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Bishop James F. Checchio spoke on behalf of the hundreds of faithful filling the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Oct. 25 when he told the uniformed police personnel seated before him, “Thank God for you. We pray for your safety.”

Priests from throughout the Diocese of Metuchen gathered to refresh body and soul while celebrating their fraternal bonds during the annual convocation Oct. 10-12 in The Breakers on the Ocean, Spring Lake. The convocation addressed both the spiritual and the sacred, with the priests participating in Morning and Evening Prayer, Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Though hundreds watched them intently, the couples celebrating 25, 50 or more years of marriage only had eyes for one another.

“He loved to welcome people to the Cathedral as rector,” said Bishop James F. Checchio as he stood in the Metuchen Diocese’s mother church before the casket of Msgr. Robert J. Zamorski Nov. 3. “He welcomed me, now we are welcoming him.”

Citizens often rely upon the skilled and selfless service of their local first responders – police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians – for help in times of need. But when these men and women seek assistance, they often call upon a Higher Power.

“We are always here to help and serve you,” said Knights of Columbus N.J. State Deputy Raymond Sands to more than 300 clergy and Knights in the Imperia banquet hall, Somerset, Sept. 7 for the Knights’ annual “Pride in Our Priests” dinner. Sponsored by the Knights’ Metuchen Diocese Chapter, the gala event was an opportunity for both groups to break bread and reflect upon the integral roles they fulfill in the four counties of the Diocese.

Echoing the words of the prophet Samuel when he discerned the call of Christ, a jubilant young woman stood before a church of believers and uttered eight life-changing words.

Ask Jay Locquiao, the new principal of St. Francis Cathedral School, why he chose to leave his career in public school teaching to embark on the road to Catholic school leadership, and you’ll hear him give praise to the Almighty.

When more than 3,000 Black American Catholics gathered for the 13th National Black Catholic Congress July 20-23, they were continuing an initiative that began in 1889 when journalist Daniel Rudd, born a slave in Kentucky, founded the Congress.

METUCHEN – On June 24, the feast day the Church honors St. John the Baptist, the first of the New Testament prophets, Bishop James F. Checchio welcomed Jose Manuel Lim to the ranks of the distinguished clergy of the Diocese of Metuchen at a joyous ordination Mass in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi.