Pope’s synod complements 40th anniversary of diocese

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 

It seems providential that Pope Francis invited the global Catholic Church to participate in a Synod — to walk together and to listen to one another but above all to the Holy Spirit — the same year that our local Church of Metuchen is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of our Diocese. During this important moment for our local and universal Church, we are offered an opportunity to reflect on where we have been and, more importantly, to journey together in communion, participation, and mission, looking forward to where we are going and opening ourselves more fully to listen to the Spirit.
 

Our 40 Hours Eucharistic devotions were a blessing for the diocese. I am grateful to our parishes that hosted them on behalf of their regions of our diocese. No doubt, in addition to praising our Father by adoring His Son, we also prepared well for our upcoming listening sessions for the synod. As we prepare to enter the Holy Season of Lent on March 2, we recommit ourselves to spending more time in prayer with our Lord and we “repent and believe in the Good News.” The Lenten regulations are included in this edition of “The Catholic Spirit” as a reminder, and you will also be hearing more from your parishes soon about the 40 Works of Mercy our diocese is focusing on throughout this Lenten and Easter seasons for our 40th anniversary. Please don’t forget about our other priority for the year — praying and supporting vocations, especially to the priesthood, so that we have enough shepherds for our parishes! May this Lent be a time of renewed grace for us all, as we draw closer to our Lord especially through Sunday Mass and receiving Him in the Eucharist.
 

I certainly consider myself blessed and grateful to be on this journey of faith with you and with the many who labor in this vineyard to build up the Kingdom of God in Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties, just as our beloved Diocese has done for the past 40 years. In this edition of “The Catholic Spirit,” you will find our Annual Report, which is a great testament to the good work happening here in our diocese. Gratefully, the Holy Spirit continues His work amongst us as you will see in this report. Your efforts are bearing fruit, even though we have been faced with significant challenges in these last couple of years. I am grateful to you, too, for your commitment as we travel on the road before us striving to spread God’s mercy and love.

Yes, my brothers and sisters, the work of carrying out the Mission entrusted to us is not always easy, but we do not do it alone. Indeed, God is working through us and with us, and we know our Blessed Mother is beside us. Please know of my love and prayers for you, and certainly my continued gratitude for you. I ask that you please pray for me, too. May this year, as we celebrate our 40th anniversary and engage in this process of listening and encounter, be for us a time of renewal, a time to recommit ourselves to the Lord in the Eucharist, and a time for us to rekindle the Light of Christ here in these beautiful four counties of the Diocese of Metuchen.  With renewed best wishes, I remain
 

Yours in Christ,

Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA

Bishop of Metuchen