7 a.m. daily Mass. He viv- counter-cultural. “The Gospel has always idly recalls Father Salvatore J. Rossetti, been countercultural, but especially toone of the priests who would celebrate day. I know that when I preach the truth, Mass. “I remember him holding up the people will reject it. I know that I will chalice with tears in his eyes. He lived offend some people,” he said. to be 100 years old. He said Despite this, Deacon Mass thousands of times, “I look forward to Zannetti is looking forward but every time he was aware to becoming a priest. “I of holding Jesus in his being a minister hope to accomplish whathands,” he said. of God’s mercy ever God wills for me. I Growing up, Deacon want to be an instrument and a source Zannetti graduated from of his mercy and do all the James Madison Elementary Mother and God of God’s love. I Blessed and John Adams Middle will me to do,” he asserted.

School, as well as John P. hope that when As a seminarian DeaStevens High School, all in con Zannetti served durpeople look at ing the summers at St. Edison. At Rutgers University, New Brunswick, he me they do not Bartholomew Parish, East earned a bachelor’s degree Brunswick; St. James Parin sociology and it was there see me, but that ish, Basking Ridge; St. that the new deacon’s vocaof Canterbury they see Christ.” Augustine tion was again influenced.

Parish, Kendall Park, and While a Rutgers student he St. Ambrose Parish, Old read the “Diary of Saint Faustina,” one of Bridge. He began his studies for the the books he had seen in his grandfather’s priesthood at Immaculate Conception home. He said it inspired his calling.

Seminary at Seton Hall University, South After college, Deacon Zannetti said Orange, then transferred to the Pontifical he worked in business but stayed close North American College in Rome. He to God and the Church and started to re- is currently ministering at Our Lady of spond to God’s call. His decision to pur- Fatima Parish, Piscataway. sue the priesthood was fully supported He advises anyone who is considerand welcomed by his family but he said ing becoming a priest to “go to Mass and he expects others will challenge him. He confession as often as you can.” believes God’s call to the priesthood is “Get a spiritual advisor,” he added.

DEACON ORDINATION

By Joanne Kleinle Correspondent

19

New deacon seeks to be an instrument of God’s mercy

“I have had two spiritual advisors and they helped me a lot by holding me accountable for things that I have to work on to grow closer to Jesus. They challenge me.”

Reflecting on the future, Deacon Zannetti said, “I look forward to being a minister of God’s mercy and a source of God’s love. I hope that when people look at me they do not see me, but that they see Christ.”

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 20, 2020

20 OUR DIOCESE AUGUST 20, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Seminarians leave home, heed call to become more like Christ

By Tara Smith BRIDGEWATER — Across the country, college students are packing their cars, preparing to return to campuses this fall in pursuit of academic achievement, community life, and personal growth, and Catholic seminarians are doing the same.

“In my first days of college I experienced a lot of turmoil in trying to decide what I really wanted to do in my life,” said Luis DeJesus, a seminarian for the diocese who moved to Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University, South Orange, on the feast of the Assumption. “I felt a lot of pressure from a lot of different places — inside and outside — and at the end, I just said, ‘What do I really think God wants of me?’”

DeJesus is one of nine new seminarians, bringing the total number of men in formation for the diocese to 25. Another five men are scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood Aug. 22 at a 9:30 a.m. Mass of the Rite of Ordination at the National Blue Army Shrine, Asbury. While the ordination will be private because of COVID-19 restrictions, it will be streamed live and available to watch at www.diometuchen.org.

“I’m really excited to finally be in the place where I think I belong, to have an encounter with God in a very special way, primarily through the prayer life, but also the instruction I’ll receive through the formation and academic programs,” said DeJesus. “I feel very confident that it’s my heart’s desire to follow the Lord in the priesthood.”

Just days before the men were scheduled to begin studying at their respective seminaries, they gathered with current seminarians and men discerning a vocation for fellowship, evening prayer and Mass Aug. 12 at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church.

Bishop James F. Checchio presided at the liturgy and gave the homily.

“The seminary is a time for you to spend time with the Lord, to develop a listening and receptive heart, which we do primarily through prayer,” Bishop Checchio said in his homily. “The seminary’s purpose is not to keep you from the altar but lead you to the altar.”

He told the seminarians that the faithful only have one expectation when they come to a priest: to encounter Christ. “Our people are praying hard for vocations to the priesthood. They hold you in their hearts and in their prayer because they desire Christ and they want you to bring Christ to them,” said Bishop Checchio.

“The more you’re able to take him on, to become more like him now, the more you’ll be able to share him.”

Marco Barcenas, who will attend Saint Andrew’s College Seminary, the undergraduate seminary of Immaculate Conception Seminary, said he is looking forward to doing just that, “to getting to know Christ more.”

“I was taught by one of the priests I met that to really know and love God, you have to know him intellectually, so I’m hoping

Above, Bishop James F. Checchio, center, poses with seminarians for the diocese and men discerning a vocation after Mass at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church, Bridgewater. Above right, the bishop speaks to attendees at a dinner. with the human, spiritual, and intellectual formation, I will know him more and have a personal relationship with our Lord,” said Barcenas.

Though this will be the first official step toward the priesthood for Barcenas, he said he has been discerning his call since he was a sophomore in high school. He said his discernment was in part thanks to Quo Vadis Days, an event which seeks to bring together young men who are serious about their Catholic faith, empowers them to live as intentional disciples, and supports their ongoing vocational discernment.

Barcenas, who was also part of a discernment group led by the director of the diocesan Office of Vocations, said both Quo Vadis Days and the discernment group helped him to understand where he is going in life, “especially in this time of age when we get so confused with the world.”

“I’m grateful I had the opportunity to discern what God is calling me to be and if the priesthood is really for me,” he added.

“Then, I will do my best to answer God’s call.”

No matter their individual journey and despite their unique calling from God, the men agreed that God is leading them on a path to holiness. Discernment takes courage, strength and, above all, prayer, they said.

“Your prayer life doesn’t have to be complicated — just a simple, committed time that you’re going to give to the Lord every day,” said DeJesus.

After developing routine prayer, he said he would advise those discerning a vocation to the priesthood to find a mentor, “hopefully a priest or some kind of spiritual director, to whom you can express your concerns or fears, hopes, desires and joys.”

“Just trying to make a serious commitment to prayer and letting God speak to me through that really helped me see that seminary is the way to go,” said DeJesus. “Being able to speak to God and another person to find the way that you’re supposed to walk, I think is the best way to really discern God’s will for your life.”

Smith is associate director, diocesan Office of Communications

Above, new seminarians for the diocese bow their heads as Bishop Checchio prays over them at Mass at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church. Right, Father Mauricio Tabera-Vasquez, director, diocesan Office of Vocations, speaks to the seminarians from the ambo.

Below, Bishop Checchio poses with the new seminarians, from left: Patrick Rasimowicz, Jonas Jara-Diaz, Luis DeJesus, Larrydom Magdasoc, Marco Barcenas, Jacob Miller, and Justin Lang. Not shown: James Promus and Dawid Malik.

— Tara Smith photos

Dr. Angela Lanfranchi, a member of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater, has treated more than 20,000 patients. In her new book, “Health Hormones and Contraception: What Women Need to Know to Stay Well,” she sought to provide information about hormonal contraception, which the Church opposes. hundreds of thousands of unintended pregnancies,” she states adding that when people are taught how to use natural family planning methods, the efficacy rate is the same as the pill.

The book also includes a paper from a pharmacist explaining how hormonal contraceptives act as abortifacients by preventing an embryo from implanting into the wall of the uterus. “How many Catholic women who take this pill know about this?” Lanfranchi wonders.

