October 20, 2022

Bishop James F. Checchio, front

of

Parish,

Amboy,

of

Diocese marks conclusion of 40th anniversary

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

ful window showing us God’s presence and made me so grateful to be a part of this pilgrimage. I have no doubt that those who joined us virtually and prayed from home all helped to make it a more blessed day, too.

in New Jersey.

September 24 was a glorious day in the history of the Diocese of Metuchen. More than 1,300 lay faithful, clerics, and those in consecrated life joined our diocesan pilgrimage and filled the beautiful Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the closing of our 40th anniversary year. I carried each of you with me in prayer as we gathered at the Shrine for this beautiful and memorable day, which began with the Angelus and concluded with Mass.

As we conclude our 40th anniversary let us take this occasion to pledge anew our renewed e orts at reaching out to all to spread the love and mercy of God to those in need.

Our pilgrims included babies, elementary, high school and college students, families, and senior citizens. They represented all our ethnic groups who joined together with one voice in thanking our loving God for the blessings we have had as a local Church over the past 40 years and asking our Mother Mary to intercede for us to have a blessed future! How grateful we are as a Diocese for the gift of our patroness, our Mother, Mary, our protector and model of the life of virtue.

Truly, our celebration was all the more festive, since we had so many pilgrims from diverse cultures in our diocese. It was such a beautiful mosaic to behold, seeing so many of our faithful together from all four counties of our wonderful diocese and probably from every parish. They made a beauti-

It was a particular joy to welcome our principal celebrant and homilist for the Mass, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio, who is Pope Francis’representative to the United States. It was so kind of him to join us on this special day. We were able to offer prayers for him as well, as he celebrated the 27th anniversary of his episcopal ordination on the day of our pilgrimage. His presence joined us with the Holy Father and for that we were most grateful. We asked the Archbishop to thank Pope Francis for his love and service, and to assure him of the love and prayers of his faithful from Metuchen.

It has been a blessed 40 years for us since our founding as a diocese by then Pope now St. John Paul II. With 90 parishes in our diocese, which has almost 650,000 Catholics, we have so much to be grateful for, even as we dare to beg for more, asking our generous Father’s continued blessing and protection on all of us and our families.

For 40 years, the lay faithful, priests, deacons and religious have worked tirelessly in making over our hearts to be more like the merciful heart of our Good Shepherd, while steadfastly remaining under the protection of our patroness and Mother, Mary, as we continue our mission of proclaiming the Kingdom, teaching the Word, and administering the sacraments while striving to renew the face of the earth in and from our beautiful four counties

May Mary, our patroness and the example of Mercy, assist us in continually living the mercy that God constantly extends to all of us. As we conclude our 40th anniversary let us take this occasion to pledge anew our renewed efforts at reaching out to all to spread the love and mercy of God to those in need.

Indeed, the closing of our anniversary was a great moment of praise and thanks as we honored our Lady and again thanked God for all the good that happens here in our diocese. Now, as we go into another decade, I look forward to us listening more intensely to God in prayer as we strive to hear what He might be asking of us, our families, and parishes. Let us listen to Him, like our Lady, and

make the Word more alive within us, so that we, too, can share Him with all we encounter each day. As we do that, we will be imitating our Lady by making Christ more present. So indeed, may our Lady of Guadalupe be our inspiration and guide as we continue her Son’s mission!

God bless you all and know of my love, gratitude, and prayers for you, even as I ask that you kindly remember me in your prayers! For one last time, Happy 40th Anniversary!

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

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Special Greeting

Bishop James F. Checchio greets one of the more than 1,300 pilgrims who traveled to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., to participate in the closing of the Diocese of Metuchen’s 40th anniversary year. Later, at Mass, Msgr. Walter Rossi, rector of the Basilica, said after the decrease in attendance because of the COVID-19 pandemic, “It is a sight for sore eyes to see the Basilica lled with so many pilgrims from Metuchen.” The Diocese of Metuchen was established Nov. 19, 1981, by then-Pope, now St. John Paul II, from the four northern counties of the Diocese of Trenton. The Diocese of Metuchen is comprised of a Catholic population of 650,000 and encompasses Middlesex, Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren counties.

John Batkowski photo

Dinner reinforces bond between clergy, fraternal organization

By Christina Leslie Correspondent

SOMERSET — “There is nothing we would not do for you, because there is nothing you would not do for the Church,” said James E. Stoever, State Deputy, Knights of Columbus, to more than 400 clergy and members of the men’s fraternal organization at the annual “Pride in Our Priests” dinner.

Sponsored by the Knights’ Metuchen Diocese Chapter, the event, held at the Imperia Sept. 8, is an opportunity for both groups to break bread and refl ect upon the integral roles they fulfi ll in the counties served by the diocese — Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren.

During the cocktail hour, Knights and clergy expressed their mutual admiration and pledged their support for one another to serve the faithful.

Three members of Council 1432, Somerville, including Richard Adamecs and Stephen Minarovich, expressed how the Knights’ aid to their parishes in large and small deeds is invaluable.

“This dinner shows how highly [the priests] are valued and should be specially recognized,” Adamecs said.

“We honor those who are doing the job and give our support,” Minarovich said.

From left, Scott Williams, State Warden, Knights of Columbus; Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bookoski, Bishop James F. Checchio and James E. Stoever, State Deputy, Knights of Columbus, pose at the Pride in Our Priests dinner.

Council 1432 Grand Knight Charles Elbert noted, “The priests do everything for us. They are the ones who bring the Lord to us every Sunday.”

“We have to show priests we appreciate them,” said William Barba, a member of the St. Matthias, Somerset, Council 9925. “They do so much.”

Father Kenneth R. Kolibas, past Grand Knight of Father Carey Council 1280, Carteret, and parochial vicar at Our Lady of Peace Parish, North Brunswick, said he admires the Catholic fraternal organization because it “brings men together” and “it’s a family organization.”

“Whatever the Church asks of us,

we try to provide,” he added.

In his role as chaplain for the Carmelite Monastery, Flemington, Father John Primich has seen fi rst-hand how members of the Knights’ Whitehouse Station Council assists the discalced Carmelites who live there.

“The Knights were invited to help them clean up the land,” he said. “The nuns appreciated their works of mercy.”

Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski, State Chaplain, Knights of Columbus, gave the dinner’s invocation and led the assemblage in a prayer for priests that implored the Lord to aid them to “be strong in their vocation, follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and have the words they need to spread the Gospel.”

Scott Williams, State Warden, Knights of Columbus, and a member of St. Cecilia Parish, Monmouth Junction, presented a check to Bishop James F. Checchio to use for the diocesan intellectual disabilities programs. The bishop thanked the Knights and said he had “pride in our priests, not just today, but all year long.”

“We are proud of the priests’ sacrifi ces they make to guide our parishes” Bishop Checchio said.

“The Knights are joined at the hips with us. They made us so proud of their support for life, and we are grateful for your support of us.”

Mike Ehrmann photo

How pagan

Body

& Soul

By Father Glenn J. Comandini, STD

Did you ever wonder about the connection between Halloween, All Saints and All Souls? To explain this, I need to give you, readers, a brief history lesson.

More than 2,000 years ago, a tribe called the “Celts” inhabited all of Ireland, most of the British Isles and part of France. The Celts celebrated the beginning of the new year on November 1. This day symbolized the end of summer and the onset of winter. It was the time of the harvest. Celts believed that on New Year’s Eve, October 31, the ghosts of the dead could roam the land from sundown on October 31

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until sunrise on November 1. On Samhain, as this night was called, it was believed that the ghosts of the dead would rise from their graves, cause pranks and possibly ruin the harvest.

So, to ward off these pesky spirits, the Celts wore costumes, usually made of animal heads and skins. They built a bonfire and paraded around the cemeteries of their dead until sunrise on November 1.

By the year 800, the land of the Celts were now Christian. Pope Boniface IV took the pagan New Year feast of November 1 and gave it a new name and a sacred meaning as the Feast of All the Saints or “All Hallows,” as it was called in Ireland. This was a time to honor all the saints and angels. The night before, October 31, formerly the pagan feast of Samhain was now known as “All Hallows Eve” and eventually, “Halloween.” Two hun-

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dred years later, that November 2 was set aside as All Souls’ Day, a time to honor the dead. It was celebrated almost like the pagan feast of Samhain, with big bonfires and parades — but now the people would no longer wear costumes made of animal heads and skins; rather, superstitious that the ghosts of their dead could still cause trouble for the living, they now dressed as saints and angels. Like their pagan predecessors, the Celts, they still built a huge bonfire to show light was stronger than darkness — and, like the Celts, they would parade through the cemeteries at night on Halloween in their saintly and angelic garb. They believed that if any evil spirits were lurking around the resting place of their deceased loved ones, on the night of October 31, their costumes would scare off these un-welcomed intruders — and the living could now prepare to honor their dead without fear on November 2.

Perhaps we should encourage our children to dress like saints and angels, which would be counter-cultural. Those who answer the doorbell to the sound of “Trick or Treat” would immediately take another look, to realize that these boys and girls were not like the other kids of the block, dressed

as zombies or Marvel heros. Dressed as angels and saints, these children would remind the folks of the block what Halloween is all about. People might inquire to the children “who are you supposed to be?” And the answer of Saint Michael or St. Francis or St. Therese or St. Brigid might likely be followed by another question from these stunned adults: “Who was he?”

“Who was she?” So, make sure to have the children know a little about the holy person or angel their costume depicts.

We Catholics do see a connection between Halloween, All Saints and All Souls. We can point to origins of these feasts in Ireland. We can also see a transition from something profane to something sacred. The original motive was to scare away ghosts and evil spirits, while children today are in pursuit of sweets. There is every reason for us to share this history with our loved ones over dinner, with members of our faith-sharing groups or religious education students, even with friends at work. This would definitely be for us and those we counter, an exercise in evangelization here and now!

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

Newly-blessed facility expands services to needy, expectant mothers

Karen Corpora Correspondent

WASHINGTON — Life Choices, Inc. has added a new addition to the family — Women’s Options. The facility joins Saint Ann’s Center, Holy Family Center, Life Choices Health Center and Grandma’s House, all in Phillipsburg, to serve women facing crisis pregnancies.

