News - August 2021 RSS Feed

Article 153 - Catechism of the Catholic Church Series Paragraphs 2221-2246 Our discussion of the Fourth Commandment to “honor your father and your mother...” (Exodus 20:12 & Deuteronomy 5:16) continues with a review of its relationship to the duties of parents, and then the duties of civil authorities and citizens, as well as, the political community and the Church.

Two weeks ago today, on the Feast of the Dedication of St. Mary Major Basilica, at St. Anthony Church, Hawthorne, Salesians of St. Don Bosco Sister Natasha Roig, joyfully said, “Here I am Lord, You have called me,” and with that her Rite of Religious Profession began. What is significant about her vocation is that it is another sign of how St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish, Kendall Park, continues to promote vocations.

LAURENCE HARBOR — Because of the COVID-19 or coronavirus pandemic, many events and celebrations had to be postponed over the past 15 months.  Religious celebrations were no exceptions to that disruption: marriages, baptisms, first holy Communions and confirmations were all impacted. The installation of pastors at parishes in the diocese also had to be rescheduled. 

SPOTSWOOD — When Father John “Jack” O’Kane was officially installed as pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish at a Mass July 24, it was a role he had yearned for.

WOODBRIDGE — A priest with a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin is the new spiritual leader of St. James Parish.

CARTERET — Living and carrying out their ministry was not just a journey for Christ’s disciples, Bishop James F. Checchio told the congregation at St. Joseph Church, but “a way of life.”

BELVIDERE — Prayers from the faithful of St. Patrick and St. Rose of Lima parishes descended on Father Charles A. Sabella at his Mass of Installation as pastor at St. Patrick Church July 10.

“How many people like to play the Pick-6 Lottery?”  Most of us would love to win this; however, there is an internal struggle involved here between “do we buy a ticket, since we always lose,” or “do we take the chance again?” Most of us, who play, will gamble again because, to quote the Lottery Commission: “You have to be in it to win it.”

FORDS — Standing before a small crowd gathered in the sun-drenched community room of St. Paul the Apostle Senior Residence, Bishop James F. Checchio imparted his blessing on the newly built home, asking God to make it “a place of goodness and a center of love.”

This August 22nd is the celebration of the principal patroness of our diocese: The Queenship of Mary. As I think of this beautiful feast in honor of Our Lady and the maternal role she plays in the life our diocese, I am reminded that this coming November 19 will mark the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Metuchen by then-Pope, now St. John Paul II. A remarkable milestone in the life of our “young” local Church. We continue to build upon what has been given to us. It is “our turn,” so to speak, to be the workers in the Father’s vineyard.