Lanfranchi, a co-founder of the Whitehouse Station-based Breast Cancer Prevention Institute, feels so strongly about the risks and detriments of oral conception that she devoted Part 3 of her book to the text of a 2019 petition asking the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to change its labeling of hormonal contra-

ceptives to add a black box warning about their link to increased risk of breast cancer, cervical cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, depression, suicide, interstitial cystitis, osteoporosis, and other health problems.

The petition, which includes more than 160 research citations — is signed by a coalition of 10 physicians (including Lanfranchi), who are part of the Contraceptive Study Group. The petition is currently under review.

With this information at the ready, Lanfranchi hopes this book will help women make better, more educated decisions about their health. She closes the book by stating, “My hope is that with this book women will empower themselves and have the knowledge needed to make the best choices for themselves that will lead to happiness and good health.”

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 20, 2020

Millions of women worldwide use hormonal contraceptive methods, but how many understand how they work and their potential negative effects on the body? Far too few, says Dr. Angela Lanfranchi, FACS, retired breast surgeon and clinical assistant professor of surgery at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Lanfranchi’s new book, “Health, Hormones and Contraception: What Women Need to Know to Stay Well,” seeks to address this issue by giving women important information about fertility control based on her clinical experience and data gathered by Contraceptive Study Group.

During her decades-long career treating more than 20,000 patients, Lanfranchi, a member of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater, was struck by how little most women knew about the potential risks of hormonal contraception and how many considered them to be innocuous — barely medication at all. “When they completed their medical forms, they would forget to include the pill in the ‘medications taken’ section, but they mentioned it when I asked about hormonal therapies,” says Lanfranchi.

Lanfranchi wanted to provide much-needed information about hormonal contraception in a format that both women and their doctors could use. Church teaching opposes every form of of contraception.

“Health, Hormones and Contraception” is divided into three parts, the first of which provides an overview of what happens during a menstrual cycle and how hormonal contraceptives manipulate this process to control fertilization. Part 2 is the core of the book: A Q&A section with answers to common questions about hormonal contraceptives. Here, Lanfranchi provides points to consider before choosing a fertility method as well as documented evidence about the negative effects of hormonal contraceptive drugs on the body.

Unfortunately, an increased risk of breast cancer is among these negative effects. Her book cites a report from the World Health Organization pointing to oral contraceptives (i.e., combining synthetic estrogen and progestin drugs) as carcinogens leading to breast, cervical, and liver cancer. Yet, most women have never been given this information.

“Often, women who are diagnosed with breast cancer in their 30s have a gene that makes them more susceptible to breast cancer, but I found another connection in my patients: they had also taken oral contraceptives,” she states.

“Why is it okay to take a group 1 carcinogen to control your fertility when there are other ways to do it?” she asks.

Lanfranchi raises several other concerns about the adverse effects of oral conception: increased risk of developing lupus, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis, increased susceptibility to HPV, and increased risk of stroke. It also has been linked to an increased risk of depression in women under age 25, especially within six months of starting the regimen.

“Synthetic hormones attach to all estrogen receptors not just those that achieve the desired contraceptive effect. You have estrogen receptors in your blood vessels, heart, brain, liver, bones, intestines…all over your body,” she explains. “So, hormonal contraceptives can have a lot of untended and harmful effects on physical and mental health.”

The risks are especially striking considering another of Lanfranchi’s concerns about these contraceptive methods: they are not a failsafe for preventing pregnancy. “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the failure rate is about 9 percent, so nine out of 100 women will get pregnant even if they take the pill as directed. This means that there are

OUR DIOCESE

By Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

21

New book seeks to help women make educated choices about health

22 OUR DIOCESE

Diocese-sponsored hospital welcomes renowned medical doctor NEW BRUNSWICK — Dr. Kianoush Sheykholeslami has been named the chief of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery at Saint Peter’s University Hospital.

“Dr. Shey,” as he is known, is triple board certified in otolaryngology — head and neck surgery, facial plastics and reconstruction surgery, and sleep medicine. He is board eligible in otology and neurotology. He treats illnesses and pathologies involving the ear, nose and throat with specific expertise treating head and neck cancers in adults and pediatrics.

Shey is a specialist in skull-based tumors, cosmetic and reconstructive facial deformities, thyroid, parathyroid and sinus diseases. His experience treating congenital abnormalities in children includes the removal of brachial cysts that will include frequent collaboration with clinicians at The Craniofacial & Neurosurgical Center at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital.

Shey has been certified as a console surgeon for trans-oral robotic procedures using the da Vinci® robot, a less invasive means of surgical tumor extraction which allows faster recovery times for patients.

Shey is one of the few physicians in the tri-state area whom is a dual boardcertified sleep surgeon with the capability to offer interventional multi-level state-of-the-art surgery for the treatment

of those with sleep apnea, in cases and at the Cancer-Institute of New Jerwhere the patient has not responded to sey and Robert Wood Johnson Univertraditional treatment. sity Hospital, both in New Brunswick.

“We are privileged to welcome Dr. He is a member of various American Shey back to the area, and especially academies’ educational committees and to Saint Peter’s,” said is actively involved in Dr. David Laskow, chair national and international "Dr. Shey," as he of the Department of clinical medicine, surgery is known, is triple and basic and clinical reSurgery at Saint Peter’s University Hospital. “Dr. board certified in search.

Shey is an extraordinary Saint Peter’s Univerotolaryngology surgeon with an internasity Hospital, a member tional reputation. He will Saint Peter’s Health— head and neck of enhance our ability to care System, is a 478treat head and neck can- surgery, facial plastics bed acute-care teaching cers while also introduchospital sponsored by the and reconstruction diocese. ing new treatments and technologies in a host of Saint Peter’s is a surgery, and sleep other related areas. Our state-designated chilmedicine. He is patients will benefit sigdren’s hospital and a nificantly from the depth regional perinatal center, board eligible in and breadth of his multiand is a regional specialdisciplinary experience.” ist in diabetes, gastrootology and An international enterology with a speneurotology medical doctor from Iran, cialized Heartburn and Shey served as chief of Reflux Center, oncology, Emergency Medicine in that country in orthopedics, and women’s services.

1993. He earned his doctorate in NeuroThe Children’s Hospital at Saint science from Tokyo University in Japan Peter’s University Hospital provides in 2001, introducing new techniques in families with access to a full range of auditory and vestibular neurophysiol- pediatric specialties, including a nationogy. He has extensively published in ally recognized Level III Neonatal Inpeer-reviewed national and international tensive Care Unit, pediatric surgery and journals in the field of ENT. orthopedic surgery featuring innovative Shey has served in various academ- anterior scoliosis correction. ic positions at the University of Illinois The hospital offers a midwifery

Dr. Kianoush Sheykholeslami is a specialist in skull-based tumors, cosmetic and reconstructive facial deformities, thyroid, parathyroid and sinus diseases. service and the brand-new state-of-theart Mary V. O’Shea Birth Center.

Saint Peter’s is a sponsor of residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and internal medicine, and is a major clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences.

Visit saintpetershcs.com or call (732) 745-8600.

Saint Peter's shares recognition The Office of Human Life and Dignity DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

AUGUST 20, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Sponsoring programs and activities dedicated to protecting life at all stages and in all conditions through . . .

Public Information & Education Outreach & Pastoral Care • Public Policy & Legislation • Prayer & Worship Jennifer Ruggiero, Director 732-562-4574 jruggiero@diometuchen.org

Angela Marshall, Program Coordinator 732-562-1543 amarshall@diometuchen.org

The Healthcare Transformation Consortium (HTC), which includes Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, New Brunswick, has been named a Health Value Award winner by Validation Institute for its 2020 awards program in its non-peer-reviewed category for Healthcare Purchasing Collaborative.

Winners were announced earlier this year in a virtual ceremony that recognized healthcare leaders and innovative vendors across the country. Now in its third year, the Health Value Awards continues to recognize outstanding services, products, and programs across more than 30 categories spanning the healthcare industry.

In addition to Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, HTC is a collaborative of health care organizations that includes Atlantic Health System, CentraState Healthcare System, Holy Name Medical Center, Hunterdon Healthcare, St. Joseph’s Health and Virtua Health.

“The Healthcare Transformation Consortium is committed to collaborating with our member health systems to create an innovative new model for health care delivery for New Jersey, so we are honored to be recognized by the Validation Institute,” said Kevin Joyce, vice president of Insurance Networks

for Atlantic Health System. “By working closely with like-minded organizations, we are able to share best practices, and lead the transition from fee-for-service to value-based care while providing the highest quality care for our dedicated caregivers and their families.”

The members of the collaborative, each with self-funded employee health plans, work together to address a growing challenge faced by businesses across the state: how to ensure high-quality health care for their team members while reducing the overall cost of providing health insurance and delivering care.

“Now, more than ever, we are seeing the importance and strength and dedication of healthcare workers in our country.

While we were unable to celebrate our finalists in person, we feel it was important to host this event virtually, celebrate these leaders and recognize all they do for the industry,” said R.D. Whitney, chief executive officer, Validation Institute.

The Validation Institute (www. validationinstitute.com) is a membership organization made up of a network of healthcare vendors, health benefits advisors, and purchaser benefit managers focused on delivering better health value and stronger outcomes than conventional healthcare.

“Neither rain, nor sleet, nor the corona virus” — an updated version of the motto of Post Office letter carriers — keeps members of St. Luke Parish, North Plainfield, from participating in bi-weekly Scripture reflection group meetings.

Before the coronavirus pandemic forced the closing of doors to churches and offices in the diocese in March, the group had met in the parish hall after the 10 a.m. Mass to discuss the liturgical readings and related religious and spiritual questions. Approximately 20 parishioners attended each meeting, which usually lasts about an hour. Volunteers supply breakfast cakes, coffee and tea to help foster an informal atmosphere very conducive to amicable, free-flowing discussions around a large circular group of tables.

Msgr. Michael Corona, pastor, often attends to provide guidance, and parishioner Gerry McKenna provides several questions to promote the discussions.

The meetings were canceled for a while, but have restarted thanks to the Zoom platform on the Internet. On July 12, the readings included selections from the prophet Isaiah, St. Paul and St. Matthew.

The meeting began with a prayer, and then McKenna played an audio recording of spiritual music to foster reflection.

Next, parishioners took turns reading the Scripture. Isaiah, was summa-

rized thus: “The word of God which came to the Chosen People through the prophets, and the divinely inspired writers, came out of God’s loving interest in His people. He wanted to prepare them for the inheritance, the real ‘promised land,’ that, when the messianic age [the “fullness of time”] came, would be theirs, provided their lives on earth were lived as they should be.” (“The Sunday Readings” by Franciscan Father Kevin O’Sullivan).

St. Paul (8:18-23) taught: “Suffering is an essential part of the Christian life and one who truly believes will have his or her share of hardships and trials. Yet, these are not ends in themselves, as there is hope that they will terminate with the full revelation of the glory of God. The theme and message of St. Paul is not to lose hope in the Lord into whose risen life we have been initiated by Baptism.” (“A Celebrants Guide to the New Sacramentary — A Cycle” by Kevin W. Irwin).

Lastly, a parishioner read Matthew: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit, a hundred- or sixty- or thirty-fold.

Whoever has ears ought to hear” (Mt

OUR DIOCESE

Robert C. Christie Correspondent

In a screenshot of a bi-weekly Scripture reflection meeting online via the Zoom platform in July, members of St. Luke Parish, North Plainfield, listened to music and read passages from Isaiah, St. Paul and St. Matthew. Participants later discussed a series of questions to promote discussion.

13:3-9).”

“Christ’s description of His audience, that day in Galilee, is unfortunately as true today as it was then. His message of salvation has been preached to a great part of the world’s population, but the proportion of those who accept it and live up to it, is about the same today as it was then.” (Father O’Sullivan) After the readings, McKenna distributed questions: Are we as optimistic as Paul is about the passing away of the present pains? What are two things that

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the world is groaning about? How about our Church? What are two things about which you are groaning in your own life? Why did Jesus speak in parables to the crowd? How do you find fertile ground to hear and see God’s word?

Here, the gathering takes a personal turn as participants respond from their own particular views and life-situations and continue to explore each other’s thoughts, viewpoints and experiences that were inspired by the readings.

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23

Virtual meetings help parishioners study Scripture

OUR FAITH

24

Sin causing death?/Distractions in prayer In one of your recent columns — about Our Blessed Mother’s Assumption — you wrote “Some theologians feel that, since death is a consequence of sin, Mary would not have had to die.” I have never thought of sin as causing death. Can you explain this a little more? (Montvale, Va.)

Q

Pope Francis

AUDIENCE

AUGUST 20, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

August 12, 2020 The pandemic has highlighted how vulnerable and interconnected everyone is.

If we do not take care of one another, starting with the least, with those who are most impacted, we cannot heal the world.

Commendable is the effort of so many people who have been offering evidence of human and Christian love for neighbor, dedicating themselves to the sick even at the risk of their own health.

They are heroes! However, the coronavirus is not the only disease to be fought, but rather, the pandemic has shed light on broader social ills. One of these is a distorted view of the person, a perspective that ignores the dignity of the person. (la sua refers to person, not his or her) At times we look at others as objects, to be used and discarded. In reality this type of perspective blinds and fosters an individualistic and aggressive throw-away culture, which transforms the human being into a consumer good (cf. Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 53; Encyclical Laudato Si’, [LS], 22).

In the light of faith, we know, instead, that God looks at a man and a woman in another manner. He created us not as objects but as people loved and capable of loving; He has created us in His image and likeness (see Gen 1:27). In this way He has given us a unique dignity, calling us to live in communion with Him, in communion with our sisters and our brothers, with respect for all creation. In communion, in harmony, we might say. Creation is the harmony in which we are called to live. And in this communion, in this harmony that is communion, God gives us the ability to procreate and safeguard life (see Gen 1:28-29), to till and keep the land (see Gen 2:15; LS, 67). It is clear that one cannot procreate and safeguard life without harmony; it will be destroyed.

Therefore, let us ask the Lord to give us eyes attentive to our brothers and sisters, especially those who are suffering. As Jesus’s disciples we do not want to be indifferent or individualistic. These are the two unpleasant attitudes that run counter to harmony. Indifferent: I look the other way. Individualist: looking out only for one’s own interest. The harmony created by God asks that we look at others, the needs of others, the problems of others, in communion. We want to recognize the human dignity in every person, whatever his or her race, language or condition might be. Harmony leads you to recognize human dignity, that harmony created by God, with humanity at the center.

Question Corner

By Father Kenneth Doyle At the dawn of creation, the very first human beings were made to live forever and that was the divine intention and desire. The sin of Adam and Eve, however, changed that, and the whole of human history was altered by the fault committed by our first parents.

This is reflected in the teaching of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Because of original sin, harmony with nature is broken and “creation is now subject ‘to its bondage to decay.’ …

The consequence explicitly foretold for this disobedience will come true: Man will ‘return to the ground,’ for out of it he was taken. Death makes its entrance into human history” (No. 400).

A

First, it pleases me that you have found the Divine Office a helpful resource for prayer, and I wish that more laypeople were aware of this treasure. The office consists primarily of psalms but also includes other biblical texts as well as selections from Church fathers and other spiritual masters. The central parts to the office — morning prayer and evening prayer — can each be recited in five to 10 minutes.

