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FLEMINGTON — In November 2021, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a document entitled “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church.” The bishops intended for this document to help Catholics in the United States “to enter more deeply by faith and love into the Mystery of Mysteries, the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.”

Ask Richard Lanahan the reasons he sought the role of director, diocesan Office of Development, and you will learn of his tradition of service to the Church first kindled as a youth in South Jersey.

Security guard Lorraine Mascher, the woman who for more than 15 years was the first person many saw when they visited the diocese’s St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway, was a welcoming presence to all.

NEW BRUNSWICK — For the first 23 years or so working as a registered nurse-first assistant in the operating room at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, Felix Rivera was used to a regular schedule. In addition to assisting during surgeries, he and members of his team gave words of encouragement and comfort to patients as they waited in a holding area.

If we recall the opening Gospel on Palm Sunday,  we remember how the crowds placed Jesus on the back of a donkey and placed a purple robe around our Lord and waved palms at him as he entered Jerusalem.  They, who did not fully understand Jesus, believed him to be the Messiah, long-promised by the Prophets.  However, the King, who they anticipated, would be a “Warrior-King” who would usher in a new age in which all Israel’s enemies would submit to the truth, abandon their false gods and worship the One, True, God whose Ark of the Covenant linked the Jewish people to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in a bond of love because Israel was his Chosen People.  As we know from salvation history, the Kingship which they believed Jesus would exercise could not be further from the images they conjured from the Scriptures.  To the contrary, their King would be condemned, flogged, crowned with thorns, nailed to a Cross and hung in public view for having been found guilty of blasphemy by the Jewish religious authority, and as a threat to civil peace by the Romans.

EAST BRUNSWICK — Calling it “an important and unique blessing in the Church,” Bishop James F. Checchio presided and gave the homily at Mass at St. Bartholomew Church, during which its new altar of sacrifice was consecrated.

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ, May is one of my favorite months of the year. Perhaps it is that May is one of the months specially dedicated to our Blessed Mother, to whom I and many others have a special devotion. This is a time, too, when the Easter season is in full swing, and the readings from the Acts of the Apostles about the early Church are so inspiring. The Holy Spirit is seen acting so clearly in these readings, even in the midst of such great challenges. We know the Holy Spirit has not left us in our day, and I often wonder how the Holy Spirit is working right now in our Church and world, even as we face challenges of our own. No doubt, He is here with us, but do we look for Him and expect Him to act in our lives, too?     

METUCHEN — Michael Pantoja repairs appliances for a living. The Basking Ridge resident said he also needed to mend his ways.

Over the past several months, the world has been struggling to recover from the social isolation caused by the pandemic. At the same time, political divisiveness and hostility is at an all-time high, making it difficult to have meaningful conversations. In recent days, we have been faced with horrendous images from the brutal conflict in Ukraine. Indeed, these are historic times.

When we think about the events leading up to the Passion, one theme is constant: Jesus was continually knocked down.

For the second consecutive year, Break Ministry, a young adult ministry in the diocese, hosted a SEEK conference at St. Cecelia Church, Iselin, and St. James Church, Woodbridge.

Christ is Risen. He is truly Risen! Easter greetings and blessings to everyone in our beautiful diocese!

With the Lenten season underway and prayer, fasting and almsgiving already being practiced more intentionally, Bishop James F. Checchio has asked that all Catholics in the diocese more intentionally live out the corporal and spiritual works of mercy during the Lenten and Easter seasons.

As part of their celebrations for Catholic Schools Week, held this year from Jan. 30 to Feb. 5, the faculty and students at St. Matthew School, Edison, collected donations of birthday supplies to help needy families.

NORTH PLAINFIELD — The life of Msgr. Michael J. Corona, a longtime priest, educator and proponent of stewardship who “always had the view of resurrection in mind,” was celebrated at a funeral Mass Feb. 10 at St. Luke Church.

PHILLIPSBURG — Msgr. Terrance M. Lawler, a priest for 45 years who ministered in the diocese since its founding in 1981, died Feb. 6 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Warren.

SOMERVILLE — The gymnasium at Immaculata High School served as the site of a large, yet intimate, family reunion Feb. 27 as hundreds gathered, in both laughter and tears, to commemorate those who had gone on before them.

ISELIN – Joyful parishioners gathered at St. Cecelia Church Feb. 6 for a Mass to mark the beginning of the faith community’s centennial year.

Members of the diocese will have an opportunity to thank some of their former familiar shepherds by donating to the diocese’s annual “Collection for our Retired Diocesan Priests” the weekend of Palm Sunday (April 9-10).

NEW BRUNSWICK — Ministering to the sick as Jesus did is an integral part of the mission of the diocesan-sponsored Saint Peter’s University Hospital, said Bishop James F. Checchio during a Mass celebrated at the health care facility’s chapel Feb. 11.