Faithful prepare for dedication of diocese at all-night Pentecost Vigil

METUCHEN — “People have come tonight with a sense of longing and anticipation,” declared Father Timothy A. Christy to the hundreds seated before him in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi June 8. “Tonight is a time to be refreshed in the fact that God will do something awesome in our midst.” Father Christy, diocesan Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, presided at the Mass, which was followed by all-night Eucharistic adoration, sacrament of reconcilation, music, praise and catechetical talks. The vigil was part of the Diocese of Metuchen’s 20182019 “Year of Awakening,” which will end Dec. 12 when Bishop James F. Checchio dedicates the diocese to Jesus through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The liturgy’s music, always an integral part of worship, was an eclectic mix of chant, antiphons, psalms and Christian praise songs by choir and instrumentalists under the direction of Thomas A. De Lessio, coordinator, diocesan Liturgical Music. A schola of singers from the Catholic Center at Rutgers’ Young Adult Group shared their talents, too. They were led by Anthony Nardino, director of music at St. Peter the Apostle University and Community Parish, New Brunswick.

In his homily, Father Christy noted the liturgy brings forward the past and makes it present, thus assuring modern Christians they are, in a sense, at the fi rst Pentecost.

“We need to be sober and alert,” he said. “Being a Christian is not a matter of business as usual. We claim a Lord and Savior who sets the world on fi re." The Gospel of St. John, detailing Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, plots a course for believers, Father Christy asserted. On the final day of the feast, the Son of God arose and said, “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture says, ‘Rivers of living water’ will flow from within him.” (John 7:37-39) “The Holy Spirit gives us an infusion of knowledge, a conviction of purpose,” he said. “I am sure there are people here tonight who are feeling disconnected, going through the motions. But when the Holy Spirit comes to a person of faith, it gives meaning, direction and purpose.

“Jesus promised the Holy Spirit will be your advocate, and lead you into all truth,” Father Christy continued. “If we can hold onto that truth in the midst of this life, know we are loved and willed and wanted by God, how different life can become.”

The Church needs to be reawakened in our time, and the Holy Spirit “gives us personal knowledge of the heart of God,” he said. “It sets us free and gives us the peace the world does not know: living water. Streams of water will flow from you,” Father Christy promised the congregation. “The world is extraordinarily thirsty.”

The vicar general issued a challenge to the faithful seated before him: become a living Sacrament and be transformed by the Holy Spirit.

“Pray tonight as you never have before, with expectant faith,” Father Christy beseeched them. “Take a risk. This Pentecost is a great opportunity.”

Silently, hour after hour, faithful from throughout the diocese took up that challenge, remaining in the Cathedral for all or parts of the 12hour vigil to hear clergy and men and women religious share their wisdom and faith in a series of presentations on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and related topics.The catechetical talks included “With Mary in prayer in the Upper Room,” with Msgr. Joseph G. Celano, Episcopal Vicar for Administration and pastor of St. Peter Parish; “Who is the Holy Spirit,” by Brother Jude Lasota, a member of the Brotherhood of Hope; “The Gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding,” with Jesus our Hope Sister Christine Quense; “The Gift of Counsel,” with Sacred Heart Brother Louis Couvillon, and “Empowerment,” by Father Peter R. Cebulka, provost of the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri.

Two men scheduled to ordained to the priesthood for the diocese June 22, Deacon Matthew Marinelli and Deacon Michael Tabernero, presented their reflections on the gifts of piety, fear of the Lord and fortitude. Christian Charity Sister Matilde DeLucy and Christian Charity Sister Faustina Nguyen led the chaplet of Divine Mercy, while Filippini Sister Barbara O’Kane conducted the Office of Readings.

Music and witness were shared by a Hispanic charismatic group at midnight, while others offered quiet, reflective songs and hymns during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The vigil ended early Sunday morning with a closing prayer and Eucharistic blessing by Father Christy.

Lizaine Saranglao, a member of St. Peter Parish and member of the schola that sang during the Mass, found the vigil invigorating.

“Through the reflections shared, the praise and worship, and the time to be with our Lord, it appeared as if we were in our own Upper Room,” Saranglao said. “There was a moment during the evening to pray over one another to invite the Holy Spirit and it was very humbling to witness the desire of those in our diocesan community to know the Holy Spirit in a new way and allow Him to transform their lives and the lives of those they love.”

This was the first all-night vigil for Deacon Tabernero’s mother, Mary, a member of St. Joseph Parish, Hillsborough. She found it “a fulfilling time with the Lord” in the days preceding her son’s ordination to the priesthood.

“I found great peace in my time of preparation,” Tabernero said. “There was camaraderie among the people in the pews. I met people I didn’t know before, and we cried and laughed and prayed together during the night. I hope the diocese will consider holding this again. It had a great impact.”

The vigil was part of the Diocese of Metuchen’s 20182019 “Year of Awakening,” which will end Dec. 12 when Bishop James F.

Checchio dedicates the diocese to Jesus through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Father Timothy A. Christy, right, welcomes the faithful to the Pentecost Vigil at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi assisted by, from left, then-deacons, now Fathers Joseph Illes, Matthew Marinelli and (back right) Michael Tabernero; and Tony Varas, director, diocesan Office of Worship.

— John Batkowski photo