News - November 2022 RSS Feed

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This edition of “The Catholic Spirit” is published a week before Thanksgiving and this year we indeed, have so many reasons to be thankful! We just recently finished our 40th anniversary celebration of the diocese, which was a time to remember the graces that have come to us throughout these 40 years. The diocese has grown so much over the years as the population increased and generations of faithful responded by building parishes, new churches, and parish centers to serve their spiritual and pastoral needs. Recently, I also participated in some parish celebrations for anniversaries, 175, 150 and 100 years, parishes that existed well before our diocese, and 40 years at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Skillman, the first parish established after our diocese was founded. They were wonderful, spirit-filled and crowded celebrations. Times to thank God!

METUCHEN — “You [youth] are heralds to the Gospel. You are today’s new missionaries,” said Father John G. Hillier at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Oct. 23.

On November 13, we celebrated the feast of a woman who left a comfortable life in Lombardy, the most prosperous area of Italy, in order to help others on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. I’m talking about Francis Xavier Cabrini, the youngest of 13 children in her family who became a religious sister and, in fact, founded an order of nuns known as the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Mother Cabrini, as she was known, weathered the rough waters of the North Atlantic to minister to the needs of migrants and immigrants in the United States and South America. Over the course of 28 years, she established almost 70 institutions — including many schools, hospitals and orphanages. She died in Chicago, a naturalized citizen of the United States in December 1917. Almost 30 years later, Mother Cabrini became the first naturalized citizen of the U.S. to be canonized a saint with a capital “S.”

When I was a kid, I was fascinated by magnets. I loved to watch the little magnetic skaters glide across a mirror in our family’s Christmas village at the flip of a switch and I enjoyed doing science experiments with magnets and iron shavings in school.

Since it was founded in 1847, members of St. Mary’s-Stony Hill Parish, Watchung, have been witnesses to monumental and mundane events in the history of New Jersey and the United States.

On Oct. 16, St. Stephen Protomartyr Parish celebrated major milestones at a Mass: its 115th anniversary; the 100th anniversary of the current church edifice, and the 15th anniversary of the founding of its Hispanic ministry that has revitalized the faith community.

More than 180 students from Saint Joseph High School, Metuchen, participated in the Covenant House International’s “Sleep Out” fundraiser to raise awareness for youth homelessness.

BASKING RIDGE — On Oct. 26, St. James School honored and prayed for local police officers in Bernards Township and surrounding areas at its annual Blue Mass at St. James Church.

One hundred and seventeen priests from the diocese gathered with Bishop James F. Checchio to enjoy some days of brotherhood Oct. 11-13 at The Breakers, Spring Lake. Capuchin Father David Songy, president, St. Luke’s Institute, Silver Springs, Md., was the presenter. Father Songy, who is also a psychologist, spoke about the importance of clergy establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries for themselves and their ministry with their parishioners. In addition, staff from the mobile health unit from St. Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, gave flu shots and other medical guidance to the clergy. A representative from Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, offered counseling resources to the clergy and through them, to their parishioners.

FLEMINGTON -- In June, Bishop James F. Checchio launched the yearlong National Eucharistic Revival for the diocese at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen.

PHILLIPSBURG – St. Pope John Paul II, in his homily Oct. 22, 1978, marking the inauguration of his papacy, urged Catholics to serve humankind and love God. “Do not be afraid,” the pontiff said. “Open wide the doors for Christ.”

In July, when the Lawrenceville School’s Summer Scholars program ended, a new beginning opened up for one of its teachers, Adam Carlisle. With extensive experience in the education field, including nearly 15 years as an Advanced Placement instructor, Carlisle decided to leave teaching and serve the Church.

Veteran pilgrims from the diocese may have noticed a different musician at the keyboard of the massive Möller pipe organ high above the sanctuary of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C.

Caritas Chamber Chorale, directed by Barbara Sanderman, will present two concerts of a cappella Christmas music, entitled “Born to Set Thy People Free,” for the benefit of Adorno Fathers’ African Mission. The concerts will be held: Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m., at Our Lady of Mount Virgin Church, Middlesex Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m., at Blessed Sacrament Church, Martinsville

RARITAN TOWNSHIP – Almost 150 years after Marie-Francoise-Therese Martin was born in Alencon, France, the girl who would become St. Therese of Lisieux remains an example that one can pursue holiness in ordinary life despite suffering from ill health or other challenges.

Writing about the Priesthood during the Eucharistic Revival now occurring within the Church quite naturally focuses my mind on the intimate tie between the Eucharist and the priest. Catholic Christians believe that the Eucharist is the “Source and Summit of the Christian life.” The Eucharist, Holy Communion, is recognized as holding such an exalted place in our Church and life of faith because it is, after all, Our Lord Jesus Christ himself. The Word made flesh, the Eternal Son of the Eternal Father becomes present, via the miracle of Transubstantiation, on the altar table each time we celebrate Mass. Jesus Christ himself — Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity — comes to be with us under the appearances of bread and wine.

FLEMINGTON – At the end of a long driveway in rural Hunterdon County, framed by peaceful, rolling hills and towering trees, sits a stone monastery in which a dozen religious women have taken up the mission to lead others to the Lord through their fervent prayer.

Connecting with God and each other, the biannual Rutgers University, New Brunswick, Catholic Student Association (CSA) Retreat is an escape from day-to-day life and the stressors of school.

A parish steeped in devotion and reverence for St. John Paul II recently welcomed back Msgr. Slawomir Oder, the postulant for the cause of his sainthood who is now seeking the canonization of the former pope’s father, Karol Joseph Wojtyla, and mother, Emelia Kaczorowska.

The St. Thomas Aquinas High School football team faced a major challenge before the start of the season, but it would not be on the field. Head coach Brian Meeney, who had pulled the program up from barely enough players to form a team his first season to a 9-1 record in 2021, died of a heart attack March 22. Meeney, a married father of two children, was 46.