October 15, 2020

Priests, deacons from diocese celebrate significant anniversaries, 9-20, 25-31

Spirit atholic C THE

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

OCTOBER 15, 2020 • VOL. 25 NO. 11 • $2.00

Sister Christine Quense, seated, Community Sister Servant of the Sisters of Jesus Our Hope, receives the vows of Sister Anna Palka during the Rite of Profession at St. Peter the Apostle University and Community Church, New Brunswick. See story page 5.

— Frank Wojciechowski photo

INSIDE Perspectives Our Faith

Spreading the Word

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Diocesan Events

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Classifieds

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Diocese prepares for World Mission Sunday. . .21-24 This issue was mailed on October 13 Your next issue will be November 19

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Make voices, informed by Gospel, heard by elected officials

OCTOBER 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

UP FRONT

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

suicide and euthanasia is a counterfeit that have been adopted, it can be difficult and misguided notion of compas- for Catholics to choose a party and to be sion that must be rejected. We must comfortable in it. While everyone is free work for justice for immigrants who to be a member of the political party of flee desperation and violence in their their choice, our political responsibility homelands while also working to erad- requires of us that we should work to icate racism from our midst. We must form, and criticize where necessary, the never grow indifferent to the plight of stances of these parties that are inconIn the midst of our presidential elec- the hopeless caught in the destructive sistent with Catholic social teaching. Intion’s contentious campaign, many cycle of addictions, which plague our deed, sometimes criticism of one’s own of our faithful have been telling me modern society. It means standing up party is more effective than criticism of about their concern for the future of and protecting the environment and the “other” one. We should make sure our country. I, as your bishop, and all world God Himself created, and work- our voices and concerns are heard and of our clergy, too, are being asked to ing for people living in poverty, strug- heard clearly. help Catholics form their consciences gling for food, shelOur election in accordance with God’s truth. ter and even health gives us an opportuVoting is an opportunity to love care in the midst of nity to research the This year is a very our neighbors by electing candidates a world of wealth candidates and issues important election who will enact laws that protect the and abundance. We and to learn about vulnerable, strengthen families, pro- must never forget Catholic social teachand so your vote mote conditions for all to flourish, that the Gospel of ing. There are seven and ensure that citizens can practice Jesus reminds us principles of Catholic will be important. their faith without fear of punishment. “Whatever you do social teaching that I ask you to study The responsibility to make choices in to the least of my can serve as a guideelections rests with each individual in people, you do to line when deciding on the issues and light of a properly formed conscience, me.” (Mt 25:40) We which candidates and then pray to Jesus but our participation in political life need to elect govissues to support. A should go well beyond casting a vote ernment officials summary of the prinfor guidance.... in a particular election. who protect our preciples of Catholic soThe dignity and value of every cious religious freeYour vote is a cial teaching from the human person is at the heart of the dom, so that we can United States Conmatter of your Good News and we are called to live continue to freely ference of Catholic and share “the Gospel of fraternity live our beliefs and Bishops can be found informed and justice” (The Joy of the Gospel, values. on page 6. conscience n. 179). In American society today, As you well We cannot place as the bishops of our country recently know, at present our all the competing isstated, the threat of abortion remains American political sues of the election on our preeminent priority, so the “Gos- system is guided by two major politi- the same level because certain issues deal pel of fraternity and justice” compels cal parties which at times are moving with “intrinsic evil” which must always us to stand up to defend and protect to more extreme positions. It should be be opposed, while others do not. Some the dignity of the unborn. We do this clear to any Catholic who is informed actions are always incompatible with the by working to promote the sanctity by the Church’s teachings that both love of God and neighbor. Whereas there of human life, praying for an end to parties, at times, fail in serious ways can be varying solutions to health care, abortion, providing real help and en- to respect and protect human dignity immigration and welfare; there can be couragement to mothers in difficult in their positions and platforms. Too no debate on the admissibility of actions situations, and supporting policies and often, we allow ourselves to be Demo- such as abortion, euthanasia or genocide programs that do the same. crats or Republicans first, and Catholic because such acts involve the intentional It also means standing up and second. That way of prioritizing our taking of innocent life and are always working for the elderly, the sick and values and forming our conscience is a evil and never morally acceptable. those with disabilities. We must see scourge upon authentic Catholic living.

As is stated in the new introductory that the rhetoric surrounding assisted With some of the policies and platforms letter for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) document Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility: THE “The threat of abortion remains our preeminent priority because it directly attacks THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN life itself, because it takes place within the Serving the Catholic community in Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties sanctuary of the family, and because of the e-Mail: news@catholicspirit.com number of lives destroyed. At the same The Catholic Spirit Subscription and advertising deadlines: Tuesday, 1 p.m. time, we cannot dismiss or ignore other P.O. Box 191 • Metuchen, NJ 08840 PHONE: (732) 562-2424 • FAX: (732) 562-0969 The acceptance of advertising by The Catholic Spirit serious threats to human life and dignity for print or online publication, does not constitute an PUBLISHER such as racism, the environmental crisis, Bishop James F. Checchio endorsement of any product or service. The Catholic Spirit reserves the right to reject any advertising it poverty and the death penalty.”

EDITOR considers objectionable.

While we are called to always Father Timothy A. Christy, V.G. The Catholic Spirit is a member of the avoid evil, we are also called to do good.

Catholic Press Association and the MANAGING EDITOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR New Jersey Catholic Advertising Network Father Glenn J. Comandini, STD Chris Donahue Therefore, Catholics are encouraged to (732) 562-2461 (732) 529-7935 The Catholic Spirit (U.S.P.S.#14-804) is consider the wide range of issues impublished every other week, by the Roman ADVISOR portant to the Church, to avoid acting as Catholic Church, Diocese of Metuchen, 146 Metlars Joanne Ward Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Subscription price is $30 single-issue voters, and to weigh each BUSINESS MANAGER GRAPHIC DESIGNER per year. Periodicals postage paid at Bellmawr, NJ and Judy Leviton • (732) 529-7934 Jill Gray • (732) 529-7956 issue according to its moral importance. additional mailing office.

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT The USCCB has compiled many excelPOSTMASTER: Send change of address notice to Nanette M. Kubian • (732) 765-6444 Laura Ferreras • (732) 529-7932 The Catholic Spirit, 146 Metlars Lane, lent resources for those who would like

Bishop James Checchio

Catholic Spirit

Piscataway, NJ 08854.

to learn about issues important to the Church on the website: www.faithfulcitizenship.org.

Another resource New Jersey Catholics can access for information on issues can be found at the website of the New Jersey Catholic Bishops: www.njcatholic.org/issues. Respect life, family life, social concerns and education are the major sections included, each of which contains several specific topics. It is a place where you can obtain up-to-date information on key issues and sign up to receive legislative action alerts so that you can be an active faith citizen yearround.

This election ballot will ask New Jersey voters to consider changing the state constitution to allow recreational use of marijuana. The Catholic Church teaches “the use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life.

Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense.” Legalizing a drug for recreational use that may have damaging effects on the human body, particularly on our youth, is not a path that civil society should choose to take in order to help balance our state budget.

While it may seem burdensome to research these various issues, this year is a very important election and so your vote will be important. I ask you to study the issues and then pray to Jesus for guidance. The candidates’ positions can be found on their websites. Your vote is a matter of your informed conscience.

As serious disciples of Christ it is our responsibility to become aware of the candidates/platforms and to view them in light of the Gospel truth found in Catholic social teaching.

While this election is frustrating in many ways because we may see no “perfect” candidate. We must not allow our emotions to override our reason. At the end of the day, our real joy and peace must be found in being faithful in the eyes of the Lord, regardless of an election outcome. I have been heartened by the interest our faithful have shown in wanting to do the right thing with this coming election and pray we will all avail ourselves of the resources which can help us in making the best choice at the ballot box. Likewise I pray that you make your voices, informed by the Gospel, heard by our elected officials; they should not take us for granted.

Be assured of my ongoing prayers and love for you and for our country, too.

I continue to ask that you please pray for me too. God bless you and God bless our country!

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

of the

SPECIAL FEATURE

Where in the diocese can it be found?

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Image Week

Last issue's image...

Liturgy reflects love for Mary, culture At top, Marian images were placed on the communion rail at the annual Hispanic Heritage Mass at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Sept. 25. Above left, a couple from St. Joseph Parish, Bound Brook, stand with their apostolate banner. Above right, Allan Caballero, director, diocesan Office of Hispanic Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry, speaks.

— Tara Smith photos

Continued on page 6

The image, which was featured on page 3 of the August issue of The Catholic Spirit, can be found at St. Cecilia, Monmouth Junction.

The winner is...

Carol Szymanski, parishioner at St. Cecilia, Monmouth Junction.

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.

OCTOBER 15, 2020

to the reign of God. “We are called to crucify anything that keeps us from God and Christ. We are called to be disciples in charity and sincerity,” he stated.

Noting that it was only a month since he was ordained, Father Rodriguez-Perez said giving the homily was an honor for him as he joined the Hispanic community in their mission.

“We must be a permanent embodiment of the love of God in the life of all,” he said.

The newly ordained priest then focused on the need for vocations. He noted that Hispanics make up about 40 percent of Catholics in the United States, but Hispanic priests only account for four percent of all priests.

“One reason for this is because our young people are suspect of the Church,” he said, adding, “We need to

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

year, small pictures of the Virgin Mary were placed there before Mass.

Msgr. John B. Gordon, pastor, METUCHEN — Though pandemic re- Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Perth strictions limited the usual high number Amboy, was principal celebrant of the of worshippers for the diocese’s annual liturgy celebrated solely in Spanish.

Concelebrants included Bishop Hispanic Heritage Mass, the event was livestreamed so all families and individu- James F. Checchio; Father Timothy A. Christy, vicar general; als could participate. and Father Mauricio At the Cathedral of “The Hispanic Tabera-Vazquez, direcSt. Francis of Assisi for tor, diocesan Office of the Mass, held Sept. 25, community in Vocations as well as clerwere representatives of the diocese is gy, deacons and seminarthe diocese’s Hispanic ians of Hispanic descent parishes. based on our from the diocese.

Highlights of the Father Gustavo Antradition and on Mass were also affected dres by the pandemic. Rather our culture that who wasRodriguez-Perez, ordained to the than opening the liturgy priesthood in August and with a procession of is steeped in now serves as parochial parish Hispanic apostothe faith of the vicar at St. Joseph Parlates, the brightly-emish, North Plainfield, broidered banners were Church.” gave the homily. placed along the side — Father Gustavo “The Hispanic comaisles of the Cathedral before the faithful ar- Andres Rodriguez-Perez munity in the diocese is based on our tradition rived. In addition, there and on our culture that was no procession of is steeped in the faith of Marian images, where men and women dressed in ethnic costume placed a the Church,” said Father Rodriguezpicture of the Blessed Mother unique Perez. He urged his Hispanic brothers to their Central or South American and sisters to continue the work of country on the communion rail. This Jesus and called on them to contribute

By Christina Leslie Correspondent

4 PERSPECTIVES

Our duty to vote has an impact on our lives and nation Body & Soul

By Father Glenn J. Comandini, STD I met a man in his 50s who openly acknowledged that he has never voted in a presidential election in his life. According to this individual, he has always done alright by the outcome. Personally, if I were he, I would not brag about my complacency. Is it that demanding to take a few minutes and select the candidates one wants to serve in federal, state or local positions of leadership? When the framers of the Constitution of the United States drafted their amendments and articles, one of the first things they did was emphasize each citizen’s right to vote. Unfortunately, at the time, this only applied to white males. With the 19th Amendment, women were granted and guaranteed the right to vote. Now, all citizens of every gender, race or ethnic background has not only the right but a civic duty to cast votes on Election

Day, which is always the first Tuesday of the month of November.

On Nov. 3, regardless of one’s political affiliation, it is imperative that all of us who are Americans take the necessary time to choose who will represent us i the White House as President/VicePresident, in the Senate, in the House of Representatives, and in local offices, depending where we live. In New Jersey, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Phil Murphy has stipulated that all of us can use a mail-in ballot. However, there are those who wish to cast their vote at the polls.

Some would argue that we presently live in a hostile nation, a divided land where some voters feel marginalized, angry, hindered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for living with the coronavirus. We have those who feel that the message of “Black Lives Matter” has not permeated the very fiber of every American, and those who are tired of the civil unrest in our major cities by protestors demanding justice for those gunned down or asphyxiated by overzealous police officers, as in the cases of

George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, for example. There are others who feel ‘law and order’ has been held ransom by protestors who seemingly have no regard for members of law enforcement who have made a concerted effort to keep the peace. Meanwhile the chant “No justice, no peace” echoes through every platform of communication. On the economic front, there are many who, as a result of the pandemic, have lost their jobs. These individuals are concerned if they will every find gainful employment again. Then, there are those who have lost loved ones, property and pets to horrific fires in California, Nevada and the Pacific Northwest. Some would say that these fires are a result of prolonged drought, the failure of the Department of the Interior’s Forestry Department to thin out the vegetation in the millions of acres charred by what they call “wildfires.” Others contend that these are not “wildfires” but the product of man-induced climate change. These advocates feel that if nothing is done to reverse the damage caused by this climate change, then fires, floods and other natural disasters will multiply with the

passage of time.

On the forefront of the pandemic are pharmaceutical companies racing to develop, test and secure a vaccine against the coronavirus. Our schools, businesses, restaurants, gyms and sports are counting on this vaccine for survival.

Some would argue that we will have this vaccine by year’s end; others, possibly sooner. Some insist that should the vaccine be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and CDC, it may take another year to distribute the vaccines in a fair fashion. We may not know the pre-pandemic “normal” until sometime in late 2021. Meanwhile, life as we like it has been curtailed. We continue to don our masks, keep social distance, work remotely from home and refrain from public venues in large groups.

The aforementioned polarities must move us to avoid the temptation of complacency, as in the case of the 50-something man who brags about never having voted. To the contrary, we must get out the vote and make our voices heard.

Father Comandini is managing editor of The Catholic Spirit.

Consider how to be more effective for pro-life cause Thoughts on Life

OCTOBER 15, 2020

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

By Jennifer Ruggiero Each year, the month of October is designated as Respect Life Month by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), a time when we are called to reflect more deeply on the sacredness of human life and our role in welcoming, cherishing and protecting our brothers and sisters. In our ongoing struggle to defend the right to life of all people, in particular the unborn, we should consider our own words, attitudes and actions and how we each can be more effective in serving the pro-life cause.

Thousands of innocent lives are lost to abortion each day. In many cases, women and families are left deeply wounded. Our nation is strongly divided on this issue – an issue which discriminates against the unborn. Ross Douthat, a writer for the “New York Times,” once wrote about America’s “Unborn Paradox:” “No life is so desperately sought

How to report abuse

after, so hungrily desired, so carefully nurtured. And yet no life is so legally unprotected, and so frequently destroyed.”

Sad but true.

Earlier this month, Governor Murphy announced his strong support for the New Jersey Reproductive Freedom Act (RFA), a measure that would codify into law the findings of Roe v. Wade, meaning that abortion would remain legal in New Jersey even if the case were overturned by the Supreme Court. The RFA would also strip safeguards and regulations on the abortion procedure, making New Jersey a more dangerous place for women and their unborn babies. How sad that at the start of Respect Life Month our elected officials would seek to enhance the chances that the lives of the most vulnerable and voiceless will be taken.

While we must work to vigorously oppose this legislation by making our voices heard, we must also redouble our outreach efforts to help soften hearts and change minds about the sanctity of life in the womb.

Surveys have shown that more than 70 percent of women who undergo abortion believe that it is morally wrong.

We must ask: What drives a woman to

If you were sexually abused by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or you know of someone who was, you are encouraged to report that abuse to local law enforcement, the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency at 1-877-NJ ABUSE (652-2873) or 1-800-835-5510 (TTY/TDD for the deaf), and also the Diocesan Response Officer at (908) 930-4558 (24 hours/7 days a week).

For more information on how to report abuse, visit our diocesan website: https://diometuchen.org/healing

choose abortion? What are the tremendous pressures a woman faces with an unplanned pregnancy? What does she go through after the abortion, having acted against her conscience? How many of our friends, family and neighbors have been touched or scarred by abortion? Do our words, attitudes and actions help to heal or add to her pain? In our pro-life ministry, are we sometimes hardened by our convictions in a way that blinds us to the despair that others so often feel? How has our society failed?

Pregnant and parenting moms in need are in our parishes and our neighborhoods. As Pope Francis reminds us, our parishes need to be “islands of mercy in the midst of a sea of indifference.”

To mark the 25th Anniversary of thenPope, now St. John Paul II’s prophetic encyclical, Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), the United States Bishops are inviting parishes across the country to join in a year-long initiative entitled: “Walking with Moms in Need - A Year of Service.” This initiative gives us a wonderful opportunity to assess, expand, and communicate resources to pregnant moms and families in need. Everyone in a given parish community should know where to refer a pregnant woman in need. This initiative hopes to help parishes do just that.

“Walking with Moms in Need” was launched this past March and, unfortunately, has been somewhat stalled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past several months, our main focus in the parishes has been to support the

critical work of our local pregnancy help centers, whose fundraising efforts have been greatly impacted by the pandemic shutdown. In building a culture of life, these centers work to create nonjudgmental, charitable and healing environments. Those who volunteer to work in these centers are truly frontline heroes, especially during this public health crisis!

To help parishes go out to the peripheries and bring hope and help to mothers in need, the USCCB Pro-Life Secretariat has prepared many educational, pastoral and action-oriented resources which are available here: www.walkingwithmoms. org. If you are interested in getting involved in this important outreach, speak with your pastor or contact us at human. life.and.dignity@diometuchen.org.

Despite how courts and legislatures may treat abortion in the future, our pastoral response must continue to focus on moms in need. Sustained by prayer we must find new and creative ways to reach out. During this Respect Life Month, as a church community, let us work to develop ways to “journey with” those who face difficult times and offer healing to those for whom society has failed.

We ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we discern how together we can build a culture of life by supporting those who bear the gift of life to the world. O Blessed Mother, help us to become instruments of your love and compassion!

