January 20, 2022

Section highlights achievements, dedication amidst COVID-19 challenges as Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 30-Feb. 5) nears, 11-25

Spirit atholic C THE

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

JANUARY 20, 2022 • VOL. 26 NO. 13 • $2.00

Early Arrival

Varnika Gorre (six pounds, 15 ounces), the first baby born in 2022 – 2:45 a.m. — at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, is shown with her mother, Bhavani Tiruveedula, and father, Jagan Babu Gorre, of Edison. The diocesan-sponsored hospital, a member of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, is a state-designated children’s hospital and a regional perinatal center. The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital provides families with access to pediatric specialties such as a nationally recognized Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, pediatric surgery and orthopedic surgery featuring innovative anterior scoliosis correction. The hospital offers a midwifery service and the brandnew state-of-the-art Mary V. O’Shea Birth Center.

— photo courtesy of Saint Peter’s University Hospital

INSIDE

Perspectives Our Faith

4 28-29

Kid’s Corner

33

Diocesan Events

35

Lay Missionary

Parishioner from diocese begins service in Kenya...3

This issue was mailed on January 18 Your next issue will be February 17

2

Bishop reflects on blessings of Catholic schools in diocese

UP FRONT

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Bishop James Checchio

JANUARY 20, 2022

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

As we begin a new calendar year, we always make time to recognize our Catholic schools. Unfortunately, again this year we are challenged to celebrate Catholic Schools Week (January 30 – February 5, 2022) in the midst of rising COVID numbers and the disruption that has resulted. But, as always, our schools will rise to the challenge. I was very proud that our schools were able to offer in-person education last year to those families that wanted to have their children in school. In addition, for those families that preferred to have their students remain at home, a very successful virtual learning opportunity existed in every school. It was a great blessing to be able to serve our families, and I am so grateful to the pastors, principals and teachers that made it happen. The students were most cooperative too.

Without a doubt, being able to keep our schools open during that challenging time was certainly a blessing.

While we all had hoped that this school year would be a bit easier, that has not proven to be the case. Once again, our schools have adapted to the needs of the school community. They are providing virtual learning to those that must quarantine, being attentive to health and safety requirements, and enjoying as many school activities as possible. There are school Masses celebrated, plays being performed, school clubs have resumed and outreach to others remains a hallmark of a Catholic school.

In my recent Pastoral Letter on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary

of the Diocese of Metuchen, I asked our students, just like everyone else in that we embrace three priorities that the diocese, perform 40 acts of mercy will enable us to answer the Lord’s in honor of our anniversary year. So call even more effectively: increased often when students participate in prayer, works of mercy and vocations. outreach of any kind, the entire family During this anniversary year, I am becomes involved, and that is such a looking forward to learning how these blessing.

The third priority we are empriorities will be met in the schools. bracing during this anniversary year There are many liturgical celebrations during the year in every school, Mass- is the need for vocations. We must es, Eucharistic Adoration, special de- constantly pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious votions, and daily prayer.

This year, there will Our schools are such life. It is difficult in today’s noisy and fast be an increased focus on paced world to create an important part prayer, the quiet time a culture that allows that our students need to of our evangeliza- young men and women be with God. The campus ministry programs at our tion efforts, as they to be able to even hear God’s call. Our Catholic high schools have many assist our students schools must be such good activities taking place. Recently, given in not only learning places. I was delighted to hear that each of our the number of young schools has “adopted” about Jesus and priests we have ordained, one of our seminarians. we are blessed to again the Church but in In some schools, the have some young priests seminarian has visited, assigned full time to our deepening their either virtually or in high schools as Directors of Catholic Identity and friendship with Him. person, to discuss his spiritual journey and as teachers, who I hope and pray are able to foster the prayer vocation with the students. It is good lives of our students and faculties. to know that there are so many prayers Our schools are such an important part coming from our students in support of our evangelization efforts, as they of our seminarians and praying for assist our students in not only learn- more young men and women to aning about Jesus and the Church but in swer God’s call to serve as priests and deepening their friendship with Him. religious.

As a product of Catholic schools, I I hear from our school parents how know what a blessing they are, and am grateful they are as our schools not only offer a great education for their so grateful to my parents for having children but also enable our families always sent me to Catholic schools. I to live Gospel values proudly at a time was not as aware then of all the sigwhen that is becoming more and more nificant sacrifices people make for our Catholic schools but have certainly challenging.

I am always so impressed, too, by learned that, so I want to thank all the outreach and acts of mercy that our those who make our schools possible. school communities do within their school and parish, but also for others.

From Appalachia to Haiti and beyond, students and their families are encouraged to reach out and act in the name of Jesus. This year, I am asking that

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We here in the Diocese of Metuchen are blessed by the leadership of Ellen Ayoub who serves as our Secretary for Schools. Her love of our Lord and His Church is evident, and she knows well the value of what our schools do. We are grateful for her dedication to our school families. I am grateful, too, for all our religious sisters and brothers who have taught with our dedicated lay teachers, our principals, administrators and staff and I truly appreciate all the dedicated supporters of our schools I am very thankful that quite a few of our pastors have told me that in these past two years more people are choosing to send their children to our Catholic schools. I know from my own experience and from what I see, they will not regret it.

While I have the great privilege of learning about our school communities through my visits to them, even now as we are being more careful, I invite you to visit the Office of Catholic Schools’ website to learn more about our wonderful schools. Check our social media, too, to see what is happening in the schools.

So, as we journey into a new year, please join me in praying for our youth as well as our schools and all who make them possible. Know of my love and prayers for you always and may all of you have a Blessed 2022.

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

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3

Image Week

Parishioner on ‘mission’ to serve others in Kenya

By Chris Donahue Associate editor For Susan Feeney, service to the Church and the poor has always been an important part of her life, whether it is as an extraordinary minister of holy communion or catechist or doing pro bono work as a tax attorney with a prominent national law firm.

Around New Year’s Day, Feeney’s desire to help others reached new levels of commitment and dedication when she boarded a plane bound for Kenya and a 3 1/2-year stay as a Maryknoll lay missionary.

“My Catholic faith is very important in my daily life,” said Feeney, a member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Montgomery Township, in an interview before she left. “The reason

I decided to commit to doing Mission work was that I realized ‘when you live fast you can’t live deep.’

“Although I loved my career as a lawyer, I often felt my faith life was apart from my ‘work’ life. I am looking forward to serving the marginalized and living with Maryknoll lay missionaries in a religious community and living my faith life 24/7.”

Feeney has been a member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish since the 1990s. The parish and its pastor, Msgr.

Gregory E.S. Malovetz, are “essential” elements in her faith journey. “I would not be doing this if not for the formation I received at St. Charles and the support I received from Msgr. Greg,” she said.

To become a Maryknoll lay missionary, Feeney joined 12 others in an

— Pat Norberto photos

eight-week formation and orientation program beginning in October. On Dec. 11, the new lay missionaries participated in a Sending Ceremony at Queen of Apostles Chapel on the Maryknoll campus, Ossining, N.Y. “It is an excellent preparation program for the 13 Missionaries being sent this year,” Feeney said. “We studied theology on social justice issues and had workshops on multi-cultural issues. We also were prepared for the practical experiences in Mission.”

In addition to Kenya, the formation and orientation program prepared the new missionaries for cross-cultural ministries in Bolivia, Brazil, El Salvador, Tanzania, and the United StatesMexico border.

During the Sending Ceremony, the new missionaries were “called forth” for their 3 1/2-year ministry commitments in their respective mission regions in both English and the local language (in Feeney’s case, Swahili).

In his remarks to the new missionaries, Robert Ellsberg, the publisher of Orbis Books, encouraged them to follow what Pope Francis calls a “journey faith.” In journey faith, he said, “We find God along the way, in history, in the twists and turns of experience, in our unexpected encounters and relationships with others. In this model, we don’t have all the answers in advance. We learn and grow along the way.

Continued on page 8

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT JANUARY 20, 2022

Susan Feeney (second from left) with fellow new missionaries after the Sending Ceremony.

After receiving their mission crosses, Susan Feeney (center) and the other 12 new Maryknoll lay missionaries jointly recite their “Commitment Prayer.”

4 PERSPECTIVES

Apologetics for faithful on life ‘in utero’ and ‘ex utero’ Body & Soul

By Father Glenn J. Comandini, STD Science has proven time and time again that the embryo she may wish to remove, is not her body but a subsistent body in itself, albeit dependent on the mother’s body for development and vitality.

Moreover, it is the teaching of the Church that human life begins at conception, not at birth as some pro-choice advocates insist. Only God has the right to create life — only God has the right to take that gift away. Since God, who is holy, is the author of life, it follows that, from conception to natural death, all life is sacred.

On this Right-to-Life Sunday, the ordinary magisterium reminds us that abortion is wrong, that it is evil, that it is a sin — and you, who are Church, know this. Unfortunately, there are

many good people who do not believe a white baby. And that’s okay but the this. Some of them are reading this fact is, there are many more beautiful column Some of them babies up for foster As we celebrate the sit across from us at care or adoption who the dinner table. As African-Ameritheme of “right to life,” let are Church, it is not our can, Native Ameritask to go home and us pray that more people can, Asian or Latino. fight with loved ones Can interracial foster might consider sharing care and adoption who are pro-choice.

Instead, let’s just pray their love and their home work? You better for them. Let’s pray believe it can — and that the Holy Spirit with a child by becoming it does. may enlighten them a foster parent or adoptWhat about a to understand what we choice in favor of know, to believe what ing...they are saying “yes” fostering or adopting we hold as a truth of a child with disto life with their own life– of faith. abilities, such as baThere are a lot bies born with HIV; and isn’t this what of children in need of babies born of drugJesus did for us foster care or adopdependent mothers; tion. We should all be babies who have on the Cross? able to relate to this Down Syndrome? since, by our baptism, These children have we became adopted special needs — but children of God. But here’s our prob- their greatest need is to be loved. lem. Most people who wish to take in Not everyone here is looking to a foster child or adopt a child, want become a foster parent or adopt but an infant; more precisely, they want we have a lot of adults who read this

column may be thinking about either vocation. The point of this writer is to recommend both possibilities to such adults who may be seeking to discern God’s will for them concerning this topic. As we celebrate the theme of “right to life,” let us pray that more people might consider sharing their love and their home with a child by becoming a foster parent or adopting: whether they opt for a baby, a toddler, a young child or a teenager; whether they choose a child who is white, black or brown, they are saying “yes” to life with their own life – and isn’t this what Jesus did for us on the Cross?

On Right-To-Life Sunday, we who are the Church are asked to ratify as individuals and as a community the precious gift of life. Please God, may all who are faced with tough decisions concerning pregnancy, birth or death, adoption or fostering a child may make good choices, ones which will respect the sacred character of life, and the God who creates it, redeems it and sanctifies it through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Much work needed to rebuild our culture of Life

Unfortunately, abortion, a choice paid little attention to the will of the people earlier this month as it passed made in despair, is a common experiS49/A6260, the so-called “Freedom of ence in our country. It is estimated that Reproductive Choice Act.” This bill, a nearly one in four women will have at pared-back version of the Reproduc- least one abortion by the age of 45. It makes sense to say tive Freedom Act, then, that abortion codifies into state

By Jennifer Ruggiero has touched the lives law an individual’s We must be God’s of millions in deeply The constitutional right to abortion has right to an abortion, rescue workers and including late-term personal ways. No never been as fragile as it is heading abortions.

Regretin our society has into 2022. The United States Supreme we must broadcast to one tably, the bill was escaped unscathed; Court is considering Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a case rushed through, intro- all — 24/7 even if the everyone is affected by the hardening which could potentially weaken or even duced on a Thursday media won’t — that evening and voted of the heart which overturn the 1973 landmark decision in comes when a culon in both chambers Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in each human life is just four days later, ture tolerates killing. our land. A decision is expected somesacred.

We must raise leaving little time for Abortion denies that time in June. Currently, the United States life is sacred is one of only four countries, including debate, discussion or awareness, educate human and there are many China and North Korea, which allows the input from the public.

New Jersey alothers and promote victims. Accepting abortion of a child at any time during a ready has the most and even promoting woman’s pregnancy. pro-life public policy. abortion on demand permissive abortion Thankfully, according to the laws in the nation as is a symptom of what Guttmacher Institute, state lawmakPope Francis repeaters across the country enacted 108 well as the highest per edly decries as a abortion restrictions in the last year capita abortion rate, with the most recent data recorded in “throw-away culture.” alone. In fact, recent polls show that Just last week, we collectively most Americans are in favor of at least 2017 at 48,000 abortions. Yet passage gasped as the surveillance video of a of this measure is being celebrated some restrictions on abortion.

New Mexico teen went viral. In the Sadly, lawmakers in New Jersey and hailed as “crucial legislation.” video, the 18-year old high school student is seen tossing her newborn baby in a black garbage bag into a dumpster, leaving him to die. ThankIf you were sexually abused by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or you fully, the baby was found and, thanks know of someone who was, you are encouraged to report that abuse to local law enforcement, the New to rescue workers, is doing well. The teen is being charged with attempted Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency at 1-877-NJ ABUSE (652-2873) or 1-800-835-5510 first degree murder. One might ask, (TTY/TDD for the deaf), and also the Diocesan Response Officer at (908) 930-4558 (24 hours/7 days a why are we not equally disturbed by week). the concept of abortion in which a

JANUARY 20, 2022

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Thoughts on Life

How to report abuse

baby is deliberately terminated and discarded?

Much work is needed to rebuild our culture. As pro-life, people of faith, we are convinced of the boundless mercy of God. That is the light we must bring to the world: the truth about God’s love, about His forgiveness, about the beauty of human life in all of its stages and all of its conditions.

We must be God’s rescue workers and we must broadcast to all — 24/7 even if the media won’t — that each uman life is sacred. We must raise awareness, educate others and promote pro-life public policy. We must pull those faced with crisis pregnancies out of the wreckage of their despair and help them to choose life! We must help heal those who are buried under the guilt and shame of a past abortion and let them know that they can be comforted by God’s infinite mercy.