Next, you needn’t worry that you sometimes find yourself distracted while praying. The Catechism of the Catholic Church recognizes the universality of that problem, calling distraction “the habitual difficulty in prayer” (No. 2729).

Many of the saints have written about the struggle to concentrate while praying. St. Bernard, the 12th-century French abbot, tells of once walking with a farmer who noticed that St. Bernard was keeping his eyes cast downward and asked him why.

St. Bernard replied that he was praying and didn’t want to be distracted by the sights of the countryside.

The farmer boasted that he himself was

never distracted while praying, so Bernard made a bargain with him.

The saint offered to give the farmer his mule if he could say the Our Father aloud in its entirety without a single distraction. The farmer began to recite with confidence; but midway through the prayer, he paused and said to Bernard, “Does that include the saddle and bridle as well?”

St. Therese of Lisieux (The Little Flower) offered, I think, some helpful advice. She said, “I also have many (distractions). But as soon as I am aware of them, I pray for those people the thought of whom is diverting my attention; and in this way, they reap benefit from my distractions.”

It is helpful, of course, to find a quiet place to pray, though that is not always possible. (Remember that Jesus said, “When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.” (Mt 6:6) Now, to your specific question. No, when you are distracted, you needn’t go back and repeat that particular prayer.

In fact, I would advise against it. I have known scrupulous people who would repeat prayers endlessly until they “got them right.” Instead, when you are distracted, just pause and then move forward with renewed focus.

Questions may be sent to Father Kenneth Doyle at askfatherdoyle@ gmail.com and 30 Columbia Circle Dr., Albany, NY 12203

God said to him, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”

Solomon responded, “Give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil,” explaining to God that he wanted only to know how to govern God’s people well.

God was so pleased with Solomon’s request, he gifted him with riches and honor and long life, for as long as Solomon kept God’s statutes and commandments.

Solomon asked for wisdom and God rewarded him, also, with insight and understanding beyond measure, making him the wisest of all men.

When the Irish monsignor came to the end of his homily he asked, “If God were to grant us that wish, what would we ask for?”

I wanted to raise my hand and ask for clarification.

Does the wish have to be just for me, can it be for someone else? Everyone else? Really, at this very moment, wouldn’t someone want to ask for an end to the pandemic? But maybe in my humanness I’d want to ask for something for my family. Can my wish be worded to cover more than one thing, like “abundance of health, happiness and safety?”

What are the parameters of the question??

I felt like a teenager who didn’t understand the essay assignment. I chastised my-

self, thinking, it’s not a hard question, what is your problem?

The problem is I’m a human being, one of those we all know to often be impulsive, short-sighted and quick to give in to emotions that override our ability to spend a bit of time in quiet contemplation. And there is the root of the problem.

Wisdom is the fruit of silence, of listening, of a desire to see what is real and what is of God. In his 2014 series of talks about the Gift of Wisdom, Pope Francis explained that wisdom “is the grace of being able to see everything with the eyes of God. It is simply this: Seeing the world, situations, conjunctures, problems, everything with God's eyes. This is wisdom. Often we see things as we want to see them or according to our heart, with love, with hate, with envy. No, this is not God's eyes. Wisdom is what the Holy Spirit does within us so that we can see everything with God's eyes.

This is the gift of wisdom.”

Pope Francis also stressed that wisdom cannot be learned, which is why we must ask God for the gift of the Holy Spirit and the gift of wisdom that teaches us, also, “to feel with God's heart [and] to speak with God's words.”

I’ll be going back to that Irish parish for Mass next Sunday. I’m looking forward to the next homily.

I am a layman who likes to pray the Divine Office. When I am praying this (or reading other prayers), if I am distracted, should I go back and reread those sections? (Worcester, Mass.)

Q A

The gift of wisdom is the fruit of silence The gift of wisdom is fit for a king, and the rest of us

A lovely virtual Mass, marked by the lilting tones of an equally lovely Irish monsignor, was an opportunity to reflect on a homily that contrasted King Midas, of Greek mythology fame, and King Solomon, beloved of God and biblical author.

Both kings were given the opportunity to have one wish fulfilled. For King Midas the offer came from the god Dionysius. Midas, who was already extravagantly wealthy, wished that all he touched would turn to gold.

Dionysius warned him to think carefully, but Midas insisted this is what he wanted.

His wish was fulfilled, but when his food turned to gold and he nearly starved, and his daughter turned to gold when he hugged her, Midas realized he had made a terrible mistake. The blessing had become a curse.

Solomon, who was also wealthy as kings go, saw the Lord, God, in a dream.

25

St. Peter’s special place SCRIPTURE STUDY

By Msgr. John N. Fell In this Sunday’s Gospel, the unfolding of God’s plan is seen in St. Peter’s increasing faith and in the mission of strengthening the faith of others that the Lord entrusts to him. Guided by divine inspiration, Peter’s faith developed rapidly from being so weak that he almost drowned when crossing the sea to meet Jesus to the point where his faith-filled insight was strong enough for him to proclaim boldly that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Jesus used Peter’s strident faith as the firm foundation upon which to build his church community. It is important that we always keep these two Gospel events together — in the story of Peter’s attempt to walk toward Jesus across the sea, we see the depth of his enthusiastic love for Jesus. In this Sunday’s Gospel story, we see Peter’s great faith in Jesus. Both would be necessary for Peter in his mission to be the pillar of the Christian community.

The Gospel opens with Jesus having gone to Caesarea Philippi in Northern Palestine. This actually marked the beginning of his journey toward Jerusalem and the cross. Jesus begins a conversation with his disciples, asking them who the crowds think he is. Their answers betray a diversity of viewpoints: some say he is John the Baptizer (like Herod, many in the crowd saw Jesus as a populist, charismatic leader similar to John); others say he is Elijah (recalling the expectation that Elijah was to return before the day of the Lord); still others see him as Jeremiah (the prophet Jeremiah suffered much rejection and persecution for the message he proclaimed, just as Jesus would).

Taking their conversation to a more personal level, Jesus next asked his disciples who they thought he was. The question gives Peter the opportunity for his confession of faith, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Mt 16:16). By recognizing Jesus as the Christ, Peter was acting within the general expectations of Israel, but by further recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, Peter dispels any misconceptions about Jesus’ exact role and significance. In combining these two titles, Peter captured the essence of Jesus’ unique relationship with the Father.

Jesus next commissions Peter to be the solid

WEEK IN SCRIPTURE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23 - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

Is 22:19-23 • Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8 • Rom 11:33-36 • Mt 16:13-20 Rv 21:9b-14 • Ps 145:10-11, 12-13,17-18 • Jn 1:45-51 2 Thes 2:1-3a, 14-17 • Ps 96:10, 11-12, 13 • Mt 25:23-26 2 Thes 3:6-10, 16-18 • Ps 128:1-2, 4-5 • Mt 23:27-32 1 Cor 1:1-9 • Ps 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 • Mt 24:42-51 1 Cor 1:17-25 • Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11 • Mt 25:1-13 1 Cor 1:26-31 • Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab, 17 • Mt 6:17-29 Jer 20:7-9 • Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 • Rom 12:1-2 • Mt 16:21-27 1 Cor 2:1-5 • Ps 119:97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102 • Lk 4:16-30 1 Cor 2:10b-16 • Ps 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13ab, 13cd-14 • Lk 4:31-37 1 Cor 3:1-9 • Ps 33:12-13, 14-15, 20-21 • Lk 4:38-44 1 Cor 3:18-23 • Ps 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 • Lk 5:1-11 1 Cor 4:1-5 • PS 37:3-4, 5-6, 27-28, 39-40 • Lk 5:33-39 1 Cor 4:6b-15 • Ps 145:17-18, 19-20, 21 • Lk 6:1-5 Ez 33:7-9 • Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 • Rom 13:8-10 • Mt 18:15-20 1 Cor 5:1-8 • Ps 5:5-6, 7, 12 • Lk 6:6-11 Mi 5:1-4a • Ps 13:6ab, 6c • Mt 1:1-16, 18-23 1 Cor 7:25-31 • Ps 45:11-12, 14-15, 16-17 • Lk 6:20-26 1 Cor 8:1b-7, 11-13 • Ps 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 23-24 • Lk 6:27-38 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22b-27 • Ps 84:3, 4, 5-6, 12 • Lk 6:39-42 1 Cor 10:14-22 • Ps 116:12-13, 17-18 • Lk 6:43-49

Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice 1762- 1844 feast - Aug. 29

Image © The Crosiers

Founder of the Irish Christian Brothers and Presentation Brothers, Edmund was born in County Kilkenny, the son of prosperous tenant farmers and well-educated for the Catholic middle class.

