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

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

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

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

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, This will be a Thanksgiving Day I won't soon forget. On Thanksgiving morning, the bishops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey will be meeting with Pope Francis. Certainly, being your bishop is one of the things I am most grateful for, so it will be an appropriate way to spend Thanksgiving Day and I can thank the person who sent me here to you, Pope Francis.

METUCHEN — “Do you realize that you are part of God’s plan to restore the order that was lost?” Bishop James F. Checchio asked the hundreds of law enforcement personnel gathered in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Oct. 17 for the 18th annual diocesan Blue Mass. “He has called you to cooperate with Him to help answer people’s need for protection and help, especially in times of great turmoil and chaos.”