Most importantly, we must pray unceasingly. May the Lord have mercy on those who may never leave the womb alive. May the Lord have mercy on doctors who are destroying human lives. May He give our lawmakers the eyes to see that all life is a miracle whether in the womb, newly born, frail and elderly or poor and down-trodden.

And May the Lord give us generous hearts and the graces needed to rebuild a culture of Life in these United States and around the world. We can do it, because, with God, anything is possible.

5

WORLD & NATION

Compiled from the Catholic News Service

In flyover, Kentucky bishop blesses his people Pope prays all hearts will be filled with wonder WORLD & NATION

OWENSBORO, Ky. — Owensboro Bishop William F. Medley wanted to bless his people who had been in the path of the tornadoes that struck western Kentucky during the night of Dec. 10, and with the help of a local pastor, some Knights of Columbus and an airplane, he did just that. On Dec. 21, the bishop flew over the southern regions of the Diocese of Owensboro with a monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament, blessing all below who had been impacted by the tornadoes.

A week before, the bishop had driven 400 miles to visit the affected locations, including Resurrection Parish in Dawson Springs, St. Joseph Parish in Mayfield, the Princeton area and the Bowling Green area. But seeing the damage from above, “it is a different perspective. A God’s-eye view if you will,” he said. “It was stagger-

Bishop William F. Medley of Owensboro, Ky., lifts a monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament while in flight Dec. 21, 2021, to bless the communities of his diocese that were affected by the tornadoes that struck during the night of Dec. 10.

—CNS photo/Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, The Western Kentucky Catholic

ing to see what happened to people’s lives and knowing all that would have to be rebuilt.” The eucharistic flyover idea was initiated by Daniel Schachle, the general agent for the Knights of Columbus insurance program for Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas and a small part of Virginia. He has his pilot’s license and Piper Archer plane, and did a similar flyover blessing for the Diocese of Nashville, Tennessee, after tornadoes struck the region in early 2020.

Desmond Tutu known for commitment to justice

—CNS photo/Marcus Donner, Reuters

—CNS photo/Paul Haring

in the square, everyone watching on television, listening by radio or following on their computers. Jesus came into the world “like a whisper, like the murmur of a gentle breeze, to fill with wonder the heart of every man and woman who is open to this mystery,” the pope said in his Christmas message. “The Word became flesh in order to dialogue with us,” he insisted. “God does not desire to carry on a monologue, but a dialogue. For God himself —Father, Son and Holy Spirit — is dialogue, an eternal and infinite communion of love and life.”

Drug companies urged to share vaccine, technology WASHINGTON — The global North is getting not only vaccinated but receiving booster shots as well to protect against the coronavirus. Meanwhile, in poorer nations, only 6 percent have gotten as much as a first shot. If COVID-19 and its emerging variants are to be stopped, poor nations need not only the capacity to manufacture vaccines, but the technology behind those vaccines that have been proven successful at stemming COVID-19’s spread. “We would need billions of vaccines available,” said Mary Beth Powers, president and CEO of the New York-based Catholic Medical Mission Board, which provides long-term medical and development aid to communities affected by poverty and unequal access to healthcare, focusing on women and children’s health. “Production in the North is increasing, so we should have supplies that are near sufficient,” she added, “but that was before we started factoring in the boosters.” Powers, in a Dec. 22 phone interview with Catholic News Service, said: “We should think of the COVID vaccine as a public good -- not a private need,” just as with previous vaccines for measles, diphtheria, polio and pertussis. “We should have had a better plan ... or an idea of how to transfer the technology” once vaccines were approved for use. At a COVID-19 summit

Mary Beth Powers, president and CEO of the New York-based Catholic Medical Mission Board, is seen in this undated photo.

— CNS photo/courtesy Catholic Medical Mission Board

in September of this year, according to Powers, participants set a goal of having 70 percent of the world’s population vaccinated by next September. However, “we’re nowhere near” that goal, she said. “We’re maybe at 6 percent of emerging markets of low- and middle-income countries. We’re way behind where we need to be.”

JANUARY 20, 2022

Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu gestures while speaking during a 2011 event in Tacoma, Wash. Archbishop Tutu, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Anglican cleric whose good humor, inspiring message and conscientious work for civil and human rights made him a revered leader during the struggle to end apartheid in South Africa, died at age 90 Dec. 26, 2021.

Pope Francis delivers his Christmas blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 25, 2021.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s compassion and sense of humor, as well as his commitment to justice and processes of peace, were among the many reasons he was an icon, said Bishop Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg. The retired Anglican archbishop of Cape Town – who in 1984 won the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his efforts to bring about a peaceful transition to a society with equal rights for all – died in Cape Town Dec. 26 at the age of 90. When he was asked at a meeting of young people why he was always so positive, Archbishop Tutu told them, “I’m a prisoner of hope,” Bishop Dowling said. “That sums up his life,” the bishop said in a Dec. 26 telephone interview. Bishop Dowling said there was a great affection and respect among the late Catholic Bishop Denis Hurley of Durban, the late Rev. Beyers Naude, an Afrikaner cleric who condemned his church’s support for apartheid, and Archbishop Tutu. Like Bishop Hurley – “on whose shoulders we stood,” as Archbishop Tutu once put it – the Anglican cleric condemned apartheid as a heresy. The blasphemy of apartheid, Archbishop Tutu said repeatedly, “is that it can make a child of God doubt that he or she is a child of God.”

VATICAN CITY — Before giving his Christmas blessing to the city of Rome and to the world, Pope Francis drew attention to the many places around the globe and within human hearts in need of Jesus, the prince of peace. “In the cold of the night, he stretches out his tiny arms toward us: He is in need of everything, yet he comes to give us everything,” the pope told people gathered in a rain-washed St. Peter’s Square. “On this festive day, let us implore him to stir up in the hearts of everyone a yearning for reconciliation and fraternity,” Pope Francis said Dec. 25 before giving his blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world). Cardinal Renato Martino, 89, the protodeacon of the College of “Cardinals, announced that the solemn blessing included a plenary indulgence for the people

6 OUR DIOCESE

Christmas tree lights pierce darkness to mark parish’s founding including a display of the Treasures of the Vatican, a Corpus Christi proIn 1846, the bishops of the United cession, dedication to St Joseph and a States placed the nation under the parish picnic and gala.

“It has been a wonderful yearpatronage of Mary as the Immaculate long celebration and Conception. That was a great success,” said eight years before Immaculate Father John J. “Jack” the de fide proclamation by Blessed Pope Conception Parish in O’Kane, pastor. In trying to decide on a Pius IX that Mary Spotswood, Dec. 8, fitting conclusion, he was conceived wholly without original sin. took on added signifi- chose to combine a Mass on Dec. 8 along The Solemnity of the Immaculate Con- cance [last year] as it with the parish’s annual memorial tree ception is observed as concluded the lighting and to ina holy day of obligavite Bishop James F. celebration of its tion on Dec. 8 each to celebrate year. diamond jubilee. It Checchio the Mass. “I was deLast month, for Immaculate Conwas on Jan. 4, 1946 lighted when the bishop accepted my inviception Parish in that Trenton Bishop tation to both events,” Spotswood, Dec. 8, Father O’Kane said. took on added signifiWilliam A. Griffin Concelebrants cance as it concluded the celebration of its established the parish at the Mass presided the bishop: Father diamond jubilee. It in Middlesex County. by O’Kane, Father James was on Jan. 4, 1946 McGuffey, parochial that Trenton Bishop vicar, and Father PeWilliam A. Griffin established the parish in Middlesex ter Chakkuny.

In his homily, the bishop noted County.

A number of events were held that while the parish currently serves in 2021 to recognize the milestone, about 3,000 parishioners, this was not

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Above, parishioners gather at Immaculate Conception Parish, Spotswood to celebrate the conclusion of the 75th anniversary of its founding. At right is one of the 75 memorial trees which were blessed

by Bishop James F. Checchio and then lit.

Below the bishop blesses the tree. Assisting him is Father Roy Quesea and Deacon Danny San Jose.

— John Batkowski photos

always the case. Established as a mission parish of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Old Bridge, Immaculate Conception opened with only 120 families.

As the parish grew, it was recognized that the original small church building did not meet the needs of the people, so in 1960 the parish was relocated to its current site on Manalapan Road where the church and the school were built. Over the years, various changes and additions were made under the first five pastors. Father O’Kane was named the parish’s sixth pastor Oct. 15, 2020.

In his homily, Bishop Checchio suggested that the reason the Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception, a great Marian feast, each year Continued on next page

of the Knights of Columbus, he and other members of the club installed and wired the trees this year with about 34,000 lights and almost 600 feet of wiring. It took the team about 4 1/2 hours to wire the trees the weekend before the event.

Rogala said that while the number of trees has fluctuated from year to year, “This year, the number of trees exactly matched the number of years the parish has existed.”

He believes that the Memorial Trees have a two-fold effect: “It brings the parish community together during this Advent and Christmas Season and it also serves as a sign of the Christmas message and spirit to the wider community.”

Deacon Cline exercises his ministry at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater

OUR DIOCESE

early in Advent is because, as the faithful prepare themselves for the coming of Jesus, it demonstrates how much Mary has to do with the first coming of the Lord.

He cited an old saying that, “There would be no Christmas without Mary.”

But as instrumental as Mary was to Christ’s Incarnation, the Bishop reminded the congregation, “that even today Mary still brings countless people into contact with her son each day and so we give thanks to her.” “We need Mary as our model,” he added.

After Mass, the bishop, clergy and congregation gathered at the parish’s grove of unlit trees. As they did, snow began to fall lightly, adding a degree of festivity to the occasion. The choir and parishioners sang “O come all ye faithful.” Bishop Checchio then blessed the trees, which were lit by sparkling white lights illuminating not only the trees but a life-size crèche at the center of the display.

It was the fourth year that the parish has had the memorial Christmas trees, each one dedicated to the memory of parishioners and family members. The idea of memorial trees was suggested by former parochial vicar, Father Mhonchan Ezung, who had seen it in another parish where he served.

Stephen Rogala, who was president of the Fathers’ Club at the time, was instrumental in bringing the idea into existence that first year and continues to organize the event. Along with assistance

7

Continued from previous page

Above Father John J. O’Kane, pastor of Immaculate Conception, addresses his congregation. With him are (left to right): Deacon Thomas Griffoul, Bishop Checchio, Father James W. McGuffey, parochial vicar, and Carmelite Father Peter Akkanath Chakkunny. At left snow starts to fall as Immaculate Conception’s Memorial Trees are lit.

The 34,000 white lights on the 75 trees illuminated not only the trees but a life -size creche at the center of the display. The Mass and tree lighting concluded the parish’s celebration of its diamond jubilee.

— John Batkowski photos

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is an 8-week program, featuring a thirty-minute DVD presentation followed by group discussion, which covers which covers the topics of...

shock, denial, anger, grief, guilt, forgiveness, money, children, the courts, the ex-spouse, annulment.

March 7, 2022 limited to 12 participants Pre-registration by phone required Cost: $25 (for a book)

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT JANUARY 20, 2022

March 16, 23, 30 • April 6, 20, 27 • May 4 and 11

8 OUR DIOCESE THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT JANUARY 20, 2022

Lawyer hopes to use legal skills to promote peace, justice in Kenya Continued from page 3

“Stumbling, doubts and uncertainty are all part of the journey. It can be risky, but it is dynamic — it is open to conversion and learning new things. It is open to the surprising promptings of the Holy Spirit.”

As part of the celebration, the new missioners also received their mission crosses and expressed their commitment “to witness the Good News of Jesus Christ, in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are marginalized and oppressed.” They committed themselves “to care for the earth, our common home, and to respond in service to help create a more just and compassionate world.”

At St. Charles Borromeo, Feeney also served as a mentor for its Youth Group and as a member of its Finance Council. She also is a Dame of Malta, and a Dame Commander with Star of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Before she took the formation and orientation program, Feeney worked at McCarter & English, LLP, Newark.

In October, she resigned as a partner to join Maryknoll and is now “of counsel” to the firm, which is supporting her in mission work.

During her more than 40 years of serving clients and the legal community, Feeney was a past chair of, and a member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee.

“The firm has a social justice program and has always been committed to pro bono service and social justice work. For my entire legal career, I have been involved in pro bono service,” she said.

She also served as president of the New Jersey Bar Association and president of the New Jersey Bar Foundation.

Feeney said she chose Kenya for her first assignment because she was inspired by a Maryknoll “immersion program” in Africa. Deacon Peter Barcelona, who exercises his ministry at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Port Reading, was among the delegates on that trip.

“I had visited Tanzania with Maryknoll in 2015 and I saw the need in East Africa to work with the marginalized,” Feeney said. “I had spoken with some Maryknoll priests who had been in East Africa and I felt it was a good fit for me.”

Because of that trip, Feeney said she has “no anxiety about going on mission.”

“I have trust in God and I truly believe this is where my faith journey is sending me,” she said. “I know it will not always be easy, but I know I am prepared and I am relying on the Holy Spirit and my faith to lead me.”

Maryknoll missioners generally

Pastor cites faith, kindness as strengths of lay missionary

At the Sending Ceremony, (from left) Megan Hamilton, Susan Feeney and Francis Wayne are called forth for their mission assignments in Kenya. — Pat Norberto photo live in secure housing, but within the age to the Holy Land. In Susan’s own marginalized community. Feeney said words, that trip was ‘transformative.’

“That seed was nourished and she will learn more about her role as a missioner after she arrives. germinated through various other “As a lawyer I hope to work in the pilgrimages, including a trip to Tanjustice and peace area, but my specific zania in 2015 with Maryknoll and a project will be determined once I am visit to Lebanon in 2016 with Caritas in Kenya and live among the commu- Lebanon/Catholic Charities Solidarity nity I will serve,” she said. “Maryk- Team under the guidance of Bishop noll uses the discern method of pas- Gregory Mansour of the Maronite toral theological reflection and I will Rite, Diocese of St. Maron of Brookemploy this in determining with the lyn [N.Y.] and Msgr. Joseph J. Kerrigan, pastor of St. local marginalized Joseph Parish, Bound community as to how Brook.”

