With the diocesan Jubilee Cross held high, Bishop James F. Checchio recites the prescribed words to open the Jubilee Year in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Dec. 28: “May Christ, our peace and our hope, be our companion on the journey in this year of grace and consolation.” Read our Jubilee Mass story on pg. 18-20
—Hal Brown photo
In this Jubilee
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Happy New Year! Our Holy Father has proclaimed a Jubilee Year for 2025, marking the 2,025th anniversary of the Birth of Jesus. Generally, Jubilee years are held each 25 years to mark the important milestone related to our Savior’s birth. Jubilee years are meant to be a time of grace, a time to deepen our friendship with Jesus.
The Pope is calling this year the Jubilee of Hope. Pope Francis has sensed that our world has forgotten about hope, and it is needed at this time. At times, hope can be something that eludes us, as we are often tempted to put our hope in things that can end up disappointing us. We have made so many advances in our world in so many ways that sometimes we can be tempted to think we can figure it all out, so we place our hope in ourselves, pridefully.
You might recall that throughout December, during Advent, we heard in our readings at Mass about God’s desire to intervene into human history and save us. Often, as He did this, God’s message was to not be afraid. We heard that at the announcement of Jesus’ arrival to the shepherds as they were told by the angel: “Do not be afraid, I proclaim to you good news.” The same message was given to Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father, who was told to not be afraid as he encounters an angel of God while praying, and an angel of God likewise exhorted St. Joseph “do not be afraid” while telling him how the birth of Jesus would come about. Again, when the angel appeared to the Blessed Mother at the annunciation, likewise, she was told “Do not be afraid”.
All of these messengers were reminding us that God was working out
remember God’s presence, and ‘be not afraid’
His plan, and somehow and someday, in God’s time, it will be made clear to us. These powerful Gospels all reminded us of the continuous presence of God to Israel, generation after generation, sustaining the faith and hope of His people, preparing them for the miraculous day of Jesus’ birth. Through all the ups and downs of Abraham and his many descendants – in good times and in bad, in peace and at war, in their own land and in exile – God slowly and meticulously prepared the way for the coming of Christ until, in the fullness of time, He fulfills His promises. The people of Israel certainly waited, and their faith was tested at times, but hope kept them going, they were not to be afraid, they were to place their confidence and hope in God.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, salvation comes to us with Emmanuel, God is truly with us in Jesus’ birth! So, we are to rejoice and live in joyful hope! The theme chosen by our Holy Father, Pilgrims of Hope, reminds us that hope is one of the most essential characteristics of the people of God in the Scriptures, and we know that this passes into the life of the Church as well. Indeed, Christ founded His Church to be an instrument of hope in our world. You and I are the body of Christ today, the Church, so we too must cultivate this virtue of hope in our lives and share it with others. Hope is essential for us; Emmanuel, God is with us!
In each one of our own lives and in our response to God’s call to follow Him, through the ups and downs we experience personally, in our families or with friends, or as a parish or even our Diocese and Church, in our country and really as members of our global community, God is continuously working out His plan for us, sustaining our faith and offering hope, just as He has for generation after generation for His chosen people.
This Jubilee year reminds us to take the time and truly listen to Him throughout the year, as the Lord speaks the same words to us, the same words Our Lady of Guadalupe uttered to us, “stand firm
If you were sexually abused by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or you know of someone who was, you are encouraged to report that abuse to local law enforcement, the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency at 1-877-NJ ABUSE (652-2873) or 1-800-835-5510 (TTY/TDD for the deaf), and also the Diocesan Response Officer at (908) 930-4558 (24 hours/7 days a week).
in faith and do not be afraid. Am I not with you? always.” The Church urges us as we begin this Jubilee year to open our hearts in prayer more fully to Christ, so that He can fill us with His great gift of hope throughout our lives. In these days, we can hear and see so much despair and division in our world, country and even in our Church at times, too. Just as God raised up hope for the people of Israel working out His plan to fulfill His promise of a Savior, so He is doing something for us now, He is with us even now, working out His plan, and part of the amazing thing is that He has chosen us, each of us, to be a part of that plan.
Indeed, God desires to come and make His home amongst us, providing us with hope. Each offering of Holy Mass boldly reminds us that God is faithful, from generation to generation, and He will do what He promises for us as well. He comes to us, so that He can accompany us throughout our lives and bring us home to Him forever at the end of our days.
I thank you for responding to God’s call, and for all you do to build up His Kingdom in our local Church, and for
being instruments of hope for so many in need of it right here in our families, with friends and throughout our beautiful Diocese. Emmanuel, God is with us; fill us with your life, love, goodness and mercy, dear Lord, so that we may be instruments of hope, guided by you in all things, and lead others to you, too, for the praise and glory of your name. God is with us; He loves us.
As we begin this Jubilee year of hope, we remember that God’s greatest desire is to be with us, hence His becoming man; so let us give ourselves and our love to Him, today and each day, and share that love with others we know who need Him. Happy New Year and a blessed Jubilee Year in 2025! Know of my love, prayers and gratitude for you, and please remember to pray for me, too.
Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA Bishop of Metuchen
Read the story – pg 24
ADVISOR: Joanne Ward
Bishop James F. Checchio has announced the following priestly appointments. Unless otherwise noted, all are effective immediately.
• Rev. Pervais Indrias, from Sacred Heart Parish, South Plainfield, to Administrator of Good Shepherd Parish, Hopelawn.
• To the college of consultors, with terms ending on December 31, 2029: Rev. Msgr. Seamus Brennan; Rev. Msgr. Joseph Celano; Rev. Keith Cervine, Secretary; Very Rev. Timothy Christy; Very Rev. Arlindo Paul Da Silva;
BUSINESS MANAGER: Mary Gregory, 732-529-7934
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Peter Nguyen, 732-529-7956
Rev. Msgr. John Fell; Very Rev. Robert Kolakowski, JCD; Rev. Raymond Nacarino; Rev. Roy Quesea, JCL; Very Rev. Anthony Sirianni; Very Rev. Jonathan S. Toborowsky, VG, and Rev. Thomas J. Walsh.
• To the Presbyteral Council, with terms ending on September 30, 2026: Rev. Raymond Nacarino and Rev. Roy Quesea, JCL.
Diocese of Metuchen, 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Subscription price is $30 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Bellmawr, NJ and additional mailing office.
POSTMASTER: Send change of address notice to The Catholic Spirit, 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854.
1, 2 - Bishop James F. Checchio visits St. Joseph Parish, Washington, Dec. 21 to celebrate Mass and bless the newly renovated pastoral center. —John Batkowski photos
3 - On the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord during this Jubilee Year, Bishop James F. Checchio conferred the Sacrament of Baptism on Francis George Shammo at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, where Bishop Checchio married Francis’ parents two years earlier. —Office of the Bishop photo
4 - On Dec. 29, Bishop Checchio made a pastoral visit to St. Mary Parish, Stony Hill, to celebrate Mass and spend time with parishioners. —John Batkowski photo
5, 6 - The Mass for the opening of the Jubilee Year held in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, on Dec. 28, was an opportunity to gather with members of the Knights of Columbus and some of the many religious sisters who were in attendance. —Hal Brown photos
On Christmas Eve, the faithful of the Diocese attended Mass with expectant hearts in anticipation of the Birth of Christ. On that day, the date marked something else that was extraordinary.
On Dec. 24, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica marking the beginning of Jubilee 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope. Holy doors at the Rome basilicas of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls were also opened, as well as a Holy Door to the Rebibbia New Complex Prison’s chapel, the Church of Our Father.
In his Feb. 2022 letter announcing Jubilee 2025, Pope Francis said, “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire...”
In the light of Christmas, Bishop James F. Checchio, shared a heartfelt message about both, writing, “My thoughts and our prayers turn gratefully to you, our faithful of the Diocese of Metuchen, who make our local Church the wonderful place that it is. Your dedication to our parishes and other institutions, your fidelity to Mass and the Eucharist, your acts of kindness and concern, of caring and sacrifice, are truly appreciated today and everyday all year long.
“Throughout this joyous season, as we begin this Jubilee Year of Hope during 2025, I pray that God’s peace will be in your heart and in the hearts of your loved ones, filling you with His Hope which does not disappoint. May laughter, friendships and good cheer be yours in abundance in this joyous season and may your spirit be renewed by God’s love born among us! Know of my love, prayers and gratitude for you and please remember to pray for me!”
By Mary Morrell, Editor-in-Chief
—St. John Vianney and Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi photos by Hal Brown. Our Lady of the Mount photos by John Batkowski.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:11
midnight mass Cathedral
christmas day mass
Our
By Deacon Patrick Cline Correspondent
Citing Advent as a time of preparation, Bishop James F. Checchio told members of St. Peter the Apostle Parish and University Community, New Brunswick, it was an appropriate time to install their new pastor, Father Michael K. Tabernero.
In his homily at the Dec. 8 installation, Bishop Checchio described the Advent season as a time of preparation. He urged the congregation to include spiritual preparation in the midst of all the busyness of exams, shopping and wrapping presents. He said the preparation is necessary to be ready for the triple coming of Jesus.
First, Jesus came as a child in Bethlehem, and he has promised to return. “God is always faithful to his promises. We look to a past events to encourage us to have confidence in the second coming of Jesus.”
“There is also the third coming of the Lord that we must prepare for, and that is the coming of the Lord to us even now,” the Bishop said. “Every moment of our lives becomes a divine encounter of Jesus coming to us.”
Bishop Checchio said Father Tabernero’s main task will be “to lead this parish to recognize the many signs of God
moving within in each one of you and assist you to grow prayerful each day. Gratefully, he is someone who is able to do this in his own life.”
Bishop Checchio was the principal celebrant and homilist at the Mass. Father Tabernero and Father Thomas W. Lanza of the diocesan Office of Vocations and chaplain at the Rutgers University Catholic Center, which is part of the parish, concelebrated.
In his remarks at the end of Mass, Father Tabernero spoke to members of the congregation who are considering their vocation in life.
“Whatever that decision might be, it is so important to be made in light of the heart of Christ. And if the Lord is calling you to the priesthood or consecrated life, I can tell you from experience it is a beautiful life, a life filled with love, meaning and purpose,” he said.
Father Tabernero thanked his parents, Peter M. and Mary Catherine Tabernero of Hillsborough, for all their support. He also expressed his gratitude to everyone who contributed to making the Mass such a beautiful celebration. He especially recognized “the amazing staff at the parish and the Catholic Center” for all their support and assistance.
St. Peter the Apostle Parish is the oldest parish in the Diocese of Metuchen. Although there are records indicating that
Catholic Mass occasionally was celebrated in the area beginning in 1825, the first resident pastor was not appointed until 1833. Since then, the parish has been serving the needs of its parishioners, the students and staff of the university and the entire New Brunswick community.
Father Tabernero mentioned the photos of all the previous pastors displayed in the parish hall and all their struggles and efforts to make the parish what it is today.
“There is no place that I would wish to be today than here at St. Peter,” he said.
Father Tabernero was born in Summit, graduated from Hillsborough High School and received a bachelor’s degree in theology and philosophy from Seton Hall University, South Orange. He completed his priestly formation at St. Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, Pa., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology and a master’s degree in divinity. Bishop Checchio ordained him to the priesthood June 22, 2019.
Prior to being named pastor of St. Peter, Father Tabernero served as a parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception
1. After Bishop James F. Checchio introduces Father Michael Tabernero to the various groups within the parish community, the new pastor acknowledges the assistance and support of his staff and council members.
2. Father Michael Tabernero signs his Oath of Fidelity, a pledge made to uphold Catholic teachings and law, as pastor in the presence of Bishop Checchio.
3. Bishop Checchio congratulates Father Tabernero on his position as pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish and University Community, New Brunswick.
4. Father Tabernero’s parents express their joy during their son’s installation Mass Dec. 8.
—Hal Brown photos
Parish, Annandale, and director of Catholic identity and teacher at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison.
Margaret Alfrey has been a member of St. Peter since 1944. She said she is very grateful to have Father Tabernero as her pastor and looks forward to his visits to bring her the Eucharist, since it is not always possible for her to attend Mass as often as she would like.
Michelle Pozotrigo was a member of the Catholic Community when she was a student at Rutgers.
“I was very involved with the Center and was a member of the choir then.” She and her husband, Giancarlo, were married at St. Peter and, although they live closer to another parish, “we always attend Mass here where our children, Esperancia and Javier, were baptized.”
By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The mission of sharing the Gospel, entrusted to humanity by Jesus, must spread also through modern media channels, Pope Francis said.
“Today we have a great need for disciples who continue the mission entrusted by the Lord, by Jesus Christ, who evangelize through communications media,” he told members of the El Sembrador Nueva Evangelización (ESNE), a U.S.based Spanish-language TV network.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, ESNE also operates a radio station and broadcasts across the southwestern United States, Mexico and Spain. It often transmits Masses, prayers and devotional content. The network previously interviewed Pope Francis in 2017.
During the meeting, Pope Francis praised the group’s promotional campaign, “Yo soy el 73” (“I am the 73rd”), a consecration to Jesus that he said serves “to build a community of evangelizers capable of communicating the joy of the
Gospel and God’s mercy.”
The initiative takes inspiration from Jesus’ sending forth of 72 disciples to spread the Gospel throughout the world and communicates a willingness to become the 73rd disciple sent out to continue Jesus’ mission of evangelization.
Pope Francis thanked the group for “bringing the voice and the message of the Pope to so many people in the United States and in other Spanish-speaking countries,” and he praised their work in broadcasting the Mass, formational materials and news about the Church to those who are unable to leave their homes.
“I thank you also, and above all, because with your work you are close to so many immigrants from various countries in Latin America, who need points of reference, messages of consolation in their mother tongue,” he said. “Do not stop doing this.”
