Bishop Checchio shares Saint Joseph Brotherhood on All Saints Day

On the day devoted to celebrating Catholics who achieved spiritual maturity, Most Reverend Bishop James Checchio celebrated All Saints Day Mass at Saint Joseph High School, Metuchen.

Happiness was plentiful through the Liturgy of the Word, culminating in Bishop Checchio’s homily on how Saint Joe’s students can attain happiness through God.

In school, students are taught about the lives of the saints, and the Bishop explained how students should attempt to emulate them.

“The celebration of all Saints is to remind us, to lift us up,” Bishop Checchio said, and to remind us of “our call to be saints, our call to be blessed, our call to seek happiness.”

Bishop Checchio recognized the school’s patron saint, Saint Joseph, during his homily and attached it to his message.

“Saint Joseph listened to what God desired of him and what God wanted him to do,” he said. “If we want to attain happiness, start by listening to God and asking him to be able to respond and do what he says”

John Risley, ’24, said the Saint Joseph brotherhood can learn a lot from and strive toward Saint Joseph’s actions.

“Sometimes you forget how powerful St. Joseph’s story is,” Risley said. “Being reminded of the blessings he received when he said yes to God is another motivator for me to keep saying yes as well.”

During his homily, Bishop Checchio also stressed an emphasis on listening to God.

He said: “If you want happiness, listen to what God is calling us to, to dream with Jesus, and to ask for the courage and the strength to do it in our lives.”

Saint Joe’s senior Nereo Rossi said, “A lot of the times, All Saints Day gets overlooked because of Halloween, but it is truly so important for Catholics to recognize the importance of this celebration in our lives,”

In a show of support for Saint Joe’s, Bishop Checchio gave the football team and student body his prayers prior to the team’s state playoff game against Seton Hall Prep. Following Mass, the students gifted Bishop Checchio a sweatshirt featuring the Saint Joseph High School seal.

Jack Kemler is a member of St. Joseph High School class of 2024.