August 19, 2021 by The Catholic Spirit

Deacons in diocese celebrate significant anniversaries in their ministries, 18-27

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AUGUST 19, 2021 • VOL. 26 NO. 7 • $2.00

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

Welcome

Edison Township Council President Joyce Ship-Freeman cuts a ribbon to open the doors of the St. Paul the Apostle Senior Residence July 21. Among the participants were Bishop James F. Checchio, fourth from right, and Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski and Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark, second and third from left, respectively. See story on page 3. — Mike Ehrmann photo

INSIDE Perspectives Our Faith

Happy Anniversary

4 30-31

Kid’s Corner

Diocesan Events

Bishop, former pastors help parish celebrate dedication of church...10 This issue was mailed on August 17 Your next issue will be September 16

Make 40th anniversary time of renewal, recommitment

AUGUST 19, 2021 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

UP FRONT

My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ

It is a blessing that these past few altar. In those ancient times, the animal’s weeks at our Sunday Masses, we have blood offered in sacrifice was believed been hearing the Gospel readings from to be that which gave the animal life. As the Bread of Life discourse. The Eu- an animal was offered in sacrifice, they charist is so important that the Church’s believed that the blood which ebbed out liturgy gives us these extended weeks so of the animal, was its very life being that we can properly reflect on this most poured out in atonement for their sins. important gift the Lord entrusted to His Blood was believed to be what gave life Church. In any relationship, sometimes to us and all living animals. As the blood This August 22nd is the celebra- we can take a person flowed out, its very life tion of the principal patroness of our for granted in our life. Yes, Jesus’ death and was being poured out. diocese: The Queenship of Mary. As I It doesn’t mean that we When Jesus dies on think of this beautiful feast in honor don’t like the person. It resurrection are the the cross, and He is lanced of Our Lady and the maternal role she can simply be that we just with a spear by the guard, plays in the life our diocese, I am re- get so used to them being very foundation of blood and water flowed minded that this coming November 19 around we take them for our Christian life. out of His side. Jesus, will mark the 40th anniversary of the granted. Unfortunately, now pours out His own founding of the Diocese of Metuchen this can happen with our Every week, or every blood to redeem us, atone by then-Pope, now St. John Paul II. A Lord in the Eucharist, day, that’s why we for our sins, once and for remarkable milestone in the life of our too. This is why we need all. We believe that Jesus’ celebrate the Eu- very life is poured out of “young” local Church. We continue to continual renewal in our build upon what has been given to us. devotion and love for the charist, to recall and Him on the cross, which It is “our turn,” so to speak, to be the Lord — never forgetting is the life of God Himself, workers in the Father’s vineyard. He is the principal rela- actually participate therefore this sacrifice As I travel around to our parishes, tionship of our Life. He is to reconcile us to in that pouring out istheable I so enjoy being with you all. I do no- the Lord of our life! Father, taking away tice, as I am sure you do, too, some are Jesus came down of Love itself for us. our sins. And with His missing from our Eucharistic liturgies. from heaven. The Eternal death and resurrection, Perhaps it is summer vacations, or maybe Word, God Himself, came the Gates of Heaven are some have not returned after the pandem- down to us on earth, and by his birth, opened for all people, for all times. ic restrictions. I pray that others have not death, and resurrection, won salvation Yes, Jesus’ death and resurrection slowly drifted away. The Sunday Mass, for all people, for all times! As part of are the very foundation of our Christian where we worship the Father in Spirit His enduring love, He establishes the life. Every week, or every day, that’s why and Truth — listening to His Holy Word Eucharist at the Last Supper. He didn’t we celebrate the Eucharist, to recall and and receiving Jesus’ Body and Blood — want to leave us alone, on our own in actually participate in that pouring out of is the life source of our Church. On these the world, but wanted to remain with Love itself for us. In baptism, we were invisits, I also cannot help but think of those us, always. He didn’t have to do this, as corporated into the Body of Christ; we begenerations who have gone before us and salvation would already be won for us by came members of His Body, the Church. worshipped in those same pews and of- His death and resurrection, for all times, In the Eucharist, we are transformed and fered Mass at the same altar. I always offered to all people. But He wanted to changed, as in my relationship with ansay a prayer of thanksgiving for them have a continuing presence, a continued other person, I am only changed by them and ask their intercession for us, too. As personal relationship with each of us in through being related to them. If we never we know, the Church is not a society of an enduring, abundant way. Hence, Jesus see someone, that person doesn’t affect the perfect, but a community of sinners leaves us His Eucharistic presence. He or influence us. That’s why we come to redeemed and continually sanctified by came that we might have life! the Eucharist each week or as often as we the Lord’s grace. This is why we need Jesus built on the Old Testament are able, to receive the Eucharist, and be the Eucharist on a weekly, and even, if theme of Covenant, and He ratifies this transformed, changed, by His love. That’s possible daily basis. This is why I am so bloody sacrifice. We read about this Old why Eucharistic Adoration is made availgrateful to see so many of you at Mass Testament covenant, or sacrifice. Moses able as often as possible, and our churches and let us pray for and reach out to others takes the blood from the animal sacrifice are open for personal prayer before the who are not here yet. and sprinkles it on the people and the Blessed Sacrament. Our 40th anniversary is a good time for us to reflect on and pray over our own devotion to the Eucharist. It is a time for THE renewal and revival of our local Church. All renewal starts personally. Therefore, THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN a personal examination of conscience of Serving the Catholic community in Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties your relationship to the Holy Eucharist is e-Mail: news@catholicspirit.com a great place to start celebrating our anThe Catholic Spirit Subscription and advertising deadlines: Tuesday, 1 p.m. niversary. Ask yourself these questions. P.O. Box 191 • Metuchen, NJ 08840

Bishop James Checchio

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Do I ever take the Eucharist, and Jesus’ presence in it for granted? Do I make time to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament? Do I show reverence for Our Lord by genuflecting to Him upon entering His presence and leaving Church? Do I prepare myself to receive the Eucharist and properly make an act of thanksgiving after receiving Jesus? Do I draw closer to Christ by reverencing Him, listening to Him, and receiving Him in the Eucharist with fidelity? Just think, what a gift we could make to the Lord by recommitting and deepening our commitment to Jesus in the Eucharist. I cannot think of a better gift to say thank you for our 40 years as a diocese as we ask Him to help us to repent of any of our faults and sins and to strengthen our Church for a brighter, future day for each of us, our families, our parishes, diocese, and world. Transformed by the Eucharist, we will spread His love through our words and deeds, making our diocese over in the image God Himself wishes it to have. The Church in the United States is planning a Eucharistic Revival, a threeyear process of renewal. I am one of a group of bishops who serves on a planning committee for it, working with lay faithful, clergy and religious throughout our country. I am sure these initiatives will bear good fruit. We have a wonderful opportunity to begin the renewal process with our upcoming observance of our 40th anniversary as we thank God for His love for us and the beautiful gift of the Eucharist, He has entrusted to us. I am blessed to have been brought to this journey to heaven with you. I really did not know much about the Diocese of Metuchen when I arrived five years ago, but I have learned each day how blessed I am to be on this way with you. Thank you for all you are and do. Know of my love and prayers for you. May our 40th anniversary year be a time of renewal for us, and of recommitment to our Lord in the Eucharist who is always waiting for us! God bless you all. With renewed best wishes, I remain Yours in Christ,

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

Bishop’s Appointments Bishop James F. Checchio recently announced the following assignments effective August 1, 2021. Rev. Msgr. William J. Capik, retired, moved from Bridgewater to Spring, Texas

CORRECTION

On page 3 of the July 22 edition of “The Catholic Spirit,” the Image of the Week featured in the June 17 edition should have been reported as found at St. Andrew Parish, Avenel.

of the

OUR DIOCESE

Where in the diocese can it be found?

Image Week

Cardinal, bishop bless new senior residence By Tara Smith FORDS — Standing before a small crowd gathered in the sun-drenched community room of St. Paul the Apostle Senior Residence, Bishop James F. Checchio imparted his blessing on the newly built home, asking God to make it “a place of goodness and a center of love.” The July 21 dedication ceremony and blessing of the expansive three-story building at 635 Amboy Ave. in the Fords section of Edison was a stark contrast to the cold, rainy groundbreaking ceremony held there in Feb. 25, 2020, a day Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, said he remembers well. “I was there on the groundbreaking day, but I was not aware at the time that a curtain was about to come down — COVID [19],” Cardinal Tobin said, noting the pandemic that captured the world’s attention in the weeks that followed the

groundbreaking. “I don’t think any of us realized when we ﬁrst heard the reports or read the newspaper articles, how devastating it would be.” Speaking to those gathered, which included many of the same civic and community leaders who helped to break ground for the residence, and several future residents who were present for the ceremony, Cardinal Tobin recalled the words shared with him last year by Pope Francis: nobody comes out of a crisis the same. “We either come out better or we come out worse, but you cannot, as much as you would like to, go back to whatever you were before,” he continued. “I think what we celebrate here today is the fact that we are coming out better because, whether we liked it or not, COVID showed us how connected we are. The fact that this great accomplishment happened during that terrible time makes known the

Last issue's image...

— Mike Ehrmann photos

Continued on page 11

The image, which was featured on page 3 of the July issue of The Catholic Spirit, can be found at Our Lady of the Mount Parish, Warren

The winner is...

Teresa Obal, Parishioner at Immaculate Conception, Spotswood To be a winner, you must call (732) 562-2424 after 9 a.m. Monday. The first caller to correctly identify the image and its location will receive a one year subscription, renewal or gift subscription to The Catholic Spirit. Those who correctly identify an image are not eligible to take another guess for 90 days.

AUGUST 19, 2021

wonderful connection that exists between those who serve the political life of the state, the private sector and communities of faith.” A project between Domus Corporation and Metuchen Community Services Corporation, an agency of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, St. Paul the Apostle Senior Residence will welcome its first residents later this summer, four years after receiving funding for the 42,788 square-foot facility. The senior residence is the first project to be undertaken by Metuchen Community Services Corporation and the thirteenth for Domus Corporation, their first in Middlesex County, since the not-for-profit was founded in 1995. Domus Corporation serves as the housing development corporation on all permanent-housing initiatives for the Archdiocese of Newark. With 42 affordable housing units for residents 62 and over, 11 of those designated for homeless senior citizens, the facility is constructed wholly for those who are considered low income by federal poverty standards and is expected to bring a meaningful presence to the community. “We celebrate a connection with those who are often forgotten, those who are seniors,” Cardinal Tobin said in his remarks at the dedication ceremony, which was held only days before the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, as declared by Pope Francis and observed on July 25, close to the feast of

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Bishop James F. Checchio sprinkles holy water to bless the St. Paul the Apostle Senior Residence July 21. The facility has 42 affordable housing units for residents 62 and over, 11 of those designated for homeless senior citizens.

St. Paul the Apostle Senior Residence is scheduled to welcome its first residents later this summer. A groundbreaking ceremony for the 42,788 square-foot facility was held Feb. 25, 2020.

4 PERSPECTIVES

Don’t gamble on your health or on your eternal life “How many people like to play the Pick-6 Lottery?” Most of us would love to win this; however, there is an internal struggle involved here between “do we buy a ticket, since we always lose,” or “do we take the chance again?” Most of us, who play, will gamble again because, to quote the Lottery Commission: “You have to be in it to win it.”

Body & Soul By Father Glenn J. Comandini, STD Faith, like the lottery, is a gamble. We have to believe in a God we cannot see and behave a certain way in order to reach eternal life in heaven. It’s a gamble because we can’t prove God’s existence and no one has come back from the other side of the grave to assure us that God really does exist and that heaven, purgatory and hell are not places conjured up by a creative imagination. Since the object of faith is a gamble, we struggle with

the question: “Do we behave a certain symptoms leading up to hospitalizaway to please God and enjoy heaven,” tion, intubation and even death. While or “do we do whatever some government offibrings us pleasure since cials are mandating the Faith is a gamble, vaccinations for certain many of us are tempted to believe that there may groups such as health so is getting be nothing after death,” care workers and first vaccinated against responders, ultimately, a void of nothingness which haunted even the COVID-19...but if we whether to get a vaccine greatest of saints and or not weighs heavily on theologians. wish to attain health whether one believes the Today, many wellscience or not. Science intentioned individuals in this life and eternal and faith are not mutuare gambling with the life in the next, then ally exclusive. The first question of getting vacVatican Council defined a resounding “yes” this clearly. Without cinated with Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson-Johnson or reason, one seems to make the science in order to protect themhas no rational ground selves from the ravages most sense to both of credibility. Without of COVID-19. It is a grace, we would not the science and gamble because even the know what we believe, vaccine does not protect if we believe anything at the faith! one 100% from conall. So, we need both: tracting this virus or the science and faith. Delta Variant, which appears to be the Contrary to fundamentalist Chrisstrongest mutation of the COVID virus tians who believe that all we have to do yet. Still, those who are vaccinated, to be saved is accept Jesus as our Lord who may come into contact with the and Savior, we, Catholics believe that Delta Variant are likely to have mild salvation is a two-step grace. or no symptoms compared to those Step One is “justification,” which who are unvaccinated and have grave involves Jesus offering us eternal life,

an offer often sensed by the movement of desire as the “call of Love.’ If we accept this “call,” normatively in baptism, we are cleansed of all sin, personal and original, and we are put in good standing with God. But this gift only stays with us if we live henceforth as having been transformed by Christ. In other words, there is a second step to this salvation journey which is “sanctiﬁcation“ or growth in holiness, which accrues from a life of faith lived out in charity. If we want to live forever, then, we must hold fast to the odds in favor of a living God who wishes to spend eternity with us in his Kingdom of Heaven. Yes, we need to follow what we believe is the morally upright path: striving to do good and avoiding evil, seeking virtue, avoiding vice, pursuing what is holy and avoiding what is sinful. Faith is a gamble, so is getting vaccinated against COVID-19 especially as the Delta Variant spreads through our country, but if we wish to attain health in this life and eternal life in the next, then a resounding “yes” seems to make the most sense to both science and faith! Father Comandini is managing editor of “The Catholic Spirit.”

Reflecting on ‘the other’ builds unity not diversity reminds us that within those groups of itself.” What is otherness based on? It “others” are individuals, people with depends on the wants and needs of the whom we are called into relationship. The Samaritan woman established culture at the time. Others may be “It is not the person at the well was such a identified by their race, from the radically person. gender, religion, poliIn their encountics, ideology, income, different culture on ter, Jesus ignored the cultural and religious residence, education, age, citizenship status, the other side of the expectations of the or anything that makes world that is hard- day, and made a radical them distinct from who choice – personal presest to love, but the ence and dialogue. we believe we are. The Samaritan Sociology, psycholnearby neighbor woman was the “other,” With more time to read, research ogy and philosophy all and actually pay attention, I began have their nuanced exwhose skin color, not only from a religious perspective, but from an to recognize more fully the need we planations of otherness, language, rituals, ethnic and gender perhave for the “other,” that fluid group, all defining the pitting spective, as well. She or class, against whom we define of one group of people values, ancestry, was well aware of it, ourselves as better, or right, or more against another, usually intelligent, or more worthy, and the in complex terms that history, and customs and expressed her surmake your head spin. when Jesus asked list goes on. are different from prise Often, at the founfor a cup of water from Author and philosopher Simone her, replying, “The Jews de Beauvoir observed, “Otherness dation of otherness one’s own.” have nothing to do with is a fundamental category of human stands fear, a powerful thought. Thus it is that no group ever catalyst for self-protection. Power and the Samaritans.” Her people were considered halfsets itself up as the One without at position plays a part, too. once setting up the Other over against Jesus had another mindset. He breeds, of mixed ancestry and ethnicity, which made them “less than” in the estimation of those Jews who had returned from Babylonian captivity to rebuild Jerusalem, even though the If you were sexually abused by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or you Samaritans were comprised, in part, of know of someone who was, you are encouraged to report that abuse to local law enforcement, the New members of the northern Kingdom of Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency at 1-877-NJ ABUSE (652-2873) or 1-800-835-5510 Israel. (TTY/TDD for the deaf), and also the Diocesan Response Officer at (908) 930-4558 (24 hours/7 days a There was a shared patriarchy week). – Jacob, who gave the land that was

AUGUST 19, 2021

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

If the pandemic has taught me anything, it’s how adept we are at creating “the other.”

How to report abuse

to become Samaria to his youngest son, Joseph. But the lineage was not enough to prevent otherness from creeping in. It just goes to show how badly families can end up treating each other, even the family of God. Jesus knew and understood all of this, but dealt with it by recognizing the Samaritan woman’s humanity, by respecting who she was as person, by sharing who he was and, something so often missing in today’s culture, by listening to what she said. When I read and re-read the encounter in the Gospel of John I recall a quote from a popular Bible study: “It is not the person from the radically different culture on the other side of the world that is hardest to love, but the nearby neighbor whose skin color, language, rituals, values, ancestry, history, and customs are different from one’s own.” There is much more of importance for us in the story of the Samaritan woman, but suffice it to point out, for now, that her encounter with our radical Lord led to a transformation, and today she is known as St. Photina, a name that means “luminous.” As we move into a new tomorrow, constructed in great part by a human crisis, it may help us to get to know ourselves better if we reflect on who we consider as “other,” so we can be part of building unity, not division.

BONN, Germany — Emergency response and aid efforts were running in high gear after severe flooding in western and southwestern Germany toppled buildings, washed away vehicles and left at least 100 people dead. Officials said the situation in numerous cities and towns in the regions remained tense July 16 as many people remained missing and others could not be reached by rescue crews. Tens of thousands are without electricity. German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the widespread flooding a catastrophe during a visit to the United States, where she met with President Joe Biden. Catholic bishops have also expressed their dismay as priests helped in the aid efforts. The flooding from torrential rains also affected areas of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Officials said more than 1,000 people were missing. In Bad

Trucks and cars are pictured partially submerged along a highway in Erftstadt, Germany, July 16. Catholic bishops expressed deep concern about the catastrophic flooding in Germany as priests helped with the emergency response. —CNS photo/Thilo Schmuelgen, Reuters

Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, a particularly hard-hit area south of Bonn, one priest, Father Joerg Meyrer, helped in the emergency response. He told the German Catholic news agency KNA that the area was completely without fresh water and electricity. “I just went to a neighboring village in order to recharge my mobile phone and go to the toilet. The town is, like the entire Ahr Valley, destroyed. I know of around 1,000 families who no longer have a place to stay,” he said.

Compiled from the Catholic News Service

Speakers decry limits on religious freedom WASHINGTON — In office or out of office, past and present leaders in the U.S. government stressed the need to push for religious freedom across the world during the July 13-15 International Religious Freedom Summit. Mike Pompeo, former secretary of state and CIA director, focused on China in his 10-minute speech. “Forced abortion and sterilization should strike at the heart of every American who cares — or claims to care — about what happens in the world,” Pompeo said, repeating a charge leveled against China’s treatment of Uighur Muslim women. “A society that lacks regard for religious liberty will soon see all political liberties stamped out,” Pompeo said. “They will soon see genocide. We must prevent genocide from happening.” He added, “When people lose their ability to practice their faith, authoritarian regimes will dominate.” Pompeo noted that during the Chinese Communist Party’s recent 100th anniversary celebration, Xi

WORLD & NATION

Priests join emergency response to catastrophe

WORLD & NATION

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is seen in this July 12 photo. — CNS photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, Pool via Reuters

Jinping, the Chinese president, said that any nation that interferes with China’s aims “will find itself on a collision course with a great wall of steel.”

Pope restores limits on pre-Vatican II Mass

Cuban exiles gather at shrine to pray for freedom

Msgr. Peter B. Wells, left, a priest from the United States who works at the Vatican Secretariat of State, leaves a Tridentine-rite Mass celebrated at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican May 15, 2011. — CNS photo/Paul Haring

—CNS photo/Ana Rodriguez-Soto, Florida Catholic

young people. “They were born and raised 100 percent under the [communist] system. They see the injustices,” Father Hería said.

his apostolic letter “Traditionis Custodes” (Guardians of the Tradition), declaring the liturgical books promulgated after the Second Vatican Council to be “the unique expression of the ‘lex orandi’ (law of worship) of the Roman Rite,” restoring the obligation of priests to have their bishops’ permission to celebrate according to the “extraordinary” or pre-Vatican II Mass and ordering bishops not to establish any new groups or parishes in their dioceses devoted to the old liturgy. Priests currently celebrating Mass according to the old missal must request authorization from their bishop to continue doing so, Pope Francis ordered, and for any priest ordained after the document’s publication July 16, the bishop must consult with the Vatican before granting authorization.