The Pope also asked the group to continue to dream and to take inspiration from the “patron of communication,” the Holy Trinity, since the persons of the Trinity “live by communicating with each other.”
“Silence is an integral element of communication; in its absence, words rich in content cannot exist. In silence, we are better able to listen to and understand ourselves; ideas come to birth and acquire depth; we understand with greater clarity what it is we want to say and what we expect from others; and we choose how to express ourselves. By remaining silent we allow the other person to speak, to express him or herself; and we avoid being tied simply to our own words and ideas without them being adequately tested. In this way, space is created for mutual listening, and deeper human relationships become possible.”
By Mary Morrell, Editor-in-Chief
The phone rang in my office last week and the caller made my day.
“Hi, Mary. I’m so glad you are there. I’d like to order a gift subscription to The Catholic Spirit for my friend. She loves the paper but can’t always get to church to get it.”
She went on to say that she often sends her friends copies of the paper because she looks forward so much to receiving her copy at home.
Later that day, another of our columnists emailed to say she loved the December issue because it shows how vibrant our Diocese is, and perhaps my favorite of the week was a conversation with a religious sister who shared how much the sisters in the motherhouse love getting the paper, painting an image I won’t soon forget of their gathering space filled with sisters holding newspapers, all scanning the pages of The Catholic Spirit.
Our newspaper serves the counties of Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren, keeping everyone abreast of the work of the local Church, parishes and schools, providing information on world and national happenings and encouraging readers to see themselves as members of an awesome Catholic family.
But the importance of the Catholic press was recognized long before our time. The first Catholic paper in the country, United States Catholic Miscellany, was established by Bishop John England for his flock in the Carolinas and Georgia in 1822. Bishop England wanted to speak out about the rights of his immigrant faithful, but the secular press wouldn’t run his letters. So, he started his own newspaper, to support, educate and form his people.
In 1911, representatives from Catholic newspapers in the United States and Canada met in Columbus, Ohio, for their first national meeting becoming the first Catholic Press Association. In 1924, Time included a piece on Press Month, stating: “February is Press Month. … Bishops and priests will call attention to the need of strengthening the Catholic press and will outline its mission – to give
Catholics an accurate account of events in which they are interested.
“The Catholic Press, according to utterances of Popes Leo XIII, Pius X, Benedict XV and Pius XI, is an ‘apostolate second only to the divine doctrines and laws and worship of the Church.’
“Louis H. Walsh, Bishop of Portland, is Chairman of the Department of Press Publicity and Literature, [National Catholic Welfare Conference]. Said he: ‘Propaganda (false as well as true) is the great achievement of our new 20th Century, as revealed during the World War, and is now being carried out to an extent little realized by the rank and file of the people in every nation.’”
Little has changed in some 100 years. Catholics and all people of faith are subjected to a steady stream of propaganda, often vicious and destructive, from a variety of communications outlets.
But as members of the Catholic Press, we believe in the words of Pope St. John Paul II who wrote: “Your work can be a force for great good or great evil. You yourselves know the dangers, as well as the splendid opportunities open to you. Communication products can be works of great beauty, revealing what is noble and uplifting in humanity and promoting what is just and fair and true. On the other hand, communications can appeal to and promote what is debased in people …
“All the media of popular culture which you represent can build or destroy, uplift or cast down. You have untold possibilities for good, ominous possibilities for destruction. It is the difference between death and life – the death or life of the spirit. And it is a matter of choice. The challenge of Moses to the people of Israel is applicable to all of us today: ‘I set before you life and death ... Choose life’ (Dt 30:19).
Please know of our appreciation for the work we are privileged to do on your behalf, and our gratitude to the bishops, particularly Bishop James F. Checchio, who keep Catholic Communications alive for their flocks.
St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of Communications, pray for us.
As Director of the Office of Pontifical Missions (Propagation of the Faith) for the Diocese of Metuchen, I often receive wonderful notes of gratitude from missionaries worldwide. Allow me to share the following article from the Apostles of Jesus Religious Missionary Institute, Father Andrew Amaruma, AJ.
“My name is Father Andrew Amaruma, AJ, and I wish to express our gratitude and thanks to the Pontifical Mission Office of the Diocese of Metuchen. Your overwhelming and unreserved generosity and solidarity to the Apostles of Jesus Missionaries - Uganda Region - provides hope and livelihood in our Religious and Priestly Ministry.
“The Apostles of Jesus Religious Missionary Institute was founded in 1968 in Uganda-Moroto by two Italian Comboni Missionaries. Our missionaries do ministry in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, South Africa and Ethiopia. Our Priests also work in the USA, Europe, Australia, Papua Guinea, Cuba and Puerto Rico. Seventy-three of our Missionaries work in Uganda.
“Bishop Checchio and the Reverend Director, Father John G. Hillier, and the Pontifical Mission of the Diocese Metuchen, have been a beacon of hope and livelihood for our missionary Priests in Uganda. Thanks to the assistance given by the Pontifical Mission of the Diocese of Metuchen, various needs are accommodated for the14 resident Priests at the Regional Center including the per-
sonal and pastoral needs of our priests. Refugees and citizens who seek spiritual services as well as others needy families are likewise served.
“During the Covid lock down the donations/grants donated by the people from the Diocese of Metuchen helped pay the medical bills for three of our priests who were affected by Covid-19. We also repaired and replaced the tiles of the rooms at our Mazzoldi house, purchased and installed a water tank of 10,000 liters and a water pump to harvest rain water for domestic use and irrigation of our kitchen vegetable garden. You also helped us construct a perimeter wall for the security and safety of our Regional House and our Kathleen Parker Refugee Multipurpose Hall.
“You supported a single mother named Sunday and her seven children to establish a ‘vegetable selling’ business so she could provide for the livelihood and educational needs of her children. The Pontifical Office is currently paying tuition for needy students in grade/primary, high school and college. The College students are studying nursing, information technology, psychology, community rehabilitation, engineering, nutrition and agriculture. These young people see hope through their studies and seek to become faith-filled agents of positive change.
“Our outreach and priestly ministry continues for the people of Uganda thanks to the wonderful benefactors from the Diocese of Metuchen who contribute to the Office of Pontifical Mission in the Diocese of Metuchen. Thank you Bishop Checchio. Thank you Reverend Director, Father John G. Hillier.”
Father Hillier serves as diocesan director, Office of Pontifical Mission Societies, the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Censor Luborum.
Pontifical Missions Office makes possible: 1. Sunday and her daughter selling vegetables in Awidiri Market, Adjumani Uganda; 2. A home for Sunday and her family; 3. Students learning at Pope John Paul High School; 4. A security perimeter wall constructed for Kathleen Parker Refugee Multipurpose Hall.
—Courtesy photos
Saturday March 29, 2025
at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway, NJ
Opening Mass with Bishop Checchio at 9 a.m. Conference 10:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Speakers, Exhibits, Eucharistic Adoration
By Christina Leslie Contributing Editor
Joyous Catholics of Filipino descent filled the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, Dec. 23 for the final night of Simbang Gabi, a pre-Christmas novena of Masses to honor the Christ Child through prayer, song and tradition.
Bishop James F. Checchio served as principal celebrant and homilist of the beloved annual event. He was joined in the sanctuary by Father Jonathan S. Toborowsky, vicar general; Father Timothy A. Christy, Cathedral rector, and numerous Filipino priests, deacons and acolytes of the Diocese.
Simbang Gabi, Filipino for “night Mass,” was introduced in the 17th cen-
tury by Spanish evangelists to the Philippines. Traditionally, faithful arrive at Mass before daybreak on each of the nine days before Christmas, then set off to work in the fields. Adoration of the Blessed Virgin is abundant during Simbang Gabi novena, often including a Nativity play and processions of faithful bearing gifts.
Under the coordination of the Metuchen Diocese Filipino Apostolate, the tradition of Simbang Gabi Masses has blossomed. This year, a total of 22 churches hosted Masses in the Filipino tradition, beginning with a Dec. 15 liturgy in Sacred Heart Parish, South Plainfield, and concluding Dec. 23 in the Cathedral. A Misa de Gallo, or “Rooster Mass,” was held at 5 a.m. daily in St. La-
dislaus Church, New Brunswick.
The Filipino Apostolate Festival Choir led the abundant congregation in traditional Tagalog-language Christmas songs as faithful processed into the Cathedral bearing banners and parols, or star-shaped lanterns meant to represent the Star of Bethlehem. Faithful must not recall Christmas Day as only a great event of the past, the Bishop stressed in his homily, but is also a present event which brings us to our salvation.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to pause and listen to the word of God,” the Bishop continued. “We are filled with delight that God, our Father, loves us so much that he sent us his only Son.”
The birth we celebrate is the birth of the Son of God, the Promised One that
also goes to the Cross and dies for us, Bishop Checchio reminded the congregation.
“He takes on our humanity so we can share his divinity,” he concluded. “This is the same love we are asked to share with one another. This is our salvation and our redemption; it is near at hand.”
Veronica Klein of the Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Piscataway, Filipino American Association, accompanied about 10 fellow parishioners to the celebration at the Cathedral. Recalling the vast number of faithful congregants, she said, “This was a big Filipino celebration. If I can’t go home (to the Philippines) for it, I come here. This is growing; the support of the pastors is a great help.”
By Susan Odenthal Correspondent
When Sister Gabriela of the Incarnation, a Carmelite sister in Flemington, read some time ago of people in England arrested for praying silently near abortion clinics, she thought how ridiculous it was to think that prison bars could hold back prayers. “They were just standing there,
praying!” she said. But she recognized what these silent witnesses had accomplished: they had called attention for those who might enter the clinic to the fact that they were not alone, that they were accompanied by the prayers of many.
From that realization came “Contemplatives for Life,” an effort begun in late 2024 to make known to pregnant women that they and the children they carry under their hearts are held in prayer every day by an “informal alliance of contemplative nuns who choose to reach out to our sisters,” and “to share with them our love and assurance that we are with them in prayer,” as described on the community’s website, seekingthefaceofgod.org.
“This is for the people who don’t know we’re here,” Sister Gabriela explained. “People suffer from isolation – especially young people, even with modern communication. This is a way we can reach out, besides our website and answering letters, to people struggling with problems who most need our prayers.”
The program provides a statement poster expressing support for expectant mothers, a version of that in a letter to individual mothers, and a card with a personal message. It reads: “Contemplative Nuns hold you and your unborn child in prayer! Dear Friend, you are precious in God’s eyes, and we enfold you in our love! May you discover your value and dignity. May God guide you to the resources that you want for yourself and your child.”
Joan
Fasanello, executive director
at Life Choices, Inc. in Phillipsburg, a resource center for expectant and new mothers, has relied on the prayers of the contemplative sisters for years. “More than 25 years ago, I wrote to the Carmelite monastery asking prayers for Life Choices,” Fasanello said. “The sisters responded that they were praying for us. I wrote again after 25 years with the same request, and got a response from the Mother Superior that they had been praying for us every day. It was moving to know that we had not been forgotten. All along, when we saw the Lord’s guiding hand, it was probably the sisters’ prayers at work!”
Knowing that they are uniquely being held in prayer helps to give women facing a challenging pregnancy the courage they need. “When they find out there is help,” Fasanello said, “they are still scared, but there are these prayers that can help them find the courage they need. When we hold people in prayer, we are not trying to persuade or dissuade them, but instead, just to support them. The kindness and joy make them feel welcome. It has an amazing effect.”
The Contemplatives for Life effort has drawn the attention and support of Church leaders. Bishop James F. Checchio wrote to the sisters, saying: “Please be assured of my prayers and my blessing for the Contemplatives for Life initiative. May your community’s prayers release the power of God into the lives of women and families that are in need.”
of the Washington Province of Discalced Carmelites, expressed similar hopes for the initiative. “Contemplative prayer, contemplative love, penetrates and radiates beyond walls and frontiers,” he wrote.
Sisters of Life, a religious community established by then Archbishop of New York Cardinal John O’Connor and dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the sacredness of life, plans to share the materials with those they serve in their missions across the country. The Diocese of Metuchen Office of Human Life and Dignity will also use the materials in support of expectant mothers in its work. It wasn’t long after Contemplatives for Life began that the Carmelite sisters in Flemington realized they could expand their outreach to other groups who would be lifted up by the knowledge that they would be held in prayer. “Mothers and fathers who have lost children, couples who are trying to conceive,” are among other groups for whom the sisters have created dedicated prayer cards.
“Our hope is that we will be able to help someone,” Sister Gabriela concluded, convinced of the power of prayer. “We are often asked to pray, but rarely hear about the results. We’re not used to hoping for feedback. That’s part of living in faith.”
Your essential guide to diocesan personnel and services, featuring:
• Diocesan Offices and Staff
• Clergy Directory
• Parish and School Information
• Healthcare & Social Services
• Consecrated Life, and so much more
At just $35 a copy, order yours today!
Order four or more copies, pay $32 each
To place your order, return the form on the right with your check payable to The Catholic Spirit:
The Catholic Spirit, Diocesan Directory, P.O. Box 191, Metuchen, NJ 08840-0191
For additional information or to pay by credit card, call Mary G. at 732-529-7934
Father Daniel Chowning, provincial
All of the Contemplatives for Life materials are available at no cost, although donations are welcome to cover printing and mailing costs. They can be obtained by emailing Contemplatives for Life at contemplativesforlife@gmail.com
YES! I wish to place an order for the 2025 diocesan directory:
Contact name:
Mailing address:
Number of copies you wish to order at $35 each or four or more copies at $32 each
Total enclosed (Payment must accompany your order): $
Date
By Sister Anna Nguyen, SCC Delegate for Consecrated Life
Consecrated life is a call from God to a lifetime of radical discipleship shaped by the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience, commonly known as religious vows. These vows are not simply vows, but a way of life aims to embody the life of Jesus Christ on earth while giving witness to a prophetic message of hope anchored in the promises for a life of happiness with God. Consecrated life is a journey to be walked, not alone, but in communion with all heading toward heaven. While on the way, with God’s help, one works on personal holiness as well as on aid ing each other to achieve sainthood as Church, the Bride of Christ. The human experience of the journey of life here and now could be scarred by psychological, emotional, social and physical suffering, not to mention the hardship brought about by wars and natural disasters.
In this human experience, what is the purpose behind a vocation to give oneself in totality to God? Many explanations may have been given in answering this question, but are they satisfactory? Or is there more to learn?
In the last couple weeks, I watched the recordings on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) of the opening of the five Holy Doors. I was moved by the opening of the Holy Door at the Rebibbia prison, a correctional institute in Rome. I watched it several times. At the Holy Door of the Rebibbia prison, Pope Francis stood up from his wheelchair, knocked on the bronze door, and then he walked through the Door once it opened. The cameras zeroed in on the face of Pope Francis as well as on the faces of those present. In attendance were a mix of Church as well as prison officials, some inmates and others.
At the homily, our Holy Father went off script to speak from his heart. At the end of Mass, Pope Francis lingered to allow people in the audience to come up to greet him. The audio was off during informal greetings of the Pope so one could not hear conversations. However,
one could see. I found myself mesmerized looking at the faces that the cameras captured, especially those of the inmates. Our Holy Father took time looking into the eyes of each greeter and spoke to him or her with ease and personal. When all the greeters had stepped off the altar, Pope Francis waved for the microphone to be brought to him. He then reminded everyone to hang on to the rope of hope while making hand motions of pulling on a rope.
I became curious wondering how many popes had opened Holy Doors at prisons in the past. I then typed the question asking the artificial intelligence on my computer. AI said, “According to recent reports, Pope Francis made history by opening a “Holy Door” at the Rebibbia prison in Rome, marking the first time a pope has dedicated a prison door as a Holy Door in the history of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee tradition; this occurred during the 2025 Jubilee year of Hope.”
Perhaps they too made history by their heroic choice of action. When the war in Ukraine broke, many Sisters, Brothers, and Priests of their congregations and federations chose to stay in Ukraine to help their fellow citizens while most ran for safety. Additionally, there were consecrated persons who lived in nearby countries such as Siberia, Russia, Poland, Italy, and Germany to name a few. They opened their residences, monasteries, and convents to the war victims who had fled their country. The hospitality offered at these locations did not stop at food and shelter. The religious ensured that children had a safe place to play and schools to continue their formal education. They assisted adults to find work. And eventually, each family unit had a place of their own to call ‘home’ in new countries.
In the United States, religious congregations responded concurrently stepping beyond their capacity of service. They called on the generosity of their own members and associates, parishes and schools, various organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, the Rosarians, individual families, and many more. These individuals shipped countless care packages to help the Ukrainian refugees, many of whom were women and children.
Significant to my ministry are the consecrated women and men living and working in our Diocese of Metuchen.
Left, Little Servants of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Stara Wieś, Poland, prepare sandwiches for Ukrainian refugees. —Vatican News photo Among six million refugees fleeing Ukraine across Europe due to the Ukraine war, Baby Julia, above, at seven months (now two years old), along with her mother and her other relatives, top photo, fled their country, making it to Paderborn, Germany where the Sisters of Christian Charity took them in, providing a safe place to live, schooling for children and work for adults. Pictured, back row, Sister Clara Schmiegel, and front row, her aunt, Sister Ines Schmiegel. —Photos courtesy of the Sisters of Christian Charity, Germany
The World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, celebrated Feb. 2, was established by St. John Paul II in 1997 to be celebrated at the same time as the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord – also known as Candlemas Day. Through the symbolic lighting of candles, Candlemas Day commemorates Jesus as the light of the world. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops reminds us that, in the same way, consecrated men and women are called to
spread the light and love of Jesus Christ through their unique witness of selfless service, such as caring for the poor, the contemplative work of prayer, or through their professional careers.
May we hold our consecrated sisters and brothers in prayer:
“God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as sisters, brothers, religious priests, consecrated virgins, and
Tying together the shining examples of Pope Francis and the religious around the globe, I gain greater insight into the purpose of the call to follow Jesus more closely. It demands nothing short of heroism. This type of heroism and compassion does not happen spontaneously, unless first, the doors of one’s heart stand open to God’s call in Isaiah, “Comfort, give comfort to my people …” (Isaiah 40:1). That every tear be wiped away and that each person encountered be given hope of a better tomorrow.
May the blazing fire of hope which is Christ, our Savior, be for you today and the days to come the comfort that you give readily to His people. May this flame within you continue to burn brightly guiding all on pilgrimage to the heavenly Jerusalem. May you know the certitude that you have made an impact. Let us celebrate you! You are in my grateful prayers. Congratulations!
hermits, as well as members of Secular Institutes. Renew their knowledge and love of you, and send your Holy Spirit to help them respond generously and courageously to your will. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
(U.S. Bishops’ Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrate Life and Vocations).
General Information
Recognized Academic Excellence in the Catholic Tradition
Kindergarten – 8th Grade – Cognia Accredited
Full Day Pre K-3 and Pre K-4 Programs
Extended Childcare Program (Before & After Care)
Nurturing, Family Environment with Electronic Surveillance
Full Time Nurse, School Counselor, and Security Director
Fully Automated Lending Library
Modern Gym Facility and Dedicated Art and Music Classrooms
Newly Renovated Gym
Independent Pre K and K-8 Playgrounds
Busing Available through Townships
NO MANDATORY SERVICE HOURS OR BINGO REQUIRED!
FREE BEFORE SCHOOL CARE FOR GRADES K-8 FROM 6:45 AM
Guided Learning Stations Differentiated Instruction
Spanish Pre K
Weekly PE, Art, Music, and Technology Classes
Innovative Collaborative Classroom
Homework
STEM Programs
Art Club
Sign Language
Cooking Club
Yearbook Club
Baseball
Coding Club
Newspaper Club
Basketball
Softball
Cross Country and Spring Track Volleyball
“Today the Church celebrates the manifestation of Jesus, and the Gospel concentrates on the Magi, who at the end of a long journey reach Jerusalem to adore Jesus.
“If we look closely, we will discover something a bit stranger: while these wise men from far away come to find Jesus, those who were close by do not take one step towards the grotto in Bethlehem. Drawn and guided by the star, the Magi face enormous expenses, make their time available, accept the many risks and uncertainties of which there was no shortage in those times. And yet they overcome every difficulty to get to see the King Messiah, because they know that something unique is happening in the history of humanity, and they do not want to miss the event. …
“Instead, those who live in Jerusa-
lem, who should be the happiest and the most prompt to rush, stay still. The priests and theologians correctly interpret the Sacred Scriptures and provide directions to the Magi about where to find the Messiah, but they do not move from their “desks.”
They are satisfied with what they have, and they do not go seeking …
“This fact, sisters and brothers, makes us reflect and in a certain sense provokes us, because it raises a question: to what category do we, I, belong today? Are we more similar to the shepherds, who on the very night itself go in haste to the grotto, and the Magi from the east, who set out confidently in search of the Son of God made man; or are we more similar to those who, despite being physically very close to Him, do not open the doors of their heart and their life, remaining closed and
Our Epiphany is when we learn that love restores the broken soul
insensitive to Jesus’ presence?
“Let us ask ourselves this question. To which group of people do I belong? According to a story, a fourth King arrives late in Jerusalem, precisely during Jesus’ crucifixion – this is a beautiful story; it is not historical, but it is a beautiful story –because he stopped along the way to help those in need, giving them the precious gifts he had brought for Jesus. Finally, an old man arrived and said to him: “In truth I say to you, all that you have done for the least of your brothers, you have done it for me.” The Lord knows everything that we have done for others.
“Let us ask the Virgin Mary to help us so that, imitating the shepherds and the Magi, we are able to recognize Jesus close by, in the poor, in the Eucharist, in the abandoned, in our brother, in our sister.”
Everyday when I get to my office, the first thing I do is place a few drops of frankincense oil in a small jar set before an image of the Holy Family and a number of other icons. On the Feast of Epiphany, known also as Three Kings Day, I decided to do a little research on frankincense – one of the gifts to the Holy Family after Jesus’ birth.
I discovered a very interesting article by archaeologist and anthropologist K. Kris Hirst, who shared that frankincense, “an ancient and fabled aromatic tree resin” has been reported in historical writings since 1500 BC. and is still popular not only for its aromatic properties but for cosmetic and medicinal use, as well.
This is not the first time I’ve read something by Hirst. I have always been fascinated by archaeology, most likely due my father’s small library filled with books on ancient ruins and civilizations. Nothing fascinated me more than the prospect of unearthing the artifacts of some unknown people.
As a mother, my dreams of pursuing archaeology were limited to discovering Matchbox cars in my filled Jello-mold or uncovering small treasures in the local antique stores.
During one of my trips to such a place in Pennsylvania, I came across a very old sepia painting of the Holy Family. It wasn’t so much beautiful as mesmerizing. The baby Jesus is laying in a wicker basket, his arms outstretched to Mary who is leaning over him, gazing at him lovingly.
Because we know Mary, we know that Jesus will find a mother who responds totally in love to her child. But what if Mary had rejected Jesus when he reached out for
her, as a baby or as a child growing up?
Facing rejection, would Jesus have had the powerful sense of self, sense of value, which enabled him to embrace his cross? Would he have possessed the strength to allow himself to be vulnerable or the courage to stay the course? Would he have loved with the fullness of Divine love?
How would he have dealt with the powerful rejections of his adulthood, especially those he loved most, like Peter who denied even knowing him?
St. Teresa of Calcutta, who saw the face of rejection daily, wrote poignantly about the power of rejection to damage the human heart and soul: “Hungry not only for bread – but for love. Naked, not only for clothing – but naked for human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for a room of bricks – but homeless because of rejection.”
Mother Teresa was not an archaeologist per se, but like so many in ministry she spent her time unearthing the greatest of all treasures – the human person. For her, the divine child was often buried in a body covered by abscesses or so malnourished they appeared as a skeleton with a mere painting of skin.
For us who minister in our contemporary culture we often discover that those with whom we engage each day, especially our youth, are often struggling with the poverty of spirit that comes from feeling rejected, broken, and thereby believing themselves unloveable.
The ultimate goal of archaeology, wrote Hirst, “is to add to our understanding of the world, sort of ‘A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,’ Planet Earth Division.”
In a similar way, uncovering the human person should add to our understanding of each person as a child of God. The unique aspect of archaeology in any situation is that understanding comes from collecting the broken pieces and recreating the whole. It is no different with a broken soul.
Come visit our Open House January 26, 2025, 11:30 am - 1pm
● Curriculum that highlights academic excellence
● 1:1 Chromebooks for Grades K-8 integrated with Google Classroom; iPads for Pre-K class
● Schoolwide STREAM theme incorporated into the curriculum
● Technology and Science Labs, Library, and designated Art, Music, Spanish and PE classrooms
● Extracurricular enrichment opportunities, such as basketball, track, research club, choir, drama and handbells
● Variety of lunchtime clubs: Chess, Finance, Math, Book Club
● Spacious classrooms equipped with Smart Boards/Promethean boards
● Certified teachers and Cognia Accredited school
● Before and after care available for all students
● 2018 National Blue Ribbon School Award
● Tuition assistance available Scan our
FEBRUARY 28 –MARCH 2, 2025
Is your marriage going down the right road . . . or is it a little off track? Life can be difficult, and so can the challenges you face in marriage. Does the distance between you seem wide? Are you already separated? Looking for a better way? Retrouvaille can help and offers hope for a better relationship. Retrouvaille is a peer ministry of volunteer couples that can help you learn the tools of healthy communication, build intimacy and heal, just as they have done in their own marriages. Retrouvaille is Christianbased, and Catholic in origin, but welcomes couples of all faiths as well as non-religious couples. Retrouvaille can help get your relationship back on track.
Many of us notice how the neighbors who put up their Christmas decorations right after Thanksgiving, are often found taking these down the day after Christmas. They do not even leave these up until the Baptism of the Lord, the last day of liturgical season of Christmas. When we consider how much work often goes into outdoor lights, the Nativity Scene indoors and the Christmas Tree, it seems so sad that just a few days after the bleak winter solstice, people are in a rush to take down and pack away these beautiful symbols of the Yuletide Season. That is, of course, if you are not of eastern European descent.
Have you ever wondered why Czechs, Slovaks, Poles, Lithuanians, Ukrainians and Hungarians leave their decorations up until “Little Christmas,” that is, February 2? This is liturgically the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, when Catholics have the candles used for Church purposes blessed.
Whence arose the name “Candlemas Day?” This custom of leaving up the Christmas decorations goes back to medieval days when Europeans took down their decorations because, traditionally, this marked the official end of the Christmas season, which was 40 days long.
Some folks took the decorations down on February 2 because they believed that decorations left up beyond Feb. 2 would be possessed by goblins.
This writer believes that the eastern European custom of leaving Christmas decorations up until February 2, exactly 40 days after Christmas day, is a wonderful practice. Think about it. With all of the activities which accompany the celebration of Jesus’ birth, many of us get swept up with baking cookies, stolen, babka, pizzelle and panettoni. We are wrapping gifts. We are cooking foods that our parents and grandparents made to celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We are entertaining family and friends.
But how many of us in this short period actually take the time to contemplate the wonder and awe of the Incarnation? How many of us get to gaze on the beauty of lights which adorn our homes? How many of us can share why the ornaments on our Christmas trees are so significant? The truth is, we cannot do any of these things. Still, for those who are not in a rush to tear down the Christmas decorations and enjoy them for a longer period of time, we might find this fairly short liturgical season full of meaning that eluded us in years past.
—CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz
We are people of faith, not slaves of superstition, nor should our observances be dictated by Hallmark cards (Valentine Cards appear days after Christmas). We should leave our Christmas decorations up at least until the Solemnity of the Epiphany, also called “Feast of the Three Kings.” Let us use the extended days of lights, Nativity Scenes and Christmas Trees to instruct our children and grandchildren about our faith in the miracle of the Nativity of the Lord. Let us use this time to revel in the merciful love of God the Father who, through the power of the Holy Spirit, sent us his only Son, not to condemn us but to save us, from Satan’s grip, from Adam’s sin, from ourselves. This Son, born of a virgin, came among us, as one of us, in all ways but sin. Come, let us adore him, not until January 6, not until February 2 but year-round.
Father Comandini serves as diocesan coordinator of the Office for Ongoing Faith Formation.
There is a story about the renowned symphony conductor, Arturo Toscanini. It is said that during the rehearsal with a symphony orchestra, Toscanini suddenly stopped the whole orchestra in mid-measure and announced accusingly, “I cannot hear ze second floot!” In the flood of music of a hundred-piece orchestra, Toscanini’s refined ear had perceived that a sound was lacking: the sound of a secondary instrument. Those missing notes of one line of music distorted the whole harmony. It was not that the second flute was playing the wrong notes. There was nothing incorrect in its line of melody. It was simply not bearing its part of the harmony, and it is the harmony that makes the symphony.
We are not used to thinking harmoniously, unless we are musicians, and true musicians at that. We notice much more the soloists, the leaders, the ones who stand out, the first violinist who leads the orchestra. Too often, we think of an orchestra as simply furnishing a background for one or another notable player. With that outlook, the background becomes accidental, unnecessary,
disposable. It would never occur to us that a second flute is indispensable. We do not think symphonically.
The Church has been called a symphony. It is the harmony of the truths of the faith, of the interaction of believers that makes the Church. We often forget this. We honor the soloists, the saints, the individuals who stand out, and this is good, but for each saint there was a time when they did not stand out. They were not noticeable often for much of their lives. They were the second flutes of the Church, the second fiddles of their communities, and in most cases, people took little notice of them.
Very few of us stand out in our world. Often, very few of us even stand out among our families, friends and colleagues. We don’t even rank as second fiddles. Yet when we try to live the faith that we believe, we are singing in harmony with the saints and angels, and that music changes the world. It may not be noticeable, but nevertheless, the change is real because it is brought about by the Holy Spirit.
We don’t think of the Holy Spirit as having much impact in our lives, but, as one Dominican wrote, grace can be as simple as a bit of common sense. A smile, a “please” or “thank you” can be a work of the Holy Spirit, and what the Holy Spirit does, makes a difference.
A symphony is made up of notes. Different notes, played by different instruments, most of them being so short
that they last less than a second. All the notes come together and form the beauty of the symphony. A word, a look, a smile, a helping hand, these are all little actions, as small and short as the notes in a symphony, but they are all inspired by the same love flowing from the heart of God, and they form an inaudible harmony heard only by those who are aware of the Musician who inspires them. We are not used to listening to this silent music, and we too often forget to join in, but the Conductor will rap his baton on the music stand and point it at us and say, “I cannot hear you!”
Make your music heard! Make your love seen! Each time we leave Mass we
carry with us the infinite graces of God’s truth and love. That is more than enough to carry us through the challenges of life. It can carry us through them with peace and joy that come from knowing that we are not alone. God is with us. He comes to us at every Mass and he stays with us at every second. Most of us can only do little things, like St. Thérèse of Lisieux, but those little things change the world around us. They add up and create a symphony of love to transform our world.
Sister Gabriela of the Incarnation is a member of the Discalced Carmelites order in Flemington. Learn more at www. flemingtoncarmel.org.
Lately, I feel like I have become one of the “older folk” I noticed at daily Mass throughout my life. Years ago I wondered why there were not more pressing things for them to do. Years later I realized that they were actually onto something and I was the oblivious one. They knew that Mass is the best way to start the day and the most important place to be on earth.
While I always believed Mass was important, I lacked full appreciation for the miracle that was taking place on the altar. Similarly, we sometimes neglect to notice the miracles of nature, like the beauty of blooming flowers, except that the miracle at Mass is the greatest of them all.
Christians believe God’s Word is true and that the miracles of Jesus recorded in scripture actually occurred. Not only do they reveal God’s omnipotence, but they also demonstrate his desire to heal us, to restore us and to make us new.
Yet, when it comes to the Eucharist it seems the majority of Christians and Catholics are not convinced of the miracle of transubstantiation, even though Christ’s words in John 6 are very clear. Transubstantiation, which means to transform a substance into something beyond what it was, occurs during Consecration when the host becomes Christ’s body and blood. Jesus said, “My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me” John 6:55-56.
This past summer, at the National Eucharistic Congress, I was moved by the impassioned talk given by Father Robert Spitzer, S.J., philosopher, author and president of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith. He spoke of the many Eucharistic miracles, especially the Buenos Aires miracle in 1996 that converted atheist scientist Dr. Ricardo Castañón Gómez. A woman found an abandoned host in a church and brought it to the priest, Father Alejandro Pezet. Father Pezet placed it into a glass of water so it could dissolve and be properly disposed into a sacrarium. A few days later, however, a big red ring and what looked like actual flesh was seen growing out of the host.
Perhaps providentially, Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, was the prelate at the time. When
investigated and approved: Legnica, Poland 2013; Chirattakonam, India, 2001; Tixtla, Mexico, 2006; and Sokolka, Poland, 2008. Perhaps they have all occurred recently to awaken us to the miracle that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus came to us in the flesh through Mary, a sinless virgin, and gave us his whole self for all eternity.
Everything at Mass is oriented toward our personal encounter with Jesus. The altar is the Source of all Grace. We are body and soul, yet many of us neglect our need for spiritual healing. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).
The Eucharist has become my spiritual nourishment, my anti-anxiety medicine and my saving grace all in one. Whenever I am feeling stressed, down, confused or hopeless I know my Divine Healer will help me and strengthen me. I know that he is there, in the Tabernacle, waiting for me. He’s the one I can always count on. As my unworthy self approaches the altar, I am overcome with gratitude that very soon my soul shall be healed.
Anna M. Githens is a freelance writer with a career background in finance, teaching and journalism. She holds an MA in Theology, a BA in Economics and a Certification in Theology of the Body.
he was notified he said not to remove the host and to take photos so it could be studied. After remaining in water for three years it still hadn’t dissolved and the ring of flesh became more evident. Bishop Bergoglio said to bring it to a lab for investigation. Dr. Gómez, the scientist leading the investigation, took out a sliver and sent it to pathologist and cardiologist, Dr. Frederick Zugibe, at New York University.
“When Dr. Zugibe got the sample back he was absolutely floored,” said Father Spitzer. The host contained numerous white blood cells, which only live for a short time, so they had to be taken from a living heart.
“It’s literally wounded tissue,” Father Spitzer affirmed. “What you see is the fragmenting and the segmenting that is present in the heart tissue just before a heart dies. White blood cells are trying to heal the heart tissue because the heart has undergone a polytrauma. It’s a wounded heart.” The pathology report lists the blood type as AB, the universal blood type and the same blood type extracted from the Shroud of Turin.
Father Spitzer thinks God has allowed these investigations because in our secular world so many today want scientific proof. “Well, all I can tell you is, science is giving us a whole lot of evidence right here,” he said, “giving it 2000 years later.” Dr. Gomez is now a Catholic.
The following four additional Eucharistic miracles have been thoroughly
By Christina Leslie, Contributing Editor
Catholics of the Diocese of Metuchen gathered in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Dec. 28 were united in joy with brethren from around the world as they declared they were “Pilgrims of Hope” at the start of the 2025 Jubilee Year.
Bishop James F. Checchio served as principal celebrant and homilist for the liturgy – celebrating the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph – which began in the cathedral’s narthex. Concelebrating with the Bishop were Father Jonathan S. Toborowsky, vicar general; Father Timothy A. Christy, Cathedral rector, and priests of the diocese. The priests carried a larger-than-life crucifix commissioned for the Jubilee Year, which thereafter would designate the Cathedral as an official pilgrimage site for the Metuchen Diocese.
“In fellowship with the universal Church as we celebrate the love of the Father that reveals itself in the flesh of the word made man, and in the sign of the cross, the anchor of salvation, we solemnly open the jubilee year for the Church of Metuchen,” the Bishop prayed. “This rite is for us the prelude for a rich experience of grace and mercy. We are ready always to respond to whoever asks us the reason for the hope that is in us … May Christ our peace and our hope be our compassion on the journey in this year of grace and consolation, and may the Holy Spirit who today begins this work, both in us and with us, bring it to completion in the day of Christ Jesus.”
The Gospel reading from St. John wherein Jesus assures his disciples that he was the way and the truth and the life was proclaimed, and excerpts from the papal bull of indiction of the Jubilee Year Spes Non Confundit (Hope Does Not Disappoint) were shared with the congregation. The blessing of water in the Baptismal font and the sprinkling of the people at their renewal of Baptismal promises preceded the clergy’s procession to the altar.
In his homily, Bishop Checchio stated that generations of faithful throughout the history of the Church heard the message “be not afraid,” and no matter how long it seemed, God’s timetable was his alone.
“In some way, it will all be clear to
us,” the Bishop said. “Salvation comes to us through Emmanuel. God is with us in Jesus’ birth. We are to rejoice and live in joyful hope.”
He continued, “Today we start this Jubilee Year, and the theme chosen by our Holy Father is ‘Pilgrims of Hope.’
Hope is one of the most essential characteristics of the people of God in the scriptures. Christ founded his Church to be an instrument of hope in the world. You and I are now the body of Christ; we must cultivate this hope in our lives and
share it with others.”
Bishop Checchio concluded, “God is continually working out his plan for us, sustaining our faith and offering hope. If we take the time to listen to him, the Lord will speak those words to us: be not afraid… As we begin this Jubilee Year of hope, remember God’s greatest desire is to be with us. Let us make a pledge to do something more for him: in this year of hope, let us share love and hope from him with others.”
4 - Bishop Checchio prays before the diocesan Jubilee Cross. Rather than allowing for Holy Doors as in past Jubilee Years, the Vatican asked that a Jubilee Cross, significant to each diocese, be erected for veneration in the sanctuaries of cathedrals around the world.
5 - Bishop Checchio holds the diocesan Jubilee Cross aloft at the start of the Mass. Father Roy Quesea, diocesan vice chancellor, commissioned and refurbished the more-than-100 year-old cross which originally came from St. Mary Hospital, Hoboken.
6 – Priests of the Diocese concelebrate the Mass along with their shepherd.
—Hal Brown photos
sign of hope
By Mary Morrell, Editor-in-Chief
“In a world in which progress and regression are intertwined, the Cross of Christ remains an anchor of salvation: a sign of hope that does not disappoint because it is founded on the love of God, merciful and faithful” (Pope Francis, General Audience, Piazza San Pietro – 21 September 2022).
In cathedrals and co-cathedrals around the world, the opening of the Jubilee Year 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope took place Dec. 28-29. The Vatican issued specific instructions about how the inauguration Mass was to be celebrated, including requiring that a cross of significance to the Diocese be used in the opening ceremony.
Father Timothy A. Christy, rector of the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, explained that, unlike Jubilee 2000, which allowed for Holy Doors to be the outward symbols of the year, “this Jubilee Year it would be a large cross placed in the sanctuary of cathedrals throughout the world which would serve as the focal sign of the Jubilee Year, marking the cathedral as a principal pilgrimage site for the local Church.”
The Diocese’s Jubilee Cross was commissioned by Father Roy Quesea, diocesan vice chancellor and priest secretary to Bishop James F. Checchio. Every cathedral has its own story about their Jubilee Cross. Ours, in the Diocese of Metuchen, starts with the gift of an old, battered crucifix with the right arm broken into pieces. Father Quesea recalled: “Just days before her retirement as director of the Office of Discipleship Formation for Children in 2023, Carol Mascola gave me the crucifix in pretty bad shape. It had been sitting in my office since June of last year, and only in December did I have the opportunity to begin working on its restoration. I had no idea where it would end up hanging until Father Tim Christy asked me about a cross for the opening of the Jubilee Year. I reached out to a good carpenter who agreed to work on the wooden cross and base for free, and the corpus I was restoring fit perfectly. The rest, as they say, is history.”
Father Quesea discovered that the original crucifix, which is more than 100 years old, came from St. Mary’s Hospital, located in Hoboken. It belonged to the religious order of Franciscan sisters who staffed the hospital until its closing and hung in their chapel. Mascola’s brother, Daniel Curin Jr., who is now deceased, worked at the hospital from the age of 16 and was employed there some 30 years, until it closed. Mascola said, “He was very close to the sisters and would be so happy to know the cross has been restored.”
The work of restoring the crucifix for its role as the Jubilee Cross was especially meaningful, said Father Quesea.
“For me, restoring the corpus of the crucifix was challenging, but not as challenging as restoring justice in the Church (the Corpus/Body of Christ) during a Jubilee Year – a significant theme that aligns with the goals of reconciliation, healing, and renewal, which are central to the spirit of Jubilee in Christian tradition,” he said. “More than a privilege and honor, it is a blessing to spend time reflecting on Jesus’s paschal mystery while working on the broken image, and to thank God for the gift of talent. Thank God for the Jubilee Year!”
The Cathedral of St. Francis plans to host several opportunities throughout the year where public Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as well as increased hours of Confessions will be made available to assist pilgrims in entering into the spirit and intention of this year, said Father Christy, adding, “Our Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi is joyful to welcome participants throughout the year to enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s redemption He won for us on Calvary.”
