November 28, 2019

Men, women from diocese invested, promoted in Order of Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, pages 11 to15

Spirit atholic C THE

NOVEMBER 28, 2019 • VOL. 24 NO. 21 • $2.00

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

From left, Dale and Barbara Hoff and Robert and Linda Rosso were among more than 160 couples who attended the Silver and Gold Anniversary Prayer Service for Catholic marriages of 25, 50 or more years at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, Oct. 27. See story on page 6.

— Mike Ehrmann photo

INSIDE Perspectives Our Faith

Moral Decisions

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Around the Diocese

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Diocesan Events

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Classifieds

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Speakers at conference encourage attendees to keep Christ in mind at home, work. . . 3 This issue was mailed on November 26 Your next issue will be December 19

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Bishop meets with Pope Francis on Thanksgiving Day

UP FRONT

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Bishop James Checchio This will be a Thanksgiving Day I won’t soon forget. On Thanksgiving morning, the bishops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey will be meeting with Pope Francis.

Certainly, being your bishop is one of the things I am most grateful for, so it will be an appropriate way to spend Thanksgiving Day and I can thank the person who sent me here to you, Pope Francis. It is a blessing to serve in our four beautiful counties and live in Metuchen. I see so many blessings around us, even amidst the challenges we face in our day striving to persevere in and pass on the faith.

The Thanksgiving Day visit with the Holy Father is part of what is called our ad limina visit. Every five years, each bishop in the world is to go to Rome on pilgrimage and to give a report on the status of his diocese. Preparing the report for the Holy Father and his collaborators in the Vatican was a helpful exercise as we reviewed almost every aspect of life and ministry in our diocese and all the ways the Kingdom of God is built up here. We looked at our successes and, also our failures, realizing that the Lord is with us through it all, holding us in the palm of His hand, as we strive to labor on behalf of His Gospel ever more faithfully and zealously.

Gratefully, the ad limina visit requires us to offer the greatest act of thanksgiving we can, the Holy Mass, at each of the four Papal Basilicas: St. Peter’s, St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran and St. Mary Major. Having lived in Rome, I have been to these churches many, many times, but this time will be different. Not only will I join in prayer with my brother bishops from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but I am taking all of you with me, and will be praying for our diocese in a particular way as we prepare to consecrate the Metuchen Diocese to Jesus through the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 12.

On my travels around the diocese to parishes, schools and other institutions, I continue to be blessed to meet so many of you. Often, I will hear from you through the mail, or you will ask me during my visits, to pray for particular intentions you have. I am always happy to do so. Please know that I will take your petitions with me to the tombs of St. Peter, St. Paul, and so many other holy men and women buried in Rome. Visiting these holy sites always reminds me about the depth of our faith, our 2,000 years of people striving to live as disciples of the Lord.

Throughout the Eternal City we can see vestiges of the days where the faith was thriving in so many of the beautiful churches and monuments. We also learn anew about the times, during the periods of fierce persecution against believers, when being a faithful disciple of the Lord had grave consequences, even martyrdom. Likewise, in Rome you see and pray with pilgrims from all around the world, coming to be strengthened in their faith.

The Bishop’s Appointments Bishop James F. Checchio recently announced the following assignments:

NOVEMBER 28, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Msgr. Joseph Kerrigan, from pastor, Holy Family Parish, New Brunswick, to Leave for Discernment at Mepkin Abbey, S.C., effective Jan. 15, 2020.

Father Thomas Ryan, from pastor, Our Lady of Victories Parish, Sayreville, to pastor, Holy Family Parish, New Brunswick, effective Jan. 15, 2020.

Catholic Spirit THE

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

Serving the Catholic community in Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties

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It always reminds me that the world and the faith is a lot bigger than me and my environs. Even though in some parts of the world, the faith might seem to be struggling, in others it is thriving. So, we continue, forward in faith always striving to draw closer to our Lord.

Yes, the ad limina visit is a chance to be renewed and deepened in faith. It is a pilgrimage, a special time of prayer. It is an opportunity for renewal for all the dioceses as we evaluate what we are doing, and plan for the future. I will take your prayer petitions with me, and I will pass on your prayers for our Holy Father, as so many of you have asked me to do.

As we prepare to welcome Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Holy Father’s representative here in the United States, who will offer the Mass for us before the consecration of our Diocese, I ask you all to join me in fervent prayer during these last two weeks before the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe when we seek her intercession for us. Let us make more room in our hearts for the Blessed Mother to bring her Son more fully into our lives.

Our Year of Spiritual Awakening is com-

ing to a close, and has hopefully prepared us like St. Juan Diego, to be spiritually ready to hear our Lady and what she asks of us and wants to provide for us.

I wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving. I know mine will be special. Besides my visit with the Holy Father, I will also have the Mass at the Pontifical North American College in the evening, then enjoy a traditional American meal, along with our three seminarians, Timothy Eck, Gregory Zannetti and Jose Lim and Father Roy Quesea, all studying in Rome at this time, as well as our Vicar General, Father Timothy Christy and our Vocations Director, Father Mauricio Tabera.

This Thanksgiving let us all thank God for the blessings in our life and in our country. Know of my love and prayers for you, and please pray for me too!

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

The Bishop’s Schedule Nov. 24 - Dec. 1 Ad Limina Visit to Rome with the Holy Father and the Roman Curia with Masses at the Papal Basilicas Dec. 3 7 p.m. Bishop’s Annual Appeal Recognition Reception, Metuchen – private event Dec. 4 7 p.m. Bishop’s Annual Appeal Recognition Reception, Metuchen – private event Dec. 5 3 p.m. Seminary Board of Overseers Meeting – private event Dec. 6 10:30 a.m. College of Consultors – private event Dec. 6 1 p.m. Presbyteral Council Meeting – private event Dec. 7 1 p.m. Blessing of Claret Community Center at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Perth Amboy Dec. 7 5:30 p.m. Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Old Bridge Dec. 7 6:30 p.m. Retrouvaille CORE Meeting at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Old Bridge Dec. 8 11:15 a.m. Mass of Installation of Pastor at St. Mary-Stony Hill, Watchung Dec. 8 4 p.m. Bishop’s Annual Appeal Recognition Dinner, Metuchen– private event Dec. 10 9 a.m. Ahr Star Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison Dec. 10 2 p.m. Episcopal Ordination of Auxiliary Bishop Gerardo Colacicco and Auxiliary Bishop Edmund Whalen at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York Dec. 11 11:45 a.m. Advent Day of Recollection for Priests – private event Dec. 12 10:30 a.m. Priest Personnel Meeting – private event Dec. 12 7 p.m. Mass for the Marian Consecration at Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen Dec. 13 8:30 a.m. Hope through Education Annual Trustees Christmas Brunch at Immaculate Conception school, Somerville – private event Dec. 14 5 p.m. Mass at Mary, Mother of God Parish, Hillsborough Dec. 15 10 a.m. Mass at St. James Parish, Woodbridge Dec. 18 5 p.m. Mass and Christmas Celebration at Maria Regina Residence, Somerset Dec. 19 8:30 a.m. Christmas Mass and Luncheon for Employees at Saint John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway – private event For updates on Bishop Checchio's schedule visit: http://diometuchen.org/bishop/schedule

NOTICE: In order to provide our readership with full coverage of the dedication of The Diocese of Metuchen to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the next issue of The Catholic Spirit will be December 19.

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Image Week

of the SPECIAL FEATURE

Where in the diocese can it be found?

CHOOSING LIFE

Speakers discuss importance of Christ in decision-making

By Christina Leslie Correspondent NEW BRUNSWICK — “Choices do matter,” declared Bishop James F. Checchio Nov. 2 at St. Peter the Apostle University and Community Church. “We choose heaven by accepting God’s grace in our lives. By living that grace, sharing that grace with others, we make heaven seen on earth.”

Pat Goyer, parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes, Whitehouse Station.

To be a winner, you must call (732) 562-2424 after 9 a.m. Monday.

The first caller to correctly identify the image and its location will receive a one year subscription, renewal or gift subscription to The Catholic Spirit. Those who correctly identify an image are not eligible to take another guess for 90 days.

NOVEMBER 28, 2019

Continued on page 22

The image, which was featured on page 3 of the November 14 issue of The Catholic Spirit, can be found at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Whitehouse Station.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Bishop James F. Checchio pronounces the words of consecration during the liturgy of the Eucharist.

To illustrate the many life-affirm- Former model Leah Darrow gives the ing choices available to the faithful of keynote address at the Choices Matter all ages, the diocesan Office of Human conference at the Rutgers University Life and Dignity and the Catholic Stu- Student Center.

— Mike Ehrmann photos dent Association of Rutgers University presented the day-long 2019 “Choices Matter” conference at the Rutgers Student Center. The program of speakers, and galvanize the attendees to action.

In her keynote address, “From Top exhibits, praise and worship music and Model to Role Model,” Leah Darrow fellowship began with the bishop prerecalled her journey from insecure teen siding at Mass in the diocese’s oldest to becoming a finalist church, located across on the reality television from the state univercompetition “America’s sity’s sprawling campus.

Next Top Model,” and “What a great day “Every choice road to fame posing for for us to examine our national and internawe make, big relationship with modern tional publications. culture and faith and how or small, is an “I clearly made each influence our evsome choices to lead opportunity for eryday decisions,” Bishme down a certain path. op Checchio said in his us to further They carried such heavy homily. “Every choice weight,” Darrow we make, big or small, is align ourselves “Even though we said. are an opportunity for us to free to make choices, with God’s will. ” further align ourselves we are not free of the —Bishop James F. with God’s will.” consequences of those Jennifer A. RugChecchio choices. Christ is always giero, who heads the diin the mix.” ocesan Office of Human After early sexual Life and Dignity, welexperiences led to insecurity of her comed the group and noted this was self-worth, the young woman decided the 18th such annual conference. This a modeling career might help her reyear’s title change from “Critical Life gain her confidence.

But God made Issues” to “Choices Matter” served to known his displeasure at her profligate remind participants their actions and lifestyle, she recalled. evangelization made a difference.

“During a photo shoot, I distinctly Three speakers served to inform

Last issue's image...

The winner is...

4 OUR DIOCESE

Immaculate Conception beckons meditation on rosary On this feast, it is good for us to visualize the real humanity of the only woman conceived without sin. If we look, for example, at the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary, we will find five portraits of a woman in whose image any action hero pales.

Body & Soul

By Father Glenn J. Comandini, STD In the Annunciation, we encounter a young teen that is told by an Angel that she would conceive and bear a child — not just any child but the Son of God. Imagine her courage as she responds: “Be it done unto me as you say.”

In the Visitation, Mary leaves Naza-

reth to help her kinswoman, Elizabeth — not because she wanted to get out of town.

Unwed and pregnant, Mary knew that people would ostracize her had she stayed in Nazareth or, worse, the neighbors might haggle her parents. Imagine her integrity and humility as she chooses to leave the hometown rather than bring shame or confrontation to her parents’ home.

The Nativity looks nice when we construct the “crèche” year after year — a cozy nook surrounded by angels, kings, gifts and darling shepherds. The truth is Mary had to give birth like an animal — in the damp straw of a dark stable. What pain she must have endured as she lay on the cold ground, receiving no coaching from a midwife, no solace from her own mother.

Here we catch a glimpse of a woman of great valor as she welcomes into the world the Prince of Peace. Despite the pangs of labor, we believe that Mary re-

mains a virgin after the birth of Jesus as she had before. “How would she explain this? Who would believe?”

In the Presentation, Mary thought that Simeon would simply circumcise Jesus, the rite of passage through which every male must pass in order to enter the covenant community of the Jewish people. Instead, at the circumcision, she receives a prophecy from a woman named Anna, which brings pain to her heart. As a woman of intelligence, Mary knows that the future of Jesus is not without its trials and, more frightening, his future would not always include her. How this young maiden of Nazareth aged as she embraced her child. Indeed, we find here a portrait of a woman who is first and foremost, prayerful and maternal.

Finally, in the Founding in the Temple, we again sense Mary’s anxiety as she spends three days in pursuit of her missing

child, in an age when it was not uncommon for children to be kidnaped and sold into slavery. There was no picture of Jesus on a milk carton. There were no police officers to comb the streets of Jerusalem — just a woman and her husband frantically pacing the labyrinth of streets that surrounded the Temple. Once reunited with Jesus, she finds comfort. In this moment, we see the portrait of a woman of gratitude, patience and perseverance.

Five glimpses of Mary — there are many more in the other mysteries of the rosary and in the Scriptures. These vignettes help us to remember that the Immaculate Conception is more than a doctrine, more than a fact of faith. It is the mystery of a woman free of all sin from conception, whom we have come to call “Mother.”

Father Comandini is managing editor of “The Catholic Spirit”

them to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, which then conducted an initial investigation and subsequently referred the matter to the Hampden County Prosecutor’s Office.

As in all circumstances involving the protection of young people, the Diocese of Metuchen has been fully cooperating with law enforcement and, in particular, the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office, which has jurisdiction over this matter.

I encourage anyone, who has been harmed in any way, by any clergy in the Church, to reach out to local law enforcement and the Diocesan Response Officer at (908) 9304558 to report an offense or arrange for assistance.

I can tell you that since 2002, the Diocese of Metuchen, through its implementation of background checks, child protection training for all who work or volunteer with children, zero-tolerance policies and the many additional measures in place, is beyond compliant and our parishes and schools are among the safest environments for people of all ages.

As you have experienced first-hand in your own parish, our Church has struggled with the scourge of sexual abuse and the terrible consequences it yields. But, it is in these challenging times, our darkest hours, that we are reminded of the light of hope, the gift of faith, and the grace and love of God, whereby all things can and will be made well. I am so grateful for your perseverance in prayer during this troubled time.

I will walk together with you during

these difficult days as Fr. David Skoblow, your priests, deacons, religious and all the leadership of your parish who are sickened by this all, too, faithfully work to continue to guide your parish. I pray that you all may join yourselves more closely with the Lord each day, who is our source of hope and comfort in these challenging times.

Finally, and most importantly, I ask you to join me in praying for healing for the person who came forward with these allegations, after the many years of carrying this tremendous burden, and also for all those who are survivors of sexual abuse. May Our Lady of Mount Virgin wrap her mantle

around them to share with them the gift of her Son’s peace. Please also be assured of my prayers for you, your parish community and all who are also affected by these actions; I know you suffer from this all too.

I ask, in your kindness and generosity, that you please pray for me and our diocese, too.