AUGUST 19, 19, 2021

Conchita Gutierrez of Little Flower Parish, Coral Gables, Fla., sings the Cuban national anthem at the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in Miami July 13. Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami celebrated Mass at the shrine two days after anti-government protests broke out all over Cuba.

VATICAN CITY — Saying he was acting for the good of the unity of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis restored limits on the celebration of the Mass according to the Roman Missal in use before the Second Vatican Council, overturning or severely restricting permissions St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI had given to celebrate the so-called “Tridentine-rite Mass. “An opportunity offered by St. John Paul II and, with even greater magnanimity by Benedict XVI, intended to recover the unity of an ecclesial body with diverse liturgical sensibilities, was exploited to widen the gaps, reinforce the divergences and encourage disagreements that injure the church, block her path and expose her to the peril of division,” Pope Francis wrote in a letter to bishops July 16. The text accompanies

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

MIAMI — This time, yes, God willing. This time will be “the beginning of the end.” With that faith and more hope, Cuban exiles gathered July 13 for Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in Miami to pray for freedom in their homeland, two days after unusual and unexpected protests broke out in different cities on the island. Miami Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski celebrated the Mass for justice and peace, which the mayors of the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County attended. It marked the start of a novena of prayer for Cuba that continued the evening of July 14 and July 15. The novena took place every evening through July 22 at the shrine. “The protests will continue,” said Bernardo Soto Sr., sports editor for Actualidad Radio 1040 AM. “The young people have reached the point where they cannot stand it anymore,” he added, citing lack of freedom, food, medicines and vaccines, along with an elevated rate of COVID-19 infections. “They are no longer afraid.” His words were echoed by Father Fernando Hería, rector of the shrine. “The people can’t stand it anymore. It’s been 62 years,” he said, since the so-called “triumph of the revolution.” He feels optimistic because those protesting — whose images spread around the world via social media — were

6 OUR DIOCESE

Bishop’s letter to faithful on sentencing of Father Haefner Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Bishop James Checchio It is not easy to slow ourselves in these days of summer. The summer months may have at one time represented quieted lifestyles and slowed news cycles but now, both seem to be operating at an all-time high, as our minds continuously churn with information about the latest coronavirus updates, Olympic medals won, and, yes, even news about our Catholic Church. As you have likely already seen, our local Catholic Church was in the public eye recently as news spread about the sentencing of Father Doug Haefner, the former pastor of St. Matthias Parish in Somerset, adding to the ever-changing headlines that preoccupy our minds. He was sentenced to serve seven years in prison for his mis-

appropriation of parish funds. As you who over the years expressed to me know, he pleaded guilty in May to one their compassion for their longtime count of second-degree theft, specifi- pastor. I ask you to please remember cally for diverting Father Haefner and the people of the par$516,984.56 of parIn order that the good ish in your prayers. ish funds for his own Upon hearpersonal use, which work happening here ing the outcome of he said he had hoped in the name of our to repay. Though his sentencing, I remembered in this news comes as merciful Father can con- also no surprise to us, as prayer our entire diwe had followed the tinue rather than being ocesan community, progress of the foin a particular way, overshadowed by any our priests, whom rensic financial audit we remember and for nearly two years, darkness, the Diocese pray for as we celit is nonetheless unof Metuchen has taken ebrate the Memorial fortunate. The news of St. John Vianney, further steps recently to of his sentencing is, of patron of priests. course, devastating strengthen our financial Their everyday good efforts to incarnate for Father Haefner, procedures. the Word of God who will undoubtedin our parishes and ly carry the burden of his actions with communities of our him each day, remembering the many four-county diocese, is inspiring and people affected by his crime. The news gives me great hope for the future of is also be a sad reminder to the people our Church. But news such as that we of the St. Matthias Parish community, received, can unashamedly undermine

all the good that is happening here in this local Church of Metuchen. So, while I am saddened by the news, I am reminded and encouraged by all that has been done and all that continues to light a fire in the heart of our Church, a light that cannot be extinguished or darkened by the shadows of sin or evil. Our clergy, our Catholic school principals, administrators, teachers and support staff, our diocesan and parish ministry lay leaders, our catechists and parish volunteeers, our social service agency staff members, our healthcare workers, and you — the people of God of this diocese — each beautifully contributes to the building up of the Kingdom of God here and for that, I am continually grateful and thank God. In order that the good work happening here in the name of our merciful Father can continue rather than be overshadowed by any darkness, the Diocese of Metuchen has taken further steps recently to strengthen our financial procedures. Continued on next page

AUGUST 19, 2021

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Diocese offers program to report abuses of ‘Code of Conduct’ PISCATAWAY —Adding to the systems already in place to report abuse within its boundaries, the diocese recently announced the implementation of an independent third-party reporting system that will allow any person who suspects financial impropriety or other violations of its “Pastoral Code of Conduct” to file an anonymous and confidential report. Through the diocese’s contracting with NAVEX Global’s EthicsPoint, a confidential reporting structure used throughout the world in private sector organizations and in dioceses across the country, people of the diocese can file a report of a suspected ethics violation in the diocese or in any of its parishes, schools or cemeteries, allowing their concerns to be addressed fairly and without fear of retaliation. Following ongoing discussions about strengthening financial transparency and fiscal responsibility, the diocesan Finance Council – comprised mostly of lay members who are experts in the financial field – and a special committee tasked with proposing suggestions, made the recommendation to institute a third-party system, and thus the diocese began its partnership with EthicsPoint. It is designed to securely collect reports of unethical behavior, such as but not limited to financial malfeasance, theft and fraud, and other violations of the diocese’s Pastoral Code of Conduct. The system is not meant for allegations of sexual abuse, which should be immediately

reported to law enforcement by call- their annual parish financial report, ing 1-877 NJ ABUSE and reported to and incorporating best practices for the Diocese of Metuchen’s Director of the integrity of parish finance counChild and Youth Protection at (908) cils. Last year, the diocese also es930-4558. tablished a new Office of Parish and “The implementation of this sys- Financial Services, which is entrusted tem has long been with overseeing the in the making, fol“Our hope is for people audit process of each lowing months of parish and the necesto come forward with sary follow up for consideration, input and reflection,” said any information about compliance. Anthony P. Kearns “We know the financial or ethical III, spokesperson generous gifts that and chancellor of the people of the behavior they find ques- the diocese. “While diocese have enour diocese has had tionable, and for that to trusted to us, and a system in place those resources that happen they need to for years to encourhave been entrusted age the reporting have confidence in our to us by God, must of sexual abuse, be used in an honest systems. This indepen- and careful way,” whether it be abuse by a bishop, priest, Chancellor Kedent system offers that said deacon, religious arns. “We take our brother or sister, or responsibility to assurance.” any employee or steward our financial — Anthony P. Kearns III volunteer, it became gifts very seriously, clear there was a so that the entire need to broaden the scope of reporting diocese can operate in a healthy way,” to include suspected ethical violations said Chancellor Kearns. such as financial impropriety.” With an extensive background in In measures meant to be proac- business and administration, Bishop tive steps to strengthen its fiscal James F. Checchio was able to enviprocedures, the Diocese of Metuchen sion the need for the independent publishes an annual report each year reporting system, directing its impleand has intensified its financial pro- mentation and supporting the project tocols, relying on an audit committee, from its infancy, Kearns said. He also requiring parishes to comply with an credited the diocesan Office of Parish independent two- to three-year audit and Financial Services for helping to cycle, mandating that parishes submit bring the system to fruition.

“Day after day in the news, we are reminded that we live in an imperfect world. This system gives us the opportunity to more clearly see the imperfections borne by our own humanity and, more importantly, allows us the opportunity to correct them,” said Chancellor Kearns. “Our hope is for people to come forward with any information about financial or ethical behavior they find questionable, and for that to happen they need to have confidence in our systems. This independent system offers that assurance.” Reports can be made by calling the hotline at (844) 796-1296, or reports can be filed directly through the independent website: diometuchen. ethicspoint.com, the link to which is also available on the diocese’s website: diometuchen.org. Once a report is filed with EthicsPoint, either via the website or the toll-free phone number, the information is shared with an EthicsPoint communication specialist, who will then forward the report to the review committee, unless the report names someone on the committee. All reports may be filed anonymously. “The ability for anyone in the diocese to confidentially and confidently report a claim of suspected financial misuse, theft, or otherwise, should give each of us a sense of reassurance, knowing that if unethical behavior is happening in our diocese, it can be promptly reported, investigated and addressed,” said Kearns.

As I have communicated with you over this past year, changes to our financial procedures were already in the process of being made when Father Haefner first disclosed to me his crime. In the most recent change to our procedures, our diocese announced last week a new partnership with NAVEX Global’s Ethics Point, which has been in the works and has been discussed with our Diocesan Finance Council and Presbyteral Council for some time. This partnership, which is effective immediately, will allow any person who suspects financial impropriety in the Diocese of Metuchen or in any of its parishes, schools or cemeteries, to file an anonymous and confidential report through the EthicsPoint independent third-party reporting system. Reports can be made by calling the hotline (844) 796-1296 or can be filed directly through the independent website: diometuchen.ethicspoint.com, the

link to which is also available on the diocese’s website: diometuchen.org. Once a report is filed with EthicsPoint, either via the website or the toll-free phone number, the information is shared with an EthicsPoint communication specialist, who will then forward the report to the review committee, unless the report names someone on the committee. This new measure is in addition to those that were put into place since my arrival in 2016, including the move to a more regular audit cycle for our parishes by an independent auditor; the requirement for greater involvement by the laity in parish spending reviews; and the submission of additional annual reports to the diocese. As I have shared with you previously, I also directed the establishment of a new Office of Parish and Financial Services to assist the 90 parishes in our diocese with their financial practices and compliance.

These efforts are the fruits of ongoing discussions and discernment, with consideration, input and guidance offered by members of our Diocesan Finance Council and the Diocesan Presbyteral Council. God-willing, these measures will lead us to an even greater sense of ﬁnancial transparency and ﬁscal responsibility in all areas of our diocese. I am thankful the Lord has blessed me with the distinction of serving as your Shepherd here in this beautiful Diocese of Metuchen and I am grateful, too, to collaborate with a great number of dedicated priests, deacons, religious and lay ministers here in this vineyard. I ask you, in your kindness, to please join me in praying for our priests today, that through the intercession of St. John Vianney, our priests may increasingly shape our hearts to be unto like His Divine Heart and never grow tired of leading souls to Him, even when faced

with challenge. Know of my love and prayers for you. I encourage you to use these ﬁnal weeks of summer as an opportunity to rest, detach from daily concerns, and refocus on giving your entire self to God as we strive to be His faithful disciples throughout our counties, making the world into the place He desires it to be. Please continue to pray for me too, so that together we can continue to bring people closer to Christ through our words, our deeds, and, importantly, our prayers. With renewed best wishes, I remain Yours in Christ,

OUR DIOCESE

Continued from previous page

New diocesan ofﬁce to assist parishes with ﬁnancial practices, compliance

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

Former pastor receives seven-year sentence for theft of parish funds Parole. a time, and continued to collect and “Most assuredly, this entire mat- review the parish’s annual financial ter emphasizes the need for strong statements and reports submitted by fiscal procedures and protections in the parish’s pastor, staff and lay trustour Church,” Kearns said. “The faith- ees. ful regularly entrust their financial As part of the efforts that have support to our parishes, our Catholic been made to reinforce its fiscal proschools, and our diocese in support of cedures, the Diocese of Metuchen building the Kingdom of God. Only recently announced its partnership through their generosity, can our local with NAVEX Global’s EthicsPoint, Church make Christ more known and an independent third-party reporting loved in the world. system that will allow any person who “We must never suspects financial imtake their stewardship “We must never take propriety in the diocese for granted – and I can in any of its parishes, their [faithful] stew- or assure you, we do not schools or cemeteries, – nor can we underes- ardship for granted – to file an anonymous timate the magnitude and confidential report. of our responsibility to and I can assure you, Reports can be properly steward these we do not – nor can made by calling the gifts.” hotline at (844) 796we underestimate 1296 or can be filed According to Kearns, the need to implethrough the the magnitude of directly ment stronger fiscal independent website: procedures was first diometuchen.ethicour responsibility identified by Bishop spoint.com, the link to Checchio shortly af- to properly steward which is also available ter he was ordained on the diocese’s webthese gifts.” and installed as the site: diometuchen.org. —Anthony P. Kearns III new shepherd of the Once a report is diocese in 2016. Later filed with EthicsPoint, that same year, the bishop noted the either via the website or the toll-free financial struggles at St. Matthias Par- phone number, the information is ish. Immediately, attempts to audit the shared with an EthicsPoint communiparish’s financials were made. With cation specialist, who will then foreach attempt made, Father Haefner ward the report to the review commitrequested to reschedule, citing a need tee, unless the report names someone for additional time to prepare because on the committee. of serious medical problems for which The new measure is in addition he was being treated. At one point, to those that were already in place, the effects of his medical conditions including the move to a more regular led him to be treated in the hospital, audit cycle by an independent auditor; where the bishop visited him. The dio- the requirement for greater involvecese accommodated the requests, for ment by the laity in parish spending

reviews; and the submission of additional annual reports to the diocese. In addition, the diocese also established a new parish financial services office to assist the 90 parishes in the diocese with their financial practices and compliance. As required by canon law, each parish is to have an active finance council, comprised of at least five parishioners who are regularly involved with the parish and who are knowledgeable and experienced in the management of financial affairs. Parish finance councils are expected to meet regularly and submit their meeting minutes to the diocese. They are also required to submit their annual financial report, signed by the pastor, the finance council and the lay trustees. The diocese also relies on a finance council, comprised mostly of lay members who are financial experts in their respective industries to assist in reviews of all the audits. “Our diocese is blessed with a great number of people – our pastors, our Catholic school principals, administrators and teachers, our diocesan and parish ministry leaders, our social service agency staff members, and our healthcare workers – all working to bring the Word of God alive in our local Church,” Kearns said. “There is much good that has been done and many worthy efforts that continue to be made each day, at St. Matthias Parish and at the 89 other parishes in our diocese. We are grateful that these strengthened procedures will allow us all to continue on the right pathway forward, so that we can continue to share Christ with all who need him.”

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 19, 19, 2021

SOMERVILLE – A former pastor who diverted parish funds for his own personal use was sentenced Wednesday to serve seven years in state prison. Father Douglas J. Haefner, 68, the longtime pastor of St. Matthias Parish, Somerset, pleaded guilty in May to one count of second-degree theft – specifically, misappropriating $516,984.56 of parish funds, which he said he had hoped to repay. He first disclosed the misused funds to Bishop James F. Checchio in 2018, when an audit at the parish was already underway. The diocese immediately notified the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and, together with the parish, cooperated fully with its investigation. During his disclosure to the bishop, Father Haefner resigned as the pastor. “This is not an easy day for anyone,” said Anthony P. Kearns III, spokesperson and chancellor of the diocese. “While we are grateful this matter has come to its conclusion and justice has been served, there are no winners in the outcome of this unfortunate case. We ask for your continued prayers for the parish community, the entire diocesan community, and for Father Haefner, who will serve out his sentence, carrying the heavy burden of his actions with him each day.” Superior Court Peter J. Tober imposed a sentence of seven years in state prison, pursuant to the plea agreement. Father Haefner must report to the Somerset County Jail, Somerville, Aug. 19, where he will be remanded into the custody of the Department of Corrections. The prosecutor agreed not to object to Father Haefner’s application for Intensive Supervised

8 PERSPECTIVES

Letter presents vision of how to ‘remain with’ sick, dying “And blessed are those who never turned away, and blessed are those who stood quietly in the rain. Theirs shall be the harvest; for them the fruits.” — Rainer Maria Rilke, “The Book of Hours”

Thoughts on Life By Jennifer Ruggiero

AUGUST 19, 2021

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Last September, as the world grappled with the global pandemic, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued “Samaritanus bonus,” a letter on how we, as Catholics, should care for persons in critical or terminal phases of life. Approved by Pope Francis, Samaritanus bonus is an important document for healthcare professionals, pastoral care workers, care-givers, families, as well as, the sick themselves. Essentially, the letter is an invitation to imitate the Good Samaritan, who not only draws nearer to the half-dead man he passes on the road side, but then takes responsibility for him (Luke 10:30-37). Samaritanus bonus proclaims the

sacredness of each and every human when a cure is unlikely or impossible. life irregardless of stage in life or Just as the Good Samaritan looks at condition. With regards to the sick and his neighbor with a “heart that sees” dying, the letter reaffirms the Hippo- with profound compassion, so too, are cratic maxim, primum we called to convey non nocure, first, do an attitude of love to no harm. It reiterates those we love who are As the uncertainty the Church’s prohibinear death. tion on euthanasia Samaritanus boof the pandemic and assisted suicide as nus speaks about the continues to bring intrinsically evil acts importance of palliabecause they directly tive and hospice care new challenges to cause the death of an as well as administerinnocent human life. ing the sacraments society with each It also addresses the when death is near. passing day, perhaps The letter describes “cultural obstacles” — “quality of life,” the different stages of it is a good time to a false understanding suffering for those in reflect on and live of compassion and the process of dying individualism — that — physical pain, psyout the principles obscure our sense of chological pain, moral the profound value of love, compassion suffering and spiritual of each human life suffering – and reand care outlined and which lead us to minds us that Jesus, accept the practice of too, endured this sufin Samaritanus hastening death as a fering in his life and bonus. solution. on the cross, and this Rejecting the suffering was used to notion of what Pope open heaven. Francis refers to as a In a very personal “throw-away culture,” the letter in- way, reflecting on Samaritanus bonus stead presents a beautiful pastoral vi- has provided me with some consolasion and concrete guidelines on how to tion. This past January, my seemingly “remain with” the sick and the dying healthy, 89-year old aunt, who I have always been very close with, was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. My aunt was recently widowed and never had children of her own, so my husband and I invited her to move in with us as she faced her new reality. Overnight I went from being her niece to being her caregiver, spending hours consulting with doctors, taking her for tests, picking up prescriptions and helping her to discern treatment options. In the process, I quickly learned that, while providing all these acts of service was important, the best gift we could give her was that of human warmth -- being “present,” welcoming and available to her. God blessed us with “hearts that see” as we helped her navigate the different phases of her suffering. Thankfully, she had very little physi-

cal pain, but she grieved the loss of her independence and worried about becoming a burden to us. Again and again, I reminded her that, although she had generously spent her entire life being a “caregiver,” it was now her turn to be taken care of. Her journey was just a short three months. Her final days were difficult but filled with many graces. Thankfully, my family and I were able to bear witness to her unique and unrepeatable value by keeping vigil and by ‘remaining” by her bedside until God called her home. This was not my first experience with the death of a loved one and probably will not be my last. Years ago, when my mother was dying of cancer, a good friend gave me a wonderful book entitled, “Midwife for Souls, Spiritual Care for the Dying.” Written by Kathy Kalina, a hospice nurse, the book is filled with hope and provides prayers and Scriptural passages for the dying and their loved ones and shows how the support of one’s Catholic faith can guide those who accompany others to the edge of earthy life and on to eternal life. In the same way, Samaritanus bonus provides hope by pointing to Christ on the Cross. “Christ is aware of the painful shock of his Mother and his disciples who remain at the foot of the Cross and who, though ‘remaining,’ appear impotent and resigned, and yet provide the affective intimacy that allows God made man to live through hours that seem meaningless.” As the uncertainty of the pandemic continues to bring new challenges to society with each passing day, perhaps it is a good time to reﬂect on and live out the principles of love, compassion and care outlined in Samaritanus bonus. After all, we never know when we will be called to be instruments of God’s grace by sitting at the foot of the cross. Read the complete document: https://press.vatican.va/ content/salastampa/en/bollettino/ pubblico/2020/09/22/200922a.html Ruggiero is secretary, diocesan Secretariat for Family and Pastoral Life

AROUND THE DIOCESE Ministry

‘SOUL’ PRAYERS Every Thursday at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Piscataway, a Holy Hour for the Dying is held from 3 to 4 p.m. The ministry was established six years ago by Father Arlindo Paul DaSilva, pastor. It is based on the Apostolate for the Dying started in Ohio by Fernanda Moreira. Locally, the ministry is led by parishioner Rosemarie O’Brien. Above, Father DaSilva stands with Moreira, who visited the parish in July to promote the ministry. She spoke at the parish on the need to pray for the dying, especially those who die suddenly and are unprepared to face God. Many of her pamphlets and prayer cards were made available at the event. — Paula Dudzinski photo

The Bereavement Ministry at Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish, Middlesex, invites all those who are suffering from the loss of a loved one to its fall session. The meetings, which are open to people of all faiths, provide a warm, caring environment at which participants learn how to express what they are feeling, and to find ways to navigate through the journey through grief. Sessions are scheduled to be held on Thursdays

— Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30; and October 7 and 21; from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Parish Center (formerly Our Lady of Mount Virgin School), which faces the church parking lot. There is no registration fee, but participants are asked to complete a registration form before the first meeting. The forms are available near the entrances of Our Lady of Mount Virgin Church; at the parish office, 600 Harris Ave., Middlesex; or by calling the parish office at (732) 356-2149.

