My dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Along with the Labor Day holiday which reminds us of the dignity and purpose of work, September always brings a change in mindset as the summer break and vacations end, and we return to “normal” life. This year, however, life has been anything but normal. There was a major earthquake in Haiti and tragedy reigned in Afghanistan. Hurricane Ida devastated parts of our state, and the ongoing pandemic is still claiming too many lives and even creating challenges for our schools.
On Aug. 6, Gov. Phil Murphy issued a new Executive Order mandating that all students, staff, and visitors in schools wear masks. While all of our schools have created Reopening Plans for the upcoming school year and parishes were making arrangements for religious education classes, I know everyone had hoped that we would be beyond masks having to be a part of the plan. The new COVID variant along with the new law in New Jersey through the Executive Order of Gov. Murphy has certainly changed that expectation and forced us to edit the plans that had been made. We must always be cognizant of the need to protect our Catholic school communities, the children in our religious education programs as well as our youth groups and activities for our college students at St. Peter the Apostle University and Community Parish. I know this is difficult and not what we had hoped for, but I also know that perhaps we can use this ongoing sacrifice to move us closer to the Lord.
Before all else, our catechists and teachers in our Catholic schools, our religious education programs and youth ministers are called to represent “The Teacher, Jesus.” I do not say this to be intimidating, but to remind us all of our high calling, and the great privilege that it is to be called to pass the faith on to our youth. Together, we must show our young people something different, something more than the world has to offer. That something more, is actually Someone — Jesus, and His invitation to a deep and lasting friendship with Him. In my years living in Rome, one of the most beautiful things I heard Pope-emeritus Benedict say about transmitting our faith is that we always must remember that first and foremost, “Our faith is not about an idea, but a person…and our relationship to Him.” He reminded us that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and we need to pray that He possesses us.
During this school year, I would like to propose two pillars for all of our catechists and parents, too, the first teachers of the faith, to focus on. The first thing, for all disciples, but especially those raising children in the faith and those tasked to be catechists, is to be with the Teacher, Jesus, to listen to Him and to learn from Him. We have to take time to be with Him in prayer each day and of course, at Sunday Mass. This will help us to live our lives always rooted in Christ and will give divine influence to our words and actions.
Secondly, in addition to your learning the truth through your listening to Christ in prayer, Pope Francis recently encouraged teachers to rely upon the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” for their teaching. The Holy Father said, “What is the Catechism itself, if not the memory of God, the memory of His works in history and His drawing near to us in Christ, present in His word, in the sacraments, in His Church, in His love?” Pope Francis instructed catechists, and hence all of us, that our role is to faithfully transmit the teaching of Christ and His Church in its totality, ‘neither adding nor subtracting anything.’
So, I ask our parents, catechists, and our youth ministers to keep close to Christ through regular prayer and Sunday Mass and to be sure to let the Catechism guide your lives and your own studies. My brothers and sisters in Christ, fellow teachers of the faith, thank you for fulfilling this role in our Church — how we need you and how our young need you! Amidst the challenges they will all inevitably face in life, this example from you will fortify them and give them a solid, safe foundation to go forward in life; there is nothing more urgent we can do! It is in living the life of faith in this way that your personal witness will provide guidance and even inspiration for our young and enable the Church to grow, by attracting people to our way of life.
So, dear parents, catechists, and youth ministers, let us recommit ourselves to this as we begin a new school year; realizing what we are actually doing each day as we bring our young to know Jesus. Let us always be people of prayer who are the best of witnesses to Him by faithfully handing on the memory of God by our example and through the “Catechism of the Catholic Church.” Imagine what a renewal in our schools, parishes, Rutgers University, and our diocese will come about through your good work and example. I hope the summer has provided you with some time for rest and to be with your families and loved ones. Be assured of my prayers and love for you and please keep me in your prayers. You are a blessing to our diocese. May God bless you.
With renewed best wishes, I remain
Yours in Christ,
Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA
Bishop of Metuchen