Ruggiero is Secretary, diocesan Secretariat for Family and Pastoral Life

OUR DIOCESE

By Christina Leslie Correspondent

Top of page, Bishop James F. Checchio greets Jesus Our Hope Sister Christine Quense, Community Servant Sister, before the Mass of the Rite of Profession for Sister Anna Palka at St. Peter The Apostle University and Community Church. Above, Sister Anna carries the offertory gifts with her mother, Patricia.

Left, Oratorian Father Peter R. Cebulka gives the homily.

— Frank Wojciechowski photos

Members of the Sister of Jesus Our Hope sing at the Mass of Rite of Profession. The order, which is stationed in Bloomsbury and has a convent in New Brunswick, was celebrating the 22nd anniversary of its founding the same day.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 15, 2020

gift of you. Take on the precious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Thank you for your ‘yes.’”

Bishop Checchio questioned Sister NEW BRUNSWICK — The eight simple words, uttered Sept. 8 at St. Peter Anna, who asserted she was ready to asthe Apostle University and Community sume the vows of poverty, chastity and Church, changed the course of the young obedience. The bishop prayed, “May almighty God grant you his grace to fulfill woman’s life.

“Lord, you have called me. Here I what you have resolved.”

In an interview following her proam,” said Sister of Jesus Our Hope Anna Palka, speaking her First Profession of fession, Sister Anna noted she had been Vows before friends, family, fellow reli- an active member of St. John Neumann gious and an unseen livestream audience Parish in her hometown of Mount Laurel, due to the pandemic. Bishop James F. participating in its music ministry, youth Checchio presided over the rite that wel- group and as a teacher in its religious comed the 2015 graduate from nearby education program. She rediscovered her Rutgers University to life in the order, faith while an undergraduate at Rutgers, which was celebrating the 22nd anniver- claiming “from that time on, my relationship with Jesus deepened and I saw life sary of its founding that day.

“I ask for God’s merciful love and to through a clearer lens of faith.”

“It was not simply a club, but a share in the life of the Sisters of Jesus our family,” she said of the Hope,” she added with a beaming smile, quite evi“It is out of great university’s Catholic Student Association. “The dent beneath her mask. love, joyful hope, friendships I made in CSA Oratorian Father rooted in Christ and Peter R. Cebulka, head of and gratitude for were deeper than I could have school at St. Ann Parish, God’s mercy and previously imagined beRaritan Borough, had first Christ was at the met and counselled Sister call in my life that cause center… Through difAnna while working years ferent talks given at the before at the Catholic I entered SJH Catholic Center, I realized Center at Rutgers. During [Sisters of Jesus that God had a unique and his homily, he noted the dynamic plan for my life, day also marked the Feast Our Hope] and and maybe marriage did of the birth of Mary. made my vows not have to be my default “Her ‘yes’ was topath.” tal, without reservation,” to Him.” Sister Anna graduthe priest noted. “What —Jesus Our Hope Sister ated from Rutgers with a a great day for you to degree in marketing, then Anna Palka declare your ‘yes’ to the served a year with St. Father.”

Sister Anna’s vocation was evident Paul’s Outreach as a missionary in Orlanduring her increased involvement in the do, Fla. She recalled, “I was so impacted university’s Catholic Student Associa- by my time in CSA that I wanted to help other college students meet the Lord and tion, Father Cebulka said.

“We know all things work for God, walk in the way of the Gospel. By this and you were destined to be conformed point, my discernment was becoming to the image of his Son,” he continued. clearer and my desire was to be all his.”

An examination of various orders “You had heard his call, you have times of uncertainty, but continue to say ‘yes’ ended when she encountered the Sisters each step of the way… Today, you lay of Jesus Our Hope, she said.

“I truly felt at home,” she declared, down your life for your spouse, Jesus, and give your complete and total ‘yes’ to “and knew, through much prayer, that Jesus was calling me to be his, here. him.”

In preparation for her First Profes- Throughout my discernment, I realized sion of Vows, Sister Anna spent a year as the depth of God’s love for me, the hope a postulant, during which time she was he had given me, and I wanted to respond gradually transitioned into the religious fully to whatever he called me to. It is out life of the Sisters of Jesus Our Hope, of great love, joyful hope, and gratitude and two-years as a novice, when she was for God’s mercy and call in my life that I formed in the nature and spirit of the entered SJH and made my vows to Him.” The Sisters of Jesus Our Hope were community and prepared for its apostolic work. Vows are renewed annually for formed in 1992 by the late Bishop Edfour years before a religious sister can ward T. Hughes. They are stationed on seven acres in Bloomsbury and maintain make her perpetual profession.

Father Cebulka said, “What you a convent in New Brunswick.

— The order serves Saints Philip & James do today matters profoundly, not just School and Life Choices Resource Center, for you and your community but for the both in Phillipsburg; St. Peter the Apostle Church. You have the audacity to say to Parish’s religious education program, New the world that you can give yourself to Brunswick, and the Catholic Center at something and make a commitment…

Rutgers.

Your congregation has been given the

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Religious cites Catholic Center for helping reveal vocation

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Hispanic Heritage Mass 'shows local church its treasures, gifts'

OUR DIOCESE

Continued from page 3

do reparation for all those victims of abuse.

“As Hispanics, we must remember our heritage is not our country’s but our Christ’s.

He emphasized the need for Hispanics to leave their passivity and take an active role in raising vocation awareness among Hispanic youth.

“We need to be permanent missionaries of the Word of God and show these young people by our example what it is to be Christian and Catholic, which is to say Church,” he said.

At the intercessions, a cantor sang a song, written by the diocesan Office of Worship, which listed the Hispanic countries and their titles for Mary.

They included: Nuestra Señora de Luján, Argentina; Nuestra Señora de Copacabana, Bolivia; Nuestra Señora de la Aparecida, Brasil; Señora del Carmen de Maipú, Chile; Virgen del Rosario de Chiquinquirá, Colombia; Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, Costa

Rica; Señora de la Caridad del Cobre, Cuba; Nuestra Señora de Quinche, Ecuador; Señora Reina de la Paz, El Salvador; Señora del Rosario, Guatemala; Señora de Suyapa, Honduras; Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, México; Inmaculada Concepción, Nicaragua; Santa María la Antigua, Panamá; Señora de Caacupé, Paragüay; Virgen de Chapi, Perú; Divina Providencia, Puerto Rico; Nuestra Señora de Altagracia, República Dominicana; Señora de los Treinta y Tres, Uruguay; Señora de Coromoto, Venezuela; Nuestra Señora del Pilar, España. The clergy and congregation were invited to answer in song “Ruega por nosotros (Pray for us.)”

Reflecting on the significance of the annual Mass, Allan Caballero, director, diocesan Office of Hispanic Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry, said it showcases the rich variety of Hispanic worship through word, music and pageantry.

“The Hispanic Heritage Mass

Above, Bishop James F. Checchio kneels at the annual Hispanic Heritage Mass at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi. Right, Father Gustavo Andres Rodriguez-Perez gives the homily.

— Tara Smith photos

celebrates our presence in the U.S. Church and the beauty of the Hispanic culture,” Caballero said. “A way to show the local church its treasures and the gifts we can share. It is of great

importance, an opportunity for us to celebrate the treasure of Hispanic Catholicism, and the Mass aims to highlight and encourage vocations in the Hispanic community.”

Themes of Catholic social teaching help form voter's conscience (Editor's note: below is a summary of Catholic social teaching from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) The Church’s social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated through a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents. The depth and richness of this tradition can be understood best through a direct reading of these documents. In these brief reflections, several of the key themes that are at the heart of Catholic social tradition are highlighted.

OCTOBER 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Life and Dignity of the Human Person

The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.

This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. The value of human life is being threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty. The intentional targeting of civilians in war or terrorist attacks is always wrong. Catholic teaching also calls on us to work to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them

by peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.

Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities — to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment Pope Paul VI (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs taught that if you us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

Call to Family, Community, and Participation The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society — in economics and politics, in law and policy — directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. Marriage and the family are the central social institutions that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.

Rights and Responsibilities

want peace, work for justice. The The Dignity of Work the Rights of Gospel calls us to and Workers be peacemakers. The economy must serve people, not the other way Our love for all our around. Work is more than a sisters and broth- way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participaers demands tion in Gods creation. If the of work is to be prothat we promote dignity tected, then the basic rights of peace in a world workers must be respected — the right to productive work, surrounded by to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining violence and of unions, to private property, conflict. and to economic initiative.

The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency.

Solidarity

We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers and sisters keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has

global dimensions in a shrinking world.

At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that if you want peace, work for justice. The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.

Care for God's Creation

We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.

This summary should only be a starting point for those interested in Catholic social teaching. A full understanding can only be achieved by reading the papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents that make up this rich tradition. For a copy of the complete text of Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions (No. 5-281) and other social teaching documents, call (800) 235-8722.

Copyright 2005, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holder.

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8 OUR DIOCESE

Bishops oppose Reproductive Freedom Act The Catholic Church believes and teaches that all human life is sacred from conception to natural death. For that reason, we, the Bishops of each of the dioceses in New Jersey, join in voicing the strongest possible opposition to the “Reproductive Freedom Act.” Without minimizing other serious threats to human life and dignity evident in contemporary American society, the Catholic Church consistently maintains that “the threat of abortion remains our preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself, because it takes place within the sanctuary of the family, and because of the number of lives destroyed.” (USCCB, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, “Introductory Letter,” 2020).

When informed of the text of the USCCB document early in 2020, Pope Francis observed that the right to life of the unborn “is the most fundamental right. This is not first a religious issue; it is a human rights issue.”

(Pope Francis to American Catholic Bishops, USCCB Region IX, January 16, 2020).”

As the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey, we urge all Catholics and people of good will to reject this proposed legislative initiative in our state and to contact your State legislators to vigorously express opposition to its passage.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. Archbishop, Archdiocese of Newark Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M. Bishop, Diocese of Trenton

OCTOBER 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan Bishop, Diocese of Camden Most Reverend Kevin J. Sweeney Bishop, Diocese of Paterson Most Reverend James F. Checchio Bishop, Diocese of Metuchen Most Reverend Kurt Burnette Bishop, Eparchy of Passaic Most Reverend Yousif Habash Bishop of Our Lady of Deliverance of Syriac Catholic Diocese

9 MILESTONES

Milestones A Special Section of The Catholic Spirit • October 15, 2020

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 15, 2020

10 MILESTONES

Congratulations

Reverend Monsignor William Capik

65th Anniversary of your ordination to the priesthood

— and —

Reverend Monsignor William Benwell

40th Anniversary of your ordination to the priesthood

OCTOBER 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

We are blessed by your service.

Best wishes to all the jubilarians.

Sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen

Wishes Fr. Robert Gorman Happy 40th Anniversary May The Lord Continue To Bless You As You Follow in His Way

— Christina Leslie

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 15, 2020

St. John Vianney

priest and spending 15 years in education,” he said. “My biggest challenge was at St. James after 9/11. We were able to bring peace and love to those families, one funeral after another. The whole parish was a community of faith.”

During his retirement, Msgr. Capik assisted at area parishes including St. Joseph, Hillsborough; Our Lady of the Mount, Warren; and St. Matthias, Somerset, and has celebrated Mass for the Sisters of Mercy, Watchung. He also served as chairman of the board of The Center for Great Expectations, a Somerville-based residential facility that serves homeless and pregnant women and their children.

In February, the prelate retired from a 27-year affiliation at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, 18 years of which he served as chairman of its board of directors.

During his tenure there, the hospital undertook numerous multi-milliondollar expansion and renovation programs, including the construction of the Margaret McLaughlin McCarrick Adult Care Center, Somerset.

He said, “We have the vocation of giving ourselves to other people, to give compassion, understanding and peace… When we can turn our faces, our bodies and our souls to our God,

MILESTONES

“I had a great run at the priesthood. It was filled with joy,” said Msgr. William J. Capik as he reflected upon his 65 years of service. “Everyone should have that call to the priesthood, all Catholics, for God has called each of us to come into the priesthood to rebuild the kingdom of God.” Born in 1930 in Perth Amboy, Msgr.

Capik studied at St. Charles Preparatory Seminary and St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, earning a bachelor’s degree, a baccalaureate in sacred theology, and a licentiate in sacred theology. He was ordained for the Diocese of Trenton by Bishop George W. Ahr at St. Mary Cathedral, Trenton, June 4, 1955.

After brief assignments as a parochial vicar at St. Ann Parish, Hampton;

and St. Anthony Parish, Hightstown, Father Capik was appointed principal and athletic director at Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville. He recalled, “My time as an educator was very special to me. I loved being part of a team, learning the virtues and sharing the challenges.”

While at the high school, he took the train twice a week to Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y., to earn a Master’s Degree in administration. Father Capik later took the helm at Holy Cross High School, Delran, and served as pastor at St. Michael Parish, Trenton, before being appointed pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish, now St. Peter the Apostle University and Community Parish, New Brunswick.

Msgr. Capik was named as a Prelate of Honor of His Holiness to the Pope in 1979. He served as the first vicar of Education for the Diocese of Metuchen from 1981 to 1985, and received the inaugural Bishop Edward T. Hughes Leadership in Catholic Education Award in 2003.

In 1981, the year the Diocese of Metuchen was established, Msgr. Capik began a 24-year tenure as pastor of St. James Parish, Basking Ridge. He retired from the parish in 2005.

“My favorite time was as a parish

we can make a difference.”

This year, to celebrate his 65 years of priestly service, he braved the pandemic restrictions to celebrate Mass June 7 at St. James Parish. The livestreamed liturgy was concelebrated by its current pastor, Msgr. Sylvester J. Cronin, who offered his predecessor a spiritual bouquet from the parish’s schoolchildren in his honor.

“My home parish as a youth was Holy Trinity, [now part of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish] Perth Amboy,” Msgr. Capik said. “I was ordained on Trinity Sunday, and now I celebrated my anniversary on the feast of the Holy Trinity. Though with [pandemic] restrictions my family in Texas couldn’t attend, it was very important to me. I want to show how much God loves us.”

The longtime priest reflected upon his choice to dedicate his life to the Lord and His people, saying, “Priesthood is the best job in the world. It is a tremendous vocation. You are involved intimately with people one on one.

“It says in the beginning of John’s Gospel [3:16] that God so loved the world that he gave us His only begotten son,” Msgr. Capik said. “He called us to serve our best. Whether it was after 9/11 or in the confessional, people depend upon us.

“You will have all kinds of experiences. It’s what you make of it.”

11

Msgr. William J. Capik

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12 MILESTONES OCTOBER 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Father Louis F. Stingel began discerning his vocation to the priesthood at a young age. In 1948, when he was 14 years-old, he entered a minor seminary, a high school for boys who expressed an interest in becoming Catholic priests.

Reflecting on the beginning of his journey to the priesthood, Father Stingel, said it was his parish pastor who most influenced his decision to answer God’s call. “Because of him, I wanted to become a parish priest,” said Father Stingel, who this year is celebrating 60 years in the priesthood.

The handyman skills he learned from his father helped the future priest come to know Msgr. Michael T. McCorristin, his pastor at Holy Angels Parish, Trenton. One summer when he was working in construction, Father Stingel

Father Louis F. Stingel

said, “I went to drop a paper off to him.” what he has called his biggest challenge The monsignor, seeing that he was in his as a priest, introducing Vatican II (1962work clothes, asked him to help. “I was 65) changes to parishes. People do not there til 9 o’clock at night,” he said. like change, he explained, and the new “I wanted to be like Msgr. McCor- ways of Vatican II were not easy for ristin,” Father Stingel recalled. “He was people to accept. Father Stingel added, 18-carat. What you see was however, that his mother what you got.” enjoyed the addition of the Building After graduating from Saturday Masses that began St. Charles Minor Seminary, after Vatican II. ministries Catonsville, Md., Father After St. Mary’s, Father and getting Stingel served at St. Michael Stingel entered St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, where Parish, West End; St. Philip the faithful he earned a degree in Sacred and St. James Parish, PhilTheology and a licentiate in involved were lipsburg, and Sacred Heart Sacred Theology. He earned Parish, Riverton. In 1977, some of the four years before the Dioa Master’s Degree in Pastoral Counseling at Iona Col- most fulfilling cese of Metuchen was eslege, New Rochelle, N.Y. tablished, Father Stingel was times in his On June 11, 1960, named pastor of St. James Bishop George W. Ahr orthe Less Parish, Jamesburg, priesthood. dained Father Stingel for the a position he held until he Diocese of Trenton. His first retired from active ministry assignment was to St. Mary on July 31, 2009.

Parish, New Monmouth. Father Stingel Reflecting on the past 60 years, Fasaid he was inspired by his first pastor, ther Stingel said building ministries and Msgr. Robert T. Bulman, to become the getting the faithful involved were some best parish priest that he could be. “Be of the most fulfilling times in his priestgood to the elderly and the children and hood. For example, he said, a children’s the people in between will judge you on Mass helped both the young people and that,” advised Msgr. Bulman. He also their parents because they learned about told him to meet all of the challenges that the Bible and aspects of their Catholic he would encounter. faith, too.

Two years later, Father Stingel faced He added that ministering to people

As you celebrate your 60th anniversary of priestly ordination From Rev. Dennis R. Weezorak and Your Friends at Saint Mary Church, South Amboy

when they are at the end of their lives and in need of last rites is so rewarding, too. Providing the sacraments to and being with the dying is very important to them and to him as a priest, he said.

For the Diocese of Metuchen, Father Stingel served on the Finance Council and Pastoral Council and worked with Catholic Charities, Family Services.

He also served as Dean, then Episcopal Vicar for Middlesex County West.

Five months after retiring from active ministry, Father Stingel began serving at St. Mary Parish, South Amboy, as a weekend associate, celebrating Masses and providing pastoral services.

He served the parish through 2017 and continues to assist at penance services for Advent and Lent, and religious education students.

Well-liked and highly respected at St. Mary’s, the parish pastor, Father Dennis R. Weezorak, noted that even if pressed for time, Father Stingel still manages to find a few moments for a parishioner in need. Those simple acts resonated deep within St. Mary’s as a reminder of how important it is to make time for each other, Father Weezorak noted.