I can best serve.”

This year’s Deacon Anthony “I have trust in God “Class of 2021” Gostkowski, who exand I truly believe ercises his ministry at is Maryknoll Lay St. Bartholomew Par- this is where my faith Missioners’ largest since 2005. Since ish, East Brunswick, journey is sending 1975, more than 700 described Feeney as “a wonderful examlay misme. I know it will not Maryknoll sioners have been ple for all of us who are called to service always be easy, but I sent into mission to by our own baptism.” work with those at the know I am prepared margins for a more “We met and quickly became and I am relying on just, compassionate friends during the and sustainable world time [2005-2009] we the Holy Spirit and my in Africa, Asia and both served on the the Americas. faith to lead me.”

Today, they condiocese’s Flame of —Susan Feeney tinue to serve in nine Charity Foundation Board of Trustees,” countries in a wide range of ministries he said. “Early in our friendship, I quickly became aware of that include health care and health her interest in service to others. She promotion, education and leadership is of deep faith and one of the most development, justice and peace, faith caring and compassionate people that formation and pastoral care, and susI know. So, it was not a great surprise tainable development. when she mentioned that she had an Feeney said although she had to interest in becoming a Maryknoll lay leave her beloved dog, Dublin, behind, missioner. he is “in good hands with my friends “I am humbled to say,” he con- who will live in my home.” tinued, “that Susan has told me that “My sister, brother-in-law, niece the ‘seed’ for her service as a lay mis- and nephew are very supportive of me sioner began in 2014 when I invited and will visit Kenya. They do like to her to join my pastor, Father Thomas travel!” she exclaimed.

J. Walsh of St. Bartholomew Parish in “I have signed a 3 1/2-year conEast Brunswick, and I on a pilgrim- tract and will likely be ‘home’ once a

Msgr. Gregory E.S. Malovetz, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Montgomery Township, celebrated Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Church Dec. 31.

At the end of the liturgy, he announced to the congregation that parishioner Susan Feeney had become a Maryknoll lay missionary and would be leaving in a few hours to serve a three-year term in Kenya.

Msgr. Malovetz recently shared some thoughts with “The Catholic Spirit” about what he believes has prepared her for mission work.

“Susan has been a parishioner here for many years. In the time she has been involved in many of our ministries. I believe that many of them have prepared her for this next chapter of her life. She has been invaluable to us as a member of Parish Council and then as a member of the Finance Council. What stands out is the work she has done in our Religious Formation Program and our Youth Ministry Program. For many years, she was a catechist in our Confirmation Program. Susan was creative, engaging and adapted the program as needed for the students in her group. She was very popular, and over the years many families would request to be in her group, which was held at her home (the fact that she had a very cool dog added to the appeal!). I think that’s what has prepared her for mission work: she is open, engaging, and always willing to learn. Susan has a natural desire to know people, understand them and offer what she can to help them on their journey.

“During Lent, our Youth Ministry Program has small faith sharing groups for high school students.

Susan served for many years as a host for a group. Her ability to listen to young people, share her experiences and faith have been invaluable to the faith journey of many young people.

“What has prepared Susan is her deep commitment to justice and the dignity of every human person.

This has been evident in her professional as well as person life. What has impressed me over the years is the excitement, passion and commitment she brings to whatever she does. Despite the delays in getting to Africa due to COVID, none of that has diminished.

“Our parish gathered for Mass on December 31, 2021 — to mark the last Mass of the year. Susan was present. She did not know I was going to do it, but I called her forward at the end to thank her for all she has been for the parish, and for all of us to bless her in preparation for her flight that evening. As happens in parish life, there were some parishioners there who did not know Susan or her plan to join Maryknoll as a lay missionary.

“As people greeted Susan following Mass, they came up and told of their connections to and knowledge of Maryknoll. Looking back at that moment, it seemed a perfect image of who Susan is: a woman who connects deeply with people, because of her faith and her incredible kindness.”

— Chris Donahue

year. I will miss my parish community of St. Charles Borromeo and look forward to their prayers and support.”

For more information on Maryknoll Lay Missionaries, visit mklm.org.

Meinrad Scherer-Emund, director, Communications, Maryknoll Lay Missionaries, contributed to this story.

9 OUR DIOCESE

Distributed 7,000 bed sheets, comforters, blankets and pillows Several toy collection drives in many communities across the state

Dozens of wheelchairs were purchased and ramps were built at individual homes

More than $100,000 for veterans groups raised with the annual “Tank Pull” along with the annual Vets Summer Fest

Distributed nonperishable foods to food banks in New Jersey. Donated $25,000 to parish food pantries and prepared meals to the hungry and elderly.

Donated over 1,000 new winter coats to children in all dioceses of New Jersey

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT JANUARY 20, 2022

Donated thousands of dollars to the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Placed five new ultrasound machines at crisis pregnancy centers statewide along with funding supplies / training for their use

10 OUR DIOCESE THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT JANUARY 20, 2022

Biblical scholar helps attendees prepare for Christ’s coming philosophy and economics from Grove City College, Pa., in 1979; his masters of divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell METUCHEN — “The family is the key Theological Seminary, Hamilton, Mass., to Christianity,” said Dr. Scott Hahn, in 1982, and a master’s degree in biblical chair of Biblical Theology and the New theology from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisc., in 1995. He Evangelization at Franciscan was ordained a minister in University of Steubenville, “On the 40th 1982 at Trinity Presbyterian Ohio. Hahn, an adult convert anniversary of a Church, Fairfax, Va., and to the faith, added, “We are the Catholic Church creatures by nature, but we diocese which entered at the Easter Vigil, 1986. become children of God by grace.” is your spiritual He and his wife, Kimberly, have been married for 42 Hahn’s 90-minute pretribe in the new years and have six children sentation, “Preparing the Way for Christ,” was held Dec. 14 Israel, lay hold of (including their newly ordained son, Father Jeremiah at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi as part of the dio- these things. This Hahn) and 21 grandchilcese’s 40th anniversary year is unlike any other dren.

Despite his roots as a celebration. He proclaimed meal. He assimi- Protestant seminary profesthe entire Holy Family is the sor, Hahn was later called hero of the Christmas story lates our mortal to the Catholic faith, admitand serves as an icon of the Holy Trinity on earth. flesh, He divinizes ting to himself, “God is not calling you because you are “Salvation finds meanus, and gives us qualified, he qualifies you ing in what we are saved because you are called… from and for,” said Hahn. “It all we lack.”

On the road to Emmaus, the arrives by way of the family.

—Dr. Scott Hahn disciples’ eyes were open, The Holy Family household not during the world’s greatbecame a home away from est Scripture study by Jesus along the way, [his heavenly] home for the Son of God.” Hahn, a speaker, author and editor of but in the breaking of the bread. It was a more than 40 books, received his bache- moment of divine disclosure.”

Returning again to the Holy Eucharist, lor’s degree with a triple-major in theology,

By Christina Leslie Correspondent

In celebration of the diocese’s 40th anniversary and in preparation for Christmas, Dr. Scott Hahn spoke to hundreds at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Dec. 14. He urged attendees to prepare for Christ by going to Eucharistic Adoration.

– Tara Smith photo Hahn continued, “On the 40th anniversary of a diocese which is your spiritual tribe in the new Israel, lay hold of these things.

This is unlike any other meal. He assimilates our mortal flesh, He divinizes us, and gives us all we lack.”

Hahn charged his audience with a mission to reinvigorate Eucharistic devotion during Advent, declaring, “We are so accustomed to [it] we don’t always see how truly fantastic it is. ‘We walk by faith, and not by sight,’ because by sight, it looks like bread.”

Standing beneath a large icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Cathedral sanctuary, Hahn concluded his presentation with a rallying cry to the hundreds in attendance.

“If you say, ‘I want to just keep the faith,’ I can tell you: you don’t keep the faith unless you share it, and when you give it away, you come to own it far more than when you keep it to yourself,” he said. “This is the new evangelization: for God’s will to be done in Metuchen as it is in heaven.”

Hope, gratitude for gifts of education opportunities exist in diocese

By Barbara Stevens Our annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week is set to begin on Sunday, January 30. It is with great joy that we join with schools across the nation to acknowledge the many blessings of our Catholic schools. Additionally, we are in the midst of celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Diocese of Metuchen! Indeed, we look to 2022 as a time of hope and gratitude for the many gifts that are given to each of us.

Catholic schools exist to form students to love God and their neighbor and to become good citizens of the world. The academically excellent education is directed to the growth of the whole person – mind, body, and spirit and the curriculum and accompanying activities reflect this philosophy. The virtue of service to others is a fundamental part of Catholic education, and is readily embraced by our school communities. Countless hours are spent in the hope of easing the burden of others in both the local and national community. Our students

participate in trips to Appalachia, host events to support the medical needs of children in the local community, prepare and donate lunches in an effort to reduce hunger in the surrounding areas, and consistently host drives and fundraisers to help those most in need. As Bishop Checchio states in his Pastoral Letter, “the flourishing of God’s presence among us must be demonstrated in our service to others.” Our students learn well that performing these works of mercy is an important part on the road to discipleship.

I commend our pastors, principals, and teachers as they work together to offer a rich academic curriculum in person for students despite the challenges presented by the COVID

virus. This year, our schools embraced the opportunity to use project-based learning (PBL) as an instructional strategy in the classrooms.

PBL encourages students to develop critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills while engaged in solving real-world problems. Students demonstrate their knowledge by creating a product or presentation for a real audience. This approach is highly motivating for students and consequently results in students developing a deeper understanding of content.

While our schools might not be filled with volunteers because of the COVID restrictions, our parents, grandparents, parishioners and alumni certainly have an enormous influence on the culture of our schools!

The leadership, financial support, and collaboration with parents and guardians are integral to the success of our Catholic schools. We celebrate all the efforts made by the community to meet the mission of the school. A proud grandparent states: “My grandson knows his prayers and why he prays. He knows Jesus loves him and he works each day to thank Him. I am confident that he could not get a better education anywhere!”

We have so many reasons to give thanks to God for our many blessings.

Catholic Schools Week is a perfect time to celebrate our Catholic schools where our students grow in faith, knowledge and service; and it is a perfect time for our students to reflect upon the 40th anniversary of the Diocese of Metuchen where we are called to renew our commitment as Disciples of Christ. May God bless our school communities as they continue their evangelizing mission in the Diocese of Metuchen.

Stevens is assistant superintended, diocesan Office of Schools

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT JANUARY 20, 2022

Bishop James F. Checchio presided at a Mass at St. James Church, Basking Ridge, Dec. 11. After Mass, he was greeted by parishioners and some students from St. James School, who posed for a photo with the bishop.

— Marlo Williamson photo

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

A SPECIAL SECTION OF THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • JANUARY 20, 2022

11

Catholic Schools Week

12 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

Hunterdon County

Immaculate Conception Annandale icsannandale.org 908-735-6334

Middlesex County St. Joseph, Carteret sjps.net 732-541-7111

St. John Vianney, Colonia school.sjvianney.com 732-388-1662 St. Bartholomew East Brunswick school.stbartseb.com 732-254-7105

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

St. Helena, Edison sthelenaedison.org 732-549-6234 St. Matthew, Edison school.stmatthewtheapostle.com 732-985-6633 St. Augustine of Canterbury Kendall Park school.staugustinenj.org 732-297-6042 St. Francis Cathedral Metuchen stfranciscathedralschool.org 732-548-3107

St. Ambrose, Old Bridge stambroseschool.net 732-679-4700

St. James, Woodbridge sj-school.org 732-634-2090

St. Thomas the Apostle Old Bridge sttaob.com 732-251-4812

Somerset County

Assumption Catholic Perth Amboy assumptioncatholicschool.net 732-826-8721 Perth Amboy Catholic pacatholicschool.org 732-826-1598 Our Lady of Victories Sayreville olvnj.com 732-254-1676 St. Stanislaus Kostka Sayreville

sskschool.org 732-254-5819

Holy Savior Academy South Plainfield holysavioracademy.com 908-822-5890 Immaculate Conception Spotswood icsspotswood.org 732-251-3090

Saint James, Basking Ridge sjsbr.org 908-766-4774 School of St. Elizabeth Bernardsville steschool.org 908-766-0244 St. Ann, Raritan stannclassical.org 908-725-7787 St. Matthias, Somerset stmatthias.info 732-828-1402 Immaculate Conception Somerville icsschool.org 908-725-6516

Warren County Saints Philip and James Phillipsburg sspjnj.org 908-859-1244

High Schools

St. Thomas Aquinas Edison

stahs.net 732-549-1108

Immaculata, Somerville immaculatahighschool.org 908-722-0200 Mount Saint Mary Academy Watchung mountsaintmary.org 908-757-0108 Saint Joseph, Metuchen stjoes.org 732-549-7600

We are located in historic Somerville, New Jersey and offer a full day curriculum for Pre-K through Eighth Grade.

Call to schedule a personal tour of our campus and see what happens when faith meets academic excellence.

Immaculate Conception School 41 Mountain Avenue Somerville, NJ 08876 (908) 725-6516 | www.ICSSchool.org

Immaculata High School

1 0 0 S e y m ou r Ave nu e, E d i s on N J

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Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders since 1954 Pre-K3 through Grade 8 • Half day and full day Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 Full day Kindergarten • Morning care and extended care available

School hours: 7:50 AM-2:35 PM

Top Achieving School AdvancEd Accredited Rigorous Academic Program Strong Catholic Identity Google Education, Chromebooks, Interactive Whiteboards STEM/STREAM Program Next Generation Science Standards Community Service Activities for all grades After school sports and clubs All faiths are welcome Summer program 13 Acre campus Convenient payment options Tuition incentives and assistance available

TO SCHEDULE A PRIVATE TOUR CALL 732-985-6633

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

Rooted in Catholic values, Immaculate Conception School integrates academic excellence with the spiritual and moral formation of each student.

