Bishop writes second pastoral letter setting goals for next decade, pgs. 19-22
THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN
DECEMBER 9, 2021 • VOL. 26 NO. 11 • $2.00
An honor guard composed of Knights of Columbus leads the recession from the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, after Mass Nov. 19 — the 40th anniversary of the founding of the diocese by then-Pope, now St. John Paul II. The Diocese of Metuchen was established from territory of the Diocese of Trenton and encompasses Somerset, Middlesex, Hunterdon and Warren counties. Bishop James F. Checchio presided at the liturgy and gave the homily. — Mike Ehrmann photo
This issue was mailed on December 7 Your next issue will be Dec. 23
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Bishop: Begin anniversary by renewing friendship with Christ Bishop James Checchio Editor’s Note: The following is Bishop James F. Checchio’s homily, which he delivered at the Mass of Thanksgiving for the diocese’s 40th Anniversary held Nov. 19 at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen.
DECEMBER 9, 2021
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
When I went back to Rome to minister at the North American College in 2003, I was amazed at how many American universities had started semester abroad or full college programs there. There were many more than when I was a seminarian in Rome in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Our seminarians at the American Seminary help with religious formation and liturgies at many of these Roman programs. One such program that arose focused on art history. The professor who taught the classes took his students to the great museums and cathedrals of Italy and showed them masterpiece after masterpiece by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Perugino, Signorelli, Caravaggio, and the list goes on and on. Anyway, when the professor would take his students to see a particular piece, he would describe it to them and explain what was great about it, what to look for, what to point out, and so on. After a while, the students would develop a keen eye for art. At the end of their field trips, the very last stop would be to the Vatican Museums and like all the other museums, the professor would lead them directly to an object of art for their study. This time, they would be led to the Belvedere Torso. I’m sure many of you have seen it. It’s a very ancient sculpture from Greece. But it’s only the torso. So, the professor would ask the students, “What do you see” and
await their description. They always started off by commenting on how the sculpture didn’t have a head, or the fact that its arms were missing, it was lacking a lower body, and so on. It was then that the professor would interrupt them and say, “I didn’t ask you to describe what’s not there, I asked you to describe to me what is there.” Then he would go on to explain that the Belvedere Torso is the most important of all masterpieces. It’s that piece which Michelangelo studied when he painted the Risen Christ in the Last Judgment of the Sistine Chapel and it’s that piece which started the collection which is today known as the Vatican museums. His point was that people who focus only on what’s not there will never see the beauty and priceless treasure which is there. He then goes on to say to his class: That is sometimes how we can approach people, too. It’s all too easy to focus on the qualities they don’t have rather than appreciating the talents they do have. My brothers and sisters in Christ, I would like to propose this lesson for us as we look at our wonderful Diocese of Metuchen as we begin this 40th year celebration. We can spend all day noting what has been wrong, noting that it’s not perfect, but do we appreciate and discover the treasures that are a part of the Diocese of Metuchen? We know Jesus looked at each person He encountered with love and mercy, calling them into a deeper relationship with Himself and raising their vision to become God’s vision...and you and I are asked to do this same exact thing, recognizing the Christ within each of our faithful that make up this beautiful diocese — and we have many treasures to behold: We have 90 beautiful parishes with more than 600,000 faithful who make up a beautiful mosaic coming from so many different ethnic backgrounds; we have in our Catholic Charities one of the largest providers of social services in our
THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN
Serving the Catholic community in Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties The Catholic Spirit P.O. Box 191 • Metuchen, NJ 08840 PHONE: (732) 562-2424 • FAX: (732) 562-0969 PUBLISHER Bishop James F. Checchio EDITOR Father Timothy A. Christy, V.G. MANAGING EDITOR Father Glenn J. Comandini, STD (732) 562-2461
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state who love the person, the neighbor in need in front of us, and they strive to promote and protect innocent and vulnerable lives; we have 23 Catholic schools that help to educate and form good citizens and Catholics; we have all kinds of catechists and other ministers throughout our parishes and so many Catholic organizations; and how about our dedicated priests, deacons and growing number of seminarians, along with the wonderful witness and service of our brothers and sisters in consecrated life; we have a Catholic hospital in Saint Peter’s, which exercises Jesus’ healing ministry in our day…. These are just some of the beautiful treasures one can readily see in our diocese today, and when we think of it over these 40 years, how many people have been comforted and brought closer to our Lord through these many treasures. Yes, we have had our share of challenges and failures, and we work hard to heal and to ensure that we never fail again, but these do not define us. We are defined by Jesus Christ and Him alone, who lives within each one of us and on whom our diocese is founded. Jesus provides for us, along with our Mother, Mary, especially for us as Our Lady of Guadalupe, who has been tethered to us through our consecration. Yes, our 40th anniversary is a time for us to look at ourselves, individually and as a local Church, and see a masterpiece – not of perfection, but of God’s creative goodness; and that is something to celebrate! Our reading from Maccabees this evening told us about the re-consecration of the Temple in Jerusalem and St. Luke shared with us about Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple. These remind us of our need at times for cleansing ourselves, re-con-
secrating ourselves, as we strive to live more deeply in Jesus. We know that we, too, need to continually turn ourselves over anew to the Lord, who always waits for us and extends His mercy to us. Our anniversary is a good time to turn anew and entrust ourselves to His loving care for us. It is in rededicating ourselves to Him through prayer, that we will be renewed for the Mission of carrying on Jesus’ own mission of reconciling the world to the Father, but it starts with each of us first. You will hear more about this in the coming weeks, but in this anniversary year, I am asking us all to renew our friendship with Christ through prayer, especially through Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. We will all be asked to continue Jesus’ mission by participating in 40 works of Mercy throughout Lent and Easter in honor of our 40 years of diocesan life. Finally, we will renew our efforts to raise up more worthy vocations to shepherd our flock of Metuchen. It is certainly appropriate that we start this yearlong celebration with holy Mass. While it is true, much has changed throughout these 40 years of our diocesan life, the one thing that has not changed is our Lord’s presence in the Eucharist. As we receive Him this evening, I pray that you will never lose sight of His presence on the altar, in the tabernacle, and in yourself and in each of our brothers and sisters who make up this beautiful Diocese of Metuchen. When someone asks, “What do you see in the Diocese of Metuchen?” may our answer not be what is missing or what is wrong, but may we always be able to say that we see “Christ Himself,” the One on whom we are founded, the One in whom we rightly place all our hope! God bless you all, and this wonderful diocese; Praised be Jesus Christ and viva Cristo Re! With renewed best wishes, I remain Yours in Christ,
Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA Bishop of Metuchen
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3 40TH ANNIVERSARY
Eucharist still ‘treasure’ for faithful since diocese was founded By Christina Leslie Correspondent
Stephen Kern, director, diocesan Office of the Diaconate, proclaimed the readings, while Luz Escobar and Julian Mahecha served as gift bearers. In his homily, Bishop Checchio recalled the words of an art history professor to his students -- when examining a masterpiece, don’t focus upon what is missing, but instead on what is present. “People who focus only on what is not there will never see the beauty and priceless treasure of what is,” the bishop said. “That’s how we sometimes treat people, too.”
Top left, among the worshipers at the Mass of Thanksgiving at the Cathedral of St. Frandcis of Assisi, Metuchen, were students and staff from schools in the diocese. Top right, Bishop James F. Checchio, who presided at the Mass and gave the homily, accepts the offertory gifts. Below, concelebrants at the liturgy included Msgr. Seamus F. Brennan (second from right), senior priest, St. Matthias Parish, Somerset, shown praying the consecration. — John Batkowski photos
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“This 40th anniversary is a time to look at ourselves, individually and as a local Church, and see the masterpiece God has formed. Not of perfection, but of God’s creative goodness… and that is something to celebrate.” —Bishop James F. Checchio
DECEMBER 9, 9, 2021
METUCHEN — It was a joyous celebration four decades in the making. For the hundreds gathered at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Nov. 19 and more watching via livestream, a Mass of Thanksgiving was a pivotal milestone of faith, an opportunity to rejoice and a chance for prayerful introspection, said Bishop James F. Checchio, who presided at the liturgy and gave the homily. “This 40th anniversary is a time to look at ourselves, individually and as a local Church, and see the masterpiece God has formed,” said the bishop. “Not of perfection, but of God’s creative goodness… and that is something to celebrate.” Concelebrants included Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski and senior priests of the diocese who have served it since its founding. Commemorating the Nov. 19, 1981, decision by Pope St. John Paul II to establish the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen, the Mass focused on the 650,000 baptized Catholics who live in the counties served by the diocese — Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren. Pews were filled with students and staff of elementary and high schools of the diocese; priests, deacons, seminarians and religious men and women; diocesan personnel, and those who served in the diocese-sponsored Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick; as well the diocese’s social service agency, Catholic Charities. As the Diocesan Festival Choir sang a processional hymn declaring “The God of all grace has blessed us this day,” members of ministries and organizations integral to the life and strength of the diocese strode forward. The Knights of
Columbus Color Corps, swords raised, lined the center aisle to welcome scores of priests. Representatives from numerous ethnic ministries, dressed in their traditional garb, also approached the altar, many of them carrying icons of Mary such as Our Lady of La Vang, Our Lady of Czestochowa, and the patroness of the diocese, Our Lady of Guadalupe. Further reflecting the rich diversity of the people of the diocese, Eileen Tabert, retired diocesan vice-chancellor; Neybery Cortez, a member of Holy Family Parish, New Brunswick; and Deacon
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Bishop challenges congregation to renew friendship with Christ
40TH ANNIVERSARY
Spending time on what may have gone wrong or is imperfect does not allow us to “appreciate and discover the true treasures which are a part of the Diocese of Metuchen,” he continued. “We must recognize the Christ in each of the faithful, challenging one another to raise our vision to God’s vision.” Bishop Checchio enumerated the diocese’s many treasures — its 90 par-
ishes; faithful of many backgrounds; Catholic Charities, one of largest providers of social services in the state; Saint Peter’s University Hospital, which exercises Jesus’ healing ministry; 23 schools, which educate and form good citizens and Catholics; catechists; other ministers; dedicated priests and deacons, seminarians and those in consecrated life. They, and others, will be renewed
to carry on Jesus’ mission in the months ahead, he said. Bishop Checchio issued a threepr`onged challenge to the congregation poised to enter its 40th year as a diocese of believers: to renew its friendship with Christ through prayer; to perform 40 works of mercy throughout Lent and the Easter season, and to raise up worthy vocations to shepherd the flock
of Metuchen. “So much has changed in these last 40 years,” the bishop concluded, “but one thing has not changed: the Lord’s presence with us in the Holy Eucharist. When someone asks what treasure you see, let our answer not be what is missing or wrong, but answer always, ‘We see Christ himself.’”