On Aug. 23, Father Guy W. Selvester, pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Washington, blessed Women’s Options, which offers services such as free pregnancy testing and sonograms. The staff’s goal is to offer women the resources they need to choose life affirming options.

In his blessing, Father Selvester said, “We pray that our work enables us to practice charity and to help the less fortunate, those who are vulnerable and most in need. Let us pray that he [God] will shower his blessings on all who will work in this place and all those this place will serve.”

He prayed that all the activities in the new facility will build up a spirit of community, proclaim the Gospel of life, foster understanding and service, reach out to those most in need of help and lead to the well-being of all the people it will serve.

“I am glad to see that the work of Joan Fasanello, [founder of Life Choices, Inc.] is expanding and more facilities like this are opening,” Father Selvester said. “Phillipsburg and Washington are only 11 miles away, but many times the people in need of the services that are provided at Women’s Options do not have the means to get to Phillipsburg. Planned Parenthood is in this town. Now that this facility has opened people will really have an option. I am happy that the other side is now being heard from.”

Life Choices, Inc., which operates five programs and owns three buildings, employs 35 and relies on a host of volun teers. The newly opened center is housed in a recently renovated space that is rented and is in a residential part of town that of fers a more private setting as opposed to a storefront in midtown.

Fasanello said Women’s Options was opened because Planned Parenthood and a free-standing abortion clinic are in Phil lipsburg.

“We noticed our number of women kept climbing but the numbers at the other centers were dropping. So, Planned Parenthood moved to Washington,” she said. “We want that market. We want to provide help for those women, too. There are a lot of people here who are living below the poverty level and it is harder to get services here. We want them to know they do have options.”

The center in Washington is a small medical satellite office that does not require an extensive staff. However, the level of service will be reevaluated and adjusted as needed, Fasanello said. And, since most of Life Choices’ services are in Phillipsburg, the facility will be referring women to take advantage of what is offered there and will supply transportation for those who need it.

Some of the services being offered in Phillipsburg are: pregnancy testing, ultrasound, STD testing, cancer screening for women, Natural Family Planning, and ongoing material assistance that includes clothing, diapers, baby equipment, housing, child care, mentoring, and a scholarship program to help mothers finish their education.

“We want and keep a relationship with the family,” Fasanello noted. “Listen ing to their wishes and needs is important. We also have a great network of donors

Father Guy W. Selvester, pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Washington, blesses a room at Women’s Options, which offers services such as free pregnancy testing and sonograms. Women’s Options is a medical satellite office of Life Choices, Inc. The newly opened center is housed in a recently renovated space that is rented and is in a residential part of town that offers a more private setting as opposed to a storefront in midtown.

who can help with many needs including finding employment if necessary. Real help is absolutely necessary.”

To meet the needs of those it serves, Fasanello said technology has become an important element. “When we first started, I didn’t even know what e-mail was,” she said.

service needed,” Fasanello said.

The Life Choices scheduling pro gram will send an e-mail notification to the medical personnel who will be involved and also send a text message reminder to the woman for her appointment.

Most women who are faced with an unplanned pregnancy are dealing with abandonment and the worry of how she will provide for the baby or how she will finish school. Fasanello emphasized, “Sometimes all she needs is for someone to say I will help you. Encouragement is what we give and our goal is that she leaves our office

Members of the diocese gathered at several locations on Oct. 2, including Somerville (left) and Great Meadows, above, in conjunction with the national Life Chain. In Somerville, members of Immaculate Conception Parish were joined by students. In Great Meadows, members of Ss. Peter and Paul Parish participated in a prayer service before the Blessed Sacrament one hour before the protest for the 14th year.

Ed Koskey Jr. photo

photos courtesy of Tara Smith and Ss. Peter and Parish

Diocese concludes 40th anniversary of founding by future saint

By Deacon Patrick Cline Correspondent

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A pilgrimage is one of the oldest, most important and meaningful activities in the spiritual life of the Church and its members.

“Pope Francis says, ‘Pilgrimage is a symbol of life and an opportunity to encounter the God of Life,” Archbishop Christophe Pierre noted in his homily at Mass to conclude the 40th anniversary of the diocese’s founding by then-Pope, now St. John Paul II, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

More than 1,300 pilgrims gathered at the Basilica to give witness to the pope’s words Sept. 24. They not only encountered the “God of Life” at Mass, but throughout the day in prayer and the sacrament of reconciliation. They were inspired by the numerous altars, mosaics, and statues in chapels and hallways

and one of the 10 largest churches in the world.

Caroline Schwartz, a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Martinsville, was the captain of the Bridgewaterarea bus, one of 26 that brought pilgrims to the Marian shrine.

She participated in the pilgrimage because it “centered around a spiritual purpose to a sacred place.”

Schwartz added that she has a devotion to Mary, to whom the Shrine is dedicated and is the patroness of the United States and the diocese.

for participating in the diocese’s special celebration.

The Mass began with a procession of representatives carrying their parish banners along with various ethnic groups from the diocese, attired in traditional dress — Vietnamese, Mexican, Filipino, Indian, Costa Rican, Polish and Kenyans.

Each bus was warmly welcomed to the Shrine by Msgr. Vito A. Buonanno, director of pilgrimages, who thanked the pilgrims

The pilgrims were also greeted on the steps of the Basilica by Bishop James F. Checchio, who later presided at the Angelus and formally welcomed the pilgrims and thanked them for their participation.

In his heartfelt greeting, Msgr. Walter Rossi, rector of the Basilica, said after the decrease in attendance because of the COVID-19 pandemic, “It is a sight for sore eyes to see the Basilica filled with so many pilgrims from Metuchen.”

The pilgrims then had time to explore the Upper Church and Crypt Level as well as the various chapels. The sacrament of reconcilia-

tion was administered by priests surrounding the main altar.

Students who attended the pilgrimage participated in a “Scavenger Hunt” to locate specific chapels, statues and icons.

In addition, the choir from Immaculata High School, Somerville, sang before the Mass; and a special Pilgrimage Choir, composed of some Cathedral Choir members along with singers from various parishes in the diocese, provided the musical accompaniment for the Mass as well as a preceding Choral Prelude.

The Mass began with a procession of representatives carrying their parish banners along with various ethnic groups from the diocese, attired in traditional dress — Vietnamese, Mexican, Filipino, Indian, Costa Rican, Polish and Kenyans.

A group of pilgrims from the Kenyan Community did a ceremonial presentation of the Lectionary at the Continued on next page

Clockwise from top left, Bishop James F. Checchio addresses the faithful from the diocese at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., Sept. 24; Bishop Checchio poses with students from St. Francis Cathedral School, Metuchen; Bishop Checchio greets pilgrims as they get o one of the 26 buses that brought them to the Basilica; representatives from parishes in the diocese, which serves Catholics in Somerset, Middlesex, Hunterdon and Warren counties, carry banners from their respective faith communities; and Bishop Checchio (right) and Deacon Stephen F. Kern (left) watch Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, incense the altar.

John Batkowski photos

Pilgrims from Diocese of Metuchen encounter ‘God of Life’ at Basilica

from previous page beginning of Mass.

The highlight of the day was the celebration of Mass with Archbishop Pierre, who presided at the liturgy; while Bishop Checchio was principal concelebrant.

Thirty priests from the diocese concelebrated; 15 deacons assisted.

In his homily, Archbishop Pierre said, “Your Excellency, my brothers and sisters in Christ, I am happy to be with you on the occasion of your Diocesan Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which providentially coincides with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Metuchen. As the Holy Father’s personal representative in the United States, I want to assure you of his spiritual closeness and his prayers.”

The archbishop reminded the

faithful that pilgrimage is a symbol of life and an opportunity to encounter the “God of Life.”

“God journeyed toward humanity and through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, the Eternal Word of God,” he continued. “His OnlyBegottean Son [Jesus] became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit.”

As “our mother,” the archbishop noted, Mary is also a teacher who “teaches us how to be disciples.”

“Firstly,” he explained, “she recognizes that she is the disciple – the lowly handmaiden – not the master. As a disciple, she is an attentive listener. Pope [now St.] John Paul II called her ‘the woman of silence and listening.’

“The pope wants us to be a synodal Church, a Church that

journeys together, as you are doing on this pilgrimage, but another key element of synodality is listening. It is difficult to listen amidst the noise of our world. Mary had a spirituality of listening to the Word of God…

“It was in silence that she received Gabriel’s joyful message. Unlike Zechariah, she did not refuse to believe, nor did she ask whether this will happen or become upset. Rather, she merely inquired how it will happen. She received God’s word and tried to understand its meaning for her life. Mary is a model of faith. She thought about how God’s plan might come about and asked: “How shall this be?’ (Lk 1:34)…

“As individuals and as a diocese celebrating its 40th anniversary, you can ask God: ‘How are you calling me – us – to serve?’

“Pope [now St.] John Paul II once

said that a vocation is ‘a gift whose purpose is to build up the Church and to increase the Kingdom of God in the world.’

“As disciples, at times, we want our vocation on our terms. Mary teaches us that everything must be surrendered to God. This lesson is best learned in silence and contemplation.”

Reflecting on the day, Jennifer Ruggiero, secretary, Secretariat for Family & Pastoral Life and the chair of the Pilgrimage Committee said, “After much planning, the pilgrimage culminated into a beautiful, joy-filled day.

“It was inspiring to see the rich cultural diversity of our diocese as well as both young and old taking part in this milestone event.

“The liturgy, especially the music, was wonderful. The day will be a lasting memory for me.”

At left, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, delivers the homily at the Mass concluding the diocese’s 40th anniversary. The archbishop is the Pope’s personal representative in the United States. In his homily Archbishop Pierre told the congregation that pilgrimage is a symbol of life and an opportunity to encounter the “God of Llife.”

Above Bishop James F. Checchio poses with a group of pilgrims from the Kenyan Community who did a cermonial presentation of the Lectionary at the beginning of Mass. Left, Felician Sister Dong Hong Marie Zhang (left) and Religious Teachers Filippini Sister Mary Louise Shulas, were the O ertory gift bearers. Below, Father Jay Toborowsky, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia, prays at the Mass. To his right is Archbishop Pierre.

