Thanks for return to Mass, sacraments, new clergy

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, 

These days our lives seem like anything but normal. Our usual and planned vacations this summer have been cancelled or disrupted by restricted travel. Most summer camps and vacation Bible schools are either not opened or have been scaled back. Even simple family barbeques are not held.

Since March there have been very few people I have socialized with in person. In fact, to be cautious, I only visit my 83-year-old mother outdoors, even though I have had no symptoms of COVID-19. The warmer weather has certainly helped us in this regard, as it seems the virus is less contagious outside, and I know we try to focus our gatherings accordingly. 

As the routines of our life continue to change, so have our religious practices and prayer. Pastors tell me that the number of people coming for confession is thankfully getting back to the numbers previous to the virus outbreak. The number of people attending weekday and Sunday Mass in person is still down quite a bit, but many still choose to participate virtually. Some families come during the week for Mass when the crowds are smaller, and then participate in Sunday Mass online. Thanks be to God for the option of virtual Mass and spiritual communion, especially for the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions.  

Virtual celebration of sacraments, however, will never become the “new” normal. These “virtual” celebrations are helpful measures for an extraordinary time. The sacraments, one of the greatest gifts the Lord left to His Church, are designed to be personal. Ours is a “bodily religion,” which means that we admit we are both body and soul. The act of bringing our “body” to the gathered community in Church for worship of the Father is the unique way that Christ has designed for us to receive His sacramental grace. 

Sunday is the Lords’ day. It is the time when we “come” to worship the Father which is His due. We come in “thanksgiving” for the blessings of life, as well to pray as “One Body” for all our needs. I know our priests and deacons are anxious to have everyone back at Sunday Mass! While the Mass is efficacious even when the priest offers it alone, there is nothing like celebrating Mass together in our one act of worship of the Father! We become more who we are called to be when we come on the “First Day of the Week” to commemorate the most powerful event in history: the resurrection! At the end of each Mass we are sent forth again for the upcoming week “equipped” to do the work of a disciple in the midst of the world. The lay person is to consecrate their places of work, rest and play by their very presence for the Kingdom of God.

Now for some more good news. Jesus promised to remain always with His Church. One significant way He does that is through the witness of His ordained ministers. I had the awesome privilege to ordain four of our young brothers to the transitional diaconate on July 25 for service in our diocese. On Aug. 22, five more will be ordained to the holy priesthood! This is new life for our Church! I am pleased to tell you, too, that last month, the diocese accepted 17 men for a new class preparing to become permanent deacons. In addition, in September nine new seminarians will begin study for our diocese as they enter seminary formation. This is the largest number of new seminarians we have had in 30 years! So, even in the midst of the destructive forces of the pandemic the Holy Spirit refreshes us as only He can. This is the result of so much prayer and encouragement from you, the faithful of our diocese. Our Lord hears us, and is fulfilling our needs, even as He asks us to continue to provide for one another.

One of the ways we take care of each other is through the diocese’s ministries. Your ongoing generous support of your parishes, as well as your generosity for the Works of Mercy provided by our diocese through the Bishop’s Annual Appeal continues to make a real difference in people’s lives. I am so grateful to you for your support and I hear all the time that your pastors are too. They report that online giving has increased. Many parishioners personally bring their weekly or monthly donations to their parish. Remarkably, your generosity has brought us to 97 percent of this year’s goal for the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, even without our usual in-pew solicitation!

As you know, the expenses of our diocese and parishes continue to rise. The needs of many have increased during this pandemic, especially those who have lost their jobs or have had hours of work reduced. The coronavirus itself has wreaked havoc on families and has taken the lives of too many. The customary ways of helping us deal with death and stress have been disrupted, too. We need spiritual solutions to our conflicted stresses of the world. Your generosity has allowed your parishes, Catholic Charities, and the diocese to step forward in faith and try to respond and bring the mercy of Jesus to those in need. I know in my heart, Christ himself is grateful for your goodness and generosity “to the least of our brothers and sisters.”

God is calling us. We are all meant to play a role in fashioning the Kingdom of God by our daily responses to His grace. I am so grateful for all of you. You are a great blessing for our local Church and me, too, as I strive to shepherd our four counties to the best of my abilities with your help!  

Let us recommit each day to some quiet time with Our Lord: reading scriptures, praying the rosary, visiting Him in the Blessed Sacrament or attending Mass. Know of my love and prayers for you. I keep you in my heart and prayers, even as I miss seeing you regularly in our parishes, institutions, and at so many events. I gratefully depend on your prayers, too!

Most Reverend James F. Checchio,  JCD, MBA

Bishop of Metuchen