With renewed best wishes, I remain, Yours in Christ,

Allegations against priest result in arrest, incarceration

NOVEMBER 28, 2019

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

(Below is a Nov. 22 letter from Bishop James F. Checchio to members of Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish, Middlesex) My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As you know, it has been well over a year since we learned of accusations against your former pastor, Fr. Patrick J. Kuffner.

Your parish community has been on my mind and in my daily prayers, in a special way, since that time. I am grateful for the opportunities we have had over this time to be together in prayer, particularly around the altar of the Lord in your parish, where we look for guidance, truth, mercy and peace. I have also been constantly praying for the person who brought forward the allegations since the first time we heard about them. As you might have heard, Fr. Kuffner was arrested on Nov. 20 by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department on three counts of sexual assault of a minor that date back more than three decades to when he was a layperson and while in Massachusetts.

After a thorough examination of diocesan records, I want to again assure you that there are no known allegations against Fr. Kuffner, regarding any type of abuse, since he became a priest or even as a seminarian. There was nothing in his background check or in his behavior to suggest he could be capable of committing the alleged acts.

Yet, the crimes he has been accused of and charged with are, nevertheless, serious, sickening and disturbing.

Immediately upon learning of these allegations, the Diocese of Metuchen reported

How to report abuse

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 law enforcement and/or by contacting the Diocesan Response Officer at (908) 930-4558 (24 hours/7 days a week). For more information on how to report abuse, visit our diocesan website: https://diometuchen.org/report-a-suspected-abuse.

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

Drive to support seminarians begins Dec. 3 Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving celebrated world-wide on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, will be celebrated Dec. 3 this year and the faithful of the diocese are being encouraged to help ensure that the future Church has enough priests to serve in local parish communities. This Giving Tuesday,

help the Diocese of Metuchen with a gift in support of seminarians. Go to https://diometuchen.org/givingtuesday and help provide for the needs of Diocese of Metuchen seminarians studying for the priesthood. A gift today is a gift to our future Church.

Thank you!

Diocese to be consecrated to Jesus through Mary Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, will preside at the Mass for the Consecration of the Diocese of Metuchen to Jesus through the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. During the Mass, Bishop James F. Checchio will consecrate the Diocese of Metuchen to Jesus through the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Approximately 900 people from the Diocese of Metuchen are expected to attend. Due to limited seating at the Cathedral, attendance is by ticket only.

To allow for greater participation, the

Diocese of Metuchen will air a live satellite broadcast of the Mass. Check www.lightingheartsonfire.org for more information. Following the Mass, a link to the recording will be posted on the diocesan website for on-demand viewing. To help the faithful of the diocese prepare for their personal consecration, the Diocese of Metuchen will offer a series of videos from Dec. 4 through Dec. 12. The videos will include prayer, witness, Scripture, and more to help the faithful prepare to consecrate themselves to Jesus through Our Lady of Guadalupe. To receive these daily videos, please visit lightingheartsonfire.org and sign up.

METUCHEN — “This has become one of my favorite gatherings of the year,” declared Bishop James F. Checchio at the Oct. 27 Silver and Gold Wedding Anniversary Prayer Service at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi. “We thank you for your faithful witness to married love in a world so much in need.”

Bishop Checchio presided at the annual event, which celebrates Catholic marriages of 25, 50 and more years.

More than 160 couples filled the front pews of the cathedral, while hundreds of family and friends bore happy witness behind them.

Following a festive procession to the strains of the wedding march “Trumpet Tune in D” by Henry Purcell, hymns, psalms and Scripture, the bishop gave a homily in which he called the couples’ love a “supernatural thing.”

“It is a visible sign of God’s love for us,” he stated. “We see his love and experience it through your commitment to one another. It is your road to heaven.”

The bishop admitted married love was not always easy, but faith in the Lord “helps love get through the challenges of life.”

“The secret to a happy marriage is

Bishop James F. Checchio, wearing mitre, processes into the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi at the Silver and Gold Wedding Anniversary Prayer Service with (right) Msgr.

Robert J. Zamorski, rector; Deacon Salvatore Bonfiglio from Mary, Mother of God Parish, Hillsborough, and Nevin Mathew, administrative assistant, diocesan Office of Worship. not seeking your own self-fulfillment but looking for opportunities to give to each other,” he continued. “Inviting the Lord into your life together, no doubt, has benefitted you. Focus your lives on Christ who teaches us the true cost of love. By hearing his voice and responding with renewed faith, your marriage has been built on solid rock, and stood firm for these many years.

We thank God for you.”

Cristina D’Averso-Collins, director, diocesan Office of Family Life

Ministry, invited the couples to stand and led them in recommitting their wedding vows. As the spouses looked into each other’s eyes, they repeated the words that had united them as one so many years before. The vows were sealed by a kiss as the congregation burst into applause.

Each couple posed for a photo with the bishop and received a certificate and blessing. Later, they shared how their Catholic faith had strengthened their bonds of marriage through

— Mike Ehrmann photos

Continued on next page

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT NOVEMBER 28, 2019

Above left and right, Dale and Barbara Hoff, members of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Martinsville, recommit their wedding vows along with the more than 160 couples who are celebrating 25, 50 and more years of marriage. Right, Bishop James F. Checchio poses with one of the couples at the prayer service, which was organized by the diocesan Office of Family Life Ministry. Each couple posed for a photo with the bishop and received a certificate and blessing. Left, attendees share the sign of peace.

the decades.

“Faith has helped us keep going,” declared Maria Hafner of Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Monroe Township, who was celebrating a golden anniversary with her husband, George. “We are very blessed to have three children, our grandchildren and our health.”

Jeanette Wiegartner noted, “Our first date was an Easter Vigil Mass.

We are very involved at our parish, [Queenship of Mary, Plainsboro]. We got married there and are still there.”

John, her husband of 25 years, added, “Our parents’ faith was also strong and resonated with us.”

Chris Ryalles of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Three Bridges, credits his wife, Dawn, with keeping faith alive in their marriage of 25 years. “She is so supportive of the Church and raised our children Catholic,” he said.

Carol and Glenn Johnson of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Sayreville, have been married for 50 years and credit their faith as a foundation in that union.

“Religion has played a part in our marriage, especially recently,” Carol said.

“Our pastor, Father Ken [Kenneth R. Murphy] encouraged me to become Catholic, and I completed the RCIA [Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults] program a year ago,” Glenn said.

OUR DIOCESE

By Christina Leslie Correspondent

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Diocese honors ‘visible signs of God’s love’ at annual prayer service

OUR DIOCESE

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Silver & Gold Anniversary Celebrants ALPHA St. Mary Lawrence & Renee Creveling 50 John & Marie Hummer 50 James & Sharon Wardlow 50 Rob & Jennifer Anselmo 25 Michael & Melanie Beck 25 Roberto & Lourdes Vergera 25 Joseph & Michelle West 25 ANNANDALE Immaculate Conception Raymond & Charlotte Prosics 50 Christopher & Celia Arthur 25 Christopher & Kristen Boyce 25 Scott & Patricia Cooper 25 William & Kim Mensche 25 Doug & Monica Sharp 25 AVENEL St. Andrew Paul A. & Ann T. De Paolo 50 Daniel & Kathleen Neroda 50 BASKING RIDGE St. James Raymond & Margaret Gsell 50 Matt & Marion Hagovsky 50 Robert & Joan Marino 50 Ralph & Marianne Panzitta 50 Brian & Lenore Convery 25 Glenn & Mary-Pat Marzoli 25 Immac & Virginia Thampoe 25 BELVIDERE St. Patrick Frank & Beth Ann Dispoto 25 BERNARDSVILLE Our Lady of Perpetual Help David & Jeanne Fantina 25

NOVEMBER 28, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

BLOOMSBURY Annunciation William & Kathleen Girton 25 BOUND BROOK St. Joseph Esteban Diaz & Ana L. Veron 25 St. Mary of Czestochowa James & Winifred Gamatko 50 Ryszard & Jolanta Dziedzic 25 BRIDGEWATER Holy Trinity John & Elaine Gillen 50 Emilio & Carolyn Suarez 50 St. Bernard of Clairvaux Patrick & Vivian Cline 50 Andrew R. & Maryann I. Strutzel 50 Joseph & Ann Banz 25 Thomas & Laura Kelly 25 Michael & Christine Macchiarola 25 CALIFON St. John Neumann William & Veronica Upwood 25

COLONIA St. John Vianney Joseph & Jacqueline Formola 50 Eugene & Madeline Heiser 50+ Egger & Maureen Lugo 50 Antonio & Margarida Cruz 25 EAST BRUNSWICK St. Bartholomew Keith & Kathleen Bobash 25 Michael & Patricia Palumbo 25 EDISON St. Helena Ricardo & Isabel Yglesias 25 Joseph Cruzdurai & Leela Joseph 25 James & Tina Marie Jasina 25 St. Matthew the Apostle Anthony & MaryCarole Palmisano 50 FLEMINGTON St. Magdalen de Pazzi Thomas & Arlene Costello 25 Adam & Elli Kuras 25 Lamberto Navoa & Maria Paz 25 GREAT MEADOWS Sts. Peter & Paul John & Kelli Hourihan 25 HACKETTSTOWN Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Peter & Kelly Bunk 25 HAMPTON St. Ann Jeffrey & Theresa Osowski 50 HIGH BRIDGE St. Joseph Fred & Carol Loozen 50 HIGHLAND PARK Transfiguration of the Lord Thomas & Carol Polito 25 HILLSBOROUGH Mary, Mother of God Richard & Judith Famulare 50 Kenneth & Josette Genco 50 Robert B. & Carol A. Luszcz 50 St. Joseph Frank & Christine Brzyski 50 Louis & Sarah Colucci 50 Alexander & MaryLucille Zarzycki 50 Thomas & Jo-Ann Delasko 50 Anthony & Carolann Guidotti 50 Robert & Paula Loewenstein 50 Joseph Robert & Patricia Matzek 50 Ronald & Laura Ellen Larkowski 25 Mark & Lisa Stevens 25 ISELIN St. Cecelia Lawrence & Judith Mraz 50 John & Josephine Padovano 50

JAMESBURG St. James the Less Saul & Flor Marina Cubillos 50 Patrick & Patricia Flynn 50 Robert & Cecelia Macchiarola 50 KENDALL PARK St. Augustine of Canterbury Carl & Carol Jansen 50 Deacon Denis & Carol Mayer 50 Alexis & Linda Monaco 50 Salvatore & Nancy Piccirollo 50+ Harold & Patricia Barile 25 Joseph & Debra Orokos 25 Ramon & Maridol Viray 25 Martinsville Blessed Sacrament Dale and Barbara Hoff 50+ Julio & Maria Farinhas 50 Charles & Elizabeth Schambach 50 Anthony & Elizabeth Szymanski 50 Michael & Margaret Reilly Daly 25 Anthony & Anna Marisa D’Amato 25 Alesandro & Carol Martino 25 George & Beverly Nowakowski 25 Metuchen Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Jovencio & Fely Cabanday 50 Anthony & Louise Herber 50 Theodore & Mary Petti 50 Randall & Michelle Beaton 25 Joseph & Wendy Bobko 25 Paul & Doreen Zensky 25 James & Denise Haddad 25 Kevin & Lisa Kenny 25 Mark & Cathleen Santus 25 Middlesex Our Lady of Mount Virgin Arthur & Eileen Liming 50 John & Bonita Tietjen 50 Monmouth Junction St. Cecilia Lawrence & Anne Presby 50 Monroe Township Nativity of Our Lord Robert & Marie Anselmo 50 Joseph & Grace Arieno 50 Joseph Richard & Margherita Caccavo 50 Roger & Katherine Connolly 50 Wayne & Theresa D’Angelo 50 George & Maria Hafner 50 Bruce & Judith Tamarin 50 Nilo & Menchie Natural 25 North Brunswick Our Lady of Peace Richard & Arlene Rebeck 50 Andrew & Michele Timm 25 New Brunswick St. Peter the Apostle University and Community Stanton & Dorothy Hubbard Jr. 50

Old Bridge Most Holy Redeemer Rosario & Columbia Emilio 25 Alberto Marana & Christine Olona 25 Luis Ariel & Wilmina Mercado 25 St. Ambrose Anthony & Giulia Calco 25 Joseph & Maria Grande 25 Raymond & Kelly Schmalz 25 Salvatore & Theresa Sgroi 25 St. Thomas the Apostle Anthony & Christina Aurilia 50+ Ralph & Elizabeth Marantino 50 Michael & Geraldine Martin 50 Piscataway Our Lady of Fatima Samuel & Karen Matos 25 St. Frances Cabrini John R. & Theresa J. Teresak 50+ Perth Amboy Most Holy Name of Jesus Delio & Migdalia Bueno 25 Jose & Elsa Duran 25 Ramon & Sofia Garcia 25 Plainsboro Queenship of Mary Arsenio & Rosie Ramos 50 Dominic & Deborah Vivona 25 John & Jeanette West 25 Port Murray St. Theodore Richard & Michelle Mclellan 25 Port Reading St. Anthony of Padua Gary & Maria Poos 25 Raritan Borough St. Ann Joseph & Anna Ferrera 50 St. Joseph Stephen & Karen Minarovich 25 Sayreville Our Lady of Victories Michael & Theresa Yetsko 50 Christopher & Lynn Krieger 25 St. Stanislaus Glenn & Carol Johnson 50 Somerset St. Matthias Felix & Philomena Sebastian 50 Stephanus & Hanny Busono 25 Rich & Mary Halecki 25 Robert & Christine Lavelle 25 Somerville Immaculate Conception Ted & Joanne Pryll 50 Francis & Barbara Quinn 50 Patrick & Theresa Weber 50

South Amboy Sacred Heart Joel & Lucille Bloom 50 Mariusz & Renata Jara 25 St. Mary Dominick & Lorraine Candito 50+ Anthony & Carol Olivieri 50 Thomas & Rosalie Wudarski 50 Michael & Noreen Kusic 25 South Bound Brook Our Lady of Mercy Raymond & Keiko Osborne 50+ Peter & Lorraine Provenzale 50 South Plainfield Our Lady of Czestochowa Thomas & Linda Seiz 50 Sacred Heart of Jesus Donald A. & Elaine M. Bolger 50 Thomas & Irene Donnelly 50 Robert S. & Janet Harrison 50 Ronald & Diane Janus 50 Manuel & Eileen Sanchez 50 Michael & Janet Townley 50 Thomas & AnneMarie Elko 25 Edward & Gloria Inigo 25 South River Corpus Christi Michael & Mariann Farrell 25 St. Mary of Ostrabrama Joseph & Aileen Chadwick 50 Spotswood Immaculate Conception Robert & Linda Rosso 50 Clifford & Tracy Balsamo 25 Three Bridges St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Joseph & Geraldine Kaczorek 50 Christopher Ryallis & Dawn Cautillo 25 Washington St. Joseph Thomas & Janet Jack 50 James & Barbara McAloon 50 Watchung St. Mary-Stony Hill Carl & Therese Moccia 50 Dabid & Judith Touhill 50 Joseph & Nancy Ebler 25 Whitehouse Station Our Lady of Lourdes Edward & Kathleen DeStefano 25 Anthony & Barbara Vergona 25 Woodbridge St. James Adrian & Christine Marciniak 25 Trevor & Sue Pinto 25

BALTIMORE — During their Nov. 11-13 meeting, the U.S. bishops elected new officers and discussed challenges in the Church and the nation.