St. Matthew School

13

Immaculate Conception School

"We are committed to the intellectual, moral, and spiritual development of our children, in a safe and nurturing Catholic environment, to the honor and glory of God." St. Matthew School Mission Statement

For information please email: jschaefer@saintmschool.org

As parents and grandparents, we pass down many things we cherish to the next generation. In our family, one of those things is the blessing of a Catholic education in the schools of Immaculate Conception Parish.

Like her mother before her, Rose is an accomplished Spartan at Immaculata High School. She is getting an academic program second to none - even in an area rich with exceptional public schools. And just as important, Rose is a member of a smaller community where she is known, cared for, and able to participate in multiple activities ranging from music to athletics to service ministry.

Admissions

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Immaculata High School 240 Mountain Avenue Somerville, NJ 08876 (908) 722-0200 | www.ImmaculataHighSchool.org

Achieving academic excellence within a faith filled community.

420 Inman Ave, Colonia, NJ. * 732-388-1662. * https://school.sjvianney.com

JANUARY 20, 2022

ImmaculataHighSchool.org/ Admissions

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

For information about how your family can create its own legacy of a Pre-K through Grade 12 Immaculate Conception education, or to learn more about Immaculata High School, please contact Admissions at (908) 722-0200, Ext. 1218 and Admissions@ImmaculataHighSchool.org

14 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

Immaculata, Immaculate Conception schools have impactful legacy In 1962, America was launching its space race, dealing with the Cuban Missile Crisis, watching the classic “West Side Story” and dancing to Doo-Wop. That same year in Somerset County, a growing Catholic population and a visionary parish community met the goal of expanding Catholic education in the area. Immaculata High School, the county’s first Catholic secondary school, opened.

Now, 60 years and nearly 10,000 graduates later, Immaculata (IHS) and its sister school, Immaculate Conception (ICS), are flourishing. A testament to these schools’ impactful legacy is the number of alumni who chose to send their children to their alma maters.

Dubbed First and Second Generation Spartans, these graduates and their children top nearly 1,000 individuals over the school’s history.

Joe and Jill (Wotanis) Sanford (Class of 1994) of Bridgewater, are two such graduates, with son, Connor, a sophomore at IHS and daughter, Annie, a fourth-grader at ICS. “We both had such positive experiences, why wouldn’t we want that for our children?”

Connor, who plays lacrosse and football, decided to enroll at IHS after his Spartan for a Day visit. “Something clicked for him that day, and we were thrilled,” said his mother. “Connor has

since become more involved in Campus Ministry and Model UN.” Joe Sanford noted, “Right before our eyes, we see Annie building a foundation of academics and faith. She joined the band and chorus this year and just loves school.”

Laura Parisi Ariyan 91 and her husband, Leon, of Martinsville, sent their daughter, Rose, a junior, to IHS based on her own positive experience, along with their belief that the morals and values, emphasized at home, would be reinforced.

“We believe in Catholic education.

We see how the teachers and coaches lead by example to foster kindness and goodness,” said Laura Ariyan. “Rose is thriving because of the smaller class sizes, approachable teachers and lots of involvement in sports and campus ministry.”

Since this area is rich in academically strong public schools, parents often look beyond those schools’ academic offerings and extracurriculars.

Patrick Torpey 84 and his wife, Nicole, of Readington, sent their son, Liam, a junior, to IHS, because of its smaller size and feeling of community. They were grateful that, unlike many public schools, IHS had significantly less remote instruction last year.

“I told Liam that high school is the place where best friends are developed. I

St. Francis Cathedral School

have such close ties with my classmates over 35 years.I hope he experiences the same.”

A special connection to Immaculata that Liam enjoys is that the home football games are played at Somerville’s Torpey Field, named after his late grandfather.

Laura Bristol Oram 89 and her husband, Todd, of Hillsborough. also wrestled with the local public high school’s overwhelming size when deciding on a path for their children, Kait and Tyler, who are at IHS. “What has impressed us is that values, service, and faith are emphasized every day in the classrooms.

That translates into creating a student body, who are ‘kinder and gentler.’

Peers are encouraging to one another and teachers reinforce that, striving to know every student as a person.”

Both the Zielinski and Kowalski families have a long history of ICS-IHS connections. “In our experience, the two schools are rooted in faith and teach the students structure, routine, and organization, keys to professional success,” said Karen Zielinski Kowalski 92 of Bridgewater. Karen and her husband, Stephen 92, are parents to Jack, a sophomore, and Katie, a seventhgrader. For them, one of the highlights for Jack is his involvement in the Continued on next page

Laura Parisi Ariyan, left, a 1991 graduate of Immaculata High School, Somerville, is shown in a recent photo with her daughter, Rose, a junior. The Ariyans are two of about 1,000 first- and secondgeneration individuals who have graduated from or are attending the school.

— Rich Rau (Class of 1989) photo

Where great minds and beautiful souls are blossoming ...

528 Main Street Metuchen, NJ 08840 732-548-3107 stfranciscathedralschool.org

OPEN HOUSE - Sunday, January 30, 2022

JANUARY 20, 2022

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Check our website for details!

VIRTUAL TOUR available on our website!

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OPEN HOUSE: Sun, Jan. 30 • 11 am-2 pm OR Wed, Feb 2 • 8:15-11:30 am

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Msgr. Joseph G. Celano, pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish and director of both schools, noted, “Catholic Schools Week gives us the opportunity to celebrate our parish and its commitment to the mission of Catholic education for decades. We honor our pastors, who provided faith-filled and often sacrificial leadership to the parish and its schools, the dedication of the Congregation of the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary who served here for many decades, the lay faculty, and our parents,

who also sacrificed much because they believed in the values that only a Catholic education can provide. We also thank Bishop James Checchio and the Diocese of Metuchen, celebrating its 40-year milestone anniversary, for their prayerful guidance and commitment to Catholic education.

“Our goal is to serve all young people in our area, by providing a first-rate Catholic education from pre-K to 12, and we are grateful for all those who make that great work happen.”

Academy senior ‘steps’ her way into world championships in Ireland WATCHUNG — Hannah Cunniffe, a senior at Mount Saint Mary Academy, placed second overall out of 100 participants at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Oireachtas for Irish dancing held in Philadelphia over the Thanksgiving weekend.

She is now qualified to participate in the World Irish Dancing Championships to be held in Belfast in April 2022.

The Mid-Atlantic Regionals have solo and team competitions. The region is composed of New Jersey, Delaware, New York and Pennsylvania.

“Since the pandemic, dance classes have been different with social distancing and there are limited local competitions to prepare,” said Hannah.

“In November I was going to class five days a week to make sure I was in shape after a long hiatus from the rigorous competing schedule I am used to. I am very grateful to have placed so high as well as see all my friends who dance at other schools again.”

Junior Meghan Crowley competed in the same age and category.

“We don’t have any classes together and it was nice to catch up with her, too,” Cunniffe said.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

Health and Science Signature Program. It has been a joy to see them flourish here.”

Alaina Wozniak DeWitt (01) and her husband, Matt, (01) of Peapack feel the same way about their freshman son Jack’s experience. “Walking into the building, we feel the warmth, the personal connection that we remembered.

He has a great group of friends, we find the teachers so much more communicative, and his guidance counselor has been a great support to him and us. We could not be happier.”

15

Continued from previous page

Signature Music Program and his commitment to Campus Ministry service.

Marissa Lembo Watson (92) and her husband, Greg, who has worked at IHS for 18 years, have twins, Nicholas and Victoria, who are sophomores.

“Their dad is the sports trainer, so my children have been at Spartan events for years,” said Marisa Watson. “This feels like home to them. They are very involved in sports and Campus Ministry and we are especially pleased with Victoria’s experience in the new

Mount Saint Mary Academy senior Hannah Cunniffe holds the award she received for placing second in the MidAtlantic Regional Oireachtas and poses with MSMA junior Meghan Crowley, who also competed at the event. — photos courtesy of Mount Saint Mary Academy

Celebrating Catholic Schools Week Experience the Difference of a Mercy Education

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT JANUARY 20, 2022

Candidates for the Class of 2026 - There is still time to apply! Schedule a tour or ZOOM session to learn more about the Mount. Transfer inquiries are also welcome for grades 10 and 11.

Contact enrollment@mountsaintmary.org or (908) 757-0108, ext. 4506.

16 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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17 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

Faith in Action Above left, Bishop James F. Checchio, who presided at a recent Mass for students at St. Bartholomew School at St. Bartholomew Church, East Brunswick, holds artwork created by (from left) students Kaitlynn and Chloe Wang. The artwork was a Christmas gift from the “St. Bartholomew School Family.” Above, at Aquinas Star Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison, Dec10., the bishop poses with senior Erin Zafian, holding an angel, and sophomore Natalie Mercado, a candle. Left, Father Abraham Orapankal (back row, center), pastor, St. Matthias Parish, Somerset, poses with fifthgraders from the parochial school dressed as saints on All-Saints Day last fall.

— Mike Ehrmann, Mike Kowalczyk Marlo Williamson photos

Education is a Journey… and Where it Begins Matters

Saint Thomas the Apostle OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, January 30th 11:00AM to 1:30 PM Tours limited to new families only call 732-251-4000 ext. 8254 or 8253

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT JANUARY 20, 2022

Catholic School

By Chris Donahue Associate Editor A collaborative effort by the diocesan Office of Schools and the faculties, staff and parents of students at the 27 Catholic institutions of learning have not only helped maintain high academic standards despite the nearly twoyear challenges of the COVID-19 or coronavirus, but caused some to flourish.

Because of an influx of students mainly from public schools, enrollment at schools in the diocese has increased by 311 students (6,866 to 7,127) from June 2021 to September 2021, according to the 2021-2022 National Catholic Education Association Enrollment Form.

At St. James School, Basking Ridge, which offers pre-k3, pre-k4, kindergarten and grades one to eight, enrollment has increased from 207 at the start of the 20192020 school year to 320 as of early January, said principal Sue Florendo. The school boasted a 92 percent retention rate from last year, she added.

As for what challenges the school has faced and met, Florendo said one of them was not technological because of the availability of laptop computers to every student who needed one when virtual learning was required.

“Our biggest success has been the dedication of our teachers,” Florendo said. “They have the dedication, the love in their hearts necessary to have said, ‘Yes, we will open five full days starting in September 2020.’

And that dedication continues.”

Classes are St. James are taught in a synchronous model, which allows students who are quarantined at home to join students in the classroom by computer on the Internet, Florendo said.

St. James went to virtual learning in

March 2020 and stayed that way until the end of the school year. The school opened five full days in September 2020 and have been open five full days since then It went virtual for a week after Thanksgiving last school year and a week after Christmas to mitigate COVID-19 cases being brought to the school. This year, the school was virtual for three days before Christmas and three days after.

Msgr. Sylvester Cronin, pastor, St. James Parish, who makes up the school’s administration team with Florendo, said he is impressed by the faculty for getting the school opened and the dedication of the parents.

“The children have all cooperated so beautifully,” he added. “It has been an amazing year and a half. “ For Msgr. Cronin, who is often invited to teach religion at the school, said speaking with a mask is a challenge. “You have to talk louder,” he added with a laugh.

Connie Fortunato, principal, Immaculate Conception School, Annandale, oversees 342 children in pre-school to eighth grade, an increase of about 160 compared to the start of the previous school year.

Fortunato said teachers there used a hybrid model of teaching for the first half of 2000-2021, then resumed full-day learning in January 2021.

“This school year, we started full time in September and we have every intention of staying the course,” Fortunato said.

“A lot of good has come out of this,” she continued. “It does have its challenging days, but it has its positives. It has really forced us to update how our building works, our Wi-Fi connections, our technology equipment because we really need to be prepared for virtual [learning].

“We have learned how to teach using

JANUARY 20, 2022

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 18

Teamwork helps schools in diocese weather COVID-19 storm

Fifth-graders at St. James School, Basking Ridge, listen to a virtual presentation by another student. Classes at St. James are taught in a synchronous model, which allows students who are not in the classroom to participate by computer on the Internet.

— John Falcone photos

Alexandra Donaldson, a fifth-grade language arts and science teacher at St. James School, Basking Ridge, conducts an English class using a Whiteboard. Sue Florendo, principal, cited the dedication of the parochial school’s faculty for providing a high quality of educaton for students despite the challenges of COVID-19 or coronavirus pandemic. a synchronous and asynchronous model, so whether we are in person or virtual, teachers learned how to do both.

“We have learned how to use different applications so we could reinvent the wheel when we have to.”

The biggest challenge caused by the coronavirus, Fortunato said, is finding a substitute teacher when one of St. James’ calls out sick.

“If a teacher is not able to come to school and has a child on virtual, the substitute may not know how to use the virtual equipment, how to connect,” she said.

In addition, the faculty and staff has had to “come up with creative ways to continue to host community events because it is important to bridge the relationship with our parents.”

Modifications had to made to hold Back to School night, teacher-parent conferences, open houses and the Christmas concert.

Like every school in the diocese, students at Immaculate Conception are required to wear masks and sit at least three feet apart.

“We do not at this point encourage students to meet in small groups with each other or the teacher,” she said.

Although the school’s basketball season was postponed, after school clubs such as chorus, archery and art are being held for their mental health.

“Our students are very happy to be back in school, so that is the good news,” she said.

“I feel very blessed to be in a Catholic school, to be working with Ellen [Ayoub, superintendent, diocesan Office for Schools] and Barbara [Stevens, assistant superintendent]. They really take into account a school’s individuality. Our mission is to blanket these children in God’s love, work for the greater good as well as provide academic excellence.”

Joan Marie Silo, head of school, Im-

maculata High School, Somerville, oversees 482 students in grades nine through 12, about 30 more than were enrolled in June 202 Silo said she noticed how happy the students were when they returned to the campus for in-person learning. Sports teams and clubs are also once again active.

She believes that one of the things that Catholic schools have been able to do is reduce the mental health impact on students.

“The social-emotional effects of not being in school have been great and we have greatly reduced it being here” she said. “We have stayed committed to our mission, which is to develop the whole child. We saw what it did to our students. Kids get depressed when they can’t see their friends or whatever.

“When you have to tell a student they have to quarantine because of close contact, we have had so few this year, but we had kids leaving in tears last year. It was heartwrenching.”

Teachers are also happy to be back in school, she said.

“It is easier to teach the students in person than virtually. The teachers are the heroes. They have to bear the brunt of it. If some students are virtual, it is extra work for the teachers…

Silo also cited the strong support of parents to meet the challenges posed by the coronavirus and their gratitude for Immaculata operating “like a traditional school.”.

“They have shown that gratitude in email and letter after e-mail and letter,” Silo said.

“Our Spartan Parent Club kind of represents the parents and it has been has been very generous by providing special breakfasts or lunches for staff.

“They [parents] havs lost a little, too, because they can’t attend everything so we try to have video. They have lost out on their kids lives, too.”

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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

The Saint Ambrose School Advantage

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(Pre-K3 - Kindergarten) • Dedicated teachers assist in developing social independence, scholastic confidence, and positive relationships.

• Multimodal reading readiness program to instill listening, speaking, and spelling proficiency.

• Weekly “special” classes in Art, Library, Computers, Gym and Music.

JANUARY 20, 2022

20 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL A Place to Believe, Achieve, Serve, and Succeed

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PreK-3 thru 8th Grade Tours are welcome by appointment.

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Carteret, NJ Phone: 732.541.7111 www.saintjosephschoolcarteret.net

Educating students in Pre-K 3 through Grade 8 Jan 30TH • 1:00-3:00 PM Feb 27TH • 1:00-3:00 PM March 27TH • 1:00-3:00 PM April 26TH • 6:00-8:00 PM

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908-859-1244

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JANUARY 20, 2022

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Outstanding academics through the lens of our Catholic faith

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The mission of St. Bartholomew School is to love, educate, and inspire our children to live the teachings of Jesus Christ.

an outdoor pep rally and a picnic. Other exciting fall and winter events included Homecoming, a Homecoming Dance, the Snowball Dance, and the second annual Christmas Tree Lighting. All these events were held while adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols.

Academics also benefitted from a full return to in-person learning, which reinvigorated the educational experience and provided students with the interactive, hands-on, and profound instructional experiences that they have come to expect at STA. The fall also witnessed the return of energizing Friday night football games, just in time to see one of the strongest Trojan football teams in decades.

The Campus Ministry Department has continued its dual mission of guiding students in their journey on the path of faith and serving the communities in which they live.

Since the fall, students and faculty have fed those in need through food drives, brought joy to the children at Saint Peter’s Hospital through art, spiritually and monetarily supported two chronically ill children with donations and a return of the indoor Aquinas Star Spaghetti Dinner, written monthly cards to the retired Felician Sisters in Lodi, supported Catholic Charities families through the Christmas Angel program, and joined together for worship and praise with schoolwide Masses and prayer services.

The Music Department rang in the

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

“Back and better than ever!” That’s the mantra for St. Thomas Aquinas High School (STA) after a restrained year because of COVID-19 or coronaviorues pandemic restrictions. The 2020-21 school year was not without its highlights, which included Proms, a Maker Faire, the first Christmas Tree Lighting, athletics events, and pre-recorded musical and dramatic performances.

But this year the faculty of STA was determined to pull out all the stops to make it a memorable year filled with longtime favorite events and a few new ones as well.

“Our administration and faculty realized the importance of recapturing the joy of a Catholic high school experience,” said Harry Ziegler, principal, “so we worked tirelessly to create a dynamic environment that inspired students to engage with their teachers and peers.”

The task of re-engaging students in STA events and traditions began in June of last year, with a committee of faculty and staff that set out to envision the best possible school year for the students. With the help and advice of the Student Council as well as other student volunteers, the committee set out a roadmap of events for the year that would complement a fully in-person academic environment and a normal year of athletics, music, and drama. The kickoff event for this year of renewal was an allday school celebration, the first schoolwide event in 18 months, that featured Mass,

21

St. Thomas Aquinas High School students enjoying a memorable year

STA seniors are shown leading the student body in dancing to the song “Big House” at the STA Celebration Day Mass, held in September.

— Michael Kowalczyk photo Christmas season with its first indoor concert in over two years. On the stage, the Drama Department has been moving full steam ahead beginning with a fall production of “Julius Caesar,” followed by “A Night of One Acts,” and “Peter and the Starcatcher” just before Thanksgiving.

A host of clubs expand students’ interests, feed their passions, and help them make new friends. Favorites such as the Gaming Club, Fashion Club, Mathletes, Yoga Club, International Club, Art Club, and African American Heritage Club meet regularly

in person, with meetings for members and non-members alike.

In the second half of the year, students will have the return of the Tournament of Champions, an all-day competition between grades; Teacher Swap, the Drama Department production of SpongeBob: The Musical, the first-ever Heart Heroes Teacher vs.

Student Volleyball Tournament, the Junior and Senior Proms, and more.

To learn more,. visit stahs.net. The next Open House is March 3, 7 p.m. STA is still accepting students for the Class of 2026.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT JANUARY 20, 2022

JANUARY 20, 2022

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

JANUARY 20, 2022

24 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

Scouting inspires MSMA senior to seek career in engineering WATCHUNG — Less than six percent of Girl Scouts earn the distinction of “Ambassador Girl Scout” and Ava Janish (Capece) of Cranford is one of them. A senior at Mount Saint Mary Academy, she has been involved in scouting since kindergarten, where she started as a Daisy in Troop 40534.

“As an Ambassador I get to do a lot of mentoring for younger scouts such as organizing and running events to help girls earn skill badges, and most recently hosting a journey for ninth grade girls which is a prerequisite for a Gold Award,” she said.

Ava, who considers the friends she has made and the array of memories and experiences to be irreplaceable, added, “The longer you are involved in Girl Scouts the larger an impact you can have on your community through it. It has opened so many opportunities to service work for me and given me the experience to do it on my own.”

Last summer, Ava and her brother organized a paper product drive for Cranford Family Care, a nonprofit organization that supports families facing food insecurity.

“Having done service projects through Girl Scouts gave me the foundation to organizing this drive and bringing about its success,” she said.

Ava’s Silver Award Project has been one of the hallmarks of her scouting career as it focused on educating the public about animal welfare through methods of creating a website and setting up an information

booth in her community.

“Through fundraising, collection drop offs, and volunteer work we were able to raise $1,000, plus supplies to support Angel Paws, a local nonprofit, no kill, animal shelter,” explained Ava. “This project gave me the opportunity to organize an initiative and work with a team to beneficially impact my local community. The fulfilment it gave me only made me want to continue this kind of work.”

Over the summer, Ava also participated in the Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation course, a four-week pre-college summer program during which she explored a variety of engineering disciplines through lectures, hands-on projects and labs, including civil, chemical, electrical/computer and mechanical engineering.

“I had the opportunity to work with and become friends with people around the world, which was an amazing experience,” shared Ava. “Going into the course, I already knew I wanted to study engineering in college, and this course offered me the opportunity to figure out which field. It really challenged me to explore and consider new disciplines that I had not considered, and it allowed me to delve beyond the surface of what I thought I knew about some of these disciplines.

“We also completed a final project which was a group design presentation, in which we were given a situation and we had

to design a product to solve it. My group’s project focused on designing a medical device that would assist people who often forgot to take prescribed medications.

Overall, after completing the course it only solidified my desire to pursue engineering in college,” she added.

Ava’s experience as a member of the Society of Women Engineers at Mount Saint Mary Academy has supported her interest in engineering by bringing her together with peers who share her same aspirations and interests.

“I have learned how diverse the profession is and how it can bring people together, despite different interests within engineering because the fields are so vastly different but still very connected,” she said. “One person might want to be a civil engineer, focusing on the construction of bridges and buildings, while another might be a materials engineer looking at different materials for such a building. In the broader scope of things, we are all connected. We also had the opportunity to hear from women in the field, and we learned about their experiences, but more importantly from their unique perspective as women in engineering.”

Last year, Ava was honored to receive the Society of Women Engineers Certificate of Merit.

When she graduates from Mount Saint Mary in June, she plans to further her education at a school that offers a competitive and

JANUARY 20, 2022

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

PUT YOUR BEST FUTURE FORWARD— With outstanding academics and a culture of caring and connectedness in our co-educational, real-world environment, you will soar to new heights so that you can go out and make a difference in our world.

OPEN HOUSE

April 6 @ 7pm

Ava Janish challenging aerospace engineering program.

“I am very drawn to the idea of space exploration, hence my desire to pursue aerospace, or more specifically astronautical engineering. I want to make a difference in the world, and this is one of the ways I plan to do it,” said Ava. As she considered how her success as a Girl Scout has influenced her pursuit of an engineering career, Ava reflected, “Scouting has taught me lessons of dedication, teamwork, and how to make an impact, all skills that will assist me in my engineering career.

MSR community.

Paris has a successful career as a physical therapist. Her expertise and publications in the content of extremity examination and treatment of manipulations are used within the physical therapy curriculum at the University of Saint Augustine (Fla).

The Faculty Award was presented to Thomas Moran. He joined the faculty at Mother Seton in the fall of 2000 teaching physical science, biology, chemistry and environmental science.

Moran is also coached the volleyball, basketball, and softball teams. He was inducted into the New Jersey Sports Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2015.

Moran serves as moderator of the freshman class and leads the Astronomy, Step, Film and Speech Clubs.

Catherine Patla Paris

Elizabeth Armstrong Arnold

Toni Feeney received the Friend of MSRHS Award. She had a successful management career in business after her college graduation until the birth of her daughters.

At that time, her concentration became raising the girls at home full-time. Thus began her Tupperware career from 1992 to present.

As the parent of students in the school, she became involved in the Parents’ Guild

Thomas Moran

Toni Feeney

and helps with all school events. During her tenure as president of the Parents’ Guild, the profit of all fundraisers doubled. She is also a member of the Consultative Board.

Mother Seton is a four-year girls’ Catholic institution founded in 1983. The school is staffed by the Sisters of Charity of Convent Station.,and lay members.

Photos courtesy of Mother Seton Regional High School

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

Four individuals were honored for their contributions at the 2021 Gala Evening of Celebration and Recognition Fundraising Event for Mother Seton Regional High School (MSR), Clark.

The event was held virtually and in-person Jan. 15. Alumnae, family and friends attended the event or at a Gala Watch Party.

The Alumnae Award was presented to Elizabeth Armstrong Arnold and Catherine Patla Paris.

Arnold received a Master of Library Service degree and spent her career developing digital libraries for pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. Her graduating class has committed to raising funds through the Tuition Angels program for the past five years to assist other young women in receiving the academic foundation of the

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Mother Seton Regional High School bestows honors at annual gala

Alumnae award, Setonian award to be presented at virtual event

Alumnae, family and friends of Mother Seton Regional High School, Clark are welcome to join others online at an Alumnae Fundraising Gala 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Jan 25.

The Alumnae Award will be presented to Celia Intili and Susan Sabatino. The two graduates “embody the teaching and spirit of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and the Sisters of Charity, putting their Mother Seton education to use for the benefit of the human significant volunteer initiatives.”

Charity Sister Noreen Neary will receive the Setonian Award. The honor is awarded to “a person who has made a difference in the world through their choice of career and/or their significant volunteer efforts and whose life resonates with the values of a Mother Seton education.” For more information, visit msrgala.org, contact the school at (732) 382-1952, extension 175, or e-mail gala@motherseton.org.

There is no charge to participate in this event.

Susan Sabatino

Charity Sister Noreen Neary

Celia Intili

Saint Helena School We are a 2018 National Blue Ribbon Award winner for academic excellence and...

• Cognia-AdvanceED Accredited • Curriculum that highlights academic excellence • Advance Math classes for grades 7 and 8 • S.T.R.E.A.M. incorporated into the curriculum • 1.1 Chromebook technology for grades PreK3-8 • Google Classroom, IXL, and Seesaw technology integrated into the classroom • Technology Lab • Smartboards in all classrooms • World Language, Art, Music, Technology, and Physical Education / Health for all grades including Prekindergarten• Before care and after care for Pre-K to 8 • Tuition assistance for those eligible and bus transportation available from some districts.

Call our office at 732-549-6234 OR visit our website https://www.sthelenaedison.org/ Click on Our School and then School Resources where you will find our Virtual Open House and Student Classroom Tour as well as information on how to register for the 2022-2023 school year.

930 Grove Avenue, Edison, NJ 08820 Phone: 732.549.6234 Fax: 732.549.6205 E-Mail: school@sthelenaedison.org

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT JANUARY 20, 2022

Visit our website for our virtual Open House and a classroom tour.

26

Bus Fare

OUR DIOCESE

Father Jason Pavich, administrator, St. Peter the Apostle University and Community Parish, New Brunswick, accepts a check for $2,200 from (left to right) Knights of Columbus members Dave Pinto, District Deputy New Jersey 61; Scott Williams New Jersey State Warden and Frank Rees, president, Diocese of Metuchen Chapter. The money was presented to Father Pavich on Jan. 1 to help pay for the Catholic Center at Rutgers’ bus trip to the March for Life in Washington, D.C., Jan. 21. The Metuchen Chapter has been funding the bus for the Catholic Center for eight years. Councils in the diocese are encouraged to provide financial support to help defray costs for the Catholic Center’s annual trip.

– John Bauer photo

Suitable for Framing Father Robert Kolakowski, pastor, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Lambertville, poses with (from left) parishioners Robert Mair, Addison Vallejo and Olivia Vallejo at St. John the Evangelist Church. On Jan 2, Knights of Columbus Council 10024 from the parish awarded prizes to Robert, Addison and Olivia, who were judged winners of its annual “Keep Christ in Christmas” poster contest. Olivia, Addison and Robert received award certificates and $25 gift certificates to the Cross and Shamrock, Hamilton Township, a gift shop and online store that specializes in Irish gifts and religious (Catholic and Christian) items.

