Experience God’s generous love through Eucharist, Bishop Checchio tells seminarians

The last weeks of August were filled with emotion for Stacey and Paul Miller, who were preparing to send their only son, Jacob, back to college.

Like any parents of a college-bound student, they were looking forward to moving him in and to seeing what the year would hold for their son. Unlike most other parents though, Stacey said she hopes her son’s year at school will include the Holy Spirit, guiding him through his continued discernment to the priesthood.

“He has an amazing knowledge and an amazing devotion to our faith,” Stacey Miller said in speaking of her son, who recently began his second year at St. Andrew’s College Seminary, part of Seton Hall University, South Orange. “I’m just very proud of him. When he starts talking about everything he’s learning there, it keeps my husband and I very grounded in our faith also.”

A graduate of the class of 2020 of Hillsborough High School, Jacob is an Eagle Scout. Before leaving for St. Andrew’s College Seminary, he served as a Msgr. John N. Fell, right, speaks with devoted altar server for his home parish, Mary, Mother of God, Hillsborough, and was an active member of the youth group there, his mother said proudly.

Now one of 21 seminarians for the Diocese of Metuchen, after four men were ordained to the priesthood earlier this year, Jacob and his brother seminarians were joined by their families on Aug. 18 for a Mass and seminarian send-off barbeque at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church, Bridgewater.

Bishop James F. Checchio preesided at the Mass and gave the homily. The four newly ordained priests — Father Jun Joseph Alquiros, Father Ariel Bautista Jr., Fathaer Timothy Eck II and Father Gregory Zannetti  concelebrated along with Father  Timothy Christy, diocesan vicar general; Msgr. Edward C. Puleo, episcopal vicar for clergy and consecrated life; Msgr. John N. Fell, diocesan director of seminarians; Father Mauricio Taberea-Vasquez, vocation recruiter; Msgr. Randall J. Vashon, pastor, and Fathaer Tholitho, parochial vicar, St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish.

In his homily, Checchio said that much like “it is supposed to be an honor to live our Christian dignity received at baptism,” seminary formation is supposed to be an honor, not a burden.

“How quickly and easily though, we can make honors into burdens,” he warned. “That happens when we think we are doing God a favor, rather than acknowledging that it is God who is always doing us the favor. We don’t have a right to be His servants. It’s an honor for us to receive the very call to serve.”

God wants loving, grateful and generous priests, and the people do too, the bishop reminded them.

The goal of seminary is not merely to get through it or even to be ordained, the bishop said, but rather “to train you to be such disciples, to be such generous and grateful priests. So, I urge you, use your time well this year to prepare for a life of faithfulness, holiness and zealous priestly service to God and his people, as priests who expect nothing from God, but are grateful.”

Much like a father lovingly offering advice to his children before they go off to school, the bishop encouraged the seminarians to be grateful to God for his generosity and to learn how to share that generosity with others, with patience and love, so that others too, can experience the generosity of God.

“Brothers, we learn this lesson particularly through the Eucharist,” said Bishop Checchio. “We are so privileged to be able to participate every day. So, prepare yourself well for Mass each day and prioritize your daily Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament, no excuses, as that is where we experience the generous love of God for us, generously pouring itself out for us and making us instruments of his generous love. This is the most important part of your priestly formation.”

To learn more about vocations visit: www.diometuchen.org/vocations.

Smith is director, diocesan Office of Communications.