9 OUR DIOCESE

DECREE site being less than one mile away; and 6) Finally, Fr. Krystian Burdzy, administrator of Good Shepherd Parish, has sought the opinions of various parishioners on this matter, including the parish finance and pastoral councils, and no objections have been raised. Accordingly, at the request of Fr. Burdzy and having weighed all the factors involved in this specific case and judged that a combination of “just causes” exist to create a grave cause for relegating Holy Spirit Church to profane but not sordid use (Procedural Guidelines, no. 2, f); having established that the good of souls will not be impaired; and having consulted with the presbyteral council as required by canon 1222 §2 on April 12, 2021 and the council unanimously recommending that the relegation proceed; Therefore, and in accordance with canons 1212 and 51, I hereby DECREE that Holy Spirit Church in Perth Amboy, be relegated to profane but not sordid use, effective immediately. Since altars do not lose their dedication or blessing even when a church is relegated to profane use (c. 1238, §2), I direct that all altars in Holy Spirit Church be removed and kept within the patrimony of Good Shepherd Parish. I further direct that any proceeds from the lease of the former church belong to the patrimony of Good Shepherd Parish. Finally, in accordance with canon 1734 §§1-2, I direct that this decree be published in the parish bulletin and on the parish website, posted in the vestibule of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church the weekend of August 14-15 and published in the diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Spirit. A petition for the revocation or emendation of this decree must be made to the Bishop of Metuchen within ten useful days, or two weeks, of its being made public. Given at the Curia of the Diocese of Metuchen, on this fifteenth day of August, in the Year of Our Lord 2021, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 19, 19, 2021

In 1944, Holy Spirit Parish was established to meet the pastoral needs of the growing Catholic population in western Perth Amboy and the Hopelawn section of Woodbridge Township. Holy Spirit Church was subsequently dedicated in 1955. On July 1, 2015, after two years of study and consultation concerning the financial, demographic and personnel challenges facing the nine parishes in the Perth Amboy Deanery, the Most Reverend Paul G. Bootkoski, thenBishop of Metuchen, merged Holy Spirit Parish and Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Hopelawn, to form Good Shepherd Parish, Hopelawn. Holy Spirit Church continued to be a worship site of Good Shepherd Parish until the fall of 2015, when it was judged prudential for the overall good of the clergy and faithful that the exercise of divine worship be discontinued. In 2020, keeping in mind the prescription of canon 50 of the Code of Canon Law, which requires the competent authority to seek out relevant information and to hear those whose rights can be injured before using a singular decree, I authorized an inquiry into whether Holy Spirit Church should be relegated to profane but not sordid use according to canon law and the Procedural Guidelines for the Modification of Parishes, the Closure or Relegation of Churches to Profane but Not Sordid Use, and the Alienation of the Same (hereinafter Procedural Guidelines) published by the Congregation for the Clergy on April 30, 2013, In this process the following facts were determined: 1) Given that one priest is assigned to Good Shepherd Parish and must celebrate all parish liturgies, it is most practical that there be a single place of worship; 2) Of the two worship sites, the most desirable is Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church, which has more seating, a larger hall for parish gatherings, considerably more parking, and an elevator for physically disabled parishioners; 3) The maintenance of Holy Spirit Church is a financial burden for Good Shepherd Parish, which if not alleviated will continue to strain increasingly limited parish resources and threatens the diminishment of the parish’s pastoral outreach; 4) In addition to required maintenance, Holy Spirit Church has water leakage and mold issues for which there is no available funding and that make it unsafe for worship; 5) For the past six years, the unavailability of Holy Spirit Church has not impaired the good of souls, the current worship

10 OUR DIOCESE THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 19, 2021

Milestone of ‘magnificent church’ celebrated at Mass of Thanksgiving By Joanne Ward ANNANDALE – Priests, including former pastors, deacons and parishioners joined Bishop James F. Checchio at Immaculate Conception Church, June 30 for a Mass of Thanksgiving as the parish celebrated the 25th anniversary of its dedication. “It is a joy and a privilege” to be in this “magnificent church” for the anniversary, the bishop said at the beginning of the Mass. “It’s certainly something to be proud of and something we certainly thank God for, and all of you who made it possible,” he added. Msgr. Andrew L. Szaroleta, the sixth pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, gave the homily. He spoke first about the readings then said, “Up ’til now I was speaking about the dedication of the temple in the time of King Solomon. The apostle Peter Above, Bishop James F. Checchio prays dur‑ takes it a step further by reminding his ing the Mass of Thanksgiving for the 25th readers and us that we are members of anniversary of the dedication of Immaculate the living temple of Christ. Through Conception Church in Annandale. Next to baptism our bodies become temples of the bishop is Father Jonathan Toborowsky, the Holy Spirit.” the parish’s current pastor, followed by “We now fast forward to Oct. 13, Msgr. Randall Vashon, the third pastor of the 1864,” he continued, and went on to parish. Above right is Msgr. Andrew Szaro‑ relate about the history of the parish leta, the second pastor of the parish who established on that date. Immaculate delivered the homily at the Mass. Present Conception was originally known when the Church was dedicated, he gave a as St. Mary Church and housed in a history of the parish since it was established barn converted into a chapel. It was in 1947. At right is an overview of the inte‑ renamed when a framed church was rior of Immaculate Conception. ‑ Frank Wojciechowski photos built on the site. “It served as a mission church at different times to four already established parishes in our tion, Dec. 8, 1992. “And 25 years ago today, on June 30, 1996, we celebrated area.” With the appointment of its first the solemn dedication and concentraresident pastor in 1947, he said, the tion of the altar of this edifice,” rechurch became a full pledged parish. called Msgr. Szaroleta. The finishing touch on the The original Immaculate Conception church, he said, came Church had been built a few months after the on Halstead Street in “In this 25-year dedication with the inClinton, where Old St. young house of stallation of a church Mary Cemetery currenthigh above in the ly exists. “In 1968, the worship, the Lord bell steeple, which “serves parish moved its site to as your call to worship continues to call the Annandale section for Sunday and weekof Clinton Township, us to build up his day Masses and other here on 52 acres of land kingdom here on occasions.” that came to be known Reflecting on the as St. Mary’s Hill,” said earth from St. Mary’s bell, the monsignor Msgr. Szaroleta. For the second time Hill through worship, noted, that it was donated by the family of in its history, ImmacuMsgr. Immanuel W. education, fellowlate Conception Church was in a converted barn, ship and community Vernon. who served as pastor of Immaculate this one made of cinder Conception for twooutreach.” blocks. “It served as a noble house of wor- —Msgr. Andrew Szaroleta and-a-half years. “As many of us reship for 28 years, until member,” Msgr. Szarothe construction of this leta continued, “he noble house of worship,” the former died as a result of a car accident on pastor said. The ceremonial groundbreaking Christmas Day 1992. It was he and the for the new church took place on the architect who designed the blueprint solemnity of the Immaculate Concep- that with input from a parish committee and approval of the bishop would

result in the construction of this beautiful and impressive edifice.” He credited the former pastor for “his vision, which gave rise to this House of Worship,” words that are part of the inscription on the bell. Photos of the pastors who led Immaculate Conception from 1947 to the present, he noted, are displayed in the church’s narthex, while his and that of his immediate successor, Msgr. Randall J. Vashon, can be seen in the sanctuary. Returning to the church’s history, Msgr. Szaroleta noted its relocation to its current site occurred during the pastorate of Father Edward V. Morris, who served from 1966 to 1990. He then pointed out that among those whose input and assistance helped Father Morris with the move was Deacon Bill Bower, the longest serving clergy at Immaculate Conception. He has been a deacon for 38 years, monsignor stated. Recalling the nearly 16 years he was the parish’s shepherd, Msgr. Szaroleta said, “I was honored and privileged to serve as pastor during the time of the construction of this church as well as Immaculate Conception School, cemetery and mausoleum.” He went on to note that the dedica-

tion resulted in the formulation of the parish’s mission statement published on the cover of the weekly bulletin. He concluded his homily mentioning the readings, then saying, “the celebration of the Eucharist in this 25-year young house of worship, the Lord continues to call us to build up his kingdom here on earth from St. Mary’s Hill through worship, education, fellowship and community outreach.” At the end of the Mass, Father Jonathan S. Toborowsky, the current pastor, gave remarks. He, too, remembered Father Morris and Msgr. Vernon, then spoke about Msgr. Szaroleta. “He inherited this place at an unthinkable time, at the sudden and unexpected death of a pastor,” Father Toborowsky said. “He brought the parish community together and oversaw the completion of the new church despite the difficulties encountered.” The pastor drew laughter when he said, “The devil obviously did not want it [the church] on St. Mary’s Hill and did his best to stop it, but nice try, we won.” Before the final blessing Bishop Checchio thanked Father Toborowsky for his good leadership and for planning the dedication celebration together with his staff. The comments led to spontaneous applause.

Continued from page 3

Checchio said, acknowledging Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski, who served as the fourth Bishop of Metuchen until May 2016, when Bishop Checchio was ordained and installed as Bishop of Metuchen. “He was the one who helped to come up with this project and I am grateful for that today.” Before giving the blessing, the bishop expressed his thanks and remarked how many people had helped to shepherd the project to its completion, including Msgr. William Benwell, former chairman of the board of trustees for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen (CCDOM); Marianne Majewski, former executive director, CCDOM; Julio Coto, executive director, CCDOM; and Gary Hoagland, president of Metuchen Community Services Corporation. Bishop Checchio also expressed his gratitude for the guidance from leaders in the Archdiocese of Newark, noting especially Cardinal Tobin and John Westervelt, president of Domus Corporation, who assisted with the project. He continued to thank all who made the project possible, among which include Our Lady of Peace Parish; Edison Township; Middlesex County; New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency; TD Bank; Costanza Builders, Inc.; Steven S. Cohen, architect; Enterprise Housing Credit Investors, LLC; Community Preservation Corporation; and Monarch

Housing Associates. In his blessing, before he and others moved outside to cut the ribbon that would officially signify the opening of the building, Bishop Checchio said “when we serve those in need, it is Christ Himself we serve.” “In this realization then, let us ask for God’s blessing on all those who will reside at St. Paul the Apostle Senior Residence and also upon all those who will devote themselves to caring for the residents here,” he continued. “Let us pray in thanksgiving for all those who have made this day possible and let us ask for the divine blessing on this building as it gets ready to accept its first residents.” The facility, which Cardinal Tobin and Bishop Checchio both toured, features 41 one-bedroom units and one two-bedroom unit. The residence contains an activity room, a community room that can be partitioned in half with a kitchen to support the rooms, management offices, a common laundry room with adjacent lounge, a large lobby and maintenance areas. “What an extraordinary year this has been for all of us,” said John Westervelt, president of Domus Corporation and the emcee of the dedication ceremony. “Despite many challenges, I am delighted to be here as the vision becomes a reality to all of us who had a little part in designing this building. Affordable housing is very much need-

OUR DIOCESE

Sts. Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus. “We thank God for all here present who allowed this to come about. This is a sign of victory; a sign of hope and I sure am grateful for it.” St. Paul the Apostle Senior Residence is situated across the street from Our Lady of Peace Church, with Catholic Charities’ Edison Family Service Center enveloping its other side, where it sits on a well-manicured lot that was once home to the annex building formerly owned by the parish. First initiated under the leadership of Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski, who was present for the dedication ceremony and for whom the building is named, the senior residence was nearly six years in the making. By all accounts, the project was a collaborative effort, relying on the partnership between the Archdiocese of Newark, the Diocese of Metuchen and many others. “Bishops always get the best jobs. They get to come in and bless wonderful things that other people do on our behalf and on behalf of the diocese,” Bishop Checchio quipped when he ﬁrst approached the podium at the front of the room. “I am so blessed to be a part of this Diocese of Metuchen,” he continued in earnest. “The name of the building is St. Paul the Apostle and, of course, it is honoring a great apostle, but it also is a subtle way of honoring my predecessor, too,” Bishop

St. Paul the Apostle Senior Residence ready to welcome first occupants

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark, speaks to attendees of the dedication and blessing of the St. Paul the Apostle Senior Residence, Edison, July 21. — Mike Ehrmann photo

ed throughout this state, said Westervelt, who added that St. Paul the Apostle Senior Residence is a special project, “ideally suited for the town of Edison.” “I am conﬁdent that the residence will add a meaningful presence to the fabric of this community,” he said. Tara Smith is director of the diocesan Ofﬁce of Communications

Bishop James F. Checchio invites couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversaries in 2020 and 2021 to join him for a

Once you have registered, you will receive a conﬁrmation email. There is no cost to attend, but donations will be accepted.

For more information:

please call (732) 562-1543 or email: amarshall@diometuchen.org

DIOMETUCHEN.ORG • CATHOLICSPIRIT.COM

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 19, 19, 2021

12 OUR DIOCESE

Little Servant Sisters remember blessed founder in prayer, song On Aug. 7, members of the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception worldwide thanked God for Blessed Edmund Bojanowski, founder of the congregation, who died in the reputation of holiness in Górka Duchowna, Poland, 150 years ago. The Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception have operated St. Joseph’s Senior Home, Woodbridge, since 1981. At their United States Provincialate in Cherry Hill, the sisters sang a hymn in honor of the Founder at the monument of Blessed Edmund at the entrance, then processed to a Mass in the chapel celebrated by Salesians of Don Bosco Father Zbigniew Majcher. Later, they gathered for a night vigil at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Church, Linden, to thank God for the person and charism of their founder. During the inaugural event in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Consolation, Gorka Duchowna, Poland, June 12, a Mass was celebrated and a homily was given on Blessed Edmund in the light of St. Joseph. Other presentations were given on Blessed Edmund, and reﬂections on the rosary according to the spirituality and works of mercy of the Founder of the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, with representatives of the sisters participating. Various initiatives will be planned

during the anniversary year to August 2022. Blessed Edmund was born into a devout, patriotic family of the nobility Nov. 14, 1814, in Grabonog, near Gostyn, Poland then partitioned and oppressed by Prussia in his region, with Austria and Russia in others. A remarkable lay apostle, a learned writer and an educator, he worked for social justice and started a home for orphans and health services to the ill including during cholera pandemics, also day nurseries for neglected children, and libraries for the needy with activities to develop the religious, moral and cultural values of the people. Inspired by the Holy Spirit and the need to support his works of mercy, he founded the Congregation of the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception on May 3, 1850. The Eucharist was the center of his day and he spent many hours before the Blessed Sacrament. Contemplation of Holy Scripture, weekly confession and annual retreats also had an effect on his spiritual life. He promoted the Living Rosary and was a guiding force of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Poland, a Christian voluntary organization to work with the needy. Two years before his death -- August 7, 1871 in Gorka Duchowna -- the Holy Hill, he entered the seminary in Gniezno, but his desire to celebrate Holy Mass for

his sisters could not be realized because of his failing lungs, which were delicate from his youth. His last will to his sisters was the recommendation of the blessing of simplicity and communal love, with the Holy Spirit teaching the rest. Today, the Little Servant Sisters continue to live the founder’s charism of love of God and neighbor, and bring faith and hope in Christ in serving youth, caring for children, the poor, the disabled, the sick, and the elderly in Poland, the U.S., Rome, Germany, Moscow, and on the missions in Africa (Zambia, South Africa, Malawi, Tanzania), Eastern Europe (Moldova, Ukraine} and Russian Eastern Siberia. Then-Pope, now St. John Paul II said at the Beatiﬁcation of Blessed Edmund Bojanowski, June 13, 1999 in Warsaw: “He is remembered as a good man with a big heart, who for love of God and neighbor was able to bring different sectors together, effectively rallying them around a common good. In his many-faceted activity, he anticipated much of what the Second Vatican Council said about the apostolate of the laity. His was an exceptional example of generous and industrious work for humanity, the homeland and the Church.” Petitions for graces and favors received continue through his intercession. Prayer Cards for the canonization of Blessed Edmund Bojanowski,

Inspired by the Holy Spirit and the need to support his works of mercy, Blessed Edmund Bojanowski founded the Congre‑ gation of the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception on May 3, 1850. contact: Little Servant Sisters 1000 Cropwell Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003. E-mail: sisters@lsic.us; call (856) 4241962. Website: www.LSIC.US

Rev. Mr. Ronal Romario Vega Pastrana

CONGRATULATIONS

AUGUST 19, 2021

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

ON YOUR ORDINATION TO THE TRANSITIONAL DIACONATE

May God ﬁll you with every Grace and Blessing as you begin your Ministry to God's People in the Diocese of Metuchen Be assured of our continued Prayers!

Your Parish Family of St. Thomas in Old Bridge

OUR DIOCESE

Above, Father Charles A. Sabella, pastor, St. Patrick Parish, Belvidere, and St. Rose of Lima Parish, Oxford, prays during the consecration as Bishop James James F. Checchio, principal celebrant of the Mass, looks on at St. Patrick Church. Right, Father Sabella distributes Communion during the liturgy. About 600 families are registered in both parishes. Father Sabella, 66, was ordained to the priesthood at the age of 39. He previously worked as a research director for ABC News in Washinton, D.C. — Ed Koskey Jr. photos

Above, Father Sabella processes into the church with Father James E. De Fillipps, parochial vicar, St. Bartholomew Parish, East Brunswick who served as master of ceremonies, and Bishop Checchio. Left, Bishop Checchio, principal celebrant, gives the homily from the ambo. Bishop Checchio told the faithful that the “three essentials” of prayer Jesus handed down to his disciples and to Catholics throughout the centuries are patience, perseverance, and persistence.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 19, 19, 2021

ishes, according to the diocesan directory. Following the bishop’s homily, BELVIDERE — Prayers from the faith- Michele Beha, St. Patrick’s director ful of St. Patrick and St. Rose of Lima of faith formation and religious eduparishes descended on Father Charles cation, led the Rite of Installation by A. Sabella at his Mass of Installation as announcing the vital groups who are assisting Father Sabella, including the pastor at St. Patrick Church July 10. Bishop James F. Checchio, who in parish staff, Finance Committee and January 2020 appointed Father Sabella Pastoral Council. Bishop Checchio then formally to shepherd the two Warren County congregations, focused on prayer in his presented the groups to Father Sabella, who pledged to collaborate with them homily, with an added quip. “I pray that the Eucharist nourishes in the parish’s spiritual, pastoral, soyou today and every week,” the bishop cial and temporal activities. Father Sabella then led the consaid. “I pray that the word of God inspires you … and I pray today as we in- gregation in the Nicene Creed, and afterward made his “Oath of Fidelity” stall your not-so-new pastor anymore.” Indeed, the coronavirus pandemic to the parish. It drew a large applause, that began in March of that year pre- with the bishop and pastor exchanging vented an earlier celebration. At the a hug. Some parishioners, including Mass, parishioners prayed, sang hymns and shared in the joy of their newly in- Beha and her husband, Patrick Beha, knew Father Sabella when he served stalled shepherd. Father Sabella spoke little during four years in the 2000s as parochial vicar. He made an indelthe liturgy, but he opened it by referencing participants “Our Lord sent ible impression, the Behas said. who came to his celebration the Apostles “He challenges you to from a charismatic group at think,” Michele Beha said, Our Lady of Lourdes Parto continue “and when you are chalish, Whitehouse Station. “My first parish as a his work in the lenged to think, then you grow. I’ve always felt it deacon was at Our Lady world, and for from the time he was here. of Lourdes,” said Father Sabella, who was ordained us in Belvidere The first time.” The Behas said they May 28, 1994, by the late and in Oxford, feel fortunate that Father Bishop Edward T. Hughes. “They had one prayer that’s you, all of Sabella has returned — for his homilies, his spiritualgroup that is still going strong.” us, together.” ity and other reasons. “He’s a breath of fresh Several women from —Bishop James F. air,” said Michael Belby, the prayer group came to Checchio another longtime parishthe Mass. Father Sabella ioner. “He’s an excellent said he was “delighted and honored” by their presence, noting he teacher. That’s his gift, teaching.” Patrick Beha said he and others was wearing a clerical stole he received kidded Father Sabella that he should upon his ordination. “He likes to be around people of jump at the chance to lead their parish, prayers,” said Barbara Kearns, one of if ever there was a chance. “He always said he never wanted the prayer cell members whose son, Anthony P. Kearns III, is diocesan chan- to be a pastor,” Patrick Beha said. “But cellor. “That’s what he said, ‘I like to be sometimes it’s in God’s hands.” Father Sabella, 66, was ordained with prayers.’” Bishop Checchio told the congre- at age 39, and previously worked as gation the “three essentials” of prayer a research director for ABC News in Jesus Christ handed down to his dis- Washington, D.C., before changing ciples and to Catholics throughout the vocations. “When God wants to take you centuries are: patience, perseverance, form one place to another, you’ve got and persistence. “Our Lord sent the Apostles to con- to let go of everything,” he said during tinue his work in the world, and for us in an interview in 2019 for a story on his Belvidere and in Oxford, that’s you, all 25th anniversary to the priesthood. The two parishes are among the of us, together,” the bishop said, pointing his right index finger at the congregation oldest in the diocese, with Father SaThe bishop thanked the St. Patrick bella becoming just the 10th pastor of community from Belvidere and those St. Patrick’s, which is 170 years old, from Oxford who worship at St. Rose according to its website. St. Rose, for their prayers and commitment. Turn- which holds claim to having the first ing to Father Sabella, he also thanked church erected in Warren County him for his “extraordinary efforts” in (1858) held its first recorded Mass four providing for parishioners’ needs. About years earlier elsewhere. 600 families make up the combined parBy Anthony Salamone Correspondent

‘Not-so-new pastor’ now officially leads parish in Warren County

14 OUR DIOCESE

Msgr. John B. Gordon installed as pastor of bilingual parish at Mass Christina Leslie Correspondent CARTERET — Living and carrying out their ministry was not just a journey for Christ’s disciples, Bishop James F. Checchio told the congregation at St. Joseph Church, but “a way of life.” “They faced many obstacles and challenges along the way… [but] God is always with us,” he added. Msgr. John B. Gordon, who first arrived at the parish last Sept. 1, was installed as its newest pastor July 11. The bilingual faith community, founded in 1893, numbers about 2,000 registered families, 100 religious education students and 100 parish elementary school students. Msgr. Gordon, a native of South Plainfield, earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy at St. Pius X Seminary, Scranton University, Pa., and a Master of Divinity degree at Christ the King Seminary, Buffalo. He was ordained to the priesthood May 18, 1985, at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen.

