NEW BRUNSWICK — The eight simple words, uttered Sept. 8 at St. Peter the Apostle University and Community Church, changed the course of the young woman’s life.

METUCHEN — Though pandemic restrictions limited the usual high number of worshippers for the diocese’s annual Hispanic Heritage Mass, the event was livestreamed so all families and individuals could participate.

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ, ​​​​​​​In the midst of our presidential election’s contentious campaign, many of our faithful have been telling me about their concern for the future of our country. I, as your bishop, and all of our clergy, too, are being asked to help Catholics form their consciences in accordance with God’s truth.

ASBURY — At long last, the spiritual journeys of five men reached a glorious summit as Transitional Deacons David Edward Keyes, Thomas William Lanza, Gustavo Andres Rodriguez-Perez and Gilbert Zachariah Starcher, and Oratorian Brother John Fredy Triana-Beltran were ordained to the priesthood.

We celebrate Catechetical Sunday on Sept. 20, the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Each year, those designated to serve as catechists are called forth and commissioned for their ministry. In his encyclical letter, “Deus Caritas Est (God is Love),” Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI teaches us that the “Church’s deepest nature is expressed in her threefold responsibility: of proclaiming the Word of God (kerygma-martyria), celebrating the sacraments (leitourgia), and exercising ministry of charity (diakonia)” (25). This year, Church leaders, catechists and parents must find new ways of passing on the faith. COVID-19 has flipped our world, but God is still at work even amid the chaos.