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JANUARY 20, 2022

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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

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ST. FRANCIS RETREAT HOUSE 3918 Chipman Road, Easton, PA 18045 Franciscan retreat and confrence center RETREATS FOR MEN, WOMEN, YOUTH, RELIGIOUS, PREACHED, PRIVATE, DIRECTED

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THIS MONTH'S FEATURED RETREAT HOUSE

This month’s featured retreat house:

Malvern Retreat House The Nation’s Oldest & Largest Catholic Retreat Center The Shrine of St. Joseph, a Mission Center of the COME AS YOU AREof...the Most Holy Trinity, invites Missionary Servants and experience God’s presence at our Featured Retreats individuals or 2021 groups to the Shrine for a day of led by world-renowned Catholic clergy and laity, all with renewal offered in both English and Spanish. Whether powerful messages of hope and healing to share with you. for a pilgrimage, private retreat, day of renewal or Visit our website for a full listing of overnight, the Shrine is situated on 35 pristine acres in our retreats for men, women, Long Hill Township, NJ. married couples, religious and clergy, and check out Malvern Live for a daily reflection, blog, news, and more.

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To join this retreat guide, call Nan at 732-765-6444

OUR DIOCESE

Above At the end of the Simbang Gabi Mass, Dec. 15 at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, participants who carried parols, or star-shaped lanterns meant to represent the Star of Bethlehem, line up before the communion rail waiting for a blessing by Bishop Checchio. At right is the banner of the Diocese of Metuchen Filipino Apostolate which coordinates the Simbang Gabi Novena each year.

Filipino for “night Mass,” the Simbang Gabi liturgy was introduced by Spanish evangelists to the island nation in the 1600s.

— John Batkowski photos

Above are the hundreds of people who filled the Cathedral for the first night of the Simbang Gabi nineday novena. This year, a total of 11 churches hosted the Masses in the Filipino tradition. The novena ended, Dec. 23 at Immaculate Conception Church, Somerville. Left, Bishop Checchio accepts the Offertory gifts.

In his homily the bishop told the congregation, “May you become the light of the world and help with the building up of the Church of Metuchen and beyond.”

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT JANUARY 20, 2022

Mass and gave the homily; priests of Filipino descent concelebrated; deacons assisted.

In his homily, Bishop Checchio METUCHEN – The strong desire to honor the Blessed Mother in the days reminded the congregation that Jesus before Christmas led hundreds of did not directly answer the question faithful Catholics to fill the Cathedral posed to him by John the Baptist’s of St. Francis of Assisi Dec. 15 for disciples, which asked if he was the the first night of the nine-day Filipino Messiah who is to come. Instead, he novena known as Simbang Gabi. The advised them to examine the good celebration, themed “Towards a Syn- works they had seen him perform odal Church Through Communion, [Luke 7:18b-23].

“Just as for those disciples in Participation and Mission,” marked the quincentennial of the arrival of our Gospel, the Lord doesn’t always answer all our questions either,” the Catholicism in the Philippines. bishop said. “We Simbang Gabi, have to do the same Filipino for “night thing as the disMass,” was intro“Your customs, devociples: look around duced by Spanish and interpret the evangelists to the tional practices and good works taking island nation in the 1600s. The faithful Christmas songs all make place as confirmthe presence arise before dayGod present. You keep ing of God… I am so break during the days before Christ- alive our faith the miracle happy to be here with you for the mas to attend Mass that took place under start of Simbang before they set off to work in the the star, a miracle that Gabi… Thank you for this wonderful fields. Adoration of Mary is key during brought three kings from witness you give our diocese and the nine Masses, afar. Thank you for not for our world.” symbolizing the He continued, nine months Mary forgetting that the God “This is a wondercarried Jesus in her for whom we so long is ful preparation for womb. The liturgies feature song indeed with us always.” Christmas, for the birth of our savior. and procession, ac— Bishop James F. Checchio As you make this companied by pealnovena over the ing church bells. In next nine days, you urban areas, Masses make God’s presalso are celebrated ence present, keep in the evening.

Christ in Christmas Under the coand prepare yourordination of the selves for what diocesan Filipino Apostolate, the tradition of Simbang Christ will do in your life.”

The bishop bemoaned the secular Gabi Masses has blossomed. A total of 11 churches hosted Masses in the focus of the season, which echoed the Filipino tradition, beginning Dec. 15 greeting “Happy Holidays” rather than at the Cathedral and concluding Dec. “Merry Christmas,” and encouraged 23 at Immaculate Conception Church, the assembly to use Simbang Gabi to Somerville. Each morning of the pause to listen to God’s word to enter novena, St. Ladislaus Church, New into the mystery of God’s divine love Brunswick, and Our Lady of Victories in the Eucharist.

“Your lovely traditions help us Church, Sayreville, held a “Misa de Gallo,” or Mass of the Rooster, for the here in your new homeland to keep the faith alive,” Bishop Checchio said. faithful at 5 a.m.

During the joyful, heritage-rich “Your customs, devotional practices Simbang Gabi Mass at the Cathedral, and Christmas songs all make God Bishop James F. Checchio thanked his present. You keep alive our faith the Filipino flock for their spiritual wit- miracle that took place under the star, ness and Christ-focused events, say- a miracle that brought three kings ing, “This tradition of yours is a work from afar. Thank you for not forgetof God which should help people to ting that the God for whom we so long see and believe in [him] and grow in is indeed with us always.”

After Mass, Bishop Checchio faith.”

The Filipino Apostolate Festival invited the parol bearers to approach Choir sang traditional Christmas songs the altar rail for a blessing. “The Magi of praise as faithful carried banners were led by the Star of Bethlehem,” he and parols, or star-shaped lanterns said. “May you become the light of the meant to represent the Star of Bethle- world and help with the building up of hem. Bishop Checchio presided at the the Church of Metuchen and beyond.”

By Christina Leslie Correspondent

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Bishop presides at Mass on first night of nine-day Filipino novena

OUR FAITH

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Praying the Our Father/ extreme unction Q Pope Francis

AUDIENCE

Question Corner

December 15, 2021 The Gospels do not contain a single word uttered by Joseph of Nazareth: nothing, he never spoke. This does not mean that he was taciturn, no: there is a deeper reason.

With his silence, Joseph confirms what Saint Augustine writes: “To the extent that the Word — the Word made man — grows in us, words diminish”. [1] To the extent that Jesus, — the spiritual life — grows, words diminish….Joseph’s silence is not mutism; it is a silence full of listening , an industrious silence, a silence that brings out his great interiority.

“The Father spoke a word, and it was his Son,” comments Saint John of the Cross, — “and it always speaks in eternal silence, and in silence it must be heard by the soul”.…

Dear brothers and sisters, let us learn from Saint Joseph how to cultivate spaces for silence in which another Word can emerge, that is, Jesus, the Word: that of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, and that Jesus brings.

JANUARY 20, 2022

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Anima Christi Soul of Christ, sanctify me.

Body of Christ, save me.

Blood of Christ, inebriate me.

Water from the side of Christ, wash me.

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

O good Jesus, hear me.

Within your wounds, shelter me.

Never permit me to be separated from You. From the evil one, Protect me.

In the hour of my death, call me.

And bid me come to You, That with Your saints I may praise You, Forever and ever. Amen.

St. Ignatius of Loyola

What is the proper prayer position for the laity when praying the Our Father at Mass? (Richmond, Va.)

By Father Kenneth Doyle The directions on this from the website of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops are remarkably concise. They say: “No position is prescribed in the Roman Missal for an assembly gesture during the Lord’s Prayer.” The celebrating priest, on the other hand, is instructed that he should maintain the “orans” position, with his hands outstretched to the side in prayer. I have always found a certain inconsistency in this: At certain other times in the Mass, the priest is praying on behalf of the congregation — especially

A

during the eucharistic prayer. But with the Our Father, the priest is praying along with the faithful, saying the same words as the rest of the congregation. In some parishes, congregations tend to hold one another’s hands during the Lord’s Prayer, although there is no direction in the rubrics to do so. That gesture does show the unity of the congregation, but it can also create some uncertainty. Some people just don’t feel comfortable holding hands — especially during the current COVID-19 crisis — and they shouldn’t feel compelled to do so. My approach on this is to let congregations do what they want, so long as they don’t “force” the issue. Perhaps some day the rubrics will be more specific, but for now I think it best for people to do whatever they sense is appropriate. (And meanwhile, I don’t really think that God has a preference.)

For a person who has not been to church or to confession for several years but receives the sacrament of extreme unction before she dies, would that take away mortal sins? (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)

Q

I would say that it depends. If the dying person is no longer able to confess, the sacrament of the anointing of the sick (formerly referred to as extreme unction) would take away mortal sin — provided the person has the sorrow for sin that would be required for the worthy reception of the sacrament of penance (“imperfect contrition,” or sorrow for sin for a lesser motive than pure love of God — for example, because of the fear of divine punishment.) This sacrament is meant to give the sick person the courage and sense of peace to deal with serious illness; but also, as the website of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis says: “A sick person’s sins are forgiven if he or she was not able to go to confession prior to the celebration of the sacrament of the anointing of the sick.” Of course, if the sick person is conscious and alert, the ministering priest should always first offer the opportunity of going to confession.

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

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Trust in God’s mercy, compassion of others In 1947, a man who had been a guard in a Nazi prison camp in Ravensbrück, Germany, attended a lecture on forgiveness in Munich.

The speaker was Corrie ten Boom, a Christian woman who had lived in the Netherlands during the Holocaust and helped her father and other relatives hide Jewish people from the Nazis.

The whole family was arrested, and Corrie and her sister Betsie were sent to the camp at Ravensbrück where Betsie died.

And now Corrie Ten Boom was telling the defeated German people that God does forgive sin.

For many of us, this could be a difficult message in an era of division that has caused rifts at every level of society, down to parents and children and siblings who no longer speak to each other because of differences over politics or public health issues.

After that talk in 1947, everyone left in silence except for a man whom Corrie ten Boom recognized as a guard at Ravensbrück.

“One moment I saw the overcoat and the brown hat,’’ she later wrote, “the next, a blue uniform and a visored cap with its skull and crossbones. It

came back with a rush: the huge room with its harsh overhead lights; the pathetic pile of dresses and shoes in the center of the floor; the shame of walking naked past this man.’’

He said he had become a Christian and remarked that it was good to know that God forgives our sins. He offered his hand to Corrie ten Boom and asked her if she could forgive him. She was filled with disgust, wondering how she could touch him.

But the message she had delivered to that audience welled up in her, and she took the man’s hand and told him that she, too, forgave him.

“For a long moment we grasped each other’s hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God’s love so intensely, as I did then.”

We may not always think of it in this way, but this incident provides some context for the story of Judas Iscariot.

The tragedy in the life of Judas was not the sin that he committed but the fact that he did not ask for forgiveness.

Although he was an apostle, it doesn’t seem that Judas saw himself as part of anything bigger than him. If he was incapable of entering into an intimate relationship with Jesus, with the other apostles, then it’s no wonder if he felt there was no hope for him to be reconciled with them or with God. There’s an unusual verse in the Gospel of John, in the passage about

Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, anointing the feet of Jesus with expensive oil.

Judas objects that the oil could have been sold and the money given to the poor, but the author inserts a bitter personal comment: “Judas said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and held the money bag, and used to steal the contributions.’’

And in order to carry out his betrayal, Judas, leaves the Seder table, leaves this ancient ritual in which Jews relive their common experience of God’s saving action.

And he does this alone. It’s just solitary Judas who leads the authorities into the garden and points out the one they want to arrest.

There is a lot of speculation to the effect that when remorse came — and it did come — Judas thought his sin was too big to be forgiven. And so, remorse led him not to repentance, but to suicide — the most lonely, solitary act of all.

Judas apparently never understood the message of unconditional love that applied to him as well as to anyone else — no matter what they had done.

But that requires a surrender of the self; that requires trust in the mercy of God and in the compassion of our brothers and sisters.

In this time of divisiveness in our own society, our own communities, our own families, we must wonder if others can depend on our compassion and if we can ask for theirs.

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Jesus: ‘The Anointed One’ Our New Testament readings this Sunday speak of the presence of Jesus in the Holy Spirit. In the reading from St. Luke’s Gospel, Jesus emerges from his fast in the desert to begin his public ministry in Nazareth, the town in which he grew up. On the Sabbath day he went to the synagogue and read from the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah (verses 61:1-2 and 58:6). Luke’s intention is to show Jesus himself as the fulfillment of the very passage he was to read.

Jesus began, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon

SCRIPTURE STUDY

By Msgr. John N. Fell

WEEK IN SCRIPTURE

2 Sm1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27 / Ps 80:2-3, 5-7 / Mk 3:20-21 Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 / Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15 / 1 Cor 12:12-30 or 12:12-14, 27 / Lk1:1-4; 4:14-21 2 Sm 5:1-7,10 / Ps 89:20, 21-22, 25-26 / Mk 33:22-30 Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22 /Ps 117:1bc, 2 / Mk 16:15-18 2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti 1:1-5 / Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10 / Mk 4:1-20 2 Sm 7:18-19, 24-29 / Ps 132:1-2, 3-5, 11, 12, 13-14 / Mk 4:21-25 2 Sm 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17 / Ps 513-4, 5-6a, 6bcd-7, 10-11 / Mk 4:26-34 2 Sm 12:1-7a, 10-17 / Ps 51:12-13, 14-15, 16-17 / Mk 4:35-41 Jer 1:4-5, 17-19 / Ps 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15,17 / 1 Cor 12:31-13:13 or 13:4-13 / Lk4:21-30 2 Sm 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13 / Ps 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 / Mk 5:1-20

1743-1815 January 31

Crosiers

Born in Sicily, he was educated at Naples and wanted to enter religious life, despite his father’s opposition. But he persevered and entered the Congregation of Clerks Regular of St. Paul, or Barnabites, though the conflict prompted a long illness. He was ordained in 1797, serving as superior of two colleges for 15 years and in other posts. More and more he exercised his priesthood by hearing confessions, and his health was affected. He was seen as a living saint; one miracle attributed to him was stopping the flow of lava from an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1805.