Early in his priesthood, Msgr. Gordon served in the parishes of St. Bartholomew, East Brunswick; Guardian Angels, Edison; St. Magdalene de Pazzi, Flemington, and St. Mary, Perth Amboy. In the late 1990s, Msgr. Gordon worked for three years as a missionary in Ecuador with the Society of St. James the Apostle. He returned to the Diocese of Metuchen in 2000 and was named administrator, then pastor, of La Asuncion Parish and Our Lady of Hungary, both in Perth Amboy. For five years, he served as multicultural director of Hispanic Ministry for the diocese. His ministry also included terms as chaplain for Bishop George Ahr High School, now St. Thomas the Aquinas High School, Edison; the now-closed S. Pius X High School, Piscataway, and the nowclosed St. Mary High School, South Amboy. He was installed as Chaplain to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI with the title of Monsignor Jan. 29, 2012. At the rite of installation, Bishop Checchio asked the parish staff, Finance Council and Trustees to stand, indicating their accep-

tance of the new pastor’s role. During the presentation of bread and wine at the Offertory, representatives from these three groups brought forth tokens of their ministry: the tabernacle key, reflecting the spiritual life of the parish; the baptismal record, filled with the official sacramental history of the parish, and the parish seal, representing the school and parish communities. Msgr. Gordon responded with “Remember, my brother, always be a loving father, a gentle shepherd and a wise teacher of your people,” Bishop Checchio advised the new pastor, “so that you may lead them to Christ who will strengthen all that you do.” In his profession of faith and oath of fidelity, he proclaimed, “With firm faith, I also believe everything contained in God’s Word, written or handed down in tradition … accept and hold each and every thing that is proposed by the Church… [and] adhere to the teachings [of] the Roman Pontiff and college of bishops.” Bishop Checchio reminded the congregation that “there are three essentials

of prayer: patience, perseverance, and persistence. Never become discouraged,” he told Msgr. Gordon. “We are grateful that all here work so hard to keep the faith alive, to keep feeding you. Continue to build up the kingdom, for if not us, who will do it? God is with us, He is for us, He helps us, and He never leaves us alone.” In an interview following the Mass, Msgr. Gordon shared his four priorities for the parish listed in his pastoral plan. “We want to look at the legacy of the church, so it can be a gift for the parish pioneers to share their testimony; to see the growth of the school, which will be 100 years old in 2023; continue the outreach and charity ministries of the parish and try different models of evangelization with the Spanish and English families of the church.” The monsignor’s advice to a young man considering the priesthood is to follow his instincts. “Feel like you have a second home in the parish,” he said. “See where your interests are. Ask God to not let the idea be dormant. Thoughtfulness is important -think of what all that activity really means.”

AUGUST 19, 2021

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Above, Bishop James F. Checchio (right), principal celebrant and homilist, leads the Rite of Installation for Msgr. John B. Gordon as pastor of St. Joseph Parish at Mass at St. Joseph Church. Above right, Msgr. Gordon, who was ordained to the priesthood May 18, 1985, at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, speaks from the ambo.

Above, Bishop Checchio poses with altar servers after the Mass. St. Joseph Parish, which was founded in 1893, serves about 2,000 registered families, 100 religious education students, and 100 children in pre-kindergaraten to eighth grade at its school.

Above, Bishop Checchio accepts the offertory gifts. Left, Bishop Checchio (right) leads the Rite of Installation for Msgr. Gordon, whose ministry has included serving as multicultural director of Hispanic Ministry for the diocese. — Marlo Williamson photos

WOODBRIDGE — A priest with a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin is the new spiritual leader of St. James Parish. Bishop James F. Checchio installed Vocationist Father Thomas Naduviledathu as pastor of the faith community during a July 11 Mass attended by hundreds both in person and via livestream. In his homily, Bishop Checchio reminded the congregation, “There are three essentials of prayer: patience, perseverance and persistence. Never become discouraged… Continue to build up the kingdom.” Serving as administrator since September of last year, Father Naduviledathu — affectionately called “Father Tom” by his parishioners — was born in India in 1980. He joined the Vocationist Fathers in 1996 at Thalore Father Justin Vocationary and

continued his studies in Marymatha Major Seminary at Mulayam Thrissur Kerala, India. Father Naduviledathu took his perpetual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in 2004; was ordained as a deacon in 2007, and was ordained as a priest by Bishop Mathew Areckal in Kanjirappally, India, on Jan. 7, 2008. Recalling his family’s great faith, Father Naduviledathu said, “I have had a great devotion to the Blessed Mother from the very beginning. Any time there was anything I needed, I asked her for help. There were four of us [children]. We would go out and play, and my father always said, ‘If you don’t come home for the Angelus, you don’t get dinner.’” The new pastor first served as assistant vicar in a parish in Kerala, India, until October 2009, when his order requested he take leadership of a parish in the United States. In an interview following his installation, Father Naduviledathu spoke of how he first

applied for a visa to Europe before his eventual migration to the U.S. “I was supposed to go to England, but I ended up in New England instead,” he said of his assignment as pastor to five churches in the Diocese of Burlington, Vt. “I arrived in November [2014]. It started snowing the next day, and never stopped until Easter,” he said with a laugh. The following December, Father Naduviledathu was reassigned to the pastorate at St. Cecelia Parish, Iselin, where he remained until transferring to St. James last September. During the tradition-rich installation rite, the bishop invited members of various parish ministries to stand to indicate their willingness to work together with their new pastor for the good of the people. Father Naduviledathu pledged to “accept and hold each and everything that is proposed by the Church.” “To bring the people closer to the altar and Jesus,” is his one goal for

the parish, Father Naduviledathu said. “Everything else is secondary. We are Vocationists. Vocations is our business. I don’t want to attract people to me, but to Jesus.” At the conclusion of the Mass, Father Naduviledathu addressed his flock for the first time as their new shepherd. “When I arrived, I told you that I don’t have family in this country,” the Indian-born priest said. “You are my family. You are the ones who support me. I survive on your prayers.” Continuing, he said, “I once heard a holy priest preach that the priests are the first ones to be attacked by the devil. On the walls of hell hang pictures of priests with the label ‘most wanted.’ We need your prayers.” Father Naduviledathu then knelt before a statue of Mary at the front of the church, pledging, “I dedicate my pastorate to the Blessed Mother,” as the congregation joined him in singing ‘Regina Caeli.’”

OUR DIOCESE

By Christina Leslie Correspondent

‘Father Tom’ seeks to bring parish ‘family’ closer to altar, Jesus

Above left, Bishop James F. Checchio (left), principal celebrant and homilist, and Father Naduviledathu are shown at a Mass of Installation of the Vocationist priest as pastor of St. James Parish, Woodbridge. Above right, Bishop Checchio gives the homily from the ambo at St. James Church.

— Marlo Williamson photos

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 19, 19, 2021

Bishop Checchio gives Communion to a member of St. James Parish and also gave a blessing to one of its youngest members.

Above, Bishop Checchio distributes Communion. Left, Father Naduviledathu kneels before a statue of Mary while he pledges to dedicate his pastorate to the Blessed Mother. The congregation then joined him in singing “Regina Caeli.”

16 OUR DIOCESE THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 19, 2021

Priest welcomes role as ‘father’ to members of parish ‘family’ By Chris Donahue Associate Editor SPOTSWOOD — When Father John “Jack” O’Kane was officially installed as pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish at a Mass July 24, it was a role he had yearned for. He had already achieved one goal on his spiritual journey — to be ordained a priest. After serving as a parochial vicar at other parishes since he was ordained to the priesthood in 2008, all that was left was the opportunity to meet the spiritual and pastoral needs of a parish family as a pastor or, as he described, like a “father.” “As the associate [parochial vicar], you are kind of the uncle,” Father O’Kane said with a laugh during an interview several days after the Mass at Immaculate Conception Church. “You are there with the families, but you are not in charge. You are following the directions that the pastor sets because really there can only be one direction for a parish. There is a lot of guidance and a lot of voices to help the pastor, but at the end of the day, the pastor has to lead his family. So that is one of the joys of now being a pastor — to be responsible for these souls and the family of Immaculate Conception.” He added that he enjoys being with families at their highest and lowest

points such as baptisms, weddings and funerals. “They invite you in because you are a priest, to be a part of that experience with them and for them. I cherish that,” he said. He was appointed administrator of the parish Aug. 8, 2019, and pastor Oct. 15, 2020. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, an official installation had to be postponed. Father O’Kane said he is blessed that the 73-year-old parish, which serves about 2,500 registered families, has “very active” members. “The Church and the parish are rooted in tradition, which I love,” he stated. As for any plans Father O’Kane has for the parish, he said building an entranceway to the church and school is one of them because it has been on the drawing board for 20 years. “The only issue is that construction costs have grown so high we may wait another year. The money has been raised for it, now we have to do the work,” he said. Regarding the extra responsibility as pastor of overseeing a school, which serves about 170 children in kindergarten to eighth grade, Father O’Kane said it is a challenge, but one he enjoys. “I am a product of Catholic schools and it is such a gift, especially in the world today where there is so much indoctrination of anti-Catholic principles,” he said. “I love having a Catholic

school to teach the faith and help the families form their children.” During the Rite of Installation as pastor, which was led by Bishop James F. Checchio, Father O’Kane pledged to work with and seek the counsel of the parish’s clergy, staff, Finance Committee, Pastoral Council and Trustees. Father O’Kane then gave his oath of fidelity to the Church and Bishop Checchio. In closing, Bishop Checchio said, “Remember, my brother, always be a loving father, a gentle shepherd and a wise teacher of the people, that you may lead them to Christ, who will strengthen all that you.” The new pastor then led the faithful in reciting the Confession of Faith. Among the family members of Father O’Kane who attended the Mass were his mother, Barbara, and siblings, including an older sister, Religious Teachers Filippini Sister Barbara O’Kane. “I’m thrilled for him,” Sister Barbara said after the Mass. “I was just going back over some clippings of milestones in his priesthood journey and one quote said, ‘Being ordained to the priesthood was the happiest day of his life.’ “Now this, I think, will be a close second.” Sister Barbara serves as her community’s director of vocations for the

Above left, Bishop James F. Checchio (left) joins in congratulating Father John J. “Jack“ O’Kane (third from left) as the newly-installed pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Spotswood. Also shown with Bishop Checchio and Father O’Kane at the Mass of Installation at St. Bartholomew Church are: Deacon Danny San Jose (second from left) and Father James W. McGuffey, parochial vicar. Above right, Bishop Checchio leads the Rite of Installation. Below right, Bishop Checchio accepts the offertory gifts. Below left, Father O’Kane greets the faithful after Mass. Father O’Kane was appointed administrator of the parish Aug. 8, 2019, and pastor Oct. 15, 2020. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, an official installation had to be postponed. The 73-year-old parish serves about 2,500 registered families and its school about 170 children in kindergarten to eighth grade. — Mike Ehrmann photos

province of the United States. She was invested in her religious community the same year her brother was ordained to the priesthood. A native of New Brunswick, Father O’Kane is one of five children of the late John O’Kane and his mother. The family’s home parish was St. Bartholomew, East Brunswick, where Father O’Kane also attended its school. After graduating from Saint Joseph High School, Metuchen, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, because he had aspirations of a political career. He worked as a sales manager for a software company before entering Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology at Seton Hall University, South Orange, at the age of 33. He was ordained to the transitional diaconate by then-Bishop, now Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski at St. Bartholomew Church, May 12, 2007. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Bootkoski at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Bartholomew Church the following day. He served as a parochial vicar at the following parishes: Our Lady of Victories, Sayreville; St. Magdalen de Pazzi, Flemington; Mary, Mother of God, Hillsborough; and St. Ambrose, Old Bridge.

OUR DIOCESE

Above, Father Mark F. Kehoe, who was appointed administrator of St. Lawrence Parish, Laurence Harbor, in 2018, processes into St. Lawrence Church at a Mass of Installation as pastor. Right, Bishop James F. Checchio, principal celebrant, gives the homily. Bishop Checchio quoted Pope Francis: “‘The first task of a priest is to be what he is, a believer, and someone his people can believe with.’ The parishioners of St. Lawrence know Father Kehoe,” and that he “is a priest they can believe with.”

— Frank Wojciechowski photos

AUGUST 19, 19, 2021

Above (from left), Father Kehoe, Bishop Checchio and Deacon Michael Abriola are shown during the consecration. Right, a sign on the grounds of St. Lawrence Parish heralds the installation of its new pastor.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Pa. the son of Jerome P. Kehoe Sr. and the late Marian A. Kehoe. He was raised in LAURENCE HARBOR — Because of Pennsylvania, where he attended Catholic the COVID-19 or coronavirus pandemic, schools throughout his entire education. many events and celebrations had to be After graduating from St. Mark Ephrem postponed over the past 15 months. Re- School, Bristol, he attended Bishop Egan ligious celebrations were no exceptions High School, Fairless Hills. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree to that disruption: marriages, baptisms, first holy Communions and confirmations in Religious Studies at Holy Family Colwere all impacted. The installation of pas- lege, Philadelphia. After college, Father Kehoe taught tors at parishes in the diocese also had to religion and English. In 1995, having be rescheduled. At the beginning of the Mass of discerned that the Lord was calling him to Installation of Father Mark F. Kehoe as the priesthood, he entered Holy Apostles pastor of St. Lawrence Parish, July 25, Seminary, where he earned a Master of Bishop James F. Checchio greeted the Divinity Degree. Reflecting on his journey to the congregation and welcomed them to, “the most postponed pastor installation in priesthood, he said that he was always very impressed by the parish Metuchen.” In his homily, Bishop “It is obvious that priests he knew growing up and he especially credits a Checchio, principal celFather [Mark] former pastor, Msgr. Martin ebrant, quoted Pope Francis, Kehoe is a very O’Halloran, as having a who said, “The first task of strong impact on his vocaa priest is to be what he is, spiritual person. tion. a believer, and someone his In May 1999, Father people can believe with. He is a good, holy Kehoe was ordained to the “The parishioners of St priest and has priesthood by the late Bish.Lawrence know Father Kehoe,” the bishop continued, great devotion to op Vincent De Paul Breen at the Cathedral of St. Francis so he and they realize, that he “is a priest they can believe and reverence for of Assisi, Metuchen. Prior to his assignment as adwith.” the Mass.” ministrator of St. Lawrence During the Rite of Parish in 2018, he served as Installation, Father Kehoe, —Deacon Michael parochial vicar at Our Lady who was appointed adminisAbriola of Peace Parish, Fords; Sts. trator of the parish in 2018, was formally introduced to the parish’s Philip and James Parish, Phillipsburg; St. clergy and staff, Finance Committee, Pas- John the Evangelist Parish, Lambertville; toral Council and Trustees. The new pas- and St Mary Parish, Alpha. The new pastor believes that his most tor then gave his Oath of Fidelity to the memorable moments as a priest have been Church and Bishop Checchio. Carrie Ann Csapo, a Trustee who when, “comforting and anointing those had welcomed Bishop Checchio and the who are sick and dying. These can be very congregation to the Mass, said she has sad moments, but they are also edifying worked with Father Kehoe for three years to a priest.” After the Mass, Father Kehoe exand believes he has done an excellent job leading the parish. She noted that dur- pressed his gratitude to Bishop Checchio ing the early days of the pandemic when for the opportunity to serve the parishchurches were closed, “the arrangements ioners of St. Lawrence and for installing Father Kehoe instituted for the celebration him as their pastor. “When you are planof the Mass in the parish center at that time ning an event like this you think of all the made the experience as close to normal as things that could go wrong, but I believe it all came together,” he said. He also was possible.” Deacon Michael Abriola added that believes that after the past year with all when it was necessary to move the cel- the disruptions and confusion, “this was ebration of the Mass from the church to a very happy experience, not just for me, the parish center, “Father took great care but for the parish as well.” Parishioner Linda Focolaro, the lecto arrange the seating carefully so that while families and couples could sit to- tor for the Mass, noted that Father Kehoe gether those who wished to separate could is blessed with a great sense of humor. be socially distant and comfortable in the “This makes him very effective in dealing with the young members of the parish,” environment.” Deacon Abriola, a member of the she added. Father Kehoe had given an example parish for more than 20 years, has exercised his ministry at the parish since he of his sense of humor when, at the end was ordained in 2012. He said he enjoys of Mass, he thanked Bishop Checchio working with Father Kehoe very much and all who were present. He specifically and on many levels. “It is obvious that Fa- acknowledged and thanked his brother ther Kehoe is a very spiritual person. He is and family for attending the Mass and a good, holy priest and has great devotion especially noted he was grateful that his nephews “had remained awake during the to and reverence for the Mass.” Father Kehoe was born in Bristol, entire celebration.” By Deacon Patrick Cline

Newly-installed shepherd kept faithful hopeful despite challenges

A Special Section of The Catholic Spirit • August 19, 2021

Ye ar s

DEACON MILESTONES

D E A C O N MILESTONES

Deacon Timothy A. Lawless

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St. Joseph, Hillsborough

Deacon George D. Coleman

AUGUST 19, 2021

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Retired

Deacon Charles Paolino Our Lady of Lourdes, Whitehouse Station

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Deacon Stephen Gajewski

— Christina Leslie

looking for something to do part time so now I fill in a couple of days at the school. It gives me something to do,” he said. Along with teaching and serving the Church, he enjoys spending time with his family and working on construction projects. Deacon Gajewski earned a certificate in ministry at the College of St. Elizabeth (now university), Morristown, in 1996. He was ordained into the diaconate May 5, 1996, by the late Bishop Edward T. Hughes at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. “I was happy to be ordained and happy to serve my parish and my church,” he said. As for what advice he would give to someone considering a vocation to the diaconate, he said: “Pray and get familiar with saying the Divine Office [one of a deacon’s prayer requirements].” He also advised those answering the call to stay on the straight and narrow and “just go for it.” “Stay close to Jesus and always listen for him to give you advice,” Deacon Gajewski said. “Through prayer and being open to hearing the Lord, you will know if it is right for you. You will feel the call. I did in my life.” — Karen Corpora

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 19, 19, 2021

Gajewski. He attended St. Stephen and many good things happening at the parSt. Cecilia schools, both in Kearny, ish,” he said. and attended Kearny High School and For many years, he has served as Newark Tech School. After graduation, coordinator of the baptism program at St. he worked for 10 years Lawrence Parish. “One of before enrolling in Kean my favorite parts of being “One of my University, Union, where a deacon was being able he earned a Bachelor of to baptize several of my favorite parts of Arts degree in Industrial grandchildren. I also bapEducation. His specialty being a deacon was tize most of the children is carpentry. in our parish,” he said. being able to He and his wife, He also enjoys Nancy, have two children baptize several of preaching at Mass once a and eight grandchildren. month and is very instrumy grandchildren. mental in working with “Nancy has been my number-one supporter the Rite of Christian IniI also baptize throughout my time tiation of Adults, noting most of the serving as a deacon. She that he likes being able helps me and is always to pass his faith along to children in involved in whatever I those who are looking to am working on at the parjoin the Church. our parish.” ish,” he said. Other ways he serves His ministry has inthe people of the parish cluded service at the Bayshore Commu- are visits the homebound, and serving as nity Hospital, Holmdel; and Saint Peter’s the chaplain of the Knights of Columbus University Hospital, New Brunswick, Council at the parish. and has served as coordinator of the stuOver the years, he worked as a cardent community service. penter at Stanek Construction, S&J Build“My experience as a deacon has ers and General Motors. He is currently been good so far. It seems like such a working part time as a substitute school long ago when I ﬁrst decide to enter. I teacher for Old Bridge Township School. have kept busy and been involved in the “When General Motors closed I was

of Jerusalem, a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Holy Name Society. Deacon DeLorenzo worked as a floor clerk on the New York Stock Exchange; a programmer analyst for Chubb and Son, Warren, and as business/pastoral administrator for Christ the King Parish, Manville; St. Joseph Parish, Hillsborough, and Parish of the Visitation, New Brunswick. Now retired from the business world, he assists at his parish five to six days each week with annulments and marriage preparation as well as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, all of which “without the support of my wife, Cathleen, this couldn’t work,” he admitted. “I love the liturgy, teaching, preaching and preparing parents for their children’s sacraments,” Deacon DeLorenzo said. “My biggest challenge is in gently teaching and guiding people in the truth of the Church: natural family planning, attending Mass… Sometimes it is difficult to bridge the truth, for people are rejecting it. A lot of prayer is needed.” His advice to a man considering the permanent diaconate is much like that long-ago bulletin invitation, minus the chocolate incentive. “Do it,” he said without hesitation. “We are needed in the Church.”