After becoming a wealthy merchant in Waterford, he married and was widowed with a handicapped daughter. Compassion for the downtrodden led to his vocation. In 1808 Edmund and his companions took religious vows as monks in a diocesan congregation teaching poor boys. They opened new schools around Ireland, and in 1820 Rome approved the Congregation of Christian Brothers. Edmund served as superior general until 1838. His final years were marked by dementia and he didn’t know his order had spread to India, Australia and America. He was beatified in 1996.

Saints

SCRIPTURE SEARCH® Gospel for August 23, 2020 Matthew 16: 13-20

Following is a word search based on the Gospel reading for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A: mountain-top light. The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle.

CAESAREA OTHER SON OF JONAH REVEALED THIS PREVAIL THE KEYS HEAVEN

DISCIPLES ONE OF FLESH CHURCH AGAINST IT BIND

PEOPLE SIMON PETER BLOOD THE GATES GIVE ON EARTH TO TELL

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© 2020 TRI-C-A Publications; tri-c-a-publications.com

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 20, 2020

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rock foundation of his soon to be established Christian community. Significantly, Matthew uses a word for church that means “the gathered assembly;” Jesus commissions Peter as the strong, unifying pillar of the Lord’s community — his faith and love will be the sturdy support which will hold the community together and keep the “gates of the netherworld” (Mt 16:18b) at bay.

As a symbol of Peter’s authority and stewardship, Jesus confers upon him the “keys to the kingdom of heaven.” Peter is being given responsibility for the proper functioning of the Christian community. He must keep all in good order, having special oversight concerning admission into the kingdom (for example through baptism, subsequent Church discipline, etc.).

The “Catechism of the Catholic Church” (553), tells us “The power of the keys designates authority to govern the house of God, which is the Church.”

Finally, Jesus gives Peter the power to bind and to loose both on earth and in heaven. In rabbinic literature, the power to bind and to loose involved the power to impose and dispense from obligations; to bind and to loose could also be used in a technical sense to mean excluding someone from the community and granting re-admission. The “Catechism of the Catholic Church” (553), offers, “The power to bind and to loose connotes the authority to absolve sins, to pronounce doctrinal judgments, and to make disciplinary decisions in the Church.” Peter is assured that his decisions regarding the Christian community will accord with heavenly truth.

Peter’s special place in the Christian community is recognized throughout the New Testament.

In Catholic tradition, we believe that the special authority and stewardship handed by Christ to Peter continue to be wielded by Peter’s successors, the Bishops of Rome. Each pope, then, is commissioned to be the strong support which upholds and defends the Christian community. As the Second Vatican Council taught in its “Dogmatic Constitution on the Church” (23), “The Roman Pontiff, as the successor of Peter, is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity . . . of the whole company of the faithful.”

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

OUR FAITH

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

Connections Program offers role models for youth

Children extend care to military veteran in

By Joanne Kleinle Correspondent

When Catholic Charities’ Child Care

“A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who Site Supervisor Jenelle Clauson read finds one finds a treasure.” (Sir 6:14) a The Facebook about a 104-year-old Connectionspost Program at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, which Marine’s special plea foris Valentine’s supported by the Bishop's Annual Appeal, wishes, she gathered her colleagues takes this verse to heart by connecting menElementary School, torsatwithHatchery youth who canHill use a friend.

What participants have found is and that what starts out Hackettstown, organized a project as a way to give youth a helping hand, often for the children in the Catholic Charicreates friendships that are treasured by the ties’theafter care program to youths, mentorsschool and their child families alike.

Since 1994,tothethe Connections respond oldestProgram living Marine’s has paired adult volunteers with youth in request.

Middlesex County from ages 5 to 17. It Maj. Bill White, World War II started from pairing 14 matches to asamany as 65 mentors paired youth each year. recipient, veteran and with Purple Heart Youth in thehis program more likely to shared wishareduring an interview with develop positive behaviors and continue KTXL-TV in Sacramento, schooling, which changes their lives. The Calif., and friendship between the youth and theHe menthe request went viral. told the teletorsvision tends to hosts form quickly, but over time an that one of his favorite hobeven deeper bond is established and they bies is scrapbooking, often become a second family to thewhich child. has helped According to thetrack program’s website, him to keep of his extensive life. criteria to get a mentor are: experiencing Now he wanted to add some Valentine significant and/or terminal medical difficulto ahis collection of mementos.

Jeanette Cullen, a member of St. Bartholomew Parish, East Brunswick, has served tiescards for which positive adult relationship supervisor of the Connections Program at Catholic Charities, Diocese of from outside of the word family would helpful; Once got beout aboutas White’s Metuchen, since 2000. The 26-year-old program pairs adult volunteers with youth finding themselves seriouschildren situational/ from Benerequest, staffin and in Middlesex County from ages 5 to 18. loss crisis (i.e., but not limited to divorce or — Joanne Kleinle photo dict A. Cucinella Elementary School, a parent is dying/just deceased) and a helpChildren in the Catholic Charities' after school child c fulLong adult relationship Valley,is needed. and Willow Grove ElHatchery Hill Elementary School, Hackettstown, or share a meal. advice or support. The program also hosts send t Kathy McCrystal said she startedwith as basketball ementary School joined Hatchery McCrystal spends about four hours quarterlyWar mentor nights. a mentor when her twin boys were teenMajor Bill White, a World II support veteran and Purple Heart Hill and together they sent three large a week with the boys depending on what Jeanette Cullen, a member of St. — Bar-photo co agers. She was paired with a boy close in activities they plan.

She looks forward to tholomew Parish, East Brunswick, where ageenvelopes to her sons because she thought men- Valentine full of hand-made her time with them and loves watching she serves as an extraordinary minister of toring would be a great way to engage cards and wishes to honorherWhite and to own boys. She got much more than she them grow and mature into teenagers. They holy Communion and in its Society of St. support toabout Maj.their White anddewe all rebring The love joy to the retired Marine. often talk to her Vincent Paulare chapter, has beenchild supervi-care for expected. boyand became issues and she gives them sor of the Connections Program since 2000. distric school minded of how important it is to provide close to her family, “We arewhole so thrilled about the cases, response “In many whatever guidance she can.

She sees the impact it has not only on the participating in traditions and recognition to those who have served Somerset we received from the we school district,” Mentors must unthe youth, but on the mentors and families. put the like her in-laws annual New For more our rigorous country.” saidEveChild Care Service Area Director dergo screening “The program is not meant to replace the Year’s party, decorating childhood back and background parents,Charities, but to give support,” said. “In child year, Catholic Dio- sheCharities’ theKrista ChristmasGlynn. tree and go“The staff and children interview Last checks before they receive many cases, we put the childhood back in ingwere on an annual Easter egg in the child’s life ccdom.org/chil cese of Metuchen provided affordable so excited to send their love and training and continue to the child’s life by offering the fun activities hunt. She even took him on by offering the receive training after they and support that his or her family cannot college tours with her own give them.” sons. They grew so close fun activities and begingTheserving. program sponsors Cullen treasures witnessing the lifethat when he aged out of the program, she agreed to support that their monthly group activities — changing impact that the mentors have on usually in person, but they the youth. She said one child, whose parents mentor his younger brothers families cannot have been held virtually be- were day laborers, came into the program and they now participate in cause of the coronavirus — wanting to be a day laborer. After spending McCrystal family traditions give them.” for mentors and the youth. time with his mentor, he realized other posjust like their brother did.

