As we continue to respond to the global pandemic of COVID-19 and its impact on our health and our economy, the social disease of racism in our country has also come to light in a compelling way. During this already difficult time, confusion, mistrust, anger and anxiety have all helped to bring to light an extremely contagious and dangerous outbreak of hate.

During this time of uncertainty, shut down and job loss, “The Catholic Spirit” took time to revisit the Catholic Charities food pantry that opened in Phillipsburg five years ago this month.

SOMERVILLE — This fall, Immaculata High School launched its Chesterton Classical Studies Program, the latest of its signature academic curriculum, which provides a content-rich humanities-focused education to those enrolled.Eventually, this will be a four-year curriculum, but the initial rollout started with freshmen only. In-spired by the teachings of Catholic theologian G.K. Chesterton, the program focuses on studying the hu-manities through the prism of the Classics, theology and philosophy.

PHILLIPSBURG — This school year started with extra help for several students at Saints Philip and James School. A new program was developed and implemented at the parochial school to help students who need a little extra support in the classroom.

Join us in celebrating this year’s graduates! Display a personal message to your graduate in The Catholic Spirit’s JULY GRADUATION SUPPLEMENT!

PISCATAWAY – In the midst of a global pandemic, the Holy Spirit is moving in the Diocese of Metuchen. Inspired by the impacts and fruits of last year’s all-night Pentecost Vigil, which was part of the Year of Awakening in preparation for the Dec. 12, 2019 diocesan consecration to Jesus through Mary, under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the diocese will offer “A Church of Mission and Purpose: Pentecost Retreat Day,” beginning May 29 at 7 p.m. and concluding May 30 at 5 p.m. with a Vigil Mass of Pentecost celebrated by Bishop James F. Checchio.

Article 138 - Catechism of the Catholic Church Series Paragraphs 1846-1853 A friend of mine recently introduced me to an English word I had never heard before. The 34-letter word, hyperpolysyllabicsesquipedalianism, refers to the practice of a person who likes to use big words in excess. I couldn’t help but think that people could accuse me of this if I told them often that my first parish assignment as a newly ordained priest was in a town near a lake with a 45-letter name called Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg.

PISCATAWAY — For many in the Diocese of Metuchen, Easter was different this year, but for some, the day was business as usual.

The very excitement of the Easter season is that God wants us to cultivate and understand that he is breaking into our hearts right now. He is walking with us through this journey we are all experiencing -   the impact of COVID-19 or coronavirus pandemic. These are days where we can find moments of real connection with others and the true value of what life really means comes alive in all of us.

May is the month many eagerly await because it is the time many children receive first holy Communion. Sadly, this year the coronavirus has made pastors postpone this momentous milestone in the spiritual lives of waiting first communicants.

Over the past months, Catholics of our diocese have been tuning in to the virtual liturgy of their choice every Sunday.  While the benefits of the virtual Mass cannot be denied, it does have its limitations.  First and foremost is the fact that watching Mass and being there are two different things. The participation of those watching the liturgy on YouTube, Facebook or TV is done in isolation, not in community.  From apostolic times, what distinguished Christians from their neighbors of other religions was the emphasis on community. Religion was never perceived as an individual affair, albeit does contain an individual component which we call “personal prayer.” From the earliest records, we have learned that Christians gathered in groups for worship, whence arose the concept of “Assembly of the faithful” or “Ecclesia” in Greek. From this term, the German  “Kirche” translates into the English word “Church.” 

The goal was $19,000 — a play off COVID-19 — so named for the coronavirus disease that emerged during late 2019 in China.

In our Gospel passages in these last weeks of Easter, we start to see a shift from the Resurrection appearances of Jesus, to meditations about the ongoing presence of the Risen Christ in the life of His Church through the Spirit. We hear Jesus promise the Apostles the Paraclete, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. This Gospel beckons us back to the Last Supper and Jesus’ last words with His disciples before being arrested and put on trial. How long Jesus must have thought about what He wanted to share with His dearest friends at this last chance to speak privately with them. He knew what was ahead for Himself with His crucifixion, and what was ahead for the disciples and their ministries. He must have wanted to reassure them that even though things might not appear to be so in the eyes of the world, all would work out well in God’s plan. As they watched His arrest, torture and crucifixion, the Apostles must have felt that evil did have the upper hand, but Jesus did not want them to believe this. 

Last month, as COVID-19 spread across New Jersey places like St. Joseph Senior Center, Woodbridge, where the most vulnerable were cared for, faced major challenges. Many of the staff and residents were infected with the coronavirus. To make matters worse, the center experienced a shortage of personal protection equipment (PPE), especially masks. Little did anyone know it would be a nun who would rally the faithful to help.

NEW BRUNSWICK – As rain fell May 8 at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, a small number of mourners clad in face masks – each of them strangers to the departed – gathered to remember the lives of the infants cradled in the casket before them.

On April 12 of last year, Anthony P. Kearns III, Esq. left the position he had held for nine years -— Prosecutor of Hunterdon County. Three days later, he arrived at the Diocese of Metuchen’s Pastoral Center at 5:30 a.m., so early he set off the building’s alarm. “I moved my belongings into the Office of the Chancellor and began a new chapter in my life,” Kearns said. 

Recently, there was a meme on social media showing the devil taunting God. The devil says, “I have closed down every church in the world.” God replies, “Yes, but I have opened one up in every home.” While we cannot be physically present in our church buildings, our homes have recently become the places where we worship God and live our Christian lives. Certainly, this should be taking place in our homes already, although, the new coronavirus (COVID-19) situation causes us to be more intentional in this regard and present circumstances place a greater emphasis on the domestic church.

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I write to you in the midst of what can only be described as unusual times to proclaim to you Easter joy! The fact that changes all of history forever is this: Christ is Risen! Indeed, it may seem odd, it may seem out of place when life as we are accustomed to has been so disrupted; for some tragically so with an unexpected loss of a loved one or serious illness of a family or friend. Economically we face grace consequences. These dire circumstances of course are the ravaging destruction of the COVID-19 pandemic; the likes of which we have not seen in our lifetime. One common experience we all now share has been that our lives, as we know them, have seemingly come to a halt. We are “sheltered at home,” with only “essential” outings to places like the pharmacy and grocery store. Social distancing has canceled or postponed every gathering. Sadly, our worship and sacramental life, too, has been radically changed, for the most part, to remote access from our local parish or our Cathedral.

On April 2, 20 people gathered for prayer, praise and discussion. Thanks to the Internet, none of the participants were in danger of contracting the coronavirus, which has kept large groups of people from worshiping at Mass and participation in other faith-based activities because of a ban declared by Gov. Phil Murphy.

METUCHEN — Smiling as he called the congregation “a small but valiant crew,” Bishop James F. Checchio and those assembled at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi March 25 eagerly awaited the “yes” to be uttered by David Edward Keyes, the newest candidate for the transitional diaconate of the diocese. The ordination, slated for the Feast of the Annunciation, took place during a private liturgy because of the coronavirus pandemic.