At top, a family prays together at the Jubilee Mass celebrating the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Bottom, Father Jonathan S. Toborowsky, vicar general, explains the significance of both the Jubilee Cross and an indulgence during the Jubilee Year. —Hal Brown photos
Following the liturgy, Father Toborowsky reminded the congregation that, on Christmas Eve in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, Pope Francis had opened the Holy Year Jubilee doors “and the ripple effects have made their way here now and in all the cathedral churches around the world,” he said. “As we now enter into this sacred time, this Jubilee Year, we are to be pilgrims of hope to others, a foretaste of what waits for us in heaven.”
Gesturing towards the Jubilee Cross standing before him, the vicar general explained, “What you see here now, this beautiful work of art commissioned for this Jubilee Year, is the Jubilee Cross which is traditionally the focal point of a cathedral church.” Rather than designate holy doors in all cathedrals around the world as did Pope St. John Paul II a quarter-century before, the Vatican has issued specific instructions to require “a cross of significance to the diocese” be used in the liturgy.
“The treasury of the Church is the jubilee indulgence,” Father Toborowsky continued. “It is a privilege to pray not only for ourselves but for those gone before us.” To obtain the jubilee indulgence, he stated, faithful must receive Holy
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In the quiet of Christmas Eve, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, launching what he called a “Jubilee of Hope.”
As the doors opened, the bells of the basilica began to peal.
After the reading of a brief passage from the Gospel of John in which Jesus describes himself as “the door,” Pope Francis briefly left the atrium of the basilica. Three minutes later, the Pope returned. He was pushed in his wheelchair up the ramp to the Holy Door. In silence, he raised himself from the chair to knock five times, and aides inside slowly opened the door, which had been framed in a garland of green pine branches, decorated with red roses and gold pinecones.
Opening the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica has been a fixture of the Catholic Church’s celebration of jubilee years since the Holy Year 1450, the Vatican said.
Pope Francis chose “Pilgrims of Hope” as the theme for the Holy Year 2025, which began Dec. 24 and will run through Jan. 6, 2026.
The rite of opening the decorated bronze door began inside the basilica with the reading in different languages of biblical passages prophesying the birth of the savior “who brings his kingdom of peace into our world,” as the lector explained.
Then, to emphasize how the birth of Jesus “proclaims the dawn of hope in our world,” the Gospel of St. Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus was proclaimed.
Echoing the biblical jubilee themes of reconciliation and forgiveness, Pope Francis prayed that the Holy Spirit would soften hardened hearts so that “enemies may speak to each other again, adversaries may join hands and people seek to meet together.”
“Grant that the church may bear faithful witness to your love and may shine forth as a vital sign of the blessed hope of your kingdom,” he prayed.
Continued from page 18
Communion, pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, receive the Sacrament of Confession, and participate in religious activities pertaining to the Jubilee Year.
Though the documents consider the Cathedral to be the main place to come and make our pilgrimage, Bishop Checchio has designated three additional shrines of the Diocese as places of pilgrimage: the Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, Raritan; the National Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Washington, and the National Shrine of St. Lucy Filippini inside St. Mary of Mt. Virgin Church, New Brunswick.
Father Toborowsky announced the creation of a new website filled with a wealth of information on the Jubilee Year. Available at diometuchen.org/jubilee-2025, it includes links to resources from the Holy See and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; a copy of the papal bull of indiction; a Jubilee prayer and information on where and how to obtain an indulgence during the Jubilee Year. The Diocese of Metuchen will make available a schedule of upcoming events during the Jubilee Year online, and a Jubilee app for smartphones is in the development phase.
Normally the Holy Door, to the right of the basilica’s center doors, remains sealed with bricks, a symbolic reminder of the barrier of sin between people and God. The 16 panels on the bronze doors illustrate key moments in salvation history, including the fall of Adam and Eve, the annunciation of Jesus’ birth, Christ presented as the shepherd rescuing a lost sheep, the crucifixion and the risen Jesus appearing to the disciples.
Ten children from 10 different countries, holding hands with their parents, crossed the threshold after the Pope and the altar servers, but before the cardinals and bishops. Then 54 people from 27 nations – including the United States and Canada, Australia, Tanzania and Togo, Venezuela and Vietnam – passed through. Many of them wore the traditional dress of their nations or ethnic groups.
Migrants,
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis has asked Catholics around the world to pray with him in January that migrants, refugees and victims of war will have a chance for an education. “Let us pray for migrants, refugees and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected,” was the prayer intention he chose for the start of the New Year. The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, formerly called the Apostleship of Prayer, is a Jesuit-run out-
reach that has given Catholics the pope’s monthly prayer intentions since 1890. Pope Francis records a short video reflection on each month’s prayer, and his first video for 2025 was released Jan. 2.
The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network illustrates Pope Francis’ prayer intention for January 2025: “For the right to an education,” particularly the right of migrants, refugees and those affected by war. —CNS photo/courtesy Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network
WASHINGTON (OSV News) – Highlighting the intersection of bioethics and human rights, a prominent bioethicist argued in an Oct. 8 address that public bioethics should seek to foster human flourishing. O. Carter Snead, a law professor of Law at the University of Notre Dame, made the comments in delivering the seventh annual Human Rights Lecture hosted by the Institute for Human Ecology at The Catholic University of America in Washington. Snead, former director of Notre Dame’s de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture, is the
author of “What It Means to Be Human: The Case for the Body in Public Bioethics.” In considering the bioethical questions surrounding a public policy proposal, Snead said, the question should be asked: “What is the vision of the human person and human flourishing that underwrites, undergirds and anchors the long policy issue?” He explained, “It’s a question in the sort of original sense of anthropology, not in the academic sense, but rather an account of what it means to be and flourish as a human being.” That question, he said, “becomes the measuring stick” to evaluate a host of issues, from “abortion, assisted reproductive technologies and end of life decision-making, including euthanasia and assisted suicide,” and prevents policy from remaining in the abstract rather than being evaluated by how it impacts human beings.
O. Carter Snead, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame, delivers the seventh annual Human Rights Lecture hosted by The Catholic University of America’s Institute for Human Ecology in Washington Oct. 8, 2024. —OSV News photo/courtesy The Catholic University of America
NEW ORLEANS (OSV News) – Several Catholic high schools are mourning former students among the victims of a Jan. 1 terrorist attack in New Orleans. Fourteen people were killed and dozens wounded after a rented pickup truck driven by suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar plowed into New Year’s Eve revelers on Bourbon Street. Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran born and raised in Texas, was also killed in a subsequent gunfire exchange with police. The FBI is investigating the massacre as a terrorist attack, citing an Islamic State flag found in Jabbar’s truck and statements made by Jabbar ahead of the attack. Two of those killed in the New Orleans attack, Martin “Tiger” Bech, Jr. and Hubert Gauthreaux, had attended Catholic high schools in Louisiana, while
A man reacts near a makeshift memorial in New Orleans Jan. 2, 2025, following a terrorist attack in which at least 14 people were killed and dozens more injured by a man driving a pickup truck into a crowd during New Year’s celebrations in New Orleans’ famed French Quarter early Jan. 1. The suspect was shot to death by police, authorities said. —OSV News photo/Eduardo Munoz, Reuters
Ryan Quigley – one of the injured, who was a former college teammate of Bech and his current coworker in New York – was a graduate of a suburban Philadelphia Catholic high school. All of the schools posted tributes to their alumni on their social media pages, calling for prayers for them and for all affected.
Pope praises Jimmy Carter’s ‘deep Christian faith’
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Offering his condolences, Pope Francis praised former U.S. President Jimmy Carter’s Christian faith and his lifelong mission to advance peace. The Pope “was saddened to learn of the death of former President Jimmy Carter and offers heartfelt condolences,” said a telegram signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, on behalf of Pope Francis. Carter died Dec. 29 at age 100 in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. The Vatican telegram, released Dec. 30, said the Pope recalled President Carter’s “firm commitment, motivated by deep Christian faith, to the cause of reconciliation and peace between peoples, the defense of human rights and the welfare of the poor and those in need,” the telegram said. “The Holy Father commends him
Pope John Paul II meets with President Jimmy Carter, his wife, Rosalynn, and daughter, Amy, at the Vatican in June of 1980. A former aid to Carter recently acknowledged that a ‘’hot line’’ was established between the Vatican and the White House after the pope’s election in 1978. —CNS file photo, Oct. 30, 1998
to the infinite mercies of almighty God and prays for the consolation of all who mourn his loss.” An evangelical Christian, Carter became the first U.S. president to welcome a pope to the White House when he met with St. John Paul II in the Oval Office for over an hour in 1979. However full diplomatic relations between the United States and the Holy See were not established until 1984.
v a l u e s O u r s t u d e n t s a r e g u i d e d
b y e x p e r t t e a c h e r s , s u r r o u n d e d b y
k i n d n e s s a n d c o m p a s s i o n , a n d i n s p i r e d b y f a i t h a n d s e r v i c e .
1 0 0 % o f o u r g r a d u a t e s a r e o f f e r e d
a c c e p t a n c e t o t h e i r p r e f e r r e d h i g h s c h o o l .
Our New Testament readings this Sunday speak of the presence of Jesus in the Holy Spirit and the hope engendered by that presence. 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 me because he has anointed me” (Luke 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” (Luke 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, the ultimate inspiration of the people’s hope.
Second, Jesus has been sent “to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind” (Luke 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 long desired period of history.
Next, Jesus was commissioned “to let the oppressed go free” (Luke 4:18d), to release his people from the spiritual and physical ills that afflicted them. The power of the inbreaking 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.
Pope Francis ties these ancient encouragements towards hope to our current experiences during this Jubilee Year of Hope: “In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring. Even so, uncertainty about the future may at times give rise to conflicting feelings, ranging from confident trust to apprehensiveness,
from serenity to anxiety, from firm conviction to hesitation and doubt. Often we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness. For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope. God’s word helps us find reasons for that hope.” (Spes Non Confundit, 1). The ultimate source of the hope, even amid difficulties, is the same for those early hearers in Nazareth as it is for us today – Jesus, the Anointed One, the Lord!
Finally, Jesus came “to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord” (Luke 4:19). Such a year is often associated with the Biblical Jubilee tradition. Pope Francis discusses such a year as a time to “fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision … [contributing] greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire.” (Francis, Letter to Mons. Rino Fisichella, 4).
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” (Luke 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, enlivening our hope, continues in our world today through his Church. The Holy Father exhorts all the faithful, “May the witness of believers be for our world a leaven of authentic hope, a harbinger of new heavens and a new earth (cf. 2 Pet 3:13), where men and women will dwell in justice and harmony, in joyful expectation of the fulfilment of the Lord’s promises … Through our witness, may hope spread to all those who anxiously seek it. May the way we live our lives say to them in so many words: “Hope in the Lord! Hold firm, take heart and hope in the Lord!” (Ps 27:14). May the power of hope fill our days, as we await with confidence the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and glory, now and forever.” (Francis, Spes Non Confundit, 25).
Msgr. Fell is a Scripture scholar and director, diocesan Office for Priest Personnel.
than 17,000 Catholics gathered in Salt Lake City for the SEEK25 conference, hosted by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, from Jan. 1-5. Another 3,000 attended SEEK in Washington, from Jan. 2-5. This year also marked SEEK’s first foray into Europe as several hundred joined the FOCUS-run event in Cologne, Germany, from Dec. 31 to Jan. 2. Key moments at SEEK included daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, evangelizing session tracks, and powerful talks by figures like Father Mike Schmitz. The priest behind The Bible in a Year podcast reminded attendees that true
A view of the main stage at SEEK25 in Salt Lake City Jan. 4, 2025. —OSV News photo/courtesy FOCUS
happiness is found in Christ, not in seeking fulfillment apart from God. SEEK25 also helped participants explored deep themes like healing relationships, addressing issues like gender identity, and fostering missionary discipleship. For many participants, SEEK was transformative, sparking conversions among some and energizing faith among others. FOCUS founder Curtis Martin noted at a press conference that young people have tremendous power to influence lives by following Jesus as his disciples. Next year, SEEK will be held Jan. 1-5, 2026, in three U.S. cities: Columbus, Ohio; Denver and Fort Worth, Texas.
Gospel for January 26, 2025
Nehemiah 8: 2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 / Luke 1: 1-4, 4: 14-21
Following is a word search based on the First and Gospel readings for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C. The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle.
WATER GATE THE LAW BLESSED NEHEMIAH STRENGTH UNDERTAKEN TO WRITE GALILEE POWER NAZARETH TO READ ANOINTED ME POOR SENT ME SIGHT BLIND FREE SAT DOWN TODAY FULFILLED HEARING
St. Francis Cathedral School 528 Main Street, Metuchen
Join us as we
Sunday, January 26, 2025
Mass at noon
Classroom visits at 1pm
In a January 10 press release, Catholic Charities USA, announced, “As fast-moving wildfires, fueled by high winds, continue to engulf neighborhoods in the Los Angeles area … CCUSA, the official domestic relief agency of the Catholic Church in the U.S., has launched a dedicated disaster relief donation campaign. All funds raised will assist those displaced or suffering because of the fires.”
According to updated news reports, as of January 18, the wind-fed wildfires have killed at least 27 people and swept through 40,000 acres in the Greater Los Angeles area, destroying entire communities and more than 12,300 structures.
Evacuation orders are in effect for 92,000 residents of Los Angeles, and 89,000 are in evacuation warning zones, which means they may need to leave at a moment’s notice.
According to CCUSA One hundred percent of all
donations will be allocated to Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, which will provide critical humanitarian relief to those most in need. Gifts can also be made by texting “FIRES” to 20406.
“The level of destruction wrought by these wildfires is utterly heartbreaking,” CCUSA President and CEO Kerry Alys Robinson said. “Thanks to your generosity, the staff and volunteers of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles will provide critical, long-term support to those most affected by this terrible tragedy.”
To donate to Catholic Charities USA’s Los Angeles Wildfire Relief initiative, visit catholiccharitiesusa. org. To donate to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ fund for parishes and schools, visit pgp.givecentral.org.