DEACON MILESTONES

The Lord calls men to the diaconate many times through others. Deacon Stephen Gajewski, who exercises his ministry at St. Lawrence Parish, Laurence Harbor, was inspired by the late Father Vincent Nebus, former pastor, to enter the diaconate. “He was a great pastor and friend. I looked up to him because I could count on him to do the right thing. He encouraged me to look into the diaconate and here I am 25 years later,” Deacon Gajewski said. Deacon Gajewski was born 1948 in Kearny. He is one of six children of the late Frank and Stephanie (Constance)

at The Chubb Institute, Parsippany. beth, (now St. Elizabeth University) MorWhile working at a summer camp ristown, and was ordained May 5, 1996, for sick and disabled children, Deacon by the late Bishop Edward T. Hughes. He DeLorenzo met his future wife, Cathleen, began his ministry in St. Theodore Parish, whom he married in 1977. The two cradle- Port Murray; in 1997, he was transferred Catholics’ decade-long absence from the to Christ the King Parish, Manville, where Church ended when, in he served for 10 years. search of chocolates, they A brief return to St. “My biggest visited a bakery and spotTheodore Parish was folchallenge is in ted a sign for the nearby lowed by a 2008 assignShrine of the Blessed Sacto Our Lady of Mergently teaching ment rament, Raritan Borough. cy Parish, South Bound The two entered the shrine Brook. The deacon minand guiding and began to pray. istered there under Msgr. “I saw an old bul- people in the truth Daniel J. Herlihy until letin there,” recalled Dea2011, when he followed of the Church: con DeLorenzo. “It said the cleric to Transfiguranatural family something like, ‘vocations tion of the Lord Parish, don’t have to be like a Park. planning, attend- Edison-Highland thunderbolt, they might be In 2014, Deacon Delike a small feeling movLorenzo and his wife reloing Mass…” ing in the back of your cated to Florida. Although head.’” he is still incardinated The two began attending the shrine in the Diocese of Metuchen, he began for Mass and Eucharistic Adoration; service as an extern deacon in that state, Cathleen later became the shrine’s music first at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Imdirector, and the two joined a parish closer mokalee; then Our Lady, Star of the Sea to home. A church bulletin there noted the Parish, Ponte Vedra Beach, and finally at permanent diaconate had recently been Holy Family Parish, Jacksonville. reinstated, and that long-delayed heavenly In 2015, Deacon DeLorenzo earned call led the future deacon to pursue service a Master of Arts degree in theology from to the Lord. the Augustine Institute, Denver. Deacon DeLorenzo earned a CertifiHe is a Knight Commander in the cate in Ministry at the College of St. Eliza- Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher

Though he admits feeling a call to service from the Almighty, Deacon Donald J. DeLorenzo jokes his pursuit of a life of diaconate service can be attributed to two more earthly calls: chocolate and church bulletins. Born in Long Island City, N.Y., one of two children of the late Evelyn and Nicholas DeLorenzo, he attended St. Joseph Elementary School, Jersey City, and River Dell Regional High School, Oradell. He began classes at Montclair State University, Montclair, but had to discontinue his studies when his father died. He earned a bachelor’s degree in ﬁnance at Seton Hall University, South Orange, in 1985, and later received technical training in computer programming

Deacon Donald J. DeLorenzo

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Deacon Thomas Giacobbe had always been a practicing Catholic, but it was not until he was teaching religious education classes in his parish that he experienced a deepening desire to learn more about the faith. “This intense ﬂame kicked in,” he said. “It still burns brightly today. I just love learning about the faith.” One of two children born to Bernice and Joseph Giacobbe in Newark, Deacon Giacobbe has been married to his wife, Bonnie, for 55 years. The couple has two sons, one daughter, and seven grandchildren. After attending Fair Lawn public schools, Deacon Giacobbe earned a degree in chemistry at Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, in 1963. He earned a doctoral

Deacon Thomas Giacobbe

degree in organic chemistry at the Univer- chological interviews, family interviews, sity of Vermont, Burlington, in 1967, and and learning about what the diaconate was a post-doctoral fellow in pharmaceu- entails, he began studying theology and tical chemistry at the University of Wis- Scriptures through the College of St. consin, Madison. Elizabeth, now St. Elizabeth University, He worked in research at Dow Chemi- Morristown. He earned a certiﬁcate in cal in Michigan and Califorministry in 1996 and that nia, and Mobil Chemical and year was ordained (Being a deacon is) same Exxon-Mobil Corp. in New to the diaconate by the Jersey. He holds more than late Bishop Edward T. “so much more 20 United States patents for Hughes. satisfying than the creation of new chemical Deacon Giacobbe has compounds, has published ministered at St. Charles inventing new extensively in his ﬁeld, and Borromeo Parish, Skillhas developed several new chemicals. … I tell man, from the time of his commercial products. ordination until 2008, and everybody that Being a deacon is “far at Christ the Redeemer, superior” to any other work Manville from 2008 until it’s the best job he’s ever done, Deacon the present. Retiring from I’ve ever had.” Giacobbe said. “It’s so much his career in chemistry in better; it’s so much more sat2000 has allowed him to isfying than inventing new devote more time to his chemicals. … I tell everybody that it’s the ministry. best job I’ve ever had.” His favorite aspect of his ministry is In 1991, he and his wife were attend- preaching. In addition to giving homilies ing Mass when a deacon spoke at the end at Mass and writing the prayers of petiabout vocations to the permanent diacon- tion for the parish each week, 10 years ate. His wife urged him to consider the ago Deacon Giacobbe began to write short life, and so he did. homilies for the Christ the Redeemer par“My wife knows me better than any- ish website and YouTube channel each one,” he said. “I probably had been nudg- week, which have proven popular with ing toward being a deacon for years.” parishioners. He draws inspiration parAfter a year of physical exams, psy- ticularly from Bishop Robert Baron, Fran-

ciscan friar Richard Rohr, and Missionary Oblate of Mary Father Ronald Rolheiser. “I try to make my preaching down-toearth,” Deacon Giacobbe said. “My wife is a very important part – there’s nothing I write that doesn’t go through her editorial review. She keeps me well-grounded. She is very insightful and helps me add personal examples.” Deacon Giacobbe plays an important role in the process for issuing marriage annulments in the Diocese of Metuchen. He is an advocate on behalf of those seeking annulments. He also teaches baptismal preparation classes and was a chaplain at the Somerset County Jail. Somerville, for 14 years, where he strove to be a “kind and gentle father” to incarcerated men and women. His faith has continued to grow deeper each year, he said, as he continues to read spiritual books and study the Church’s teachings. He spends one hour in prayer each morning, taking time for reading Scripture, journaling, and the Liturgy of the Hours. He has led several pilgrimages to Israel, Greece, Spain, France, and Italy, and is the leader of a local hiking group that has continued to meet throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, climbing mountains and exploring trails throughout New Jersey. — Teresa Murphy

St. Mary - Stony Hill Parish Watchung

AUGUST 19, 2021

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

congratulates

Deacon Walter Maksimik on Twenty five Years of Dedicated Service in the Order of Deacon

�If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all� Mark 9:35

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Deacon Walter S. Maksimik

— Teresa Murphy

— Christina Leslie

AUGUST 19, 2021

For 13 years, Deacon Maksimik ministered to the inmates at the East Jersey State Prison, Rahway, where he directed its RCIA program, assisted its chaplains and counselled its inmates. “I found it fulfilling and rewarding,” he said. “You would be surprised how many of the inmates took just one wrong turn to end up there.” Two years ago, during Advent, the retirement of a fellow deacon led Deacon Maksimik to transfer to another parish. His longtime friend and spiritual guide, Msgr. Benwell, had been installed as pastor of St. Mary-Stony Hill Parish, Watchung. The two brothers in faith are serving God’s faithful together again. Deacon Maksimik finds giving homilies at Sunday Masses the most challenging aspect of his service to the Church. “I need to come across with the idea for people so they don’t shake their heads and wonder what I said as they leave,” he stated. “I need to be edifying.” He most enjoys “serving the people as a deacon,” he asserted. “I want to be a servant of God, and serve the people with a servant’s heart.”

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

mator of Brennan Industrial Contractors, Maksimik studied for the diaconate at St. Elizabeth College (now University), Kearny, for more than 20 years. Deacon Maksimik and his wife, Morristown, and was ordained by the Loretta, were no strangers to service for late Bishop Edward T. Hughes at the Catheir parish, Our Lady of thedral of St. Francis of the Mount, Warren. As a Assisi, Metuchen, May A conversation 5, 1996. couple, they were active in numerous ministries Deacon Maksimik with his pastor, served at Our Lady of since 1972, and Loretta’s service extended back Msgr. William Benwell, the Mount Parish until 2008 when he was transto 1956, including 23 proved to be the ferred to St. Andrew years as the director of pastoral life. A converimpetus for Deacon Parish, Avenel. Not sation with his pastor, surprisingly, the longMaksimik’s steps Msgr. William Benwell, time church minister’s proved to be the impetus toward the newly- joy is centered in the sacraments, especially for Deacon Maksimik’s revived ministry of at those occasions consteps toward the newlyrevived ministry of the nected to the spiritual the permanent permanent diaconate in lives of his four grown diaconate in the the diocese. children and eight grandsons. He counts “I was encouraged diocese. his 23-year-leadership by Msgr. Benwell way in the parishes’ Rite back in the 1970s,” Deacon Maksimik recalled, of Christian Initiation “but I knew that it was of Adults (RCIA) as important the call you another highlight, but the jovial deacon also counted among sense persists.” Further discernment eventually put his favorite assignments one might not him on the path towards service; Deacon expect.

member of St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison, advisory board member of the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, and treasurer of the Eastern Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He is currently a member of the diocese’s Finance Council and chair of its Priest Pension Board, and a board member of the National Down Syndrome Society. He is especially proud of his role with the latter, having been inspired to work as an advocate for those with Down Syndrome by his granddaughter, who has the genetic disorder. For more than 25 years, Deacon Gostkowski served on the pastoral team ministering to patients at Hackensack Meridian’s Carrier Clinic in Belle Mead, a behavioral health facility that specializes in treating people with psychiatric illnesses or addictions. There he encountered “individuals who were in the lowest points in their lives.” “These people were so grateful you were there. They were so grateful to receive the Eucharist,” he said. “That was very touching.” Deacon Gostkowski said that seeing the faith of those to whom he ministers has deepened his own faith. “People in Saint Patrick’s come from the four corners of the earth looking for God’s help in their lives,” he said. Likewise, parishioners at St. Bartholomew who ask for his prayers, trusting that God will help them, have been an inspiration.

DEACON MILESTONES

Deacon Walter S. Maksimik, now celebrating a quarter-century of service to the diocese, counts himself fortunate to serve alongside the man who first saw the seeds of service within him. Born in 1945 in Kingston, Pa., one of two children of Walter and Elizabeth Maksimik, the future deacon attended public schools in Linden before studying fine arts at the University of Miami. He continued his education at Kean College of New Jersey (now Kean University), Union, then went on to serve as chief esti-

him. A pivotal moment in hearing the call River before earning a bachelor’s degree to the diaconate occurred when he attended in economics at Rutgers University, New a Bible study on the Gospel of Matthew Brunswick, where he later earned an at St. Bartholomew’s. He felt called to do M.B.A. in accounting. more after studying MatA veteran, Deacon thew 25: 35-36: “For I Gostkowski served in the A pivotal moment in was hungry and you gave United States Army as hearing the call to the a First Lieutenant with me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me the 101st Airborne Dividiaconate occurred something to drink, I was sion in Vietnam and was a stranger and you invited awarded the Bronze Star when he attended me in, I needed clothes Medal and Army Coma Bible study on the and you clothed me, I was mendation Medal. sick and you looked after Gospel of Matthew at St. After returning me, I was in prison, and home from Vietnam, he Bartholomew’s. He felt married his wife, Elaine. you came to visit me.” “That steered me couple has been called to do more after The toward the diaconate,” he married for 56 years and said. studying Matthew 25: have two sons and four Deacon Gostkowsgrandchildren, including ki’s wife and two sons 35-36. . .” That steered me a grandson named Deawere “very supportive” toward the diaconate.” con in his honor. He has of his decision. He was had the privilege of ofordained to the permanent ficiating at the weddings diaconate in 1996 at the Cathedral of St. of both of his sons, baptizing three of his Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, by the late grandchildren, and giving first holy ComBishop Edward T. Hughes, and has served munion to two of his granddaughters. ever since at St. Bartholomew and at St. In 2004, the Flame of Charity FoundaPatrick Cathedral. tion of the Diocese of Metuchen honored Born in New Brunswick to Anthony Deacon Gostkowski as its Community and Lillian Gostkowski, Deacon Gost- Servant. kowski’s parents were members of St. In 2016, he was awarded the pontifiMary of Ostrabama Parish, South River, cal honor Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice by Pope and believed weekly Mass attendance was Francis in recognition of his ministry. He important, which helped their son develop has served as chair of the diocese’s diacona strong faith. ate personnel board, president of the Flame He attended public schools in South of Charity Foundation, an advisory board

Deacon Anthony J. Gostkowski’s journey to the permanent diaconate began when he made the decision to attend daily Mass during the workweek at St. Patrick Cathedral, Manhattan, N.Y. Gostkowski is executive vice president of Engelhard Hanovia, Inc., a New Yorkbased family investment company, and the cathedral is across the street from his ofﬁces. After attending daily Mass for some time, the chaplain at St. Patrick’s Cathedral noticed his faithful attendance and asked him to be a lector there, and then an extraordinary minister of holy Communion as well. “That led me to exploring the diaconate,” Deacon Gostkowski said. “It was a journey, and it was nurtured by a lot of great priests, religious and deacons.” The chaplains at St. Patrick and the pastors of his home parish, St. Bartholomew, East Brunswick, were all an inspiration to

Deacon Anthony Gostkowski

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In his homily on the 25th anniversary of his ﬁrst Mass at Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Matawan, Deacon Robert T. McGovern thanked God and the many people who have helped and supported him in his ministry. He credited Father Joseph L. Desmond, the ﬁrst pastor of Most Holy Redeemer, with inspiring him to become a deacon and helping him to navigate through his four years of college-level theology so he could be ordained. He expressed appreciation for all of the guidance he has received and continues to receive from the parish’s other pastors: Father Henry L. Hemmerling, Father Edward J. Struzik, and Father

Deacon Robert T. McGovern Chester H. Carina. He thanked, too, his brother deacons. Five years after Deacon McGovern became the parish’s first deacon, Deacon A. Keith Berg began serving at Most Holy Redeemer and a few years later Deacon Frank D’Auguste joined them. Deacon McGovern also thanked a group not usually recognized. “In so many ways deacons sacrifice family time to be ministers at the Mass, wakes, funerals, weddings, baptisms, and other major church events, but the unsung heroes rarely mentioned is the sacrifice our family makes, especially our wives,” he said. Deacon McGovern especially thanked his wife, Kathy, and noted they have not sat in the same pew together, except for vacations, in 25 years. “It takes a special person to do that,” he asserted. In September, Deacon McGovern and his wife will be married 47 years. They have three grown children Shawn, Regan, and Amy, and six grandchildren: Hannah, Ryan, Charley, Nate, Kylie, and Robert. He noted his family was very supportive of him becoming a deacon, even his children, who were budding teenagers at the time. The whole family,

he added, is still very supportive of his ministry. One challenge he has, Deacon McGovern said, is ﬁnding time for everything and balancing it with the responsibilities of family life, teaching, and parish responsibilities. Born in Newark, Deacon McGovern is one of two sons of Eleanor and Thomas McGovern. He graduated from Cheesequake Elementary School and Cedar Ridge High School, Old Bridge. In 1996, he received a certiﬁcate in ministry the College of St. Elizabeth (now University), Morristown. He was ordained to the diaconate by the late Bishop Edward T. Hughes May 5, 1996, at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. From 1995 to 2004, he served as winter retreat director at the College of St. Elizabeth. What he enjoys most about being a deacon is preaching and helping people who need support in some way. This past year, he designed the website for his parish and continues to serve as webmaster. He was part of the committee for setting up live-streaming for all of the parish’s Masses and everything that is held in their church since COVID-19 caused churches to close. This

has allowed people to watch liturgies from home. A graduate of the New Jersey Police Academy, 20 years before being ordained, Deacon McGovern worked as a detective with the Old Bridge Police Department. Before his retirement in 1999, he was assigned to work with the FBI and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Ofﬁce during his 23 years in law enforcement. In 2004, he received dual bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from Seton Hall University, South Orange. He had already earned an associate degree in education at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft. He taught in Seton Hall’s English department as a teaching assistant and as an adjunct professor for ﬁve years. For almost 20 years, he has been an assistant professor of English at Brookdale. Deacon McGovern said he would advise a man who is considering a vocation as a deacon to pray about the vocation, talk to deacons about what the diaconate entails including the time commitment needed, go to Masses to hear deacons preach, and know that being a deacon is a commitment for life. — Sue Getz

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I thought I knew,” said Deacon Strus, who did not tell his wife, Diane, early on about his plans to enroll. The late Bishop Edward T. Hughes ordained Deacon Strus on May 5, 1996 at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. Deacon Strus said he is rewarded by parishioners’ thanks for a particularly uplifting sermon, or words of encouragement he imparted at other times. He said a sermon sometimes took him six hours to prepare, as he researched several sources used for the weekly Mass readings before coming up with his spiritual message – often sprinkled with a dose of levity. “They weren’t crude jokes,” he said, “and it got people’s attention. Once I had their attention, I had them locked in.” Deacon Strus said performing baptisms has been his greatest delight. “The joy is in seeing the kids and the parents, and the pride they have,” he said. “They recognize how important the church and Christ is in their lives.” He said two emergency baptisms ranked probably at the top, and they involved his grandsons. Twins Harrison and Liam Strus were born with heart complications, and their parents, Deacon Strus’ son, Mark, and daughterin-law, Jillianne, asked the deacon to perform their baptisms moments before

they underwent medical procedures. “Two miracle children, literally,” Deacon Strus recalled. “One of them was going into the operating room for open heart surgery. I put my hand in the incubator to bless him. That would be my closest encounter with God, because I prayed so hard.” Both boys are now seven-years-old and doing ﬁne, their grandfather said. Deacon Strus also remains active in arranging the diocese’s yearly Blue Mass, a liturgy specially dedicated to law enforcement, during which the bishop also blesses those in law enforcement. “The younger cops need God,” he said. “They need someplace to turn to. They have no one to turn to.” Strus said he prays often to God and considers Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen one of his modern-day Church heroes. But the deacon does not consider himself saintly or a “holy roller.” Deacon Strus retired in 2014 from active ministry because of a degenerative disc disease. The condition makes it difﬁcult to stand for long periods, but he still serves at events when he can assist. On his 25th anniversary of being ordained, Deacon Strus, a law enforcer, is glad he also became an enforcer of God’s commandments.

