News - December 2023 RSS Feed

Recently, I had to go to Washington D.C. for two days of meetings for the Board of the Business School at Catholic University of America and the Papal Foundation. I try not to take on too many responsibilities outside the Diocese since much of my time is taken up just trying to tend to the needs of our wonderful Diocese.

In a unanimous vote during a meeting held in Washington D.C., Dec. 5, Bishop James F. Checchio was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Papal Foundation, aligning with the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to support charitable initiatives championed by Pope Francis and the Holy See on a global scale.

Bishop Checchio visits with Filippini Sisters who recently opened a new convent at St. John Vianney Parish, Colonia.

“Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”

God expresses Himself to us in life. This principle is consistently observed in Sacred Scripture and beautifully expressed in our celebration of Mass, as well. In them, Jesus is the center, light, life and meaning of everything; in other words, He is the cornerstone of the Divine Revelation and our Divine Liturgy. We love Jesus and, through Jesus, “we have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us (1 John 4:16).”

Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 7pm. Grammy-nominated marimba artist Greg Giannascoli teams up with renown classical and jazz pianist Ron Stabinsky to bring an exciting program of Gershwin, Kreisler, Bach, Paganini, and others, all work either written for or transcribed for the Marimba with piano.

INDIANAPOLIS (OSV News) – The joyful shouts of 12,000 Catholic teens from across the country echoed loudly during the two-hour closing Mass of the National Catholic Youth Conference Nov. 18 in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

What keeps you going when challenging, confusing, or even tragic things happen? In nature, sunflowers turn toward the sun, symbolizing unwavering faith and constant orientation toward the light. This is why they are often associated with positivity, happiness, and optimism. Sunflower seeds also have nutritional value and the capacity to remove toxins from the soil. Toward the end of their existence, they bow down, almost in adoration and appreciation for the gift of life. As baptized Catholics, we turn toward the Light of the world, to the Son of God, and bow down in adoration at Holy Mass – regularly, even daily – for the gift of our lives as we receive Christ for our spiritual nourishment in Holy Communion. And, just before receiving Holy Communion, we prepare by praying the words of the Our Father.

Three-quarters of a century after a small mission church began to serve the Catholics of Hillsborough, one might be hard-pressed to find a single symbol to represent the untold number and variety of gifts given and received from the thousands who have called Mary Mother of God Parish their spiritual home – until three parishioners had an idea to create a heritage-quilted banner as a mosaic remembrance of 75 years serving the spiritual and communal needs of the parish.

In Jesus’ Great Commission from Matthew Chapter 28, he encouraged the first followers to “make disciples of all nations,” not just to make Catholics but to create missionary disciples who go forth to share the Gospel, to evangelize.

St. Francis Retreat House, Easton, Pa., recently hosted 49 permanent deacons of the Diocese for their annual canonical retreat Nov.10-12.

The new pastor of St. Mary, Star of the Sea Parish, South Amboy, understands that sudden change can be difficult for a parish.

On Nov. 8, some 70 senior citizens gathered at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway, for a morning of prayer, fellowship and fun. Sitting at round tables, the participants broke bread together, chatted and took part in a Catholic trivia game.

“You are incredible! You are the bridge for young people on their journey of faith.” So proclaimed Enza Cerami, guest speaker for the Parish Catechetical Leaders’ Advent Retreat held at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway, on Dec. 7. Almost all 90 diocesan parishes have a PCL who trains and supervises the catechetical teachers who instruct the young people of the parish.

Today the Church catapults us from the Crèche to the Cross–leaving us to conclude that the motive for the Incarnation was Atonement–to make us one with God by the forgiveness which we could only attain through the suffering and death of God’s only Son, Jesus.

I enjoy science - when it is presented in a manner I can understand. I like to read about what can be seen by the newest and most powerful telescopes, and how movement is measured by the warmer or cooler shades of light. I am engrossed by the speculation of how particles from the sun can reach the earth when they can’t exist long enough to make the journey. Do they go into a different dimension? According to some theories, there can be as many as 10 dimensions. (Don’t try to explain that part; I find handling ordinary space and time enough of a challenge!) And speaking of dimensions, I find it fascinating that scientists can see the edge of our universe as it expands – into what? Not into another dimension because this universe contains the other dimensions. Does it expand into eternity?

Nestled on a gentle hill in Watchung lies Mount St. Mary House of Prayer, often referred to as a spiritual oasis on Route 22. The mission of Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer is rooted in the Gospel and the charism of the Sisters of Mercy, giving rise to a multitude of spiritual activities and prayer experiences.

Bishop James F. Checchio joined friends, families, students, and educators in Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung, Dec. 8 to celebrate Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. In the morning, seniors processed into the chapel to place ornaments, crafted by the National Art Honor Society, on the Christmas tree which was later blessed by Bishop Checchio and illuminated.

There are heavenly choirs of Seraphim and Cherubim, Thrones and Dominions, Virtues, Powers and Principalities, Guardian Angels and Archangels. And there is St. Michael the Archangel, fierce warrior against evil, conqueror of demons, chief of princes, defender of faith, and patron of soldiers, police and doctors. Hailed as “the great prince who has charge of [God’s] people” (Daniel 12:1), his name means, “Who is like God?”