Embracing the time to walk with another in this season of hope

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

You might have heard me share this before, but we are entering one of my favorite times of year. Even though I prefer the warmer weather, I always love the time of year around Thanksgiving Day, as it is a wonderful time of gratitude for our country but also a time to catch up with family and friends more often.  

Although those responsible for putting the meal together for Thanksgiving have much to do, this holiday is simpler in many ways and not so commercial, allowing us to focus on one another and our gratitude for those in our lives, too.

Right after Thanksgiving we begin the Advent Season, which is a wonderful time of hope for us all. We are particularly aware of this theme of hope this year as we prepare to start the great Jubilee Year of 2025 with the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope.”  

Pope Francis once spoke about the opportunity Advent offers us like this: “The time of Advent that we begin again today returns us to the horizon of hope, a hope that does not disappoint because it is founded on the Word of God. A hope that does not disappoint, simply because the Lord never disappoints! He is ever faithful!” the Holy Father emphasized.

Indeed, Advent offers us a time to re-anchor our hope in God alone, who never disappoints and never lets us down! Yes, things, events, and even people in this world can let us down at times, but God never does, so we need to keep our true hope always in Him.

So this Advent is a time for us to open our hearts more widely to Christ as we prepare for His coming into the world, so that it is always His love that directs all of our words and actions, who directs our desires, wants and wishes.  

By allowing Christ to break into our lives more fully, by making some extra time with Him in prayer during Advent, we keep ourselves from letting all the many daily activities of life, even the things we do during this season of Advent in preparation for Christmas and Christ’s coming, from actually getting in the way of His coming more fully into our lives.  

The busyness of getting ready for Christmas can be a temptation and distraction for us during Advent that we have to be attentive to. God never tires of waiting for us, so let us emulate His patience in our own prayer this Advent.  

The priests of our Diocese recently had our annual convocation, and you will read about it in this edition of the Catholic Spirit. It was a wonderful time for us to be together in fraternity and prayer. It is always good to be with them and I am always so grateful for our generous priests who work so hard to shepherd those entrusted to their care.  

For us priests, Advent is a beautiful time of prayer, but also a busy time as we try to host and help one another at penance services, which are a hallmark of Advent, and prepare for the great celebration of the Incarnation of our Lord.  So, pray for our priests, if you would, that Advent may be a time of our own deepening of our friendship with Jesus as we prepare for him to come anew at Christmas.  

This edition of the Catholic Spirit is also highlighting Vocations Awareness. So, I ask you to also pray that God may call more young men from our Diocese to serve as priests here. We need more priests to make sure we have enough shepherds for our parishes.

Pray for vocations to religious life, as well, so we have the witness of consecrated life in our Diocese.  We are currently putting together another class of permanent deacons, so please pray for this too, as our permanent deacons are a blessing for our parishes and so many different ministries in our Diocese.

As we begin this time of Thanksgiving and, then, Advent, may we all make more room for God in our lives. He is the One who offers us a secure place to hope! Know that I will be thanking God for all of you this Thanksgiving too. I am so grateful to Him for putting us together on this road to back to Him as we build up His Kingdom here in our Diocese.  

Why not pick someone particular whom you know needs God, needs hope in their life, and pray for that person throughout this season. After praying for them, maybe invite them to pray with you or to come to Mass with you on a Sunday to prepare for Christ coming more fully into their lives this Christmas.  What a gift that would be for someone to celebrate this Christmas.

The “Walk with One” initiative of the Eucharistic Congress we celebrated this past summer is going on now, and Advent and Christmas is a perfect time to join in this evangelizing effort.  
Know of my love, prayers and gratitude for you. And I pray that this is a wonderful Thanksgiving and Advent season for you all!  God bless you.

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