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Left, religious from the diocese leave an icon of Mary with others at the altar rail at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi at a Mass of Thanksgiving for the 40th anniversary of the founding of the diocese. The religious were part of a procession, center, whose participants carried images or statues of the Blessed Mother. The Queenship of Mary is the principal patroness of the diocese. On Dec. 12. 2019, the diocese was consecrated to Jesus under the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The intention for the consecration was to ask for the graces needed for a New Evangelization. Left, Bishop James F. Checchio gives the homily at the ambo. In photo below standing at the microphone, the bishop welcomes the congregation to the liturgy opening the diocese’s 40th anniversary. —John Batkowski photos
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and
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praise thanksgiving With
to Almighty God
The Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi celebrates the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Metuchen and the naming of St. Francis of Assisi as the Cathedral of the Diocese November 19, 1981
St. Francis of Assisi statue depicting the parish being designated as the Cathedral for the Diocese of Metuchen
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Saint John Paul II statue depicting the formation of the Diocese of Metuchen
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Catholic Spirit Anniversary Ad.qxp_Layout 1 11/10/21 6:57 AM Page 1
Congratulations to
e Diocese of Metuchen on your
40th Anniversary
DECEMBER 9, 2021
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As the Diocese celebrates its 40th Anniversary with a focus on 40 Acts of Kindness, School of St. Elizabeth continues to foster and promote Acts of Kindness and Mercy with each child, one Act at a time. S C H O O L O F S T. E L I Z A B E T H B E R N A R D S V I L L E , N J | steschool.org
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By Christina Leslie Correspondent METUCHEN — Before hundreds of faithful at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Sept. 30, Bishop James F. Checchio issued a challenge to Father Timothy A. Christy, soon to be installed as fifth rector of the diocese’s mother church. “Father, today we must translate the precepts of prayer into deeds of love,” the bishop said. “Today, instead of speaking sainted words, we must act them.” Bishop Checchio presided at the Mass, which was celebrated on the Feast of St. Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church. At the Mass were Father Christy’s fellow priests and seminarians, and parishioners from his past assignments as well as members of the Cathedral community. In his homily, the bishop noted the saint, who had aspired to serve as a solitary monk, instead was tasked to translate the Bible into the vernacular. “It is noteworthy that, when faced with great ministry needs, the Lord tells us the best response is not to jump into action, but to go to the Lord in prayer,” he said. Follow the example of St. Jerome, he exhorted the faithful. “St. Jerome prayed, ‘Lord, do something for us,’” said Bishop Checchio. “‘I will do something,’ said the Lord. ‘I’ll send you.’ “Saints aren’t canonized for what they accomplished, but for their faith and their love and charity. For every need Jerome saw, he prayed, he listened and he acted with faith and love.”
Cathedral rector brings love of priesthood to new role During the Rite of Installation, the parish staff, then finance committee and trustees stood to indicate their approval of Father Christy’s leadership. The new rector led the congregation in the Profession of Faith, then responded with his oath. “With firm faith, I also believe everything contained in God’s word, written or handed down in tradition” Father Christy promised to, “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.” In his emotional closing remarks, Father Christy, who will guide more than 3,500 registered families in the parish and 29 families and 415 pre-K through eighth grade children at its
school, reflected upon his love of the priesthood, then shared advice which elicited chuckles from the congregation. “I am so happy to be here as a pastor. What a wonderful gift. I think the priesthood is one of the greatest gifts that God could have possibly given me,” the new rector began. “If there is any young man thinking about being a priest, get off the couch and do it! “It’s a wonderful, wonderful life,” Father Christy concluded. “There’s a lot of hard work, but you will have the joy of holding God’s people in your heart and there is nothing greater than that. Let us pray together to be what God wants us to be, to be authentic, faithful, holy, so we can be a light to people who want to come to our church.”
Father Christy will guide more than 3,500 registered families in the parish and 29 families and 415 pre-K through eighth grade children at its school
Top of page, Father Timothy A. Christy (right) recites the Oath Against Modernism and the Profession of Faith at a Mass of Installation as rector of the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi. Below, Father Christy, who also serves as the diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia, accepts the applause of the faithful as he is introduced by Bishop James F. Checchio as the rector. — Mike Ehrmann photos
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New rector also serves as diocese’s vicar general, moderator of curia Continued from previous page
Left, as the gifts of bread and wine have been prepared, Father Timothy A. Christy receives incense, a symbol of his prayers rising to God. Below, as Bishop James F. Checchio (right) silently prays, Father Christy offers up the eucharistic prayer. Deacon J.P. Saggese, in background, assists.
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Father Christy, a native of Broken Bow, Neb., earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and a master of divinity degree at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, Pa. He was ordained to the priesthood May 23, 1992, by Bishop Emeritus Edward T. Hughes. Father Christy served at St. John Vianney Parish, Colonia; St. Peter the Apostle Parish, New Brunswick, and St. Matthias Parish, Somerset, before arriving as parochial vicar at St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, Flemington, in 2000. He was installed as pastor there in 2002. In 2012-2013, Father Christy spent a year earning a license in pastoral theology, studying communications and the New Evangelization at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit while remaining pastor of St. Magdalen’s. Bishop Checchio named him episcopal vicar of the diocesan Office for Evangelization and Communications in 2017, and as the diocese’s vicar general and moderator of the curia in June, 2018. Father Christy is a member of the Executive Board of Governors for the diocese-sponsored St. Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick; the Board Chair of St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison, and is on the Board of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen. He is an Equestrian Knight of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem and a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
— Mike Ehrmann photos
Facts about the Diocese
Personnel Priests — 221 — 169 Diocesan, 16 Extern, 36 Religious Seminarians — 22 Permanent Deacons — 159 Women Religious — 208 Men Religious — 8
Reception into the Church (12/31/2020) Baptisms — 2288 First Communions — 3,440 Confirmations — 3,856 Marriages — 441 RCIA Candidates — 260
Healthcare & Social Institutions Hospitals: 1 — Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick Health Care Clinics — 4 Day Care and Extended Care — 1 Homes for the Aged, Chronically ill and Handicapped — 5 Half-way Homes — 5 Social Service Centers — 9
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT DECEMBER 9, 2021
Formation of the Diocese — Nov. 19, 1981 Counties — Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren Population — Estimated Number of Catholics — 620,438 Households — 134,349 Overall Population — 1,410,087 Parishes — 90 (there are 15 Eastern Church parishes under the jurisdiction of their own bishops) Schools — 27 (23 Elementary; 4 High Schools) Catholic School Enrollment — 6,962 (2020) Religious Education Enrollment — 18,725 (2020)
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Goal
Celebrate the Fortieth Anniversary of the Diocese of Metuchen, while highlighting the recent diocesan consecration to Jesus through Our Lady of Guadalupe.
40TH ANNIVERSARY
40th Anniversary Logo
The Cross
Taken from the diocesan crest honoring the roots of the local Church in Central New Jersey. The color represents ‘Christ the King,’ the solemnity near the official establishment of the diocese.
The ‘40th’
Represents Our Lady of Guadalupe, through whom the Diocese of Metuchen was consecrated, at the foot of the Cross. She is symbolized by the aqua green color of her mantle and the rays that represent the luminous light that surrounded Our Lady in her appearance, which is reminiscent of the “woman clothed with the sun” of Rev. 12:1. The light is also a sign of the power of God, who has sanctifie
Diocesan Coat of Arms Blazon
Quarterly or and argent; a cross moline throughout sable; in dexter chief a flame gules; in sinister base a crown on the second over a letter M of the third.
Significance
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT DECEMBER 9, 9, 2021
The flame in the upper left quadrant suggests the etymology of the Lenni Lenape Indian word metachen, meaning firewood. This symbol is also associated with the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles at Pentecost, and is a traditional emblem of charity, the highest of Christian virtues. The shield is divided by a cross, the principal symbol of Christian faith, into four quadrants representing the four counties of the Diocese. The cross is in the form known as moline, as in the arms of the Diocese of Trenton from which the Diocese of Metuchen was divided. The letter ‘M’ in the lower right quadrant is taken from the arms of Saint John Paul II who established the Diocese and stands for the name of Mary. It is surmounted by a crown, thus suggesting the Queenship of Mary, under whose Marian title the diocese is entrusted as the principal patroness.
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The year given at the left of each parish is that of the canonical erection, of the appointment of the first resident pastor, or of the erection of the first church building.
