View Lenten Programs happening around the diocese.

MONROE TOWNSHIP — Bishop James F. Checchio presided at a Mass in which three elements integral to Catholics’ faith were blessed and dedicated in the newly-renovated Nativity of Our Lord Church Feb. 9. In solemn rites, Bishop Checchio blessed the ambo, from which the word of God is proclaimed and homilies are given; the baptismal font, where new members of the faith are christened with holy water; and altar, where bread and wine are consecrated to become the spiritual food of the faithful.

Caregivers of those suffering from a mental illness receive compassion and patience from the specially educated staff at Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS) – a program under the Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen umbrella that focuses on improving overall functioning and quality of life for the families and friends of adult individuals living with serious mental health issues.

NEW BRUNSWICK — Bishop James F. Checchio shared advice from the Holy Father with a congregation of health care workers at the Saint Peter’s University Hospital chapel at a Mass, advice they had exemplified in their mission as a Catholic facility from the day its doors opened in 1872. “In the words of Pope Francis on this World Day of the Sick, ‘I hope places of care will increasingly become houses of welcome and comfort, where sick persons will find friendship, understanding, kindness and charity,’” the bishop said in his homily on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Feb. 11. “In short, humanity.”

EDISON — Sixteen men took their first step to becoming members of the permanent diaconate for the diocese at Mass at St. Matthew the Apostle Church Jan. 25.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Presenting the 2019 Financial Report and statistics about the life of our diocese in this edition of “The Catholic Spirit” obviously caused me to reflect upon the vast array of things that are taking place in service to the Kingdom of God here in our local Church of Metuchen. While the many blessings of the year easily came to mind, as you well know, the year also had serious challenges. Gratefully, God’s promise that He will be with us in all of our trials was equally true. I am truly grateful, too, for all who labor to build up the Kingdom of God in our diocese including our clergy, those in consecrated life and the talented lay faithful who assist me in shepherding my flock.