Today, Father Stingel lives at the Maria Regina Residence, Somerset.

As for what advice he would give to a man discerning a vocation to the priesthood, he said praying and finding a priest who will listen to him and then guide him with wisdom and holiness.

— Sue Getz

Ye ar s 55

Father Broderick was arrested by the Nigerian government, which did not recognize his visa from Biafra, along with about 40 other Spiritans. He spent about six months in jail and was then deported.

The congregation sent Father Broderick home to Ireland to teach at Rockwell College. Instead of the three-year term they initially requested from him, he ended up staying 34 years and serving as principal and president of the school, a position he retired from in 2003.

He came to the United States and served as an associate at Mary, Mother of God Parish, Hillsborough from 2003 to 2007. In 2007, he became parish administrator.

Father Broderick retired in 2018, and continues to reside at Mary, Mother of God as “priest in residence.”

During the statewide quarantine due to COVID-19, he was able to stay with friends nearby and enjoyed cultivating a garden on their property. He says Mass twice a week at St. Joseph’s Church in Millstone Township.

As for any advice he would give to a man interested in the priesthood, Father Broderick said he should always remember that his calling is to serve, not to be served.

“You’re a servant of the servants of God,” he said. “That’s what you are, and you’re nothing else.”

MILESTONES

porting seminarians. One of Father Broderick’s uncles belonged to the Spiritans, and from childhood Father Broderick had loved hearing his stories when he visited home between missionary work in Africa. Inspired by this uncle and his teachers, he opted to join the congregation when he graduated from Rockwell College at age 18.

He studied geography and English at University College Dublin, and after graduating with a bachelor’s degree, studied philosophy and theology at Kimmage Manor Seminary.

He was ordained a priest June 8, 1965, and was sent to the Diocese of Owerri in Biafra, a region in Nigeria where civil war was ongoing at the time as Biafra attempted to secede. His time in Nigeria remains his favorite memory from all of his priesthood.

While there, Father Broderick served as pastor of a parish, and along with other Spiritans, helped refugees who were fleeing from the advancing Nigerian Army. He also traveled by plane to a different village each night to deliver food and medicine and to fly as many as 10 children at a time to the Spiritans’ hospital on Sao Tome, an island off the coast of Africa. By the time the war ended in 1970, several hundred children had been rescued and treated by the Spiritans and were able to return home to their families.

13

Spiritans Father Sean Broderick would not trade a moment of his 55 years as a priest for anything. “It’s the best possible vocation you can have in life, that’s my seeing of it,” he said. “There’s no vocation that fulfills you more, and I wouldn’t change a second of it.”

Father Broderick was born in Killanena, County Clare, Ireland, the older of two boys born to Michael and Nora Broderick, who owned a small farm and grocery store.

He attended Rockwell College in County Tipperary, where he was taught by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. The congregation, whose members are called Spiritans, was founded in 1703 by Father Claude Poullart des Places, with the mission of evangelizing, working to alleviate poverty, and sup-

Father Sean Broderick

— Teresa Murphy

“Come follow me” (Mark 10:21)

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

If you think maybe...

Contact the

Office of Vocations:

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

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 15, 2020

Ye ar s

14

55

MILESTONES

The parish family of St. Mary-Stony Hill raise our voices in prayer and congratulations

OCTOBER 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

to our Pastor

Rev. Msgr. William Benwell 40th anniversary of priestly ordination and

Deacon Peter D'Angelo 5th anniversary of diaconate ordination

May our Lord Jesus, the good Shepherd, through the intercession of the Blessed Mother, continue to bless you in your ministry to us.

Father Jose Lorente

Spain, the United States, Ecuador and Chile. They are active in parish life as pastors, parochial vicars, teachers, religious education and instructors.

Father Lorente was ordained to the priesthood Sept. 25, 1965, by Bishop Paul Barrachina in Murcia, where he served in various assignments until 1984. For the next five years, Father Lorente ministered in Ecuador. In 1989, he came to the United States and Father Jose Lorente, who this year cele- served at St. Aloysius Parish, Newark. brates 55 years in the priesthood, knows That same year, Bishop Edward T. the value of Catholic youth groups. As Hughes invited the Society of Jesus a young man he was in charge of his Christ the Priest to administer Our parish’s youth group, Catholic Action. Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, New The experience not only benefited the Brunswick. In 1991, Father Lorente young people involved, but also had a came to serve at the parish, which has profound influence on long been considered a the future priest.

National Hispanic ParHis next assignment Born and raised in ish, and was installed Murcia, Spain, Father was at a parish in as pastor in 1994.

Lorente was the third Two years later, Amarillo, Texas. In of five children born he returned to Spain, to Ana Medina and 2008, he returned to where he ministered Jose Lorente Sr., whom next 10 years.

Our Lady of Mount for the he said were strong Father Lorente's Catholics. He attended next assignment was Carmel , where he Alfonso X El Sabio at a parish in Amarillo, elementary and high served as associate Texas. In 2008, he reschool in Madrid. turned to Our Lady of Growing up in a pastor until retiring in Mount Carmel, where work-oriented family, 2019. Father Lorente he served as associate Father Lorente began until retiring in continues to live at pastor working at a young age.

2019. Father Lorente His first position was in the parish where his continues to live at a bank and then as a parish where his brother, Manuel, also the telephone operator. brother, Manuel, also It was at this time a priest, serves. Father a priest, serves. that he led Catholic AcManuel was ordained tion. He said the youth to the priesthood three involved took to leading spiritual lives, years after his brother. praying, going to Mass and confession, Today, Father Lorente assists at doing spiritual readings, and having a Mass and the sacrament of reconcilispiritual director. Father Lorente, too, ation at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. became more serious about his spiritual During the past 55 years he has always life. He began to receive the Eucharist been a parish priest who serves Hisdaily and to feel called to the priest- panic communities. He has taught phihood. He admits that at first he pushed losophy, theology and catechesis. He thoughts of a vocation to the back of said some of his favorite saints are the his mind.

Blessed Mother; St. Joseph, St. John By 1960, however, Father Lorente Vianney, the patron saint of Catholic decided to answer his calling and en- priests, St. Teresa of Avila, and the rolled in the diocesan St. Fulgencio Archangel Michael.

Seminary in Murcia. He graduated with For any young man going through a degree in theology, and then joined discernment, Father Lorente advises the Society of Jesus Christ the Priest, they meditate, read the Gospels and founded in 1957 by a priest from his seek the guidance of a good spiritual diocese, Father Alfonso Glavez. On director. its website, the Society, a religious His hope for the future of Our organization, states it is “dedicated to Lady of Mount Carmel, he said, is foster vocations to the priesthood in for the safety of the people, and the the Roman Catholic Church. It does return of celebrating all Masses and so by organizing activities which pro- sacraments such as reconciliations, mote a better understanding among that were limited because of the COyoung people of Catholic doctrine.” VID-19 pandemic.

The Society includes priests, laymen — Sue Getz and women. Its members minister in

Ye ar s 40 ar s Ye 40

with mentoring him, helping with his formation, and nourishing his vocation include: Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski, and monsignors, all deceased: Edward Dalton, Anthony Gambino and John Szymanski.

In 1988, Msgr. Benwell was awarded an advanced graduate degree, or licentiate, in canon law from St. Paul University, Ottawa, Canada. Essentially a church lawyer, he serves as the bishop’s delegate to address matters that intersect Church activity and law, excluding ecclesiastical law involving marriage, which is typically handled by the canonical tribunal.

On the diocesan level, Msgr. Benwell has served as judicial vicar of the Tribunal, vicar general and as Episcopal Vicar for Canonical Affairs, and chairman of the board of trustees for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen.

As an adjunct professor of pastoral theology at Seton Hall University, South Orange, Msgr. Benwell says he enjoys helping students learn or be renewed by the “pastoral nature” of Church law, of which its final code includes the phrase “salvation of souls.”

“I think people associate canon law with rules and regulations as very cold,” he said. “You do this, you get punished.

And people, even educated Catholics and priests, sometimes see the idea of the Church’s law as almost a contradiction in the sense that as the Church, we are

Father Robert Gorman

— Anthony Salamone

began when one of his parishioners was arrested, and Father Gorman began to visit him regularly.

“The prison ministry is unique and I like that a lot, too,” Father Gorman said.

Central to his priesthood, he stated, is focusing on Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist. “I definitely love praying the Mass, bringing Jesus’ presence,” he added. Over the years, he continued, he has tried to follow Venerable Fulton Sheen’s advice to make a daily holy hour.

Father Gorman said at times one of the most challenging aspects of the priesthood for him has been living arrangements.

“I’ve had struggles with loneliness at a number of points, but on the other hand, especially as a pastor when I would be in a place longer, I wouldn’t feel lonely at all, because I would get to know the people so well. The whole parish would be there to be ministered to and to be friendly with.”

Since 1986, Father Gorman has been a Third Order Carmelite and leads meetings once a month for other Third Order Carmelites. He said St. Teresa of Avila, founder of the Discalced Carmelite nuns, has inspired him. “When you read her writings, she talks a lot about contemplative prayer, and I found the invitation to go deeper with the Lord something that I wanted to try,” he said.

— Teresa Murphy

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 15, 2020

in Hamilton. In fact, he noticed whenever something else if I didn’t like it,” he rea priest chose a longer Eucharistic prayer called. But that never happened, and now at Mass and would groan inwardly.

40 years later, he has no regrets about his His attitude changed at age 17. He choice to answer the call. distinctly remembers how a thought “I found it really was what I wanted popped into his head as was sitting in the with all my heart,” he asserted. back of his parents’ car durAfter being ordained, ing a family shopping trip.

Father Gorman served as “I love the He thought, “It’s a a parochial vicar at St. shame I don’t want to be a Augustine of Canterbury priesthood. priest. That might be kind of Parish, Kendall Park; ImI have good neat. maculate Conception Parish, “I think it was just God Spotswood; St. James Parmemories starting to put the idea in ish, Woodbridge; St. Joseph my head,” Father Gorman from just about Parish, North Plainfield; St. added.

Peter the Apostle University every parish After graduating from and Community Parish, New Hamilton High School East, Brunswick; and Our Lady of that I’ve he earned a bachelor’s dethe Mount Parish, in Warren. been in.” gree in philosophy at Seton He has served as pastor Hall University, South Orat Holy Spirit Parish, Perth ange, graduating magna cum Amboy; St. Ambrose Parish, laude.

Old Bridge; and is currently He earned a Masters of Divin- parochial vicar at St. John Vianney Parity degree at Immaculate Conception ish, Colonia.

Seminary, then in Darlington, and was He has also served at the Blessed ordained May 31, 1980, at St. Mary’s Sacrament Shrine in Raritan Borough, Cathedral, Trenton. where he celebrated the Tridentine Mass When he entered seminary, Father in Latin.

Gorman made a deal with himself never Another ministry dear to Father to feel pressured to stick with it.

Gorman’s heart has been prison ministry.

“I told myself I could quit and go to His interest in serving prison populations

MILESTONES

Becoming a priest 40 years ago is a choice that has brought Father Robert Gorman much joy.

“I love the priesthood. I have good memories from just about every parish that I’ve been in,” said Father Gorman, who is one of four children born to the late Kathleen and George Gorman. He attended St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School, Bronx, N.Y; and Alexander Elementary School, Kuser Elementary School, and Reynolds Junior High, all in Hamilton Square.

Father Gorman recalled with humor how, up until age 17, he had no interest in being involved with the Church, although he attended Mass every Sunday with his family at Saint Gregory the Great Parish

Mount Virgin, Middlesex, and “something clicked.”

“I had been thinking about the priesthood since seventh grade,” he said, adding, “Just seeing a priest was enough to spark what had been lying dormant.”

After graduating from Rutgers, Msgr.

Benwell entered Immaculate Conception Seminary, Mahwah, where he earned a master’s degree in pastoral theology (Biblical Studies). He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John C. Reiss.

The personable monsignor said priests, like workers in nearly every vocation, find themselves sometimes stuck in a rut. It happened to him. But the life of another clergy, Jesuit Father Walter Ciszek, from the neighboring Diocese of Allentown (Pa.), revived his vocation, he said.

Father Ciszek, who died in 1984, was held captive in Russia for 23 years as the Soviets considered him to be a spy. His family believed he was killed overseas until they began receiving his letters from Russia. Since 1990, Father Ciszek’s life has been under consideration by the Catholic Church for possible beatification or canonization.

Midway through his priesthood, Msgr. Benwell read about Father Ciszek’s life, chronicled in titles that included “With God in Russia.” “Reading about him really renewed my priesthood, knowing what he went through,” Msgr. Benwell said.

Other clergy Msgr. Benwell credits

supposed to be getting along and living out the Gospel.

“But Jesus had certain laws. When dealing with an obstinate person, you talk to the person, then bring in another person, and you bring it to the Church.

Even Jesus foresaw that in a human institution, there is going to be a need for rules.”

The Church’s law, Msgr. Benwell noted, is accommodating, open, merciful and flexible. “The heart of all love is the salvation of souls,” he said. “That’s what God wants, ultimately.”

To Msgr. Benwell, some churchgoers can be uncharitable, demanding and self-centered, traits he sometimes finds challenging in his role. “That is not the Christian way,” he said. “The Christian way is to put others before self. Our world should revolve around Christ and be informed by what Christ was like and about.”

During his priesthood, Msgr. Benwell has served as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Victories Parish, Sayreville; the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, and St. Ann Parish, Raritan Borough; as administrator at St. John the Evangelist, Dunellen; and as pastor of Immaculate Conception, Annandale, and Our Lady of the Mount Parish, Warren.

“I landed in a great place,” Msgr.

Benwell said about his most recent pastoral assignment, St. Mary-Stony Hill, which he began July 1, 2019. “I feel sometimes I’ve lived a charmed life.”

15

Msgr. William Benwell tries not to allow bleakness into his life by remembering the positives in it.

“One of the themes of my life is how God has been so generous in blessing me with good assignments, good people and good mentors around me,” said Msgr.

Benwell, reflecting on the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

“I’ve met so many interesting people and had a variety of ministries that I never found myself bored. I have felt very fortunate,” added the monsignor, who is pastor of St. Mary-Stony Hill Parish, Watchung.

It was while a student at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, that Msgr.

Benwell began experiencing the call to become a priest. During one summer between college semesters he said that he happened to be walking past a priest outside the rectory of his home parish, Our Lady of

Msgr. William Benwell

ea rs 25 Y

16 MILESTONES OCTOBER 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

25

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ar s

Father Louis A. Mattina’s diverse background stretches before and since being ordained.

Before entering the seminary, for example, he worked in state government. During his religious years, he learned Spanish to be able to minister to the Hispanic community. More recently, he has taken to leaving his cassock as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish, Middlesex, to don military fatigues. For more than a decade he has been an Air Force chaplain.

Those twists, particularly during his clergy career, became vocations “within a vocation,” said Father Mattina, who earlier this year commemorated the 25th anniversary of his ordination.

Father Mattina sees similarities be-

Just before he was ordained to the priesthood 25 years ago, Father James W. McGuffey remembers participating in an interview at the diocese's radio station with Father Louis A. Mattina and Father John F. Primich, who were also scheduled to be ordained that spring.

When asked about their vocations, Father McGuffey, pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Carteret, said his could best be described as “moments of grace.”

“Moments that allowed me in my late 20s to make decisions to change direction and become open to what I felt was God's call in my life,” he said. “Moments that would bring me places I have never been and form my life in profound ways.”

Father McGuffey was born and raised on Long Island, N.Y., with his

Father Louis Mattina

tween serving as parish priest and being a spiritual adviser to the military and their families.

“It’s all about readiness training,” Father Mattina said. “We ensure military members stay in the fight. My goal as a parish priest, with an assist though God’s grace, is to help parishioners be in spiritual readiness.”

The late Bishop Edward T. Hughes ordained Father Mattina on May 27, 1995. He celebrated his first Mass the next day at St. John Vianney Church, Colonia, the town where he grew up.

Father Mattina earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration at Trenton State College, now The College of New Jersey. Afterwards, he worked as an aide to Assemblyman Jim McGreevey.

That was about a decade before McGreevey became governor, and Father Mattina might have been on the fast track to chasing his then-political aspirations, but he also recalled that period of legislative service as being unfulfilling.

“I was unsettled spiritually and I felt the call that was there when I was an altar boy came back,” he said of shifting careers to the priesthood.

Father Mattina said it was then that he increased his prayer life, including

attending daily Mass. “It was during that time, I discerned my vocation to the priesthood,” he said, completing his formation training at Mount St. Mary's Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md. Upon his return to New Jersey and while serving the diocese, Bishop Hughes sought volunteers among priests to study Spanish. “Bishop Hughes had the vision back in the early ’90s,” Father Mattina said of the anticipated explosion in the Hispanic population in central New Jersey.

Several years later, armed with his theology and language skills, Father Mattina encountered another vision of sorts: the military. It led him to become an Air Force reservist.

Catholics comprise about 25 percent of the U.S. Armed Forces, with about 325,000 of those on active duty, according to the Archdiocese for the Military Services USA. (https://www. milarch.org/for-god-and-country-acall-to-serve-those-who-serve-2/FYI) But just barely more than 200 Catholic priests serve as active-duty chaplains, the diocese says.

Then-Bishop, now Emeritus, Paul G. Bootkoski gave Father Mattina permission to serve. He has been stationed at the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Father James W. McGuffey

parents and four brothers and sisters. Hughes in May 1995 at the Cathedral of He attended Cherry Lane Kindergarten, St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen.

Carle Place, N.Y.; St. Brigid School, His first assignment was as paroWestbury, N.Y.; and Carle Place High chial vicar at St. Mary Parish, Alpha; School (N.Y.). then St. Ambrose Parish, Old Bridge. “I He studied at Nassau Community used to say I went from the Alpha to the College, Garden City, N.Y.; Omega, as the churches were Miami University, Oxford, "As hard as it on either side of the diocese,” Ohio; and Queens College, Father McGuffey noted.