—John Batkowski photos.

St. Elizabeth-St. Brigid Parish Presents

Flemington Fundraiser

Mother Seton Knights of Columbus Council 15540, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Three Bridges, recently raised more than $2,200 at a fundraiser at the Shop Rite in Flemington, for ARC of Hunterdon County and Special Olympics. Shop Rite of Flemington has been a staunch supporter of local nonprofit organizations and charities for many years. The Council was grateful for their support and their customers’ generosity. Posing from left: Brother Anthony Pasquarelli, Grand Knight Rick Dool and Past Grand Knight Tim Glackin. photo courtesy of Knights of Columbus Council 15540

Statue of patroness installed outside church

Msgr. Edward C. Puleo, pastor, St. Elizabeth-St. Brigid Parish, Far Hills-Peapack, blessed a statue of St. Brigid after the evening Mass at St. Brigid Church Sept. 10.

The statue was placed on a pedestal that was empty for many years, according to parish records. St. Brigid Church was built in 1936 in memory of James Cox Brady. It was commissioned by Helen Mc Mahon Brady Cutting and erected in honor of the Irish saint.

The statue was made in Italy and recently arrived as a gift to Msgr. Puleo from parishioners John and Virginia Dezio, Gloria LaGrassa and Eileen Madden.

Father John G. Hillier, in residence at the parish, composed a prayer for to honor St. Brigid.

e Sounds of ristmas

Join us for an afternoon of Christmas music followed by a festive reception

Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. St. Brigid Church 129 Main Street Peapack, New Jersey

Donations gladly accepted. R.s.v.p. by Dec 4 to Choral22@SaintEB.org

Prayer cards were distributed at all the weekend Masses.

Prayer to St. Brigid of Kildare

By Father John G. Hillier

Glorious Saint Brigid, Bride of Christ, Abbess of the Church and Patroness of our Parish… Inspire us to seek greater faith and understanding with the love and zeal, you championed when following Christ during your earthly life.

May we attend to the needs of God’s favorites, as you did; giving our all for the sake of Christ, to the poor and the sick and the downtrodden.

Help us imitate Christ with genuine love, compassion, mercy, care and generosity… for babies (born and unborn), for children and parents, for midwives and nuns, for women and men religious, for bishops, priests and deacons, for poets and painters, for farmers and sailors, and all God’s children.

Following your example, may we serve Christ Jesus Our Lord, with singleness of heart –in the great and the small alike –and receive Him, as you did, at God’s altar in the House of the Lord. Amen.

16 men take major step in formation to serving diocese as deacons

By Chris Donahue Associate Editor

As formation director of men seeking to be ordained to the permanent diaconate for the diocese, Deacon Patrick J. Cline has had a unique perspective on their journey not only in the classroom, but in their homes, too.

On Sept. 10, with Deacon Cline assisting at Mass, the 16 members of the Class of 2024 took a significant step in their formation when they were installed into the Ordered Ministry of Lector by Bishop James F. Checchio at Mass at Parish of the Visitation, St. Mary of Mount Virgin Church, New Brunswick.

The rite is the second preparatory step in the formation program leading to ordination to the permanent diaconate in 2024, according to Deacon Cline.

He described serving as formation director for the current class and for the 2015 and 2019 groups as “one of the most rewarding experiences of my 44 years as a deacon.”

“Being a part of the lives of these men as they move from considering applying for the program, through the daunting application process and their academic and spiritual formation is an inspiration to me,” said Deacon Cline, who exercises his ministry at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater.

“Watching them as they move from candidate to lector and acolyte prior to the diaconate reminds me of what it means to be a part of holy orders.”

As part of the Rite of Lector, the men were instructed by Bishop Chec chio to meditate on the word of God and proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture, with the exception of the Gospel. The men knelt in front of the bishop, who symbolically placed a copy of the Scriptures in their hands.

In his homily, Bishop Checchio said, “All of us are familiar with the parables, which we just heard, the lost sheep and coin (Luke 15:1-32 or Luke 15:1-10).

“For us, it’s a nice passage that reminds us about God’s mercy and desire for conversion, but for the people who were present when Jesus told the people as he ate with tax collectors and sinners, it must have been mind boggling. There are so many others who were already trying to live in a Godly way why on earth would Jesus spend so much time with such sinners and instruct us to go after the lost ones?

“Yes, today’s Gospel reminds us that God’s love is universal. He calls out to all his children in love. Jesus could have limited his ministry to be with those who were already righteous, already trying to live in a Godly way, but he does not. For St. Luke, you see, holiness for the followers of Jesus is

Above, Bishop James F. Checchio poses with the candidates for the permanent diaconate after Mass and the Rite of Lector at the Parish of the Visitation, St. Mary of Mount Virgin Church, New Brunswick, Sept. 10. Above right, An thony Scarpantonio (left) and Robert Greco, processing into the church with classmates, were among those who were installed as lectors at the liturgy. Right, members of the class pose with their wives and Bishop Checchio. Class members, whose ministry will include proclaiming the Gospel, are schedueld to be ordained to the diaconate for the diocese in 2024.

Frank Wojciechowski photos

manifested through showing mercy and compassion for others regardless of who they are and even when they don’t deserve it, that means we are following Jesus’ example.

“St. Luke’s Gospel emphasizes the compassion of God toward the suffering, destitute and disadvantaged more than any other Gospel. For Luke, mercy is the defining characteristic of God and therefore, my brothers and sisters in Christ, but especially our new lectors on the way to sacred Orders, this defining characteristic must shine through in all of our lives…

“My brothers to be installed lectors today, this lesson and task on mercy is entrusted to you in a special way. Through his Son, who became man for us, God the Father has revealed the mystery of salvation and brought it to fulfillment. Jesus Christ made all things known to us and then entrusted His Church with the mission of preaching the Gospel to the whole world, to make His mercy known. The opportunities for us are boundless. As readers and bearers of God’s word, you will assist in this great mission of Mercy, and so take on a special office within the Christian community. You will be given a responsibility in the service of the faith, which is rooted in the word of God. You will proclaim that word in the

liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith and prepare them to receive the sacraments worthily.

“You will bring the message of salvation to those who have not yet received it. Thus, with your help, men and women will get to know God our Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, whom he sent, and so be able to reach eternal life.

“In proclaiming God’s word to others, accept it yourselves in obedience to the Holy Spirit. Meditate on it constantly, so that each day as you meditate on the Word, you will have a deeper love of the Scriptures, and in all you say and do show forth to the world our Savior, Jesus Christ and not just your own thoughts about the faith.

“So, as you become lectors today, and proclaim the Word in a world that so needs to hear it, what is important brothers, is not so much that we are prepared to say something in particular, but rather how immersed we ourselves become in the Word of God and allow him to direct our lives…

“The charge is to proclaim the word with your voices, yes, but more importantly with your lives. Everything begins with an effective witness, a testimony, an example. This ministry is one more indicator of how we make the presence of Christ resound in a world

hungering for Him but lost in its search amid so many distractions.

“Therefore, brothers, we beg you: ‘take…the Holy Scriptures and be faithful in handing on the word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of His people.’”

One of the men in the class, David Lang, from Immaculate Conception Parish, Somerville, said he has been reading at Mass for a number of years.

However, the day after the rite, as he approached the ambo and touched the lectionary for the First Reading, the beauty of Scripture and the ability to proclaim it, “took on an entirely new dimension for me.”

Deacon Cline said Lang is a mem ber of a class that is represented by a wide range of people in the diocese in categories such as age, education, background and birthplaces — Korea, Vietnam, Spain, Puerto Rico and India.

“Today’s formation is much better at developing and preparing men for ordination,” Deacon Cline said, add ing “The invaluable role of the wives of the men, both in formation and after ordination, was not initially recognized or appreciated. Over the years, the dio ceses and the national guidelines took into account how important this dimen sion is and now focus on both the wives and the families in this ministry.”

Support from Diocese of Metuchen bolsters Mission faith communities

Thanks to the generosity of the parishioners throughout the Diocese of Metuchen, its Pontifical Mission Societies (Propagation of the Faith) is able to help Church leaders around the world meet challenges such as vocations, aging clergy, poverty, illiteracy and persecution of Christians.

Representatives from Mission dioceses in Africa, Pakistan and India recently visited the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway, to meet Bishop James F. Checchio and Father John G. Hillier, Director, Pontifical Mission Societies. The visiting clergy thanked Bishop Checchio and Father Hillier for the diocese’s prayerful and temporal support.

Among the visitors was Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw from the Archdiocese of Lahore, Pakistan, who was accompanied by Father Ilyas Gill, pastor, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Archbishop Shaw, who was ordained to the priesthood for the Order of Friars Minor, Franciscans, told “The Catholic Spirit” that the persecution of Christians in his Archdiocese includes kidnapping and forced conversion of their Catholic children. He presented Bishop Checchio with a shawl made in Pakistan signifying Bishop Checchio’s prominent leadership as shepherd of Metuchen.

Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna from the Diocese of Kontagora, Northern

Nigeria, met with Father Hillier, and Pontifical Mision Societies staff members Mila Dionisio and Tess DeGuzman. Bishop Bulus was accompanied by Missionary of St. Paul, Father Cosmas Nwosuh and Cordi-Marian Missionary, Sister Regina Maria Mgbakor. “It is only through the Catholic Church that people in our diocese learn to read and write,” Bishop Bulus explained.

The Diocese of Kontagora funds a literacy program to help catechize lay Catholics who eventually serve as catechists themselves. In addition to funding necessary for this program, Bishop Bulus spoke about the need for a provincial seminary that would help seminarians, catechists and lay faithful “become fervent Heralds of the Gospel.” The growing persecution of Christians, about 3 percent of the 1.9 million population, nonetheless remains the life-threatening challenge every day.

In addition to a promise of prayers and some financial assistance, the diocesan Office of Pontifical Missions gifted Bishop Bulus with sacred vestments and sacred vessels donated by local parishes.