—Jeanette Cullen Through these trainings and sibilities that were open to him. He started Most of the activities activities, McCrystal has to plan to go to college and become a busithat she does with the boys are simple. Because of the recent lockdown also formed close friendships with other nessman and travel. He also changed his diet to more healthy choices. related to the coronavirus, she takes them for mentors.

Case managers are in touch with menFor information about becoming a a walk or buys them ice cream. They also share her love of biking and hiking. Some- tors two to five times each month and are mentor, contact Jeanette Cullen at jcullen@ times they want to visit at her house and play available day or night by phone if they need ccdom.org or (732) 738-1323.

Journey of Faith

the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been established by God” (13:1). Government has been established by God for the common good.

The only exception to this is whenever man’s laws conflict with God’s laws and in that case, Scripture says, we are to “obey God rather than human beings” (Acts 5:29). This is the essence of civil disobedience. Churches have a right to disobey if they are treated differently than other organizations.

Such disobedience is acceptable, from a faith perspective, when it seeks to obey God’s laws.

Next, the Catechism states: “The order of things must be subordinate to the order of persons, and not the other way around.” (ccc 1912). Here, the “person” is held up as possessing greater dignity than any “thing.”

Highlighting God’s gift of freedom, we are then told, “one must pay tribute to those nations whose systems permit the largest possible number of the citizens to take part in public life in a climate of genuine freedom” (ccc 1915).

The final paragraph in this section asserts: “Fraud and other subterfuges, by which some people evade the con-

straints of the law and the prescriptions of societal obligation, must be firmly condemned because they are incompatible with the requirements of justice...” (ccc 1916). “Subterfuges” is not a word we use every day! It simply means “deceit used to achieve one’s goal.” The Governor of New York was somewhat disingenuous in claiming that the number of coronavirus cases in no way decreased because of God’s intervention or due to the fruit of prayer!

Other matters throughout our country and elsewhere have been likewise puzzling. How could it be argued, when supermarkets and Five & Dime stores were opened for business, that churches and other places of worship must remain closed? How could a legitimate argument be made that a place like St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York or a similar edifice, must remain closed even though it could clearly accommodate more than 10 people for the celebration of Mass while maintaining safe distancing as well as other safeguards?.

Father Hillier serves as Director of the Diocesan Office of the Pontifical Missions, the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Censor Luborum

Concerned Citizens Youth leaders of the Next Level social justice program and their mentors, including Msgr. Joseph M. Curry, parochial vicar, St. Matthias Parish, Somerset, and recipient of the 2019 Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen (CCDOM) Champion Award, sorted and filled 150 grab-and-go bags for the residents of Unity Square, New Brunswick, July 28. Unity Square is a community organizing and social concerns initiative of CCDOM that works to empower community members and catalyze change in the poorest residential neighborhood of New Brunswick. In so doing, Unity Square addresses a diverse set of issues, including economic development, employment, civic participation, crime and safety, immigrants’ rights and tenants’ rights.

— photo courtesy of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 20, 2020

citizens” (Gatium et Spes, 74 § 3). The Catechism explains: “Regimes [however] whose nature is contrary to the natural law, to the public order, and to the fundamental rights of persons cannot achieve the common good of the nations on which they have been imposed” (ccc 1901). Why? Because, as the Catechism teaches, “authority does not derive its moral legitimacy from itself” (ccc 1902). The next paragraph

By Father John Gerard Hillier continues: “Authority is exercised I almost fell off my chair as I lis- legitimately only when it seeks the tened to one of the news conferences common good of the group concerned conducted by the Governor of New and if it employs morally licit means to York when he spoke about the coro- attain it. If rulers were to enact unjust navirus pandemic as follows: “The laws or take measures contrary to the number is down because we brought moral order, such arrangements would the number down. God did not do not be binding in conscience...” (ccc that. Faith did not do that ...” My mind 1903). jumped to another governor in the Curiously, in seeking to put Roman Empire who was once told by Church teaching in context, the CateJesus: “You would have no power...if it chism states: “It is preferable that each were not given to you from above” (Jn power be balanced by other powers and 19:11). by other spheres of Continuing the which Government has been responsibility theme of “Authority keep it within proper in Society,” this secestablished by God for bounds. This is the tion of the Catechism principle of the ‘rule begins with a quote the common good. The of law,’ in which the from Pope Saint John only exception to this law is sovereign and XXIII’s 1963 encycnot the arbitrary will is whenever man’s laws of men” (ccc 1904). lical, “Pacem in Terris:” “Human society conflict with God’s laws Having read this seccan be neither welltion of the Catechism ordered nor prosand in that case, Scrip- several times, it perous unless it has became evident that some people invested ture says, we are to “obey such a perspective with legitimate au- God rather than human gives a salute to the thority to preserve Constitution of the beings” (Acts 5:29). This United States and, in its institutions and to devote themselves fact, to the Magna is the essence of civil as far as is necessary Carta on which the disobedience. to work and care for constitution and the good of all” (ccc many democracies 1897). While “every around the world are human community needs an authority based. to govern it” (ccc 1898), “the authorNext, the Catechism takes up the ity required by the moral order derives theme “common good” and explains from God” (ccc 1899). in summary: “The common good is Given the propensity of people, es- always oriented towards the progress pecially those in positions of authority, of persons” (ccc 1912). In building its to exaggerate their power, Saint Clem- argument, it teaches: “The common ent of Rome (4th Pope; died 110 A.D.) good concerns the life of all. It calls provides a prayer that is useful for for prudence from each, and even more people of all times and seasons: “Grant from those who exercise the office of to them, Lord, health, peace, concord, authority. It consists of three essential and stability, so that they may exercise elements” (ccc 1906): without offense the sovereignty that 1. respect for the person (ccc you have given them ... ” (ccc 1900).

1907).

Clearly, the Catechism teaches 2. the social well-being and that all human authority is meant to development of the group itself (ccc model itself on God’s authority. Given 1908). the diverse authority figures throughout 3. peace, that is, the stability and history and even those with author- security of a just order (ccc 1909). ity today, some continue to follow this The Catechism further teaches: model, while many, if not most, do not. “It is the role of the state to defend The Second Vatican Council af- and promote the common good of civil firms: If authority belongs to the order society, its citizens, and intermediate established by God, “the choice of the bodies” (ccc 1910). This is consistent political regime and the appointment of with Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans: rulers are left to the free decision of the “Let every person be subordinate to

FAITH ALIVE

Article 141 - Catechism of the Catholic Church Series Paragraphs 1897-1917

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All human authority is meant to model itself on God’s

OUR DIOCESE

28

Crossword Puzzle 1

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AUGUST 20, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

ACROSS 3 The demons “Legion” begged Jesus not to command them here 6 First event in the Bible 8 Patron saint of sailors 9 French holy woman (abbr.)