[COVID-19] has Flushing, N.Y. He also served at ImFather McGuffey said been, I see a maculate Conception Parish, he felt his first sense of callSpotswood, and St. Philip ing to the priesthood in col- good is being and St. James Parish, Phillege and eventually entered before being named worked from it. lipsburg, the Capuchin Franciscans temporary administrator at order. His discernment led The compas- Our Lady of Lourdes Parhim to leave the order at the ish, Whitehouse Station, and end of his postulant year. sion and com- Sacred Heart Parish, New He continued to seek his ing together is Brunswick. vocation at Madonna House, He was then assigned to inspiring."

Combermere, Ont., in their Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, pre seminary formation Milltown, then back to St. program. During that time, he applied Ambrose before being assigned as adto Holy Apostles Seminary, Cromwell, ministrator to St. Joseph Parish and the Conn. now closed St. Elizabeth of Hungary Par“It was upon entering Holy Apostles ish, in Carteret, where he was eventually that I felt I was where I was supposed to installed as pastor of both parishes. be, and it was there that I prayed about Father McGuffey cited his faithwho I would choose as my sponsor,” filled family; a great uncle, Brother he said. “After much discernment and a Polycarp; Msgr. James Turro; friends; few interviews, I chose the Diocese of and members of his parishes, as major Metuchen.” influences on his life.

Father McGuffey was ordained One of the biggest challenges he to the priesthood by Bishop Edward T. has faced in his priesthood has been

Chaplain Mattina, whose rank is major, has not served in active duty because he wanted to continue being a parish priest. But in December, he became a “traditional” reservist after serving as an “Individual Mobilization Augmentee” reservist, a change that means sometime in 2021, he expects to be deployed to the Middle East. He is hopeful to be able to fulfill that mission.

As for any advice for anyone considering a religious vocation: he said it is important to have a prayer life.

“You have to establish a personal intimacy with Jesus Christ,” Father Mattina said. “As St. John Vianney said, a priest above all is a man of prayer. So, you have to establish that personal relationship. You have to discipline yourself to talk to God and to listen to God. “Anyone discerning a vocation is to take the time. Take the time to discipline yourself to have personal reflective, introspective time, asking the Holy Spirit to give clarity of mind and heart to know the will of God.” He also encouraged building a strong relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary.

While sharing his more than two decades of priestly experiences, Father Mattina made it clear his military duties rank a close second to his parish work.

“I want to promote vocations to the military chaplaincy,” he said. “There is such a horrific, critical shortage.”

— Anthony Salamone

adapting to the demands of becoming pastor of two parishes. The most recent challenge, though, has been guiding St. Joseph Parish through the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

“But as hard as it has been, I see a good is being worked from it,” he noted.

“The compassion and coming together is inspiring. The blessings are there if we remain open to them.”

The most rewarding part of being a priest is having the sense of God’s presence at Mass and the gift of community.

“When all is said and done, our relationship with the Lord gives us the grace to be who we are meant to be and unites us with others in a way which goes beyond the ordinary,” he said.

He considers his greatest accomplishment as a priest is “in some way, awakening the desire for faith in the lives of those God has called me to serve, and seeing their faith grow and bless them in all aspects of their lives.”

His hopes for the future include having the coronavirus pandemic abated enough, so the faithful may return to “a full church, hopefully by Christmas, but in general, my hope is to continue to grow in my ministry and to always remain thankful for all of God’s gifts.”

As for what advice he would give to someone considering a vocation to the priesthood, he said, prayer, because it “inspires you with moments of grace that guide you and sustain you in whatever God is calling you to do.”

Ye ar s 25

my understanding of how to interpret the Bible in light of Catholic Tradition and the Church’s Magisterium,” recalled Father Primich, adding, “It was suggested that I take a Scripture class or two and learn more about the Catholic faith.”

Through the guidance and encouragement of Msgr. Dominic Turtora, then pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish and Msgr. Michael Alliegro, his spiritual advisor, Father Primich continued to discern if he had a call to the priesthood. In 1988, he applied and was accepted at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio (FUS) where three years later he received a master’s degree with honors in Theology and Christian Ministry.

While at FUS, Father Primich said, “I discerned again that I was called to the priesthood.” He met with Bishop Edward T. Hughes and after a long discussion both agreed he would enter the seminary.

“I chose to study for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa.,” noted Father Primich.

“Seminary life was challenging,” Father Primich stated, “especially since I was asked to serve as head sacristan for my class and had never served in any capacity at the altar.” By the end of his third year at St. Charles Borromeo, Father Primich was head sacristan for the entire seminary. He graduated in 1994 with a Master of Divinity degree. Bishop Hughes ordained him to

MILESTONES

Father John F. Primich, who is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his ordination, says he feels his vocation to the priesthood began 63 years ago. “That was when my father, then an intern met my mother, a nurse, at Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Township. The two fell madly in love and quickly married,” he explained. After some debate, the couple named their first son, John, who today serves as the chaplain of the hospital where his parents first met.

“The Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways,” Father Primich said.

The eldest of Frederic and Doris’ four sons and four daughters, Father Primich attended Catholic school for two years when he lived in Fort Lee. In 1968, his family moved to Metuchen, where he later attended Metuchen High School. The family worshipped at then-St. Francis of

Assisi Parish. Although Father Primich worshiped at Mass, attended religious education classes and was involved in a parish youth group, he admitted that “God wasn’t really alive for me at the time.” That feeling would dramatically change after college.

In 1982, Father Primich received a bachelor’s degree in economics at La Salle College, now University, Philadelphia. After two jobs that he said were not fulfilling, Father Primich began to question what he should do with his life. “Does God have a plan for me? What does He want from me?” he asked himself. In 1984, the Holy Spirit answered his prayer in a miraculous way when, through the preaching of a television evangelist, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior! “Almost immediately afterwards, I began a new job in New York City and discovered a Bible Study led by Father Bill Halbing, a Catholic Evangelist, who had a major influence on my becoming a priest,” stated Father Primich.

It was Father Halbing’s encouragement and what he learned in his three years in Bible study that inspired Father Primich to discern God’s plan for his life. He went to conferences on the Holy Spirit and became involved with The Body of Christ prayer Group at St. Francis Parish. He met with Msgr. Terrance Lawler, then director, diocesan Office of Vocations, to ask about becoming a priest.

“I learned that I needed to grow in

the priesthood May 27, 1995.

For his first 15 years as a priest, Father Primich served as a parochial vicar at St. James Parish, Basking Ridge; Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Whitehouse Station; The Church of the Sacred Heart, South Plainfield; Immaculate Conception Parish, Spotswood, and St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, Flemington.

Ten years ago, Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski asked Father Primich to leave parish life to serve as chaplain for Hunterdon Medical Center (HMC). Although he was not sure if he would be good in that position, he said, “The Holy Spirit convinced me to try it out.”

Father Primich said he feels blessed to be able to team up with the medical center’s staff and combine evangelization with his healing ministry as he serves the patients.

While chaplain at HMC, Father Primich lived at Our Lady of Lourdes for seven years.

Then, three years ago, Bishop James F. Checchio asked him to live at the Carmel of Mary Immaculate, Flemington, and serve as chaplain to the Discalced Carmelites. “They are the ‘Shoeless Wonders’ of Hunterdon County,” said Father Primich with affection.

Reflecting on his 25 years in the priesthood, Father Primich quoted Romans 8:28: “We know that in everything God works for the good with those who love Him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.” He added, “God’s grace seems to have worked with me. Come Holy Spirit!”

17

Father John Primich

— Joanne Ward

The F a Rev. Msgr. William J Capik on the 65th Anniversary of your ordination

From the Catholic Community of

St. Matthias in Somerset, NJ

Thank you Jubilarian Deacons for the gift of your service in the Diocese of Metuchen Office of the Diaconate Deacon Stephen Kern, Director Barbara Urcinas, Administrative Assistant

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 15, 2020

Congratulations to

ssion Mi

e Church’ h t f s ec o

Ye ar s

Deacon George D. LaPolice

40

Ye ar s 40

Deacon Cesar Augusto Ortega St. Joseph Parish, North PlainďŹ eld

Diocese of Metuchen

Ye ar s

25 Y

ea rs

St. James Parish, Basking Ridge

15

18 MILESTONES

Deacon Luke J. Hally

Deacon Stephen Gunther Saint Peter & Paul Parish, Great Meadows

OCTOBER 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Congratulations

Deacon Luke Hally - 40th anniversary Deacon Thomas Klaas - 10th anniversary Deacon Peter DePrima - 10th anniversary

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE AND CONTINUE TO DO FOR US!

From yourParish Family of the Church of St. James,Basking Ridge

10 10

Ye ar s

St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, Flemington

MILESTONES

Ye ar s

19

Deacon Michael Bachynsky

Deacon William Barr

10

Ye

ar s

St. Edward the Confessor Parish, Milford

Deacon Christopher Conroy

Ye 10

Deacon Lawrence D'Andrea St. Rose of Lima Parish, Oxford

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 15, 2020

ar s

Mary, Mother of God Parish, Hillsborough

20 MILESTONES

St. Thomas the Apostle Parish extends warmest congratulations and heartfelt gratitude to Deacon Patrick Hearty

Deacon John Deitchman

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Bernardsville

on the occasion of the Tenth Anniversary of his Ordination to the Diaconate.

Deacon Peter DePrima St. James Parish, Basking Ridge

“Those who serve well as deacons gain a worthy place for themselves and much assurance in their faith” -1 Timothy 3:13

Deacon Robert Gatto

OCTOBER 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Nativity of Our Lod Parish, Monroe Township

Deacon Patrick Hearty St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Old Bridge

21 MISSION SUNDAY

Collection supports those who proclaim Gospel, assist poor summer Missionary Cooperative Plan year. Please be generous. Many of the (MCP) — whereby missionaries from all recipients of the WMS collection live in over the world visit all 90 parishes in our the neediest places of the world. Please diocese seeking support remember the missionaron behalf of the people Our own challenges ies and those they serve they serve. Because of in your prayers and know this past year with that your sacrificial gifts the pandemic, some of our parishes were unable will support priests, conthe COVID-19 to participate. Aside from secrated religious, and lay pandemic gives us pastoral leaders who are the few that were able to accommodate missionar- some insight into the proclaiming the Gospel ies, however, many took and serving the poor and advantage of social megreater challenges most vulnerable including dia to host missionaries, those who are sick and that missionaries while others made apdisabled. Their witness peals on their behalf. To around the world to Christ brings practiall who contributed to our cal help and God’s love have experienced. where people face food MCP, thank you!

The fact that our uncertainty and violence, MCP did not do as well as usual makes or where priests and their parishioners our World Mission Sunday (WMS) even face martyrdom. collection all the more important this I join you in answering the call,

“Here I Am, Send Me” and I thank you for all you do for the missionary work of the Church – every October and everyday throughout the year.

For more information on contributing to the missions, please call our office (732) 243-4580 or email us (pontifical. mission.societies@diometuchen.org) for a free bookmark prayer card so you can join us in praying the “Prayer for Missionaries” everyday. Thank you for all you do on World Mission Sunday and throughout the year in helping “go make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19).

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

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 15, 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, “Here I am, send me” (Is 6:8) is the response we hear from the passage in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”

By virtue of our baptismal call, we each echo these sentiments of the prophet. “Here I am, send me!” No wonder we feel both comfort and conviction in these words. They summarize well the personal commitment we have to Jesus and the mission of His Church to “go out to all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mk 16:15).

Our own challenges this past year with the COVID-19 pandemic gives us some insight into the greater challenges that missionaries around the world have experienced. Ordinarily, we proudly include in this report the success of our

22 MISSION SUNDAY

Annual Report — Your Gifts to the Pontifical Missi Summary of Gifts from Donors

Society for the Propagation of the Faith Missionary Childhood Association The Society of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Near East Welfare Association

Diocesan Mission Commitments

Mass Stipends Foreign Missions (Visiting Missionaries) Diocesan Sharing (Local Missionaries Working Abroad) Missionary Cooperation Plan (MCP) Liturgical Items (Sacred Vessels and Vestry)

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Town

Parish

St. Mary Alpha Immaculate Conception Annandale St. Andrew Avenel Our Lady of Victories Baptistown St. James Basking Ridge St. Patrick Belvidere St. Rose of Lima, Oxford Belvidere Our Lady of Perpetual Help Bernardsville St. Jude Blairstown Annunciation Bloomsbury St. Joseph Bound Brook St. Mary of Czestochowa Bound Brook Holy Trinity Bridgewater St. Bernard of Clairvaux Bridgewater St. John Neumann Califon Divine Mercy Carteret St. Joseph Carteret St. John Vianney Colonia St. John the Evangelist Dunellen East Brunswick St. Bartholomew St. Helena Edison St. Matthew the Apostle Edison St. Magdalen de Pazzi Flemington Our Lady of Peace Fords Great Meadows Ss. Peter & Paul Assumption of Mary Hackettstown St. Ann Hampton Holy Trinity Helmetta St. Joseph High Bridge Highland Pk/Edison Transfiguration of the Lord Mary, Mother of God Hillsborough St. Joseph Hillsborough Good Shepherd Hopelawn St. Cecelia Iselin St. James the Less Jamesburg St. Augustine of Canterbury Kendall Park St. John the Evangelist Lambertville Laurence Harbor St. Lawrence Christ the Redeemer Manville Blessed Sacrament Martinsville Most Holy Redeemer Matawan Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Metuchen Our Lady of Mount Virgin Middlesex St. Edward the Confessor Milford Our Lady of Lourdes Milltown Monmouth Jct. St. Cecilia Nativity of Our Lord Monroe Twp. New Brunswick Holy Family New Brunswick Our Lady of Mount Carmel New Brunswick Parish of the Visitation

Mission Sunday $ 2,480 3,899 2,133 907 7,335 868 422 8,264 1,276 894 2,080 1,101 1,365 3,586 1,184 612 1,193 3,305 1,384 3,599 1,686 2,571 3,808 1,975 1,358 1,381 1,474 610 967 2,422 1,791 4,139 1,381 2,304 1,905 7,676 1,229 2,956 2,300 4,661 1,946 10,944 2,939 913 1,482 2,297 1,722 1,402 2,025 1,520

Donations $

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Missionary Childhood Assn.

Masses $

Your prayers and sacrificial gift Sunday will support Priests, Co Brothers and Lay Pastoral Lead the Gospel, serve the poor and Christians throughout

12,250 53,750 16,500 82,499 112 pieces

Propagation of the Faith

Parishes

OCTOBER 15, 2020

$ 254,711 37,877 27,990 19,475

0 0 0 0 1,280 0 0 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 0 0 300 0 1,180 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,360 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

School

CCD

$

$

M.C.P.*

(2019-2020 school year) 0 0 0 0 562 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 480 500 0 0 3,150 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 892 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 24 0 0 1,660 0 205 0 0 798 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 513 0 0 257 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 194 765 223 200 0 0 0 0 1,955 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

$

Propagation of the Faith

Parishes

2020

Town

Parish

570 0 0 540 3,045 1,247 380 0 1,288 228 0 0 1,065 2,626 1,318 540 0 1,406 0 1,293 614 0 0 0 0 918 412 391 727 336 10 231 811 1,224 1,405 15,395 573 992 0 0 235 2.665 0 610 1,000 0 1,869 0 2,025 0

New Brunswick North Brunswick North Plainfield North Plainfield Old Bridge Old Bridge Parlin Peapack / Far Hills Perth Amboy Perth Amboy Perth Amboy Phillipsburg Piscataway Piscataway Pittstown Plainsboro Port Murray Port Reading Raritan Raritan Sayreville Sayreville Skillman So. Bound Brook Somerset Somerville South Amboy South Amboy South Plainfield South Plainfield South River South River South River Spotswood Three Bridges Warren Washington Watchung Whitehouse Station Woodbridge

St. Peter the Apostle Our Lady of Peace St. Joseph The Church of St. Luke St. Ambrose St. Thomas the Apostle St. Bernadette St. Elizabeth - St. Brigid Most Holy Name of Jesus Our Lady of Fatima St. John Paul II St. Philip & St. James Our Lady of Fatima St. Frances Cabrini St. Catherine of Siena Queenship of Mary St. Theodore St. Anthony of Padua St. Ann St. Joseph Our Lady of Victories St. Stanislaus Kostka St. Charles Borromeo Our Lady of Mercy St. Matthias Immaculate Conception Sacred Heart St. Mary Church of the Sacred Heart Our Lady of Czestochowa Corpus Christi St. Mary of Ostrabrama St. Stephen Protomartyr Immaculate Conception St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Our Lady of the Mount St. Joseph St. Mary-Stony Hill Our Lady of Lourdes St. James

Mission Sunday $

2,077 1,945 2,443 1,612 3,489 3,481 1,710 4,519 1,962 1,579 1,880 2,160 6,989 1,128 1,080 2,027 623 1,544 135 923 1,796 2,024 1,745 2,721 3,281 4,395 2,739 1,887 2,112 1,269 941 1,147 301 1,381 4,599 2,614 770 3,434 4,775 3,295

Donations $

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Masses $

0 0 0 0 100 425 0 2,305 0 0 0 40 0 0 0 470 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 235 0 0 0 0 0 105

SCHOOLS / INSTITUTES / OTHER Perth Amboy Edison Metuchen Somerville Watchung Flemington Somerset

Perth Amboy Catholic School St. Thomas Aquinas High School Saint Joseph High School Immaculata High School Mount Saint Mary Academy Carmelite Monastery Maria Regina Residence Other Donations

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,190

0 1,000 0 200 0 150 350 4,417

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,745

ts on World Mission onsecrated Sisters & ders who proclaim d support persecuted t the world.

Missionary Childhood Assn.

School

M.C.P.*

CCD

2020

(2019-2020 school year) $

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

$

0 0 0 0 0 438 0 250 0 0 0 0 2,092 0 0 189 0 0 25 0 0 271 0 0 0 85 0 200 0 0 0 0 498 0 303 0 0 0 807 566 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

$

143 685 0 0 1,512 0 518 2,739 2,800 3,019 34 2,140 3,337 0 730 0 0 0 448 0 0 995 0 0 0 3,114 1,096 0 0 0 1,657 522 0 969 4,175 0 120 6,000 1,150 1,760 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

“Here I Am, Send Me” is the response we will all endeavor to live out this World Mission Sunday ... This year, in response to the challenges to the Mission Church from the pandemic, I invite all in the Diocese of Metuchen to respond in the most generous way you are able. As you do, I offer my sincere personal gratitude for your kind missionary heart, reaching out in love throughout the Mission Month of October.