To learn more about CCUSA, visit CatholicCharitiesUSA.org.
Metuchen Diocese seminarian Jacob Dylan Miller, front row, fifth from right, was among 34 men who received the Ministry of Lector Jan. 12 in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Pontifical North American College, Vatican City State by his Archbishop John J. Kennedy, Secretary of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. As part of the rite, Archbishop Kennedy placed the Holy Scriptures in the hands of each candidate and said, “Take this book of holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of his people.” Seminarian Miller and fellow Lectors are currently in their first year of theological formation for the priesthood and will have three additional years of theological, spiritual and pastoral formation before being ordained to the priesthood in their home dioceses. —Pontifical North American College photo
John Patrick, 42, son of long-time diocesan school
John Patrick, son of Gilbert and Dr. Jean Patrick, long-time diocesan school administrator, died Oct. 21, 2024. John was a graduate of Bishop Ahr High School, Edison, and member of the Springfield Police Department. John is survived by his wife of 10 years, Christine; daughters Vanessa and Gabriella; sisters Nicole, Bonnie and Kathy; Aunt Carol Woj, and his mother, Jean. To read John’s full obituary visit https://www.hegartyscaliafuneralhome.com/obituaries/John-Patrick-16/#!/Obituary
By Tiffany Workman Special Contributor
This holiday season, the Unity Square Community Center was overwhelmed with gratitude as we received incredible donations from so many generous groups. Thanks to the Rutgers IDEA program, we received 200 care packages filled with essential items; St. Matthias Church contributed 100 blessing bags, while Maria Hunter and her family donated 75 more. These bags were thoughtfully packed with toiletries, hats, scarves, and gloves to keep our neighbors warm. The United Methodist Church also made a heartfelt contribution, donating clothes, coats, scarves, and gloves. Unity Square is so thankful to be able to share these much-needed care packages with their community. This kind of support means the world to Unity Square and to those in need.
The Knights of Columbus from St. Philip and St. James Church/Phillipsburg offered the Social Service Center in Phillipsburg 150 hams to distribute to those in need for Christmas. The Knights of Columbus from St. Catherine/Pittstown also donated 20 new winter coats for children and adults.
Santa made a visit to the YES Early Learning Center at St. Ladislaus! Each child received a gift from Santa which were bought by parishioners at St. Matthias. Special thanks to the Professional Latino Firefighters of New Jersey for bringing Santa to see the children!
St. Thomas Aquinas High School students and faculty members, Mrs. Diane Fucci and Mrs. Kimberly Hernandez visited Catholic Charities to deliver a van full of gifts and four Christmas trees decorated by each of the four grades. Julio Coto, Executive Director of Catholic Charities was very happy to
Catholic Charities would like to give a huge thank you to the parishioners at St. James Parish in Basking Ridge for their generous donation of gift cards for the children and families of Catholic Charities for Christmas. We would also like to recognize the ladies behind all of the work: Diane Falato, Jo Maffey, and Carol Ann Patetta. These ladies helped organize and deliver the
schoolers at the YES early Learning Center. He handed out presents to each child and they even got to ring his bell.
The PACT clients and Team staff from all three programs gathered for a special holiday party! The 4-H Log Cabin in East Brunswick was filled with music, dancing, food, fun, prizes and Santa! This annual holiday party has been a tradition for more than 25 years for the PACT program and the clients, and staff
Tiffany Workman is the Communications Specialist in the Office of Communications and Public Relations.
Thank you for your generosity!
$217,750.70 of support!
Through the generosity of the faithful, parishes in the Diocese of Metuchen raised much needed funds for hurricane relief following the destruction from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in September and October. The funds are being distributed between Catholic Charities USA and the Disaster Relief Fund of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, proudly welcomes board certified pediatric surgeon Yi-Horng Lee, MD, to the Division of Pediatric Surgery. Dr. Lee has an impressive academic and clinical record. Prior to joining Saint Peter’s, he served as the surgeon-in-chief at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick where he previously held the position of chief of Pediatric Surgery and director of Pediatric Trauma.
Dr. Lee’s expertise is in neonatal surgery, thoracic surgery, hepatobiliary and GI surgery, and minimally invasive surgery. He specializes in treating children with solid tumors, short gut syndrome, feeding difficulties and pectus excavatum – a condition that is often detected shortly after birth where the breastbone sinks into the chest cavity, potentially causing issues with breathing and lung function.
“I’m extremely proud to welcome Dr. Lee to Saint Peter’s pediatric surgical team,” said Leslie D. Hirsch, FACHE, president and CEO of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System. “Dr. Lee’s arrival to Saint Peter’s expands our pediatric surgical capabilities, allowing more families and their children greater access to complex surgical care close to home. Our pediatric surgeons offer comprehensive surgical care to treat common pediatric ailments, ranging from appendicitis and hernias to rare conditions, thereby offering families sophisticated surgical care for their children without having to travel out of state to larger medical centers.”
Dr. Lee, who has a large volume of published and peer reviewed articles, completed his undergraduate education at Columbia University and attended medical school at The State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate College of Medicine in New York. He completed his surgical residency at the University of
Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and completed a transplant surgery fellowship at The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pennsylvania before his pediatric surgery residency at The Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo at The State University of New York. After completing his pediatric surgery residency, Dr. Lee became an attending surgeon at The Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and consultant pediatric surgeon for Buffalo’s Roswell Park Cancer Institute. He then went on to become an attending pediatric surgeon at the University of Rochester’s Golisano Children’s Hospital in New York and served as an assistant professor at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He has served on the medical staffs of a number of New Jersey hospitals.
The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s also recently welcomed board certified pediatric surgeon Michael LaQuaglia, MD. Dr. LaQuaglia specializes in pediatric cancer surgery and is the author of multiple peer-reviewed journals especially on the topic of neuroblastoma.
St. Peter’s Hospital welcomes first baby of the New Year
It was a happy New Year for parents Bhumika and Mehul Patel as they welcomed their third child and Saint Peter’s University Hospital’s New Year’s Baby on January 1 at 2:26 a.m. The baby, who weighed 4 lb. 15 oz., joins his siblings, ages eight and five, in their Colonia home. —Courtesy photo
He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry (UMDNJ)-New Jersey Medical School and later a Master of Science in Population Health Sciences, with a track in biostatistics and data science from Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences in New York. His training includes a general surgery residency at Montefiore Medical Center/ Albert Einstein University in New York and three fellowships, one in pediatric surgical critical care at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, followed by another in pediatric surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, and most recently a pediatric surgery fellowship at Saint Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
For additional information about pediatric surgical services at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, visit saintpetershcs.com/ childrenshospital or call 732.565.KIDS [5437].
By Michael Kowalczyk Special Contributor
On a day celebrating light and hope, St. Thomas Aquinas High School came together for its annual Aquinas Star Mass, honoring two young members of the community. The Aquinas Stars are children from the community with chronic medical conditions whom STA “adopts” to provide year-round financial and emotional support. Celebrating the annual Mass on Dec. 13, this year it coincided with the Feast of Saint Lucy, a day symbolizing light and hope. Students, faculty, staff, and families gathered with Bishop James F. Checchio to honor this year’s Aquinas Stars, RJ and Allie, and their families.
The liturgy, celebrated by Bishop Checchio, and concelebrated by STA Di rector of Catholic Identity Father David Keyes, and STA theology teacher and diocesan director of Divine Worship, Fa ther Tim Eck, featured hymns performed by the liturgical band and choir under the direction of Joseph Cullinan ’02.
In his homily, Bishop Checchio underscored the humble birth of Christ and urged attendees to listen closely to his call in their daily lives. He also drew a connection between the Feast of Saint Lucy – whose name means “light” – and the Aquinas Star program, emphasizing how the love and service to the Aquinas Stars embody the central mission to the STA school community.
families, and alumni. Adding to the festive atmosphere, Santa Claus made a surprise appearance, delighting the children and families in attendance.
The Aquinas Star Mass is a hallmark of the Advent season at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, uniting the community in love and service. This year’s celebration, set against the backdrop of the Feast of Saint Lucy, served as a reminder of the power of faith, compassion, and the light we bring to one another.
Michael Kowalczyk serves as STAHS director of communications.
Following the Mass, Aquinas Star co-chairs Brianna Romero ’25 and Adri anna Torres ’26, along with members of the Aquinas Star Board, presented the Stars and their families with gifts funded by donations from STA students, faculty,
Top photo, Bishop James F. Checchio, center, gathers with the families of RJ, left, and Allie, right, with Father David Keyes, far left, STAHS director of Catholic Identity, and STAHS school president Kevin Sacco, far right.
BLUE ARMY OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA SHRINE
674 Mountain View Road E., Asbury, NJ 08802 908-689-7330 • retreat@bluearmy.com
Lift Up Your Soul at the tranquil 150-acre Fatima Shrine. Host Your Retreat for Youth, Couples, Parish or Vocational Group.
MOUNT ST. MARY HOUSE OF PRAYER
1651 U.S. Highway 22, Watchung, NJ 07069 908-753-2091 • www.msmhope.org e-mail: msmhope@msmhope.org Retreats, Spiritual Direction, Programs
SAN ALFONSO RETREAT HOUSE
755 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch NJ 07740 732-222-2731 • info@sanalfonsoretreats.org www.sanalfonsoretreats.org
A Redemptorist Spiritual Center overlooking the Atlantic Ocean offering preached retreats, days of prayer and use of the facility for outside groups.
LOYOLA JESUIT CENTER
161 James Street • Morristown, NJ 07960 973-539-0740 • Fax: 973-898-9839 www.loyola.org • retreathouse@loyola.org
Retreats for lay men, women, priests, religious; days/evenings of prayer. Groups planning their own programs are welcome.
THE SHRINE OF ST. JOSEPH
1050 Long Hill Road, Stirling, NJ 07980 908-647-0208 • www.stshrine.org Day & Overnight Retreats Gift & Book Shop - open daily
ST. JOSEPH BY THE SEA
400 Route 35 North, S. Mantoloking, NJ 08738 732-892-8494 • sjbsea@comcast.net • sjbsea.org
A Retreat House Sponsored by the Religious Teachers Filippini overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay. Offering days of prayer, retreat weekends, spiritual programs, meetings and staff days.
Top left, Bishop James F. Checchio, right, and Father David Keyes pray during the Liturgy of the Eucharist for the Aquinas Star Mass. Left, Aquinas Star Allie brings loving smiles from both her family and her STAHS family.
Above, a member of the Aquinas Star Board brings gifts donated by STA students, faculty, families and alumni, to Aquinas Star RJ and his family.
— Hal Brown photos
The Loyola Jesuit Center is a very special place that has been used for retreats since 1927. Since then thousands of people have walked through its doors, seeking peace, restoration and God’s presence. Rooted in our Catholic and Jesuit identity, we will fulfill this welcoming mission by:
• sponsoring a variety of retreats and days of prayer, offering the experiences of discernment and contemplation at the heart of lgnatian spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises
• providing spiritual direction, contemporary programming, and other resources for growing in a personal, mature relationship with God in a place of peace and serenity.
161 James Street, Morristown, NJ 07960 973-539-0740 • www.loyola.org
VILLA PAULINE RETREAT AND SPIRITUAL CENTER
352 Bernardsville Road, Mendham, NJ 07945 Sr. Joseph Spring • 973-919-9874 • srjspring@gmail.com sccus.org • Preached/Directed/Guided & Private Retreats, Spiritual Direction, day & weekend programs
To join this retreat guide, email mgregory@diometuchen.org
“We are a Catholic school of faith –Christ our Redeemer and the loving creative plan of our God is recognized as central to understanding our humanity and all academic subjects. We believe that the promotion of objective truth, goodness, and beauty ought to be elements in the learning process of children. We want to help them to see that their lives have meaning and purpose, that character development and growth in virtue will enrich their lives, and that there is a destiny in communion with God to hope for and that calls out to them.”
By David Karas, Correspondent
From its beautiful campus featuring St. Ann Church to spacious classrooms, an extensive library and well-equipped science lab, to its position as the only classical school in the Diocese of Metuchen, St. Ann Classical Academy, Raritan, provides a special educational and faith experience for children.
“We provide an authentically Catholic, rigorously Classical, and simply joyful learning experience that prepares students for success,” said Courtney Ceponis, who teaches fourth and fifth grades and serves as the school’s marketing coordinator. “Students are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed while at St. Ann Classical Academy, during their future academic pursuits and beyond.”
Each day, students are greeted by head of school Marisa Day as they head to their classrooms for morning prayer. Twice each week, the school community comes together for Mass, during which students are Altar Servers and singers. Midday lunch and recess gives students from Pre-K through eighth grade a break from their studies – which include Latin and music once a week, and physical education and art twice weekly. Faith, Ceponis said, is integrated in each of the subjects.
“Our faith is infused throughout the curriculum. Students learn about the beauty of order in God’s creation through the study of order and beauty in mathematics, nature, music and art,” she said, “while lives of the saints and significant moments in Church history are embedded in the study of world history.”
One thing that sets St. Ann’s apart from other schools is its embrace of classical education and the seven liberal arts of antiquity, including the Quadrivium – arithmetic, music, geometry and astronomy – and the Trivium – grammar, logic and rhetoric. According to the school, the educational approach matches what great minds of the past, like Plato, Aristotle, and Saint Thomas Aquinas, would have received.
Students in Pre-K and Kindergarten are introduced to academic foundations, with a focus on essential skills like reading, writing and mathematics. They also begin to learn about values like personal responsibility and governance. The focus for students in grades one through four includes leaning into natural curiosities to build a strong academic foundation across the disciplines. Once students reach grades five through eight, instruction evolves to include logical reasoning and analysis, with an eye towards preparing each child for further development in high school.