1906: (St. Elizabeth, Far Hills) St. Anthony of Padua, Port Reading Sacred Heart, South Plainfield (1888) 1907: (Holy Family, Carteret) St. Stephen Protomartyr, South River 1908: (St. James, Rocky Hill) 1910: (Sacred Heart of Jesus, Carteret) 1911: Holy Trinity, Helmetta Our Lady of the Mount, Warren 1912: St. Joseph, Raritan 1913: (Ss. Peter and Paul, Phillipsburg) (St. Paul the Apostle, Highland Park)(1912) 1914: St. Mary of Czestochowa, Bound Brook (St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Carteret) St. Stanislaus Kostka, Sayreville 1914: St. Cecilia, Monmouth Junction 1916: (St. Mary, Manville) 1919: Our Lady of Peace, Fords (1911) (Sacred Heart, Manville) (St. Agnes, Stockton) 1920: St. Andrew, Avenel 1921: Ss. Peter and Paul, Great Meadows Our Lady of Lourdes, Milltown (Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Woodbridge) St. Thomas the Apostle, Old Bridge (1915) 1923: St. Cecelia, Iselin Our Lady of Lourdes, Whitehouse Station 1924: (St. Joseph, New Brunswick) 1931: (St. Stephen of Hungary, Manville) 1935: (St. Christopher, New Village) 1936: (St. Brigid, Peapack) 1942: Mary, Mother of God, Hillsborough (St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Bonhamtown) (St. Therese of the Infant Jesus, Lindeneau) 1943: Our Lady of Mount Virgin, Middlesex St. Lawrence, Laurence Harbor Our Lady of Czestochowa, South Plainfield 1944: St. Edward the Confessor, Milford (Holy Spirit, Perth Amboy) Corpus Christi, South River 1945: St. Jude, Blairstown Our Lady of Victories, Baptistown 1946: Immaculate Conception, Spotswood
Parishes in parentheses have been suppressed.
1948: (Christ the King, Manville) Our Lady of Fatima, Piscataway Holy Trinity, Bridgewater Annunciation, Bloomsbury 1949: Our Lady of Mercy, South Bound Brook 1951: (St. Anthony of Padua, Laurence Harbor) 1952: St. Matthew the Apostle, Edison St. Augustine of Canterbury, Kendall Park 1957: St. Bernadette, Parlin 1959: St. John Vianney, Colonia St. Bartholomew, East Brunswick (Guardian Angels, Edison) 1960: Our Lady of Fatima, Perth Amboy (1948) 1961: St. Ambrose, Old Bridge St. Frances Cabrini, Piscataway 1962: St. Matthias, Somerset 1965: St. Luke, North Plainfield St. Helena, Edison 1968: Blessed Sacrament, Martinsville 1969: Our Lady of Peace, North Brunswick 1977: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New Brunswick 1981: (La Asunción, Perth Amboy) (Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, Perth Amboy) 1982: St. Charles Borromeo, Montgomery Township St. John Neumann, Califon Queenship of Mary, Plainsboro 1983: Most Holy Redeemer, Old Bridge St. Theodore, Port Murray 1984: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Three Bridges 1992: Nativity of Our Lord, Monroe Township St. Catherine of Siena, Pittstown 2007: (Our Lady of Korea, Woodbridge) 2009: St. Elizabeth-St. Brigid, Far Hills-Peapack 2010: Divine Mercy, Carteret 2011: Transfiguration of the Lord, Edison - Highland Park 2012: St. John Paul II, Perth Amboy Good Shepherd, Hopelawn Most Holy Name of Jesus, Perth Amboy 2014: Christ the Redeemer, Manville Holy Family, New Brunswick Parish of the Visitation, New Brunswick
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1829: St. Peter the Apostle, New Brunswick (1825) 1843: St. John the Evangelist, Lambertville (1774) St. Bernard, Raritan 1845: (St. Mary, Perth Amboy) (1833) 1847: St. Mary, Watchung 1852: St. Mary, South Amboy (1833) 1858: St. Rose of Lima, Oxford (1854) Immaculate Conception, Clinton (1852) 1859: St. Ann, Hampton (definitely early, year unknown) St. Magdalen de Pazzi, Flemington (1847) 1860: St. Philip and St. James, Phillipsburg (1858) St. James, Woodbridge (c. 1660) St. James, Basking Ridge (1766) 1864: Assumption of Mary, Hackettstown (definitely earlier, year unknown) 1867: (St. John the Baptist, New Brunswick) 1870: St. Patrick, Belvidere (1851) 1871: St. Francis, Metuchen (1867) St. Joseph, Washington (1861) 1873: (St. Joachim, West Portal) 1876: St. Joseph, Bound Brook (1744) 1879: St. John the Evangelist, Dunellen (1843) 1880: St. James the Less, Jamesburg St. Joseph, High Bridge (before 1865) 1882: St. Joseph, North Plainfield (1851) 1883: Immaculate Conception, Somerville St. Joseph, East Millstone (Sacred Heart, New Brunswick) 1884: Our Lady of Victories, Sayreville (1874) 1892: (St. Stephen, Perth Amboy) 1893: St. Joseph, Carteret (1885) 1895: Sacred Heart, South Amboy 1899: (Holy Trinity, Perth Amboy) 1900: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bernardsville (1898) 1902: St. Mary, Alpha (Our Lady of Hungary, Perth Amboy) 1903: St. Ann, Raritan St. Mary of Ostrabrama, South River 1904: (Most Holy Rosary, Perth Amboy) (St. Ladislaus, New Brunswick) 1905: (St. Mary of Mount Virgin, New Brunswick)
The year given in parentheses at the right of some parishes is the first known celebration of Mass or priestly visit, if these were earlier than the establishment of the parish.
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The Parish Community of
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Our Lady of Lourdes, Whitehouse Station
Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the founding of
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The Diocese of Metuchen
Congratulations
to the DIOCESE
OF METUCHEN on your
40th Anniversary!
Mount Saint Mary
ACADEMY
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The schools of the Diocese of Metuchen exist to teach the Gospel message in faith-filled communities that foster a lifelong relationship with Christ. While promoting academic excellence and love of God through service to others, the schools provide opportunities for students to become disciples of Christ.
High schools
City Principal ——————————————————————————————————————————— Immaculata High School Somerville Joan Silo Mount Saint Mary Academy Watchung Sister Lisa Gambacorto, RSM Saint Joseph High School Metuchen Anne Rivera St. Thomas Aquinas High School Edison Harry Ziegler
Elementary schools
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City Principal ——————————————————————————————————————————— Assumption Catholic Perth Amboy Lissette Shumny Holy Savior Academy South Plainfield Carol Woodburn Immaculate Conception School Annandale Connie Fortunato Immaculate Conception School Somerville Kelly Seccamanie Immaculate Conception School Spotswood Mary Erath Our Lady of Victories School Sayreville Kristine Lelak Perth Amboy Catholic School Perth Amboy Anacelis Diaz School of St. Elizabeth Bernardsville Debra Ostrowski St. Ambrose School Old Bridge Rita Naviello St. Ann Classical Academy Raritan Borough Father Peter Cebulka, C.O St. Augustine of Canterbury School Kendall Park Sister Mary Louise Shulas, MPF St. Bartholomew School East Brunswick Ann Wierzbicki St. Francis Cathedral School Metuchen Ann Major St. Helena School Edison Sister Mary Charles Wienckoski, CFFS St. James School Basking Ridge Suzanne Florendo St. James School Woodbridge Frances Comiskey St. John Vianney School Colonia Nancy Tannucilli St. Joseph School Carteret Joanne McKnight St. Matthew School Edison Joyce Schaefer St. Matthias School Somerset Mary Lynch St. Stanislaus Kostka School Sayreville Lori Hodder St. Thomas the Apostle School Old Bridge Annette Pioppo Sts. Philip and James School Phliipsburg Donna Kucinski
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17 40TH ANNIVERSARY
Celebrating the Anniversary of the
Diocese of Metuchen
DECEMBER 9, 9, 2021
Sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
for Building the Kingdom in Central New Jersey
18 40TH ANNIVERSARY John Paul, Bishop, Servant of the Servants of God, for the permanent record of history:
DECEMBER 9, 2021
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Since by the most gracious plan of God, we have been entrusted with the guidance of the Holy Church, we therefore exercise great care, prudence, and solicitude in all things pertaining to it, that we may better provide for Christ’s flock
and make accessible to them not only authentic doctrine, but also the sources of true holiness, even by the realignment of the boundaries of churches, inasmuch as the careful arrangement of such things often contributes to the
growth of religious life. And so, having listened to our venerable brother, John Reiss, Bishop of Trenton, and to the Episcopal Conference of the United States, and having weighed their opinions carefully, and with the counsel of our venerable brother Pio Laghi, Apostolic Delegate in that country and Titular Archbishop of Mauriana, and finally having placed the matter before our venerable brothers the Cardinals of the Sacred Congregation for Bishops, we have made a final decision. We therefore separate from the Church of Trenton the counties of Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset and Warren, and we establish a new Diocese of Metuchen, with its Episcopal Seat in the Borough of Metuchen and the Bishop’s Cathedra to be erected in the Church of Saint Francis in that place, both the town and the church acquiring all the attendant rights and privileges of the law. We place this new Church under the Metropolitan Church of Newark, its Bishop Suffragan to the Archbishop there, according to the norms of the law. It will be supported by the income of its Curia, by the generosity of its people, and by that part of the assets of the Diocese of Trenton which will come to it by division according to Canon 1500.