Saints

SCRIPTURE SEARCH® Gospel for January 23, 2022 Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Following is a word search based on the Gospel reading for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C: Jesus returns home. The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle.

UNDERTAKEN NAZARETH SCROLL LORD PROCLAIM FREE TODAY

THEOPHILUS SABBATH PROPHET ANOINTED ME BLIND SAT DOWN SCRIPTURE

NEWS TO READ ISAIAH THE POOR OPPRESSED EYES OF ALL HEARING

HEAR ME N W O D T A S C R O L A N O

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© 2022 TRI-C-A Publications; tri-c-a-publications.com

JANUARY 20, 2022

Sat 22 Sun 23 Mon 24 Tue 25 Wed 26 Thu 27 Fri 28 Sat 29 Sun 30 Mon 31

SATURDAY JANUARY 22 - MONDAY JANUARY 31

Francis-Xavier Bianchi

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

me because he has anointed me” (Lk 4:18a). In this passage we learn the identity of Jesus. He is the long awaited “anointed of the Lord,” the Messiah who would come to set God’s people free. The entire hope of the People of Israel was focused on the coming of this Son of David who would reign over them forever (see 1 Samuel 7:12-16), bringing them peace, justice, and prosperity. The Greek word for Messiah is Christos, and it is from this word that Jesus gets the title “Christ,” meaning “the Anointed One.” Having heard of his identity, we now learn the intent of his mission. First, he is “to bring glad tidings to the poor” (Lk 4:18b). As promised throughout the Old Testament, Jesus as Messiah was to lift up those who were weighed down, that is, all who were marginalized or excluded from the good things of the earth; the Messiah was to be the principal agent of God’s mercy.

This is a special theme of Luke’s Gospel; Pope Francis explains that, “Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy . . . Jesus of Nazareth, by his words, his actions, and his entire person reveals the mercy of God” (Misericordiae Vultus, 1).

Second, Jesus has been sent “to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind” (Lk 4:18c). Jesus would free his people from everything that weighed them down and hindered their joy. The Messianic Age was forecast to be a time of rejoicing in the Lord. Jesus had come to inaugurate this longdesired period of history.

Next, Jesus was commissioned “to let the oppressed go free” (Lk 4:18d), to release his people from the spiritual and physical ills that afflicted them. The power of the in-breaking Kingdom of God defeating and driving out the power of sin is an important New Testament theme. Jesus is the beginning of the full manifestation of God’s Kingdom; if we want to garner a glimpse of heaven, we need look no further than Christ.

Finally, Jesus came “to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord” (Lk 4:19). Such a year is often associated with the Biblical Jubilee tradition. Pope Francis referenced such a year as “a time when all that has

gone wrong with human history will be made right again. Christians believe that through the ongoing ministry of Jesus Christ, all the world will eventually be transformed into the fullness of God’s Kingdom” (Misericordiae Vultus, 16).

Having completed his reading, Jesus then summed up the point for his hearers both then and now – “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing” (Lk 4: 21). With the coming of Jesus, God himself was present in their very midst. The power of God would be at work among all people driving out sin and all other powers of oppression, preparing his people for and leading them to eternal glory with him.

With the presence of Jesus, all the skirmishes against sin have not ended, but their outcome had been assured – God’s power will triumph over all.

God’s presence continues in our world today through his church. In fact, Pope Francis reminds us that “the Church is commissioned to announce the mercy of God, the beating heart of the Gospel, which in its own way must penetrate the heart and mind of every person . . . The Church’s first truth is the love of Christ . . . wherever the Church is present, the mercy of the Father must be evident. In our parishes, communities, associations and movements, in a word, wherever there are Christians, everyone should find an oasis of mercy” (Misericordiae Vultus, 12).

Our Second Reading this Sunday, taken from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, exhorts Christians to remain faithful to their true role of being the Body of Christ. Paul teaches that through baptism and the Eucharist, individual Christians participating in Christ become sacramentally knit together as his Body on earth. This Body is to be the historical representation and instrument of Christ’s ongoing presence throughout the ages.

Each member of the Body is important and necessary, Paul writes. Pope Francis powerfully emphasized this by convoking the Synod on Synodality — highlighting the fact that the Spirit of the Lord, in the words of this Sunday’s Gospel, has come upon and anointed each and every follower of Christ. Every member of the Body of Christ is called to be both evangelized and evangelizer, faithful witness and attentive disciple. All members of the Body are called to journey together each having his or her own role to play. The image of the Body also reinforces the mutual love, interest, and respect Christians should have for one another — Paul expresses this well, reminding us that when one member of the body is sick, the whole body suffers. The point is to stress how closely together our sharing in the Eucharistic Body of Christ unites us as a people, a people commissioned and empowered to continue Jesus’ presence — together — by means of the Holy Spirit until the end of time.

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

OUR FAITH

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

30 STEPPING UP IN CHARITY

Longtime employee in child care reflects on tenure

Our Lady of Tenderness

JANUARY 20, 2022

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

95 West Main St. Suite 5-106 Chester, NJ 07930 www.ourladyoftenderness.com

Your prayer requests are welcomed and encouraged. They shall be placed before the Blessed Sacrament and lifted daily in prayer.

The ministry of this Hermitage is God’s gift, a life of prayer, freely given to our diocese for you. Please accept this free gift. It is a privilege to be united with you in prayer.

Be still and know that I am God. - Psalm 46:10 Prayer Request: _______________________________

_________________________

As Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen (CCDOM) recognizes employees who have achieved milestones in their employment at the agency, its Child Care program must replace one of its longest serving employees.

Deborah Vitale — “Miss Debi” as she was always called — is retiring after more than 28 years with the program. She began working for CCDOM Sept. 7, 1993, at the Triangle Elementary School in the Hillsborough School District. As she departs from the agency, she was proud to look back on the memories she has collected in a scrapbook from her time at Catholic Charities.

In 1993, Vitale started out as a youth worker at Triangle’s after-school program working with about 40 children. After two years of hard work and success, she was promoted to site coordinator and was responsible for overseeing the Triangle afterschool program in addition to supervising the on-site staff.

Vitale helped implement the full-day summer program at Triangle and was able to increase her enrollment over the years to more than 90 children.

“Miss Debi” was highlighted with her program in the local newspaper after accomplishing National School Age Accreditation in 1997 as part of a pilot in which only three programs in Somerset County participated.

While the typical after-school program at that time was mostly recreational, this showed the commitment Catholic Charities had on increasing quality child care and implementing high standards.

Vitale always included community service projects into her after-school program.

She was involved in the 4-H program and

offered many educational and enrichment activities for the kids to participate in.

In 2008, Vitale was involved in the national accreditation of all of the Catholic Charities’ Somerset County Child Care programs, another great accomplishment during her career.

As Vitale looks back at her time in the Deborah Vitale, left, always called, “Miss Deb,” poses with Child Care Program participants in Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen’s at Catholic Charities, Child Care Program. She is retiring after 28 years with the she reflects on many program.

— photo courtesy of Catholic Charities fond memories of the relationships she has built. She still com- happy to be back. They really are happy municates with families who attended her to be back and with their friends.”

Q: What did you like most about program in 1993. working for Catholic Charities, Diocese Krista Glynn, service area director of of Metuchen?

Child Care, asked Vitale some questions as A: “I loved talking with the kids she prepared to start another chapter in her and being with the families. I still keep in life. touch with families who were in my proQ: How far have the child care gram and even former staff. It made me program and the after-school program feel good that the kids were comfortable come? talking to me and confiding in me with A: “It has come far. After-school things that they were having difficulty originally started out as more of a recrewith.

I do feel it made a difference with ational program, but I always made sure kids that were struggling.” that we had an activity plan and that the Q: What advice would you give to kids were involved in community service new employees in Child Care? projects. I do feel it is really important A: “You have to do this job because to have social, emotional learning in the you love it, not just for the paycheck. You programs, and I am happy to see that inhave to commit to the job for the kids. It corporated more now. After this difficult isn’t fair to them if you don’t.” period of the pandemic, the kids are so

Scholarship a game-changer for many children A typical day for many children living in villages in the Diocese of Santa Rosa, Guatemala, consists of waking up at dawn to accompany a parent to work each morning or being sent to the village plaza to sell items in order to bring home income for their family.

At a young age, these children are faced with the reality of the demands of work, but the Guatemala Scholarship Program has become a game-changer for them by providing an opportunity to receive an education.

As part of a comprehensive partnership between the Diocese of Santa Rosa and the Diocese of Metuchen, the Guatemala Scholarship Program provides school supplies, books, medicines, and other basic necessities, as well as promotes service to the community and the active participation of parents supporting their children’s education.

The Guatemala Scholarship Program was started by members of the diocese’s youth ministry, led then by Deacon Mike

Wojcik and his wife, Mary Ann, following a trip to Guatemala in July 2008.

As follow-up to their trip, the youth representatives shared stories of their experiences at various parishes in the diocese and generous parishioners donated the seed money for the fund. As the program grew and the youth moved on in their own educational pursuits, the Catholic Charities Solidarity Team stepped in to keep the program going. The program began with 11 students and currently supports 120 students from seven villages.

To date, the venture has been supported by parishes in the diocese, including: St. Charles Borromeo, Montgomery Township; Nativity of Our Lord, Monroe Township; St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Bridgewater; Queenship of Mary, Plainsboro; and Immaculate Conception, Spotswood.

In addition, several schools also support the Scholarship program.

An unidentified boy who is supprted by the Guatemala Scholarship Program, shows some of his school supplies.

— photo courtesy of Catholic Charities

Journey of Faith

By Father John Gerard Hillier

of marriage, Jesus clearly demonstrates his strict interpretation of God’s law when he says: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Mt 5:27-28). Later, Jesus speaks positively about those who are joined by God in Holy Matrimony with the words, as quoted in paragraph 2336 of the Catechism: “What God has joined together, let no one put asunder” (Mt 19:6).

Appropriately, this section of the Catechism finishes with the observation that we need to understand all aspects of human sexuality within the context of the Sixth Commandment. Thus, the Sixth Commandment forbids us, not only against lusting after another person in our hearts, but also from using or communicating with obscene words, telling indecent stories, engaging in impure conversations or singing filthy songs.

In our next article, we will discuss “the vocation of chastity” which involves the integrity of the person that all of us are called by God to be.

Father Hillier is Director of the diocesan Office of the Pontifical Mission Societies, Censor Librorum and oversees the Office for Persons with Disabilities

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT JANUARY 20, 2022

My protestant grandmother used to say that “life is like probation.” By this, she meant that through life we undergo the test of whether or not we are worthy to be united with God for all eternity.

The sin of our first parents assured this imbalance in our desires and tendency toward disobeying God in order to seek our own selfish passions. The most serious of these sins is lust (also defined as a deadly sin). God provides the Sixth Commandment to help us, which states: “You shall not commit adultery” (Ex 20:14; Dt 5:18). The Catechism explains: “The tradition of the Church has understood the Sixth Commandment as encompassing the whole of human sexuality” (ccc 2336).

The Catechism also teaches: “Creating the human race in his own image . . . God inscribed in the humanity of man and woman the vocation, and thus the capacity and responsibility, of love and communion” (ccc 2331). Taking its cue from the words of Sacred Scripture: “God created man in his own image . . . male and female he created them” (Gn 1:27), the Catechism teaches: “sexuality affects all aspects of the human person in the unity of body and soul.

It especially concerns affectivity, the capacity to love and to procreate” (ccc 2332).

It is no wonder then that most people are called to the marital state.

It is most apparent, from the first pages of Sacred Scripture, that in God’s plan, most people are expected to pursue the vocation of marriage by the instruction: “be fruitful and multiply” (Gn 1:28).

Sexuality is so critical in our identity that the Catechism continues: “Everyone, man and woman, should acknowledge and accept his sexual identity. Physical, moral, and spiritual

difference and complementarity are that those who share in the gift of maroriented toward the goods of marriage riage are somehow responsible for “all and the flourishing of family life” (ccc human generations [that] proceed from 2333). this union” (ccc 2335).

As followers of Jesus Christ, we I often ask people to consider all have a special obligation to remain the people over the centuries who share chaste or pure in all our relation- their DNA. (This of course applies to ships, whether we all of us and not just are married, single, married people). How Later, Jesus speaks or consecrated for important it is to pray the Lord (as a priest positively about those for each and every one or a religious Sister, who may be waiting Brother, monk, nun, who are joined by God for our prayers, since friar, etc.). We also they may have no one in Holy Matrimony have a special obligaelse to pray for them! with the words, as tion to guard against It is especially apimpurity because our to do so as quoted in paragraph propriate bodies are temples of one who is related to the Holy Spirit and 2336 of the Catechism: all those people and, members of Christ’s therefore, share their Mystical Body. To be “What God has joined humanity in a very other than “chaste” is together, let no one direct and distinct to distance ourselves way. Married couples, from our likeness to put asunder” (Mt 19:6). especially those with God who is all pure. several children, may It is no small consider praying for matter that God also all the future generademonstrated his great love for the vir- tions not yet born who will share their tue of chastity by choosing the chaste DNA. All will one day be counted Virgin Mary as the Mother of his Di- among those set on the path to eternal vine Son. Jesus was likewise chaste life in Heaven because of their generand showed how excellent virginity ous gift of marital love in the present. is by His own life of virginity. Since In his famous Sermon on the “God gives man and woman an equal Mount, when referring to the vocation personal dignity” (ccc 2334), both are called to live chaste lives. Why? Because chastity is that virtue which keeps the mind and body pure. Likewise, modesty is the precise care we take against impure words, thoughts, desires, actions, and even proper appearance or dress to safe-guard our purity. The Sixth Commandment, thereby, obliges us to be chaste and modest in all our deeds. It forbids impurity in words, looks, and actions, alone or with others.

