News - December 2022 RSS Feed

Christmas is such an important feast day, that the Church says you cannot celebrate it on just one day, so we celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord for a whole week. Our prayers at Mass especially reflect this as we say the prayers of Christmas day throughout the whole week.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Stopping to gaze at and perhaps pray before a Nativity scene is one of the best ways to remember the real meaning of Christmas, Pope Francis said.

METUCHEN — It was a day to thank those who had sworn to protect and serve, “our partners in working for the common good,” declared Bishop James F. Checchio to the law enforcement personnel filling the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Oct. 26 for the 20th annual Blue Mass.

The feast of the Immaculate Conception gives credibility to the mystery of the Incarnation, the doctrine which holds that in the fullness of time, the eternal Son of God became man. After all, it’s hard to believe that God shared in our humanity. How do we know that Jesus was not dropped out of heaven simply clothed as a man? Well, our doubt is resolved by the Immaculate Conception which speaks to us about a plan. If the Son of God was to become man, then he would have to share in our humanity in all ways but sin. He would have to be conceived in an immaculate woman — for God and sin do not mix. He would have to grow from embryo to fetus to infant in the womb of one who would be worthy of housing a divine person.

United States District Court Judge Esther Salas, whose son was slain by a gunman when he opened fire at her North Brunswick home, and the director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) expressed gratitude for the passage by Congress of the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act Dec. 16, according to a report on the United States Courts website.

After almost two decades of sharing the stories of the people, places, programs and events of the Diocese of Metuchen, Christopher Donahue has decided to end the story of his work on “The Catholic Spirit,” the diocese’s official newspaper. Before joining “The Catholic Spirit” in 2003 as a staff writer, Donahue thought writing for a diocesan newspaper would not be as challenging or rewarding as the work he had been doing.

METUCHEN -- At the beginning of the annual diocesan Hispanic Heritage Mass Oct. 14, Bishop James F. Checchio commented that it was a beautiful evening, which seemed to be an appropriate description of the liturgy filled with the richness of the community’s joy, hope and faith.

NORTH BRUNSWICK — The tri-state Indian community came together to celebrate the annual Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary with colorful costumes, flowers and music at a Mass Sept. 10 at Our Lady of Peace Church.

NEW BRUNSWICK — Saint Peter’s University Hospital received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group for fall 2022. The national distinction celebrates the diocesan-sponsored hospital’s achievements in protecting patients in the hospital from preventable harm and errors.

METUCHEN — Catholicism prevails in the Philippines. More than eight out of 10 residents in the southeast Asian nation profess their love for the Church, according to online records. A vibrant Filipino-American Catholic community exists in the diocese as well. But the community has never held a spiritual celebration of their heritage, until now.

PISCATAWAY – Religious educators in the diocese learned valuable methods to restart in-person, faith-based conversations at a workshop, “See you in the Eucharist: Evangelization Post Pandemic,” Oct. 29 at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center.

A religious sister who has served and been educated in the realms of faith and action has sage advice to those eager to learn about Catholics from diverse backgrounds.

COLONIA — North Platte, Neb., may not be everyone’s idea of a summer vacation spot, but to the recently installed pastor of St. John Vianney Parish, it is a perfect location to indulge a passion for trains. Father John J. Barbella is a train enthusiast, both M scale model trains and the real ones that transport people and over a quarter of all the goods needed for our country.

At the end of Mass on the Solemnity of Christ the King in November 2020, Pope Francis called for a renewal of the celebration of young people in the local churches. He also announced that beginning in 2021 he would transfer the diocesan celebration of young people from Palm Sunday to Christ the King Sunday.

MILLTOWN — The demolished building that was once home to the Michelin Tire Co. at the corner of Ford Avenue and Main Street from 1907 to 1930 lies in seemingly endless piles of bricks. But despite the demise of the plant, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, which was founded to meet the spiritual and pastoral needs of Michelin’s Catholic French workers, has flourished over the past century.

METUCHEN – “This gathering is one of my favorite gatherings of the year because love is so present,”  Bishop James F. Checchio said at the diocesan Silver and Gold Anniversary Prayer Service. “Thank you for your faithful witness of married love in a world which so needs it.”

RARITAN BOROUGH — It is more likely youth might consider life as a religious brother or sister if they are presented with their works face to face, said Oratorian Father Thomas A. Odorizzi, pastor, St. Ann Parish, during the diocesan “Called by Name” vocations expo Nov. 6.

Father Robert G. Lynam, pastor, St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish, Kendall Park, presided at a funeral Mass and gave the homily for Deacon Luis Sabino Moral at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church Oct. 29. Deacon Moral, 85, died Oct. 26.

In late October, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen (CCDOM), held its 2022 Champions for Catholic Charities Virtual Gala to raise awareness about their work and to inspire individuals to become financial supporters.

Where can you find the words when you care enough to pray the very best?