We all that those things proper to a chapter of canons may be delegated to Diocesan Consultors as canon law provides. In respect to candidates being prepared for Sacred Orders, the provisions of the common law apply, as determined by the decree “Optatam Totius” of the Second Vatican Council and by the regulations of the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education. As soon as the new diocese is constituted, all priests holding an office or assignment in this Church become part of it, as well as other clerics and seminarians residing in it. Finally, documents and records which relate to the new Church should be conveyed to its Curia and carefully preserved in its archives. We direct our venerable brother Pio Laghi to implement this letter of ours, himself or through another ecclesiastical official. These things having been accomplished, documents to that effect are to be drafted and authentic copies forwarded to the Sacred Congregation for Bishops. All things to the contrary notwithstanding. Given at Rome, from Saint Peter’s, on the twenty-first day of the month of November, the one thousand, nine hundred and eighty-first year of our Lord, the fourth of our Pontificate.
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ON THE OCCASION OF THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN
40TH ANNIVERSARY
Pastoral Letter ANSWERING THE LORD’S CALL THROUGH PRAYER, WORKS OF MERCY AND VOCATIONS
My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
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DECEMBER 9, 9, 2021
Continued on page 20
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he celebration of an anniversary provides an opportunity to pause and give thanks for what has been and to look forward to all that is still to come. As we enter into this year of celebration marking the 40th anniversary of the Diocese of Metuchen, I thought this would be a good time to reflect and to give thanks for what has been while looking ahead toward our future in hope, knowing it is towards God’s horizon that we journey together. Since arriving in this local Church of Metuchen more than five years ago, I have come to love and appreciate the lay faithful, religious and clergy serving in our 90 parishes as well as in our Catholic schools and institutions. As your Shepherd, I know my deepest connection with the faithful is in the spiritual bonds that flow from our baptism and those that are strengthened in the Holy Eucharist, which is part of the reason I love visiting our parishes so often. In my first year of serving you, I had the joy of visiting with and listening to many of you during my pastoral visits to each of our parishes, a practice I still enjoy. Born out of those first conversations, a series of pastoral priorities emerged which I shared with you in my first Pastoral Letter, “Lighting a fire in the heart of our world,” released near the conclusion of my first year here.
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As diocese celebrates Bishop asks priests, religious, laity to recom Spiritual Renewal During those early months, as I traveled throughout the four counties of our diocese, I met individually with our priests and with groups of our deacons, religious and many lay leaders. It was a privilege to meet the youth in our Catholic schools and in our catechetical programs. Gratefully, I also came to know our different diocesan and parish apostolates, staff members and volunteers at our Catholic Charities’ sites, veterans and our seniors, as well as many other friendly and welcoming people. I was able to visit many of our nursing homes and all of our prisons, as well as Saint Peter’s University Hospital. Throughout all of my travels, I gained insights from the wealth of goodwill shared by the many good and faithful people here, all striving to be more and do more for Christ and His Church. This led me to discern the need for a period of spiritual renewal that would be advanced under the mantle of Mary, Our Mother. Together, we began our spiritual renewal with the Year of Awakening, followed by the Consecration of our diocese to Jesus through Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, 2019. It was a high point for our diocese and for me personally as your Shepherd. I was inspired by the many transformative stories of new life that were brought about in so many peoples’ lives from our diocesan Consecration to Jesus through the loving heart of Our Blessed Mother Mary. In turn, it also brought forth hope that even further transformation would take place through the next steps that were planned in our parishes, Catholic schools and institutions.
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Challenging Times However, it was only a short time later when our Church of the present – all the lay faithful, the clergy and religious – would endure the weight of the publication of the devastating transgressions of past Church leaders. Adding to that weight was the COVID-19 pandemic, which closed down much of our normal parish life. As a result, we had to redeploy our energies to the daily work of understanding how to stay safe and how to prevent the spread of the virus while continuing to build the Kindgom of God throughout our four counties. In spite of our diligent efforts to stay connected, we saw the normal sacramental life of the Church dissipate to a bare minimum. With indoor public Masses and gatherings halted and our Catholic schools closed for a brief time, the online streaming of Masses and
creative messages from pastors and their staffs were the only ways left to keep parishioners engaged and connected. I am continually grateful for our pastors, priests, deacons and parish ministers, who developed creative ways to offer sacramental opportunities and moments for prayer. Knowing that it is the Lord who takes our sufferings upon Himself to bring us to the joy of the Resurrection, I insisted that we keep our churches and cemeteries open for prayer and adoration, to keep us grounded in our faith. Beneath the challenges of lockdowns and restrictions was always the deeper truth that we are bound together by a deeper reality: the bonds of faith, hope and love.
Encouragement and Hope From the moment of our baptism, we are endowed with supernatural gifts that not even a pandemic can suppress. Now, as we journey forward while still managing the continuing effects of the pandemic, we are living in a God-given moment that calls us to arise – the call to celebrate together our 40 years of diocesan life! Desiring to be close to you and to share with you a renewed sense of the pastoral priorities that I set for us in my first Pastoral Letter, I decided to write this, my second Pastoral Letter. Taking into account the current landscape and sensing the reluctance or inability of some to return to the Eucharistic life of the Church in person, it is my desire that this Pastoral Letter offer to us a shared encouragement and hope for our path forward. The Lord has been so good to us. Without us realizing His plan, I believe that the Lord and Our Mother Mary blessed us with our Year of Spiritual Awakening and Consecration to help us through all the turmoil that was unknown to us, just around the corner. Now, He wants us to turn to Him with uplifted hearts, to share the story of salvation that is meant to continue in each of us – in our corner of His vineyard entrusted to us. He desires to do great things, especially now as we celebrate our 40th anniversary, a very special milestone. We learn from biblical scholars that the number 40 is significant. We know of our Lord’s 40 days of prayer and fasting in the desert; Moses’ 40 years in the desert and his 40 days on Mount Sinai in prayer, during which he received the Ten Commandments from God; Jonah’s 40 days of preaching repentance in Nineveh; and Jesus’ 40 days with us after His resurrection, before ascending to the Father. Most often, the number 40 signaled a time of testing in
preparation for a more profound encounter with the mystery of God and then living more completely for Him – on a mission. This was particularly true for the Israelites of old, being led 40 years through the desert by Moses. Their time in the desert prepared the people to be well-disposed for the Lord’s will. Their time on the journey provided them with opportunities to continue to place their hope and trust in God. This was profoundly true in their dependence on God for “manna.” Remember that “manna” was “the bread that came down from heaven” on a daily basis. There was no other food except for the manna and the quail that appeared in the evening hours.
The Call The “daily bread” has become for us a prototype, or a foreshadowing of the daily Bread that Jesus would give us when He celebrated His Last Supper and gave us His Body and Blood as a perpetual promise that He would “remain with us until the end of the age.” Recalling the ancient story of their 40-year journey in the desert, in preparation for their inhabitation of the promised land, along with the Eucharistic imagery, we are offered this recurring theme: radical daily trust in God in preparation for the “more” He continually calls us to. This theme is even more remarkable and relatable to us during this milestone of 40 years as a diocesan Church. We must ask ourselves: what has God done for us? And what is He asking of me in response to His goodness and love? St. Paul wrote, “in all things give thanks” (Thes 5:18). He did not advise us to give thanks for all things – but rather, in all things. This is a fitting context to place our 40 years as a diocesan Church. The emphasis is on our freedom to recognize God’s presence and providence in our lives and in the mystery of the Church. Even in the midst of challenges, obstacles and setbacks, God is ever faithful to His people. We are part of the great story of salvation that began with “Abraham, our father in faith,” which built to a high point with Mary’s fiat, the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us, and then the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are His living disciples, entrusted with carrying on the work of the Disciples, whom He remained with for 40 days until He ascended back to the Father, commissioning the Apostles “to go and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matt. 28:19). In the power of the Holy Spirit, the Church has lived as a mission-
ary, evangelical reality of the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. Our 40 years as a diocesan Church is a continuation of Christ’s missionary mandate. In Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties, we now take up the ever ancient and ever new call to come and follow after Him, reproducing in our own lives His life, death and resurrection, and thus becoming His witness and invitation to others to the life He came to bring.
Focused Priorities In my first Pastoral Letter to you, I set forth priorities that have guided us during the past five years. Now, as we begin the next phase of our diocese’s history, I am asking you to join me in embracing three priorities that will enable us to answer our Lord’s call to us right now, as we celebrate our 40th anniversary and begin our 5th decade as a local Church working to build up God’s Kingdom in our four beautiful counties.
INCREASED PRAYER
I
am convinced that the root of all renewal is prayer and we must be evermore attentive to this call in our lives. We
Gut No
Our renewal in faith and our life in the Church must be biblically based and sacramentally energized. So, I also want to encourage Scripture studies, which are an important tool in forming us in our faith. I have asked the Office of Evangelization to relaunch parish-based Scripture studies and I also ask all of our parishes do something to promote reengagement in or to increase the frequency of Scripture studies. Besides helping us individually, these studies assist us in our overall task – not only of becoming more authentic people of faith, but people of faith who want to share our faith with others, who begin the important work of evangelization with a transformed heart. Our pastors and parish leaders are always looking for ways to have us reflect more deeply on our ecclesial life, and our 40th anniversary is an opportune time for us to reflect on the most important elements of our identity as Christian Catholics, so I am grateful to our Shepherds for spearheading this effort.