11 He shared an occupation with Paul 13 NT epistle 15 French Christmas 17 Job’s wife told him to, “___ God and die” (Job 2:9) 20 The golden ___ 21 St. Elizabeth ___ 23 “Son of” in Hebrew 24 He was the most humble man on earth, according to Numbers 26 The Chosen People 27 Our Lady of the Assumption is this country’s patron 30 “___ Mary” 32 Book written by St. Thomas More 34 Catholic star of “Everybody Loves Raymond” 37 First woman 38 Papal order 39 Certain classes 40 Treasury of ___ DOWN 1 The Garden of Eden might have been in this modern-day state

2 3 4 5 7 10 11 12 14 16 18 19 20 22 25 27 28 29 31 32 33 35 36

Catholic Surrealist painter Patron saint of Scandinavia Fourth man “…for a person will reap only what he ___” (Gal 6:7) Son of Abraham Island converted in the 5th century “___ Dei” Script conclusion? “___ Regina” “So the king ordered Daniel to be brought and cast into the ___ den.” (Dan 6:17) Municipal pope?

Exodus mountain Man of the ___ Letter by which a priest is released from one diocese and accepted into another Canonized pope known as “the Great” Second word of a Latin hymn Where Jesus went for 40 days The feast of St. Bernadette Soubirous is in this month Father of Jehoshaphat “___ et Orbi” NT book Gift bearers Angelus time

Answers can be found on page 31

WASHINGTON (CNS) — When the developers of the Catholic meditation app Hallow launched it in 2018, they hoped to attract young Catholics, but what is now the country’s No. 1 Catholic app has a bigger reach than that.

“It started as this focus on young adults but actually we’ve seen a lot more. … Parents and retired folks get really excited about it and start using it,” said Hallow’s chief executive officer and cofounder, Alex Jones.

Hallow — https://hallow.com — has seen a dramatic increase in popularity and getting more and more users each day.

The No. 1 rating is based on “Apple’s algorithm, which they don’t disclose,” Jones told Catholic News Service in a July 21 interview. “It’s based on how many people have reviewed it in the last few weeks, how many people are downloading it, how many have viewed. We started off on the bottom of the list, went to No. 3, then jumped to No. 1 about six months ago.”

Hallow is based out of Chicago even though the company started off in California’s Silicon Valley. Creation of the app is integrated with Jones’ own faith journey. His family raised him as a Catholic, but he strayed from the faith in high school and college. He went to the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind., but he was going through a “relatively dark time in life,” he said.

After he graduated from college, he

wanted to figure out what he believed in. heaven, hallowed be thy name.” He knew One thing that had always fascinated him what hallow meant, to make holy or sawas meditation. He noticed that when- cred, but he didn’t know how it pertained ever he meditated, his mind would be to his life. He pondered if he should be pulled to something spiritual. helping others grow in holiness.

He said he’d ask priests, nuns and That’s how the Hallow app came to others in religious life if there be. was a specific connection be- Users are en“If Headspace and Calm tween meditation and faith. can be successful helping They told him that indeed couraged to people learn secular meditathere was a connection: It was build a habit tion and [be] done through an called prayer. app,’” he thought, “why can’t of prayer When he was growthe same thing be done and ing up, Jones said, he only done better through teachby spend- be thought of prayer as a way to ing Catholic contemplative ask for certain things or that it ing at least prayer?” was just basic memorization Headspace is an app that one minute teaches you how to meditate; of words. He only felt that he was talking to himself and goCalm is a leading app for in guided ing through the motions. meditation and sleep. prayer with A priest friend encour“It’s very important to aged him to listen more durus that everything on the Hallow. ing prayer, Jones said, and he app is 100 percent authentibegan to study the Catholic cally Catholic and in line with faith more and he tried “lectio divina,” Church teachings,” Jones said. a meditative reflection on the Scriptures.

He said the app’s developers have Jones said this process actually led worked with priests, bishops and theohim to tears and eventually brought him logians to ensure they are conveying back to his faith.

Catholic teachings correctly. He added “It was a beautiful combination of that Hallow is a resource to people of this deep sense of peace and love, deeper all backgrounds, especially people who than any other secular mediation or mind- have fallen away from the faith. Its prifulness meditation. It was this deep sense mary audience is Catholic, but users of of peace combined with this real purpose the app include Protestants, Jews and that calms our head space,” he said. even atheists.

Jones recalled meditating on the It also is hard to ignore the impact Lord’s Prayer and the word that stuck out of COVID-19 on Hallow’s popularity. to him was “hallow” from the beginning According to Jones, there was a large of the prayer: “Our Father who art in increase in usage and downloads when

Easter came around since everyone was advised to stay at home.

While the pandemic has been terrible and brought so much sadness to people’s lives, with loved ones and friends dying from COVID-19, Jones said, it provides people with an opportunity to work on their spiritual lives from home. The app has a “Family” feature that allows users to connect with family and friends and share prayers, reflections and prayer intentions with them even while being physically separated.

It also has a feature called the “Daily Minute Prayer Challenge.” Users are encouraged to build a habit of prayer by spending at least one minute in guided prayer with Hallow each day.

“The hardest part about praying is just doing it. It’s easy in the seasons of Lent and Advent when it’s top of mind, but over the summer when you’ve got a lot of other things going on,” Jones said, “it’s easy to fall off that. We do a bunch of things. You can set goals on the app.

You can add members of your family and friends to the app to hold yourself accountable. You can set daily reminders.”

Hallow, which has more than 5,000 five-star reviews, tries to be “an app that helps you disconnect from apps and technology,” according to Jones, which he admitted sounds like a contradiction.

But he explained that while other religious apps have users glued to their screen to read the Bible, Hallow allows its users to press “play,” close their eyes and listen to audio of a prayer.

OUR DIOCESE

By Ian Alvano

29

App offers Catholic, contemplative prayer to people of all backgrounds

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 20, 2020

30 OUR DIOCESE

By Jennifer Ficcaglia Catholic News Service

John was baptizing people in Bethany across the Jordan when he saw Jesus walking toward him.

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,” John exclaimed as Jesus approached. “He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.”

The following day, John and two of his disciples were in the same place. Jesus again walked by.

“Behold, the Lamb of God,” John said.

John’s two disciples heard and followed Jesus.

“What are you looking for?” Jesus said as he turned and saw the men.

The men wanted to know where Jesus was staying, so Jesus brought them there.

Andrew was one of the two disciples of John who had followed Jesus. He left to find his brother, Simon Peter, and bring him to where Jesus was staying.

“We have found the Messiah,” An-

drew told his brother.

The next day, Jesus went to Galilee, where he found Philip.

"Follow me," Jesus said.

Philip, in turn, sought out his friend, Nathanael.

“We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth,” Philip said.

“Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael asked skeptically.

“Come and see,” Philip urged.

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him.

“Here is a true child of Israel," Jesus remarked. "There is no duplicity in him.”

"How do you know me?” Nathanael asked in surprise.

“Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree,” Jesus replied.

Nathanael was amazed.

"Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel,” he exclaimed.

“Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?" Jesus asked. "You will see greater things than this.”

He added, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Artwork, courtesy of CNS

Read more about it: John 1 Q&A 1. Who asked his brother to follow Jesus?

2. Whom did Jesus see under the fig tree?

TRIVIA: Who sent John the Baptist to testify about Jesus? (Hint: John 1:6-7) PUZZLE: Unscramble the letters in each word and arrange them to form a sentence from the children's story.

het nufod ew shemais heav

Trivia Answer: God Puzzle Answers: the found we Messiah have We have found the Messiah.

AUGUST 20, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Kids Corner: Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael as followers

AROUND THE DIOCESE Prayer and Worship

Sept. 5, 10 a.m. — Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Washington, will celebrate five consecutive First Saturdays to honor Our Lady’s plea. The day will include confessions, rosary with a 15-minute meditation, Mass celebrated at 1:30 p.m. by Father Matthew Mauriello, Divine Mercy Chaplet and enrollment in the Brown Scapular. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket. For details, visit www.bluearmy.com or call (908) 689-1700, ext. 224.