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for help,” Strus said. “There were many times we would go on raids, and I would have my prayer cards in my pocket or wallet.” While working for the ATF, Strus helped investigate a ﬁrebombing at an abortion clinic in Woodbridge in 1991. “I was enforcing the law, but I had no control over what those people were doing,” he said. “People were hurting other people. I had to separate that distinction.” Strus also spoke of happier times in his dual roles, such as helping to provide security during then-Pope, now St. John Paul II’s Mass at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, on Oct. 5, 1995, only months before he would become a deacon. “The Secret Service loved it,” he recalled, as he showed a photo of himself in alb and stole along with gun and badge while the pope celebrated the special liturgy for some 90,000 faithful as part of a major East Coast papal visit. Strus, who grew up in Elizabeth and attended Catholic schools, said another St. Ambrose deacon, the late Charles J. Damian Jr., encouraged him to enter the diaconate. He enjoyed studying deeper about the faith and the camaraderie among fellow candidates. “I thought I knew enough, but I found out I didn’t know a tenth of what

For 25 years, Deacon Andrew J. Strus has served members of St. Ambrose Parish in Old Bridge, but for nearly 50 years, the deacon has also served in law enforcement. “I’m still carrying a badge and a gun,” said Deacon Strus, 74, who is a New Jersey state detective. He previously served in several roles within U.S. law enforcement, including senior agent for the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). His job sometimes clashed with his role as a deacon, but Deacon Strus’ faith has enabled him to do the best job possible in both the secular and spiritual worlds. “Oh God, I spent more times praying to St. Michael the Archangel

Deacon Andrew J. Strus

— Anthony Salamone

The parish family of Christ the Redeemer in Manville raises its voice in a prayer of thanksgiving congratulating

Deacon Thomas Giacobbe

ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 25th ANNIVERSARY OF DIACONATE ORDINATION. May our Lord Jesus Christ the Redeemer, through the intercession of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, continue to guide Deacon Tom in his ministry for many years to come.

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24 DEACON MILESTONES

Deacon Gustavo Sandoval God’s blessings be upon you as you celebrate your 20th anniversary as a Deacon

Deacon A. Keith Berg Most Holy Redeemer, Old Bridge

Saint Joseph Church Bound Brook

WITH PRAYFUL BEST WISHES The Parish Family of St. Lawrence in Laurence Harbor

Asks God’s Blessings on

Deacon Stephen Gajewski AS HE CELEBRATES THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIACONATE ORDINATION

Deacon Albert Coppola Good Shephard, Perth Amboy

Deacon Paul J. Santella God bless you on your 20th Anniversary of Ordination to the Diaconate

AUGUST 19, 2021

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Your Parish Family at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is richly blessed by your service and gracious giving of your time and talent. Recognizing your efforts is easy; listing them all is impossible! Our ‘new’ building project could not have been seen to completion without your tireless efforts. Your inspiration brought to life the Seton Men’s Club and our Annual Parish Picnic which has always been a great event! Our Deacons have beneﬁted from your guidance as they began their ministries. Your love of God and family is an example to us all. May God continue to bless you, your wife, Norma, your children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter. We offer our heartfelt prayers and sincerest thanks to you for the generous and constant support you have given to so many for so many years

Rev. Thomas J. Serafin, KCHS and the Parish Family of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Three Bridges

Diocese of Metuchen

Deacon Enrique Garcia Most Holy Name of Jesus, Perth Amboy

Deacon Edward Krupa Transﬁguration of the Lord, Highland Park

DEACON MILESTONES

Deacon John Craig

Deacon Rogelio Ladao St. Francis Cabrini, Piscataway

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26 DEACON MILESTONES

Deacon Richard O’Brien

Deacon Paul Santella

Deacon Gustavo Sandoval

Deacon John Van Haute

St. Mary, South Amboy

St. Joseph, Bound Brook

Deacon Richard O’Brien

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S on your 20th anniversary

May the Lord continue to bless you as you answer His call to ministry St. Mary, South Amboy

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Three Bridges

St. Mary, Alpha

Deacon Roger Ladao CONGRATULATIONS & GOD BLESS YOU on the occasion of your 20th Anniversary of Ordination to the Diaconate! Thank you for all your ministry & generosity especially to the people of

AUGUST 19, 2021

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

St. Frances Cabrini Church Piscataway

Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Matawan offers Congratulations to

DEACON MILESTONES

Deacon Robert T. McGovern on his 25th Anniversary of Diaconate Ordination and

Deacon A. Keith Berg on his 20th Anniversary of Diaconate Ordination

God’s Choicest Blessings on You Both!

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 19, 19, 2021

NEW BRUNSWICK — Saint Peter’s University Hospital, a member of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, is pleased to announce that Dr. Kianoush Sheykholeslami, the chief of ear, nose and throat (ENT) and head and neck surgery at the diocese-sponsored institution, was recently appointed as the new Fellowship Committee Chair for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS). Founded in 1964, AAFPRS is the world’s largest specialty association for facial plastic surgery, representing more than 2,200 facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons throughout the world. AAFPRS fellowship programs provide postgraduate training in facial plastic surgery. The AAFPRS committee recommends overall policies and procedures to the AAFPRS Foundation Board of Directors and also recommends a curriculum for the fellowship program. Dr. Kianoush Sheykholeslami As the Fellowship Committee — photo courtesy of Saint Peter’s University Hospital Chair, Dr. Sheykholeslami (known as “Dr. Shey” by his patients) will be reFor more information about ear, sponsible for all committee activities. nose, and throat services or head and “I am honored to have been apneck surgery at Saint Peter’s Univerpointed the new Fellowship Committee sity Hospital, visit saintpetershcs.com/ Chair for the American Academy of ENT. Facial Plastic and Reconstructive SurSaint Peter’s University Hospigery,” said Dr. Shey. “The fellowship tal, a member of Saint program fosters the Healthcare “The fellowship pro- Peter’s development of emergSystem, is a 478-bed ing physicians who are gram fosters the develacute-care teaching passionate about pursuhospital. Saint Peter’s, opment of emerging which received its sixth ing the craft of facial plastic surgery. I look physicians who are consecutive designation forward to seeing how as a Magnet® hospital this latest cohort of passionate about purfor nursing excellence fellows advances and suing the craft of facial by the American Nurses transforms our field.” Credentialing Center Dr. Shey is a speplastic surgery. I look in 2020, is a statecialist in head and neck designated children’s cancer, ENT, complex forward to seeing how hospital and a regional ear and mastoid surperinatal center, and is this latest cohort of geries, skull-based a regional specialist in tumors, cosmetic and fellows advances and diabetes, gastroenterreconstructive facial transforms our field.” ology, head and neck deformities, thyroid, surgery, oncology, or—Dr. Kianoush parathyroid and sinus thopedics, and women’s Sheykholeslami diseases. He is experiservices. enced in treating conThe Children’s genital abnormalities in children and Hospital at Saint Peter’s University frequently collaborates with the cliniHospital provides families with access cians at The Craniofacial & Neurosurto a full range of pediatric specialties, gical Center at The Children’s Hospital including a nationally recognized Levat Saint Peter’s University Hospital. el IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, peAmong other board certifications diatric surgery and orthopedic surgery and qualifications, Dr. Shey is one of featuring innovative anterior scoliosis the very few physicians in the tri-state correction. area who is a dual board-certified sleep The hospital offers a midwifery surgeon with the capability to offer inservice and the brand-new state-of-theterventional multi-level state-of-the-art art Mary V. O’Shea Birth Center. surgery for the treatment of those with Saint Peter’s is a sponsor of sleep apnea, including the hypoglossal residency programs in obstetrics and nerve stimulator implantation, one of gynecology, pediatrics and internal the recent state-of-the-art devices for medicine, and is a major clinical affiliobstructive sleep apnea in cases where ate of Rutgers Biomedical and Health the patient has not responded to tradiSciences. Visit saintpetershcs.com or tional treatment. call (732) 745-8600.

Physician appointed to key post

28 OUR DIOCESE

Sr. Natasha and her parents, Bernardo and Astrid Roig.

AUGUST 19, 2021

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Sr. Natasha, her family, Fr. Bob Lynam, Sr. Mary Louis Shulas, principal of St. Augustine of Canterbury School, and parishioners of St. Augustine of Canterbury Church.

Sr. Natasha and Fr. Bob Lynam, pastor, St. Augustine of Canterbury Church

Sr. Natasha and her parents, grandfather, brother Alejandro, and Fr. Bob Lynam

Sr. Natasha to the left of the main celebrant, Fr. Tim Zak, SDB, Provincial. To the left is the other newly-professed Sr. Anne Marguerite Weis, FMA., and Fr. Bob Lynam on the far right. Taken at St. Anthony Church, Hawthorne, NJ.

OUR DIOCESE

Three members of St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish recently took major steps on their faith journeys. Above, Salesians of St. Don Bosco Sister Natasha Roig, third from left, poses with family and Father Robert G. Lynam, pastor, St. Augustine of Canterbury, after she professed first vows Aug. 5 at St. Anthony Church, Hawthorne. Right, Jonathan Abouhayla, a candidate for the seminary, will go to Wisconsin in August for a year of formation. Below, Ivan Yorobe, speaks at Mass at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church Aug. 1 about being a missionary for Saint Paul’s Outreach at the University of Florida, Tallahassee. — Barbara Corio photos

as a “missionary” for Saint Paul’s Outreach. On Aug. 1, he received a special blessing from St. Augustine Parish as he prepared to leave to minister at Florida State University, Tallahassee. In his address to the parish, Yorobe shared some startling statistics regarding his peers living their Catholic faith on campuses, which illustrated the need for evangelization! The parish also donated $3,000 to help him cover his expenses. Several years ago, St. Augustine parishioner Daniel Chedid also gave a

year of his life as a missionary of Saint Paul’s Outreach and Colleen (McCarron) Paras gave a year of her life as a missionary of Francis Corp, which is similar to Saint Paul’s Outreach and is sponsored by the Franciscan Community. Father Lynam said he is humbled and honored that Bishop Hughes’ vision for vocations at St. Augustine’s is being realized. “Now the Church is reaping the blessings as more and more of our parishioners declare, ‘Here I am Lord, You have called me!’”

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 19, 19, 2021

Two weeks ago today, on the Feast “Today, before the community and all of the Dedication of St. Mary Major here present, I Sister Natasha Roig, Basilica, at St. Anthony Church, Haw- freely and entirely give myself to you. thorne, Salesians of St. Don Bosco Sis- I make the vows of chastity, poverty, ter Natasha Roig, joyfully said, “Here and obedience.” On Aug. 5, she left for I am Lord, You have called me,” and Louisiana to begin her ministry at one with that her Rite of Religious Profes- of the Salesian schools. sion began. What is significant about “Here I am Lord, You have called her vocation is that it is another sign me” has also been the response of sevof how St. Augustine eral young men at St. of Canterbury Parish, Augustine’s to God’s [Salesians of St. Kendall Park, continues call to the priesthood. to promote vocations. Don Bosco] Sister Father Edmund A. LuIn August 1995, ciano III, ordained 12 Natasha [Roig] is following the death of years ago, serves as Msgr. William Capano, vicar at the the third vocation parochial the second pastor of St. Parish of the VisitaAugustine, Bishop Ed- to religious life from tion, New Brunswick. ward T. Hughes called Father Thomas Lanza St. Augustine with was ordained Aug. 22, on Father Robert G. Lynam to become the the others being 2020 and serves as a pastor of the parish. parochial vicar at Our Religious TeachBishop Hughes was Lady of Perpetual Help moved at the number of Bernardsville. ers Filippini Sister Parish, young families that atHe also teaches theoltended Msgr. Capano’s Barbara O’Kane, and ogy at Immaculata High funeral. On Oct. 10, School, Somerville, and Christian Charity 1995, Father Lynam beoversees the Spanish came the pastor of the Sister Celice Marie community at the parish. parish He believed that Gonzalez. Bishop Hughes was a Jonathan Abou“visionary,” and knew hayla, another St. that St. Augustine was Augustine parishiofertile ground for vocations. That vi- ner, recently graduated from Rutgers sion has become a reality as vocations University, New Brunswick, with a are promoted at the parish all through major in biology and was on the track the year with Sister Natasha being the to enter dentistry school. One day after latest to enter religious life, and others morning Mass, Father Lynam spoke to preparing to give their lives in service Abouhayla and asked him, “Did you to God. ever think of becoming a priest?” The A member of St. Augustine of young man responded “yes” and after a Canterbury Parish, Sister Natasha deep and freeing conversation with Fagraduated from its parochial school in ther Lynam, Abouhayla received clarity 2007. She then attended Franklin High that he felt the call to the priesthood. School, and after graduation, earned He began the process and applied to the a Bachelor of Science Degree and a diocese to enter the seminary. Master’s Degree of Arts in Teaching at Abouhayla is also a member of The College of New Jersey, Ewing. Her St. Sharbel Maronite Church, Somermajors were Urban Elementary Educa- set. “Nshallllah” which in Lebanese tion and Spanish. means “God willing,” Abouhayla will Sister Natasha is the third vocation be bi-ritual in the Latin Rite as well as to religious life from St. Augustine with the Maronite Rite. Abouhayla was acthe others being Religious Teachers cepted as a candidate for the Diocese Filippini Sister Barbara O’Kane, and of Metuchen in June. On Aug. 22, he is Christian Charity Sister Celice Marie scheduled to receive a special blessing Gonzalez. from the parish community as he leaves The parish’s newest religious pro- for Wisconsin for a “Propaedeutic fessed her vows at a grace-filled Mass Year” sponsored by the Diocese of La celebrated by Salesian of Don Bosco Crosse. At the conclusion of the “ProFather Timothy Zak, Provincial of the paedeutic Year, “Nshallah” Abouhayla Salesians. Present at the Mass were will enter the seminary. many Salesian Sisters and guests of Another recent vocation from St. Sister Natasha. In addition, Salesians of Augustine parish is Ivan Yorobe. A paSt. Don Bosco Sister Anne Marguerite rishioner since he was four years old, Weis, of St. Louis, also made her first Yorobe recently graduated from Seton profession of vows. Hall University, South Orange, with Sister Natasha’s mother and fa- a nursing degree. For the past several ther walked her down the aisle at the years, Yorobe has lived at a residence beginning of Mass. Moved with tears sponsored by Saint Paul’s Outreach. of joy, at the moment of profession, the Through the prompting of the Holy soon to be new religious stated before Spirit, he has been led to put his career the Superior of the Salesian Sisters, on hold and give two years of his life

Parish is fertile ground for vocations to priesthood, religious life

OUR FAITH

Adam, Eve, evolution/murder mysteries Q Pope Francis

ANGELUS

Question Corner

July 11, 2021

AUGUST 19, 2021 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

The Gospel passage we read today in the Liturgy recounts that Jesus’ disciples, sent by him, “anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them” (Mk 6:13). This “oil” also makes us think of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, which gives comfort to spirit and body. But this “oil” is also listening, the closeness, the care, the tenderness of those who take care of the sick person: it is like a caress that makes you feel better, soothes your pain and cheers you up. All of us, all, need this “anointing” of closeness and tenderness sooner or later, and we can all give it to someone else, with a visit, a phone call, a hand outstretched to someone who needs help. Let us remember that, in the protocol of the final judgment — Matthew 25 — one of the things they will ask us will be about closeness to the sick. In these days of hospitalization, I experienced once again how important is good healthcare that is accessible to all, as there is in Italy and in other countries. Free healthcare, that assures good service, accessible to everyone. This precious benefit must not be lost. It needs to be kept! And for this everyone needs to be committed, because it helps everyone and requires everyone’s contribution. In the Church, too, it happens that at times some healthcare institution, due to poor management, does not do well economically, and the first thought that comes to mind is to sell it. But vocation in the Church, is not to have money; it is to offer service, and service is always freely given. Do not forget this: saving free institutions.

Prayer for emotional healing Holy Mary, loving mother and heavenly guide, be present to me now and let me know your compassion and kindness. Pray for me to your Divine Son, That I may experience calmness, tranquility and peace in all my emotions. Help me to grow in faith and love. Protect me from all that displeases God, and obtain for me serenity of mind, body and spirit. I place my trust and conﬁdence in you, dear Blessed Mother, and I pray that God’s blessings of mercy, grace and gentle goodness will bring happiness to my Life, now and always. Amen.

How is one to accept the story of Adam and Eve, if one believes in evolution? (Louisville, Ky.)

By Father Kenneth Doyle There is no conflict between the biblical story of Adam and Eve and the acceptance of the scientific theory of evolution. The first human bodies may well have been the product of the ordinary evolutionary process. But a Catholic is compelled to believe that the first human souls were created directly by God. So, concerning biological evolution, the Church does not have an official position on whether various life forms developed over the course of time. But if that was the case, then they did so under the impetus and the guidance of God. Furthermore, the ob-

servation of Pope Pius XII in his 1950 encyclical “Humani Generis” still carries weight: “The faithful cannot embrace that opinion which maintains that ... Adam represents a certain number of first parents. Now it is in no way apparent how such an opinion can be reconciled with that which ... the documents of the teaching authority of the Church propose with regard to original sin, which proceeds from a sin actually committed by an individual Adam.” And so the Catechism of the Catholic Church says: “The account of the fall in Genesis 3 uses figurative language, but affirms a primeval event, a deed that took place at the beginning of the history of man. Revelation gives us the certainty of faith that the whole of human history is marked by the original fault freely committed by our first parents” (No. 390). I enjoy reading murder mysteries. I like seeing how the detectives work through the clues to solve their cases. Many of these stories contain graphic violence and sexual elements in these

crimes. Is it a serious sin to read these types of stories? (When I ponder this, I recall that even the Old Testament has very similar instances.) (Wichita, Kan.) I suspect, by the fact that you even raise the question, that you are committing no sin in reading murder mysteries. The key question has to do with why you are reading these books. If you were reading them to glory in the violence or to focus on and take pleasure in the sexual descriptions, then that would certainly be a concern. But you have told me that your interest, instead, is to guess and observe how the detectives will weigh the clues. Here is what you might do: If you are unsure about your motives in reading such mysteries, you might consult with a priest or a spiritual counselor to help you sort that out. But my guess would be that you are doing nothing wrong. Questions may be sent to Father Kenneth Doyle at askfatherdoyle@ gmail.com and 30 Columbia Circle Dr., Albany, NY 12203.

Jesus stresses cleanliness of interior life Our focus on cleanliness during the pandemic has reminded me of the 1997 movie “As Good As It Gets” in which Jack Nicholson plays Marvin Udall, the author of more than 60 romance novels.

Udall lives alone in a New York City apartment where he spends a lot of time writing love stories — and washing his hands. He washes his hands again and again, peeling the shrink wrap off one bar of antiseptic soap after another, passing each one across his hand only once and then throwing it out, because it has been contaminated. And he rinses his hands in water that is as hot as he can stand. When he goes out onto the busy streets, he takes pains a avoid contact with other pedestrians. So, from that point of view, Marvin Udall is clean. There are other aspects to his personality. He is not interested in anything or anyone that does not serve his needs. He is rude, insulting, and openly abusive of people he doesn’t approve of, such as homosexuals and Jews. If Jesus had known about Marvin Udall, he might have used him as the sub-

ject of a parable to answer the critics we will read about in Mark’s Gospel in the liturgy later this month. Mark reports that some Pharisees and scribes asked Jesus why his disciples didn’t wash their hands before they ate, and Mark notes that washing hands and other practices that could be summed up as “purification” were part of ancient Jewish tradition. Jesus answered the critics, “You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition. … Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” Jesus didn’t argue against good hygiene, but he did argue that if a person did not take care of the interior life care of the exterior life was not only pointless, but also hypocritical. The implication was that the folks who questioned Jesus thought that making a show of being righteous would automatically make a person righteous. The people criticizing Jesus and his disciples were distorting the tradition we read about in the Book of Deuteronomy in which God, speaking through Moses, told the Hebrew people, “you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it.” Moses said this by way of introduction to the Law of God he was about to pass on to the Hebrews — the law we know as the Ten Commandments, which is really the natural law that is engraved in our hearts so that we know the difference between right and wrong. Well, religious authorities between the time of Moses and the time of Jesus hadn’t done much subtracting, but they had done a

lot of adding, so that there were more than 600 individual regulations — including the business about washing hands — that a faithful Jew was supposed to observe. Many of these rituals, such as handwashing, were rooted in common sense, and all of them were intended to keep a person focused on his duty to live according to the will of God. But a Jew could observe all of them — just as a priest can celebrate a ﬂawless liturgy and a deacon can preach the perfect homily and a layman can attend Mass every day of his life — without fulﬁlling the law engraved in his heart. Scriptures provides us with an inventory of offenses we humans can commit against the law of God and, therefore, against each other: Murder, larceny, adultery, slander, usury, bribery, neglect of the poor, unchastity, greed, malice, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, and many forms of idolatry — that is, making worldly things, rather than God, the center of our lives. As Jesus pointed out, going through the motions of religious observance will not prevent these things in a person who does not fully embrace the spirit of our faith. All of these crimes, all of these offenses, all of these human tragedies originate in hearts that may be hidden by spotless exteriors but have not yet said “yes” to the will of God. Deacon Paolino exercises his ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Whitehouse Station

Jesus: God’s holy one This Sunday’s Gospel reading presents the conclusion of the Bread of Life Discourse from St. John (Chapter 6). For the last month we have been considering Jesus’ revelations that the “Bread of Life,” the nourishment which leads to eternal joy in heaven, subsists in both his teaching and in his Eucharistic Body and Blood. Having heard Jesus say that he was the only true pathway to eternal life, his disciples in ancient Palestine had to wrestle with the decision of whether to continue to follow him, or to turn away. Their varied reactions provide a great opportunity for us to examine our faith in Jesus and his message. In this Sunday’s reading, we are faced with the choice that must eventually confront all Jesus’ followers -- do we really believe in him? Will we follow him?

