The USCCB has designated the third Sunday of September as “Catechetical Sunday” and several parishes across the Diocese of Metuchen marked the day, which fell on Sept. 15 this year, with a blessing of parish catechists at the end of Mass. Many parishes also hosted a special gathering following this blessing as a sign of appreciation and as the official launch of the catechetical year in their parish religious education programs. This special recognition of parish catechists gives rise to the opportunity to reflect upon the role of the parish catechist.
Every year, on the third Sunday of September, the Church celebrates Catechetical Sunday, when those in each parish community who have been designated to serve as catechists may be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry.
On Sunday, October 20, 2024, the Church throughout the world observes World Mission Sunday (WMS). This year the theme “Go and Invite Everyone to the Banquet,” serves as a reminder that we disciples of Christ are to actively invite and encourage others to participate in the great work of evangelization.
Mercy Sister Lisa Gambacorto, directress of Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung, welcomed students to convocation in September with a lesson about bees. Bees are cooperative, she explained to the young women beginning a new school year. She stopped short of demonstrating the “wiggle dance” bees use to communicate, but stressed how important it would be for the girls to work together and build each other up. She knew the lesson had struck a chord when she saw the girls wearing bee earrings to school.
The seeds to a life of service to the Lord were planted deep within the future Brother of the Sacred Heart Richard Leven, an adoptee from a Philadelphia-area orphanage. His parents’ devotion to the Sacred Heart acted as a beacon toward which he joyfully walked, and he has continued to do so for 65 years.
When students arrive at St. Helena School, Edison, they are greeted at the door by their parish pastor, Father Anthony Sirianni, as well as school principal Sister Mary Charles. “This very important aspect of the day contributes to the school’s family environment,” said vice principal Lynn Jurcsek.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen is offering a free service to assist residents of our Diocese in receiving support and education on how to understand and obtain mental health services and help remove barriers that often exist when trying to figure out where to start.
Mount Saint Mary Academy has reported that two students, Madison E. DeFrancisco and Grace A. Prayias, have been named semifinalists in the 70th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program Competition. They are among 16,000 Semifinalists who have been recognized for their exceptional academic talent and performance on the PSAT. They will have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring.
Writing has been used since ancient times to express the emotions and the realities of life we find hard to acknowledge. Experts say it helps heal trauma, strengthen resilience, and reduce anxiety by giving us a voice we often have trouble finding. In this era of uncertainty, pandemics and violence, where things seem so terribly out of control, sometimes writing is the only thing youth can do to make their voices heard – in poems, in prose, in song lyrics and in wrenching narratives we may not want to hear – but we need to hear.
St. Thomas Aquinas High School proudly joined forces with the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation (PHF) at Yelencsics Park Sept. 21 for the annual Walk Out for Hydrocephalus Research. With over 300 attendees – including dozens of students, parents, faculty, and relatives from STA – the event was a resounding success, raising more than $46,000 for hydrocephalus research.
Our readings this Sunday offer words of hope and encouragement to people of faith. Jesus’ restoration of vision to the spiritually clear-sighted yet physically blind Bartimaeus, the assurances of Jeremiah that God will never abandon his faithful people, and the Letter to the Hebrews’ reminder that our High Priest, Christ the Lord, is both patient and merciful, all serve to powerfully reassure us that, while a life of faith is not always easy, it is always overwhelmingly rewarded. Our task is to embrace and live this faith.
The Diocese of Metuchen Historic Records Commission, in conjunction with the New Jersey Catholic Historical Commission, will be presenting a one day workshop, “The Historian’s Craft: How To Research And Write Your Parish History Like A Professional Historian.”
Sister Mary Magdalen of the Cross, O.C.D., (née Frances Regina Vannicola) a cherished and blessed cloistered Nun of the Discalced Carmelite Monastery in Flemington, died Monday, Oct. 14 at the Hunterdon Medical Center after a brief illness. She entered eternal life joyfully and peacefully on the vigil of their Holy Mother St. Teresa of Avila’s feast day.
It is said that God has three answers to prayer: “Yes.” “Not yet.” and “I have a better idea.” He certainly had a better idea in making our monastery known as we prepare to celebrate our 75th Anniversary of Foundation!
“The pain of addiction to alcohol or other drugs affects almost every family in some way, but recovery from addiction is also experienced by many.” These words were written inside a program for the Tree of Hope ceremony conducted by Wellspring Center for Prevention.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I dedicated you,” Jeremiah 1:5. We may think to ourselves, how could we have existed before we were born? How could God have known us? How could there have been light before God made the sun? (cf. Gen 1:3,14) While we are here in the temporal world, these questions will confound us, yet our perplexity does not make the seemingly impossible not possible, for all things are possible for God.
The St. Thomas Aquinas boys’ soccer team, Edison, has clinched the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) division title with an outstanding undefeated season under first-year head coach Jason Chung. The Trojans, currently 8-0 in the GMC at the midpoint of the season, have dominated their competition, outscoring opponents 64-2 and recording seven shutouts in the process.
What makes a good striker in soccer? Mount Saint Mary Academy coach Roald Jornick often hears that question. He sees some players in New Jersey who are simply fast. Others may have a good shot but lack other traits.
It’s rare that two sisters and a mother are all part of the same sports program in high school, so it’s an experience that the Napolitano family doesn’t take for granted.