They spoke of their renewed efforts to help immigrants, youth and young adults, pregnant women and the poor as well their steps to combat gun violence and racism.

Unlike recent previous meetings, their response to the clergy abuse crisis was mentioned but was not the primary focus.

On the second day of the meeting, Nov. 12, the bishops elected Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles to a three-year term as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron of Detroit as conference vice president.

Archbishop Gomez, the first Latino to be elected to this role, was chosen with 176 votes from a slate of 10 nominees. He has been USCCB vice president for the past three years and his new role begins at the end of the Baltimore gathering.

At the start of the meeting, the bishops voted overwhelmingly on a revised set of strategic priorities to take them into the next decade. The

next day, they approved adding new seeking refuge, and efforts on the bormaterials to complement “Forming der to help asylum cases.

Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” The bishops’ second day of meettheir long-standing ings also included a preguide to help Catholics sentation of the pope’s At the start of form their consciences document “Christus in public life, includVivit,” which was istheir meeting ing voting. The addition sued following the 2018 Nov. 11, the included the statement Synod on Young People, that called abortion the the Faith and Vocational bishops raised preeminent social issue Discernment.

Bishop pressing issues Frank J. Caggiano of of our time.

The second day of Conn., who that included the Bridgeport, bishops’ meeting coinhad been a delegate at cided with oral argupriesthood short- the synod, urged bishments at the Supreme ops to do more to supage, gun violence port Catholic teens and Court over the fate of the Deferred Action for and the need to young adults and to use Childhood Arrivals prothe pope’s apostolic exprovide support hortation as their guide. gram, known as DACA and bishops at the BalThe previous day, services for pregtimore meeting spoke Auxiliary Bishop Robert up in defense of DACA E. Barron of Los Angenant women. recipients on the floor les told the bishops the and in interviews with church is losing young Catholic News Service. people in greater numbers and must Bishops also heard a wide-rang- face the challenges of how to get the ing report on immigration Nov. 12, religiously unaffiliated, or “nones,” which included updates of policy, how particularly young people, back. programs to resettle refugees, includThe bishops also heard that a new ing those run by the Catholic Church, “pastoral framework for marriage and have closed or reduced activity be- family life” should be ready for a vote cause the administration has moved by the U.S. bishops by next November to close the country’s doors to those at the latest, according to Archbishop

Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth. Bishop Chapuit stressed that it is not a “plan,” since it is intended to be applied within parishes and dioceses.

At the start of their meeting Nov. 11, the bishops raised pressing issues that included the priesthood shortage, gun violence and the need to provide support services for pregnant women.

Archbishop Christophe Pierre, papal nuncio to the United States, mentioned some of these challenges in his opening remarks, along with the need to welcome migrants and fight racism.

The meeting wrapped up Nov. 13 with a presentation by Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, who spoke about the ongoing work of the committee, highlighting the listening sessions that have taken place around the country.

At the meeting’s close, Archbishop Gomez thanked outgoing president Cardinal DiNardo for his “excellent service to this body and to the Church.”

Contributing to this report was Rhina Guidos, Mark Pattison and Dennis Sadowski.

OUR DIOCESE

By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service

7

Bishops elect new officers for organization, discuss variety of issues

Like Sister de Lourdes and Sister Florence Kruczek (right), 91, some 30,000 senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests have spent their lives doing the Lord’s work. Most served for little or no pay, and now their religious communities do not have enough retirement savings. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious offers vital support for necessities, such as medications and nursing care. Please be generous.

Retirement Fund for Religious

Please give to those who have given a lifetime.

Please give at your local parish.

To donate by mail: National Religious Retirement Office/MET 3211 4th Street NE Washington DC 20017-1194 Make check payable to Retirement Fund for Religious.

retiredreligious.org ©2019 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Photo: Jim Judkis

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT NOVEMBER 28, 2019

“ Live with good humor and just do the Lord’s work,” says Franciscan Sister de Lourdes Okoniewski (left), 87.

Roughly 94 percent of donations aid senior religious.

8 OUR DIOCESE

New pastor grateful for support from present, past parishioners

By Deacon Patrick Cline NORTH BRUNSWICK — The familiar words of the Nicene Creed took on an extra dimension for the congregation at Mass Nov. 2 at Our Lady of Peace Church, when Bishop James F. Checchio installed Father Michael G. Krull as the third pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish.

The Rite of Installation included a welcome by the parishioners and the formal presentation of their new pastor to the clergy and staff, members of the pastoral and finance committees and the parish trustees. It concluded with Bishop Checchio asking the new pastor, “lead your people in the profession of their faith.”

In his opening remarks, the bishop commented that although Father Krull had been present in the parish for a period of time it was very fitting that his installation Mass should occur the actual week that Our Lady of Peace was celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Father Krull was born in New Brunswick in 1958 and attended Milltown public schools and Saint Joseph High School, Metuchen. He received a bachelor’s degree in music at Seton Hall University, South Orange, before entering Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md., where he earned a Master of Divinity degree and a Master of Arts in Church History.

Father Krull was ordained to the

Bishop James F. Checchio, center, prays during the consecration at a Mass of installation as pastor for Father Michael G. Krull (at bishop's left), at Our Lady of Peace Church. Father Daniel Sloan (at bishop's right), a retired priest from the diocese, received his call to the priesthood when he was a member of the parish.

— Marlo Williamson photo priesthood May 31, 1986, at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen.

Prior to being named pastor of Our Lady of Peace, Father Krull served as pastor of Our Lady of Victories Parish, Sayreville; Good Shepherd Parish, Hopelawn, and St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Port Reading; as well as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Milltown; Our

Saturday, December 7, 2019

St. Ambrose Church will host their

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

83 Throckmorton Lane Old Bridge NJ 08857

NOVEMBER 28, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Rain date: Monday, December 9, 2019 • 6:00 pm

Christmas Tree Lighting 2018

Please join Fr. Jack Grimes, Pastor, as he leads the congregation out from the 5:00PM Mass to gather around the Christmas tree, sing carols, and enjoy home-made cookies and delicious hot chocolate!

Stay to greet Santa (courtesy of the South Old Bridge Volunteer Fire Company, Engine 2!) and Mrs. Claus who will arrive in time to welcome all the children and pass along some Christmas Candy Canes!

All are welcome for this family fun and fellowship!

For more information, contact the parish office at 732 679-5666 or email joan.abitabile@saintambroseparish.com

Lady of Peace Parish, Fords; St. Ambrose Parish, Old Bridge; and St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish, Kendall Park.

Father Krull is also the author of the diocesan history book “Of This We Are All Witnesses,” published in 2006.

In his homily, Bishop Checchio stressed the gift and the need of the priesthood. He recalled that he once heard Pope

Emeritus Benedict XVI state, “the most important thing a priest can do for the people is to be what he is, a believer.”

“As your bishop I certainly want you to know that I believe. And I happily entrust you to another believer, a priest, as your pastor, Father Michael Krull.”

“The gift of the priesthood is to give every single member of the human family someone to believe with. The priesthood does this. No one is left alone,” he continued. “In spite of all the horrors that we have heard this past year, God is calling more men to be priests because humanity is so in need of someone to lead them to Jesus Christ. I ask you to pray for more good and holy men to become priests. We need priests now in our Church and in our world, maybe even more than ever.

In comments before the end of the Mass, Father Krull mentioned that one of the concelebrating priests was Father Daniel Sloan, a retired priest of the diocese, who received his call to the priesthood when he was a parishioner at Our Lady of Peace.

Father Krull said that although he has been at the parish for a relatively short period of time, he feels he has become integrated into the daily life of the parish and its parishioners.

Walter McGhee, a member of the parish for seven years, recalled that Father Krull Continued on next page

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impressed by the message contained in his homilies. I always leave Mass very inspired for the rest of my day and look forward to returning to hear more.”

In his remarks at a reception in the parish hall after the Mass, Father Krull thanked everyone for coming to the celebration. He was especially grateful to all the people who had worked so hard putting the Mass and the entire event together and for making it such a very enjoyable occasion.

He also expressed his gratitude to all of the members of the parish for their support.

He went on to acknowledge and recognize the parishioners from each of his previous parochial assignments who had made the ef-

fort to be present at the Mass and reception.

Father Krull said he believes that having his installation during the 50th anniversary year for Our Lady of Peace made his transition as the new pastor very easy and seamless.

Deacon Cline exercises his ministry at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater Father Michael G. Krull speaks to the faithful at his Mass of installation as pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish, North Brunswick. He was ordained to the priesthood May 31, 1986.

— Marlo Williamson photo

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arrived the week of the picnic celebrating the parish anniversary and believes the introduction helped the new pastor “to definitely become fully part of the parish in just such a short time.”

Deacon David DeFrange, who exercises his ministry at the parish and has been a parishioner there for almost 50 years, said “the parish is very fortunate to have Father Krull as pastor.” Having known the new pastor for years he added, “Father Krull is great to work with.”

Father Krull’s homilies were mentioned by a number of the parishioners.

Carmeline Barretto, said she “is always

9

Continued from previous page

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Advent & Christmas Schedule 2019 Sacrament of Reconciliation

Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord

Advent Parish Mission

Saturdays Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14 & 21 • 11:00 AM

Walk the Advent Highway with Father John Campoli, I.V.DEI Sun. 12/1, Mon. 12/2 & Tues. 12/3 7:00 PM - Church

Memorial Christmas Tree Lighting

Tuesday, December 24 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM, Midnight

Confession Saturday, December 21 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and following the 5:00 PM Mass

Mass Schedule Tuesday, December 24 • 8:00 AM Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24

4:00 PM, 4:05 PM (Church Hall), 6:00 PM & 10:00 PM Masses No Midnight Mass

Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virign Mary Monday, December 9 • 12:10 PM

Penance Service

Tuesday, December 10 • 7:00PM Church

Christmas Day Masses Wednesday, December 25 7:30 AM, 10:00 AM, Noon No 5:30 PM Mass

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Sunday, December 29

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe 7:30 AM, 10:00 AM, Noon, 5:30 PM Wednesday, December 11 • 7:00PM Mass

St. James School Concert Tuesday, December 17 • 7:00 PM

St. James Festival Choir Christmas Concert Friday, December 20 • 7:30 PM

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Holy Day of Obligation Tuesday, December 31 • 4:00 PM Vigil Wednesday, January 1, 2020 • 12:10 PM

Masses at 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM

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Masses at 8:00 AM 4:00 PM Vigil Mass for Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God

Wednesday, January 1, 2020 Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God, A Holy Day of Obligation Masses at 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM

Main Street & Amboy Avenue • Woodbridge, NJ 07095

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT NOVEMBER 28, 2019

Tuesday, December 17 7:00 PM Parish Penance Service

Saturday, December 7 • 6:30 PM (following 5:30PM Mass)

10 OUR DIOCESE

Faith community marks century of service at Mass of thanksgiving

By Alex Lowe Correspondent FORDS — The wet weather did little to dampen spirits of the faithful who filled Our Lady of Peace Church Oct. 27 for a Mass celebrating the parish’s 100th anniversary. Bishop James F. Checchio presided at the liturgy together with 20 concelebrating priests and assisting deacons.

“It is always good to be back in Fords, even when you have to swim here,” said Bishop Checchio. “A hundredth-year anniversary is a pretty big deal, right? Think about what has taken place here during those 100 years.

There were 3,600 couples united in holy matrimony. Many thousands of children were enrolled in Our Lady of Peace School and religious education programs. Many people participated or served in various groups like the youth ministries, The Knights of Columbus, sports ministries and so many others.

We give God thanks for the blessings that have come to so many here in Fords throughout these 100 years.”

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Our Lady of Peace Parish has a long and storied history. Families began moving into the Sand Hills section of the Fords Area immediately following the end of the Civil War. In those days, Catholic families had to travel to St. Mary Parish, Perth Amboy; St. James Parish Woodbridge, and St. Peter the Apostle Parish, New Brunswick, to worship at Mass. On Oct. 15, 1919, Our Lady of Peace was established as a mission parish of St. Mary Parish.

Eleven days later, Father William Cantwell, pastor of St. Mary’s, celebrated the new mission’s first Mass at Fairfield School. Land was then purchased on Amboy Avenue and the Knights of Columbus bought a temporary Quonset Hut, where Mass was celebrated and all parish activities held.

In 1927, additional land was purchased and the combination church/ school building was built and dedicated Oct. 7, 1928.

That same year, Father Cornelius Continued on page 16

Above, Bishop James F. Checchio, who presided at Mass and gave the homily, greets the faithful at Our Lady of Peace Church. Right, cantor Ted Tiu leads worshipers in song.

— Marlo Williamson photos

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A Special Section of The Catholic Spirit • November 28, 2019

Dame Grand Cross dame gloria m. la grassa

Dame Commander with Star dame susan a. feeney

Knight Chaplain Commander father edmund a. luciano iii

Investees

Egidio in the Vatican as the order’s principal chapel. The official seat of the order is currently in Rome, while Jerusalem is considered its historic seat.

Today’s four classes of knighthood were set up by Pope Pius IX: Knight Grand Cross, Knight Commander with Star, Knight Commander and Knight. In 1888, Pope Leo XIII authorized the conferral of honors on women as Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre, with equal rank and responsibilities. When received into the order, Knights and Ladies were given the right to wear the Cross of Jerusalem of Godfrey de Bouillon’s crusaders.

