2024 Bishop’s Annual Appeal

Letter from the Bishop

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. (LK 24:35)

The well-known Scripture passage of the Road to Emmaus is rich in detail. Two disciples were so disappointed and disillusioned after Jesus was crucified that they took to the dusty road traveling toward Emmaus, heading away from Jerusalem—literally putting distance between themselves and Jesus. Along the way, they recite their woes to a stranger they meet on the road whom they do not recognize as the Risen Jesus. They had been Jesus’ disciples and had believed He was a powerful prophet; but with His crucifixion, they think His mission has failed. They are grieving and filled with despair.

As they walked side by side, the Risen Jesus explained the Scriptures to them and spoke about how the Messiah would suffer and then enter into His glory. The disciples were so touched by the conversation, they begged Jesus, “Stay with us.” Later, they would say to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” Their eyes were being opened and their hope renewed.

That evening at table, Jesus “took bread, said the blessing, broke it and gave it to them.” Then their eyes were truly opened and they recognized Him and were changed by Him. With hearts burning and faith restored, they rushed back to Jerusalem, eager to share the news that they had encountered the Lord Jesus.

The journey of Emmaus is our journey. In life, we experience times of sadness, disappointments and doubts. We may experience a crisis of faith or lose hope, but Jesus wants to accompany us on our journey, just as He did with the two disciples. As in the journey to Emmaus, we encounter Jesus at Mass by listening to His Word through the Sacred Scriptures and by receiving Him in the most profound and intimate way in the Eucharist. Spiritually nourished and renewed, we go forth anxious to share Him with others.

The Emmaus story reminds us that Jesus is ever-present in our midst, walking with us and guiding us. It also teaches us that Jesus wants us to accompany others, particularly those who are suffering or who have drifted from the practice of the faith. One important way we can accomplish this together is by supporting the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. The theme for this year’s appeal—Stay with Us, Lord: Renew our Hearts and Send us on Mission—was chosen to capture the images of the journey to Emmaus and invite us to see God’s love everywhere and to share that love through the many tangible services and programs we offer. Please take some time to read about how we are accompanying thousands of men, women and children each day through the pastoral, educational and charitable ministries of the Diocese of Metuchen and prayerfully consider joining me in this great effort.

May the Lord always stay with us! May our hearts be renewed and burn within us as we read and pray with the Scriptures! And when we gather at table where we recognize Our Lord anew in the breaking of the bread, may He ignite our desire to share His love with others!

With renewed best wishes, I remain
Yours in Christ,

Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA
Bishop of Metuchen




Accompanying others on the journey

But they urged Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.”  So He went in to stay with them. (Lk 24:29)

Jesus “stays with us” in an intimate way in the Eucharist. We want to share His love with those we meet along the way, accompanying them on the path of life, as Jesus did on the Road to Emmaus. One important way we can share our faith, encourage and assist our fellow travelers is by participating in the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. Through our shared support, we touch the lives of thousands of people each year through the tangible services and programs we offer. Together we walk side by side with those who are suffering today, those who are ill or fearful, and those who are poor and vulnerable. Through our ministries, we bring them the reassuring presence of the Lord.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES, HUMAN LIFE & DIGNITY AND CONSOLATION MINISTRIES

Jesus gave us a perfect example to follow, constantly demonstrating love and care for those around Him. Much of the work that is done through our Church to advocate for respect for life, consoling those who are in hospital or prisons, and providing for the poor and vulnerable depends on the sharing of our financial resources through the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. 

Your gift supports the mission of the Office of Human Life and Dignity, remaining steadfast in its efforts to promote the sanctity of human life in all stages and in all conditions. Your support also brings the grace of the sacraments and compassionate care to those in hospitals and prisons through our clergy chaplains, and has a tremendous impact on the lives of so many in need through our Catholic Charities. By giving to the appeal, we are opening our hearts to those living on the fringes of society and help to attend to their physical, spiritual and emotional needs. The basic necessities of food and shelter provided by Catholic Charities, as well as the counseling services the agency offers to those struggling with addictions and other hardships of life can only continue with your help.