Father John Bosco, Vicar General of the Diocese of Chingleput, India, also visited the diocese this summer and presented Father Hillier with a customary cape from the faithful from the Diocese of Chingleput. He thanked Bishop Checchio

Right, Bishop James F. Checchio (right) poses with Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw from the Archdiocese of Lahore, Pakistan, at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway. Bishop Checchio is wearing a shawl made in Pakistan that denotes a person of prominence. Above, from left, Missionaries of St. Paul Father Cosmas Nwosuh and Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Diocese of Kontagora, Nigeria, pose with Father John G. Hillier, Director, Ponti cal Mission Societies. photos courtesy of Missions Office

and Father Hillier for their past support and asked for prayers as well as assistance to help with appointments for their local cathedral (built as a mission and never envisioned as a cathedral church), as well as support for the growing elderly priest population.

SHALL BE MY

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The theme for World Mission Sunday 2022, “You shall be My witnesses,” from Saint Luke’s “Acts of the Apostles” 1:8, reminds us that all Catholics are to bear witness to Christ, to participate in the mission of universal outreach (evangelization), and to seek strength and guidance from the Holy Spirit — who lives in our hearts and souls.

The young and old alike are especially aware how difficult it is to live the Christian life because they regularly encounter others in our culture who have mostly turned their backs on Christ. Yet, people everywhere, especially in missionary lands, need the compassion, healing and mercy of Jesus. This was made all the more apparent to priests and parishioners throughout the Diocese

of Metuchen who heard the appeals of missionaries from all parts of world this past summer. Many of the missionaries reminded us of the anti-Catholic/antiChristian sentiments that continue to be directed toward faithful people including priests, consecrated religious, as well as members of the laity. The terribly sad stories of hostility and ill-treatment that many undergo are heart breaking. Unfortunately, even the more public demonstrations of horror are seldom reported by the news media.

The good news is that your witness as followers of Christ continues to help many of our fellow Catholics who struggle in poverty and persecution all over the world. It is through your prayers, and your service to the poor, persons with disabilities and many other challenges,

that our brothers and sisters in foreign lands are best supported. This is why your enthusiastic, energetic and faithful witness to the love of Jesus must become contagious. Your faithful lives, with the help of the Holy Spirit, can inspire many including your contemporaries in the United States as well as those in missionary lands. This is especially the case in our “children helping children” program that is sponsored by our Propagation of Faith “Missionary Childhood Association.”

All of us, with the help of Thérèse de Lisieux (patroness of missionaries), can become missionaries in our own right. How? By listening to and following the direction captured in Sacred Scripture: “You shall be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). May these inspired words help us reaf-

firm our determination to be missionaries and messengers of the Gospel, for the greater honor and glory of God.

This World Mission Sunday 2022 is a time for us to seek our Lord’s direction and listen to His request that we be faithful witnesses to those in our own backyard and to those in missionary lands. May Our Blessed Mother, Mary, Queen of Evangelization pray for us on this day and all days!

In Christ,

Reverend John G. Hillier Director, Pontifical Mission Societies Diocese of Metuchen

Annual

Alpha Annandale

Avenel

Baptistown

Basking Ridge Belvidere

Belvidere Bernardsville Blairstown Bloomsbury Bound Brook Bound Brook Bridgewater Bridgewater Califon Carteret Carteret Colonia Dunellen East Brunswick Edison Edison Flemington Fords

Great Meadows

Hackettstown Hampton Helmetta High Bridge Highland Pk/Edison

Hillsborough Hillsborough Hopelawn

Iselin Jamesburg Kendall Park Lambertville Laurence Harbor Manville

Martinsville Matawan Metuchen Middlesex Milford Milltown Monmouth Jct. Monroe Twp. New Brunswick

New Brunswick

New Brunswick

St. Mary

Immaculate Conception St. Andrew Our Lady of Victories St. James St. Patrick St. Rose of Lima, Oxford

Our Lady of Perpetual Help St. Jude Annunciation St. Joseph St. Mary of Czestochowa Holy Trinity St. Bernard of Clairvaux St. John Neumann Divine Mercy St. Joseph St. John Vianney

St. John the Evangelist St. Bartholomew St. Helena St. Matthew the Apostle St. Magdalen de Pazzi Our Lady of Peace Ss. Peter & Paul Assumption of Mary St. Ann Holy Trinity St. Joseph

Trans guration of the Lord Mary, Mother of God St. Joseph Good Shepherd St. Cecelia St. James the Less St. Augustine of Canterbury St. John the Evangelist St. Lawrence Christ the Redeemer Blessed Sacrament Most Holy Redeemer Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi

Our Lady of Mount Virgin St. Edward the Confessor Our Lady of Lourdes St. Cecilia Nativity of Our Lord Holy Family

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish of the Visitation

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$ 1, 244 7,068 2,922 2,941 8,904 2,115 761 6,433 1,542 762

1,859 1,147 3,298 4,727 619 1,707 1,800 2,274 4,976 3,483 8,297

1,558 1,551 1,049 2,004 1,214 1,059 3,573 6,002 3,268 1,823 2,003 1,342 17,054 5,613 1,866 2,678 4,407 3,313 9,808 3,415 1,400 2,254 2,255 7,366 2,934 8,350

Mission

Brothers

Pastoral

New Brunswick

North Brunswick

North Plain eld North Plain

Old Bridge Old Bridge Parlin

Peapack / Far Hills

Perth Amboy

Perth Amboy

Perth Amboy Phillipsburg Piscataway Piscataway

Pittstown Plainsboro

Port Murray Port Reading Raritan

Raritan Sayreville Sayreville Skillman

So. Bound Brook Somerset

Somerville

South Amboy South Amboy South Plain eld South Plain eld South River South River South River Spotswood Three Bridges Warren Washington Watchung Whitehouse Station Woodbridge

Perth Amboy Edison Metuchen Somerville Watchung

St. Peter the Apostle

Our Lady of Peace

St. Joseph

The Church of St. Luke St. Ambrose

St. Thomas the Apostle St. Bernadette St. Elizabeth - St. Brigid

Most Holy Name of Jesus

Our Lady of Fatima St. John Paul II

St. Philip & St. James

Our Lady of Fatima St. Frances Cabrini

St. Catherine of Siena Queenship of Mary St. Theodore St. Anthony of Padua St. Ann

St. Joseph Our Lady of Victories St. Stanislaus Kostka St. Charles Borromeo Our Lady of Mercy St. Matthias

Immaculate Conception

Sacred Heart St. Mary Church of the Sacred Heart Our Lady of Czestochowa Corpus Christi St. Mary of Ostrabrama St. Stephen Protomartyr Immaculate Conception St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Our Lady of the Mount St. Joseph St. Mary-Stony Hill

Our Lady of Lourdes St. James

Perth Amboy Catholic School

St. Thomas Aquinas High School

Saint Joseph High School

Immaculata High School Mount Saint Mary Academy

724 1,874 2,294 437 3,244 2,510 1,518 5,710 2,485 1,671 2,237 4,341 4,690 869 2,061 2,097 932 1,271 2,134 717 1,306 701 1,499 500 2,028 5,334 2,829 1,536 2,073 968 1,757 854 311 794 4,812 1,625 929 3,570 3,433 2,855

Propagation

$

3,686 2,587 2,238

5,177 3,900 1,457 4,500 6,188 4,143 2,560 4,578 11,438 3,228 3,891 3,358 1,176 1,187 5,021 1,585 2,407 1,085 4,099 6,580 6,260 6,229 3,315 2,171 5,354 1,631 2,362 853 900 1,581 6,561 9,574 1,692 6,256 2,929 4,482

ParishTown World Mission Sunday

Town Parish World Mission Sunday (2021-2022 school year)

School Religious Education

Volunteers from our O ce of Missions holding the images of a Ugandan mission including (1) a mother outside her newly built home, and (2) a woman inspecting the fruit of her labor. All are provided by the Apostles of Jesus missionaries through the generosity of our Diocese of Metuchen mission donors.

The Society for the Propagation of the Faith

Photo inside St. Francis Cathedral of the entrance procession at WMS 2021 Mass Celebration. Catholic Spirit Photo File

Below, Award recipients from our schools and religious education programs participate in the Annual World Mission Sunday Family Event..

Catholic Spirit Photo File

Catholic Spirit Photo File

DOING WORK ABROAD

Deacon Enock Berluche

Source de Vie, Beraud, Haiti

Mr. William Mosca

Franciscans In Action, Beraud, Haiti

Mrs. Joanie Lynn

St. Peters Missionary Health Project

Diocese of Santa Rosa, Guatemala

Sister Mary Vertucci, MM Maryknoll Sisters, Anrusha, Tanzania

Ms. Joanne Garcia

Family Missions Company, Camiguin Island, Philippines

Father Daniel Healy and Ms. R. Carol Vaccariello

Anawim Community, Metro Manila, Philippines

MISSION OFFICE FAMILY

Reverend John G. Hillier, Ph.D Director

Mila Dionisio Associate Director

Tess DeGuzman

Part Time Administrative Assistant Volunteers

Patricia Murphy, Shannon White, Ram & Clair Bautista, Barbara Peterson

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

ATTENTION ALL YOUTH

All youth from the Diocese of Metuchen [Religious Education Programs and Catholic Schools] are invited to our Mission Sunday

Family Celebration. Please come and represent your parish or school. The Award Ceremony will take place

SAVE THE DATE:

-

Our annual World Mission Sunday Family Celebration will be held on October 23, 2022 at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. We begin at 11 a.m. with a presentation by Reverend Daniel Healy (Anawim Community) in the CYO Hall. Our youth will then lead a procession while reciting the Holy Rosary to the front of the Cathedral. They will be greeted by Bishop Checchio. Our Mission Sunday Mass will then

MISSION SUNDAY

begin at Noon with Bishop Checchio as our Main Celebrant, our Mission Director Father Hillier, serving as Homilist, and other priest celebrants. Awards will be presented by Bishop Checchio to our Catholic School and Religious Education Program representatives at the conclusion of the Mass. For more information or questions please call (732) 243-4583 or email: pontifical.mission. societies@diometuchen.org.

