News - June 2023 RSS Feed

It is hard to believe that this month marks the first anniversary of the historic Supreme Court decision in the case of Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization which overturned Roe vs. Wade and returned the abortion issue back to the states. This goal had been in the works for so long that it seemed at times like the day would never come, but here we are a year later.

With the Solemnity of Corpus Christi marking the start of the Year of Parish Revival, year two of the National Eucharistic Revival, Bishop James F. Checchio celebrated two Masses for Corpus Christi the weekend of June 10-11 – the 5:15 p.m. Vigil Mass in Our Lady of Peace Parish, Fords, and the 10:30 a.m. Mass in St. Helena Parish, Edison.

In Mt. 11;28-30, the evangelist speaks to us about the “hesed” of God, that is, the “loving mercy” made incarnate in the person of Jesus Christ. We pine for this loving mercy which we honor specifically on the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

When I heard through the diocesan grapevine that “The Catholic Spirit” was looking for a regular column writer, I went to my superior and asked what she thought about my sending in my name. She said it was a great idea! So, encouraged by the blessing of obedience, I e-mailed the editors, giving the link to the articles that I have written, and applying for the position. They replied immediately and graciously welcomed me aboard.

With year two of the National Eucharistic Revival serving as the Year of Parish Revival, June 2023 to June 2024, Bishop James F. Checchio has invited recently ordained priests of the Diocese of Metuchen to share their insights, perspectives and suggestions for increasing understanding of and devotion to the Eucharist in parishes. The following column by Father Joseph S. I. Illés is the first to appear as part of this monthly series.

St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, Flemington, which celebrated the 175th anniversary of its founding in 2022, began a new chapter in its history when Father James E. De Fillipps was formally installed as pastor by Bishop James F. Checchio.  

ANNANDALE -- Hundreds of faithful gathered for Mass in which Bishop James F. Checchio installed Father Keith M. Cervine as the 10th pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish.

Bishop James F. Checchio presided at a Mass at Good Shepherd Parish, Most Holy Rosary worship site, concelebrated by Father Krystian Burdzy, to celebrate the Polish-born priest’s installation as pastor and the 20th anniversary of his ordination.

On Trinity Sunday, June 4, the parish community of Our Lady of Lourdes, Whitehouse Station, celebrated its 100th Anniversary. The celebration was the culmination of 18 months of preparation and began with Mass and included a parish picnic.

“It’s good that you are here!”  With her enthusiastic welcome, Megan Callahan, director, Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Diocese of Metuchen, greeted nearly 700 teens and youth ministers gathered in Showcase Arena at Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, the morning of May 21, Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, for the New Jersey Catholic Youth Rally.

After days of hazardous health warnings regarding air quality due to smoke resulting from wildfires, June 11 dawned a beautiful morning for the annual Diocesan Peregrinacion Hispana, or Hispanic Pilgrimage, at the National Shrine of the Blue Army in Asbury.

Have you ever wondered who was ultimately responsible for setting you on the path of your Catholic faith? I don’t mean just your parents or even your grandparents. I am referring to that mysterious family member who first acquired the faith and passed it on. How many generations would you have to go back in order to find that first special person? How many people (with your DNA) lived sacrificial, holy lives so that you would be the person you are today with the beautiful faith in Jesus Christ that you have?

Sisters Marie Patrice Feeney, left, and Mary Agnes Walsh celebrate their 70th jubilee as Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia during a weekend 2023 Jubilee Celebration, June 3-4.

Prior to a May 24 Papal Audience, former diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, Ellen Ayoub, and her daughter, Elizabeth Matto, attended a private Mass at the Altar/Tomb of St. John Paul II in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome. The pair also received special, “Baccio lo mano” tickets (“Kiss the hand of the Pope”) from the Vatican.

On behalf of the Office of Schools, I extend congratulations to our 2023 Graduates! Students from both eighth grade and high school are ready to move forward to embrace the next new chapter in their lives, and after many years of spiritual and academic formation, we send them forth with God’s blessings to an exciting future ahead.

SOMERVILLE – One hundred twenty-eight graduates of the Immaculata High School Class of 2023 received their diplomas during the school’s 57th commencement at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Somerville, on Friday, June 2. The commencement marked the 10,000 graduate to go through the doors of Immaculata, whose first senior class graduated in 1966.

The community of Mount Saint Mary Academy, along with family and friends of 62 graduating seniors gathered June 3 in Immaculate Conception Chapel for Commencement Exercises, where diplomas were conferred by Bishop James F. Checchio.

SOUTH PLAINFIELD – A half-century-old sports catchphrase became a modern-day rallying cry for the St. Joseph High School Class of 2023 seated in Sacred Heart Church May 18: “Ya Gotta Believe!”

The St. Thomas Aquinas High School community celebrated the graduation of its 50th senior class on Thursday, June 1, with diplomas being conferred during a Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Ceremony held in Sacred Heart Church, South Plainfield.