THE MISSION: WORKS OF MERCY
deeds of Christ in every place and age. In thanksgiving for our 40th anniversary and as a sign of our commitment to continuing the Mission of the Church with renewed enthusiasm, every person in our diocese is being called upon to perform a work of mercy – 40 times – throughout the seasons of Lent and Easter. Each day, we are provided with opportunities to serve others, though some are more formal than others. We can volunteer at a soup kitchen or our local parish food pantry. We can visit individuals who are unable to leave their homes for one reason or another or visit patients in nursing facilities. We can donate to a worthy cause, help those who need our assistance, or support a good pro-life or pro-family cause. We can also support the works of our local Church or our parish. We can make a phone call or send an email to remind the person of our thoughts and prayers, offering our help if it is needed. Our works of mercy can also include internal actions such as bearing wrongs patiently, forgiving injuries and praying for the living and the dead. A “work of mercy” is something that every baptized member of the Church can readily do, and it does not necessarily need to be a part of our formal ministry. Each day, we, as committed disciples, are offered opportunities to act in the name of Jesus, wherever we may find ourselves. It might be making room for others in a long checkout line or giving them the space to merge into traffic. It might be saying a prayer with someone who is discouraged or grieving, even as we ourselves need prayers or might need a consoling ear to listen to us. There are numerous ways that we can put into practice the merciful presence of Jesus, and the 40th anniversary of our diocese provides us with a perfect opportunity to practice such spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Catholic Charities, along with our local parishes, will provide many possible suggestions for how to “put mercy into action” this coming Lent and Easter. You will be hearing more about this “40 Works of Mercy” initiative in our diocese in the coming days. I urge you to pray and to consider how God’s gracious love and mercy has impacted your own life, and then go out and do the same for others. How many lives are changed by our individual acts of mercy each day! The world needs the touch of Jesus – He touches the lives of those around us, through each of us, each day.
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he Mission of the Church springs forth from her identity, so we are called at this time to revitalize and renew some important areas of our ecclesial life to be more attuned to living in relationship with God. Of course, the more
that we participate in the Eucharistic life of the Church – receiving His Body and Blood with an open heart – the more we are prepared and fit for the Mission entrusted to us: to make Christ known and loved in world, by loving those in our midst the way He loves them. We are reminded in the Letter of St. James that “faith without works, is dead.” It is true that the more we surrender and yield to God’s grace in our own lives, the more we will desire to be of service to the lives of others. This is the basis of our Lord’s commandment: Love God with your whole heart, soul, mind and strength, and love others as yourself. Indeed, the flourishing of God’s presence among us must be demonstrated in our service to others. Pope Francis has certainly stressed this during his pontificate and has given us such a good, personal example of serving those in need. I remember a song that was often sung when I was a child, though I have not heard it in many years. I am sure that anyone above a certain age will recall it: “They will know we are Christians by our love.” Indeed, how this witness of love needs to be seen in our day, and this includes what we write and say too! When I first arrived here, I was excited to read that in the early years of our diocese, Mother Teresa visited here. After receiving the Nobel Peace prize in 1981, Mother was launched onto the world stage as somewhat of a celebrity. Her goodness was intriguing and her holiness attractive. By founding her Order of Sisters to be Missionaries of Charity, Mother Teresa wanted to serve a very basic need. Her charism, or gift, was the insight to simply love the person in front of her, to try to love them as God loves them. She wanted the poor not to die without seeing the love of God through another human face. Could this be an example for each of us today? In the wake of the pandemic, how many people need to see love in the face of another human being? Central to the Gospel is the reality of God’s merciful love – “God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son.” As Messiah, Jesus announces the Kingdom of God through His preaching and through His merciful deeds. He shows us the heart of God the Father through His acts of mercy for all in need. We are each the recipient of God’s merciful love in one way or another. Every disciple of Jesus Christ is called to act in His name, to reproduce the love shown by Jesus in their own lives. The Church is entrusted with the work of salvation, to carry out the words and
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Some basics our prayer life should include are: 1. Sunday Mass, of course, is the most important opportunity for prayer we have. If you are able, consider attending daily Mass at some point during the week or when possible. 2. Spend time in Eucharistic Adoration where we learn to meditate in the presence of Christ’s Eucharistic Heart. In honor of our anniversary year, I have asked that each of our deaneries – the different regions in our diocese – host a Eucharistic Forty Hours Devotion. All our parishes are also asked to regularly have time set aside for Eucharistic Adoration and benediction. 3. Daily quiet time with God, reading Scriptures or just being quiet in His presence will keep you connected to our Lord. 4. Pray the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and other daily devotions to Mary and the saints.
5. Go to Confession frequently – end your day with the Daily examen, asking for the grace to overcome your defects and sins. This will avail you to more freely love God and others, making you a more attractive witness to God’s loving presence in our midst and less selfish and self-minded.
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were made to communicate with God, “He made us for Himself and we are restless until we rest in Him,” said St. Augustine. We all experience the ache for more in our lives, but often we mistake the supernatural invitation to union with God, for some created reality of our own making. As much as we may want to seek God, we unwittingly sometimes end up giving God what is left over – and sometimes, even that is not given with a heart of gratitude. Our 40th anniversary is the time to recommit ourselves to making prayer a priority in our lives and in the lives of our family members. Mother Teresa used to speak about prayer as being like oxygen. We need prayer to survive, and it should become a regular, habitual part of our lives so that we know we are living in and with God. What changes can we make in our lives and regular family practices so that prayer becomes an ever greater and essential part of our lives? How do we awaken others to recognize that the hunger they might feel in life can only be satisfied by being with God Himself? Praying in thanksgiving before meals, in the morning and at the end of the day is a good place to start. Having religious symbols in our homes: a crucifix, statues or pictures of the Sacred Heart, the Blessed Mother, the saints, etc., all raise our minds to God as we see them. Finding some quiet time, to be with God, helps us to realized that He sustains us at every moment and loves us so intensely. If we do not give God our all, then we risk losing the very horizon where He wants to lead us today and throughout our lives.
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s 40 faith-filled years, mmit themselves to the Lord and His mission
22 40TH ANNIVERSARY THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT DECEMBER 9, 2021
VOCATIONS
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hroughout these 40 years of our diocesan life, we have been blessed with generous priestly and permanent diaconate vocations as well as vocations to the consecrated life. Gratefully, in recent years we have seen an increased number of priestly vocations. Yet, together, you and I are still called to ask the Lord of the Harvest to send an abundance of workers to serve in His vineyard. The 40th anniversary of our diocese provides us an opportunity to consider how we might do this better. So, I ask you to consider: how do we actively build up a culture where vocations will flourish? Our world certainly challenges us in this, as for a young man or woman to hear the quiet whisper of the Lord can be a challenge amidst all the noise we constantly encounter. How do we create a culture where your children, grandchildren or fellow parishioners might hear the Lord’s call? One initiative we started a few years ago, which has born fruit, is our Quo Vadis (Where are you going?) retreat in the summer for high school boys. It is a time of prayerful discernment, but also a time of joyful collegiality among faithful young men. What a blessing it would be if we could have at least one young man from each parish attend the retreat, hopefully leading to one seminarian from each parish. Can you imagine if we had 90 seminarians? That is potentially 90 future priests, who could one day serve as pastors in each of our parishes, or possibly even as your next bishop! Vocations come from families, schools and parishes. Those considering a vocation are involved in our parish youth groups and likely volunteer to serve in our parishes. Many of our seminarians and young men discerning a vocation say that they were called by the Lord during Eucharistic Adoration. They attend our Catholic schools and religious education programs. Gratefully, we have been able to place two diocesan priests at two of the Catholic high schools in our diocese, to teach and minister to the students there, as well as to help foster vocations. Two of our diocesan priests and our diocesan vocations recruiter serve at St. Peter the Apostle University & Community Parish in New Brunswick, where they help to minister to the young adults at Rutgers University, alongside our dedicated religious and lay staff. Many dioceses have found their college campuses to be a rich source of vocations, so we are developing a stronger outreach there too, so that this may become more fertile ground for priestly and religious vocations. If we want to have enough Shepherds to serve our parishes in the future, then we must look around our own fami-
lies, in our parishes and in our schools. Who among those you know would be a good Shepherd and priest? Who might have the gifts and virtues we look for in a priest and be willing to take on this beautiful way of being with our Lord and serving His people? I have asked our diocesan vocations recruiter to work with our pastors on establishing a parish vocation committee in each parish. These committed groups of people, especially families, would focus their prayer intentions on this good cause and also look inward within their own parishes, seeking good candidates, encouraging them and praying for them. This would be a concrete response to our Lord’s command to ask the Lord of the Harvest to provide for our needs. Stepping Forward in Faith and Hope Yes, the 40th anniversary of our diocese provides us with the perfect opportunity to recommit ourselves to the Lord and His Mission. After 40 years, I would say that the Church of Metuchen has passed the test and is prepared for more! The Lord needs us now to step forward and offer ourselves more fully to Him through prayer, works of mercy and our support of vocations for the good of our Church and our world. Despite the challenges we have had and any we may face in the future, we have the wind at our backs and the Blessed Mother pushing us on and holding us up. We also have one another to encourage us and to strengthen us along the way. This is certainly a time for us to pause and to give thanks for what has been, and while we place our trust in God, we cannot let Him work alone. Rather, we must continue to put into the deep as our Lord commands us in Scripture. He desires to provide us with more, both individually and as a diocesan family, we just have to trust and give all of ourselves to Him and then let Him work through us. His vision is so much broader, so much more fulfilling and higher than our own. I pray that these past 40 years of building the Kingdom may be just the preparation we needed to take these next steps forward, growing closer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, under the care and guidance of His Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe. “Let nothing frighten and afflict you or trouble your heart…Am I not here, I, who am your mother?” Mary says to us. She is always with us, to guide and protect us. She will lead us in our essential task of evangelizing this corner of His vineyard entrusted to us - as we entrust ourselves more completely to her Son, as we commit to engaging in works of mercy, and as we create an even more abundant culture of vocations for the future service of our beloved Church. Thanks be to God, we are on this road together. Know of my love and prayers for you, and my great gratitude for you too! And please, remember to pray for me, too.
rejoices to join in celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Diocese of Metuchen established November 19, 1981
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established October 30, 1984
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The Parish Community of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Three Bridges
Emerging from COVID-19 restrictions, the Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA, Bishop of Metuchen, celebrates Holy Mass on October 7, 2020, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, with the Reverend Thomas J. Serafin, KCHS, Pastor and the People of SEAS Parish.