Three Lessons from the Life of Blessed Pauline Jaricot...

There are three aspects of Pauline’s life and witness to our common missionary vocation that we can model in our own lives.

• Commitment to mission every day.

For Pauline, mission was not reserved for certain moments, but for every day. The “circles” of workers in her family’s silk factory pledged daily prayer and regular sacrifice. Each day, may we offer a prayer for those who serve in mission churches across the world, and for the poor and vulnerable who hear their message about the “hope that saves”!

• A vision of the whole world.

Pauline felt strongly that help offered to the Missions of her day should be universal – that no one be forgotten. And when the Society for the Propagation of the Faith was formally established on May 3, 1822, that same vision prevailed – prayer and sacrifice for the world’s Missions.

• Live in love.

As a young woman, Pauline expressed the desire to “love without measure, without end.” Whether it was her work for the Missions, or for the sick or the poor, love motivated the actions of Pauline Jaricot. Indeed at the heart of the mission vocation is the commandment to love. Our love should pour forth into the community, extending beyond ourselves, to those faraway places, where nobody is watching, where the vulnerable are forgotten, and the poor are often abandoned. That’s where the missionary will be. And that’s where, through the Pontifical Mission Societies, you may be also – through your daily prayers and regular sacrifices.

Religious order marks significant milestones for members, founding

MENDHAM — The Sisters of Chris tian Charity celebrated the 173d anniversary of the founding of the congregation and the anniversaries of 15 members at Mass at the Chapel of Mary Immaculate at Mallinckrodt Convent in late August.

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, shep herd of the Diocese of Paterson, pre sided at the liturgy.

The following Sisters celebrated their anniversaries in consecrated life: 80 years: Sister Martina Reuther; 75 years: Sister Immaculata Arboline, Sister Felice Donelin, Sister Mary Marzen, Sister Patricia Murphy; 70 years: Sister Virginia Ann Barry, Sis ter Ann Marie Kase, Sister Gracemary Shalvey; 60 years: Sister Laura Ber ryman, Sister Joanne Bednar, Sister Mary Dorothy Kelly, Sister Adalberta Mette; 50 years: Sister Mary Joseph Schultz; 40 years: Sister Mary Domi nic Kopitar and Sister Maria Angelina Rivarola.

Sister Immaculata serves as a nurse at the Motherhouse; Sister Fe lice served as a teacher and principal at schools in dioceses of Metuchen and Paterson and in the Archdiocese of Newark; Sister Virginia Ann served as a teacher/director of religious edu cation in schools/parishes in Paterson and Newark; Sister Joanne is a gradu

ate of Morris Catholic High School and served as a teacher in Paterson and as Delegate for Religious in New ark; Sister Mary Dorothy served as a teacher in schools in Metuchen and Paterson; Sister Mary Dominic served as provincial secretary for the order in Paterson; Sister Patricia served as a teacher in Newark; Sister Mary Joseph served as a teacher and campus minis ter and at St. Paul’s Outside the Walls in Paterson.

The celebration included a spe cial offer of congratulations to Bishop Sweeney, who is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

The Sisters of Christian Char ity were founded in 1849 in Paderborn, Germany, by Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt. They are an international community with Sisters serving in the United States, Argentina, Chile, Uru guay, Germany and the Philippines.

In the United States, the Sisters of Christian Charity serve in the Archdio ceses of Newark; New York; Philadel phia; Chicago and New Orleans; and in the Dioceses of Camden, Metuchen and Paterson; the dioceses of Al lentown, Harrisburg and Scranton in Pennsylvania; the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio; and the Diocese of WheelingCharleston, W.Va.

Sisters of Christian Charity celebrating significant anniversaries in their vocations pose for a photo after Mass at the Chapel of Mary Immaculate at Mallinckrodt Convent, Mendham. Front row, from left, Sister Ann Marie Kase, Sister Gracemary Shalvey, Sister Immaculata Arboline, Sister Martina Reuther, Sister Virginia Ann Bar ry, Sister Mary Marzen, Sister Patricia Murphy and Sister Felice Donelin. Standing, from left: Sister Joann Marie Aumand, provincial superior; Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, principal celebrant; Sister Maria del Rosario Castro, general superior; Sister Joanne Bednar, Sister Laura Berryman, Sister Adalberta Mette, Sister Mary Dorothy Kelly, Sister Maria Angelina Rivarola, Sister Mary Dominic Kopitar and Sister Mary Joseph Schultz.

photo courtesy of Sisters of Christian Charity

I deeply deplore the grave situation that has arisen in recent days, with further actions contrary to the principles of international law. It increases the risk of nuclear escalation, giving rise to fears of uncontrollable and catastrophic consequences worldwide.

My appeal is addressed fi rst and foremost to the President of the Russian Federation, imploring him to stop this spiral of violence and death, also for the sake of his own people. On the other hand, saddened by the immense suffering of the Ukrainian people as a result of the aggression they have suffered, I address an equally confi dent appeal to the President of Ukraine to be open to serious proposals for peace. I urge all the protagonists of international life and the political leaders of nations to do everything possible to bring an end to the war, without allowing themselves to be drawn into dangerous escalations, and to promote and support initiatives for dialogue. Please let the younger generations breathe the salutary air of peace, not the polluted air of war, which is madness!

After seven months of hostilities, let us use all diplomatic means, even those that may not have been used so far, to bring an end to this terrible tragedy. War in itself is an error and a horror!

Let us trust in the mercy of God, who can change hearts, and in the maternal intercession of the Queen of Peace, as we raise our Supplication to Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei, spiritually united with the faithful gathered at her Shrine and in so many parts of the world.

Prayer for those suffering with cancer

Mary, health of the sick, you brought forth into our world Jesus Christ, our Divine Healer. In your caring goodness, intercede for (here mention name) who is truly in need of miraculous assistance. If it be God’s will, I ask this day that the gift of healing from all forms of cancer Be granted to (name). Comfort him/her during these times of anguish, pain, confusion and despair. Ask our gracious Savior to grant him/her physical health, inner peace and patience

Elderly can teach us ‘best is yet to come’

Though seniors may no longer possess “the power of the energy, words, and impulses of youth,” in their weakness they make “the promise of the true destination of life even more transparent. … A place at the table with God, in the world of God,” the pope said.

a profound sense of peace. If the pandemic has taught me anything, it is that the elderly are surprisingly resilient, despite their evident weakness.

What could a Victorian-era poet, a 20th century rock star and a 21st century pope possibly have in common?

Well, I recently discovered something — each of them has tried to assure us that old age is not as bad as it might seem. For all three, “the best is yet to be!”

“Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made,” wrote Robert Browning in 1864. More than a century later, John Lennon recorded a song inspired by Browning’s words, “Grow Old with Me.”

Pope Francis recently echoed these words in his general audience talks on aging.

“Old age is the phase in life most suited to spreading the joyful news that life is the initiation to a final fulfillment,” he said. “The elderly are a promise, a witness of promise. And the best is yet to come. The best is yet to come: it is like the message of elderly believers, the best is yet to come.”

Pope Francis sees our final years as a time of joyfulness.

“Old age is the fitting time for the moving and joyful witness of expectation. The elderly man and woman are waiting, waiting for an encounter,” he mused.

Though many of us think about death with fear and trepidation, Pope Francis encourages us to have a more positive outlook, placing our confidence in God, in whose hands we subsist.

Referring to the grilled fish Jesus served his followers after his resurrection, the pope said, “This gesture of caring love gives us a glimpse of what awaits us as we cross to the other shore. Yes, dear brothers and sisters, especially you elderly, the best of life is yet to come … Let us hope for this fullness of life that awaits us all, when the Lord calls us.

“‘When will my Lord come? When will I be able to go there’? A little bit of fear, because I don’t know what this step means, and passing through that door causes a little fear. But there is always the hand of the Lord that carries us forward, and beyond the door there is the party … He is expecting us. Just one step and then the party.”

One step and then the party! Many might find this way of speaking a bit naïve.

Old age as we know it — or presume it to be — is commonly a time of chronic illness and loneliness, and the dying process is often accompanied by pain and suffering. But it has been my experience as a Little Sister that the elderly often do await the Lord’s coming with eager expectation and

As Pope Francis was reflecting on the meaning of old age this summer, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and National Geographic published the results of their 2021 “Second Half of Life Study.”

“We can say with confidence that most prevalent opinions and stereotypes of aging were proven wrong,” an AARP press release states. “On the whole, life is good, especially for older Americans — especially those over 60. And the person you see in the mirror is far different from the type of person younger generations might think you are.”

The study found that about 80 percent of those in their 80s live with one or more serious or chronic health conditions, and yet, over 75 percent rated their health good, very good or excellent. In addition, most of those age 80 and older say they’re living their ‘best possible life’ or close to it, compared with one in five younger adults … Psychologically, people notice and prioritize the positive and let the negative go as they age.”

So perhaps as we begin to feel the burdens of age, rather than trying to recapture our lost youth we should spend more time with those who are older than ourselves. We might enjoy their company and at the same time learn that the best is yet to come!

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

Jesus is king who encourgaes encounters

One of the memorable images among the events surrounding the death of Queen Elizabeth II was of a woman kissing King Charles on the cheek as he greeted members of a crowd gathered outside Buckingham Palace.

isn’t she?” and I suppose that was as good an answer as any.

Many countries have long since dispensed with their kings, queens, and emperors, butthere are 44 sovereign states in the world that have monarchs, including 15 that recognize the British monarch as their own. In a few of these places, monarchs have absolute power; in a few, their role is largely symbolic. And in many countries, the king or queen shares the responsibilities of government with an elected body, a parliament or legislature.

all of us to approach him in the most intimate way possible.

Jesus is the king who, during his life on earth, made a point of touching people whom others would rather not touch — and that was a clear sign of the relationship he wanted to have with all of us.

The woman, a Cypriot named Jennifer Assiminios, later told the press that she had asked permission to kiss Charles and that he had granted it.

Although Elizabeth had established an emotional bond with many of her subjects, it did not exhibit itself in anything as intimate as a kiss. So perhaps, by accepting that one kiss, Charles nudged the monarchy a little way off of its traditional distance from its subjects.