The purpose of the Equestrian Order in modern times is to preserve and propagate the faith in the Holy Land; to assist and develop the missions of the Church (Latin and Oriental rites), to provide charitable, social and cultural undertakings, and defend the Catholic Church’s rights in the Holy Land. Because of the difficult situation for Christians in the Holy Land, financial support to maintain the shrines is critical; such support is one of the order’s major responsibilities order. Prayer for the Holy Land is central to the order’s mission.

The investiture ceremony itself combines a profession of faith and the signing of a declaration promising to uphold these responsibilities, with the ancient ritual used for the dubbing of knighthood. Candidates promise to live a faithful Christian life as soldiers of Christ, under the reigning pope.

In the United States, Knights wear a long white cape decorated with a Red Cross of Jerusalem — a design of five red crosses symbolizing the five wounds of Christ. The Ladies wear a black cape, also with the Red Cross, and a black veil.

— Carolyn Hughes

T he Prayer of the Knights and Ladies O Lord Jesus Christ, for your five wounds that we carry on our insignia we pray to You. Give us the strength to love all whom your Father has created and, more so, our enemies.

Free our soul and heart from sin, from partiality, from egoism and from cowardice so that we can be worthy of Your sacrifice.

Let your Spirit fall upon us all, the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre, so that it may render us as convinced and sincere ambassadors of peace and love among our brothers and sisters and especially, among all those who think they do not believe in You. Give us Faith to face all the problems of everyday life and to deserve, one day, to approach, humbly but without fear, Your presence. Amen.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT NOVEMBER 28, 2019

sir david carollo dame dorothy carollo sir richard creter dame leslie creter dame tana dimino sir robert kale dame sandra kale sir thomas luceri dame diane luceri sir stanley polomski dame susan polomski sir alexander saharic dame hazel saharic

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is one of many military, equestrian and religious orders in the Church. It was established by Godfrey de Bouillon, leader of the first Crusade, following the conquest of Jerusalem by the Crusaders in 1099 as a guard of honor for the tomb of Jesus. Pope Pascal II approved the order in 1113.

During their short time in Jerusalem, members of the order built many churches, forts, castles and cities. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which they built over the sites of the crucifixion and tomb of Christ, still stands.

When the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem fell to Saladin in 1187, the Knights moved to Italy, maintaining a religious rule of life with all its duties. Priories and monasteries were established in France, Spain, Poland, Belgium and Italy. In 1144, Pope Celestine named the Oratory of St.

& Ladies

HOLY SEPULCHRE

Modern Day Knights

12

Investees

HOLY SEPULCHRE

The couple were originally nominated for the Order six years ago as members of St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago before relocating to New Jersey. They have been members of St. Ann Parish, Hampton, for four years where they attend daily Mass and participate in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Most of their religious activities with diocesan groups take place within their roles at the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA/Blue Army Shrine in Washington. There, Sir David serves as executive director and Dame Dorothy is operations manager. Events, pilgrim-

Sir David and Dame Dorothy Carollo were invested into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Manhattan, N.Y., Oct. 5.

Investees

SIR david & dame dorothy carollo ages and retreats take them to Fatima in Portugal, and the Holy Land – where they have an established relationship with the House of Peace Hostel in Bethlehem.

As past president of the Blue Army National Board and member of the International Board, Sir David is considered a Fatima expert and speaks at Marian conferences and is a frequent guest on EWTN cable TV shows as well as Relevant Radio. He is a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, and a Knight of St. Michael of the Wing in Portugal, which involves the couple in the Orders’ charities – particularly

those in Africa.

They are also members of the Association of St. Jeanne Jugan of the Little Sisters of the Poor, offering hospitality to the needy elderly. To join, individuals participate in a yearlong program of formation. Sir David was on the advisory board for St. Mary’s Home in Chicago operated by the Sisters. Dame Dorothy held a winetasting fundraiser for several years to support the home.

The couple have been married for 15 years.

— Debra Miller

SIR THOMAS & DAME DIANE LUCERI

Sir Thomas and Dame Diane Luceri were invested into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Manhattan, N.Y., Oct. 5.

The two have been members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Three Bridges, for 30 of their 39 years of marriage, where they both serve as extraordinary ministers of the holy Eucharist and as members of the Pre-Cana ministry team.

Sir Thomas, a member of the Knights of Columbus, also spends his time volunteering with Elijah’s Promise Soup Kitchen in New Brunswick as well as with Special Olympics New Jersey. Until his retirement, he worked for 40 years at Johnson & Johnson, where he was senior manager of Customer Logistics.

Starting in 2006, Dame Diane began working for her parish. Her current fulltime role is as director, Rite of Chris-

tian Initiation of Adults, and head of the Adult Faith Formation ministry. She is also active in the parish’s Women’s Spirituality Group, the choir and prolife ministry events, where her marketing background helps raise awareness for the cause.

Their three adult children — two sons and a daughter — live in Maryland, San Diego and Philadelphia.

— Debra Miller

Reverend Thomas J. Serafin, KCHS and the Parish Family of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Three Bridges

NOVEMBER 28, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

offer our congratulations to

Thomas & Diane Luceri on their investiture as Sir and Dame in The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

May God continue to bless you!

SIR robert & dame sandra kale

Sir Alexander and Dame Hazel Saharic were invested into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre at

ters of holy Communion. (St. Ann was grandmother to Jesus; and mother of Mary.)

Married for 42 years, Dame Sandra and Sir Robert are now retired. Sir Robert was Therapeutic Area Leader, Project Manager for Cardiovascular Metabolism for Johnson & Johnson for 28 years.

Dame Sandra worked at AT&T for 20 years and Global Crossing for six years at the director level. She was also

director of Religious Education for 10 years at St. Ann’s and managed the Adult Education program and youth ministries.

Her volunteer work at the parish extended to Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, Rosary Society and lector.

— Debra Miller

HOLY SEPULCHRE

Sir Robert and Dame Sandra Kale were invested into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Manhattan, N.Y., Oct. 5.

Prior to moving to western New Jersey, the Kales called Cranford home, where they were active at St. Michael Parish as Pre-Cana leaders.

Now 17-year members of “grandma’s house,” St. Ann Parish, Hampton, they participate as extraordinary minis-

Investees

13

Investees

SIR alexander and dame hazel saharic

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Manhattan, N.Y., Oct. 5.

During the 20-plus years they have been members of St. Ann Parish, Hampton, the Saharics can be counted on to step up and help with special events and dignitary visits in assistance to the pastor, Father Michael C. Saharic, who is their son. The couple also serve as extraordinary ministers of holy Communion.

In addition, Dame Hazel volunteers in the parish office, helps plan the spaghetti dinners, cares for the altar linens and teaches Confraternity

of Christian Doctrine to the youth.

Outside of the parish, she has been treasurer of the Lebanon Fire Company Auxiliary and participated in the Lebanon Parent Teacher’s Association.

Sir Alexander retired after 39 years with Jersey Central Power & Light as a safety manager and opened a business offering training in high voltage electricity for municipal authorities and utility companies.

He is a volunteer fireman, safety officer and former president with the Lebanon Fire Company, where his son

is the chief. In the borough, he is the Office of Emergency Management coordinator, chair of the Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment, and participates in the Shade Tree Commission and Environmental Committee.

On Sundays, he sings in the Church choir with his son and grandson.

Married for 52 years, the Saharics have five children, 10 grandchildren (with twins expected in June 2020) and, by the end of this year, they will be blessed with a total of eight great grandchildren.

— Debra Miller

The Parish Family of Saint Ann Hampton congratulates and extends best wishes to our parishioners on their lnvestiture into

Eastern Lieutenancy of the United States

Sir David & Dame Dorothy Carollo Sir Robert & Dame Sandy Kale Sir Alexander & Dame Hazel Saharic

Our Lady of Pa!estine

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT NOVEMBER 28, 2019

The Th e Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

14 HOLY SEPULCHRE

Investee

dame tana dimino

Sir Joseph and Dame Tana Dimino Sir Stan and Dame Susan Polomski Your parish family of St. John the Evangelist in Lambertville Celebrates your investiture into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre

Dame Tana Dimino, a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Lambertville, was invested into the Order of the Holy Sepulchre at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Manhattan, N.Y., Oct. 5.

Her husband, Joseph Dimino, will be invested into the Order in October 2020.

The couple was invited to join the Order by Bishop James F. Checchio, who met the Diminos while seated with them at their parish Mardi Gras Dinner Dance in February.

Dimino was raised in Northeast Ohio by her Catholic father and Methodist mother.

She majored in accounting at the University of Akron (Ohio), and went on to work as an auditor for the company then called Arthur Young & Company. In 1980, hoping for a career change, she competed for the title of Miss Ohio with her talent

— accordion playing — and was crowned the winner.

Becoming Miss Ohio opened new opportunities in broadcasting, and she took a position as a reporter for a CBS station in Cleveland.

She met her husband while working at CBS and they moved together to Miami, where she worked for ABC affiliate WPLG. She appeared as a sports reporter in HBO series, “1st and Ten” in 1984, and also anchored in-flight entertainment movies for Eastern Airlines.

She became Catholic because her husband was and the faith was so important to him that he told her on their first date that he would be raising his future children Catholic. She was baptized at John Carrol University in Cleveland in 1982.

In 1988, she became a mother and chose to leave her career to focus on her daughter Carli. In 1990, her son Joey was born.

In 1995, the family moved to Sonoma, Calif., and in 1999, settled in New Hope, Pa. They have been active in parishes in each place where they have lived.

At her parish, Dimino is a member of the Altar Rosary Society and an extraordinary minister of holy Communion.

Offering our prayers and best wishes to PROUDLY

NOVEMBER 28, 2019

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

GLORIA LAGRASSA on her elevation in rank to Grand Cross in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepluchre Your Parish Family

St. Elizabeth - St. Brigid Far Hills - Peapack

Rev. Msgr. Edward C. Puleo, Pastor

CONGRATULATES

Sir Richard and Dame Leslie Creter ON THEIR INVESTMENT INTO THE EQUESTRIAN ORDER OF THE KNIGHTS OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE

15

Investees

Leslie and Richard Creter, members of St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, Flemington, were invested into the Order of the Holy Sepulchre at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Manhattan, N.Y., Oct. 5.

The couple both grew up in families centered on God and the Catholic faith, going to Mass weekly and attending Catholic schools. They met each other in high school, while attending Immaculata High School in Somerville.

Sir Richard Creter graduated from Fairfield University (Conn.) with a bachelor’s degree in business management, and Dame Leslie Creter holds bachelor’s degrees in early childhood education and psychology from Rider University, Lawrencevill.

Sir Richard is the president and chief

executive officer of Creter Vault Corporation, a business that has been in his family for more than 100 years and five generations. He is also the president of Flemington Granite and Architectural Supply and Concrete Products. In 2018, he wfreceived a Distinguished Leader award from the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce.

Dame Leslie worked as a kindergarten teacher before staying at home to raise their four children. She currently works as a sales and customer service representative for the family business. She taught religious education in the parish for six years.

The Creters have been married for 23 years and continue to attend weekly Mass with their children and pray together daily.

Recently, they helped to fund the restoration of the church sanctuary.

They were asked by Father Kenneth D. Brighenti, pastor, to become members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, and were happy to join. They plan to pray for and support Pope Francis and the Christians in the Holy Land and are planning to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the future.

REV. MSGR. RANDY VASHON AND THE PARISH FAMILY OF

B R I D G E WAT E R

HOLY SEPULCHRE

SIR RICHARD & DAME LESLIE CRETER

PROUDLY CONGRATULATES

Rev. Edmund A. Luciano III, KCHS on his elevation in rank in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepluchre

Knight Chaplain Commander father Edmund A. Luciano III

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT NOVEMBER 28, 2019

Father Edmund A. Luciano III, Episcopal Liaison to the Sovereign Military Hospitillar Order of Malta and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre Of Jerusalem, was promoted to Knight Chaplain Commander in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Manhattan, N.Y., Oct 5 by its Grand Master, His Eminence Edwin Cardinal O'Brien.

A lifelong product of Catholic education, he attended St. Augustine of Canterbury School, Kendall Park, and Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville. Father Luciano continued his studies at Seton Hall University, South Orange, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and religious studies. Having the opportunity to attend the Angelicum University in Rome, he added Catholic Studies as his third field of study in preparation for his Bachelor of Arts degree, which was conferred in 2005.

While serving as a youth minister at the Church of the Sacred Heart, South Plainfield, and completing a graduate cer-

tificate in Youth Ministry, Father Luciano discerned his vocation to the priesthood.

He entered St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree.

Father Luciano was ordained to the transitional diaconate by Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church May 17, 2008; and to the priesthood by Bishop Bootkoski May 23, 2009, at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen.

His assignments have been St. Ann Parish, Raritan Borough; Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Piscataway; and Our Lady of Peace Parish, Fords; director, diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry; and director of Major Gifts in the diocesan Office of Development.

In addition, he has assisted in various Catholic schools and served on the diocesan Vocations Committee, and as Master of Ceremonies for both Bishop Bootkoski and Bishop Checchio.

Currently, Father Luciano is parochial vicar at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater, and is a representative of the Diocese of Metuchen on the New Jersey Catholic Conference’s Public Policy Committee.

16 OUR DIOCESE

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Parish celebrates 100th anniversary Continued from page 10

B. Reagan was appointed the first resident pastor of the new parish. During his pastorate, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur arrived to teach in the parish school, which opened in September 1930. Father Reagan was succeeded by Father John Larkin in 1932.

Five years later, Father Joseph Ketter became pastor of Our Lady of Peace.

During his pastorate, a house was purchased as a convent and the Sisters of St. Joseph came to staff the school beginning in 1940.

In 1943, Father James Sheridan was appointed as pastor. He made improvements to the church grounds and the established the Mission of St. Margaret Mary in Bonhamtown.

Following Father Sheridan’s death during a church service in May 1947, Father John Grimes was named pastor. Father Grimes would later become Msgr. Grimes. The parish grew considerably during his tenure. In 1951, the Annex was purchased and renovated, and, in 1954, work commenced on the present church building, which was dedicated Aug. 14, 1955.

Father Grimes was succeeded by Msgr. Joseph R. Brzozowski in June 1956. Under “Monsignor Joe,” the parish continued to grow. A new convent, now the Edison offices of Catholic Charities, was built in 1962, as was the Junior High School building in 1968 and a new rectory in 1976. After serving the parish for 30 years, Msgr. Brzozowski retired in 1986.