SCRIPTURE STUDY By Msgr. John N. Fell

WEEK IN SCRIPTURE Sun 22 Mon 23 Tues 24 Wed 25 Thurs 26 Fri 27 Sat 28 Sun 29 Mon 30 Tues 31 Wed 1 Thurs 2 Fri 3 Sat 4

SUNDAY AUGUST 22 - SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 4

Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b / Ps 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21 / Eph 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32 Jn 6:60-69 1 Thes 1:1-5, 8b-10 / Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b / Mt 23:13-22 Rv 21:9b-14 / Ps 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-19 / Jn 1:45-51 1 Thes 2:9-13 / Ps 139:7-8, 9-10, 11-12ab / Mt 23:27-32 1 Thes 3:7-13 / Ps 90:3-5a, 12-13, 14 and 17 / t 24:42-51 1 Thes 4:1-8 / Ps 97:1 and 2b, 5-6, 10, 11-12 / Mt 25:1-13 1 Thes 4:9-11 / Ps 98:1, 7-8, 9 / Mt 25:14-30 Dt 4:1-2, 6-8 / Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5 / Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27 / Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 1 Thes 4:13-18 / Ps 96:1 and 3, 4-5, 11-12, 13 / Lk 4:16-30 1 Thes 5:1-6, 9-11 / Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14 / Lk 4:31-37 Col 1:1-8 / Ps 52:10, 11 / Lk 4:38-44 Col 1:9-14 / Ps 98:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6 / Lk 5:1-11 (434) Col 1:15-20 / Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5 / Lk 5:33-39 Col 1:21-23 Ps 54:3-4, 6 and 8 / Lk 6:1-5

Joseph Calasanz 1556 - 1648 feast - August 25

Google, public domain

This Spaniard studied law at the University of Lerida and was ordained a priest in 1583, despite his father’s hope that he would be a soldier. He became vicar general of a Spanish diocese, but in 1592 left for Rome, where he joined the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and worked with neglected children. In 1597 he established the first free school in Rome with three other priests. This work led him to found the Clerks Regular of the Religious (or Pious) Schools, known as Piarists. He overcame internal and external opposition and served as superior general of the order. He was canonized in 1767, and in 1948 Pope Pius XII named him the patron saint of Christian schools. He is also a patron of students.

Saints

SCRIPTURE SEARCH® Gospel for August 22, 2021 John 6: 60-69

Following is a word search based on the Gospel reading for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B: A difficult teaching. The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle. SAYING ASCENDING FLESH NOT BELIEVE COME TWELVE WORDS

JESUS BEFORE NO AVAIL BETRAY FATHER PETER ETERNAL

SON OF MAN GIVES LIFE SOME NO ONE NO LONGER SHALL WE GO HOLY ONE

"A HARD SAYING" E G N

D N E C S A N O

N N A M F O N O S J O H O

T S O M E O A O

O Y L T U H P O G H V L N A N S B S B E T R A Y L S E V L E W T T K

A J O C F L L O E E L N N K O O L F K

R E R E

R M R A N A N D E D L W E E H F A T H E R V S K T S J O N O L O N G E R E F

L S E V

G K P A

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 19, 2021

As Jesus finished his teaching, even some disciples began to ask, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” (Jn 6:60). St. John records opposition to Jesus’ message earlier in this discourse as well, but that was from members of the crowd who were either unattached or opposed to Jesus. Now the controversy was fomenting within the nascent Christian community itself. Jesus responds to the criticism, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before . . .?” (Jn 6:61b-62). Since these disciples have trouble believing that Jesus came down from heaven, what will they think when they see him go back up? Especially, how badly will their faith be shaken when they see that Jesus’ route back to heaven is through his passion and death, and only then, his Resurrection. Again, Jesus exhorts his followers to broaden their focus beyond the purely material. He pleads with them to recognize that “It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail.” (Jn 6:63a). Here flesh refers to the purely material world, a world riddled with corruption. The material world is the haven of evil and the opponent of Jesus. Jesus encourages his followers to open themselves to the spiritual, that is, to the promptings of his Father within them. The words Jesus has spoken represent the clearest calls toward such a life animated by the Spirit of God; a life

lived in accord with these words is both a foretaste of and a necessary prelude to eternal life in heaven. Such a life must be based upon faith, a gift of the Father. St. John then recalls that many of Jesus’ followers turned away from him at that moment. They were unable to set aside their prior beliefs and worldly concerns. They realized the incongruity of a life lived according to the values of the world and a life lived according to the teachings of Jesus; faced with such dissonance, they opted to ignore the promptings of the Spirit reaching out to them through Jesus’ words and the Father’s bidding. Seeing this reaction by so many of his disciples, Jesus turned to the very core of his followers, the 12 apostles. He asked them, “Do you also want to leave?” (Jn 6:67). Peter, the spokesman of the group as always, responded to Jesus, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life . . . [we] are convinced that you are the Holy One of God” (Jn 6:68-69). Though many along the periphery of the community had fallen away, Peter’s confession of faith here proves that Jesus’ teaching was having its intended effect among those who were closest to him. Among the core of Jesus’ followers were men and women who were completely dedicated to him and his mission. They had attuned themselves to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and were ready to follow Jesus wherever he led. By calling Jesus God’s holy one, Peter revealed their conviction that Jesus was most especially consecrated to the Father. There is always a choice of whether to believe in Jesus or not. During this Bread of life Discourse, Jesus has presented himself as the fullest revelation of the Father, as the path of life, and as the essential nourishment on our journey toward eternal life. Choosing to believe in Jesus, then, means allowing him to determine our way of seeing the world, living our life, and ordering our priorities. This Gospel text gives each of us the opportunity to examine our faith in Jesus; at those moments when believing in Jesus requires courage and conviction, do we find ourselves moaning with the crowd, “This sort of talk is hard to endure,” or staunchly re-committing ourselves to God as did Joshua in our first reading, “as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord!” (Jos 24:2)? Msgr. Fell is a Scripture scholar and director, diocesan Office for Priest Personnel

OUR FAITH

21st Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

32 STEPPING UP IN CHARITY

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Your prayer requests are welcomed and encouraged. They shall be placed before the Blessed Sacrament and lifted daily in prayer. The ministry of this Hermitage is God’s gift, a life of prayer, freely given to our diocese for you. Please accept this free gift. It is a privilege to be united with you in prayer. Be still and know that I am God. - Psalm 46:10 Prayer Request: _______________________________

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AUGUST 19, 2021 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

STEPPING FORWARD

The next issue of The Catholic Spirit Sept. 16 (Markon10:21) will feature Back to School. Is God calling To orderyou call: to serveextra ascopies, a priest, 732-529-7934

“Come follow me”

deacon, religious sister or brother?

Agency offers free counseling for mental health

Children extend care to military veteran in

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, during the pandemic. This individual recently launched a counseling program experienced increased anxiety because Catholic Charities’ Caresituation and the difﬁculties forWhen older adults and their caregivers Child of her son’s which is already yielding positive results he was facing. Site Supervisor Jenelle Clauson read in the community. Counseling with a Catholic Charia This Facebook postprovides aboutmental a 104-year-old free program ties Master’s Level Licensed Clinician Marine’s special pleaservices for Valentine’s health and community support helped this mom to develop the skills she in wishes, Middlesex she Countygathered which includes needed to take back control of her own her colleagues individual, family, and/or group coun- life and she was able to begin setting at Hatchery Hill Elementary School, seling services, comprehensive mental healthy boundaries for herself with her Hackettstown, and organized a health screening, assistance with linkage son.project She has begun to recognize her own to for community support services, re- strengths and resiliency which has led the children in theandCatholic Charisources to maximize participant’s overall her to become more goal oriented. ties’ after school child care program to a recent session with her wellbeing. Like all of Catholic Charities’ During respond to care theis taken oldest living therapist, Marine’s programs, special to provide she explained, “Coming here services with dignity and respect. [for counseling] helped me…take care of request. The program has already shown myself. You were there and walked me Maj. inBill White, World WarthisII whole time. I won’t let it great success helping older aadults through veteran and especially, Purple but Heart recipient, handle life’s stressors not [anxiety] take me down. I’m strong and solely related to the Covid-19 pandemic. everything is going to be okay.” shared his wish during an interview with One individual in the program, who reAngela Orth, Catholic Charities’ KTXL-TV in sought Sacramento, quested anonymity, counseling Calif., Service and Area Director, noted, “Older the request He toldadults the and telebecause her adult went son lostviral. “everything” their caregivers face speciﬁc

needs as they navigate life’s challenges. We are pleased to offer specialized mental health services to these individuals. Though the program is designed to be short term, typically three to ﬁve sessions, consumers may continue to work with their assigned clinician by transferring seamlessly into our comprehensive outpatient program offered in the same location.” Last year, Catholic Charities expanded its counseling service delivery to include the option to participate via telephone or through secure conﬁdential video connection. Overall, Catholic Charities provided more than 39,000 hours of counseling in the diocese last year. For more information about counseling for older adults and their caregivers, or to make a referral, please visit https:// www.ccdom.org/middlesex-counseling or call (732) 324-8200.

vision hosts that one of his favorite hobbies is scrapbooking, which has helped him to keep track of his extensive life. NEW BRUNSWICK — Saint Uni- ments and hosting an East Coast clinical Now he wanted to Peter’s add some Valentine versity Hospital, a member of Saint Peter’s skills conference on behalf of SBM. cards to his collection of mementos. Healthcare System, recently announced that “Dr. Kothari has been a valuable asset Once word got out about White’s to Saint Peter’s University Dr. Nayan K. Kothari, a newly appointchief academicstaff ofﬁcer, request, and “As children from Bene- Hospital, teaching future hasdict been appointed to the of physicians A. Cucinella ed Elementary School, generations board member Board of the Society of for decades,” said LeslieCatholic Charities' after school child c Children in the LongMedicine Valley, and toWillow Grove El- D. Hirsch, president and Bedside (SBM) SBM, Dr. [Nayan] Hatchery Hill Elementary School, Hackettstown, send t forementary a two-year term start- joined with Hatchery chief executive ofﬁcer, School Kothari will represent Major Bill Healthcare White, a World War II veteran and Purple Hear ingHill July 1.and together they sent three large Saint Peter’s — photo co Kothari also serves Saint Peter’s interna- System. “As a newly apas envelopes Saint Peter’s full chair-of hand-made Valentine pointed board member and hisand roleto to SBM, Dr. Kothari will man of theand Department cards wishes totionally honor White of bring Medicine and director Peter’s supportSaint to Maj. White and we are all re- child care fo serve to provide love and joy will to the retired Marine. represent of the Internal Medicine internationally and his minded of how important it is to provide school distric “We are so thrilled theenhanced response role Residency Program. will serve to provide us about with an to those who have served Somerset and Thereceived Society of Bedusrecognition with an enhanced we from theperspective school district,” on side Medicine is a global perspective on ways to For more our country.” said Child Care Service Area Director community of physician ways to improve the improve the delivery of Dr. Nayan K. Kothari year, Catholic Charities, Dio- Charities’ child Krista dedicated Glynn. to“The staff and children bedsideLast —photo courtesy of Saint Peter's educators medicine.” of bedside of Metuchen Universityccdom.org/chil Hospital bedside and to delivery Kothari is a gradu- provided affordable were teaching so excited send their love and cese

Distinguished doctor to lead board for teaching

improving physical exate of Mysore Medical medicine.” amination and diagnostic College in India and —Leslie D. Hirsch skills. The society aims completed his residency at to foster a culture of bedSaint Peter’s. He became a side medicine and patient-centered care recipient of the Mastership in the American through deliberate practice and teaching College of Physicians (MACP) in 2014. He by encouraging innovation in education is board-certiﬁed in internal medicine, rheuand research on the role of the clinical matology and geriatrics. encounter in 21st century medicine. Kothari was instrumental in establishBoard members of the Society of Bed- ing Saint Peter’s Simulation Center for side Medicine were particularly impressed Interprofessional Learning. The Simulawith the commitment Kothari has demon- tion Center promotes the development of a strated at Saint Peter’s through his educa- multidisciplinary approach to patient care. tion and practice of bedside clinical skills. Within the Center, physicians, nurses, and The board is looking forward to facilitating other healthcare personnel participate in suKothari’s interests in clinical skills assess- pervised, hands-on training in practices and

procedures, maintenance of certiﬁcations, and in dealing with complex and newly introduced protocols that can save lives. Kothari has received several teaching awards from the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Drexel University College of Medicine, the Edward J. III Outstanding Medical Education Award from the Excellence in Medicine Foundation, and the Academic Award from the Middlesex County Medical Society. He is currently governor of the New Jersey Southern Region of the American College of Physicians, the national organization of internists.

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sion “to pass moral judgments even in matters related to politics, whenever fundamental rights or the salvation of souls requires it ... [though] the only means she may use are those which are in accord with the Gospel and the welfare of all people according to the diversity of times and circumstances” (ccc 2246). Our overview of the Fourth Commandment helps us not only understand the Church’s perspective in terms of honoring our parents, but how that Commandment extends to civil authorities, as well. The word “legitimate” is paramount in describing one’s authority whenever the teaching on this Commandment is extended to those beyond our dear parents. Why? Because “citizens are obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are contrary to the demands of the moral order. ‘We must obey God rather than men’ (Acts 5:29)” (ccc 2256). Further, “Without the light the Gospel sheds on God and humanity, societies easily become totalitarian” (ccc 2257), and cease following God’s light. Father Hillier serves as Director of the Diocesan Office of the Pontifical Missions, the Office for Persons with disabilities, and Censor Librorum

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the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one’s country” (ccc 2240). On the other hand, just as children have the right to oppose parents who seek to inflict evil upon them, so citizens are “obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are contrary to the demands of the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons or the teachings of the Gospel” (ccc 2242). Quoting from the Second Vatican Council, the Catechism explains: “When citizens are under the oppression of a public authority which oversteps its competence, they should still not refuse to give or to do what is objectively demanded of them by the common good; but it is legitimate for them to defend their own rights and those of their fellow citizens against the abuse of this authority within the limits of the natural law and the Law of the Gospel” (Gaudium et Spes, 74 § 5). Under certain conditions, though, “armed resistance to oppression by political authority” can be a legitimate way to defend one’s rights against a person or political regime that abuses political authority (ccc 2243). Finally, the Catechism teaches us that it is a part of the Church’s mis-

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

(ccc 2228). For example, parents have “the duty of choosing schools that will best help them in their task as Christian educators” (ccc 2229). Later, as children grow into adulthood, the role of parents changes. For instance, the Catechism counsels, “parents should be careful not to exert pressure on [them] either in the choice of a profession or in that of a spouse” (ccc 2230). This is not By Father John Gerard Hillier to say that a mom or dad should not offer encouragement to their sons Our discussion of the Fourth Com- and daughters regarding a vocation mandment to “honor your father and that they may see developing in their your mother...” (Exodus 20:12 & child. Nor is it inappropriate to offer Deuteronomy 5:16) continues with a the same advice regarding a potenreview of its relationship to the duties tial spouse. The point is that a parent of parents, and then the duties of civil ought not force or badger a child into authorities and citizens, as well as, the selecting a way of life or a spouse that political community and the Church. their child is not naturally drawn to. The Baptismal ritual states that However, “some [children may choose parents are “the first teachers of their to] forgo marriage in order to care for child in the ways of faith.” This is their parents or brothers and sisters, to echoed in the words of the Catechism: give themselves more completely to a “parents have the first responsibility profession, or to serve other honorable for the education of their children” ends. [In this way,] they can contrib(ccc 2223). The Catechism expands on ute greatly to the good of the human this explaining: “the role of parents in family” (ccc 2231). education is of such importance that Regarding civil authorities, the it is almost impossible to provide an Catechism tells us that “no one can adequate substitute” (ccc 2221). As command or establish what is contrary such, “education in the faith by the to the dignity of persons and the natuparents should begin in the child’s ral law” (ccc 2235). In other words, earliest years” (ccc 2226). “political authorities are obliged to To say it another way, “parents respect the fundamental rights of should initiate their children at an ear- the human person. They [are to] disly age into the mysteries of the faith pense justice humanely by respecting of which they are the ‘first heralds’ the rights of everyone, especially of for their children” (ccc 2225). Parents families and the disadvantaged” (ccc also have the “grave responsibility to 2237). Why? Because “political rights give good example to their children” are meant to be exercised for the com(ccc 2223). mon good of the nation and the human Quoting from the Second Vatican community” (ccc 2237). Assuming Council, we are told: “Parents have that those who serve as civil authorithe mission of teaching their children ties are legitimate civil servants with to pray and to discover their vocation noble intentions, then “those subject as children of God” (ccc 2226). And, to authority should regard [them] as children can help their parents grow representatives of God, who has made in virtue and greater love of God. As them stewards of his gifts” (ccc 2238). members of a family, children should Relying on the words of St. Paul’s even “be generous and tireless in First Letter to Timothy (2:2) to offer forgiving one another for offenses, prayers and thanksgiving for kings and quarrels, injustices, and neglect” (ccc all who exercise authority, “that we 2227). may lead a quiet and peaceable life, As children grow, parents con- godly and respectful in every way,” tinue their responsibility of providing the Catechism teaches: “Submission for their “physical Family and spiritual to authority and co-responsibility for Careneeds” Placement,

FAITH ALIVE

Article 153 - Catechism of the Catholic Church Series Paragraphs 2221-2246

Parents play essential role in teaching faith to children

34 OUR DIOCESE

OBITUARIES Mercy Sister Mary Jane Veldof, formerly Sister Mary John Baptist, 83, who served as a teacher at several schools in the diocese and as principal of Sacred Heart School, South Plainfield, died July 20 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Watchung. She was born on Christmas Day in Trenton, the third child and second daughter of John and Pauline Veldof. She attended St. Anthony School and Cathedral High School and, even as a child, dreamed of becoming something bigger than herself. She was impressed with the dedication and joy she saw in the sisters who taught her, and they became significant role models. She entered the Sisters of Mercy after graduation and grew into religious life under the influence of Vatican II. She looked forward to teaching and pursued degrees in history at Georgian Court College, now University, Lakewood, and the University of Dayton (Ohio), and a degree in administration at Rider University, Lawrenceville.