“Aquí me tienes, mándame a mi” es la respuesta que todos intentaremos vivir este Domingo Mundial de las Misiones ... Este año, en respuesta a los desafíos a la Iglesia Misionera de la pandemia, los invito a todos en esta diócesis de Metuchen a responder de la manera más generosa posible. Mientras lo hace, le ofrezco mi sincera gratitud personal por su amable corazón misionero, extendiéndose en amor durante todo el Mes Misionero de octubre.

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

This year the theme for World Mission Sunday 2020 is “Here I am, Send

Me”. This is the ever-new response to the Lord’s question: ‘Whom shall I send?’ This invitation from God’s merciful heart challenges both the Church and humanity, in the current world crisis.”

As you surrender your World Mission Sunday envelope into the collection basket, you ought to say a prayer for those whose lives will be changed thanks to your sacrificial gift.

In memory of all deceased missionaries, as well as benefactors from the Diocese of Metuchen, who have died from the corona virus.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 15, 2020

0 0 0 0 0 1,745 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 208 0 0 1,370 0 0 750 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100

MISSION SUNDAY

From Bishop Checchio’s World Mission Sunday Message

23

ion Societies

24 MISSION SUNDAY

METUCHEN’S OWN MISSIONARIES DOING WORK ABROAD

OUR WORLD ON MISSION

Deacon Enock Berluche Source de Vie, Beraud, Haiti

Mr. William Mosca Franciscans In Action Beraud, Haiti

Ms. Joanne Garcia

Family Missions Company, Malaybay, Philippines

Father Daniel Healy

Anawim Community, Metro Manila, Philippines

Ms. R. Carol Vaccariello Anawim Community, Metro Manila, Philippines

Ms. Mila Dionisio

Bukas Loob sa Diyos, Provinces in the Philippines

Mrs. Joanie Lynn St. Peters Missionary Health Project Diocese of Santa Rosa, Guatemala

Sister Mary Vertucci, MM Maryknoll Sisters, Anrusha, Tanzania

Reverend Hillier delivering the homily on 2019 World Mission Sunday. The theme was “Missio Ad Gentes” – Mission to the Nations – which serves as a reminder that we are each “baptized and sent” to be missionaries in our own lives and also to the nations.

MISSION OFFICE FAMILY Reverend John G. Hillier, Ph.D Director Mila Dionisio Associate Director Debbie Pecora Administrative Assistant

OCTOBER 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Volunteers Patricia Murphy, Shannon White, Charlie Zammit, Barbara Murphy, Barbara Peterson, Clair Bautista, Joyce Lynch, Sue Ellen Bibby For more information about Catholic Missionaries, or to help the Mission Church, phone or write: Pontifical Mission Societies, P.O. Box 191, Metuchen, N.J. 08840 (732) 243-4580 • pontifical.mission.societies@diometuchen.org

PRAY FOR MISSIONARIES ON OCTOBER 18 WORLD MISSION SUNDAY Due to the coronavirus pandemic, our annual World Mission Sunday family event celebration and walk-a-thon at St. Francis Cathedral is cancelled this year.

The Pontifical Mission Award Ceremony for the schools and parishes as well

as our 2020 artwork winner will receive their awards at a private ceremony.

For more information or questions call (732) 243-4580 or email: pontifical.mission.societies@diometuchen. org.

— The Catholic Spirit file photo

Reverend John Hillier welcoming the Walk-A-Thon participants before the World Mission Sunday Mass celebration.

25

Deacon Stephen Kern

Deacon George Kimball Jr.

Deacon Thomas Klaas

Our Lady of Peace Parish, Fords

St. Joseph Parish, Carteret

St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, Flemington

MILESTONES

Deacon James Kelly Jr.

St. James Church, Basking Ridge

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 15, 2020

26 MILESTONES

The Parish Family of

St. Edward the Confessor in Milford

Deacon Edward Majkowski Our Lady of Victories Parish, Sayreville

C on gra t u la t e

Deacon Bill Barr

as you celebrate your 10th Anniversary of Ordination!

Deacon Michael Martini Immaculate Conception Parish, Annandale

Deacon James McCormick

OCTOBER 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Mary, Mother of God Parish, Hillsborough

Congratulations Fr. James McGuffey 25th anniversary of priestly ordination Deacon Danny SanJose on your 10th Anniversary and Deacon Tom Griffoul on your 5th Anniversary May God continue to Bless You as you continue to serve Him and Immaculate Conception Church, Spotswood

Deacon Michael Meyer Immaculate Conception Parish, Annandale

MILESTONES

St. Joseph Parish, Bound Brook

27

Deacon Gary Newton

Deacon John Raychel

Our Lady of Peace Parish, Fords

Deacon William Rider Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Piscataway

Deacon Earl Roberts

St. John Neumann Parish, Califon

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 15, 2020

28 MILESTONES

Deacon Joseph Saggese

Deacon Danilo San Jose

Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen

Immaculate Conception Parish, Spotswood

Deacon John Shelton

Deacon Hugo Simao

Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Monroe Township

Queenship of Mary Parish, Plainsboro

Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Monroe Township asks Gods’ blessings on

Deacon Robert Gatto and

Deacon John Shelton

as they celebrate their 10th anniversary of diaconate ordination

OCTOBER 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Thank you for your continued faithful and generous service to our parish community WITH PRAYFUL BEST WISHES The Parish Family of St. Joseph in Bound Brook

The Parish Family of St. Anthony of Padua Church

Asks God’s Blessings on

Congratulates

Deacon Gary Newton

as he celebrates his 5th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Order of Deacon.

AS HE CELEBRATES THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIACONATE ORDINATION

Deacon Peter Barcellona “Called to Serve”

May the Lord continue to Bless you as you answer His call to ministry

29

Deacon Michael Wojcik

Deacon Peter Barcellona

Deacon Salvatore Bonfiglio

St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Port Reading

Mary, Mother of God Parish, Hillsborough

Holy Family Parish, New Brunswick

Transferred: St. Luke Parish, Long Valley, Diocese of Paterson

MILESTONES

Deacon Nelson Torres

Congratulations

Deacon Mark Hennicke!

May St. Mary of Ostrabrama, Mother of Mercy, keep you close to Her Immaculate heart and continue to guide you!

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 15, 2020

Your Parish Family of St. Mary of Ostrabrama South River

MILESTONES

30

Deacon Vincent Brigande St. John Vianney Parish, Colonia

Deacon Peter D'Angelo

St. Mary's-Stony Hill Parish, Watchung

St. John Vianney

Wishes Deacon Vinny

Deacon Kenrick Fortune

Happy 5th Anniversary Of His Ordination To The Diaconate “For It Is In Giving That We Receive” St. Francis of Assisi

St. Thomas the Apostle Parish extends warmest congratulations and heartfelt gratitude to

OCTOBER 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Deacon Scott Titmas on the occasion of the Fifth Anniversary of his Ordination to the Diaconate.

Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen

Deacon Thomas Griffoul Immaculate Conception Parish, Spotswood

Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Perth Amboy

Deacon Mark Hennicke

Deacon Patrick Smith

St. Mary of Ostrabrama Parish, South River

St. James the Less Parish, Jamesburg

Deacon Stephen Kassebaum St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Pittstown

Deacon Thomas N. Sommero

Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish, Middlesex

Deacon Kevin Kilcommons

Deacon Scott Titmas

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Three Bridges

St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Old Bridge

St. James Parish, Woodbridge

St. Cecelia Parish, Iselin

Deacon David Waguespack Assumption of Mary Parish, Hackettstown

Please pray for vocations to the priesthood and the diaconate

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 15, 2020

Deacon Roel Mercado

Deacon Anthony Pepe

MILESTONES

St. Peter the Apostle University and Community Parish, New Brunswick

Deacon Gregorio Rios

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Deacon Patrick Gutsick

32 OUR DIOCESE

Pro-Life Witness Above right, Bishop James F. Checchio (holding sign) and Msgr. Joseph G. Celano gather for prayers at Immaculate Conception School, Somerville, with participants in the annual National Life Chain Oct. 4. Other sites shown are Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, Great Meadows; Perth Amboy; St. Philip and St. James Church, Phillipsburg; Sayreville and Washington Township. For 33 years, Life Chains have formed across the United States and Canada — and the world — to make a public, prayerful, peaceful witness against legalized abortion. Life Chain seeks to lead the body of Christ in repentance and prayer regarding abortion.

OCTOBER 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

— photos by John Batkowski, Frank Wojciechowski, Marlo Williamson, Joan Fasanello and Father Grzegorz Podsiadlo

OUR DIOCESE

By Christina Leslie Correspondent

Top of page, Msgr. Robert J. Zamorski touches the casket holding the remains of Deacon Frank J. Cammarano (above) at the funeral Mass at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi. Deacon Cammarano served the Cathedral Parish for 42 years. Right, Msgr. Zamorski raises the chalice during the consecration.

Above, mourners at the funeral Mass listen to the homily by Deacon J.P. Saggese. Left, pallbearers place the casket in a hearse.

Deacon Cammarano died Sept. 30 at the age of 90.

— Mike Ehrmann photos

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 15, 2020

A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served from 1951 to 1953 in Europe during the Korean War. Deacon Cammarano was ordained METUCHEN — Though Deacon Frank J. Cammarano’s long marriage, to the permanent diaconate for the fatherhood of nine children, and nearly Diocese of Trenton in 1978 by Bishop half-century of service as deacon to the George W. Ahr; his 42-year ministry was dioceses of Trenton and Metuchen were served in what was St. Francis of Assisi noteworthy, “Frank’s most enduring re- Parish and became St. Francis Cathedral lationship is with Jesus Christ,” declared with the establishment of the Diocese of Deacon J.P. Saggese in his homily at a Metuchen in 1981.

He and his wife, Margaret, were funeral Mass Oct. 5 at the Cathedral of recipients of the diocesan Maria Regina St. Francis of Assisi for his fellow deaAward. con and friend.

Testimonies to the late deacon’s life Deacon Cammarano, who had and ministry detailed served the Cathedral Parboth his civic-mindedish for 42 years through ”Frank’ s devotion ness and his faith by the leadership of two dioceses, died Sept. 30 at the to his parish was a example.

Fellow Cathedral age of 90. marvel to behold. It Deacon Kenrick Fortune Msgr. Robert J. Zamorski, rector of the was also contagious. noted, “Brother Frank was a gem and a blessing cathedral, presided at the to so many, an inspiraHe had so much to Mass, which drew numertion to me as a deacon ous priests and deacons, as teach so many of us and a true friend.” well as family and friends, Father Hank Hilton, to celebrate the life of the about serving Jesus pastor, St. Joseph Parish, beloved long-time servant to the Church. Deacon by serving our fellow Hillsborough, recalled Cammarano had fulfilled believers. Like all the working with the longtime deacon while stahis mission to be priest, tioned at the Cathedral, best teachers, he prophet and king, beginsaying, “Frank’s devoning with his own baptism taught by example.” tion to his parish was in St. Benedicta Parish, —Father Hank Hilton a marvel to behold. It Staten Island, N.Y., in was also contagious. He 1930, and continuing had so much to teach so through the celebration of many of us about serving Jesus by serv819 more, Deacon Saggese said.

“Frank’s being was service,” he ing our fellow believers. Like all the best continued. “I have to ask myself, why? teachers, he taught by example.”

A resident of Metuchen for 62 Why would this Italian-American computer programmer with nine kids pos- years, Deacon Cammarano had coached sibly want to take on more? Frank was Little League and served on several of simply fulfilling God’s purpose: to know, borough’s boards, including the Huto love and to serve him in this life and be man Rights Commission, the Metuchen School Board, its Democratic Commithappy with him forever in the next.

“Frank challenged the status quo of tee, the Italian-American Civic League this world, a world that seems centered Club, and the Hillside Cemetery Board. on ourselves far too often. Frank helped In a Facebook post, Metuchen Mayor so many people to believe that we who Jonathan M. Busch wrote, “Metuchen believe in Christ, even when we die, we lost one of its most exceptional residents… Frank served his community in will live.”

Deacon Cammarano was born in so many ways over the years… We will Staten Island, where he graduated from always remember him as a kind-hearted Curtis High School. He earned an as- and sweet man who was devoted to all sociate degree in chemical technology of those around him, especially his famfrom the New York Institute of Applied ily… We will miss your smile, Frank.”

Deacon Cammarano was predeArts and Science, Brooklyn, N.Y., and later a certificate in computer science and ceased by his wife of 58 years, Margaret; plastics engineering from the New Jersey his daughter, Peggy Philips; his granddaughter, Amie Cammarano; his sister, Institute of Technology, Newark.

Over the course of his career, he Carmela Johnson, and his parents John worked as a system manager and sales and Maria. Surviving are eight sons and support manager at Delphax; a systems daughters, and numerous grandchildren, manager at Honeywell; a chemical tech- nieces and nephews and extended family.

Interment was at Hillside Cemetery, nician at Chevron and FMC, and a plastics engineering technician at Western Metuchen. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Haven Hospice at JFK Electric.

Deacon Cammarano also served as Medical Center (JFKMC.org).

Arrangements were handled by an adjunct professor at Middlesex CounFuneral Homes, ty College, Edison, teaching computer Costello-Runyon Metuchen courses for nearly 30 years.

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Deacon remembered at funeral Mass for life of service

OCTOBER 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

OUR FAITH

34

Text of creed/Jews and baptismal sponsors Pope Francis

AUDIENCE

September 30, 2020 In recent weeks we have reflected together, in the light of the Gospel, on how to heal the world that is suffering from a malaise that the pandemic has highlighted and accentuated. The malaise was already there: the pandemic highlighted it more, it accentuated it. We have walked the paths of dignity, solidarity and subsidiarity, paths that are essential to promote human dignity and the common good. And as disciples of Jesus, we have proposed to follow in His steps, opting for the poor, rethinking the use of material goods and taking care of our common home.

In the midst of the pandemic that afflicts us, we have anchored ourselves to the principles of the social doctrine of the Church, letting ourselves be guided by faith, by hope and by charity. Here we have found solid help so as to be transformers who dream big, who are not stopped by the meanness that divides and hurts, but who encourage the generation of a new and better world. I hope this journey will not come to an end with this catechesis of mine, but rather that we may be able to continue to walk together, to “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus” (Heb 12:2), as we heard at the beginning; our eyes fixed on Jesus, who saves and heals the world. As the Gospel shows us, Jesus healed the sick of every type (see Matthew 9:35), He gave sight to the blind, the word to the mute, hearing to the deaf. And when He cured diseases and physical infirmity, He also healed the spirit by forgiving sins, because Jesus always forgives, as well as “social pains” by including the marginalised (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1421). Jesus, who renews and reconciles every creature (see 2 Corinthians 5.17; Colossians 1:19-20), gives us the gifts necessary to love and heal as He knew how to do (see Luke 10:1-9; John 15:9-17), to take care of all without distinction on the basis of race, language or nation.

Prayer during difficult times God of love and mercy, assist me in this time of trouble And anxiety.

Ease my burdens. Strengthen my faith. Increase my Trust and confidence in Your compassionate care.

Give me the courage I need, dear Lord, to face the difficulties Before me, knowing that with Your help, miracles happen and lives are Restored.

I pray for a share in Your healing graces, and ask that You Surround me with Your comforting goodness, for health in mind and Body, and for a heart filled with hope and peace. Amen.

My recollection is that the text of the Mass in English was rewritten about 20 years ago — to be a more accurate translation and to eliminate sexist references. I wonder, however, if they missed something: in the Nicene Creed, our parish still prints, “For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven.” Many in the congregation, including me, simply skip the word “”men,” and I believe that our priest does as well.

Why was this reference to all humans as “men” not eliminated? (Guilderland, N.Y.)

Q

Question Corner

By Father Kenneth Doyle The changes in the English version of the Mass to which you refer went into effect on the first Sunday of Advent in 2011. The rationale, as I recall, was not so much to eliminate sexist references but to guarantee a more literal translation of the Latin text.

This approach was based on a 2001 instruction from the Holy See called “Liturgiam Authenticam.”

A

That document said in part, “The translation of the liturgical texts of the Roman liturgy is not so much a work of creative innovation as it is of rendering the original texts faithfully and accurately into the vernacular language.” It clarified that “the original text, insofar as possible, must be translated integrally and in the most exact manner, without omissions or additions in terms of their content, and without paraphrases or glosses.”

Still, though — as I have mentioned before in this column — in my mind the current English wording of the Nicene Creed is a mistranslation. The Latin wording is “propter nos homines,” and in Latin the word “homo” is generic; it means “person” or “human being.”

I, too, look for the day when it will be translated as such and not risk offending some listeners. Meanwhile, as a permissible alternative, often I choose instead to use the Apostles' Creed.

witness) in the rite of baptism? (Detroit)

Some time ago, in one of your columns, you wrote that, “the attitude of Catholics toward Jews ought to be one of respect and gratitude. Christianity was built upon the foundation of Judaism. (Pius XI said that ‘spiritually we are all Semites.’)” Why, then, is it Catholic law that those of the Jewish faith cannot act as godfather (or as Christian

The Church’s Code of Canon Law (Canon 874) provides that at least one baptismal sponsor be a baptized, confirmed and practicing Catholic, 16 years of age or older, who is living a life in conformity with the teachings of the Catholic Church. The reason is that the role of a baptismal sponsor is not only to support a child's Catholic faith but to serve as a Christian role model.

If one of the sponsors is Catholic, the other one can in fact be a baptized non-Catholic — but that person is then technically not called a godparent but a “Christian witness.”

One of the duties of a baptismal sponsor is to assist the child’s parents in passing on the Christian faith.

At the celebration of the sacrament, the parents and godparents are asked to profess publicly their faith in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. A Jewish or Muslim friend, for example, might well be an outstanding moral individual, but that person would not be able to profess the personal belief in the Trinity, which is required of a sacramental sponsor.