For the next 23 years Msgr. Robert J. Zamorski led Our Lady of Peace. He eliminated the parish debt and complet-

NOVEMBER 28, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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Established 1961

Above, Bishop James F. Checchio poses with concelebrants after Mass at Our Lady of Peace Church, including Father Matthew R. Paratore (left), pastor. Right, Father Paratore holds a Joint Resolution from the state legislature noting the 100th anniversary with Craig J. Coughlin (left), speaker of the General Assembly, and Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac.

— Marlo Williamson photos

ed many improvements to the church and property.

In 2009, Msgr. Zamorski was transferred to the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi and Msgr. Andrew L. Szaroleta was installed as pastor. He served until 2017, when Father Matthew R. Paratore, S.T.L., J.C.L became the eighth pastor of Our Lady of Peace.

The parish has 1,400 registered families and 160 children in its religious education program.

“The area has changed a lot since the church was built in 1955,” said Father Paratore. “After the war, Ford and Revlon had plants in the area and that drew a lot of people from West Orange and Newark. The population at the time became Polish, Hungarian and Italian.

Now there is a large percentage of Indian, Latino and Asians within the parish.”

Father Paratore said there are no plans for the near future as far as building projects or new ministries. He said he embraces the rich history of the church with an eye to the future challenges it faces.

“Demographics present a challenge for this parish. Five minutes in one direction is St. James. Five minutes in the other direction is the cathedral.

“Filipinos and Latinos make up a large portion of the younger parishioners and they have different cultures and traditions and as a result, different expectations of the church when they attend Mass. Finding a way to serve all of the interests of the different demographics within our parish is a challenge and it is one that the entire Catholic church faces as well.”

17

to join our parish family as we come together to celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus the Christ

OUR DIOCESE

Our Lady of the Mount Parish invites your family

RECONCILIATION Tuesday, December 10 7:30 P.M. Church

Saturday, December 14 3:45-4:45 P.M. Church

MASSES

Christmas Eve Tuesday, December 24 4:00 P.M. Chapel 4:00 P.M. Church 6:30 P.M. Church Midnight Church

Christmas Day Wednesday, December 25 10:00 A.M. Church 12:00 P.M. Church

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Saturday, December 28 5:00 P.M. Vigil Church

Sunday, December 29 8:00 A.M. Church 10:00 A.M. Church 11:30 A.M. Church

Solemnity of Mary,

Tuesday, December 31 5:00 P.M. Vigil Church

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God Wednesday, January 1 9:00 A.M. Church 11:00 A.M. Church

167 Mt. Bethel Rd, Warren, J 07059

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT NOVEMBER 28, 2019

the Holy Mother of God

OUR FAITH

18

Single-parent adoption/ protest at Mass Pope Francis

AUDIENCE

November 6, 2019 Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis on the Acts of the Apostles, we now see Saint Paul welcomed in Corinth by a devout married couple, Aquila and Priscilla, who, like the Apostle, were tentmakers by trade.

These two spouses – full of faith in God and of generosity to others – are a paradigm of Christian hospitality; in opening their house to the Apostle, they also embraced the Gospel he came to preach. As the meeting place of the early Christian community in Corinth, their home became a true “domestic church”. When Paul left Corinth for Ephesus, they continued to accompany him in his ministry, and later returned to Rome. As a model of Christian married life, Aquila and Priscilla also remind us of the many families who, by their faith and efforts to proclaim the Good News, have, in every generation, opened their hearts to Christ and made their homes places of fellowship and the worship of God in faith, hope and charity.

I desperately want a child. I am not married and have had cancer twice. I take chemo for five days, then I’m off for 23 days, and the cycle is continuous. I will not be able to have my own children because chemo could harm the baby. I am not able to adopt through Catholic Charities since I am single. I am a practicing Catholic wanting to take care of an unwanted child. Why am I unable to adopt through Catholic Charities? (Jefferson City, Mo.)

Q

Question Corner

By Father Kenneth Doyle Catholic Charities has no rule against adoption by a single parent, so I’m not sure whether you were told that or just assumed it. (The Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania, for example, specifies on its website, “Single parents are eligible to become adoptive applicants for some programs. Catholic Charities Counseling and Adoption Services understands that a good home can be provided by a single parent.”)

A

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT NOVEMBER 28, 2019

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a wonder at the wisdom and power of Your Father and ours. Receive my prayer as part of my service of the Lord who enlists me in God's own work for justice.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a joy responsive to the Father's joy.

I seek His will so I can serve with gladness, singing and love.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me the joy and love and peace it is right to bring to the manger of my Lord.

Raise in me, too, sober reverence for the God who acted there, hearty gratitude for the life begun there, and spirited resolution to serve the Father and Son. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose advent I hail. Amen.

Recently, at a Mass celebrated by our archbishop, a few people about five rows back from the altar stood during the entire Mass to protest some decisions by the archbishop that they disagreed with. (He was upholding Church teaching on marriage as being between one man and one woman.)

They held no signs, but their actions distracted from the Mass, which I believe should be centered on Christ, and they certainly blocked the view of the congregants seated behind them. Is protesting in this way acceptable, even if no signs are held? (Indianapolis, Ind.)

Q

Your question, no doubt, has to do with the announcement in June 2019 that a teacher at a Catholic school in Indianapolis had been

A

terminated because of his same-sex marriage. A statement from the archdiocese noted that “all teachers, school leaders and guidance counselors are ministers and witnesses of the faith, who are expected to uphold the teachings of the Church in their daily lives, both in and out of school.”

In a subsequent press conference, Archbishop Charles C. Thompson was quoted as saying that the issue in the case “is about public witness of Church teaching on the dignity of marriage as one man and one woman. That is our Church teaching.”

As for the strategy employed by the protestors in standing during the entire Mass, I agree with you that this must have been distracting, especially for those seated behind them. The Eucharist is meant to be an experience of prayer — the highest prayer, in fact — and anything that would divert attention from that should be shunned.

Those wanting to indicate their disagreement with the archdiocese’s decision might have been better advised to make their feelings known outside the church, not within — and not, certainly, during the Eucharist.

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

Hold good friends close to your heart There are those friends in life who have such a way with a turn of phrase that they always keep you smiling, at least, or laughing, at best. I have such a friend, and no matter how poorly I may feel on any given day, her phone calls are sure to lift me out of the doldrums.

Advent Prayer

While a two-parent home is the ideal, single parents can indeed offer children the love and stability they need to develop and flourish. A prospective parent’s health, though, is one of the factors taken into account in the placement decision, since raising a child can be a demanding task. I would suggest that you speak directly to the Catholic Charities office in your area and explain your situation, perhaps bolstered by a doctor’s certificate of your readiness to be a parent.

Things My Father Taught Me

By Mary Morrell Today, as we shared our growing need for being frugal, she admitted she had acquired the gift of her grandfather and developed “a talent for the tape.” She was referring to duct tape, a staple used by her grandfather to hold together his car, and just about everything else that needed repair.

My dad, who was also a duct tape aficionado, grew up during the depression. His motto was “Why buy new when you can fix it with tape?”

My husband, born in a different generation but with lots of mouths to feed, had a similar motto, so duct tape was the go-to for all possible repairs, and, in his case as a carpenter, as the occasional bandage, as well. He even has a wallet made out of duct tape, a gift from his sister.

This morning, just after my uplifting phone call with my friend, I noticed my husband going out the front door wearing his brown work boots held together in the front with silver duct tape — like some weird version of a 1920s two-toned lace-up. I couldn’t stop laughing, but had to admit that was a $50 savings right there.

“Have duct tape, will travel,” he laughs.

It occurred to me that friends are like duct tape — invaluable, flexible, reliable, helping you hold things together when you are torn or broken, or simply brightening up your life with their many colors and patterns. And yet there is a deeper dimension to friendship that holds friends close to our hearts.

Father Henri Nouwen describes it beautifully in his book “Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life:” “When we honestly ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”

When I read these words I am re-

minded of those times when Jesus most needed this kind of friend. I think of the moving painting by Carl Heinrich Bloch of the Scripture story of the angel who comes to comfort, encourage and strengthen Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest.

And I think of Mary, Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala standing at the foot of the cross with John, the beloved disciple. In their own weakness they faced the reality of Jesus’ chosen powerlessness. They offered no advice, no solutions, no cures, but each would have touched his wounds with warm and tender hands if they could.

Friendship, wrote Father Nouwen, “is one of the greatest gifts a human being can receive. [It] is being with the other in joy and sorrow, even when we cannot increase the joy or decrease the sorrow. It is a unity of souls that gives nobility and sincerity to love. Friendship makes all of life shine brightly.”

In their light, we can appreciate the gracious words of St. Theresa of Avila: “What a great favor God does to those who he places in the company of good people.”

Mary Morrell is the author of “Things My Father Taught Me About Love,” and “Let Go and Live: Reclaiming your life by releasing your emotional clutter,” both available as ebooks on Amazon.com.

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Be vigilant about final destiny “You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” (Mt 24:44). St. Matthew’s Gospel greets us with these words of warning as we begin both Advent and our new liturgical year. Ironically, in this season of beginnings, our readings this Sunday direct our attention to the end of time. Their motive is to arouse not fear, but lively anticipation of the coming fullness of the Kingdom of God.

SCRIPTURE STUDY

By Msgr. John N. Fell

WEEK IN SCRIPTURE Sun 1 Mon 2 Tues 3 Wed 4 Thurs 5 Fri 6 Sat 7 Sun 8 Mon 9 Tues 10 Wed 11 Thurs 12 Fri 13 Sat 14

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14

Is 2:1-5 • Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 • Rom 13:11-14 • Mt 24:37-44 Is 4:2-6 • Ps 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9 • Mt 8:5-11 Is 11:1-10 • Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 • Lk 10:21-24 Is 25:6-10a • Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 • Mt 15:29-37 Is 26:1-6 • Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a • Mt 7:21, 24-27 Is 29:17-24 • Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14 • Mt 9:27-31 Is 30:19-21. 23-26 • Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 • Mt 9:35 – 10:1, 5a, 6-8 Is 11:1-10 • Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 • Rom 15:4-9 • Mt 3:1-12 Gn 3:9-15, 20 • Ps 98: 1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 • Eph 1:3-6, 11-12 • Lk 1:26-38 Is 40:1-11 • Ps 96:1-2, 3, 10ac, 11-12, 13 • Mt 18:12-14 Is 40:25-31 • Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10 • Mt 11:28-30 Zec 2:14-17• Dn 3:68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74Jdt 13:18bcde, 19 • Lk 1:26-38 Is 48:17-19 • Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6 • Mt 11:16-19 Sir 48:1-4, 9-11 • Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19 • Mt 17:9a, 10-13

Blessed Adolf Kolping 1813 - 1865 feast December 4

Image © KNA-Bild

As a shepherd and shoe-factory worker, Adolf experienced poverty and social upheaval in 19th century Germany. He worked 12-hour days, studied at night and graduated from high school at 24. After priestly ordination in Cologne in 1845, he began his industrial mission, preaching the dignity of both the worker and the work.

This soon led to “Kolping Families,” which stressed the Christian response to work and family for workers living in hostels. The movement spread beyond the Rhine Valley to the United States, Argentina, Australia and India, and today has 420,000 members.

When Pope John Paul II beatified Adolf in 1991, he called him “the precursor of the great social encyclicals.”

Saints

SCRIPTURE SEARCH® Gospel for December 1, 2019 Matthew 24:37-44

Following is a word search based on the Gospel reading for the First Sunday in Ordinary of Advent, Cycle A: a warning about sudden changes. The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle.

NOAH BEFORE ENTERED TWO MEN THE MILL NIGHT BROKEN INTO

COMING THE FLOOD THE ARK FIELD KNOW THE THIEF AN HOUR

THOSE DAYS EATING ALL AWAY TAKEN LORD HOUSE EXPECT

DAYS OF NOAH J E X P E C T W O M E N O B K W D R O L Y A T L R L C O M

I

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H J E O J N O A H Y O O E

I

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A T N A U S

H T E H T N A S E

L G Y H N E N T E R E D O N E L M G N O U E

I

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R U O H N A W Y

D F L K N O W E D T U S O L P Y A W A L L A O R K R A E H T B E F O R E © 2019 TRI-C-A Publications; www.tri-c-a-publications.com

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT NOVEMBER 28, 2019

Our first reading this Sunday comes from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah lived and taught in the Northern Kingdom of Israel some 700 years before the birth of Jesus. For the people of Israel, Isaiah’s era was a time of intense civil danger. The neighboring Assyrian Empire was on a program of world conquest under the great King Sennacherib and his immediate predecessors, and the small nation of Israel seemed particularly vulnerable. The tensions leading up to and including the Assyrian invasion and destruction of Israel in 701 BC were a time of tremendous tension, privation, and fear for the people.

In this Sunday’s passage, the prophet offers words of comfort and hope to his downtrodden listeners. So devastated by the vagaries of war, Isaiah speaks to them of a time when “one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again” (Is 2:4c). He fosters their hopes for the balm of peace, promising a future in which warriors “will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks” (Is 2:4b). They must look, with lively hope, to the future.

The future, and especially the vital necessity of preparing for it, was also on St. Matthew’s mind in this Sunday’s selection from his Gospel.

He urges his readers to ready themselves for the Day of the Lord, the glorious return of Christ Jesus, with lively enthusiasm. The early Christian community was exhorted to live as though the Day of Judgment was imminent.

By the time St. Matthew’s Gospel was written (around the 70s AD), the early Christians had begun to lose their spirited sense of Christ’s imminent return. In the days and years immediately following Jesus’ death and resurrection, some Christians had assumed that Christ’s return would be within weeks, if not days. As they gradually

realized that the Age of the Church was to last for a longer period, some of that initial enthusiasm waned. People who previously lived every moment of their lives under the shadow of the approaching fullness of God’s Kingdom, now became more lax. It is this dimming of hope and subsequent laxity in practicing their faith that St. Matthew aims to challenge by presenting this Sunday’s account of Jesus’ teaching.

Jesus gives three examples of the dangers of laxity in this Sunday’s Gospel. First, he recalls the time of Noah (see Genesis 6:5 - 9:17). He remarks at how all the people kept up with their regular activities, giving little heed to their religious duties, right up until the rains began to pour.

All except Noah and his charges were destroyed.

Next, Jesus tells the chilling tale of the suddenness with which the Day of the Lord, the great Day of Judgment will appear — “Two men will be out in a field; one will be taken [into eternal blessedness] and one will be left [to the fires of eternal punishment]. Two women will be grinding meal; one will be taken and one will be left” (Mt 24:40-41). The only time people may have to prepare to enter into the fullness of the kingdom is now!

