We will soon join our voices together again to witness that our Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Yes, with our brother and sister Christians around the world we joyfully proclaim Jesus Christ’s rising from the dead. We exult in the Resurrection because we know “His Death is our ransom from death, and in His rising the life of all has risen” (Preface II of Easter). Alleluia!
Although we pray for the Holy Father each day, today we join together in prayers of thanksgiving for Pope Francis as we mark the tenth anniversary of his election as the Vicar of Christ. I was fortunate to be in St. Peter’s Square the day of his election with the seminarians and faculty of the North American College while I was working in Rome. What struck me from the beginning about Pope Francis was his closeness to the poor and his simple way of life. He told his newly appointed Papal Almoner, “You won’t need a desk; I want you to go out and look for the poor”. After becoming Pope, he famously returned to the hotel where he stayed before the Conclave at to pay his bill. The seminarians and young priests in Rome at the North American College had a great love for the poor and this common love brought about an instant attraction for Pope Francis.
METUCHEN — For Catholics, February 26 marked the first Sunday of Lent, but for 92 catechumens from 33 parishes in the diocese, the day held special significance.
Passover, the Jewish feast commemorating that day when God delivered his Chosen People from Egyptian slavery, begins on Wednesday night. At the Seder, before anyone eats, someone at the table, usually a child, asks one of the elders, “why is this night different from all others?” This sparks a teaching on the origin of the ritual which, for some, is new, for others it’s a review. Once completed, everyone knows why they do what they do — and all give thanks to God for Israel, for being his Chosen People, for the gift of life.
Every morning, while it is still dark, I light a small tea candle that sits at the foot of a vintage statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I love the statue because she is worn with age, like me.
Although parishioners may have lost contact with their now-retired former pastors; clergy who gave them the sacraments of initiation, officiated at their weddings, or were a calming force at the graveside of a loved one, they can still show their appreciation by donating to the “Annual Collection for our Retired Diocesan Priests” the weekend of Palm Sunday (April 1-2).
In March, we celebrate Women’s History and since 2014, one week in that month is dedicated to Catholic Sisters who are recognized for their many ministries, their service and their sacrifices.
METUCHEN — Last year the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops called for a three-year National Eucharistic Renewal in our country “to renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.” In response to that call, the Diocese of Metuchen held a three-night Lenten Mission, “Behold” by Array of Hope in collaboration with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi. Father Timothy A. Christy, rector of the Cathedral, noted, “The retreat was hosted by the Cathedral as a means to encounter more deeply the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and in our daily lives.”
METUCHEN — The diocese concluded its Lenten Retreat “Behold,” a three-night encounter with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament,” March 8 with Mass celebrated by Bishop James F. Checchio at the Cathedral of St. Francis Assisi. The retreat was in conjunction with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.
“And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him” (Mt 27:31). With these somber words, St. Matthew begins his account of Jesus’ crucifixion. The forces of sin and darkness that had conspired against Jesus throughout his ministry were now to have their way — Jesus would die on the cross, the most painful and humiliating means of execution allowed in the Roman Empire. But, the supreme irony of all this was that this very death, the seeming moment of evil’s triumph, would become the center point of all history, the moment when the power of sin and darkness would suffer its ultimate defeat.
We have all heard it said that prayer does not work, especially prayers addressed to God requesting his help or intercession. Such prayers, according to some, are “a total waste of time.”
Saturday, April 22 at 7:00pm – Cathedral Concerts at St. Francis is proud to present Mostly Motets, a vocal ensemble singing under the direction of Timothy Carpenter, whose ever-expanding repertoire includes a wide range of secular and sacred music, dating from the 1200’s to the present day.
PITTSTOWN — Twice a year, students from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, take time away from their busy workload to spend time on a mountaintop with the Lord. The Catholic Center at Rutgers empowers its student members to plan and execute all aspects of the retreat, held Feb. 17-19. This year, they added a new twist by joining forces with Seton Hall University, South Orange.
During my entire drive up to [Rutgers University] campus, the thought that something was wrong played over and over in my brain. I was in my final semester of graduate school, less than a month away from graduation and on my way to meet with my spiritual director, Laura Greey.
Joseph Diskin believes his more than three decades of educational experience, and a positive demeanor, will both be assets in his new position as assistant superintendent, diocesan Office of Schools.
The educated individual is a gift to the world by using knowledge and skills for the good of our society. In conjunction with academics, is the importance of schools to nurture people that are good human beings who can spread love, kindness, and compassion to themselves and others. This is the essence of Catholic education as John Paul II states in the above quote “to transmit a coherent comprehensive meaning of human life.” It has been often said that the affective leads the cognitive which means that all our actions and decisions occur in an emotional context, and therefore cognitive functions are colored by our emotional state. When students are feeling good emotionally and in tune with their feelings they are ready to learn, make better decisions, and treat others with the kindness and respect that they so deserve.
The photo at right is from an all hands on deck Service Day March 15, as members of Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung, community rolled up their sleeves to aid clients served by a wide variety of local organizations.
St. Joseph School, Carteret, in the midst of its centennial celebration, proudly adheres to its goal to “believe, achieve, serve and succeed” while both looking back and aiming forward.