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

He had been standing next to her chair for an hour, sizing things up, waiting for a crumb to fall, darting forward at our slightest movements, and when he couldn’t stand it anymore he charged forward, grabbed the bagel bag and had it almost out of reach before we knew what happened.

And he had friends. One of them stood directly in front of me, almost on my feet, in a stare-down the entire morning. He seemed experienced in his attempt to weaken my resolve, as if his beady little eyes would entice me to drop a morsel or two for his benefit. But I stayed strong, and he called for reinforcements. As he bent his head down between his legs, I wondered at his strange way of checking out what was behind him.

I soon learned it was the ordinary prelude to a volley of loud seagull honkings. Almost immediately I noticed some movement out of the corner of my eye, and soon realized we were now surrounded by seagulls who seemed to be putting great effort into acting nonchalant. Nothing to see here. But we knew what they were up to.

With seagulls, there really is no acting. Their motive is always obvious. It’s all about the food. With people, motivation is not always so clear. The inclination to use our wiles to get what we want is strong.

But in those times, when we give in to the inclination, we put aside honesty, we compromise our integrity. When we resort to cunning and deviousness, embracing “the end justifies the means,” we move away from Gospel values.

Catholic author C.S. Lewis put it this

way: “Not to be, but to seem, virtuous — it is a formula whose utility we all discovered in the nursery.” That discovery often proves to be a great challenge to living a truly Christian life, and Scripture reinforces that “guile” is no path to God. Dire warnings about the consequences of cunning behavior are repeated in Psalms and Proverbs, but in the Gospel of John there is a delightful, even humorous story, that reflects the importance for disciples to be “guile-less.”

Jesus was gathering disciples. Andrew had already joined him when Jesus also found Philip and invited him, saying, “Follow me.” Philip then found Nathaniel and extended the same invitation to follow Jesus, “the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”

Philip replied, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

When Jesus saw Nathaniel coming toward him, he said of this new disciple, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!”

Jesus valued Nathaniel’s forthrightness because Jesus recognized that Nathaniel’s heart, and motives, were pure.

If we take the Gospel seriously, it is important for us, then, as disciples, to routinely examine our own hearts and motives to be certain our God will see the same thing in us.

As for the seagulls, there were no bagels for them that day. Don’t get me wrong, I love seagulls, but once you feed a scavenger, you will never get rid of them. The next time we retreat to the beach, it’s bright colored umbrellas for us, bagels and a side of water pistols.

Q

A

Swooping seagulls offer spiritual lesson

One of the things I’ve missed greatly during the past six months of living life in various stages of quarantine is time spent with friends. And if ever there was a time when we needed those shared experiences, it’s been the past six months. Right now, for me, all I have are memories, but they always lift my mood.

When a seagull swooped over my head in the supermarket parking lot recently, I remembered a day many years ago when two of my long-time friends and I managed to sneak away from work on a late spring day and made some time for a beach retreat. It was a wonderful day, getting off to a rousing start marked by an early morning battle with the seagulls. We had our chairs arranged in a circle, our thermoses of coffee, snacks and other essentials within reach and were talking about recent events in our lives, when I found myself yelling out, “Stop that seagull!!”

My voice was barely audible over the waves, but my gesturing caught the attention of a friend opposite me who nearly flung herself out of her beach chair onto the sand to retrieve a brown bag full of bagels being dragged toward the water by a very large and brazen seagull.

35

Our supreme responsibility “I am the Lord and there is no other” (Is 45:6).

This invocation of God’s divine majesty serves as an apt summary of our first reading and Gospel this Sunday. God’s supremacy includes even the ability to use other, subordinate authorities (for example, governmental or societal leaders) to further his own divine purpose. These lesser authorities exercise legitimate dominion within their appropriate spheres of influence. Everyone, however, must always recognize God’s supreme Lordship over all; despite whatever loyalty we may owe to Caesar, rendering “to God what belongs to God” (Mt 22:21) must always be our first priority.

SCRIPTURE STUDY

By Msgr. John N. Fell

WEEK IN SCRIPTURE

Sun 18 Mon 19 Tues 20 Wed 21 Thurs 22 Fri 23 Sat 24 Sun 25 Mon 26 Tues 27 Wed 28 Thurs 29 Fri 30 Sat 31

Jesus asked for a coin. They presented him with a coin bearing the emperor’s head and inscription. Jesus asked his questioners, “Whose image is this, and whose inscription?” (Mt 22:20). When they replied that these were Caesar’s, Jesus concluded the exchange by saying, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” This response neither angered the crowd nor branded Jesus as a political subversive.

Jesus’ response was not an endorsement of the Roman political structure. He simply recognized the fact that the coin was the property of the Imperial Roman government which had the right to demand it back. The Roman Emperor existed, had a legitimate role to play, and should have his due. Jesus did not want to come out against civil authority, recognizing that his Heavenly Father could just as effectively use the Roman Emperor as well as anyone else to accomplish his plan. This is really the point which Isaiah is making in this Sunday’s first reading; even though Cyrus was a pagan king, Isaiah calls him “the Lord’s anointed” because he released the Hebrews from their exile. God can use anyone to accomplish his purpose.

The message that comes down to us is a recognition that we have many legitimate responsibilities -- to our governments, communities, families, employers, and so on. We must do our best to meet these responsibilities, to act justly toward all who have a claim upon us. Even though some or even many of these competing claims can seem more important, or especially more urgent, the point of these readings is that our first responsibility is always to render “to God what belongs to God” (Mt 22:21). By recognizing and meeting this supreme responsibility, may we find that we are become better able to genuinely fulfill all our other duties as well.

Msgr. Fell is a Scripture scholar and director, Diocesan Office for Priest Personnel SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18 - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31

Is 45:1, 4-6 • Ps 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10 • Thes 1:1-5b • Mt 22:15-21 Eph 2:1-10 • Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4ab 4c-5 • Lk 12:13-21 Eph 2:12-22 • Ps 85:9ab-10, 11-12, 13-14 • Lk 12:35-38 Eph 3:2-12 • Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 • Lk 12:39-48 Eph 3:14-21 • Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19 • Lk 12:49-53 Eph 4:1-6 • Ps 24:1-2, 3-4b, 5-6 • Lk 12:54-59 Eph 4:7-16 • Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5 • Lk 13:1Ex 22:20-26 • Ps 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51 • 1 Thes 1:5c-10 • Mt 22:34-40 Eph 4:32—5:8 • Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 • Lk 13:10-17 Eph 5:21-33 • Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 • Lk 13:18-21 Eph 2:10-22 • Ps 19:2-3, 4-5 • Lk 6:12-16 Eph 6:10-20 • Ps 144:1b, 2, 9-10 • Lk 13:31-35 Phil 1:1-11 • Ps 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 • Lk 14:1-6 Phil 1:18b-26 • Ps 42:2, 3, 5cdef • Lk 14:1, 7-11

Hubert Image © The Crosiers

died 727 feast - November 3

Hubert was a married courtier who became a priest after his wife died. According to legend, he was called to serve God while hunting; he reportedly saw a crucifix between a stag’s horns and heard a voice say, “Unless you turn to the Lord, Hubert, you shall fall into hell.” He was ordained by St. Lambert, bishop of Maastricht in the Netherlands, and succeeded the murdered Lambert. After moving the see to Liege in Belgium, he served for 20 years, ending idol worship, converting many and tirelessly preaching Christ. He died peacefully while traveling to dedicate a church; this patron saint of hunters and dogs is also invoked against rabies.

Saints

 

  

           

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        

       

 

                                                                                                                                                

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 15, 2020

Our first reading is taken from the book of the Prophet Isaiah. In this passage, Isaiah refers to the Persian king, Cyrus, as “the Lord’s anointed.”

This title was reserved by the Jewish people for their own kings, and ultimately, for the coming Messiah. To apply it to a foreign, Gentile ruler was shocking; in fact, even Cyrus would have been surprised to hear himself labeled as the “anointed” of the Hebrews’ God. And yet, Isaiah legitimately attributes the title to the Persian ruler because Cyrus, while not knowing it, had served as God’s instrument in the life of the Hebrew people. It was Cyrus who ended their captivity in Babylon and allowed the Chosen People to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple after nearly 50 years of exile. The All-Powerful God was able to use this powerful pagan leader to further his own purposes.

Like Isaiah, Jesus also testifies to the legitimacy of civil rulers, provided they recognize their subordination to God, in this Sunday’s Gospel reading. The issue at hand involved payment of a head tax. Imposed by the Roman authorities around 6 BC, the head tax amounted to one denarius (equivalent to one day’s sustenance) for every man, woman, and child between the ages of 12 and 65. The tax had to be paid with a Roman coin on which the head of the Emperor, Tiberius Caesar, was stamped, along with the inscription, “Tiberius Caesar, Son of the Divine Augustus, High Priest.”

While the Roman authorities and their sympathizers looked upon this as simply the price of enjoying the cache and protection of the Roman Empire, the religious Pharisees were deeply offended. First of all, their sense of being subordinated to a foreign power was inflamed. Second, and more deeply troubling, the design of the coin violated the Hebrew ban on graven

images. For a religious Jew to possess and handle a coin with the Emperor’s picture and claim of divinity was itself a terrible insult. Having to hand over the coin to a pagan ruler as tribute made the insult that much worse.

The Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus with the seemingly innocent question, “It is lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” (Mt 22:17). Jesus immediately recognized their bad faith; if he answered yes, he would offend many religious people as well as the common folk for whom the tax was a heavy burden; if he said no, he would offend those of his followers who were sympathetic to the Romans and perhaps even open himself up to arrest for inciting rebellion against the Emperor.

OUR FAITH

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

36 26 STEPPING FORWARD IN CHARITY STEPPING UP IN CHARITY

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Connections for Program offin ersfoster role models youth Assistance youth carefor begins

Children extend care to military veteran in

By Joanne Kleinle Correspondent

When Catholic Charities’ Child Care

“A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who Site Supervisor Jenelle Clauson read finds one finds a treasure.” (Sir 6:14) a The Facebook about a 104-year-old Connectionspost Program at Catholic Charities, Diocesespecial of Metuchen, Marine’s pleawhich foris Valentine’s Closed Sunday, Monday & Holidays supported by the Bishop's Annual Appeal, wishes, she gathered her colleagues this verse to heart by connecting menRt. 22 & Terrill Road, Watchung, NJ 07069 takes at Hatchery Elementary School, tors with youth who canHill use a friend.

What participants have found is and that what starts out Hackettstown, organized a project as a way to give youth a helping hand, often for the children in the Catholic Charicreates friendships that are treasured by the ties’theafter care program to youths, mentorsschool and their child families alike.

Since 1994,tothethe Connections respond oldestProgram living Marine’s has paired adult volunteers with youth in request.

Middlesex County from ages 5 to 17. It Maj. Bill White, World War II started from pairing 14 matches to asamany as 65 mentors paired youth each year. recipient, veteran and with Purple Heart Youth in the program are more likely to shared his wish during an interview with 2400 B Cooper Street develop positive behaviors and continue 95 West Main St. Suite 5-106 KTXL-TV in Sacramento, schooling, which changes their lives. The Calif., and Piscataway, NJ 08854 A screenshot shows the members of the the Catholic friendship between youth and menthe request went viral.

He told Charities, the tele-Diocese of Metuchen, LifeSet team virtually preparing for the start of Chester, NJ 07930 LifeSet in New Jersey Oct.1. www.ourladyoftenderness.com torsvision tends to hosts form quickly, that but oneover oftime hisanfavorite hobwww.ourladyoftenderness.com even deeper bond is established and they bies is acting scrapbooking, which helped often become a secondexecutive family to thedirecchild. has “In Julio Coto, the child welfare arena, we portive adults and help them get set According to the program’s website, him to keep track of his extensive tor, Catholic Charities, Diocese of strive to life. develop connections for the for life.”

Your prayer requests are welcomed and criteria to get a mentor are: experiencing Metuchen, recently announced the Last year, Catholic Charities proyoung people Your prayer requests are welcomed and Now and/or he wanted to adddiffisome Valentine in our care, so that they encouraged. They shall be placed before the launch significant terminal medical cul- have a loving, stable relationship to vided 15,191 hours of direct service of the Youth Villages LifeSet cards to ahis collection of mementos.

Jeanette Cullen, a member St. Bartholomew Parish, EastPartial Brunswick, served encouraged. They shall be placed before the Program for which positive adult relationship in Middlesex, Mercer, Som- turn to youth in its Carehas program, to for support after of transitionBlessed Sacrament and lifted daily in prayer. ties as White’s supervisor of the Connections Program at Catholic Charities, Diocese of from outside of the family would be helpful; Once word got out about and Union counties. ing out of the foster care system,” served more than 1,200 families Blessed Sacrament and lifted daily in prayer. erset Metuchen, since 2000. The 26-year-old program pairs adult volunteers with youth finding themselves seriouschildren situational/ from Made possible said DCF Commis- through its Children’s Mobile Rerequest, staffin and Bene- County Middlesex from ages 5 to 18. loss crisis a(i.e., partnerbut not limited to divorce or in “We are very excited The ministry of this Hermitage is God’s gift, through Services sioner Christine Norbut sponse and Stabilization — Joanne Kleinle photo dict A. Cucinella Elementary School, a parent is dying/just deceased) and a helpTheaministry of this Hermitage is God’ s gift, ship between Catholic program, and collectively, the agencychild c Beyer, MSW. “The Children in the Catholic Charities' after school life of prayer, freely given to our diocese and proud to be one fulLong adult relationship is needed.

Valley, and Willow Grove El- LifeSet model of ser- provided 172,000 hours of service to Charities and New a lifeforofyou. prayer, freely given to our diocese Hill Elementary basketball or shareHatchery a meal. advice or School, support. TheHackettstown, program also hosts send t Kathy McCrystal said she started as agencies Please accept this free gift. It is a Jersey’s the fiwith rst Department vices for transition-age people in our communities. ementary School of joined Hatchery McCrystal spends about four hours quarterly mentor support nights. Purple Heart mentor when her twin boys were teenMajor White, a World II veteran for privilege you. Please accept thiswith freeyou gift.inItprayer. is a of aChildren and together FamiTheWar LifeSet modeland was creyouth is aBill data-proven Hill and they sent three large a week with the boys depending on what Jeanette Cullen, a member of St. — Bar-photo co to be united selected to bring the agers.

She was pairediswith a boy close in lies (DCF), LifeSet curriculum in concrete ated by Youth Villages. Since 1999, activities they plan.

She looks forward to tholomew Parish, East Brunswick, where privilege to be united with you in prayer. age to her sons because she thought menenvelopes full ofLifeSet hand-made Valentine a bridge to successful Villages LifeSet has helped and healthy model thewith life hertotime themskills and loves watching Youth she serves as an extraordinary minister of toring would be ayoung great wayto to engage her adulthood for more than 20,000 young people relationship coaching cards and wishes honor White and to Be still and know that I am God. - Psalm 46:10 own boys. She got much more them grow and mature into teenagers. They holy Communion and in its Society ofagSt. than she state of New Jersey. ing out state custody other carecare for that uses individualchild support toabout Maj.their White andof are all reBe still and know that I am God. - Psalm 46:10 people bringtransitioning love and joy to the retired Marine. often talk to her Vincent dewe Paul chapter, hasorbeen superviexpected. from foster The care.boy became The LifeSet model arrangements successfully transition ized interventions and Prayer Request: and sheofgives sor of theitConnections Program since 2000. distric school minded howthem important is to provide close to her family, “We arewhole so thrilled about the cases, response issues “In many Following an toSheindependence.

New Jersey is set supportsguidance to achieve Prayer Request: whatever she can. sees the impact it has not only on the participating in traditions Somerset and recognition toandthose have served _______________________________ evidence-based we received fromaligns the we school district,” with Catholic model, tothebewho the 18th state to implement this positive results Mentors must unyouth, but on the mentors and families. put the like her in-laws annual New _______________________________ utilizing motivational evidence-based program aimed at promote independent For more our country.” saidEveChild Care Service Area Director rigorous screening “The program is not meant to replace the Year’s party, decorating Charities’ mission of dergo _________________________ interviewing and helping people 17support,” toDio22 years old “In to living. Last childhood back interview and background parents,Charities, but to give sheCharities’ said. child year, Catholic theKrista ChristmasGlynn. tree and go“The staff and children _________________________ cognitive behavioral achieve personal and social growth “We're looking providing quality checks before they receive many cases, we put the childhood back in ingwere on an annual Easter egg in the child’s ccdom.org/chil cese of Metuchen and provided so excited their lovelifeand forward therapy, young people to send to fosteraffordable lifelong relationships to partnering hunt. She even took him onservices with dignity training and continue to the child’s life by offering the fun activities are encouraged to set trustedthat adults. with Catholic by offering the receive training Charities after they with and support his or her family cannot college tours with her own goals and make their “We are very excited and proud to to welcome the LifeSet beging serving. give them.” and respect to all sons. They grew so close fun activities and model own while of thetreasures first agencies selected to New sponsors Jersey, be one THE Theinto program Cullen witnessing the lifethat decisions when he aged out of people in need. ” guided by specialists bring the LifeSet model to the state of in order to empower THE the program, she agreed to support that their monthly group activities — changing impact that the mentors have on who model life skills Jersey,” Coto aging out youth but withthey a New —Julio Coto usually in person, the youth.

She said onesaid. child,“The whoseLifeSet parents mentor his younger brothers families cannot and positive behavmodel aligns with Catholic Charities’ safe, stable launchpad have been held virtually bewere day laborers, came into the program and they now participate in iors.

Specialists are ofbeproviding quality into adulthood.” cause of the coronavirus — mission wanting to a day laborer.

After services spending McCrystal family traditions give them. ” available 24/7, and did. also meet with dignity and respect to allother people Program for Director BaronmentorsTova and the youth. with time with his mentor, he realized posjust like their brother —Jeanette Cullen in need.” the young people weekly to address Loewenstein stated, “Youth who have Through these trainings and sibilities that were open to him. He started Most of the activities goals related areas such as educa- grown up in theactivities, Theto go Catholic foster care system are McCrystal has to plan to collegeCharities and becomeLifeSet a busithat she does to with the boys program will serve 40 youth in the tional achievement, financial stability, particularly vulnerable during their also formed close friendships with other nessman and travel.