Finally, Jesus tells the familiar story of the householder guarding his property against thieves. Once he knows that the thief is coming, the owner will remain on constant guard so as to not lose his earthly treasures. Jesus cautions comparable vigilance with regard to one’s eternal destiny.

These readings are intended to stir up both the brightness of our hope as well as the enthusiasm of our faith. The beginning of the Advent Season, this season of preparation, presents an opportune moment for all Christians to recall the glorious future that awaits us in the fullness of God’s Kingdom, as well as the abundant possibilities for hastening the realization of that coming fullness right here and now. We must allow this future to determine our present. This Gospel is a challenge to rid ourselves of whatever complacency has set into the practice of our faith, to make straight whatever crooked paths have marred our journey to the Lord. Only by doing so can we live properly as heirs to promises of eternal glory Christ has made to us. As we enter this Advent Season, let us renew ourselves in Christ, striving to “put off the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Rom 13:12).

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

OUR FAITH

First Sunday of Advent (A)

EVANGELIZATION HERE & NOW

20

Evangelization HERE AND NOW

Churches floodlit in support of persecuted

y p p a H g n i v i ksg n a Th FROM

Catholic Spirit THE

NOVEMBER 28, 2019

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Prayer for Thanksgiving Father, all of Creation rightly owes you thanks and praise. Your justice, love and mercy abound. We thank you this day for all that you have given us: For the Passion and Death of your Divine Son, we thank you Father, through the Cross, He redeemed the world.

For the Church, we thank you Father, it is our beacon for salvation.

For the martyrs and saints who give testimony to your Son, we thank you Father, their witness to your Son is our inheritance.

For our loved ones and friends who have died and gone before us, we thank you Father, their love abides with us forever.

For loving spouses, we thank you Father, together we seek you.

For the gift of children, we thank you Father, they are your precious gifts to us and to the world.

For the gift of our families, loved ones and good friends, we thank you Father, Through them we see the reflection of your Son. For jobs, our homes and all that we have, we thank you Father, give us only that which we need, as we seek Your Kingdom.

For the bounty we are about to eat, we thank you through Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

In remembrance of today’s Christian martyrs and in tribute to those currently suffering persecution, the parish family of St. Elizabeth Church, Far Hills, and St. Brigid Church, Peapack, participated in the “Courage in Red” initiative organized by the charity, Aid to the Church in Need.

Both of the local churches were scheduled to be floodlit in red from Nov. 16-23 to join in solidarity with fellow Christians that will highlight in red their landmarks, churches and cathedrals around the world, including London, Rome, Mexico, Brazil, Syria, the Philippines and Washington, D.C. More Christians — 45,000,000 — were martyred in the 20th century than those killed in the previous 19 centuries since the time of Jesus.

Persecution comes in many forms.

Men, women and children are subject to harassment and discrimination. In Saudi Arabia, Christians are unable to practice their faith freely without fear or repercussion. In Egypt, the Church is often denied permits and prevented from building churches. In China, faithful are afraid to wear crosses or carry Bibles in public.

Efforts are under way to aid persecuted Christians in refugee camps and in their homeland, as well as to help resettle others by aiding them in rebuilding their homes that were destroyed.

For more information or to donate, contact Aid to the Church in Need at www.churchinneed.org or call (800) 628-6333 or contact Knights of Columbus at www.christiansatrisk.org or call (203) 752-4000.

Above, St. Brigid Church, Peapack, and St. Elizabeth Church, Far Hills, are shown floodlit in red in October 2018, in solidarity with persecuted Christians around the world. St. Brigid Church hosted a prayer service and panel of religious freedom activists for persecuted Christians that month. Among the panelists was Lord David Alton, a leading Catholic layman and Life Peer of the British House of Lords. The two churches were scheduled to be floodlit in red again Nov. 16-23 in solidarity with fellow Christians that will highlight in red their landmarks, churches and cathedrals around the world, including Mexico, Washington, D.C.; London, Rome, Brazil, Syria and the Philippines.

Religious-alumna shares experiences in Haiti EDISON — On Oct. 29, juniors and seniors in Matthew VanDoren and Matthew Roche’s United States History II classes at St. Thomas Aquinas High School hosted Felician Sister Marilyn Minter, a member of the institution’s Class of 1974.

Sister Marilyn spoke about her experiences working in Haiti with members of the Jacmel community along the southern coast of the country.

Her presentation began with a video that introduced the students to the problems that Haiti has been experiencing since the earthquakes in 2010, explaining how the Felician Sisters first went to Haiti to witness the destruction and to see the conditions throughout the country, but by the end of their trip realizing that they must stay and help. The video shed light on all of the various ways that the Felician Sisters are able to be

a source of hope and life for the people of Jacmel and how their small mission is continuing to flourish even as conditions in Haiti continue to deteriorate.

Sister Marilyn then spoke about her first-hand experiences working with the poorest Haitians.

One of the most enlightening parts of Sister Marilyn’s presentation was her descriptions of how the government of Haiti has continued to make things more difficult for its residents becaue of corruption.

Much of the work that she does focuses on providing basic needs for Haitians. The sisters act as teachers and religious guides for the Haitian people while simultaneously providing food and medical care for people who cannot afford to pay for it.

It brought joy to the students because they were assured that the pro-

Felician Sister Marilyn Minter, a member of St. Thomas Aquinas High School’s Class of 1974, takes a selfie with attendees of her presentation Oct. 29.

— photo courtesy of St. Thomas Aquinas School

ceeds of the school’s Lent Dime-A-Day program would be donated to the Felician Sisters to use in Haiti and to help the poorest people of Jacmel.

Journey of Faith

By Father John Gerard Hillier As a small child, do you remember learning to pray to your guardian angel? Perhaps you remember your mother teaching you that your guardian angel helped keep you from hurting your soul by sin. Perhaps you remember her telling you that your guardian angel helped steer you away from sin.

Perhaps you remember her telling you that your guardian angel helped you understand what God wants. Perhaps you remember the little prayer to your guardian angel ...

“Angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom His love commits me here.

Ever this day be at my side, To light, to guard, to rule and guide.

From sinful stain, oh, keep me free, And in death’s sorrow my helper be.

Amen.”

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“The first and last point of reference of this catechesis will always be Jesus Christ himself, who is ‘the way, and the truth, and the life’” (ccc 1698). “It is by looking to him in faith that Christ’s faithful can hope that he himself fulfills his promises in them” (ccc 1698).

In the words of the 17th century priest and mystic, St. John Eudes, “I ask you to consider that our Lord Jesus Christ is your true head, and that you are one of his members. He belongs to you as the head belongs to its members; all that is his is yours: his spirit, his heart, his body and soul, and all his faculties. You must make use of all these as of your own, to serve, praise, love, and glorify God. You belong to him, as members belong to their head. And so he longs for you to use all that is in you, as if it were his own, for the service and glory of the Father” (ccc 1698).

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Why would your mom teach you to pray to your guardian angel? Most likely, because she realized how precious you are and wanted to protect you with all the special help available.

No doubt she also realized the dignity you enjoy as one who shares in the very nature of God! This section of the Catechism takes up this theme with a quotation from a sermon composed by St. Leo the Great, a pope in the 5th century who wrote the following: “Christian, recognize your dignity and, now that you share in God’s own nature, do not return to your former base condition by sinning. Remember who is your head and of whose body you are a member. Never forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of the Kingdom of God” (ccc 1691).

In the next paragraph, we are reminded, “What faith confesses, the

sacraments communicate: by the sac- the way of Christ is summed up in the raments of rebirth, Christians have beatitudes, the only path that leads to become ‘children of God,’ partakers the eternal beatitude for which the huof the divine nature” (ccc 1692). Fur- man heart longs. ther, Christians are made capable of — a catechesis of sin and forleading a life worthy giveness: unless of the Gospel “by man acknowledges the grace of Christ that he is a sinner “Christian, recogand the gifts of his he cannot know the nize your dignity Spirit, which they truth about himself. receive through — a catechesis and, now that you the sacraments and of the human virtues: share in God’s through prayer” (ccc which causes one to 1692). Like Jesus grasp the beauty and own nature, do who did what was attraction of right pleasing to God the dispositions towards not return to your Father, we who are goodness. former base conhis disciples “are — a catechesis invited to live in the of the Christian virdition by sinning. sight of the Father” tues of faith, hope, Remember who is as well (ccc 1693). and charity: generAll of this ously inspired by your head and of comes to pass the example of the when we are reborn saints. whose body you through the waters — a catechesis are a member.” of baptism. Incorof the twofold com— St. Leo the Great porated into Christ mandment of charby Baptism, “Chrisity: as set forth in tians can strive to be the Decalogue (the ‘imitators of God as beloved children, Ten Commandments). and walk in love’ by conforming their — an ecclesial catechesis: it is thoughts, words and actions” to the through the manifold exchanges of mind Christ Jesus, and by follow- ‘spiritual goods’ in the ‘communion ing his example (ccc 1694). We are reminded, too, that “Christians have (also) become the temple of the Holy Spirit” (ccc 1695).

The Catechism tells us that our options are to fall victim to the power of sin and darkness or to opt for the light of the Kingdom of God. In fact, the Catechism explains that the Catechesis of the Church acknowledges that “two ways remain ever present in the catechesis of the Church...the one of life, the other of death” (ccc 1696).

Paragraph 1697 of the Catechism outlines that a Catechesis for the ‘newSPOTLIGHT PILGRIMAGE: ness of life’ in Christ should include: — a catechesis of the Holy Spirit: a gentle guest and friend who inspires, guides, corrects, and strengthens this ALASKA DISCOVERY life.

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Article 129 - Catechism of the Catholic Church Series Paragraphs 1691-1698

21

Christ brought light of Kingdom of God to follow

22

Conference speakers include doctor who used to perform abortions

OUR DIOCESE

Continued from page 3

heard God tell me, ‘I made you for more,’” Darrow said. “My father came all the way to New York City to rescue me and bring me home.”

Darrow went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a master’s degree in theology at the Augustine Institute, Greenwood Village, Col. She created

and hosts the “Do Something Beautiful” podcast, is author of “The Other Side of Beauty,” and co-founded the LUX Conference for young adult Catholic women.

The married mother of four, pregnant with her fifth child, shared, “I actively look for people who are better, smarter, and holier than me. We weren’t made for the comforts of this world.

Heaven is not full of couch potatoes, but

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of people who fought and suffered for the love of God.” Darrow concluded, “If you are still breathing, God is not done with you…

The battle we fight is a spiritual battle.

You may be the only copy of the Gospel people read.”

Patricia Sandoval’s presentation, “Transfigured: Escape from Drugs, Homelessness and the Back Doors of Planned Parenthood,” was a frank, autobiographical examination of the tailspin the now-married mother of a six-monthold had endured with the loss of her faith and lack of maternal guidance.

“I was devout as a child,” Sandoval remembered. “I sent love notes to God on balloons to heaven.” Her mother turned away from the faith just after young Patricia received her first holy Communion, leaving her open to the lies told to her middle-school classroom by a visiting Planned Parenthood representative.

“She kept saying [the fetus] was only blobs of tissue,” Sandoval said.

“I also got mixed messages from my parents.” A quick succession of three abortions and employment in a Planned Parenthood clinic for a month was devastating enough to push her into drug abuse and homelessness.

“Who pays the price due to our sexual disorder? These innocents give their lives because we don’t know what truth is,” Sandoval said. “I went to a Rachel’s Vineyard retreat to repair the damage I had done. I went back to my

father’s house and fell at his feet like the Prodigal Son. He said, ‘It’s okay. I love you. Welcome home.’”

In “The Ripple Effect of Choice,” Dr. Anthony Levatino stood beside his wife, Cecelia. He held aloft surgical tools and detailed their use in a typical, 15-minute abortion procedure.

“I was pro-choice when I graduated from medical school,” he admitted. He worked at Albany Medical Center (N.Y.) as an associate professor, medical student director and residency program director, all the while maintaining a private practice that terminated pregnancies.

“Over four years, I performed about 1,200 abortions, including second-trimester ones,” he said.

The turning point for him was the death of his young daughter because of a car accident. He stopped performing abortions, and he and his wife, a nurse, became pro-life advocates instead. Most recently, Levantino served as technical advisor to the movie “Unplanned,” and portrayed the doctor in the film.

Cecelia Levatino told the attendees they were there because they cared. “There is power in this room, in the Church, but it is not the job of the Church to tell you who to vote for," she said. "The Church sets up the moral framework to help you form your own conscience.

“It has been 46 years since Roe v.

Wade and we have no one to blame but ourselves. Change it.”

NOVEMBER 28, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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Above, participants of the Choices Matter conference at the Student Center at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, applaud after hearing a song by musicians from Break Ministry, which reaches out to college students in New Jersey and other parts of the East Coast to encourage them to continue worshiping at Mass.

— Mike Ehrmann photos

One day, God sent his angel, Gabriel, on a very important mission.

God asked Gabriel to deliver a message to a young woman, Mary, who lived in the town of Nazareth in Galilee.

Mary was a virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, whose family was related to King David. “Betrothed” means that Mary and Joseph were engaged to be married.

Gabriel came to Mary’s home.

When he saw her, he called out to her.

“Hail, full of grace!” Gabriel said.

“The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled by his greeting and wondered what it meant.

Gabriel wanted to put her mind at Mary had a cousin named Eliza- age, and this is the sixth month for her ease. beth, who was married to the priest who was called barren; for nothing will “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you Zechariah. Elizabeth and Zechariah be impossible for God,” Gabriel said. have found favor with God,” he as- were old, and Elizabeth was never able Mary was overcome with emotion. sured her. to have children.

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Gabriel went on to explain that “And behold, Elizabeth, your rela- Lord,” Mary told Gabriel. “May it be God had chosen Mary to be the mother tive, has also conceived a son in her old done to me according to your word.” of the Messiah.

“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus,” the angel told Mary. “He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the 1. Who was to deliver a message to Mary?

Lord God will give him the throne of 2. What was the message about?

David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

As Mary was taking in all that the angel said, she asked how what he had Unscramble the words and arrange them in the correct order to told her would take place. form a quotation from the children’s story.

Gabriel said that the Holy Spirit would come upon Mary and she would be overshadowed by God’s power.

“Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God,” he said.

