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.
Patricia A. Bell, the new principal at Sts. Philip and James School, Phillipsburg, said God wanted the longtime teacher to return to college and study to become a principal.
Under the direction of Michelle Diaz, middle school language arts and Spanish teacher, Perth Amboy Catholic School provides exciting liturgical dance ministry and summer theater arts programs. Inspired by the story of King David, Diaz has always felt called to worship God through dance.
Information and registration for all Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer offerings can be found on www.msmhope.org. Call 908-753-2091 or email at msmhope@msmhope.org.
Bishop James F. Checchio will celebrate a Memorial Mass for the repose of the soul of Father J. Maciej Melaniuk, a retired priest of the Diocese, Sept. 22, at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, South Plainfield. Father Melaniuk died Sept. 9 in Poland. He was 72 years old.
A parishioner once asked me why I frequently nod my head during a liturgy. For a second or two, I didn’t know what she meant, but then I realized she was referring to a slight bow any time the name of Jesus was mentioned.
Although true, that title will evoke feelings of discomfort in perhaps half of those reading this. The discomfort comes from our personal deviation from the truth, or that of a loved one. Nonetheless, the truth still remains, and Jesus said that the truth will set us free.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord . . . as high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). The difference between the ways of God and the ways of humanity forms the basis of this Sunday’s Gospel teaching, the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. In this section of his Gospel, St. Matthew warns us that we must set aside some very ingrained human attitudes in order to see things the way that God sees them.
The summer has come to an end, which can be a sad time for many, but it’s a happy time for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, because that means a new school year is about to begin at the childcare centers.
When Tashawn Bower reflects on what has been a six-year NFL career, the lessons from his days at Immaculata High School are at the forefront of his mind.
When this edition of The Catholic Spirit is published, I will be with my mother and others in my family down the shore. Joining us will be friends who are flying in from the Midwest. For one couple, it will be their first visit to the Jersey shore!
In the Torah or Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, “sin” is a failure to observe the commandments laid before the people at Mount Sinai. In the prophetic literature, sin is a violation of the covenant between God and his people. Hence, there is emphasis on collective culpability and social sin. In the wisdom literature of the Bible, sin is foolishness. Whereas holiness or righteousness is depicted as true wisdom, that is, a healthy respect or fear of the Lord.
Next month, on Sept. 8, we will celebrate the Golden Jubilee of our Sister Rose Marie of the Sacred Heart. During the public Mass in our chapel, Sister Rose Marie will renew the vows she has so faithfully kept for the past 50 years. Such faithfulness is impossible without a deep love to sustain it. Fifty years encompasses two generations. If Sister Rose Marie had married, she would be a grandmother, and indeed Sister fits easily in the role of grandmother to the younger nuns in our community. (Our oldest Sister is 94 and she has been in our community for nearly 75 years, which qualifies her as our great-grandmother!)
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.
As a priest, I often reflect on that memorable and faithful night when our Blessed Lord “took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19). Remembering is an essential part of our Catholic faith. We are believers by recalling our faith and believing those who have come before us. We not only remember, but we live by and trust in God’s word.
St. Pope John Paul II proclaimed, “The Church and the world have a great need of Eucharistic Adoration.” As year two of the National Eucharistic Revival, the Year of Parish Revival, moves forward, parishes in the Diocese of Metuchen continue to show their devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist through this ancient practice which recognizes the Real Presence of Jesus in body, blood, soul and divinity under the appearance of the consecrated host.
“Count and lean on the generosity of the Father!’’ was the encouragement from Bishop James F. Checchio during a send-off Mass on July 28, as 41 delegates from the Diocese of Metuchen embarked on the 10-day pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal.
World Youth Day in Lisbon this year was an experience of God’s Providence in every way. Eighty-five pilgrims from the Dioceses of Metuchen and Paterson traveled together for an unforgettable journey in friendship with each other and God.