Not being British, I have no opinion about the British monarchy either as an institution or, for that matter, about the endurance of monarchy in the modern world. I once asked a chemist in Denmark why such a progressive country still had a queen. He said, “Well she is Denmark,

As Americans, of course, we have no monarch, but as Christians we have a “King of the Universe” as we will again proclaim Jesus next month on the Sunday before Advent begins.

Abdullah bin Hussein, the king of Jordan, has gone out of his way to have personal contact with Jordanian citizens. More often, though, kings prefer to be physically, emotionally, and spiritually distant, separate, apart from their subjects, That’s not our King.

While, on the one hand, we have the greatest respect for Jesus and try to live in keeping with what he taught us about love of God and love of each other, we do not have to keep our physical or psychic distance from him.

On the contrary, Jesus invites, urges,

This why the Church, Pope Francis in particular, and the American Catholic bishops during the current three-year “Eucharistic revival,” stress the importance of each Christian having a personal encounter with Jesus — an encounter that occurs in our prayer life, when we speak to Jesus as the loving friend he is, and in our liturgical life when we come in physical contact with him in the Eucharist, in his body and his blood.

In the prophecy of Daniel, we read about the Messiah, “He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him.”

That is a legitimate image of Jesus, the Christ, who is the Son, the second person of the Holy Trinity — who is God.

But it is indispensible to our Catholic faith to always keep before us, too, the words of the author of the book of Revelation who describes Jesus as “the ruler of the kings of the earth” but in the next breath as “him who loves us.’’

Charles Paolino is a retired permanent deacon of the Diocese of Metuchen.

Robert Browning, John Lennon and Pope Francis

God’s love reaches out to all

The Old Testament Book of Wisdom sings out to God, “you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made . . . you spare all things because they are yours, O Lord and lover of souls, for your imperishable spirit is in all things!” ( Wis 11:24a-b,26 ). Our readings this Sunday highlight the hopeful theme that while human sinfulness can some times obscure the goodness of God’s people, that goodness nevertheless always remains at the core of every being. This is because that goodness is the imprint of God’s own involve ment with his creation.

By Msgr. John N. Fell SCRIPTURE STUDY

The Book of Wisdom likely dates to the first century before Christ. It offers an in spiring blend of Hebrew wisdom and Greek reflection. The section of the book that gives rise to this Sunday’s First Reading is an extended homily about God’s saving deeds dur ing the Exodus. The author is emphasizing the goodness of all God’s creation, even while acknowledging that human sinfulness can surely, sadly veil that abiding goodness. The Book of Wisdom praises God’s merciful patience with his sometimes-wayward crea tures, noting that this does not denote a tolerance of sin, but rather a loving opportunity for repentance. The book explains that “[God] rebuke[s] offend ers little by little, warn[s] them and remind[s] them of the sins they are committing, that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O Lord.” ( Wis 12:2 ).

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

one is insignificant. He loves all of us with a special love; for him all of us are important: you are important . . . [God] cares about you! In his eyes, you are precious, and your value is inestimable” (Pope Francis, Homily, 7/31/2016).

Zacchaeus was a wealthy Jewish man who served as a chief tax collector for the Roman authorities. Such people were generally looked upon as traitors to their own people. They made their money by oppressing fellow Jews. Zacchaeus was a figure who would have garnered very little sympathy among his contemporaries.

The Story of Zacchaeus bolsters our hope that the redeeming grace of God can always bring success to our own efforts to move closer to Jesus and to reach out to those whose lives or situations make them seem very distant from the Lord.

This theme put forward by the Book of Wisdom finds an apt illustration in St. Luke’s Gospel story about Zacchaeus. St. Luke places this parable toward the end of Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem where the events of his passion, death, and resurrection would soon unfold. This story can serve as a reminder of a subject that has often been the focus of the Lucan Gospel stories – the revelation that God’s love reaches out to all–Jews, Gentiles, saints, sinners, rich, poor, etc. Time and again Jesus embraces those who would have traditionally been thought to be beyond the concern of good religious people; Pope Francis explained this good news during one of his homilies at a World Youth Day celebration in Poland: “God loves us the way we are, and no sin, fault, or mistake of ours makes him change his mind. As far as Jesus is concerned – as the Gospel shows – no one is unworthy of, or far from, his thoughts. No

Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, but he had a problem. Because of the size of the crowds, and his short stature, he was unable to cast his gaze upon the Lord. And so Zacchaeus ran past the crowd and climbed a sycamore tree. God’s grace must have already begun to stir within him – wealthy, imperious tax collec tors did not run through the streets, and they certainly did not climb trees in public. So compelling was his desire to see Jesus, Zacchaeus risked the humiliation of the crowds in order to watch him pass by. Zacchaeus was trans formed by his eventual encoun ter with Jesus. The goodness of his creation in the image and likeness of God came to the surface, breaking through the crust of sinful oppression that had previously marked his life. Jesus saw Zacchaeus up in the tree, not as a wanton transgressor, but as a beloved child of God, a lost sheep to be reconciled to the flock. And so Jesus bade Zacchaeus to come down from the tree and signaled his intention to visit his house. God’s good ness gave Zacchaeus the opportunity to repent of his sin, promise restitution, and further welcome Jesus into his life. God’s inexhaust ible love for all his creation, highlighted in the Wisdom reading, resounds in this Gospel story.

The Story of Zacchaeus bolsters our hope that the redeeming grace of God can always bring success to our own efforts to move closer to Jesus and to reach out to those whose lives or situations make them seem very distant from the Lord. St. Paul expresses this beau tifully in the prayer he offers in his second Letter to the Thessalonians: “We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of the Lord Jesus may be glori fied in you . . .” ( 2 Thes 1:11-12a).

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

Community Center introduces new way to feed residents

By Ti any Workman

When you drive through New Brunswick, you may not notice a building on Remsen Avenue that used to be a firehouse. Today, that building is Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen’s Unity Square Community Center. At the center, Catholic Charities workers distribute food to the community three times a week.

On Fridays, Unity Square’s food distribution begins at 11:30 a.m. and continues until there is no more food. Clients must line up outside one hour before the distribution starts. When they reach the front of the line, they are given a large amount of pre-selected food. Their choices are limited but still very good, and they receive about 15 to 20 pounds of food each week. No registration is necessary for the ‘grab and go’ style food distribution.

Unity Square is also now

distributing food to residents and community members every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and once a month on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This new distribution follows the Choice Food Model and Unity Square’s Program Director, Jennifer Hinton, said it’s used at other food pantries and distribution centers in the area. Clients call Unity Square and register for a time slot once a month. They are then able to go to Unity Square at their appointment time and shop at the center’s food pantry. A staff or volunteer member will take the individual around the food pantry, and they will choose items that they or their families need the most like cereal, peanut butter and jelly, rice, pasta, beans, and other staples.

Hinton added that clients might receive certain items like eggs, cheeses and meats if they shop on Tuesdays. These scheduled appointments provide

clients with a personalized experience, and the staff and volunteers at Unity Square take pride in getting to know their clients on a personal level. Those interested in signing up for the new Choice Food Model should call Unity Square at (732) 545-0329, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hinton is extremely grateful for the vision and partnership of the Christ Episcopal Church in New Brunswick for this new Choice Food Model. The church has been invested in the client Choice Food Model as part of the Feeding New Brunswick Network and merged its hours with Unity Square. They applied for, and received, a grant from their Diocese through the Episcopal Community Services of New Jersey. With their help, Unity Square has been able to make this new Choice Food Model a reality. The Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) program of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) of NJ has funded the Unity Square Revitalization Project for the past 14 years. This includes a host of programming, most im-

portantly, the Housing Resource Center and, for the past three years, the Choice Food Resource Center (CFRC) program.

Unity Square Community Center is located at 81 Remsen Ave. Besides addressing food insecurities, Unity Square also focuses on other social concerns in the community and assists with housing resources, for tenants and landlords. Anyone needing the service is encouraged to call (732) 545-0329 or stop by Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center’s staff can assist those who speak other languages, including Spanish.

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

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

Above Jennifer Hinton, Program Director, Catholic Charities Unity Square and Angel Fuentes-Pesquera, Community organizer, Unity Square, pose with food ready to be distributed.

Tiffany Workman photo

Impress upon children importance of

Journey of Faith

By Father John Gerard Hillier

The word concupiscence, not normally used in everyday language, is intro-

in this section of the Catechism as the Ninth Commandment is explored: “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife,” (Ex 20). This Commandment is given new expression in the New Testament when Jesus states: “Every person who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Mt 5:28).

Concupiscence or the intense, willful sexual thoughts and desires that this word suggests, are present among many in our current culture. The bad fruit that results includes pornography, promiscuity, incest, rape, pedophilia and a whole variety of “sexual acting out.” Men and women who give way to such desires do not consider the care and attention we are expected to give to our most inward thoughts and desires, a most precious gift given to us by Almighty God.

While not concupiscence, some 75 years ago in 1947, something similar occurred… the horrifying atrocities of World War II had given birth to the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States. At St. Mary’s Parish in Plainfield, in New Jersey, Father Harold Colgan called on his parishioners to become a Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima against the Red Army of atheistic communism that had taken root in the Russian Empire. Parishioners wore blue ribbons as a reminder of this devotion, and the Blue Army became a spiritual force against the atheistic policies of the Soviet Union and its Red Army. In our present culture, overrun by antiGod, anti-Christian, atheistic principles, marked by the bad fruit of concupiscence, we are desperately in need of a similar spiritual force against this evil that has permeated our society.

While “the Ninth Commandment

forbids carnal concupiscence or sexual acting out, the Tenth Commandment forbids coveting another’s goods” (ccc 2514). “Etymologically, ‘concupiscence’ can refer to any intense form of human desire” (ccc 2515). In St. John’s First Letter (2:16), he makes three distinctions regarding covetousness or concupiscence: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life. St. Paul also points to this with his familiar language: “the rebellion of the flesh against the spirit” (Gal 5:16, 17, 24; Eph 2:3). Then-Pope, now St. John Paul II, in his fifth encyclical, “Dominum et vivificantem, “tells us that St. Paul was not interested in despising or condemning the body. Rather, his concern was the permanent dispositions of virtues and vices “which are the fruit of submission (in the first case) or of resistance (in the second case) to the saving action of the Holy Spirit” (ccc 2516).

what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 Jn 3:2).