Answering the call to serve

While he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him. (Lk 24:30-31)

SEMINARIAN FORMATION

One of the key ministries supported by the annual appeal is seminarian formation. We are blessed to have 21 men currently studying for the priesthood in the Diocese of Metuchen. It is a blessing that brings with it the responsibility of providing for their education. Quality formation is essential for our future priests who will be the sacramental presence of the Lord in the midst of our parishes, nourishing and healing with word and sacraments the people they are called to serve. We need men who are capable of fostering spiritual life, preaching the gospel and directing the pastoral activities in our parishes and other special ministries. Your gift to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal helps to defray the costs of forming the future shepherds of our Church.


Sharing our encounters with Christ

Were not our hearts burning within us while He spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us? (Lk 24:32)

EVANGELIZATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND FAITH FORMATION FOR ALL AGES

Just as the two disciples on the road “set out at once” to share their experience of the Risen Lord with others, we too are inspired to go out into the world and tell everyone we meet of His love and grace.

Your gift to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal supports a number of diocesan ministries dedicated to faith formation. Through Discipleship Formation for Children and our Catholic schools, Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Campus Ministry at Rutgers and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, we are reaching out to children, teens, young adults and older adults new to our Catholic Church. These ministries help people of all ages grow in their knowledge and practice of the faith, experience a meaningful sense of service to the community, and come to a deeper understanding of their call to discipleship.

Your gift to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal also supports the work of the Vicariate for Evangelization and Communication. Responsible for our website, social media platforms, videos, podcasts and written content about our Catholic faith, the Evangelization and Communication ministry is essential to how we expand our effort to share the Gospel message and make His love known to all. More and more, we have come to understand that these tools are necessary for reaching people where they live and work.


Ways to Share Gifts

Pledging: Choosing to pledge with your desired payment schedule over time may allow you to be more generous. Monthly reminders will be sent.

Gift By Check: Whether your gift is a one-time, paid-in-full gift or an installment of a pledged gift, please make your check payable to: Diocese of Metuchen-Bishop’s Annual Appeal.

Gift By Credit Card: Complete your gift and credit card information on your pledge card or visit our secure online giving site at https://diometuchen.org/BAA.

Gift Of Appreciated Stock Or Securities: Federal tax laws allow a charitable deduction for the full market value of stock or securities on the date they are gifted. For information on making such a gift, please contact the Office of Stewardship & Development at 732-562-2432.

Matching Your Gift: Corporate matching gifts are a great way to maximize your personal contribution. Go to www.matching gifts.com/diometuchen or call 732-562-2432 for more information.

LEADERSHIP GIVING

You are invited to join the community of benefactors who provide the leadership that inspires others to support the pastoral, educational and charitable ministries of the Diocese of Metuchen. Members contribute to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal at the following levels:
LEGACY SOCIETY

The Legacy Society is our way of celebrating the generosity of Catholic friends who are providing for the future of the Church through a planned gift. Have you remembered your parish, parish school or a ministry of the Diocese of Metuchen in your Will or estate plan? If so, please let us know so we can express our thanks for your commitment to advancing the mission of the Church by honoring you as a member at our annual prayer service and gathering. For more information on Planned Giving visit www.diometuchen.plannedgiving.org or call the Office of Stewardship & Development at 732-562-2432.


Good stewards: Bishop’s Annual Appeal Foundation

Central to our understanding of Christian stewardship is the concept of accountability. To safeguard the gifts you have entrusted to our care, we recently set up a special foundation, a separate trust, where all the money from this Appeal goes so that it can be used only for those ministries advertised in the Appeal materials and website. You can be assured that your gift is well protected and well used; making a difference in meeting the spiritual, educational and social needs of the people we serve. A gift to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal is a worthy investment.


Please give generously. 
Give online: diometuchen.org

Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen
P.O. Box 4000, Metuchen, NJ 08840-4000
732-562-1990