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT DECEMBER 9, 9, 2021
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CONGRATULATIONS ON 40 YEARS OF RELIGIOUS & SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand. Psalm 78:72
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From the future scholars and saints of Holy Savior Academy
The first decade – Nov.
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History of the Diocese of Metuchen
to Oct.
M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T
The Diocese of Metuchen proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ, celebrates his Sacraments, and exercises his works of mercy so that all might participate in his salvation and discover the lasting joy of a relationship with him. The diocese’s Mission Statement, found on the diocesan website: www. diometuchen.org., was adopted in 1983.
On Nov. 24, 1981, the church of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Metuchen was raised to cathedral status and became the Mother Church of the diocese. It is where all major diocesan liturgies are celebrated.
On Nov. 19, the Diocese of Metuchen began its year-long celebration of 40 years of building the Kingdom of God. It was four decades ago that then-Pope, now St. John Paul II, decided to create the Diocese of Metuchen. It was when the Diocese of Trenton completed its centennial celebration in 1981, that the pope carved out four counties — Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren –— to create the Church’s newest diocese. The faithful in the Church of Metuchen embarked on a faith-filled journey. They have gathered in good times and bad, in their Mother Church, the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen for Mass, liturgical services, and even private prayer. The year 1983 saw the development of the Diocesan Mission Statement. To serve the spiritual needs of the people
in the new diocese, the campaign “Forward in Faith,” was established. Today it is the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. During its first decade, the faith of the people of the Church of Metuchen grew as new parishes were created in Perth Amboy, Califon, Skillman, Old Bridge and Three Bridges, and 11 new church buildings were erected. To welcome new members into the Catholic faith and meet the needs of new immigrants to the United States, the Office of Evangelization was established. As the faithful in the diocese continued to build the Kingdom of God, the First Eucharistic Procession was held, as well as the first Respect Life Mass to honor pro-life advocates At the end of the decade, the Life Chain was established to protest abortion. All three continue today.
In 1991, the diocese’s Life Chain was established and held in all four of its counties. The Life Chain, which protests against abortion, continues as an annual event observed on the first Sunday in October, Respect Life month.
Hunterdon Somerset Middlesex
The Diocese of Metuchen cuts across the state of New Jersey.
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— The Catholic Spirit file photos
The diocese’s first Eucharistic procession was held in 1990. It is observed on Corpus Christi Sunday to proclaim the truth of the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the actual body of Christ during Mass.
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Warren
During his visit to the United States in 1981, then-Pope, now St. John Paul II visited parishes that would soon become part of the Diocese of Metuchen. The late Msgr. Francis Crupi, pastor, St. Mary of Mount Virgin Parish, New Brunswick, was among those who met the pontiff.
40TH ANNIVERSARY
40 years of building the Kingdom/setting a fire in the heart of our Church
DECEMBER 9, 2021
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40TH ANNIVERSARY
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to Oct.
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At the beginning of its second decade, the Diocese of Metuchen celebrated its 10th Anniversary by awarding its first Regina Nostra medals to outstanding lay leaders. Since then, several hundred men and women have received this honor on significant diocesan anniversaries. On Feb. 29, 1996, the first issue of “The Catholic Spirit,” the diocese’s official newspaper was published. Over the past 25 years, the paper has served as a valuable resource in helping the faithful build the Kingdom of God. It raises the consciousness of its readers about the important issues facing the Church and the diocese. Through stories about how individuals witness their faith and inspirational columns it helps its readers on their personal journey of faith. To increase the visibility and accessibility of the diocese, in February 1998, a diocesan webpage was launched. It was a tool which enabled the diocese to continue building the Kingdom of God by reaching out to countless Catholics to inform them of the services and ministries available. In the ensuing years, the website was updated and expanded and today is a valuable resource for catechesis, community, and communication. To position the diocese and its many outreaches for the 21st century, in September 1999, the diocese launched a diocesan capital campaign, “In Service to the Kingdom.” In September 2001, a groundbreaking took place for the diocese’s first Catholic school building in Hunterdon County. That year, Immaculate Conception School in Annandale, opened for students in grades pre-K through fourth. The following school year, with the completion of its new school building, the school expanded enrollment through eighth grade. It was a sign that the people of the diocese were continuing to build God’s Kingdom as the students at Immaculate Conception were taught to become disciples of Christ.
The second decade – Nov.
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History of the Diocese of Metuchen
In commemoration of the diocese’s 10th anniversary, its “Regina Nostra” medals were given to outstanding lay leaders. One of the recipients was Rosemarie Gazaleh.
In February 1996, The diocese’s official newspaper, The Catholic Spirit, began publishing. Over the past 25 years, the paper has earned almost 100 awards from the Catholic Press Association as it helped everyone on their faith journey.
The diocese launched its first webpage in February 1996. Over the past 25 years, the webpage evolved into a website shown above which provides a tremendous amount of information on the diocese, its offices, ministries, parishes, events and latest news. — The Catholic Spirit file photos
Sister Michaelita Wiechetek, C.S.S.F., meets with Mother, now St. Teresa of Calcutta, at the diocesan center in Iselin, May 29, 1996. Mother Teresa first visited the diocese in 1988 when she spoke to a crowd of more than 20,000 people at the National Blue Army Shrine, Washington, N.J.
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The Sisters of Jesus Our Hope, whose religious community was established in the diocese in 1992, pose for a photo.
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Protection, and the Protecting God’s Children program was implemented. The diocese’s Annual Blue Mass, which is still held, was re-established in 2003. Two years later the Diocesan Youth Day was established, a full-time vocations director appointed, and the House of Discernment for men considering the priesthood opened. At the end of 2005, the diocese began the celebration of its 25th Anniversary. During 2006, the diocese’s first Synod was launched, papal and diocesan honors bestowed and pilgrimages held. To help increase vocations, in 2008 more than 2,000 faith-filled pilgrims traveled to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Then in January 2010, the building of the Kingdom of God in the diocese took a huge step forward as a new Catholic Center at Rutgers opened and became the spiritual home for more than 13,000 Catholic students.
to Oct.
40TH ANNIVERSARY
During its first two decades, some of the Diocese of Metuchen’s administrative offices were housed in a building in Iselin and many were scattered throughout the diocese. At the end of November 2001, however, that situation changed completely with the dedication of the diocese’s St. John Neuman Pastoral Center in Piscataway. The center was created through a two year renovation of the diocese’s St. Pius X High School which had closed in 1900 and was only used periodically for workshops and programs. With its opening, the center provided ample room for offices and ministries and had a chapel plus a large conference room. It was the perfect place for the diocese to continue and expand building the kingdom of God. Beginning in January 2002, a major challenge faced the diocese with news of clergy sexual abuse. Immediately addressing the crisis, the diocese reviewed all clergy files, in 2003, the bishop established the Office of Child and Youth
The third decade – Nov.
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History of the Diocese of Metuchen
On Sept. 17, 2005, the diocese’s first Diocesan Youth Day was held in the St. Pius X High School. It was a sign that the young people were helping to build the Kingdom of God. In 2003, the Diocese’s Blue Mass, still held annually was re-established. The diocese’s first and only Deanery School, Holy Savior Academy, opened in South Plainfield in September 2011. The regional inter-parochial school was established by the 12 pastors in the diocese’s Middlebrook Deanery
DECEMBER 9, 9, 2021
In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the diocese sponsored a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 16, 2006. More than 3,500 clergy, religious and laity filled the shrine to capacity.
Previously located in a small house in New Brunswick, after a two year renovation, The Catholic Center at Rutgers University opened in January 2010. Pictured are some of the current students who come to the center.
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
After a two-year renovation, the Diocese of Metuchen St. John Neuman Pastoral Center, located in the former St. Pius X High School in Piscataway, was dedicated in November 2001. It consolidated the diocesan offices into one building and with a conference center is able to hold major events.
30 40TH ANNIVERSARY THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT DECEMBER 9, 2021
Immaculate Conception School 4 1 M o u n t a i n Ave n u e S o m e r v i l l e , N e w J e r s ey 0 8 8 7 6 (908) 725-6516 Immaculata High School 2 4 0 M o u n t a i n Ave n u e Somerville, NJ 08876 (908) 722-0200
At the conclusion of the Year of Mercy, nearly 100 individuals and groups received the diocese’s Disciple of Mercy award. One of the honorees was Thomas Lee, a member of St. Joseph Parish, Hillsborough who was presented with the award by the bishop.
This past year on September 12, the diocese sponsored its first Mass for engaged couples.
DECEMBER 9, 9, 2021
After a yearlong preparation, on Dec. 19, 2019, the diocese was consecrated to Jesus through Mary under her title Our Lady of Guadalupe.