The Catechism explains further that “each of the two sexes is an image of the power and tenderness of God, with equal dignity though in a different way” (ccc 2335). Those called to live their lives through the Sacrament of Matrimony will discover that “the union of man and woman in marriage is a way of imitating in the flesh the Creator’s generosity and fecundity” (ccc Meeting all the state’s 2335). How fascinating it is to consider

FAITH ALIVE

Article 158 — Catechism of the Catholic Church Series Paragraphs 2331-2336

31

Commandment obliges faithful to be chaste, modest

32

OBITUARY

OUR DIOCESE

Mercy Sister Mary Stanislaus Zita, 102, formerly Mary Theresa, died Dec. 29 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Watchung.

A funeral Mass was celebrated for her Jan. 8 at Immaculate Conception Chapel, Mount Saint Mary, Watchung.

Sister Stanislaus was born in Philadelphia and raised in Trenton, the daughter of Adam Zita and Sophie Zita Conner, and sister to Stanley Zita, all now deceased.

She attended St. Mary Grade School and Cathedral High School, both in Trenton, run by the Sisters of Mercy. After graduating from Cathedral in 1937, she got her first job with the state of New Jersey. Over the next 20 years, she moved from machine operator to senior claims supervisor, handling unemployment and disability issues. She was also a caregiver until the death of her mother. She enjoyed the freedom of an apartment

and a good income, but the soft, yet insistent call to religious life persisted.

She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1959, completed her education, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Master of Arts degree in French, and began teaching at St. John School, Collingswood. When the Junior College opened at Mount Saint Mary in Watchung, her secretarial background fitted her well for the role of registrar. She enjoyed this position and developed a close friendship with the president, Sister Mary Giovanni. On one occasion, noting her age, Sister Stanislaus told her friend she doubted that she would live to celebrate her Golden Jubilee.

Sister Giovanni assured her that she would!

When the college closed, she moved to Camden Catholic High School, where she taught French on all four levels for the next 21 years.

She firmly believed that immersion in the culture as well as mastering the language was important for her students, and organized frequent trips to expose them to the history, dialects and customs that characterized the different regions.

She traveled over summer vacations with friends and was known for also exploring on her own. A scholarship to study at the University of Pau was a highlight of her life.

Burial was at St. Mary Cemetery, Trenton. Funeral arrangements were handled by Higgins Home for Funerals, Watchung.

Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, 1645 US Highway 22, Watchung, NJ 07069.

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EVANGELIZATION

Read more about it: 1 Samuel 1 & 3 Q&A 1. Who was calling Samuel?

2. Who was God condemning?

PUZZLE:

Unscramble the letters in each word and arrange them to form a quotation from the children’s story

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT JANUARY 20, 2022

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— Artwork, courtesy of CNS

Puzzle Answer: to, sleep, back, go Go back to sleep.

Elkanah, a man from the hill country of Ephraim, had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. Peninnah picked on Hannah because she was childless, which made Hannah very upset. Every year, Elkanah and his family went to the temple in Shiloh to offer sacrifices to God. One year, Hannah poured out her troubles in prayer and asked God for a son. She promised that the boy would be dedicated to God’s service.

God heard Hannah’s prayer. She had a son named Samuel, whom she brought to the temple in Shiloh after he was weaned. Samuel became minister to the Lord under the priest Eli. During this time, a revelation of the Lord was uncommon, and visions were infrequent.

One night, Eli was asleep in his usual place, and Samuel was sleeping in the temple where the ark of God was. The Lord called to Samuel. “Here I am. You called me,” Samuel said after running to Eli. “I did not call you,” Eli answered.

“Go back to sleep.” Samuel went back to sleep. God again called to Samuel, who again ran to Eli and said, “Here I am. You called me.” “I did not call you, my son,” Eli said. “Go back to sleep.”

The Lord called Samuel for a third time.

Getting up and going to Eli, he said, “Here I am. You called me.” Eli finally realized that God was calling Samuel.

“Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening,’” Eli said. When Samuel went to sleep, the Lord came and stood there, calling out as before: “Samuel, Samuel!” “Speak, for your servant is listening,” Samuel replied. God told Samuel that he would carry out everything he had previously said about Eli and his family.”I announce to him that I am condemning his house once and for all, because of this crime: Though he knew his sons were blaspheming God, he did not reprove them,” God said.The next morning, Eli asked what God had said.

He told Samuel to hold nothing back, so Samuel told him everything. As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and he became known as a prophet of God.

OUR DIOCESE

By Jennifer Ficcaglia Catholic News Service

33

Kids Corner: God reveals himself to Samuel

34 OUR DIOCESE

Physician at diocese-sponsored hospital elected to key position NEW BRUNSIWCK -- Saint Peter’s tackling the biggest challenges in Healthcare System announced Dec. 21 health care and training the leaders of that Dr. Niranjan Rao, chief medical tomorrow. officer (CMO) at Saint Peter’s, has Education is at the heart of the been elected as chairman of the Amer- AMA’s mission. The Council on Medican Medical Association’s (AMA) ical Education is responsible for recCouncil on Medical Education for the ommending educational policies to the 2021-2022 term.

AMA House of Delegates. As an acRao, who has served as Saint Pe- credited provider of continuing mediter’s CMO since Nocal education (CME) vember 2015, is board a driving force in The AMA’s mission is and certified in vascular the modernization of and general surgery to promote the art of physician training, the and offers treatment in AMA is revolutionizgeneral, vascular and science and medicine ing the way physicians endovascular surgery. and the betterment advance their knowlHe is a graduate of M. edge and skills. of public health. It is Rampure Medical Col“I am honored and lege in India and comhumbled to have been the largest and only elected the pleted his residency chairman in general surgery at national association of the AMA’s Council the Albert Einstein on Medical EducaHealthcare Network, that convenes 190plus tion. It’s a privilege to Philadelphia, followed be working with exstate and by a fellowship in tremely bright, distinspecialty medical vascular surgery at the guished and talented Cleveland Clinic. from societies and other councilmembers The AMA’s misaround the country,” sion is to promote critical stake holders. said Rao. “My colthe art of science and leagues and I are excitmedicine and the beted to have an ability to terment of public health. It is the larg- impact change related to critical issues est and only national association that facing the practice of medicine today. convenes 190-plus state and specialty These include enhancing the processes medical societies and other critical involved in graduate medical educastake holders. The AMA leads the tion and resident and fellowship traincharge in preventing chronic disease ing, making improvements to online and confronting public health crises, learning, advancing access to allow driving the future of medicine and for more medical school diversity and

more. This position is truly a highlight of my professional medical career.”

Leslie D. Hirsch, president and chief executive officer, Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, said, “Dr. Rao has the opportunity to influence the future of medicine, from policy change that affects criteria for medical school admissions so our physicians better reflect the patients they serve, to reforming medical school curriculum in a way that aligns with today’s societal values while maintaining the high standards that the AMA has always sought to uphold.

“I can think of no better candidate to lead the dialogue that will shape tomorrow’s medical providers.”

Saint Peter’s Healthcare System Inc., parent company of the Saint Peter’s healthcare delivery system, is comprised of Saint Peter’s University Hospital, a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital and state-designated children’s hospital and regional perinatal center; Saint Peter’s Foundation, the fundraising arm of the hospital; Saint Peter’s Health and Management Services Corp., which oversees outpatient facilities, including the CARES Surgicenter; and Saint Peter’s Physician Associates, a network of primary and specialty care physician practices.

Saint Peter’s is a sponsor of residency programs in obstetrics and gynecol-

Dr. Niranjan Rao ogy, pediatrics and internal medicine, and is a major clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences.

For more information about Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, please visit www.saintpetershcs.com or call (732) 745-8600.

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Document your treasured family memories before another day goes by.

JANUARY 20, 2022

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

BiosToGo.com Short keepsake biographies composed by a fellow parishioner within the diocese.

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35

1/23 – 1/25

Synod 2023 Eucharistic Forty Hours, will be held in each of the eight deaneries in the Diocese of Metuchen, beginning on Sunday, January 23, and ending on Tuesday, January 25. To view the list of hosting parishes, visit: diometuchen.org/synod2023.

1/25

Synod 2023 Listening Sessions, originally scheduled for January 25, have been postponed due to concerns about the Covid-19 pandemic. More information and new date(s) for the Listening Sessions will be announced in the coming weeks. In the meantime, all are invited to visit the Diocese of Metuchen’s website, diometuchen.org/synod2023, to share feedback by completing the online questionnaire.

1/26

St. Timothy and St. Teresa of Calcutta Awards, Mass Celebrating Our Young Disciples, 7 p.m. Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. Bishop James F. Checchio will preside at the Mass. For more information contact Megan Vantslot, director of the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Evangelization, at mvanslot@diometuchen.org or call her at 732-243-4576.

2/25-27

Retrouvaille, Stress in your Marriage? Retrouvaille is a weekend program for struggling couples who wish to heal their marriage. For information call or text: Rich Colasuonno 732-236-0671.

2/28

Celebrating The Triduum, this virtual workshop will begin at 7 p.m. How can we best utilize the Triduum to set the stage for the initiation rites and to give the elect and candidates the best and richest experience possible as they are being incorporated into the paschal mystery? Facilitated by Sara Sharlow, Director of RCIA, Diocese of Metuchen. For the Zoom meeting information, please email: ssharlow@diometuchen.org

3/6

Rite of Election, 3 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi. Only for the unbaptized. In order to avoid overcrowding the Cathedral during this ongoing Pandemic, only the Rite of Election, for the unbaptized, will be celebrated at the Cathedral on March 6th. The Rite of Calling Candidates to Continuing Conversion will not be celebrated at the Cathedral. Instead, each parish is asked to celebrate the Rite of Calling Candidates to Continuing Conversion with their candidates. If you have questions, need more information or clarity, please do not hesitate to contact: ssharlow@diometuchen.org or call Sara Sharlow on her cell phone: 732-742-1567

3/16

3/26

Mystagogy, this virtual workshop will begin at 7 p.m. How can we best facilitate the immersion of the Neophytes into what it is to believe, celebrate, live and pray as Catholics within the larger community of the parish and the Universal Church. Facilitated by Russ and Janet Baker, RCIA team members at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi. For the Zoom meeting information, please email: ssharlow@diometuchen.org Choices Matter (Critical Life Issues) 2022, Rutgers University, Livingston Campus, Livingston Hall, Piscataway. For more information please contact: human.life.and.dignity@diometuchen.org

DIOCESAN PROGRAMS “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 different episode will be discussed each meeting and virtual watch parties will be planned sporadically. Meetings will take place every other Monday evening at 7p.m. on Zoom beginning on January 24th. For details or to join, please contact Cristina D’Averso-Collins at cdaverso@diometuchen.org.

Surviving Divorce This eight-week program will be held on Wednesdays from 7 to 830 p.m. starting on March 16 at the St. Francis Cathedral Parish Center, Metuchen. The program will end May 11. Based on the teachings of the Catholic Church, this program features a 30-minute DVD session and small group discussion each week. The program is being sponsored by the diocesan Office of Family Life. Pre-registration by phone by March 7, is required. Cost for the program is $25 for a book. For more information or to register contact Ro Bersch at 908-313-5947.

OUR DIOCESE

DIOCESAN EVENTS

Virtual Women’s Group - “The Screwtape Letters” All ladies are invited to join the Virtual Women’s Group for their discussion of the C.S. Lewis classic, “The Screwtape Letters.” Meetings will be held on Zoom each Sunday at 2:30 p.m. beginning on January 23rd. All that is required to attend is the purchase of the book. For details or to join, please contact Cristina D’Averso-Collins at cdaverso@ diometuchen.org Celebrating Our Neophytes The diocese has started to post the 2021 Neophyte Celebration. Since pandemic restrictions prevented the celebration of a Neophyte Mass, the Neophytes in the diocese are being honored in a different way. They have been invited by the diocese to submit a witness statement about their RCIA journey of faith, along with a photo. This invitation explained that the RCIA office was going to create a “Celebration of Our Neophytes” virtual presentation for its website. Neophytes can send their witness statement and photo to: ssharlow@diometuchen.org Celebrating the Church as a “Family of Families” As we celebrate the Year “Amoris Laetitia Family,” the Office of Communications and Public Relations is compiling a digital family photo album. We invite you to share a photo of your family – a photo of your domestic church by which our local Church of Metuchen is constantly enriched. Please consider sharing your family’s photo with us by sending your photo to communications@diometuchen.org, so we can together bear witness to the love of God through our “family of families.” . Sponsor code: 08726. Or call/ text Amanda at (908) 380-9625. All donors will be entered into the “WIN a Mirror Home Gym” 12 months membership.

Blood Drive

Jan. 23, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Our Lady of the Mount Parish, Warren, will hold a blood drive. To schedule an appointment, visit

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ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF CATECHESIS

The Diocese of Trenton is seeking a dynamic, faith-filled individual to join our team as Associate Director for Catechesis. The qualified candidate will be especially accomplished at leading one or more aspects of parish faith formation and have proven success in the formation of catechists.

The Associate Director will partner with the Director of Catechesis to support pastors, parish catechetical leaders, Catholic School personnel, RCIA and Adult Faith Formation teams in the work of forming missionary disciples. Coordinating catechist formation initiatives will be a priority. The Associate Director will also collaborate with other diocesan partners in service of the mission.

The candidate must be a practicing Catholic in good standing. This position requires a Master’s Degree in Theology, Religious Education or a related field; 3-5 years of parish ministry experience in a leadership role in the field of catechesis; the ability to think strategically and creatively; effective oral presentation, written and digital communication skills; and proficiency in basic computer programs. The position is located on-site in Trenton, NJ and does require some nights and weekend work.

No telephone calls will be accepted. Please submit your salary requirements and résumé, along with two professional and one personal reference letters to: Angela Gitto, Director of Human Resources P. O. Box 5147, Trenton, NJ 08638-0147 OR: Fax: (609)-406-7450 • E-mail: positions@dioceseoftrenton.org

JANUARY 20, 2022

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36 OUR DIOCESE

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JANUARY 20, 2022

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Please mail your gift to: The Catholic Spirit, P.O. Box 191 Metuchen, New Jersey 08840-0191