Education section highlights excellence in academics, spiritual elements to forming students, 15-28
Spirit atholic C THE
MARCH 25, 2021 • VOL. 26 NO. 2 • $2.00
THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN
Bishop James F. Checchio, center, and Deacon Edgar Chavez, sixth from right, pose with the 15 members of the diocese’s first allSpanish speaking diaconate class at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. During a Liturgy of the Word, the bishop instituted the men in the ministry of lectors. — Frank Wojciechowski photo
Spanish-speaking diaconate class takes major step in formation By Christina Leslie Correspondent METUCHEN — “God chooses you for this task and that’s something to celebrate,” said Bishop James F. Checchio to the 15 prospective deacons seated before him at the Cathedral of St. Francis
of Assisi Feb. 20. “Meditate on the Word constantly… show forth to people Jesus Christ, always Jesus, and what he wants to give to that person in front of you,” he told the members of the diocese’s first all-Spanish-speaking diaconate class gathered for the Rite for Institution of Lectors.
Deacon Stephen F. Kern, director, diocesan Office of the Diaconate, explained the creation of this first Spanish-speaking deacon class was made at the behest of Bishop Checchio because of the growth of Catholics of Hispanic descent in the diocese. “At the current moment, the diocese
has only a handful of Spanish-speaking deacons,” said Deacon Kern. “Should God will that all 15 of these men make it through formation to ordination next year, it will be a tremendous boon, not only to our Spanish-speaking Catholics, but to the entire diocese.” Continued on page 7
INSIDE Perspectives Our Faith
Year of St. Joseph
4 30-31
Diocesan Events
39
Classifieds
39
Parish consecrates itself to stepfather of Jesus. . .3 This issue was mailed on March 23 Your next issue will be April 15