Parents are the rst and most important teachers of their children. Therefore, when parents place their children under the supervision of teachers and educators, they are not forfeiting their parental responsibilities.

Our pursuit of purity began before we received the grace of the Sacrament of Baptism, which conferred on us “the grace of purification from all sins” (ccc 2520). Following Baptism, however, we continue “to struggle against concupiscence of the flesh and disordered desires” (ccc 2520). It is only by relying on God’s grace that we can ever consider the possibility of prevailing and can do so only: 1) by the virtue and gift of chastity, 2) by purity of intention, 3) by purity of vision, and 4) by prayer.

modesty

and females, even “inspires one’s choice of clothing” (ccc 2522). “Modesty inspires a way of life which makes it possible to resist the allurements of fashion and the pressures of prevailing ideologies” (ccc 2523). Impressing upon children and youth the importance of purity and modesty is all too apparent. “Teaching modesty to children and adolescents means awakening in them respect for the human person” (ccc 2524).

Next, the Catechism teaches about the purification of the heart. Why is this important? Because, “the heart is the seat of moral personality” (ccc 2517). The Evangelist St. Matthew states in the Sixth Beatitude: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Mt 5:8). Later, in the 4th century, the great St. Augustine observed: “The faithful must believe the articles of the Creed so that by believing they may obey God, by obeying may live well, by living well may purify their hearts, and with pure hearts may understand what they believe” (ccc 2518). In 1670, the French philosopher, Blaise Pascal, wrote: “The heart has its reasons, which reason does not know” (Pensées). By this, he meant that we know truth, not only by the reason, but by the heart. What Pascal calls the heart is the faculty that makes us know things by intuition, instinct or sensitivity.

The Catechism tells us that “purity of heart is the precondition of the vision of God” (ccc 2519). Saint John affirms: “Beloved, we are God’s children now;

Senior Care at Home

Our battle for purity necessarily requires modesty, which is the spiritual dignity of the human person. It “protects the intimate center of the person. It means refusing to unveil what should remain hidden” (ccc 2521). Modesty is related to intimacy, decency and discretion. It “protects the mystery of persons” and, for both males

The Rite of Baptism captures this succinctly. Parents are the first and most important teachers of their children. Therefore, when parents place their children under the supervision of teachers and educators, they are not forfeiting their parental responsibilities. Rather, those involved in the education of children “can reasonably be expected to give young people instruction respectful of the truth, the qualities of the heart, and the moral and spiritual dignity of humanity” (ccc 2526). As with all things, however, “it is only the Good News of Christ that renews the life and culture of our fallen nature; it combats and removes the error and evil which flow from the ever-present attraction of sin” (Gaudium et spes 58 § 4).

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

Prayer, Our Deepest Hunger

Founding pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish mourned at Mass

THREE BRIDGES — Bishop James F. Checchio presided at a funeral Mass for Father Edward A. Kearns at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church Sept. 10.

Father Kearns, who died July 11, was the founding pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, which was established in 1984. He served there until 1997 when, after 59 years in the priesthood, he retired to Sarasota, Fla.

In his opening remarks, Bishop Checchio said, “On this sad occasion, we are full of hope as we pray for our brother, for his eternal rest in the Lord he loved and served so well through the years.” He noted that Father Kearns charted the parish’s course, which made a difference in the local church.

“We are so grateful for the many parishioners who came today. We are pleased,” he added, “that this funeral is being livestreamed for all the people who could not attend in person.”

In his homily, Father Thomas J. Serafin, pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, said, “We have gathered in this church of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton to give thanks and praise to almighty God for all of the many

years of life he shared with us through Father Kearns. The Church with her rites and rituals strives to see and do things as God sees and does things where everyone is the same, as equals, unique but equal, whether we are a pope, a bishop, a pastor, a lay person, a person who frequents the Church or a person who has fallen away, we all get the same rite. Father Kearns saw things the same way — that we are all members of the body of Christ, people with dignity, each with a job to do.

“God help you if you did not do that job,” the pastor quipped, before concluding, “We come here to say thank you for the gift of life and especially for this priest’s life, particularly to say goodbye to a brother, an uncle, a great uncle, a brother priest, and fellow Christian.

“We come here to share this sacrament that he was so honored and privileged to celebrate in this place that he built. The parish began with nothing, he was able to raise $1 million and borrow $1 million and paid it back and raised another $750,000 to have an office area built for the parish.

“He left the parish with no debt and that is truly amazing,” said Father Serafin.

To help explain how he did it, Father Serafin told the congregation to look at the readings Father Kearns chose for the funeral Mass: The Book of Wisdom 3:1-6, 9. Psalm 23. Romans 14: 7-9, 10b-12. Gospel of Matthew 5:1-12a.

“The feeling of peace inspired Father Kearns in his life,” Father Serafin said. “Hopefully, he finds that peace in the loving embrace of our heavenly Father who promised to reward us for our goodness.”

Father Kearns was born to Edward A. Kearns Sr. and Jean (Fuscaldo) Kearns. He was predeceased by his sister, Jane, and her husband, Andrew Chiappara. He attended Seton Hall University and Immaculate Conception Seminary, South Orange, completing his undergraduate work in 1963 and earning a Master’s of Divinity degree in 1970. He was ordained to the priesthood May 25, 1963, by Bishop James Navagh for the Diocese of Paterson. Father Kearns served at St. Christopher’s, Parsippany; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Boonton; and St. Thomas the Apostle, Oak Ridge.

In retirement, Father Kearns served as a weekend assistant at St. Thomas More Parish, Sarasota. He is survived by his sister,

Bishop James F. Checchio incenses the urn holding the remains of Father Edward A. Kearns. — Ed Koskey Jr. photo

Ellen, her husband Kurt Akersten; four nieces and nephews, and 14 grand nieces and nephews.

Burial was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa. Arrangements were handled by Farley Funeral Home, Venice, Fla.

Lester Memorial Home

Fundraisers

Oct. 22, 5 p.m. — St. Mary of Ostrabrama Parish’s Holy Name and Altar Rosary societies are holding a fundraising dinner in the Parish Center, 30 Jackson St., South River. Take-out dinners available. Menu consists of roast pork; pierogi; kielbasa and sauerkraut; rye bread; coffee; tea and desserts. Tickets are: $20, adults; $5, children between 5 and12. Children under 5, free. Tickets are on sale in the parish office during business hours and at the door.

Dec. 3, 6 p.m. — Long Valley Knights of Columbus will host its 31st Annual Charity Benefit, Silent and Live Auction with buffet dinner at St. Luke Church, 265 West Mill Rd., Long Valley. Silent auction and dinner begin at 6 p.m., live auction begins at 8 p.m. See LVKOC. ORG for more information and order tickets.

Workshops/Retreats

Oct. 21-22 — Men’s Cornerstone at Immaculate Conception Parish, Annandale. “Praising God…Through Tough Times” will be a 26-hour experience that provides attendees the opportunity to reflect, renew and strengthen their faith while meting other men in the Christian community. For information and register: e-mail CornerstoneM419@gmail.com and website https://www.icannandale. org/mens-cornerstone

Oct. 25, 7 p.m. — Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer, Watchung, and Zoom. “Man to Man.” Men have unique roles — husbands, fathers, grandfathers, the

single life and religious life. Where can we find time to reflect on the loss and gain of our lives? For all men — young, old and in between. Join our group over coffee or tea for life affirming discussions and prayer to find God in our lives and to make a difference in our own worlds. Fourth Tuesday of the month. Freewill offering. Information and registration for all Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer offerings can be found on the website www.msmhope.org, by calling (908) 753-2091 or e-mail msmhope@ msmhope.org.

Dec. 3, 9 a.m. – St. Cecilia Church, Monmouth Junction. Icon painting for adults. No experience necessary. All materials are included. Donation: $25. (BYOL) RSVP: Parish office (732) 329-2893.

Lecture Series

Oct. 26, 8 p.m. — “Healthy Minds, Healthy Futures,” first of a free, threepart Zoom series for parents, grandparents and all those concerned with the mental health of youth. Sponsored by the St. Matthias Vocations Ministry and Next Level Youth Group, and St. Matthias School and Home School Association https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81968510428

First, third Thursdays of each month

“Virtual Comfortable Cup of Tea” via Zoom. Hosted by Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer, Watchung. Information and registration for all Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer offerings can be found on the website www.msmhope.org, by calling (908) 753-2091 or e-mail msmhope@msmhope.org.

Chivalrous Knights

On Sept. 8, members of the Knights of Columbus Somerville Council 1432 visited volunteers from the Pregnanacy Aid & Information Center (PAIC), Raritan Borough, and James Vargas, a brother Knight and board member of the agency — to present a donation from the proceeds of the Catholic fraternal organization’s annual golf outing. Posing in photo, from left: volunteers Ann Ippolito, Valerie Wick and Lynn Lashen; Vargas, Charles Elbert, Grand Knight Tom Lippai, Treasurer Roy Thoden (golf outing chairman), and volunteers Fran Johnson, Elba Velazquez and Patricia O’Reilly. Present or unable to attend were: Guilio Capra, Jeannine Bacsa, Eileen Fisher, Julie Lashen (picture taking and working with clients), Jeanne Zydallis and Maryann Dryl. The mission of PAIC is to provide resources for women seeking an alternative to abortion. photo courtesy of Knights of Columbus Council 1432

Priest begins service as shepherd of fourth parish since ordination

By Paul J. Peyton Correspondent

SAYREVILLE — Our Lady of Victories Parish welcomed its newest pastor, Father David J. Pekola, at a Mass of installation at Our Lady of Victories Church Sept. 11.

Father Pekola had been serving as administrator since November 2021.

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

“Father Pekola is certainly a servant leader and humbled priest,” Bishop Checchio said at the start of the Mass. “Thank you for accepting this responsibility.”