“The benefits of this approach are that it meets students where they are at developmentally and equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed,” said Ceponis. “It also provides students with a holistic learning experience, that not only nurtures and educates them as whole persons – emotionally, spiritually, physically, and socially – but provides an integrated curriculum that helps them make sense of the world.”
In addition to academics, students can participate in a range of extracurricular activities, like choirs, enrichment clubs – like chess, Italian, crochet, math, drama and more – an annual Spelling Bee and a guest lecture program.
“St. Ann Classical Academy is such a special place to learn because it feels like a safe place,” said sixth grader Maya, “a place where I can express my thoughts without being judged, a place where I can practice my religion, a place where I can learn using my brain – not just the school giving me information.”
Other current students noted highlights like small class sizes, regular Masses and Reconciliation, and favorite topics like the solar system – as well as an overall feeling that they are being challenged to think in each of their subjects.
“It really helps us learn, and it also really helps us grow in kindness and charity,” said Christopher, who is in the fifth grade. “It also helps us develop higher expectations for ourselves, so we can impress our parents and get the skills we need to succeed in our adult lives.”
Similarly, family members of students laud the school for how it prepares their young ones to take on high school, college and their careers – while nestling education in a faith-filled environment, complete with reinforcement of moral values taught in the household.
“I think that the classical approach has been life-changing,” said Frank Graziano, whose grandson is a current student. “They are making sure that there is a true foundation that makes the students not only learn but also apply what they have learned. I see how he has started to learn each skill not just for the moment, but as something he must truly master and build on every day.”
Christina Tuma said that her son’s preparation was evident to the high schools he was considering.
“Every school that we have interviewed with has complimented my son for his level of maturity,” she said, “and they have commented that it is obvious he is coming from an extensive background of private education.”
In a letter to current and prospective students, Oratorian Father Thomas Odorizzi, pastor of St. Ann Parish, noted that the classical liberal education model in use for centuries is being rediscovered more and more.
“I am convinced that the Catholic classical model is the way to revive Catholic education in general,” he said, encouraging prospective parents to learn more about the approach. “I feel like we, at St. Ann Classic Academy, are on the cutting edge of a positive movement into the future.”
Ceponis began teaching at St. Ann’s after seeing her son’s learning experience during his Kindergarten year, and noted how happy they are to have found the school for their son.
“I can honestly say that this school is the best place for parents looking for an incredible education for their children that nurtures them intellectually and spiritually,” she said. “We couldn’t be happier with the education he is receiving, the growth he is making, and the person he is becoming because of our partnership with the faculty at St. Ann Classical Academy.”
Enrollment for the 2025-2026 academic year kicks off with a Catholic Schools Week open house on Sunday, Jan. 26 with an annual pancake breakfast, Mass and tours. Call 908-725-7787 to register for open house. To learn more, visit https://stannclassical.org/.
Now in its 51st year, National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. Starting the last Sunday in January and running all week, this year CSW will be Jan. 26-Feb. 1.
The theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2024-2026 is “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community,” which reflects the reality that Catholic schools have an irreplaceable role in the Church’s evangelizing mission. Catholic schools teach and embrace the whole person, body, mind and spirit. The fact that all members of a Catholic school community share the Christian vision of faith that Christ is the foundation of Catholic education is what unites the school as a faith-filled community.
Schools typically observe the annual celebration week with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to the Church, their communities and the nation.
Beginning in 2024, at the request of NCEA membership, a second week option was added in November for Catholic schools to celebrate their achievements
during the national initiative “Discover Catholic Schools Week.”
The National Catholic Educators Association website provides interesting statistics on Catholic education, including the impressive percentage of Catholic school high school graduates who attend a four-year college (85.2%), and average student to teacher ratios (Elementary, 12.1:1, Secondary, 10.1:1). “A Dozen Reasons to Choose Catholic Schools” poster highlights such distinctions as “We provide a balanced academic curriculum that integrates faith, culture and life,” and “We emphasize moral development and self-discipline.”
For more information, visit https:// www.ncea.org/csw.
The Catholic Spirit will feature diocesan Catholic School Week events in the February issue.
OSV News - She was a wife. A mother. A teacher. She was also – as the title of a new exhibit at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Maryland, tells visitors – “One of Us.”
And as the first native-born American saint, the 50th anniversary of Mother Seton’s canonization, which took place in 1975, will be celebrated with a full year of spiritually immersive activities beginning Jan. 4 with an EWTN-televised Mass celebrated by Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori at the pilgrimage destination bearing her name.
“In many ways, she was an ordinary woman who did ordinary things – things not unlike you and I do today,” said Rob Judge, executive director of the Seton Shrine. “She just did them through the lens of eternity, and God’s grace and his providence – this strong belief that he would take care of her, and that he could be sought in this world and in the next.
“That permeated her entire life experience. But what also was relevant about her life experience,” Judge added, “is she was just trying to figure things out – like we are today.”
The shrine – which attracts more than 50,000 visitors each year, who can see the places Mother Seton, the founder
of Catholic schools lived and worked, as well as her tomb – will offer special activities for the anniversary, and also operate its regular programs, tours and activities.
By Greg Johnson Correspondent
Little more than a decade after Karl-Anthony Towns graduated from Saint Joseph High School as a two-time state champion, the father of the New York Knicks star wants to restore prominence to the basketball program.
Karl Towns Sr. has embarked on his first season as the Falcons’ head coach with a wealth of experience.
He coached for 15 years at Piscataway Vo-Tech, winning a state title in 2003. He stepped down when his son finished high school in 2014 and took his talents to the University of Kentucky. He later served as a volunteer assistant for one year at Middlesex County College and for four years at Kean University under Dave Turco, Karl-Anthony’s high school coach.
“After sitting around, I figured I wanted to get back into coaching because I like to help kids, see how many kids I can help get into school, see if I can just build up the chemistry, and put the school back on the map to where it was 10 years ago,” Towns Sr. said.
St. Joe’s has continued to run a successful program with eight seasons of at least 19 wins since Karl-Anthony’s departure. But the Falcons have yet to win another Non-Public A South sectional title, let alone a state title.
“Right now, it’s just basically getting all the kids to understand the new process and what’s expected and what it entails to be at the championship level,” said Towns Sr., whose team began its season on Dec. 17. “Recruitment is never gonna be a problem. The problem is getting the right kids to play together to make the program successful.”
Towns Sr. says he won’t recruit players to the school specifically to play basketball. But he believes he will attract talent because of his family history and connections to help students reach college and beyond.
“A lot of kids want to come there because they know what I’ve done over the years at Vo-Tech, and they know that it’s a chance for them to further their game with some top-level pros,” Towns Sr. said. “People that know the game can come in and talk to them about what it takes to get to college, what it takes to be on a high level.”
His top assistant is John Nesler, a former Piscataway High coach. The staff has three other coaches and a film coordinator as well. And the roster is mostly new with last season’s top-four scorers no longer playing including Jeremy Clayville, who is at Saint Francis University.
“This year is really focused on installing the culture of the new coaching
staff,” Nesler said. “They weren’t used to playing as a team last year because they had a kid who went into high D1, took most of the shots. They didn’t really run a team offense last year. It was a lot more isolation-related, so this year it’s gonna be growing pains learning how to play offense as a team.”
The starting lineup features 6’3” junior guard Alijah Murphy, 6’4” senior guard Tyler DiGraci, 6’4” senior forward Gian Gomez, 6’6” junior forward/guard Ryan Hilongos and 6’10” senior center Will Phillips. Key players off the bench include 6’1” senior guard Brayden Danchak, 6’5” senior forward Jake Sockoloff and 6’2” junior guard Matthew Crystian. St. Joe’s is running many different
sets on offense based on the opponent, and it plays a type of man-to-man defense which is also taking time to fully install but has the potential to be dominant.
“Our biggest thing is try to kick the ball out and go quickly into ball movement … looking for the best opportunity for a shot,” Towns Sr. said.
Towns Sr. is grooming Nesler as his potential successor because he doesn’t expect to coach at St. Joe’s for “a long period of time.” The goal is to continue his family legacy by competing for championships within the division, the county and the non-public state tournament.
“It’s about having kids come in that want to play together, gel together, understand, and everyone knows their
role without us having to tell them their roles,” Towns Sr. said. “They’re saying, ‘Well, I know what I’m here to do, I know what we’re here to do as a team.’ That’s how we do it.”
In a full-circle moment on Jan. 9, Karl-Anthony visited St. Joe’s during its home game against Piscataway, spoke with the team and signed autographs for students.
Karl-Anthony also stood with his father at his old locker – a reminder of the past and what can be achieved in the future.
“Not many people could say that happened – a father and son won a championship in the same building,” Towns Sr. said. “It would be great, but it’s gonna take time to get to that status.”
Above, Head coach Karl Towns Sr., left, speaks to his St. Joe’s players and assistant coach John Nesler, right, during a home game on Jan. 9 against Piscataway.
Bottom right, New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns, a former St. Joe’s student, watches his alma mater play on Jan. 9 against Piscataway.
—Hal Brown photos
John Paul II’s given name
Terse bridge bid
___ Pio 29 Destroyed, in the Douay
Reddish dye
“___ let us adore him…”
___ de Compostela
French “these”
Catholic creator of Sherlock Holmes
One of St.
we are forbidden to do by the fifth commandment
Jesuit who took part in the discovery of the Peking Man
“Rubaiyat” name
country of Africa
Hydrocarbon suffixes
service org. 23 Bird’s nest 25 Number of disciples who witnessed the Transfiguration (Lk 9:29–36)
Left, this stained-glass window at St. Aloysius Church in Great Neck, N.Y., depicts Jesus in a manger surrounded by Mary, Joseph and three shepherds. —OSV News photo/Gregory A. Shemitz
QAQ: Something that’s always been kind of interesting to me is how much Protestants object to Mary’s perpetual virginity. I get balking at her Immaculate Conception, her as mediatrix of all graces, asking for her intercession, etc. But remaining a virgin is a thing people can and have done, a totally human thing, and it being true or false has no effect on Protestant theology. Yet there’s this intense focus on it. Why don’t Protestants just let that one be and agree to disagree but not get worked up about it? (Texas)
First of all, I think we need to make sure we’re not painting with too broad a brush. “Protestants” is a big category, and different Protestant denominations profess a wide variety of specific beliefs on different points of Christian doctrine. For example, certain traditional Anglicans or Episcopalians might retain a belief in Mary’s perpetual virginity, even to the point of giving some of their parishes names like “the Church of St. Mary the Virgin.”
But getting to the real substance of your question, one thought is that many Protestant denominations have a very heavy emphasis on sola scriptura, or the belief that we should look to the Bible alone for knowledge of faith and morals. This is in contrast with the Catholic belief in both the Bible and the teachings outside of Scripture, which have been handed down via sacred tradition (as described in 2 Thes 2:15).
It is true that much of our Catholic doctrine and customs pertaining to Mary’s perpetual virginity find a source in tradition and the theological writings of the Church fathers, rather than from direct and explicit statements in the Bible. Yet Mary’s lifelong virginity is not only not contradicted by Scripture, but the Gospel also implicitly supports this doctrine.
In Luke 1:34, at the Annunciation when the angel Gabriel tells Mary that she will conceive the Savior, Mary askes: “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”
As many scholars and saints over the centuries have observed, this question would not make sense if Mary had intended on
Los Angeles fire victims grieve lost homes, church:
‘It’s too much’
LOS ANGELES (OSV News) – The Pa cific Palisades community is grappling with loss and resilience after a devastating wildfire reduced homes, schools and the beloved Corpus Christi Catholic Church to ashes Jan. 7. Among those affected is Sam Laganà, the voice of the Los Angeles Rams, who fought to save his home as flames engulfed his neighborhood. His efforts helped spare Corpus Christi’s parish school, though the church building was destroyed. After a special Mass celebrated by Archbishop José H. Gomez at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels – one of three Masses the archbishop celebrated Jan. 9-10 in fire-affected areas –Corpus Christi parishioners shared stories of heartbreak and hope. Rick McGeagh, who lost his home but found a family heirloom statue of the Virgin Mary untouched, called the survival of the statue miraculous. Longtime parishioners Ed and Chris Amos, who watched their home
having normal marital relations with Joseph at some point.
Some might point to the references to the “brothers of Jesus” (e.g., Mk 6:3) as Scriptural evidence that Mary had given birth to additional children. But this can be refuted by considering the broader context. As St. Jerome (who is most well-known as the first Latin translator of the Bible) notes, the original scriptural word for “brothers” could also refer to cousins or other close relatives. It’s also possible that the “brothers of Jesus” could have been St. Joseph’s children from a previous marriage. It’s also good to keep in mind that although the Church has constantly taught the belief in Mary’s perpetual virginity from her very foundation, this teaching has also been somewhat of a “hot topic,” even in ancient times.
Connecting Mary’s perpetual virginity with choices that rank-and-file Christians may make in their own lives naturally “raises the stakes” for what might otherwise be a more academic discussion.
While the doctrine of Mary’s perpetual virginity has many layers of deep theological meaning, the possibility of imitating her life of perfect virginity can present a very concrete vocational challenge to many of today’s Christians, just as it did to the Christians of the Church’s early centuries. This could be one reason why the doctrine of Mary’s perpetual virginity might be a more emotionally charged topic for some non-Catholic Christians.
Jenna Marie Cooper, who holds a licentiate in canon law, is a consecrated virgin and a canonist whose column appears weekly at OSV News. Send your questions to CatholicQA@osv.com.
Flames rise from a structure as the Palisades Fire burns during a windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles Jan. 8, 2025. —OSV News photo/Ringo Chiu, Reuters
burn via a live camera feed, said the Mass offered solace. Several Catholics say the tragedy has deepened their appreciation for faith and relationships in a community determined to rise from the ashes stronger than before. Msgr. Liam Kidney, Corpus Christi’s pastor of 25 years, reminded his parishioners that “the church is the people, not the building.” At 80 years old, he is ready to lead the community in rebuilding both physically and spiritually, emphasizing that love and unity are the path forward.