He also changed his are simple. Because of the recent lockdown four counties.

The youth typically parhousehold management, and building transition to adulthood, as many do mentors. diet to more healthy choices. related to the coronavirus, she takes them for the program for becoming six6 to 12a healthy theseThey ways, experience, knowledge, Casethe managers are in touch with men- ticipate Forininformation about a walk relationships. or buys them iceIncream. also not have based on their Cullen needs.at jcullen@ program learn Somethe and to and assist tors familial two to fiverelationships times each month are months mentor, contact Jeanette share herparticipants love of biking will and hiking.

The pilot program officially startskills tovisit liveatstable, producin day theiror night decision making available by phone if they and need ccdom.org or (732) 738-1323. timesnecessary they want to her house and play them tive, and rich lives, and are guided planning. We are excited for this op- ed and youth began receiving services toward self-sufficiency. portunity to enter their lives as sup- Oct. 1.

OCTOBER 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT AUGUST 20, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

OurLady Ladyof ofTenderness Tenderness Our

“Come follow me” (Mark 10:21) atholic Spirit C atholic Spirit C

Is God calling you to serve as a priest, November 19 deacon, religious sister or brother?

If you think maybe...

How is this possible? The Catechism tells us that this is possible through moral law, which is “the work of divine Wisdom... defined as fatherly instruction, God’s pedagogy...the rules of conduct that lead to the promised beatitude” (ccc 1950).

Inspired by St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans (10:4), the Catechism teaches that moral law “finds its fullness and its unity in Christ” (ccc 1953). It continues: “Jesus

By Father John Gerard Hillier Christ is in person the way of perfection. He We are all familiar with the motto on our is the end of the law, for only he teaches and coins, “In God We Trust,” and we witness bestows the justice of God” (ccc 1953). In this same faith in God incorporated into other words, consider who Jesus is — perpresidential speeches. Such public profes- fection personified. When we follow the sion of our faith in God goes back to the path that leads to Jesus, we end up living, earliest days of American history. The early or at least loving, perfection. Put differently, pilgrims, for example, who were saved from our personal encounter with Jesus enables starvation that first terrible winter of 1620- us to live the most authentic life possible 1621, set aside a day of thanksgiving to God because Christ is the perfect One Whom we for their survival. This spirit of religious follow and thus imitate. Through such an faith was evident everywhere in the early encounter we experience the end of the law; colonies. When we became an independent we become the recipients of God’s justice. nation, this same dependence on God was “For Christ is the end of the law, that everyone included in our Declaration of Independence who has faith may be justified” (Rom 10:4). and the Bill of Rights in the Constitution Expounding on divine and natural law, of the United States. To this day, our na- the Catechism explains how they “show us tion recognizes God and his rights over us. the way to follow so as to practice the good Americans realize that we have to give to and attain our end” (ccc 1955). Natural law God what belongs to him. We understand “hinges upon the desire for God and submisthat religion is a debt which we must, in sion to him, who is the source and judge of strict justice, pay to our loving Creator. all that is good, as well as upon the sense Sentiments of dependence on God are that the other [person] is our equal” (ccc consistent with the theme introduced in this 1955). The principle aspects of natural law section of the Catechism: “Called to beati- are found in the Ten Commandments. St. tude but wounded by sin, we stand in need Thomas Aquinas reminds us that natural of salvation from God. Divine help comes law “is nothing other than the light of underto us in Christ through the law that guides standing placed in us by God; through it we Familyus” Care us and the grace that sustains (ccc Placement, 1949). know what we must do and what we must

Journey of Faith

avoid.” What is not always mentioned when discussing “natural law” is the implicit truth that our loving God, in the Person of the Holy Spirit, as “the Lord and Giver of Life,” is the One who keeps nature in balance. As the Catechism states, “natural law provides revealed law and grace with a foundation prepared by God and in accordance with the work of the Spirit” (ccc 1960). As we reflect on the third Person of the Most Holy Trinity, we realize that He is the One who moves always in one direction…the direction of life!

Next, the Old Law in the Old Testament, which is also referred to as the Law of Moses or the Ten Commandments (the Decalogue), is discussed. The Catechism states that “the Old Law is the first stage of revealed Law. Its moral prescriptions are summed up in the Ten Commandments” (ccc 1962). As well, the Old Law is “a preparation for the Gospel...a pedagogy and a prophecy of things to come” (ccc 1964).

The “things to come” or the New Law, which is also the Law of the Gospel, is described using various images in the last several paragraphs in this section of the Catechism. Among them are: “The New Law or the Law of the Gospel is the perfection here on earth of the divine law, natural and revealed” (ccc 1965).

“The New Law is the grace of the Holy Spirit given to the faithful through faith in Christ. It works through charity” (ccc 1966).

“The Law of the Gospel fulfills, re-

fines, surpasses, and leads the Old Law to its perfection” (ccc 1967).

“The Law of the Gospel...is summed up in the Golden Rule, ‘Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do so to them; this is the law and the prophets’” (ccc 1970).

“The entire Law of the Gospel is contained in the ‘new commandment’ of Jesus, to love one another as he has loved us” (ccc 1970).

“The New Law is called a law of love because it makes us act out of the love infused by the Holy Spirit” (ccc 1974).

To summarize this section, consider early Christian art depicted in the Baptistery of San Giovanni Church in Naples. The mosaics show the substitution of the “new law” for the old Law. In fact, the gift given

by Christ to Peter, who is seen as the new Moses, is the scroll of the New Covenant, rather than the “handing over of keys.” The meaning of this image is often explained by the inscription Dominus legem dat (The Lord gives the Law). And, in St. Constance Church in Rome, the mosaics represent this gift of the law: in the right-hand, God is giving the law to Moses; in the left-hand, Christ is giving the law to Peter in the form of a scroll bearing the same inscription Dominus legem dat...The Lord Gives the Law! Father Hillier is Director, Diocesan Office of the Pontifical Missions, the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Censor Luborum

FAITH ALIVE

Article 143 - Catechism of the Catholic Church Series Paragraphs 1949-1974

37

Moral law ‘finds its fullness and its unity in Christ’

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38 OUR DIOCESE

Parish's Mission collection improved childrens’ sanitary conditions

By Christina Leslie Correspondent A conversation between friends over dinner in Rome prompted a most generous gift from a Kendall Park parish to a Religious Teachers Filippini-led school in Africa.

St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish donated the $16,406 proceeds of its summer Mission Co-op Collection to equip St. Lucy Filippini School in Ethiopia, with new indoor bathrooms. Father Robert G. Lynam, pastor of St. Augustine,

recalled the idea for the donation had been planted during a conversation last November as he and Religious Teachers Filippini Sister Ascenza Tizzano, general superior, dined together in Rome during Bishop James F. Checchio’s ad limina visit.

“I spoke with Sister Ascenza during Thanksgiving dinner,” Father Lynam said, “and learned about the school’s situation.” Realizing the parish’s annual summer collection to support foreign missions might ease the burden, he continued, “I e-mailed the bishop that eve-

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ning for permission to use our summer collection for that project, and the bishop said, ‘yes.’”

St. Lucy School is in the city of Adigrat, about 8,000 feet above sea level in northern Ethiopia near the country’s border with Eritrea. Religious Sisters Filippini and lay teachers educate children in grades kindergarten through eight, about 1,000 in all, according to Filippini Sister Mary Beth Lloyd, the order’s international missions director.

“The children all walk to school, some taking as long as two hours,” she said. “There are many orphans whose parents have died from AIDS. We have 35 young ones living with us [sisters], and the others live in what’s known as a ‘child-headed household’ where the oldest child takes care of the others.”

Many parishes in the diocese did not take up the Mission Cooperation collection this year because of the pandemic, but Father Lynam was undeterred.

“We have about 30 percent of our congregation coming back to Mass, so I invited Filippini Sister Ella Mae McDonald [director of religious education at St. Ann Parish, Raritan Borough] to come for her presentation,” he said. “To make sure everyone would learn about the project, I obtained her presentation in advance and mailed it to all the families three weeks early.”

The appeal was a resounding success, the pastor said, pleased about the spiritual and fiscal generosity of his flock.

“They made a connection to the cause. People mailed the donations or dropped them off at the office,” Father Lynam said. “We found out the cost of the [bathroom construction] project, and they were able to cover it.

“It was an act of faith,” he added.

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Above, construction of indoor bathrooms at St. Lucy Filippini School in Adigrat, Ethiopia, was paid for by donations from members of St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish. Right, some of the children who will benefit from the construction project pose for a photo. Religious Sisters Filippini and lay teachers educate children in kindergarten to eighth grade at the school.

— photos courtesy of Sister Letteselassie

“God provided to [the schoolchildren] through the people of St. Augustine’s.

Thanks to them, 1,100 children had use of clean facilities for the first time.”

In an Aug. 22 letter to Bishop Checchio, Sister Ascenza expressed her gratitude for St. Augustine’s support of the missions. The former delegate for religious for the diocese wrote, “At a time when we are so aware that people are struggling through these difficult times of COVID-19, to know that the parishioners of St. Augustine opened their hearts and reached out to others thousands of miles away, continues to make [the parish] so special and so unique. Father Lynam and his people have been a blessing to the Filippini community time and time again.”

Father Lynam responded, “St. Augustine’s is like a United Nations with lots of different nationalities making up the parish. It is a blessing to have such diversity and people with such great faith.”

Sister Mary Beth shared pictures of the ongoing Ethiopian school’s bathroom construction and its excited students, beaming in gratitude for the help of their friends in Kendall Park.

The children and staff are “really are looking forward to … sinks where they can wash their hands and fountains to get a drink,” Sister Mary Beth said, then reflected, “what is very touching for me is when you sit and speak to the children how people from America send money to help them. They are so sincere. They say, ‘why would a person so far away even care if I have a clean bathroom, or send us money for shoes? How could someone be that generous?’

“The sisters teach them to pray for the benefactors every day,” she assured, “and they do.”

OUR DIOCESE

Above, U.S. District Judge Esther Salas (left) and defense attorney Mark Anderl, parents of Daniel Mark Anderl, pray at the funeral Mass for their son at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church Sept.

26. Daniel, who was raised in the parish and graduated from Saint Joseph High School, Metuchen, in 2018, was killed by a gunman posing as a delivery driver at the family home in North Brunswick July 19. Below, Bishop James F. Checchio, who presided at the Mass, watches pallbearers carry the casket holding the remains of Daniel Anderl.

— Tara Smith photos

tragedy.”

“Conscious of the wound inflicted on your entire community, His Holiness also prays that all will be affirmed in their resolve to bring an end to senseless violence and to work for justice, healing and peace,” the letter read. “Upon Daniel’s family, his friends and all who mourn him, the Holy Father cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in the Risen Lord.”

Smith is associate director of Communications for the Diocese of Metuchen

OCTOBER 15, 2020

School [Metuchen], and Catholic University.”

Bishop Checchio then read a letter sent to him by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio or liaison between the Holy Father and the United States, on behalf of Pope Francis.

In the letter, Archbishop Pierre said he wished to express the spiritual closeness and paternal affection of the Holy Father and “convey his profound solidarity and assurances of prayer to Daniel’s parents and all those affected by this

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

school friends gathered with Father Lynam to pray in the church where he was KENDALL PARK — Daniel Mark An- baptized and received other sacraments. derl had just celebrated his 20th birthday. Together, they shared stories about the life The only child of U.S. District Judge and friendships they had with Daniel and Esther Salas of the District of New Jersey lit a candle in his memory, which burned and defense attorney Mark Anderl, Dan- on the altar for weeks until a funeral Mass iel gave his life to protect his mother and could be celebrated.

As Daniel’s friends were praying in father by taking a bullet to the chest from a gunman posing as a delivery driver on the church, his parents were in the hosthe front door step of the family’s home pital and, Father Lynam said, “Esther received communion along with her family, July 19.

“All of us here remember when we who were in her room.

“Mark, who was in intensive care, heard of the horrific news of Danny’s death and how he died,” said Father Rob- was able to receive a small piece of the ert G. Lynam, pastor, St. Augustine of host and then he shared those powerCanterbury Parish, where the family are ful words to me: ‘I have forgiven the members. “Jesus said ‘there is no greater shooter.’”

In recent weeks, St. Peter was in the love, than to lay down one’s life for one’s Gospels. The pastor notfriends’ (Jn 15:13) — that Jesus asked Peter Danny did that. There is “Mary is here with ed the same question three no question in my mind, from Mark’s testimony us. She knows faith. times: do you love me?

The question came as a to me, that Daniel offered She knows sorrow. gift of absolution for Pehis life for his father and his mother.”

She knows pain, but ter, after he had already denied Jesus three times.

Federal authorities she always knows “Esther shared,” Faidentified attorney Roy ther Lynam said, “when Den Hollander as the Easter joy. Allow we had a moment at one “primary suspect” in Mary to embrace of the Masses to quietly, the shooting, which also privately bring an intencritically injured Danyou, as a mother, tion for the Mass, that iel’s father. Salas was in another part of the home with a gift of love as Jesus forgave Peter three times, she said to during the attack. Holand the gift of me, ‘I have forgiven the lander was found dead shooter three times and the next day in Sullivan her faith.” many more times since County, N.Y. —Father Robert G. Lynam then.’

Speaking during his “Mark and Esther, homily to those gathered there by the grace of in the church and those God, you were and are watching the private livestream of the Sept. 26 funeral Mass from a nearby tent, able to say those powerful words.”

The funeral Mass was celebrated set up just steps away from the parochial days after the New Jersey Assembly Catholic school where Daniel spent eight years of his childhood, the pastor said that unanimously passed A.B. 1649, legislation known as “Daniel’s Law,” that would “faith is a gift.”

Since the day of their son’s death, bar the online posting of judges’ and he added, “It has been the gift of faith prosecutors’ home addresses or phone that has sustained Esther and Mark. It numbers.

Bishop James F. Checchio presided has been the shining example of Daniel’s faith and selfless love that has sustained at the Mass.

Among the dignitaries and Church all of us.”

When Father Lynam arrived at the leaders present were Cardinal Timothy hospital that day, Mark was in the oper- Dolan, Archbishop of New York; Sen. ating room. The pastor said that he saw Bob Menendez; New Jersey Attorney Daniel’s mother become “Mary at the General Gurbir S. Grewal; and John Garvey, president, Catholic University of foot of the cross.”

“In the blessing of Daniel’s body America, Washington, D.C. Bishop Checchio said it is Daniel’s that night, in that room, it was Jesus being taken down from the cross,” he said. “On “great gift of faith” that leaves his loved that night, I shared with Esther, ‘There is ones behind both heartbroken and ina woman here with us. Her name is Mary, spired.

“Esther and Mark, you raised such the mother of Jesus. She knows your pain. a lovely young man and the whole world She knows your sorrow.’

“Mary is here with us,” Father Ly- can see what was in his heart by his acnam continued. “She knows faith. She tions,” Bishop Checchio said. “We’re so knows sorrow. She knows pain, but she indebted to you and the good work you always knows Easter joy. Allow Mary to did, the love you brought him up with embrace you, as a mother, with a gift of in your home, and the good work and cooperation of this parish, St. Augustine love and the gift of her faith.”

The day after his death, Daniel’s of Canterbury School, Saint Joseph High

By Tara Smith

39

Daniel Mark Anderl remembered for ‘faith and selfless love’

40 OUR DIOCESE OCTOBER 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Fifth Metropolitan Archbishop of Newark John J. Myers mourned Archbishop Emeritus John J. Myers of the Archdiocese of Newark died Sept.

24 at the age of 79.

Upon hearing the news of Archbishop Myers’ death, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, said, “On behalf of my brother bishops and the entire family of God here in our local Church of Newark, I extend my heartfelt prayers and condolences to his family.

Let us thank God for Archbishop Myers’ service and his love of our Church.

I entrust him to the loving arms of our Blessed Mother Mary, and I pray that Our Lord grant him peace.”

Bishop James F. Checchio said, “We were saddened this morning to hear of the passing of the Most Reverend John J. Myers, the fifth Archbishop of Newark. May his episcopal motto – Mysterium Ecclesiae Luceat, ‘Let the Mystery of the Church Shine Forth’ – be a reminder for us and give us comfort in these days. Indeed, Christ is the light of humanity and we are called to live in Him and direct our lives toward Him,

submitted his letter of resignation as letting His light shine forth!

Archbishop Myers, who was born Archbishop of Newark. His resignation in Ottawa, Ill., and was the eldest of sev- was accepted Nov. 7, 2016. Upon the en children, was ordained to the priest- installation of Cardinal Tobin as Archhood in 1966 and consebishop of Newark Jan. 6, 2017, Archbishop Mycrated coadjutor Bishop of Peoria, Ill., in 1987. ers was granted the title 'May his episcopal Archbishop Emeritus of On July 24, 2001, motto – Mysterium His Holiness, Saint John Newark.

Ecclesiae Luceat, Paul II, called then-Bishop Archbishop Myers’ ‘Let the Mystery Myers to serve as the fifth episcopal motto is a sumof the Church Metropolitan Archbishop mary of the central theme Shine Forth’ – be of Newark. He was inof the Second Vatican a reminder for us stalled Oct. 9, 2001. His Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Holiness conferred the Paland give us lium on Archbishop Myers Lumen Gentium. He often comfort said, “I cannot make someon June 29, 2002. in these days.'

In addition to his one believe. I can, howev—Bishop James F. responsibilities as Meter, explain what the Church Checchio ropolitan Archbishop of teaches and the reasons for that teaching, and then inNewark, Archbishop Myers had also served as the vite him or her to be open Ecclesial Superior, missio sui iuris, of to that teaching and embrace it.” the Turks & Caicos Islands.

For a full biography, please visit Upon reaching the mandatory re- www.rcan.org/offices-and-ministries/ tirement age of 75, Archbishop Myers archbishops-office/biography.