During the Rite of Installation, Father Pekola was formally introduced to the parish’s clergy and staff, finance committee, pastoral council and trustees, to whom he pledged to listen and work with them as part of his pastoral duties. He then gave his Oath of Fidelity to the Church and Bishop Checchio.

Father Pekola asked parishioners for their prayers as he begins his new ministry, telling parishioners to join him “in the task of spreading the news of Jesus Christ, celebrating his presence within our mist, bringing him out to the whole world.”

As pastor, Father Pekola said he oversees the spiritual and pastoral needs of 1,299 registered families and 150 children in the religious education program.

In his comments, Father Pekola noted that his installation was being held on the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“We think of those who gave their lives in service. What a tremendous example on 9/11, 21 years ago and also those who continue to fight in the war against terror,” Father Pekola said. “And in that sense of service, we are all taught to serve, especially, to serve our God… (And) on this day of remembrance may we continue to celebrate our good works that God calls us to do in charity, hope and love.”

Father Pekola was ordained to the priesthood May 31, 1986, at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen.

He has previously served as pastor of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Hackettstown; St. Patrick Parish, Belvidere; and St. Rose of Lima Parish, Oxford.

His priestly assignments have included parochial vicar, St. Cecelia Parish, Iselin; St. Elizabeth-St. Brigid Parish, Far Hills-Peapack; and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Milltown.

Born in Elizabeth, he was raised in Carteret and graduated from Carteret High School.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. He studied at St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore, where he earned a master’s degree in divinity, theological and ministerial stud ies.

Father Pekola previously served as dean of the Morris-Canal Deanery, and chaplain of the Knights of Columbus Joyce Kilmer Council and Augustus J. Rampone Assembly. He also served as Catholic chaplain at Hackettstown Re

Father David J. Pekola, at ambo, leads the faithful in reciting the “Nicene Creed” at a Mass of Installation as pastor of Our Lady of Victories Parish, Sayreville. Bishop James F. Checchio, right, presided at the liturgy and gave the homily.

gional Medical Center and served two terms on the Presbyteral Council from 1992 until 1996.

In an interview with “The Catholic Spirit,” Father Pekola said he enjoys “celebrating the liturgy and being able to provide the gift of Jesus to the people, both in the living word, and through preaching, and in the sacraments through the Eucharist.”

As a pastor, Father Pekola said he

Marlo Williamson photo

most enjoys “the joy of the people’s faith.”

“Where I can connect to people on that faith level, that’s very reassuring and rewarding to me,” he explained.

He said the Our Lady Victories Church is “a beautiful church with a beautiful worship space. It’s very open and welcoming…It kind of makes it easier for me to connect with the people because of it.”

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10/21 Eucharistic Revival Lecture Series: The Liturgy of the Eucharist, 6 p.m. at St. Magdalen de Pazzi, Father Matthew Marinelli will present the lecture which will discuss the nuances of the Liturgy of the Eucharist which is one of the main parts of the Mass. After the presentation, Mass will be celebrated. All are welcome.

10/27 2022 Champions for Catholic Charity Virtual Gala, Premier 7 p.m. The community of individual and corporate benefactors who support the vital services for our neighbors in need and provided by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, will be honored. To watch the gala live or to become a Champion for those in need by giving, visit: www.diometuchen.org/champions

10/29 2022 Catechetical Conference, “See You in the Eucharist: Evangelization Post Pandemic!” PCLs, Catechists, Principals and teachers are invited. Keynote speaker will be Father Paul Manning, Episcopal Vicar for Evangelization in the Diocese of Paterson, a known presenter, and advocate for the New Evangelization. The day will open with Mass celebrated by Bishop James F. Checchio. For more information contact: Carol Mascola at cmascole@diometuchen.org

10/30 Silver and Gold Anniversary Prayer Service, 3:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. Bishop James F. Checchio will preside at the prayer service. All couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary in 2022 are invited to attend. Registration is required. To register click on the link: https://www.diometuchen.org/silver-and-gold-anniversarycelebration

11/19 Global Celebration of Youth and Young Adults. Every Catholic faith community worldwide is encouraged and invited by Pope Francis to celebrate youth and young adults annually on Christ the King Sunday. Please join the Diocese of Metuchen as we celebrate this great feast! It will be held in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, beginning at 5 p.m. with a vigil Mass followed by dinner in the Parish Hall. At 7 p.m. attendees will move to the Parish CYO Hall where there will be Eucharistic Adoration, music, confession, prayer and re ection. The evening will conclude by 8:30 p.m. The event is geared towards youth and young adults, but all are welcome. For more information contact Megan (Vantslot) Callahan, at: mcallahan@diometuchen.org

DIOCESAN PROGRAMS

Adoration and Mass at Pastoral Center

On Tuesdays and Thursdays in the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center chapel there is adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 9 to 11:45 a.m. followed by Mass. On Wednesday there is Mass at 11:45 a.m. Adorers are needed so that Eucharistic Adoration can be o ered in the morning before Mass. In particular we are looking for adorers on Wednesday, so that we can o er Eucharistic Adoration on that day. If you are interested in being a regular adorer or for more information, please contact Angela Marshall at: amarshall@diometuchen.org

Virtual Book Study for Women

All ladies are invited to join in a study of “Listening for God in Everyday Life,” by Joseph D. White, Ph.D. The

group meets on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. on Zoom. For details or to join, please contact Cristina D’Averso-Collins, Director of Family Life, at cdaverso@diometuchen.org

“The Chosen” Study Series

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

BLUE ROSARY GUILD

The O ce 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 o cers, 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 O ce of Family Life at cdaverso@diometuchen.org.

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Phone: 732-529-7934 E-mail: ads@diometuchen.org

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“Come, Follow me.” (Mark 10:21)

Is God calling you to serve as a priest, religious sister or brother? If you think maybe . . .

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

Seminarian takes major step in formation to priesthood

ROME — Jose Lim, a third-year semi narian for the diocese who is studying at the Pontifical North American Col lege, was among 23 members of his class to be ordained to the transitional diaconate at Mass at the Altar of the Chair at the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter Sept. 29.

Bishop Austin Vetter of Helena, Mont., was the ordaining prelate at the liturgy. Originally a priest of the Diocese of Bismarck, (N.D.), Bishop Vetter had served on the formation faculty of the College as the director of Spiritual Formation from 2012 to 2018.

During the ordination, the new deacons promised to live a life of prayer, celibacy, and obedience to their diocesan bishops. They will have an additional year of theological studies and spiritual formation before being ordained to the priesthood in their home dioceses.

On Oct. 1, Deacon Lim posted these words on his Facebook page: “The past few days since ordination to the diaconate have been incred ibly graced. I give thanks to God for this vocation and for the men that I was blessed to be ordained alongside. Looking at the faces of each of my brother deacons right after being vest ed is a memory that I will never forget — utter gratitude to God along with the joy and peace of the Holy Spirit shone forth in each one of them. To lay down our lives to Christ forever in this way, as a class that has gone through so much, is a grace that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

“Being with family and friends all weeklong was a true joy and reminded me of just how much we need the Church, made visible in them. We can’t do this without the grace of God and the prayers of so many who have

Above left, the day after Jose Lim, a seminarian for the diocese, was ordained to the transitional diaconate, Bishop James F. Checchio presided at a Mass of Thanksgiving at Borghese Chapel at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major, Rome. Top right, Dea con Jose Lim smiles after being ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Austin Vetter, shepherd of the Diocese of Helena, Mont., Sept. 29. In the background is St. Peter’s Basilica. Deacon Lim is studying for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College, Rome. He is scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood next year. Bottom right, Bishop Checchio, along with friends and family of newly ordained Deacon Lim, pose at the Altar of the Chair at the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter for the Ordination of Deacons for the Pontifical North American College. — Gerald Wutkowski photos

sacrificed for us.

“Bishop [James F.] Checchio joined us [Sept. 30] and celebrated the Mass [of Thanksgiving at Borghese Chapel at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major] at which I preached my first homily, and several priest friends were there to pray for me. Seeing my

mother and father along with the rest of my family was a particular grace.

“We were also honored to be given the opportunity, through the kindness of Msgr. John Brillantes, to meet with Madam Ambassador Myla Grace Ragenia C. Macahilig, ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the Holy See. This week was purely a gift of the Lord.

“Please continue to pray for us as we make our final preparations this year for ordination to the priesthood next summer. Pray that we may be good and holy priests, consecrated to Christ for the salvation of souls!”

After graduating from Paramus High School, Deacon Lim worked as a registered nurse at Overlook Medical Center, Summit.

of the Immaculate Conception at the Pontifical North American College.

Twenty-five days before his ordination to the diaconate, Deacon Lim attended the Beatification of John Paul I in Saint Peter’s Square.

Deacon Jose Lim

Before the Pontifical North American College, he studied at Rutgers University, New Brunswick; and Seton Hall University, Immaculate Conception Seminary School, South Orange.

On Jan. 12, 2020, Deacon Lim was among the 35 seminarians conferred to the Ministry of Lector, in the Chapel

“Even in the midst of the rain, it was beautiful to be there to celebrate God’s grace at work through the life of a humble, joyful, and often-forgotten servant who was called to the papacy in 1978 only to serve for a brief 33 days before suddenly passing away,” Deacon Lim said. “He was named venerable during my first year of seminary [2017] and has now been beatified at the beginning of my last year of seminary. As many of you know, John Paul I has been a spiritual friend and father through my years of following the call to the priesthood and it was beyond words to see so many people today in the square who saw him with that same love and affection. He is an example for me of what a priest should be and I pray that my own vocation might emulate just a tiny bit of his.”

Deacon Jose Lim was recently highlighted via Vatican News for this moment caught at the new deacons general audience with Pope Francis. Famous for the ‘zucchetto swap’ after Deacon Lim presented his zucchetto to the pope, Pope Francis placed his zucchetto on top of Deacon Lim’s head. — photo courtesy of the Vatican Media

“Being with family and friends all weeklong was a true joy and reminded me of just how much we need the Church, made visible in them.”