News - November 2024 RSS Feed

You might have heard me share this before, but we are entering one of my favorite times of year. Even though I prefer the warmer weather, I always love the time of year around Thanksgiving Day, as it is a wonderful time of gratitude for our country but also a time to catch up with family and friends more often.

Rutgers University’s Catholic Center recently held their Fall Retreat, entitled “Work of His Hands,” at Camp Tecumseh, Pittstown, drawing 60 students Oct. 11-13 for three fun and faith-filled days which included talks, games, Adoration, Mass, Eucharistic Procession, and, of course, food.

Since 1926, the Catholic Church has celebrated World Mission Sunday each October. The day, sponsored by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, is set aside annually to remind Catholics worldwide of the command of Jesus to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty and clothe the naked. It allows everyone to participate in the Church’s missionary activities through prayer and sacrifice. A special collection is taken up in every Church worldwide.

“We are here because we love this priest of God.” The words of Father John Hillier resonated with a congregation of hundreds, gathered for a Mass of Christian Burial for Monsignor Arduino “Edward” Puleo, who died Oct. 25.

Looking across a sea of blue-clad law enforcement personnel seated before him Oct. 30 in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, Bishop James F. Checchio spoke for the hundreds of indebted citizens also present, declaring, “It is a privilege and honor to gather here. We are grateful for all you do for peace and harmony in our communities.”

A blighted area on the grounds of St. Bernard of Clairvaux parish is seeing new life through a multi-phase reforestation project coordinated by the parish’s Green Team. On Oct. 20, parishioners and parish youth executed phase two of the project, planting native trees and shrubs to replenish the area, which is next to a streambed that lies within the Raritan River Watershed.

With a congregation dressed in gaily colored ethnic costumes and bearing symbols of their shared Catholic heritage, Our Lady of Peace Church was a significant image of our multicultural Catholic Church.

Nearly 300 people gathered in the Immaculata High School gymnasium on Nov. 10 to celebrate the 21st Spartan Memorial Mass and honor alumni, faculty and staff, religious and family members who have passed away.

The Tim Keyes Consort will perform O Magnum Mysterium, ‘A Christmas Oratorio’ composed and conducted by Tim Keyes, Sunday, Dec. 1, 4 p.m. in the Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, 716 Watchung Ave., Plainfield.

An atmosphere of joy and reverence filled the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi as parishioners of all ages from the Diocese’s Latino communities gathered for the annual Hispanic Heritage Mass and celebration.

El 11 de octubre, se celebró la Misa de la Herencia Hispana en la Catedral de San Francisco de Asís, la celebración anual que refleja el creciente entusiasmo y anticipación de la comunidad hispana en nuestra Diócesis.

In 2020, as the world grappled with the global pandemic, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued “Samaritanus bonus,” a letter on how we, as Catholics, should care for persons in critical or terminal phases of life. Approved by Pope Francis, Samaritanus bonus is an important document for healthcare professionals, pastoral care workers, caregivers and families, as well as the sick themselves.

With the goal of supporting a growing number of homeschooled families across the Diocese of Metuchen, Bishop James F. Checchio has formed a new ministry.

Celebrating the day they chose to cleave together as husband and wife, forsaking all others, some 88 couples stood before family, friends and God to reaffirm their marriage vows during the annual diocesan Silver and Gold and Five Year Wedding Anniversaries Evening Prayer Service, held Oct. 20 in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen.

In just a few days, we will gather around the Table of the Lord for the last Sunday in ordinary time, the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. We – incarnate spirits–created in the image and likeness of God–will gather to proclaim our desire to remain faithful subjects of Jesus, King of the Universe. Despite the temptations which we face by the exaggerated lure of freedom, packaged by society in those who speak about the sovereignty of the human condition and the infinite rights that we have by virtue of our being human, we, like Christians before us, concur that Jesus Christ is Lord.

November is the month when we remember those who have “run their course” here on earth, who have “finished the race” in this world and who have passed on to their eternal home. On Nov. 1, we honor those who have fulfilled their journey and now rejoice in the infinite love of God. On Nov. 2, we commemorate those who have still some preparation to accomplish in order to share fully eternal life in heaven.

To revive interest in the Catholic faith, parishes must be more attractive to men, said Adam Carlisle, diocesan Secretary for the Secretariat for Evangelization and Communication.

The Diocese of Metuchen’s first graduating class of the Hispanic Bible Study Program gathered Oct. 11 in the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway, for a day of celebration and gratitude.

Men from various parishes in the Diocese of Metuchen recently attended a Cursillo Weekend, Oct. 17, in the Loyola Retreat Center, Morristown. The purpose of Cursillo is to live the fundamental tenants of being Catholic by the power of the Holy Spirit and to learn to share in small groups, both during the Cursillo weekend and afterwards.

“The heroism of your hidden life is an imitation of the 30 years that Jesus spent hidden in Nazareth, and it is as valuable to our redemption as the three years of his life that followed,” said Discalced Carmelite Father Michael Berry, speaking to the Discalced Carmelite nuns of the Carmel of Mary Immaculate and St Mary Magdalen, Flemington.