Sept. 13, 10:30 a.m. — Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Wash-

ington, invites all to celebrate the Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima. The day will begin with confessions followed by a procession at noon. The speaker and celebrant will be father R. Murphy.

Mass will be celebrated at 1:15 p.m.

Eucharistic Procession, Divine Mercy Chaplet and enrollment in the Brown Scapular will be included. The day will conclude with the traditional Fatima Farewell. Safety protocols as per the state of New Jersey will be followed.

Bring your own lawn chair or blanket.

For details, visit www.bluearmy.com or call (908) 689-1700, ext. 224.s, contact Diane (732) 896-6558.

DIOCESAN EVENTS 9/1

The Metuchen Chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM), Office of Worship, will hold a virtual retreat for musicians, 7 to 9 p.m. Sr. Sandra DeMasi, SSJ, will lead a virtual retreat titled “Reimaging Faith, Hope and Love in 2020.” She will explore the ways faith, hope and love enable us to navigate the challenges of today. Three musicians of the diocese will offer personal reflections. For information and to register, visit diometuchen.org/npm.

Crossword Puzzle Answers D A B Y E A T I O N L S S T E G I U I L A R A A R E L C U R S E I R I T O N B E N N A A W S I N D I A R E P S R O P I A H E V E I L L R E L M E R I T

S S E L M T T H E S A C A L L V M O S E T H A I S O M A N A O I G I O I N

S O W S F S T L E O N

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

Missy Bartlett poses with a Catholic puzzle book in her Louisville, Ky., home, June 28. Bartlett’s puzzles are also published in Catholic newspapers across the nation and internationally.

— CNS photo/courtesy The Record

St. Frances of Rome Parish.

Editor’s Note: The website for Word Games for Catholics is www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

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I C R A A Q G N O U S E X J E A U T R B U I

chuckle.

She quickly moved her operation to a computer program and developed her own crossword dictionary of theology terms. She plugs in the clues and the program makes them fit. She carefully reviews and edits each one to ensure the puzzle’s accuracy.

She considers puzzle-making part of her ministry as a Catholic educator.

“I see it as being a way to teach people, to remind people of what they learned in a fun way,” she said.

Bartlett said she listened when Pope Francis encouraged Catholics to proclaim the faith beyond the normal avenues.

“It’s that idea to use all means to evangelize I took to heart,” she said.

She considers her business venture — Word Games for Catholics — as a way to honor her mother, Flora McLaughlin.

“I do it because I think of my mother.

She loved crossword puzzles and she was stuck in her wheelchair, in her house,” she said.

Bartlett said she hopes her puzzles are a source of entertainment for people.

“It gives people some entertaining way to learn about their faith or to practice what they know,” she said.

Bartlett has three grown children and three grandchildren. She is a member of

RATES

published in Catholic newspapers across the nation and internationally, including in Canada and Singapore.

Before she created word puzzles, Bartlett was well into her teaching career.

She’s been teaching theology in Catholic schools in Louisville for more than 40 years.

She began her career at Angela Merici High School and then taught at Sacred Heart Academy for 20 years. She briefly left to teach at DeSales and St. Xavier high schools. She returned to Sacred Heart six years ago. She also teaches courses at Catholic-run Spalding University in Louisville.

As she ventured into puzzle-making, she learned the craft from scratch.

“When I first started I did it by hand and that took forever,” she said with a

OUR DIOCESE

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (CNS) — After her mother died in 1990, Missy Bartlett, a Louisville theology teacher and lover of puzzles, came across her mother’s homemade crossword puzzles.

“My mom was disabled with rheumatoid arthritis and spent a long time in a wheelchair. As a hobby, she decided to make crossword puzzles herself,” Bartlett said in a phone interview with The Record, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Louisville.

Discovering her mother’s collection of puzzles inspired Bartlett to give puzzlemaking a try. And since her expertise was in theology, she decided to center her puzzles on that theme.

For the last 20 years, her crossword puzzles have challenged “The Record’s” puzzlers every week. Her puzzles also are

31

Crossword puzzle creator has tested faith knowledge for 20 years

32 OUR DIOCESE AUGUST 20, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Parish’s initiative re-igniting spirituality in faithful by ‘calling’ tion, and discovering their purpose in life. The initiative is not just for MONTGOMERY – Have you ever those actively living their faith, but felt drawn to a particular situation, for everyone — those who are spiriand not sure why? Do you think tual but may not be involved in a about your purpose in life and won- faith community at the moment, and for those who are unaffiliated relider who you are called to be?

St. Charles Borromeo Parish is giously and spiritually.

Parishioners at St. Charles Borparticipating in a three-year initiaromeo believe that tive intended to using the concept of “Create a Culture calling allows them of Calling,” which to better understand invites parishiothe world and their ners and the greater place in it. A paMontgomery comrishioner for more munity to explore than 16 years who the theme of calling declined to be idenand to discover how tified said, “The C3 each of us is called initiative has helped

by God in every moto re-ignite my faith. ment of our lives.

I used to separate Msgr. Gregory the ‘spiritual’ from E.S. Malovetz, who other parts of my has served as pastor life. Understanding of St. Charles Bor“In the two years since that we are called by romeo for more than in each moment 30 years, noted, “It we first introduced this God has helped me to is amazing to me that something as initiative, the concept of unite my faith with all parts of my life. simple as processing life’s experienc- calling has taken hold in It makes me feel es through this lens our parish. I hear people like I have a greater purpose in all I do.” of calling can have exchanging stories of The next steps such a profound of the initiative are impact on people’s how they were called to to spread the theme spirituality. In the two years since we be ‘a listener to a friend' of calling to the greater community. first introduced or ‘a caretaker to an As of July, the parthis initiative, the concept of calling aging parent.’ People are ish has begun a new podcast — “From has taken hold in beginning to describe Where I Stand” — in our parish. I hear people exchanging who they are in terms of which participants share their stories of stories of how they “calling.” The hope were called to be ‘a their callings.” is that by telling listener to a friend' —Msgr. Gregory E.S. Malovetz these stories, others or ‘a caretaker to an may be inspired to aging parent.’ Peofind their own callple are beginning to ing or purpose as describe who they they travel life’s journey. are in terms of their callings.”

Topics of the podcast include: The “Create a Culture of Calling” initiative (known as C3) is deepening one’s call as an emerled by Vibrant Faith, an organiza- gency medical technician during tion dedicated to helping churches the coronavirus pandemic; a mother adapt their faith formation for the and daughter from a bi-racial family 21st century, and made possible by respond to the Black Lives Matter a grant from the Lilly Foundation. movement; a school counselor durSt. Charles Borromeo, along with 23 ing this time of pandemic; a passion other churches from eight denomina- about the Farm to Table Food movetions across the United States, was ment; starting college or getting invited to participate in the three- married during the pandemic; a call to the priesthood, and many imporyear endeavor.

The goal of the C3 initiative is tant and relevant topics.

“From Where I Stand” podcasts to create a culture where Calling is infused into all aspects of Church and reflections can be found on the life; and to help people develop a parish website at borromeo.org/ O'Brian is a member of St. lifelong approach to discovering their callings, nurturing their voca- Charles Borromeo Parish

By Andrea O’Brian

Above, members of the C3 Project at St. Charles Borromeo Parish pose for a photo before the coronavirus pandemic affected the diocese: (front row) Andrea O'Brian, Nora Kobylarz, and Mary Diggan.

Back row: Joe Darcy and Dan Pace. Right, O'Brian serves as host of the parish's podcast, "From Where I Stand."

Among the parishioners who have been guests on the podcast are Joe Sartorio (above), an emergency medical technician; and Michele Swain (below left) and her daughter, Tatania. — photos courtesy

of St. Charles Borromeo Parish and the O'Brian, Sartorio and Swain families