Her early assignments were to elementary schools in South Plainfield, Sayreville, and North Plainfield. In 1971, she was appointed principal at St. James School, Red Bank. Then, she was asked to be assistant superintendent for Instruction and Curriculum in Social Concerns for the Diocese of Trenton and assistant coordinator for the bicentennial of the Diocese of Paterson. In 1981, she became principal at Sacred Heart School, South Plainfield, then directress at St. Mary Academy, Lakewood, and, in 1991, principal at St. Dominic School, Brick. Her next assignment took her to Florida where, over a period of six years, she was principal at St. Brendan School, Ormond Beach, and principal at Father Lopez Catholic High School, Daytona Beach. Returning north to Maryland, she served as principal at St. Francis de Sales School, Salisbury and, back in New Jersey, as supervisor of the IDEIA-B Services with the Monmouth-

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Ocean County Educational Services Commission. Always attentive to better methods and teaching skills, she traveled to Russia and Lithuania as part of a Catholic education delegation and applied what she had learned in the various schools in which she served over so many years. As a high school student, she had asked herself, “Where does God want me to be?” She found herself again and again in roles and places she never anticipated but where she knew God always intended her to be. She is survived by her brothers, John, David, Michael and Christopher, many nieces and nephews, and Sisters of Mercy. A funeral Mass was celebrated July 26at the Immaculate Conception Chapel at Mount Saint Mary, Watchung. Burial was at Saint Mary Stony Hill Cemetery, Watchung. Funeral arrangements were handled by Higgins Home for Funerals, Watchung. Memorial donations may be made

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High School in Michigan, where he would also serve as principal. Brother James was named superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon in 1980 and then for the fledgling Diocese of Metuchen in 1982. In 1988, Brother James was appointed coordinator of Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools for the American Central Province, and in 1994 was named staff development director at Bishop Kearney High School, Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1998, he was named superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Wilmington, Del., where he also served at St. Elizabeth High School, then as coordinator of Mission and Ministry at Pope St. John Paul II High School, Slidell, La. He then retired to the Ryken House community and then Sacred Heart Village, both in Louisville, and had been a member of the Xaverian House community in Danvers since 2020. In addition to his brothers in religion, he is survived by brothers Eugene Malone of Somerville and Bernard Malone of Salisbury, and nu-

merous nieces and nephews. A funeral Mass was celebrated Aug. 6 at St. John’s Preparatory School Chapel, Danvers. Burial was at Xaverian Brothers Cemetery, Danvers. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Brother James’ name may be made to the Xaverian Brothers Retirement Fund, 4409 Frederick Ave., Baltimore, MD 21229. Arrangements were handled by C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, Danvers.

OUR DIOCESE

St. Francis Xavier Brother James E. Malone, 85, who served as superintendent of schools for the diocese soon after it was formed, died Aug. 1 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House, Danvers, Mass. He was a member of the Congregation of the Brothers of Saint Francis Xavier for 66 years. Born in Somerville, Mass., he was the son of the late James and Julia (Buckley) Malone. He was raised and educated in Somerville, graduating from St. Clement High School in 1955. Following graduation, he entered the Xaverian Brothers. On Sept. 8, 1955, he received the holy habit taking the religious name Brother Liam. Following studies at Xaverian College, Brother James earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree at Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. He did post-graduate studies at various institutions. He taught history and religion at Notre Dame High School, Utica, N.Y.; St. John’s High School, Shrewsbury, Mass., and Malden Catholic High School (Mass). In 1975, he was named assistant principal at Lansing Catholic Central

OBITUARIES

vocations please pray for

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 19, 19, 2021

By Jennifer Ficcaglia Catholic News Service

When Moses died in the plains of Moab, the Israelites wept and mourned for him for 30 days. When the period of mourning was over, the people gave their obedience to Joshua, son of Nun. Before Moses died, he laid his hands on Joshua. After the period of mourning, Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom. God spoke to Joshua. “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know I am with you, as I was with Moses,” God said. “Now command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant to come to a halt in the Jordan when you reach the edge of the waters.” Joshua then spoke to the Israelites. “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord, your God,” he said. “This is how you will know that there is a living God in your midst, who at your approach will dispossess the Canaanites. The ark of the covenant of the Lord of the whole earth will precede you into the Jordan. “When the soles of the feet of the priests carrying the ark of the

Lord, the Lord of the whole earth, touch the water of the Jordan, it will cease to flow; for the water flowing down from upstream will halt in a solid bank.” The Israelites took down their tents and prepared to follow the priests. The priests, who were carrying the ark of the covenant, walked in front of the people toward the Jordan River. It was the harvest season, which was when the Jordan River overflowed its banks. But as soon as the priests bearing the ark of the cov-

enant waded into the waters at the edge of the river, the waters flowing from upstream stopped. The waters backed up in a solid mass for a very great distance, while the waters flowing downstream toward the Salt Sea of the Arabah disappeared entirely. While all Israel crossed on dry ground, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant remained motionless on the dry ground in the bed of the Jordan River until the whole nation had completed the passage into the Promised Land.

Artwork, courtesy of CNS

Read more about it: Joshua 1 & 3 Q&A 1. Who led the Israelites after Moses’ death? 2. How did the Israelites cross the Jordan River?

PUZZLE: Using the hints provided, fill in the correct answer to each question about the Book of Joshua.

1. The people set up 12 _______ to remember crossing the Jordan. stones/pillars (Joshua 4:20-22) 2. The _______ was celebrated when Israel was encamped at Gilgal. Feast of Weeks/Passover (Joshua 5:10) 3. The wall around Jericho would fall when the people _______. walked around it/shouted loudly (Joshua 6:5) 4. Joshua built an altar on Mount _______. Ebal/Sinai (Joshua 8:30) Answers: 1. stones; 2. Passover; 3. shouted loudly; 4. Ebal

36 OUR DIOCESE

Kids Corner: Israel enters Promised Land with ark of covenant

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By Jennifer Mauro Bishop James F. Checchio was among the clergy who concelebrated a funeral Mass for attorney Martin F. McKernan Jr. at Christ Our Light Church, Cherry Hill, Aug. 7. Family, friends, and faith and political dignitaries celebrated the life of McKernan, the attorney for the Diocese of Camden for nearly 50 years and senior partner in the law firm of McKernan, McKernan & Godino. He died Aug. 3 at age 75. Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan presided at the Mass. In addition to Bishop Checchio, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn, N.Y., sixth bishop of Camden, and priests from the diocese concelebrated. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark, presided in choir and prayed the Final Commendation. Having worked with McKernan for years, Bishop Checchio said it was evident that the attorney’s life was given fully to serving Christ and the Church. “His service to the Diocese of Camden, especially in serving its bishops, both past and present, was truly a vocation for him,” Bishop Checchio said. “He knew the Lord had given him many gifts, and he shared those gifts and his knowledge freely … to better the lives of those around him and to further the mission of the Church.

“He was a strong supporter and an unwavering presence in the community, where he always desired to promote the common good,” he continued. “His impact there will endure and his legacy will long be remembered, in particular, for his work to promote the right to life for the unborn, his assistance to the New Jersey Catholic Conference and his work helping to sustain Catholic education. I am grateful to have collaborated with him, to have learned from him, and to have counted him as one of my personal friends.” McKernan, a parishioner of Camden’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, grew up in Camden and Haddonfield. He had served the Diocese of Camden as legal counsel since 1978. McKernan is survived by his siblings Theresa Donahue of Bryn Mawr, Pa., and Regina Harm of Pittsburgh, as well as 12 nieces and nephews, and 10 great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Monica McKernan, and a sister, Monica Holland of Alexandria, Va. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery and Mausoleum, Cherry Hill. Mauro is managing editor of the Catholic Star Herald. Michael Walsh, associate publisher of the Catholic Star Herald, contributed to this article.

ACROSS 7 Peter’s ___ 8 Catholicism is the official religion of this Central American country 10 “The ____ of the Lord is upon me” (Lk 4:18) 12 Alternative name for the Pentateuch 13 It’s gold and white with a papal symbol on it 16 What the Magi brought 18 Hemingway, convert to Catholicism, as known to his friends 20 “Eye has not seen, ___ has not heard…” 21 Council of 325 AD 22 Papal ambassador 25 “___ the Good Shepherd” (Jn 10:14) 26 “O Mary! we crown ___ with blossoms today” 27 Top monk 28 Gaudium et ___ 29 Papal vestment 31 “…male and ___ he created them.” (Gen 1:27) 34 Feast which celebrates Jesus’ return to heaven 35 Mother-in-law of Ruth

7 9 10

20 21

24 26

DOWN 1 “The intention of the human heart is ___ water” (Prv 20:5) 2 OT historical book 3 Supreme ___ 4 The Wise Men followed it 5 Type of angel that Michael is 6 Sister of Lazarus 9 Wounds of Our Lord 11 Husband of Rebekah 14 Catholic Oscar-winning actress, Vivien ___ 15 It may be actual or sanctifying 17 Make holy 18 “___ Angelicus” 19 6 AM prayer time 23 Catholic director of “It’s a Wonderful Life” 24 Son of David 26 Catholic author Wolff 29 “___ my sheep.” (Jn 21:17) 30 The ___ Supper 32 What we abstain from 33 You wouldn’t put one under a bushel basket

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38 OUR DIOCESE THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 19, 2021

Priests invested into order working for Holy Cross, defense of Church By Karen Corpora Correspondent FLEMINGTON — On Aug. 1, Father Kenneth D. Brighenti and Father John Trigilio Jr. tightened the “Web of Faith” that they are weaving by being invested into the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George of the Royal House of Bourbon— Two Sicilies, at St. Magdalen de Pazzi Church. Father Brighenti serves as pastor of St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish; and Father Trigilio, who is in residence at the parish, teaches at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md. Father Trigilio was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Harrisburg in 1988. The priests are well known for their series “Web of Faith 2.0,” which airs on EWTN, and for being co-authors of several books such as “Catholicism for Dummies” and “Women in the Bible” for Dummies.” The priests were nominated to the order by His Royal Highness Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, in September 2020. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the investiture had to be postponed. The investiture was performed by Father Edmund A. Luciano III, parochial vicar, Parish of the Visitation, New Brunswick. He also serves as the Vicar of Clergy for the American Delegation of the Constantinian order. During the ceremony, which was held before Mass, the inductees received a mozzetta (cape), a brevet (cap with pompom) and a cross insignia that are part of the uniform to be worn while attending any ceremony representing the order. They were also given a candle. “Wherever this candle is lighted or placed we pray that the prince of darkness may depart in trembling from these places,” Father Luciano said. “We pray that God will pour out his blessing on his servants so they will be

Father Kenneth D. Brighenti, left, and Father John Trigilio leave St. Magdalen de Pazzi Church after they were invested into the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George of the Royal House of Bourbon—Two Sicilies by Father Edmund A. Luciano III (following the two priests), Vicar of Clergy for the American Delegation of the order. — Ed Koskey Jr. photo

armed with your grace and power. That they may by a life of virtue overcome evil and be freed from all harm in the battles of life and persevere in your loving kindness.” Members of the clergy, family, friends, parishioners and other members of the order attended the investiture to support the new inductees. “This is exciting, we are looking forward to starting a Circle here in our diocese,” said Father Brighenti. “I am so happy that we could do this so my mother, Norma, who is 92, could be here.” Father Brighenti said he was attracted to the order because of the good work it does. “We know other clergy members of the Constintinian order and also a number of the dames and knights and we admired them for the work they do,” he said. The Constantinian Order’s legendary origins go back to its namesake: Constantine the Great’s “Golden Militia.” Said to have been founded after the emperor’s vision of the Glorious Cross and victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 A.D., the Militia was placed under the patronage of the

martyr St. George, and ostensibly formalized by decree of Byzantine Emperor Isaac II Angelos Komnenos. The New York-based American Delegation was founded in 1979. Its international headquarters is in Naples and Rome, Italy. They are a chivalric or equestrian order whose members work for the gloriﬁcation of the Holy Cross, the propagation of the Catholic faith and the defense of the Church. Constantinian knights and dames must live as exemplary Christians. They participate in and promote the fullness of the Church’s rich liturgical and sacramental life. According to the order’s statutes, knights and dames must be willing to take up any activity fostering the growth of religious principles. In modern times, this is expressed through assisting hospital, doing charitable work with the poor and the sick, supporting Catholic education and vocations, and working for the relief of persecuted Christians. “I’m very excited today and I was looking forward to this for over a year,” Fa-

ther Trigilio said. “I was here helping out Father Ken for the summer. The fact that they arranged it so we could have the investiture here in the parish and the parishioners were able to see it made it very special. “The order is mostly a lay movement with a small amount of clergy. They do a lot of good social work similar to the Knights of Malta and the Holy Sepulcher. This group has the duel function of doing charitable works, but also promoting the Italian Catholic heritage and culture. However you do not have to be Italian to join.” Although the order is small in numbers, they are recognized and have a representative in the United Nations. Some of their more recent efforts helped to raise $50,000 for hospitals in southern Italy during the pandemic and raised money for Catholic schools in Pakistan. The Constantinian Order does not solicit new membership. After serious, prayerful consideration, Catholics in good standing who are United States citizens over 18 may apply. For more information on the American Delegation, e-mail info@smocsg.org

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AUGUST - SEPTEMBER Joy of Love & Family Conference Series celebrating the Year of the Family. This event is being sponsored by the five Roman Catholic Dioceses of New Jersey. Talks will premiere over six months with topics for every stage of family life. New talks will air the first of each month. They may be viewed in any order and will remain on the website for the duration of the conference. August 1, Raising Children in the Faith was posted. Speakers include: Mike & Alicia Hernon, Growing your Family Culture; Enza Cerami, Parenting Courageously: A Guide to Educating in Sexual Integrity; Mark Hart, Educating Kids in the Faith and Bill Donaghy, Good News About Sex and Marriage

ence

September 1, Authentic Womanhood will be posted. Speakers include: Cristina D’Averso-Collins, The Freedom of Authentic Femininity; Emily Wilson, What St. Joan of Arc Can Teach Us About Motherhood, and Dr. Monique Ruberu, Women’s Health and Fertility for a New Generation For a full schedule and details visit, www.lightingheartsonfire@ diometuchen.org 9/11

Virtual Workshop for RCIA Catechists (Spanish), 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., presenter will be Isabel Fernandez from the Diocese of Orlando. The workshop is free, but registration is required at: www.diometuchen.org/ hispanicevangelization. For more information, email hispanic.ministry@diometuchen.org

9/12

Mass for Engaged Couples - at 4 p.m. in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. Sponsored by the diocesan Office of Family Life. Open to all engaged couples. To register, visit https://diometuchen.org/ engaged-couples-mass or for more information contact: Cristina D’Averso-Collins, director, Office of Family Life Ministry at: cdaverso@diometuchen.org.

9/18

Know Your Rights Workshop (Spanish), 9 a.m to noon, Holy Trinity Church - Basement 315 Lawrie Street, Perth Amboy. Free, but registration is required at: www.diometuchen.org/hispanicevangelization For more information, please email hispanic.ministry@diometuchen.org

9/29

Blue Mass – at 10:30 a.m. on the Feast of Ss. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels, Bishop James F. Checchio will celebrate the 19th Annual Blue Mass at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen. Gathered together with local, county, state and federal law enforcement officials, the diocese will honor and pray for those law enforcement officials of all faiths, who live and work in the Diocese of Metuchen. All are welcome to attend. More information will be available on the diocesan website: www.diometuchen.org.

Choices Matter All Presentations of the diocese’s Choices Matter Virtual Conference Series are available for viewing by visiting: https:// www.diometuchen.org/choicesmatter. Presentations delivered at the diocese’s Choices Matter Conference included: Integrity, God’s Plan for sexuality, defending life in the black community, and fighting the legalization of assisted suicide. Each session will challenge you to reflect on why, in each of these areas, our choices matter if we want to build a culture of life and love. DIOCESAN PROGRAMS From Christendom to Apostolic Mission. A virtual book study for Women. Meetings are held on Thursday at 4 p.m. on zoom. The first meeting was held August 5. For more information contact Cristina D’Averso-Collins, director, Office of Family Life Ministry at: cdaverso@ diometuchen.org.

Young Couples Bible Study An opportunity to explore the Biblical basis of Catholic beliefs. This virtual group meets Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on zoom. For more information contact cdaverso@diometuchen.org.

Celebrating the Church as a “Family of Families” As we celebrate the Year “Amoris Laetitia Family,” the Office of Communications and Public Relations is compiling a digital family photo album. We invite you to share a photo of your family – a photo of your domestic church by which our local Church of Metuchen is constantly enriched. Please consider sharing your family’s photo with us by sending your photo to communications@diometuchen.org, so we can together bear witness to the love of God through our “family of families.”

WEEKLY PODCAST – Am I Not Here? Produced by the staff of the Office of Communications, “Am I Not Here?” – a weekly podcast – highlights the good news within our local Church and those working to minister to the people of the Diocese of Metuchen. New episodes are released each Monday and once aired they are archived. To listen to any episode, or to learn more, please click the links on the diocesan Facebook page or lighting hearts on fire website LECTIO DIVINA, Mondays at 11 a.m. join faithful from around the diocese in a prayerful, virtual gathering of Lectio Divina, a method for praying with the Scriptures. As one reads and invites the Word to become a transforming lens that brings the events of daily living into focus, one can come to live more deeply and find the presence of God more readily in the events of each day. Start your week with prayer, community, and hope. To get the most out of these sessions, please remember to have your bible readily available. For the Zoom meeting information, please email: ssharlow@diometuchen.org BLUE ROSARY GUILD The Office of Family Life is pleased to announce the creation of the Blue Rosary Guild. The purpose of the Guild is for community members of all ages to make pocket Rosaries for law enforcement officers, providing them with support and spiritual strength and promoting devotion to the Rosary among all the faithful. All materials and instructions will be provided and a Zoom virtual tutorial will also be scheduled. Anyone interested should contact Cristina D’Averso-Collins, Director of the Office of Family Life at cdaverso@diometuchen.org.

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Director of Public Relations The New Jersey Catholic Conference is seeking a Director of Public Relations. The successful candidate will work with Conference staff in planning and implementing communications, public relations, and outreach strategies that effectively promote and defend the legislative and public policy interests of the Catholic Church in New Jersey. You can view the Director of Public Relations full job description at www.njcatholic.org. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to: info@njcathconf.com.

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AUGUST AUGUST 19, 19, 2021 2021

Celebrating Our Neophytes The diocese has started to post the 2021 Neophyte Celebration. Since pandemic restrictions prevented the celebration of a Neophyte Mass, the Neophytes in the diocese are being honored in a different way. They have been invited by the diocese to submit a witness statement about their RCIA journey of faith, along with a photo. This invitation explained that the RCIA office was going to create a “Celebration of Our Neophytes” virtual presentation for its website. Neophytes can send their witness statement and photo to: ssharlow@diometuchen.org

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OUR DIOCESE

DIOCESAN EVENTS

40 OUR DIOCESE

Diocese to honor law enforcement personnel at 19th annual Blue Mass Nearly two years after the last diocesan Blue Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Francis in Metuchen, hundreds of law enforcement personnel of all faiths will again file into the cathedral, where Bishop James F. Checchio will celebrate the 19th annual Blue Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 29. All are welcome to attend the Mass, aptly scheduled on the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of police officers. The Mass will recognize those in local, county, state and federal law enforcement, who live and work in the counties served by the diocese — Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren — and honor the lives and service of fallen officers. The Edison Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Thomas Bryan and with the support of Blue Mass committee member Edison Police Detective Dominick Masi, will serve as the host agency for the Mass this year. As the host, the Edison Police Department will take on significant roles during the liturgy and its officers will be invited to serve as cross and candle bearers, readers, and gift bearers. In a more somber, albeit inspiriting role, the host department will also lead the remembrance of fallen officers. Keeping with tradition of years past, the names of all those who have died in the

Bishop James F. Checchio, assisted by Father Thomas J. Serafin, sprinkles holy water on police officers to bless them after the 2019 Blue Mass at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. All are welcome to attend this year’s Mass, which is scheduled to be held at the Cathedral at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 29. — The Catholic Spirit file photo line of duty since the inception of the Blue Mass will be read aloud as a bell tolls to commemorate their memory and sacrifice. Having previously served as the host agency years ago, before the annual Mass was moved to the cathedral, the department is well-informed of the

significance the liturgy holds for those in law enforcement, but even more so this year as uniformed men and women serve on the frontlines and continue to contend with the fallout of the COVID-19 or coronavirus pandemic. Curbed by gathering restrictions because of the pandemic, the diocesan

Blue Mass was not held at the cathedral last year, though many parishes in the diocese responded to the bishop’s call asking that they pray for and recognize law enforcement personnel at a locally held parish Masses. Members of the law enforcement community were also remembered in prayer with the advent of the Blue Rosary Guild, a group of volunteers who make pocket rosaries, consisting of a single decade, small enough for the officers to easily carry. The ongoing Blue Rosary Guild continues to make rosaries available to those in law enforcement. While the prayers and support from the diocesan community have been appreciated and the pocket rosaries wellreceived, for many in the law enforcement community, including those who work in law enforcement or have loved ones who serve, the diocesan Blue Mass will be a welcomed return. For more information about the 19th Annual Blue Mass and the luncheon that will immediately follow, visit www. diometuchen.org/bluemass or email communications@diometuchen.org. To volunteer to make a rosary, to send in a donation, or to request free rosaries for those in law enforcement, send an email to Cristina D’Averso-Collins, director, diocesan Office of Family Life at: cdaverso@diometuchen.org.

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AUGUST 19, 2021

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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