A new era began in 2016 for the diocese as its fifth Shepherd was installed on May 3. In one of his first acts, in November he closed the diocese’s Year of Mercy with a Prayer Service during which 100 individuals and groups received the Disciple of Mercy award. Continuing to build the Kingdom of God, in December 2019, after a year of preparation, the diocese was consecrated to Jesus through Our Lady of Guadalupe. The following year the COVID-19 pandemic shut parishes and Masses as well as many programs went online including the first-ever Pentecost Retreat. This past year, life is beginning to return to normal as the diocese celebrates forty faith-filled years building the Kingdom of God.
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In June 2013, after the USCCB endorsement of comprehensive immigration reform, a Mass was held for the intentions of immigrants and their families at Immaculate Conception Parish, Somerville.
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the faithful of the Diocese of Metuchen journeyed to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C., to express their thanks for three faith-filled decades and pray for help as they continued to build the Kingdom of God. A year later, in December 2012, hundreds gathered at a memorable Faith Formation Convocation to learn about the new evangelization. It focused on turning one’s life over to Christ and living in an intimate relationship with Him. Earlier in 2012, the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry hosted its first Young Adult Summit at the Pastoral Center. It was a boost to building the Kingdom and brough hope it would continue in the future. The following year, the diocese’s outreach expanded as immigrants and their families were welcomed at Masses held after the USCCB endorsed comprehensive immigration reform. On July 23, 2015, Catholic Charities opened a Social Service Center to provide programs and services for the poor and marginalized and the Kingdom of God kept growing. Pope Francis traveled to the U.S. in September 2015 and hundreds from the diocese traveled to Philadelphia for the Mass he celebrated at the end of the World Meeting of Families. To commemorate the Papal visit, “The Catholic Spirit” published a special issue filled with first person stories about the Pope’s visit.
to Oct.
40TH ANNIVERSARY
On April 12, 2020, Bishop James F. Checchio presided at Mass and gave the homily on Easter Sunday at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, which was empty because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mass was livestreamed through the parish’s website.
The fourth decade – Nov.
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History of the Diocese of Metuchen
32 40TH ANNIVERSARY THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT DECEMBER 9, 2021
Congratulations To the Diocese of Metuchen
As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Metuchen, may all the good plans of the Lord come to fulfillment in our lives and in the diocese. Congratulations on this milestone!
33 40TH ANNIVERSARY
For the past four decades, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen has provided quality services with dignity and respect to the poor, vulnerable, and all people in need and partners with families and communities to improve the quality of life. ——————————————————————————————————
Catholic Charities Solidarity Team Child Care Services Food Pantry Immigration Services Independent Living Program Maternity Services Mobile Family Success Center Mobile Response and Stabilization Services Office of Parish Social Ministry Outpatient Counseling for individuals, families, and couples Ozanam Inn (Men’s Shelter) Ozanam Family Shelter PACT Program Parent Education Groups PATH Program Permanent and Supportive Housing Project Rachel Post-Abortion Counseling Rental Assistance Services Substance Abuse Services Supervised Visitation Services Thrift Store Unity Square Community Center Youth Services
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School-based Counseling Services
DECEMBER 9, 9, 2021
DECEMBER 9, 2021
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40TH ANNIVERSARY
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Women Religious Communities
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40TH ANNIVERSARY
In addition to the ministry of prayer, women and men in religious and consecrated life have served the Church of Metuchen in numerous ways during the past 40 years — education, youth and adult faith formation (RCIA), healthcare, ministry to the aged and infirmed, social ministry, Catholic Charities, retreat work, parish pastoral ministry, diocesan offices, as well as many other ministries.
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Religious and consecrated life
Pontifical Religious Communities
Augustinian Recollect Nuns (OAR – Contemplative) Congregation of the Servants of the Holy Child Jesus (OSF Servants of the Holy Child) Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Martha (CSM – India) Congregation of the Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice (CSSF Felician Sisters) Dominican Sisters of Hope (OP of Hope) Franciscan Sisters of Allegany (OSF of Allegany, N.Y.) Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (LSIC) Little Sisters of the Poor (LSP) Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (SMIC) Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCD – Cloistered) Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate (PVMI) Religious Sisters Filippini (MPF) School Sisters of St. Francis (OSF of Pittsburgh) Sisters of Christian Charity (SCC) Sisters of Mercy of the Americas (RSM) Sisters of St. Joseph (SSJ) Sisters of the Divine Vocations (SDV – Vocationist Sisters)
Diocesan Religious Communities
Dominican Sisters of Amityville (OP of Amityville, NY) Dominican Sisters of Caldwell (OP of Caldwell, NJ) Missionary Catechists of the Sacred Heart of Jesus & Mary (MCSH)
Diocesan Public Association of the Faithful Communities Dominican Sisters of Divine Providence (OP – Flemington) Sisters of Jesus Our Hope (SJH)
Diocesan Consecrated Virgins Order of Consecrated Virgins
Diocesan Anchoress
Anchoress of Metuchen (Hermit — Contemplative)
Men Religious Communities
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Pontifical Religious Brothers Community Brothers of the Sacred Heart (BC) Brotherhood of Hope (BH)
Priests - Pontifical Association for Apostolic Life Congregation of the Oratory (CO – Oratorians)
Religious Priests
DECEMBER 9, 9, 2021
Carmelite of Mary Immaculate (CMI) Claretian Missionaries (CMF) Consolata Fathers (IMC) Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM-Cap) Redemptorists (CSsR) Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) Society of Jesus Christ the Priest (SJCP) Society of the Divine Savior (SDS) Society of the Divine Vocations (SDV) Vincentian Congregation (VC)
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Diocesan Public Association of the Faithful Community
36 40TH ANNIVERSARY
JOINS THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN IN CELEBRATION OF OUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY!
DECEMBER 9, 2021
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
We bring your faith and local news to our diocesan family in print and online
37 40TH ANNIVERSARY
Offices and Ministries The work of the Diocese of Metuchen is carried out by a number of offices and ministries dedicated to particular aspects of the mission of the Catholic Church, the very same mission given to the apostles by Jesus Christ.
Office of the Bishop
Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA Bishop of Metuchen Rev. Roy Quesea, JCL, Vice Chancellorand Priest Secretary to the Bishop Patricia A. Ellis, Executive Assistant to the Bishop Phone: 732-562-2458 E-mail: office.of.the.bishop@diometuchen.org —————————————————————————————————
Office of the Bishop Emeritus
Most Reverend Paul G. Bootkoski, DD Bishop Emeritus of Metuchen Kathleen M. Sinclair, Executive Assistant Phone: 732-562-2457 E-mail: pbootkoski@diometuchen.org
Office of the Vicar General Very Rev. Timothy A. Christy, VG Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia Donnamarie Petrucelli, Executive Assistant Phone: 732-562-2439 E-mail: dpetrucelli@diometuchen.org Office of Stewardship and Development Director of Development: TBA Sue Mantarro, Director of Stewardship Phone: 732-562-2458 E-mail: development@diometuchen.org Foundation for Catholic Education Phone: 732-562-2452 E-mail: FCE@diometuchen.org Office of Worship Tony Varas, Director Nevin Mathew, Administrative Assistant Phone: 732-562-2435 E-mail: worship@diometuchen.org
Diocesan Liturgical Commission Very Rev. Robert B. Kolakowski, JCD, Chair Tony Varas, Ex-Officio Diocesan Eucharistic League Rev. Peter R. Cebulka, C.O., Director
Office of Child and Youth Protection Doranne Rossiter, Director Nevin Mathew, Administrative Assistant, Compliance Desk Paule Galette, LCSW, Victim Assistance Coordinator Phone: 732-562-2413 Email: drossiter@diometuchen.org —————————————————————————————————
The Tribunal
Very Rev. Robert B. Kolakowski, JCD, Judicial Vicar Rev. Msgr. Richard J. Lyons, JCL, Judicial Vicar Emeritus Christopher J. Fusco, JCL, Esq., Moderator Sara T. Acevedo, Auditor Phone: 732-243-4595 Maggie Manza, Administrative Coordinator Phone: 732-529-7589 E-mail: tribunal@diometuchen.org —————————————————————————————————
Office of the Chancellor
Anthony P. Kearns III, Esq., Chancellor Rev. Roy Quesea, JCL,Vice Chancellor Carol MacDermott, Vice Chancellor Donnamarie Petrucelli, Executive Assistant Phone: 732-562-2439 E-mail: chancellor@diometuchen.org Office of the Diocesan General Counsel Michael K. Ligorano, KM, Esq., General Counsel Christopher J. Fusco, JCL, Esq., Associate General Counsel Phone: 732-562-2439 Commission for Historical Records Rev. Peter R. Cebulka, C.O., Chairman Continued on page 38