After Gabriel had finished delivering his message about the Messiah, NewChinese Jersey Chinese Catholic Apostolate New Jersey Chinese Catholic Apostolate New Jersey Apostolate New Jersey Chinese Catholic Apostolate he had some more news toCatholic share with New Jersey Chinese Catholic Apostolate New Jersey Chinese Catholic Apostolate Jersey Chinese Catholic Apostolate New Jersey Catholic Apostolate 新澤西華人天主教會 新澤西華人天主教會 Mary.New Jersey Catholic New Jersey 新New 澤Chinese 西 華人 天主教Apostolate 會 新澤Chinese 西華Chinese 人Catholic 天主 教Apostolate 會

OUR DIOCESE

By Jennifer Ficcaglia Catholic News Service

23

Angel Gabriel announces a message to Virgin Mary

READ MORE ABOUT IT: Luke 1 Q&A:

PUZZLE:

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Puzzle Answer: of Lord am the handmaid I behold the Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.

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P.O. Box 953, Old Bridge, NJ 08857

Crown Moldings/Trim/Co�fer Ceilings

908 . 246 . 9343

JOIN THIS DIRECTORY FOR AS LITTLE AS $30 PER MONTH. Call Nan for details at 732.765.6444

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT NOVEMBER 28, 2019

CONCORD

24 OUR DIOCESE

Mass of Remembrance scheduled Rev. Msgr. Joseph Curry will preside at the monthly Mass of Remembrance Dec. 7 at 9 a.m. in the Mausoleum Chapel at Holy Cross Burial Park, East Brunswick.

Rev. Alexander J. Carles will preside at the same time in the Mausoleum

NECROLOGY

Chapel at Resurrection Burial Park, Piscataway.

All are invited to participate at either site. These Masses are offered for all the deceased in the cemeteries. For more information, contact the diocesan Cemetery Office at (732) 463-1424.

Rev. Stanley J. Levandoski Dec. 1, 1982

Rev. Raymond Szulecki Dec. 29, 2001

Rev. Andrew A. Okal Dec. 10, 1987

Rev. Msgr. Anthony J. Luisini Dec. 15, 2004

Rev. Alfred C. Ciok Dec. 6, 1988

Rev. Casimir J. Przechacki Dec. 6, 2005

Rev. Joseph J. Mizerak Dec. 29, 1988

Rev. Msgr. Stephen A. Bielen Dec. 8, 2007

Rev. Msgr. Immanuel W. Vernon Dec. 25, 1992

Most Rev. Edward T. Hughes Dec. 25, 2012

Rev. August Neumann Dec. 29, 1998

Rev. Joseph F. Hogan Dec. 2, 2015

Boylan Funeral Home Family Owned & Operated

188 Easton Avenue New Bruns., NJ 08901 (732) 545-4040

10 Wooding Avenue Edison, NJ 08817 (732) 572-0076

Robert Fox Manager NJ License No. 4371

M

NOVEMBER 28, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

ISELIN

(732) 548-0149

(732) 283-0075

Joseph V. Costello III - Manager NJ Lic. No.3670

www.costello-runyon.com M. DAVID

419 Barclay Street, Perth Amboy • 732-826-4525 JOSEPH P. DIAZ, Manager - NJ Lic. No. 3841 GARY EARL RUMPF, Director - NJ Lic. No. 3353

Lester Memorial Home Thoughtful, Personal Dignified Service GREGORY S. LESTER, MANAGER, NJ LIC. NO. 3364 DAVID L. LESTER, DIRECTOR, NJ LIC. NO. 3483

732-521-0020

16 W. CHURCH STREET • JAMESBURG, NJ 08831

www.LesterMemorialHome.com

Thomas J. DeMarco Manager, N.J. LIC. NO. 4651 Peter S. Winther Director, N.J. LIC. NO. 4763 Jennifer L. Burry Director, N.J. LIC. NO. 5172 M. David DeMarco President, N.J. LIC. NO. 3203 205 Rhode Hall Road Monroe Twp., NJ 08831 Family Owned and Operated

732-521-0555 • www.demarcofuneralhome.com Family owned and operated since 1900 Four generations of caring www.flynnfuneral.com Flynn and Son/Koyen Funeral Home

Flynn and Son Funeral Home 420-424 East Avenue Perth Amboy, NJ 08861 Brendan J. Flynn, Jr., Mgr. - NJ Lic. # 4105 Brendan J. Flynn, Jr., Mgr. - NJ Lic. # 4105 James J. Flynn IV, Mgr. - NJ Lic. # 4152 (732) 548-2134 (732) 826-0358 Flynn and(732) Son826-0358 Funeral Home Flynn and Son/Koyen Flynn and Son Funeral Home Flynn and Son Funeral Home FuneralFlynn Flynn and Son Funeral Home Edison-Fords Homeand Son/Koyen Perth Amboy Funeral Home Perth Amboy 23 Ford Edison-Fords Avenue 319 Amboy Avenue 420-424 East Avenue 23 Ford Avenue Amboy Avenue Perth Amboy, NJ420-424 Edison-Fords, NJ 08863 Metuchen, 319 NJ 08840 08861 East Avenue Brendan J. Flynn, Manager Brendan J. Flynn, Jr. Manager James J. Flynn IV, Manager Edison-Fords, NJ 08863 Metuchen, NJ 08840 Perth Amboy, NJ 08861 Flynn and Son Funeral Home

Family owned andAvenue operated since 1900 Family and operated since 3191900 Amboy Avenue 23owned Ford FourFour generations ofNJcaring Metuchen, NJ 08840 Edison-Fords, 08863of caring generations

FUNERAL DIRECTORY

Gustav J. Novak Funeral Home

1225 Green St.

METUCHEN

Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski, KCHS, gives the homily at Vespers of the Investiture for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Eastern Lieutenancy of the United States, at Our Saviour Church, Manhattan, N.Y., Oct. 4.

— Rick Schwab photo

Costello - Runyon Funeral Homes 568 Middlesex Ave. (Rt 27)

Evening Prayer

M

YOUR DIOCESAN CEMETERIES Ready to serve you!

Holy Cross Cemetery

Cranbury/South River Rd., Jamesburg, NJ

Featuring … Mary Sorrowful Mother Mausoleum Crematory at Holy Cross Cemetery

Resurrection Cemetery Hoes Lane & Park Ave., Piscataway, NJ

Announcing The new Mausoleum of the Holy Spirit (Financing Available - Credit Cards accepted)

For information about purchase of crypts, niches or plots at the diocesan-owned and operated Cemeteries, please call:

1-800-943-8400

DIOMETUCHEN.ORG/CEMETERIES

ZYLKA FUNERAL HOME

513-515 State St., Perth Amboy, NJ • Tel. 732-442-0702 Established 1905 Theodore J. Ricci, CFSP, Manager, NJ Lic. No. 4455 Member of NJ Pre-Paid Funeral Trust

To advertise in this directory call Nan at (732) 765-6444

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Business Directory CONTRACTORS

Bob Stilo STILOEXCAVATING,INC. GENERAL CONTRACTING 2907 So. Clinton Ave., South Plainfield, NJ 07080

908-754-0776 • Fax: 908-754-0425

Medicare Solutions

BRIDGET ZEZENSKI Licensed Insurance Consultant p. 609-285-8475 bridgetzezenskiuhc@yahoo.com Authorized to offer:

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from

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JB

Gutters

PLUMBING SERVICES

HEALTHCARE

OWEN S. DUNIGAN & CO., INC. PLUMBING & HEATING State Lic. #7121 Certified Backflow Inspector Lic. #8714

732.634.0630 WOODBRIDGE 732.381.4544 RAHWAY 732.494.5251 METUCHEN James Juarez, 153 Grove St. Woodbridge, NJ 07095

REAL ESTATE

Josef Bas, Owner 732.579.2490 Fully Insured

free estimates

Gutters Leaders Gutters Covers Gutter Cleaning New Installation & Repair Roofing Chimney Repair

CONTRACTORS HVAC Mechanical Contracting

Thomas Pado President

• • • •

heating air conditioning sheet metal fabrication building automation systems

www.tlpclimate.com

t: 609.426.1966 f: 609.426.1766 400 Rike Drive, Millstone Twp., NJ 08535

TO INCLUDE YOUR BUSINESS IN THIS DIRECTORY FOR AS LITTLE AS $18 PER ISSUE, Call Nan at 732.765.6444

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT NOVEMBER 28, 2019

“Specializing in Asphalt Paving”

Answers can be found on page 26

DOWN 2 Priscilla and Aquila left here because the Jews were ordered out 3 Violation of the sixth commandment 4 Original and actual 5 “…at the name of Jesus every knee should ___…” (Phil 2:10) 6 Focal place of the Mass 7 The feast of St. Frances of Rome is in this month 9 Patron saint of beer brewers 11 The Seven Last ___ of Jesus 14 ___, talent, and treasure 16 Common biblical harvest 17 St. Francis de ___ 19 Anna, to Tobit 21 The Eucharistic Prayer 22 Canonized pope known as “the Great” 23 Catholic poet/essayist John Samuel ___ 26 Paul’s companion during his missionary travels 27 Number of disciples who witnessed the Transfiguration 28 “…thy kingdom ___” 29 Sister of Rachel 31 “…the greatest of these is ___” (I Cor 13:13)

OUR DIOCESE

1

ACROSS 1 Joseph interpreted these 5 Gentile prophet of the Old Testament 8 “Let us make human beings in our ___” (Gen 1:26) 10 Pater ___ 11 Where Jesus met the Samaritan woman 12 Church council 13 Isaiah spoke of a new one 15 Saint of Lima 16 These fell in Jericho 18 Catholic dancer/actor, Patrick ___ 20 Miracle of the ___ and fishes 24 Sons of Rebekah and Isaac 25 Son of Adam 26 St. Elizabeth ___ 28 John wore clothes made from this animal 30 Celestial topper 32 Our Lady, for the Air Force 33 Desert food 34 Catholic Republican National Committee Chairman 35 Eternal life with God

25

Crossword Puzzle

26

AROUND THE DIOCESE

OUR DIOCESE

Prayer and Worship

The Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament, Raritan, will celebrate a sung Mass every Sunday at 11 a.m. in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite in Latin. The Mass is celebrated according to the 1962 Missal in compliance with the “Summorum Pontificum.” For details, call the Shrine Rectory Office, (908) 300-8167.

Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Piscataway, will hold a Holy Hour of Prayer for the Dying every Thursday from 3 to 4 p.m. in the church. Come and pray for those who are dying, especially those who die suddenly and unprepared to enter eternal life.

For information, call (732) 968-5555.

Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Piscataway, will hold a Holy Hour for Religious Freedom and Persecuted Christians every Sunday at 7 p.m., in the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, 50 Van Winkle Place, Piscataway. Participants are invited to silently pray the Rosary and special prayers for the intentions of Christians worldwide who are being persecuted for their faith. For information, call Becky, (703) 625-5388.

Parish of the Visitation, St. Mary of Mount Virgin Worship Site, New Brunswick, invites all to come and recite The Scriptural Rosary, every Sunday, 7 to 7:30 p.m. in Visitation Chapel. The Scriptural Rosary is a modern version of the way the Rosary was prayed throughout Western Christendom in the late Middle Ages. Materials will be provided. For information, call (732) 545-5090.

The Militia of the Immaculata Prayer Village will meet on the First Saturday of every month after the 9 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick Parish, Belvidere. Come and learn about St. Maximilian Kobe, pray the Rosary and consider consecrating yourself to Mary. For details, email mivillagebelvidere@gmail.com.

NOVEMBER 28, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, South

Crossword Puzzle Answers H L O X E N U N R U T H O S B O Y I A B I S L H E R A E M B E D E A C E S T H T E

C O O P E R F R O F R I E N D I O C C U R I A L E L O L H O P G I L R L D C A A B B E Y I A R E N A C L E E O N D A N I E L

P S A M O S S N T E S T O W R E T O R B O A A C N D Y N F S A V E D V M A D E M R

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

Plainfield, will hold Eucharistic Adoration on the First Friday of every month. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will start after the 8 a.m. Mass until 11:30 a.m.

Dec. 1, 4 p.m. — All are invited to attend a Holy Hour with Rosary and Benediction to pray for priests and vocations on the first Sunday of the month at the Carmelite Monastery, 26 Harmony School Rd., Flemington.

Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m. — St. Peter the Apostle University and Community Parish, New Brunswick, will celebrate the Marian Year of preparation, with vespers, prayer and catechesis. All are welcome. For information, call (732) 545-6820.

Advent Programs

Dec. 4, 5:30 to 9 p.m. — Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer, Watchung, will present “Answered Prayers” and Advent Evening of Recollection based on the Gospel of John. A light supper is included.

The cost is $50-$60 as you are able to pay.

To register, call (908) 753-2091 or visit www.msmhope.org.

Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to noon — St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Bridgewater, will present an Advent Morning of Reflection for Women. The morning will include Mass, breakfast, reflection and prayer. The keynote speaker will be Sister of Jesus Our Hope Christine Quense. The topic will be “Mary, Our Help in Suffering.” The cost is $15. To register, visit www.stbernardbridgewater.org by Nov. 29. Payments can be brought to the parish office or to the event.

Fun and Food

Dec. 8, 8 a.m. to noon — St. Ambrose Council, Knights of Columbus, Old Bridge, invites all to a Christmas Breakfast with St. Nicholas. The menu will include pancakes, eggs, bacon, cereal, bagels and beverages. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $6 for children 12 and under.

Children under three years old are free.

To purchase tickets, call Carmela, (718) 490-5284.

Dec. 8, 11 a.m. — Corpus Christi Parish, South River, will host a Cookie Walk for $8 a pound in the church hall. Pies, cakes, candy and dog treats will also be available for purchase. For information, call (732) 770-8245 or email corpuschristievm@ gmail.com.

Dec. 11, 4 to 7 p.m. — St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Hillsborough, will sponsor a Slavic dinner in the parish center. The dinner will include all you can eat pierogis, stuffed cabbage, kielbasa, mashed potatoes, dessert and more. The cost is $15 for those nine years old and older and $5 for children eight years old and under. To-go orders are available.

For information, call (908) 725-0615.

Dec. 14, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Corpus Christi Parish, South River, will host a fundraiser at Raymour and Flanagan, Mid State Mall, East Brunswick. Music will be provided by the Corpus Christi Faith Formation Children. Crafts, pictures will Santa, a silent auction and refreshments will be featured. Baked goods will be available for purchase.

Dec. 15, 8 a.m. to noon — St. Magdalen de Pazzi Jubilee Council 3294, Knights of Columbus, Flemington, is sponsoring Breakfast with Santa in the parish center.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $6 for children under 12. Children under 5 years old are free. Photos with Santa are an additional fee. For details, visit https://www.kofc3294.org/ Dec. 20, 7 to 9:30 p.m. — Corpus Christi Parish, South River, will sponsor a Children’s Movie Night Out in the church hall. The presentation of “Wonder” is open to children five to 12 years old. The cost is $5 for pizza, a brownie and drinks.

To RSVP, text or call (732) 770-8245 or email corpuschristievm@gmail.com.

Craft Fairs and Bazaars

Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Milltown, will host its annual Christmas Bazaar featuring, a silent auction, shopping, food and family activities. Ornaments, religious items, jewelry, designer handbags and more will be showcased. Bring a Christmas card for a Veteran or cards will be available for you to sign at the bazaar. The Knights of Columbus Breakfast with Santa will be held with seating at 9 a.m. or 11 a.m.

Reservations are required for breakfast.

For reservations, call Bernadette, (732) 828-6726 or visit www.ololchurchnj.org.

Special Programs

Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m. — St. Elizabeth – St. Brigid Parish, Far Hills- Peapack, in conjunction with The Daughters of Mary, will present “The Apparition and the Present Day,” an evening with the Sisters of Life at St. Brigid worship site, St. Patrick Hall, Peapack. All are welcome to attend the night of reflection on the eve of the consecration of the diocese to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Dinner is included. For reservations, call the parish office, (908)2341265.

Dec. 14, noon to 2 p.m. — St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Old Bridge, is offering a monthly soup kitchen in the school auditorium. For information contact, Mary Anne Donoghue, tdmaatwest@optonline.net or Chris Doyle, cdoyle167@optimum.net.

Dec. 20, 5:30 to 9 p.m. — Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer, Watchung, will present “Hope in Darkness: Celebrating the Winter Solstice.” Learn how the shortest day of the year is celebrated as a

day of hope. Dinner and Advent Prayer is included. The cost is $50-$60 as you are able to pay. To register, call (908) 7532091 or visit www.msmhope.org.

Concerts

Dec. 1, 3 p.m. — Church of the Sacred Heart, South Plainfield, invites all to a Christmas Concert performed by The Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea in the church. General tickets are $30, $25 for seniors and $15 for students. To purchase tickets, call (908) 756-0633, ext. 110 or (732) 549-9633.

Dec. 8, 2:30 p.m. — A concert to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary will be given by the music ministry of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Piscataway. Because Mary was the first and most perfect disciple of Jesus, the music will celebrate her in Sacred Scripture, some recent apparitions and our response to her call to follow Jesus. The concert is free but an offering will be taken to support the church renovation fund.

Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m. — St. Mary Parish, South Amboy, will present Music at St. Mary’s in the church. Saint Mary Chamber Orchestra and Choral Society will perform Handel’s “Messiah!” A suggested donation of $15 will be accepted. For information, call (732) 857-0202.

Special Events

Dec. 2, 7 p.m. — “Love and Mercy” the story of St. Faustina, will be presented at Regal Commerce Center 18, Rt. 1, North Brunswick. “Love and Mercy” will present unknown facts and recently disclosed documents that shed new light on the vision of Faustina.

Dec. 8, 1 to 4 p.m. — Mount Saint Mary Academy Office of Admissions, Watchung, will host “Make Me a Merry Mountie” in the Student Center. Activities will include decorating Christmas cookies, making Christmas crafts, refreshments, games and more. To register, visit www.mountsaintmary.org/admissions/ merry by Dec. 2.

Sundays, Dec. 1-22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Parish of the Visitation St. Anne Society, New Brunswick, will hold a Cultural Christmas Tree display in the CYO gym. Beginning Dec. 7, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. dancing will be performed by the High Step Dancers.

Bus Trips

Jan. 24, 7 a.m. — St. Ambrose Council, Knights of Columbus, Old Bridge and Immaculate Conception Council, Knights of Columbus, Spotswood, is sponsoring a free bus trip to the March for Life in Washington, DC. The bus will leave from St. Ambrose Parish, Old Bridge. Reservations are first come first serve basis. For reservations, call (732) 679-5666 or (732) 251-3110.

27 OUR DIOCESE

DIOCESAN EVENTS Words of Wisdom

December Eucharistic Adoration is now being held in the chapel at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway. Adorers and intercessors are needed Monday through Friday 9 to 11:45 a.m. Daily Mass is held at 11:45 a.m. For information or to volunteer, call Laura Riccardi, (609) 578-0841. To submit a prayer request, call (732) 7656445.

Deacon Anthony J. Gostkowski, KCHS, who exercises his ministry at St. Bartholomew Parish, East Brunswick, proclaims the Gospel at the Investiture for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Eastern Lieutenancy of the United States, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Manhattan, N.Y., Oct. 5.

The Pontifical Mission Office offers Mass Cards, Perpetual Masses and Gregorian Mass for the Living and Deceased. The suggested offering is from $5 to $300. To purchase a card, contact (732) 243-4580 or email pontifical.mission.societies@ diometuchen.org.

12/4

A Catholic Prayer and Support for Families Affected by Mental Health Issues, Office for Persons with Disabilities, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., St. Patrick Parish, Belvidere.

The support group will offer spiritual support and tips on how to cope with mental health issues. For details, call (732) 765-6432 or email catholicswithdisabilities@gmail.com.

January 1/21

1/24

PCL Round Table, Office of Discipleship Formation for Children, 9:30 a.m. St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway. The discussion is for Parish Catechetical Leaders to gather as a whole and share with each other. To register, call Katie Battle, (732) 243-4575 or email kbattle@diometuchen.org by Jan. 14.

February 2/8

Diocesan Youth Day 2020, Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, 1 to 9 p.m., Saint Joseph High School, Metuchen. The theme is “You are Courageously Loved.” Youth day is open to students in grades 8-12. The day will include Mass, presentations, break-out sessions, adoration and confession. Dinner will be provided. Group registration only. For information, call (732) 243-4575.

2/21-23 Retrouvaille, Office of Family Life. Retrouvaille is a lifeline to help couples heal and renew their marriages. The program consists of a weekend experience for married couples and six follow-up sessions. No group discussions. For details, call Rich Colasuonno, (732) 236-0671 or Annette Colasuonno, (732)672-0748 or email, 3024@retrouvaille.org.

For information call: (732 )529-7934 • Fax: (732) 562-0969 FOR SALE

H O LYA R T - R e l i g i o u s items and Church goods, made in Italy. w w w.holyar t.com; +39 0522 1729582 POSITION WANTED

CAREGIVER Experienced Polish lady to care for elderly.

Good companion, responsible and reliable. Old Bridge area. Call Jadwiga at 732-441-7611 or 732 567 -2033

HELP WANTED

NEED PRO - LIFE HOUSEMOTHERS SHIFTS AVAILABLE - 7-3:30, 3-11:30, 11-7 Several Sources Shelters, a non-profit nonsectarian shelter for pregnant women is seeking kind, compassionate individuals, willing to serve God through those we help.

Drivers License required Reply to : Susan Harper - Lloyd, Email: susanharperlloyd@aol.com Or call: 201-819-4699 (M-F 9-5)

“Come, Follow me.”

(Mark 10:21)

Is God calling you to serve as a priest, religious sister or brother?

If you think maybe . . . contact the Office of Vocations:

REAL ESTATE

SELLING YOUR HOME? Call George Pantozzi, Broker/Sales Associate, Berkshire Hathaway NJ Properties for a complimentary market analysis.

I also buy homes. Cell: 908.392.2677; Office: 908.874.3400 ext 324.

CLEANING SERVICES

DELUXE HOUSEKEEPING - Quality & Reliable Cleaning Service. Free Estimates.

Commercial and Residential. Call Tony or Karina: (732) 670-7437.

HELP WANTED

(732) 562-2453 or e-mail: vocations@diometuchen.org

FREELANCE WRITERS The Catholic Spirit, official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, is seeking freelance reporters to cover events and programs in the four counties of the diocese: Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Email resume and writing samples to:

news@catholicspirit.com

PER LINE CHARGES: $ 3.50 per line - 1 insertion $ 3.25 per line - 2 insertions $ 3.00 per line - 3 insertions $ 2.50 per line - 4 or more insertions

• 24 characters/line (approx) • 5 line minimum • All ads must be pre-paid • Credit cards accepted • Display classified quote upon request

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT NOVEMBER 28, 2019

2020 Call to Action Day, Office of Human Life and Dignity. Everyone is urged to call their New Jersey State Legislators to ask them for a response to the 120,000 postcards mailed to them urging them to pass the “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.” For a listing of legislators and a sample phone message, visit http://babiesinthewombfeelpain.com.

CLASSIFIED

RATES

On December 12, Bishop Checchio inaugurated a year of preparation for the consecration of the Diocese of Metuchen to Our Lady of Guadalupe. His intention for this year is that we each open our heart wide to God’s grace so that authentic spiritual renewal can take place. In light of this you are invited to come to an evening of prayer, preaching and reflection on the message and meaning of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s apparitions on our continent in 1531.

Discover how The Blessed Mother led nine million indigenous Mexican people into a life changing encounter with her Son, Jesus, and how she desires to lead you into a deep and vibrant relationship with Him as well. For information, visit www.LightingHeartsOnFire.org.

— Rick Schwab photo

28 OUR DIOCESE

Celebrate the Holidays MOTHER SETON REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

PEPPERMINT BOUTIQUE

CRAFT FAIR

9AM – 4PM

Saturday, December 7, 2019 Valley Rd., Clark - GSP exit 135 (Across from the Holiday Inn)

OVER 100 VENDORS TO SHOP FROM! Gift Items for everyone: Assorted crafts and handmade items: Home Decor • Christmas Ornaments Handbags • Ceramics • Jewelry • Art Childrens Items ... And much, much more!!

Coffee, Soda, Donuts, Muffins, Sausage & Peppers Sandwiches, Hot Dogs & French Fries Baked Goods for purchase!

FREE ADMISSION - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

For information email: peppermintboutique@motherseton.org

Simbang Gabi

A devo tional 9-d ay series o f Masses honoring the Blessed Mother in preparatio n for the Nativity of o ur Lord Jesus

T h e D i o c e s e o f M e t u c h e n Fi l i p i n o A p o s t o l a t e invites you to a 9-day Simbang Gabi journey in parishes around the diocese

2 019 S i m b a n g G a b i S c h e d u l e (Masses start at 7PM, unless otherwise noted)

Cat he d ra l of St . Fra ncis of A ssi si 3 2 E l m Av e n u e , Me t u c h e n , N J 0 8 8 4 0

1 5 D e ce mb e r ( S u n ) 5:00 PM

Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Zamorski

NOVEMBER 28, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Rector of St. Francis Cathedral Celebrant and Homilist

1 6 D e ce mb e r (M o n )

C HU RC H O F T HE SAC RE D HE ART QU E E N SHIP OF M A R Y C HU R C H ST . FR A N C E S C A B R IN I C HU R C H

149 South Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield 16 Dey Road, Plainsboro 208 Bound Brook Avenue, Piscataway

1 7 D e ce mb e r ( Tue )

C OR P U S C HR IST I C HU R C H ( 7 :3 0 P M ) ST . C E C IL IA C HU R C H ( 7 :3 0 P M ) S T . HE L EN A C HU R C H ( 7 : 3 0 P M )

100 James Street, South River 10 Kingston Lane, Monmouth Junction 950 Grove Avenue, Edison

1 8 D e ce mb e r ( We d )

MARY, MOTHE R OF GOD C HU RC H ST . AMB ROSE C HU RC H (7:30 PM) ST . B E RN AD E TTE C HU RC H ST . M A T THIA S C HU R C H ( 7 :3 0 P M )

157 South Triangle Road, Hillsborough 83 Throckmorton Lane, Old Bridge 20 Villanova Road, Parlin 168 JFK Boulevard, Somerset

1 9 D e ce mb e r ( Th u )

OU R L A D Y OF V IC TOR IE S C HU R C H ( 7 :3 0 P M ) ST . C E C E L IA C HU R C H ST . J AME S THE L E SS C HU RC H (7:30 PM)

42 Main Street, Sayreville 45 Wilus Way, Iselin 36 Lincoln Avenue, Jamesburg

2 0 D e ce mb e r ( Fr i )

80 Main Street, Bloomsbury C HU R C H O F T HE A N N U NC IA T IO N ( 7 : 3 0 P M ) 470 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick ST . B ART HOL OME W C HU RC H (7:30 PM) S T . B E R N A R D O F C L A I R V A U X C H U R C H ( 7 : 3 0 P M ) 500 Route 22, Bridgewater

2 1 D e ce mb e r (S a t )

ST .

ST .

S T. ST .

2 2 D e ce mb e r (S u n )

IM M A C U L A TE C ON C E P TION C HU R C H ( 4 P M ) OU R L A D Y OF F A TIM A C HU R C H ST . J AME S C HU RC H ST . T HOMAS THE APOSTL E C HU RC H (5:30 PM)

2 3 D e ce mb e r ( M o n )

AN N C HU RC H AN TH ON Y OF PAD U A C HU RC H A U G U S T IN E O F C A N T E R B U R Y C HU R C H M A TT H E W T H E A P O S T L E C H UR C H

45 Anderson Street, Raritan 436 Port Reading Avenue, Port Reading 45 Henderson Road, Kendall Park 81 Seymour Avenue, Edison 35 Mountain Avenue, Somerville 501 New Market Road, Piscataway 148 Grenville Street, Woodbridge One St. Thomas Plaza, Old Bridge

St . J ohn Vianney Church 4 2 0 I n m a n Av e n u e , N J 0 7 0 6 7

MISA de GALLO : 5:00 AM ▪ Dec. 16 - 24 ▪ ST. L A DI SLAUS CH UR CH ▪ 40 Plum Street, New Brunswick Misa de Gallo celebrants: Msgr. Joseph Kerrigan, Frs. Bert Coruña, Virgil Tolentino, Dario Endiape, Gerry Paderon, Leo Salvania, Edgar Madarang, Arnold Yee, and Roy Quesea.

A l l a r e We l c o m e ! ! !

For additional information, please contact: Fr. GerryP 609.799.7511 ext 102

500 Years of Christianity 1521 - 2021

FINAL_R1 11/20/2019