The best preparation for prayer is to read the lives of the saints, not from mere curiosity, but quietly and with recollection a little at a time. And to pause whenever you feel your heart touched with devotion.
—St. Philip Neri
What if a different Catholic saint spoke personally to you each morning? That’s what you will find in this rich daily devotional, as author Bert Ghezzi introduces you to the lives of saints from two thousand years of Christian history. Each entry includes an excerpt from the saint’s own writing or another source, so you can receive his or her wisdom, counsel and encouragement for the day.
Readers will find 365 saints explored in chronological order, from Mary, the Mother of God, to Carlo Acutis, the first millennial to be canonized. Conveniently, the saints are also categorized by theme to help you find a holy intercessor for a particular situation in life. You will also find a comprehensive calendar if you prefer to walk with these friends of God according to their feast days.
Discover new saints, rekindle affection for familiar ones, and experience the great treasure trove of holy men and women that the Church has cherished since its earliest centuries. There is no better way to meet and befriend the saints.
This book is available at bookstore.wordonfire.org
The saints in heaven are powerful intercessors, praying for our needs before the face of God. As part of the communion of saints, we on earth pray with power when we ask the saints to pray with and for us, especially on their feast days.
Pray with Us invites us to connect with 365 saints, blesseds, venerables, and servants of God – one for each day of the year. Each day’s entry includes a brief biography of the saint and a prayer. This book provides a concise, approachable format for individuals and families to form the habit of daily prayer and to rely more purposefully on the intercession of the saints.
Let us pray together in unity with all the saints, who love us so much and want to assist us on our spiritual journey.
This book is available at www.osvcatholicbookstore.com
An interactive, light-based book of Catholic saints from around the globe, created to inspire your kiddos with stories of how God’s light shone in their lives. Shining a light behind the page reveals the Holy Spirit at work. This fun, interactive book is an answered prayer for parents and grandparents seeking to teach their kids and grandkids about the saints.
• Hardcover, interactive book – use a flashlight or a phone light to illuminate behind the pages and reveal God’s miracles in the lives of the saints
• A diverse group of saints, including St. Anna Wang, St. Martin de Porres, and St. Juan Diego (and more!)
• Full-color illustrations rich in detail and fresh in style
This book is available at bookstore.wordonfire.org
By Kurt Jensen, OSV News
(OSV News) – For those attempting to bring any part of the Gospel story to the screen, whether big or small, the four canonical accounts, as books of faith, prove to be of limited help. They’re not motion-picture treatments, and their descriptions of historical details and dialogue tend to be brief.
That’s why, ever since the first filmed versions of Scripture were produced more than a century ago, their makers have introduced non-Biblical characters, dialogue and subplots, using their own research and judgment about what will appeal to audiences. The aim is to make such narratives three-dimensional and relatable.
Now, that approach has been applied to Mariology – the theological study of the Blessed Mother – in “Mary,” an earnest drama that will be available for streaming on Netflix Dec. 6. Specifically, director D.J. Caruso and screenwriter Timothy Michael Hayes rely heavily on the “Protoevangelium of James,” a text generally dated to the middle of the second century.
While not recognized by the Church as inspired, the Protoevangelium is both Mary-centric and rich in particulars. It deals with the Virgin’s life even before her conception – which it describes as miraculous – introducing its readers to her elderly parents, Sts. Joachim (Ori Pfeffer) and Anne (Hilla Vidor).
They consecrate their daughter to God and, as a child (Mila Harris), she leaves home to live in the Temple in Jerusalem. As Mary grows up (Noa Cohen), her dedication to God steadily increases and matures. However, Caruso and Hayes have taken liberties with this source material as well.
The Protoevangelium has a nameless angel telling Anne that her prayers to become a mother have been answered. Now he’s identified as the Archangel Gabriel (Dudley O’Shaughnessy). Gabriel becomes a continuous presence in Mary’s
life, both before and after the Annunciation, and at one point he directly confronts Satan (Eamon Farren) to protect her.
In the movie, moreover, Gabriel –who is usually shown as a winged figure in white – appears in a blue robe, sans wings. Caruso, a lifelong Catholic from Norwalk, Connecticut, told OSV News that the change in apparel was his idea.
“A few famous icon paintings done throughout history depicted Gabriel in blue.’ The Archangel Michael Defeating Satan’ was created in 1635 by Guido Reni, and that was an image I used for inspiration. I felt Gabriel would visually pop in blue – in contrast to some of the chaos around the Virgin Mary.”
In another visual motif, as a youth, Mary finds herself attracted to, and surrounded by, butterflies. They represent the new life conferred in baptism.
The Protoevangelium presents St. Joseph (Ido Tako) as much older than his bride. But Caruso decided they should
both be about 20 when they first meet – in an encounter stage-managed by Gabriel.
In contemporary terms, the story is about Mary growing into her power and accepting her unique destiny, albeit not without occasional fears. She receives much encouragement along the way, especially from the prophetess Anna (Susan Brown) who becomes her mentor.
At one point, Anna – a familiar figure from Luke’s account of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple – exclaims to Mary, “You are more powerful than words, child!” And Mary herself resolutely tells high priest Bava Ben Buta (Mehmet Kurtulus), “I am here to fulfill a promise.”
“I always felt that Mary’s story was a little underappreciated,” Caruso said. “The discovery for me was (that) in all these movies, no one ever put the emphasis on (Mary saying) ‘Let it be me!’”
He added, “Like Mary, we all have choices to make.”
After filming wrapped in Moroc-
Actress Hussey, known for her on-screen portrayals of Mary and Mother Teresa, died Dec. 27, 2024, at age 73 at her California home, according to a statement released by her family the following day. She is pictured in a 1968 photo. —OSV News photo/Paramount Pictures
SAN FRANCISCO (OSV News) – Olivia Hussey, known for her iconic on-screen portrayals of Mary and Mother Teresa, died of breast cancer Dec. 27 at age 73 at her California home. The British-Argentine actress, who soared to international fame after being cast in Franco Zeffirelli’s “Romeo and Juliet” at age 15, went on to give iconic performances as Mary in Zeffirelli’s 1977 television series “Jesus of Nazareth” and as St. Teresa of Kolkata in the 2003 telemovie “Mother Teresa.” Both roles had been profoundly moving, the actress said in a 2016 interview. She noted that playing Mother Teresa was the realization of a 20-year dream. She attended the future saint’s 2003 beatification and met St. John Paul II. Hussey portrayed a character from the pope’s play (written while he was still Karol Wojtyla) titled “The Jeweller’s Shop.” Though not formally naming herself in media interviews as a practicing Catholic, Hussey – whose mother was a devout Catholic – pointed to faith and prayer as constants in her life. “I’m in God’s hands, really,” she told St. Anthony Messenger in a 2016 interview. Hussey said, “I try to love God above everything and the rest will unfold.”
co, Caruso unexpectedly found himself caught up in an avalanche of toxic online sniping about the casting of the two principals. Tako and Cohen are both Israeli.
The leading topic of criticism on social media, where hate festers worldwide, was the charge that Joseph and Mary were actually Palestinians. That’s an absurd canard, the staying power of which can be attributed to centuries of anti-Semitism. It’s been given new life, however, by anguish over Israel’s war in Gaza.
The idea, nonetheless, is easily disproved. Two of the Gospels trace Jesus’ genealogy back to Abraham, through Isaac and Jacob, while the Gospel of Luke adds that Joseph was “of the house of David.”
The same evangelist tells us, moreover, that both Jesus’ parents “went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover” every year. In fact, no reliable ancient document so much as insinuates that Joseph and Mary were not Jews.
“You can’t control what other people think or believe,” Caruso told OSV News with some resignation.
His intent was authenticity. He cast Cohen, a 22-year-old former model, “because we thought it was important that Noa was from the region (in central Israel) where Mary was born.”
The online noise became so ugly, Cohen’s management would not make her available for what was expected to be a joint interview with Caruso.
Instead, OSV News had to settle for an email: “I decided to take on the role of Mary because it offered a unique opportunity to explore a side of her that hadn’t been fully portrayed before,” Cohen wrote.
“This film,” she continued, “allows audiences to see Mary not just as a vessel for something greater but as a young woman navigating the complexities of life, balancing her divine role with her humanity.”
The role, Cohen added, “was an incredible experience that felt both humbling and a tremendous responsibility. Embodying her vulnerability and resilience as she faced both divine and very human challenges was deeply fulfilling. It was a special opportunity to bring her story to life in a way that will hopefully allow the audience to connect with her on a deeply human level.”
Two-time Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins plays King Herod, who, in the Gospels, seeks to kill the new Messiah. But Caruso thinks Herod was a victim of his own bitterness. “Yes, he’s looking for the Messiah. Maybe not necessarily to destroy him, but because he has a hole in his life.”
Making Mary relatable, Caruso says, was his principal goal. “Wouldn’t it be great,” he thought, “for a younger person to see this movie and think, ‘These are people I understand?’ They can be role models for a younger generation. (Young women might think) ‘Mary could be my friend. Someone I could reach out to; someone I could talk to.’”
Kurt Jensen is a guest reviewer for OSV News.
Workshop for Hispanic Musicians – 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., in Spanish at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center. Sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Hispanic Evangelization ad Pastoral Ministry in coordination with OCP (Oregon Catholic Press). For more information and registration contact: Lescobar@ diometuchen.org or call 732-243-4573.
Rosary for Life with Bishop James F. Checchio. You are asked to park and meet in the St. James Parish parking lot at 12:45 p.m., 369 Amboy Ave., Woodbridge. There is a 12:10 p.m. daily Mass at St. James for those who wish to attend. For more information contact amarshall@diometuchen.org.
Adult Enrichment Courses - The Office of Ongoing Faith Formation will be offering “Eschatology Part I: Vision of Hope” and “Eschatology Part II: The Book of Revelation” at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center located at 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway. Classes are presented by Father Glenn Comandini, S.T.D. Part I will be held on Thursdays for six consecutive weeks starting Feb. 6 - March 13 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. The registration fee is $20 and covers the six classes of Eschatology Part I. Part II will be held on Thursdays from March 20 - May 29 (no class April 17 for Holy Thursday). The course will be a continuation of Part I and will examine the Book of Revelation using Catholic exegesis to study apocalyptic imagery. The registration fee is $20, covering the 10 classes of Eschatology Part II. The New American Bible, used in class, can be included in registration for an additional $10. Register online at www.diometuchen.org/faith-formation (Part I and Part II have two separate registration links). For more information, please email amarshall@diometuchen.org or call 732-562-1543.
A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend gives you the time and tools to enrich your marriage, deepen communication, and nourish the spirituality in your marriage. Please apply ASAP as space is limited. Phone 732-904-9636 for application and information (Tom & Ruth DeFalco). Visit us at: www.wwme.org for more information.
For catechists, PCLs, and Catholic school teachers: The Adaptive Teacher - Faith Based Strategies to Reach and Teach Learners with Disabilities featuring Charleen Katra, executive director, National Catholic Partnership on Disability, 9 a.m. (Mass) – 1 p.m., coffee/breakfast after Mass, St. John Neumann Pastoral Center,146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway. Space is limited and pre-registration is REQUIRED. For more information and to register: https://diometuchen.org/upcoming-events-2
Ministry for Seniors Roundtable: 10 a.m.- noon. If you are part of or would like to start up a parish ministry for Grandparents and/or Senior Citizens, please join us for a Ministry for Seniors Roundtable on Sat., March 1, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center. Please register to attend here: https://diometuchen.org/humanlifeanddignity/seniors-roundtable.
Adoration and Mass at Pastoral Center – The faithful are invited to Eucharistic Adoration at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Monday through Friday, from 9 -11:45 a.m. As St. Pope John Paul II noted. “The Church and the world have a great need of Eucharistic adoration.” Anyone interested in signing up should contact Angela Marshall at amarshall@ diometuchen.org.
Bible Study in a Year – This virtual women’s group will be following Father Mike Schmitz’s “Bible in a Year” podcast and meeting each Sunday at 2:30 p.m. on Zoom to discuss insights from the week. For details or to participate contact Cristina at: cdaverso@ diometuchen.org
Lectio Divina for Couples & Families This virtual program for couples and families is held two Thursdays per month at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. The program includes praying a meditative reading of a short scripture passage. For questions and more details, contact cdaverso@diometuchen.org
Immigration Talks – The Office of Hispanic Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry will be resuming immigration talks in coordination with Catholic Charities. If your parish is interested in hosting an immigration talk, email: lescobar@diometuchen.org and indicate the best day for an immigration talk to your parish and community.
Willing to buy your home or townhouse in as-is condition. Quick 30 day cash closing. I’m a Licensed realtor in the State of NJ. Eugene “George” Pantozzi 908-392-2677 (call or text) georgepantozzi@hotmail.com
The Diocese of Metuchen is seeking a freelance photographer to cover important events throughout the Diocese, particularly the Bishop’s pastoral visits. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of how to appropriately photograph liturgical events in the Diocese and assist the Office of Communications and Public Relations, as well as The Catholic Spirit. Interested candidates should contact Adam Carlisle at acarlisle@diometuchen.org.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, seeks a Graphic Designer to assist with the layout and design of its publication. The ideal candidate will have Adobe InDesign and Photoshop experience in a PC environment, be familiar with all aspects of electronic publishing, be well-organized and reliable, and have a proven track record of meeting deadlines. Interested candidates should forward their resume to hr@diometuchen.org.
Feb. 22, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Retreat - Hope: The Facing Transitions in Life,” sponsored by the Spirituality Committee of St. Luke Parish, 300 Clinton Ave., North Plainfield. The keynote speaker will be Msgr. John N. Fell, diocesan director of the Office of Priest Personnel. There is no fee, but registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Marilyn at Goggi5@ aol.com.