OUR DIOCESE

STIRLING — On the nineteenth an- well as Rev. Victoria McGrath of All niversary of 9/11, the Shrine of St. Saints Episcopal Church, Millington; Joseph welcomed religious and civic Rabbi Randi Musnitsky of Temple Har leaders, as well as first responders to Shalom, Warren; and Dr. Ali Chaudry, the Tower of Remembrance for an ec- president of the Islamic Society of umenical prayer service Basking Ridge. to remember all those The Shrine of St. The Shrine of St. Joseph is home to the 35lost 19 years ago and pay tribute to the courageous Joseph is home to foot high Tower of ReFirst Responders. membrance Memorial, the 35-foot high which is dedicated to the The service was led by the director of the of those who Tower of Remem- memory Shrine of St. Joseph, a lost their lives on 9/11.

Missionary Servant of brance Memorial, It combines steel from the Most Holy Trinity the North Tower of the which is dedicated World Trade Center and Father Dennis Berry.

Participants includto the memory of bells from the Missioned: Long Hill Township ary Servants of the Most Mayor Brendan Rae; those who lost their Holy Trinity’s Seminary Long Hill Committee in Monroe, Va. lives on 9/11.

Member Guy Piserchia; The Tower, which was dedicated in 2002, Long Hill Police Department Chief Ahmed is open for visits every Naga; Long Hill First Aid Squad day and provides a sacred space for all President Robert Hovanec; Long Hill to find solace. The name of each inFirst Aid Squad Capt. Cary Snyder; nocent victim who died at The World Millington Fire Company Chief Pat- Trade Center, the Pentagon and in the rick White, treasurer, Ed Gerecht; Shanksville, Pa., countryside is invice president, Michael Hoffman, as scribed on the memorial walls.

41

Shrine holds annual prayer service for victims of terrorist attacks

On Sept. 11, Father Dennis Berry, director, Shrine of St. Joseph, leads an ecumenical prayer service at the site’s Tower of Remembrance Memorial flanked by first responders.

— photo courtesy of the Shrine of St. Joseph

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 15, 2020

42

AROUND THE DIOCESE

OUR DIOCESE

Programs

Oct. 24, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer, Watchung.

Seventh Annual Major Speaker Program.

“Dreamwork: A Spiritual Practice.” The

Estate Planning

□ Last Will and Testament □ Power of Attorney □ Living Will

Elder Law

□ Medicaid □ Guardianships □ Social Security

Estate Administration □ Probate □ Asset Distribution □ Taxes

Program will be via Zoom. Participation: $50. Presenter: Brother Don Bisson, FMS. Register and pay at www.msmhope.org.

□ Income Only Trust □ Asset Protection

ister call Sister Pat at (609) 494-2917 or e-mail pdotzauer@comcast.net

Special Events

Oct. 29, 7 p.m. – All are invited to The Center for Great Expectations’ virtual gala, “Empowering Futures, Transforming Communities.” Speakers are: Scott Clark, Emmy Award-winning Anchor; Elizabeth Vargas, ABC News Peabody and Award-winning Journalist; and Peg Wright, founder, chief executive officer and president of The Center for Great Expectations. To register or to make a donation, visit the website https://www. cge-nj.org/events/annual-gala/

□ Estate Planning □ Asset Sheltering

□ Will Contests □ Accounting

Helping families in the Metuchen area for more than 15 years!

Free parking in CHASE lot

Handicap Accessible

Call us today for a FREE consultation!

732-548-5400 • www.WolfeOssaLaw.com 475 Main St. 2nd Floor, CHASE Bldg. Metuchen, NJ

OCTOBER 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. — Maris Stella Retreat Center, Harvey Cedars.

Day of Reflection: Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. Presenter: Charity Sister Anita M. Constance, the author of several spiritual books, and experienced in giving retreats and workshops. Cost is $50 and includes “Coffee and…” Bring bag lunch. Drinks and snacks provided.

Nonrefundable, nontransferable deposit: $25.00. Registration due Oct. 10. Checks Payable to: Sisters of Charity. Limited overnight accommodations available on at an additional cost. Wearing a facemask and practicing social distancing will be required. For more information or to reg-

Day of Remembrance On Sept. 12, members of Corpus Christi Parish, South River, gathered to pray the rosary as part of the eighth annual National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children. Appearing outside Corpus Christi Church are, from left, Henry DuFour, Barbara Medvetz, Ann Lento, Pam Bolen, Janice Coyle and Gail Smalley. The event is co-sponsored by Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, Priests for Life and the Pro-Life Action League.

— Maria Carranza photo

43 OUR DIOCESE

DIOCESAN EVENTS OCTOBER 10/17 Life Choices Resource Center Walk for Life, 9 a.m. – 12 noon, Merrill Park @the Gazebo, Woodbridge Township (Colonial/Iselin) Intersection of Fairview Ave. & Middlesex Essex Turnpike.

10/22 The Life-Giving Wounds, an online retreat for adult children of parents who are divorced, – 11/12 separated, or otherwise not together. The retreat will take place once a week from 8 – 9:30 p.m. For information about speakers, topics, schedule, and cost click: https://www. lifegivingwounds.org/onlineretreat 10/22 Choices Matter – A Critical Life Conference Series, will address a variety of timely life and – 10/29 family issues such as parenting and raising kids with integrity, God’s Plan for sexuality, defending life in the black community, fighting the legalization of assisted suicide and will take a close look as the ever raging abortion debate. Each session will challenge you to reflect on why, in each of these areas, our choices matter if we want to build a culture of life and love.

For more information, visit: https://diometuchen.org/choicesmatter 10/22

Champions for Catholic Charities Virtual Gala, 7 p.m. For more information click: https:// diometuchen.org/champions

New Officers The New Jersey Knights of Columbus State Officers for 2020-2021 were invested Sept. 26 at a Mass at St. Cecilia Church, Monmouth Junction. Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski, center, who serves as State Chaplain for the fraternal organization, presided at the liturgy. From left, the officers and their home parishes are: Russell D. Petrocelli, State Warden (Our Lady of the Assumption, Wood-Ridge); Raymond C. Sands, State Treasurer (St. Monica, Atlantic City); Vincent P. Tavormina, State Deputy (St. Cecilia, Monmouth Junction); James E. Stoever, State Secretary (Epiphany, Brick); and James P. Sweeney, State Advocate (St. Jude Thaddeus, Budd Lake).

— Christina Leslie photo

10/24 – 10/25 BLUE MASS This year because of the pandemic the diocese’s annual Blue Mass will not be held, Instead Bishop Checchio has asked parishes in the diocese to host a Blue Mass to pray for and honor law enforcement personnel, particularly those who serve in local police departments. For resources to plan and for celebrating a parish Blue Mass click: https://diometuchen.org/bluemass

RESPECT LIFE MONTH – The Respect Life Month webpage for parishes now contains many new resources in both English and Spanish: action guide, reflection, homily helps, bulletin covers, monitor displays, graphics, logos, and more. Visit: https://www.respectlife.org/respect-life-month WEEKLY PODCAST – Am I Not Here?

Produced by the staff of the Office of Communications, “Am I Not Here?” – a weekly podcast – highlights the good news within our local Church and those working to minister to the people of the Diocese of Metuchen. New episodes are released each Monday and once aired they are archived.

To listen to any episode, or to learn more, please click the links on the diocesan Facebook page or lighting hearts on fire website LECTIO DIVINA, Mondays at 11 a.m. join faithful from around the diocese in a prayerful, virtual gathering of Lectio Divina, a method for praying with the Scriptures. As one reads and invites the Word to become a transforming lens that brings the events of daily living into focus, one can come to live more deeply and find the presence of God more readily in the events of each day. Start your week with prayer, community, and hope. To get the most out of these sessions, please remember to have your bible readily available. For the Zoom meeting information, please email ssharlow@ diometuchen.org

BLUE ROSARY GUILD The Office of Family Life is pleased to announce the creation of the Blue Rosary Guild. The purpose of the Guild is for community members of all ages to make pocket Rosaries for law enforcement officers, providing them with support and spiritual strength and promoting devotion to the Rosary among all the faithful. All materials and instructions will be provided and a Zoom virtual tutorial will also be scheduled. Anyone interested should contact Cristina D’Averso-Collins, Director of the Office of Family Life at cdaverso@diometuchen.org.

REAL ESTATE

SELLING YOUR HOME? Call George Pantozzi, Broker/Sales Associate, Berkshire Hathaway NJ Proper ties for a complimentar y market analysis. I also buy homes.

Cell: 908.392.2677; Office: 908.874.3400 ext 324.

SCREEN REPAIR WINDOWS & DOORS Installation of Fiberglass screens for your doors and windows. Pick-up and drop off services available. George & Sons: (908) 392-2677

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

DIRECTOR OF SACRED MUSIC/SCHOOL MUSIC TEACHER Full Time

St. James Roman Catholic Church, Basking Ridge, NJ Responsibilities: • Teacher in the Parish School three days a week PreK-3 to Gr. 8 • Music coordinator and organist for Sunday Liturgies as well as Holy Days • Primary musician for all weddings and funerals • Choir Director for existing choir • Maintaining Cantor Guild Competitive salary and Diocesan Benefits.

For a complete job description contact Dan Mahoney at Dan410@aol.com

“Come, Follow me.”

FOR SALE

(Mark 10:21)

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

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

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

Please pray for vocations!

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

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 15, 2020

TALK WITH TONY – On Oct. 20, 12:10 – 12:50 p.m., join Tony Varas, director of the Office of Worship for a 40 minute live online conversation. Liturgical topics will be chosen based upon requests from participants. Grab lunch and join in the discussion! There is no charge - but to foster a good discussion the number of participants will be limited. To register in advance contact tvaras@diometuchen.org YOUNG COUPLES’ BIBLE STUDY – Oct. 26, Nov. 9, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. For details and to RSVP contact Christina at cdaverso@diometuchen.org

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

RATES

DIOCESAN PROGRAMS

CLASSIFIED

44 OUR DIOCESE

Diocesan-sponsored hospital recognized for stroke care NEW BRUNSWICK -- Saint Peter’s University Hospital has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.

The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

Saint Peter’s earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, get a followup visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.

“Saint Peter’s University Hospital is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our stroke patients by implementing the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke initiative,” said Linda Carroll, MSN, RN-BC, vice president of Patient Care Services and

chief nursing officer at the diocese-spon- and treating stroke and preventing or minsored hospital. “The tools and resources imizing permanent brain damage to the provided help us track and measure our patient. To receive this designation, Saint success in meeting evidenced-based Peter’s had to meet certain criteria includclinical guidelines developed to improve ing: a specialized stroke team available 24 patient outcomes.” hours a day, seven days Saint Peter’s also a week. In addition, the According to the received the Assohospital has, as required, American Heart ciation’s Target: Type 2 computed tomography Diabetes Honor RollTM scanning or magAssociation/ American (CT) award. To qualify for netic resonance imaging this recognition, hosStroke Association, (MRI) capabilities and a pitals must meet quallaboratory equipped and ity measures developed stroke is the Number available to perform testwith more than 90 5 cause of death and a ing 24/7. percent of compliance “We are pleased to for 12 consecutive leading cause of adult recognize Saint Peter’s months for the “Overall Hospital for disability in the United University Diabetes Cardiovascular their commitment to Initiative Composite States. On average, stroke care,” said DocScore.” tor Lee H. Schwamm, someone in the U.S. national chairperson of Saint Peter’s has also met specific sci- suffers a stroke every the Quality Oversight entific guidelines as a Committee and Ex40 seconds...

Primary Stroke Center, ecutive Vice Chair of featuring a comprehenNeurology, Director of sive system for rapid Acute Stroke Services, diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients Massachusetts General Hospital, Bosadmitted to the emergency department. In ton. “Research has shown that hospitals 2009, Saint Peter’s University Hospital adhering to clinical measures through was designated as a primary stroke center the Get With The Guidelines quality imby the New Jersey Department of Health provement initiative can often see fewer and Senior Services. A primary stroke cen- readmissions and lower mortality rates.” ter is the first line of defense in diagnosing According to the American Heart

RETREAT GUIDE

THE UPPER ROOM SPIRITUAL CENTER 3455 W. Bangs Ave., Building 2, Neptune, NJ 07753 Phone: 732-922-0550 • Fax: 732-922-3904 www.theupper-room.org · office@theupper-room.org

...recharge your soul

BLUE ARMY OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA SHRINE 674 Mountain View Rd. E., Asbury, NJ 08802 908-689-7330 • retreat@bluearmy.com

SAN ALFONSO RETREAT HOUSE 755 Ocean Ave., Long Branch NJ 07740

Lift Up Your Soul at the tranquil 150-acre Fatima Shrine.

Host Your Retreat for Youth, Couples, Parish or Vocational Group.

732-222-2731 • info@sanalfonsoretreats.org www.sanalfonsoretreats.org

OCTOBER 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

LOYOLA JESUIT CENTER 161 James St. • Morristown, NJ 07960 973-539-0740 • Fax: 973-898-9839 Retreats for lay men, women, priests, religious; days/evenings of prayer. Groups planning their own programs are welcome.

www.loyola.org • retreathouse@loyola.org MALVERN RETREAT HOUSE 315 S. Warren Ave., Malvern, PA 19355 610-644-0400 • Fax: 610-644-4363 An oasis of peace set on 125-acres of wooded countryside.

Retreats for men, women, families, youth, religious and clergy.

malvernretreat.com · mail@malvernretreat.com MOUNT ST. MARY HOUSE OF PRAYER 1651 U.S. Highway 22, Watchung, NJ 07069 Retreats, Spiritual Direction, Programs

908-753-2091 • www.msmhope.org e-mail: msmhope@msmhope.org

A Redemptorist Spiritual Center overlooking the Atlantic Ocean offering preached retreats, days of prayer and use of the facility for outside groups.

ST. FRANCIS CENTER FOR RENEWAL, INC. 395 Bridle Path Road, Bethlehem PA 18017

55 acres of natural beauty await you! Programs for personal and spiritual enrichment, directed and solitude retreats. Air conditioned facilities for retreats, spiritual programs, meetings and staff days for church related and not-for-profit groups.

610.867.8890 • stfranciscenter@gmail.com www.stfrancisctr.org

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

Phone: 610-258-3053, ext. 10 • Fax: 610-258-2412 E-mail: stfranrh@rcn.com • stfrancisretreathouse.org ST. JOSEPH BY THE SEA 400 Route 35 North, S. Mantoloking, NJ 08738 A Retreat House Sponsored by the Religious Teachers Filippini overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay. Offering days of prayer, retreat weekends, spiritual programs, meetings and staff days. 732-892-8494 • e-mail: sjbsea@comcast.net

www.sjbsea.org

Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

Saint Peter’s University Hospital, a member of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, is a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital, a state-designated children’s hospital and a regional perinatal center, and is a regional specialist in diabetes, gastroenterology with a specialized Heartburn and Reflux Center, oncology, orthopedics, and women’s services.

The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital provides families with access to a full range of pediatric specialties, including a nationally recognized Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, pediatric surgery and orthopedic surgery featuring innovative anterior scoliosis correction.

The hospital offers a midwifery service and the brand-new state-of-the-art Mary V. O’Shea Birth Center.

Saint Peter’s is a sponsor of residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and internal medicine, and is a major clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. Visit saintpetershcs.com or call (732) 7458600.

VILLA PAULINE RETREAT AND SPIRITUAL CENTER 352 Bernardsville Road, Mendham, NJ 07945

THE SHRINE OF ST. JOSEPH 1050 Long Hill Road, Stirling, NJ 07980 Day & Overnight Retreats Gift & Book Shop - open daily

Preached/Directed/Guided & Private Retreats, Spiritual Direction, day & weekend programs, Spiritual Direction Formation Program

973-543-9058 e-mail: quellen@scceast.org • wwwscceast.org

908-647-0208 · www.stshrine.org

This month’s featured retreat house:

Saint Francis Retreat House

... A Franciscan Retreat Center stfrancisretreathouse.org

St. Francis DayStay Retreats - Come and spend a day with usRetreat from 8:00am toHouse 4:00pm. Spend time in the

privacy of your room in silent prayer and reading.

A Franciscan Retreat Center You will have use of our chapels and grounds.

Lunch is provided. Offering: $25.00 Conveniently located 1 1/2 hours from Philadelphia and New York

Januarylocated 11, 12, 13: hours “Whyfrom is Vatican II Important for Us Today?” Men’s Retreat, Fr. John Quigley, OFM Conveniently 1-1/2 Philadelphia & New York

Jan. 17, Apr. 18, July 18, Oct. 17: Franciscan Solitude Days: A Day of Prayer & Solitude. Fr. Dennet Jung, OFM January 18,19,20: “The Pleasure of Her Company”- Women’s Retreat with Mary our Mother, Jeanne Hunt Feb. 8, 9, 10: “Does your Marriage Need an ‘Attitude Adjustment?”- Married Couples Retreat, Jeanne Hunt March 22,23,24: “The Eucharist”: Men’s Spring Retreat—Fr. John Quigley, OFM July 5,6,7: “Heavenly Hilarity” Retreat for men and women–Looking at humor in the Scriptures, Mark Ligett, OFM July 21—-26: “Windows of the Sacred: an Icon Writing Retreat”. Jody Cole July 26-28: “On the Banks of the Mississippi” • Aug 4—9: “Into Great Silence”, Mark Ligett, OFM First Friday Retreat Days: 9am to 2:30pm October thru August. Fr. Dennet Jung, OFM

StayOver Retreats - This 24-hour private retreat begins any time after 2:00pm on the day of arrival until 2:00pm the following day. A private room with private bath is provided as well as three full meals. If you wish, you can extend your Stayover for one or two additional nights. Offering: $55.00 per night. Contact Brother Mark – mligett@gmail.com Call today to schedule any of the above retreats or to arrange your own retreat group.

Please check our website Mini Retreat and Sponsored Retreats for 2021.

610 258-3053 ext.for 10Monday - www.stfrancisretreathouse.org 3918 Chipman Road, Easton, PA 18045 - email: stfranrh@rcn.com Sunday Mass 10:00 am • Confessions – Tuesday 2-3 PM 3918 Chipman Road, Easton, PA • email: stfranrh@rcn.com • 610-258-3053, ext. 10

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