DECEMBER 9, 9, 2021
Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament Rev. Peter R. Cebulka, C.O., Rector Phone: 908-300-8167 Website: www.shrinechapel.com
Rev. Msgr. William Benwell, JCL Episcopal Vicar for Canonical Services Phone: 908-756-6524 E-mail: wbenwell@diometuchen.org
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Liturgical Music Coordinator: TBA E-mail: liturgical.music@diometuchen.org
Office for Canonical Affairs
38
Offices and Ministries
40TH ANNIVERSARY
Vicariate for Administration Rev. Msgr. Joseph G. Celano, Episcopal Vicar Carol A. Purcell, CPA, Executive Director Theresa DeGuzman, Executive Assistant Phone: 732-243-4553 E-mail: administration@diometuchen.org
Serra Club District 25 Rev. Mauricio Tabera-Vasquez, Moderator
Office of Cemeteries Mary Ellen Gerrity, Director Anthony G. Agliata, Superintendent Phone: 732-463-1424 or (800) 943-8400 E-mail: cemeteries@diometuchen.org
Office of Ministry to Priests Rev. Msgr. Joseph M. Curry, Director
Office of Finance Patricia Murtha, Corporate Controller E-mail: finance@diometuchen.org
Office of Prison Ministry Rev. Sean G. Winters, Director
Office of Human Resources Melissa Pujols, SHRM-CP, Director Kathleen Campbell, Assistant Director and Benefits Coordinator E-mail: hr@diometuchen.org Office of Information Systems Leonardo G. Cortelezzi, Director David Torres, Assistant Director Hetal Patel, Student Information Services Coordinator E-mail: information.systems@diometuchen.org Office of Insurance Jacqueline Glackin, Manager Email: insurance@diometuchen.org Office of Properties and Facilities Ownership and Management Michael DeLuca, Associate Director Steve Michalek Jr., Director Andrew Stevens, Maintenance Manager E-mail: facilities@diometuchen.org Campus Ministry Apostolate Rev. Brian J. Nolan, Liaison The Catholic Center at Rutgers University Br. Patrick Reilly, BH, Director Colleen Donahue, Office Manager Phone: 732-545-6663 Website: www.catholic-center.rutgers.edu —————————————————————————————————
Vicariate for Clergy and Consecrated Life Rev. Msgr. Edward C. Puleo, Episcopal Vicar Kathleen M. Sinclair, Executive Assistant Phone: 732-562-2457 E-mail: ksinclair@diometuchen.org DECEMBER 9, 2021 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
St. John Vianney House of Discernment, Rev. Mauricio Tabera-Vasquez, Director
Office for Priest Personnel Rev. Msgr. John N. Fell, Director Phone: 732-529-7924 E-mail: priest.personnel@diometuchen.org Office for Religious Sr. Anna Nguyen, SCC, Delegate for Religious Phone: 732-529-7587 E-mail: religious@diometuchen.org Office of the Diaconate Deacon Stephen F. Kern, Director Phone: 732-562-2457 E-mail: diaconate@diometuchen.org Office of Vocations Rev. Msgr. John N. Fell, Director of Seminarians Rev. Mauricio Tabera-Vasquez, Vocations Recruiter Phone: 732-562-2453 Email: vocations@diometuchen.org
Office of Hospital Chaplaincy Rev. Sean G. Winters, Coordinator of Hospital Chaplains
Board for Seminary Education Rev. Mauricio Tabera-Vasquez, Chairman Rev. Msgr. Edward C. Puleo, Ex-Officio The Maria Regina Residence —————————————————————————————————
Secretariat for Charity
Anthony P. Kearns III, Esq. Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Board of Trustees Phone: 732-562-2446 E-mail: akearns@diometuchen.org Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen Julio Coto, LCSW, Executive Director Phone: 732-324-8200 Website: www.ccdom.org Catholic Charities Solidarity Team Deacon Peter E. Barcellona, Director Phone: 732-545-1681 Website: www.ccsolidarity.org —————————————————————————————————
Secretariat for Education
Ellen F. Ayoub, Secretary of Education Office of Schools Ellen F. Ayoub, Superintendent Barbara Stevens, Assistant Superintendent Laura Ferreras, Administrative Assistant Phone: 732-562-2446 E-mail: education@diometuchen.org Catholic Scouting Apostolate Rev. John J. Barbella, Moderator St. Philip and St. James, Phillipsburg E-mail: Secretary@spsj.org Boy Scout Committee Nora Burke Klippstein, Chair Phone: 908-735-9520 E-mail: KlipClan@att.net Girl Scout Committee Doreen Sekora, Chair Phone: 908-672-5255 E-mail: DOMgirlscouts@gmail.com —————————————————————————————————
Vicariate for Evangelization and Communication Very Rev. Timothy A. Christy, VG Donnamarie Petrucelli, Executive Assistant Phone: 732-529-2439
Office of Communications and Public Relations Tara Smith, Director Gerald J. Wutkowski Jr., Assistant Director E-mail: domnjsocialmedia@gmail.com
Continued on page 39
Office of Evangelization Director - TBA Phone: 732-562-2454 E-mail: evangelization@diometuchen.org Catholic Charismatic Renewal Robert Walker, Moderator Br. Jude Lasota, BH, Spiritual Director Diocesan Holy Name Societies Michael W. Corbin, President Rev. Chester H. Carina, Moderator E-mail: metuchenhns@gmail.com
Divine Mercy Apostolate James Dimino, Coordinator Rev. John C. Grimes, Moderator Legion of Mary, Metuchen Comitium Joan Wilson, President Michael W. White, Vice-President Rev. John J. Barbella, Spiritual Director Office of RCIA Sara A. Sharlow, Director Phone: 732-243-4577 E-mail: ssharlow@diometuchen.org Katie Battle, Administrative Assistant Phone: 732-243-4575 E-mail: kbattle@diometuchen.org Office of the Pontifical Mission Societies Rev. John G. Hillier, PhD, Director Phone: 732-562-2430 or 732-243-4580 Milagros (Mila) C. Dionisio, Associate Director Phone: 732-243-4583 Debbie Pecora, Administrative Assistant E-mail: pontifical.mission.societies@diometuchen.org The Catholic Spirit Bishop James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA, Publisher Rev. Glenn J. Comandini, STD, Managing Editor Christopher Donahue, Associate Editor Joanne Ward, Advisor Judith Leviton, Business Manager Jill Gray, Graphic Designer Nanette M. Kubian, Advertising Representative Phone: 732-562-2424 E-mail: news@catholicspirit.com —————————————————————————————————
Secretariat for Family and Pastoral Life
Jennifer A. Ruggiero, MA, Secretary for Family and Pastoral Life Phone: 732-243-4574 E-mail: jruggiero@diometuchen.org
Office for Persons with Disabilities Rev. John G. Hillier, PhD, Director Phone: 732-562-2430 E-mail: catholicswithdisabilities@gmail.com
Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs Rev. Guy W. Selvester, MDiv., MA, Director Phone: 732-529-7937 Email: gselvester@diometuchen.org Office of Family Life Ministry Cristina D’Averso-Collins, Director Angela Marshall, Administrative Assistant Phone: 732-562-1543 Email: family.life@diometuchen.org Catholic Ministries to Persons with Same Sex Attractions and Their Families Rev. Thomas A. Odorizzi, CO, Chaplain, Courage Rev. David Skoblow, Chaplain, Encourage Office of Human Life and Dignity Jennifer A. Ruggiero, Director Angela Marshall, Administrative Assistant Phone: 732-243-4574 E-mail: human.life.and.dignity@diometuchen.org Project Rachel Post Abortion Healing Ministry Helpline: 877-877-4300 Website: www.hopeafterabortion.com Social Justice Deacon Peter E. Barcellona, Coordinator E-mail: pbarcellona@diometuchen.org Society of St. Vincent de Paul Jerry Retkwa, Metuchen Council President Office of Ongoing Faith Formation Coordinator: TBA Office of Youth and Young Adult Evangelization Megan Vantslot, Director Katie Battle, Administrative Assistant Phone: 732-243-4575 E-mail: youth.ministry@diometuchen.org young.adult@diometuchen.org —————————————————————————————————
DECEMBER 9, 9, 2021
Office of Hispanic Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry Director: TBA Rev. Juan Carlos Gaviria, Coordinator of Hispanic Lay Formation Phone: 732-243-4571 E-mail: jgaviria@diometuchen.org Luz Escobar, Bi-lingual Administrative Assistant Phone: 732-243-4573 E-mail: hispanic.ministry@diometuchen.org
Office for Discipleship Formation for Children Carol Mascola, Director Phone: 732-529-7930 Email: catechesis@diometuchen.org Katie Battle, Administrative Assistant Phone: 732-243-4575
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Office for Cultural Diversity Ministries Director: TBA Apostolates: African American, African and Caribbean; Brazilian & Portuguese; Chinese; Filipino; Hungarian; Indian and Sri Lankan; Indonesian; Korean, Polish; Vietnamese Phone: 732-562-2454
Office of Catholic Rural Ministry Rev. Michael C. Saharic, Coordinator E-mail: msaharic@diometuchen.org
40TH ANNIVERSARY
Vicariate for Evangelization and Communication (continued)
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Offices and Ministries
40 40TH ANNIVERSARY
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Upcoming Diocesan Celebrations M o re i n fo r m a t i o n o n o u r j oy fu l c e l e b r a t i o n c a n b e f o u n d a t w w w.d i o m e t u c h e n .o rg / 4 0 Ja n
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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
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Celebrating Our You n g D i s c i p l e s
Choices Matter Critical Life Issues C o n fe re n c e
C ath e d r al of S aint Fra ncis o f As sis i, Me t u ch e n , NJ , 7:00 PM
Rut gers Uni versi ty Living sto n Student Center, Pi sc a taway, NJ
Forty Years of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Metuchen Dioce san -W ide Week -Lo ng Celebra tio n J an u ar y 30 - F ebrua ry 5, 20 22
Wo r l d D ay o f the Sick
S ain t Pe t e r ’s U niversity H osp ital, New Brunsw ick , NJ
4 0 Wo r k s o f M e rcy Launch Dioce san -W id e Mon t h - Lon g C e lebra tio n
Diocesan Pe n t e c o s t V i g i l Ca thed ra l o f Sa i nt Fra nc i s of A ssi si , Metuc hen, NJ
T h e Qu e e n s h i p of Mary Lo ca l Pa ri sh C eleb ra t i on of Our D i oc esa n Pa trona l Fea st
Diocesan Pilgrimage to The Basilica of the National Shrine o f t h e I m m a cu la t e C o n c e p t i o n Wa shi ngt on, D.C.
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Forty Years of Building the Kingdom in Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren