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METUCHEN -- At the beginning of the annual diocesan Hispanic Heritage Mass Oct. 14, Bishop James F. Checchio commented that it was a beautiful evening, which seemed to be an appropriate description of the liturgy filled with the richness of the community’s joy, hope and faith.
The Mass, which is celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, has been a tradition in the diocese since 2008 to recognize and celebrate the variety and heritage of the Hispanic community that contributes to the diverse nature of diocese.
Before the Mass began, there was a procession of banners from the many parishes that participated. The banners, many depicting the Blessed Mother, were carried by members of the respective parishes and then placed around the side aisles of the Cathedral.
Father Gustavo Rodriguez-Perez, parochial vicar, St. Joseph Parish, North Plainfield and co-director, Office of Hispanic Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry, welcomed the congregation.
“Today we gather with our bishop in the beautiful Cathedral of St. Francis to celebrate and to worship our Lord and God,” he said. “We are here to celebrate not only the richness of our culture, our language and our diversity, but what really unites us as a whole, that’s our faith.”
Father Ronal Romario Vega-Pastrana, who was ordained by Bishop Checchio at the Cathedral June 11, gave the homily.
In his homily, Father Vega-Pastrana, parochial vicar, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bernardsville, emphasized that the Holy Eucharist is the gift from God that unites Catholics no matter what nationality or background. Although differences in language and cultures can separate people and emphasize their differences, the gift of the Eucharist unites everyone as children of God.
Father Vega-Pastrana focused on the connection of the readings of the Mass, proclaimed in Spanish and English, to the sacrament of communion.
In the first Reading from Exodus, the children of Israel were complaining to Moses about their lack of food. In reply God sent the people Manna, the “bread the that the Lord has given you to eat,” as Moses told them.
The Gospel was the familiar story of the feeding of the 5,000 with some fish and five barley loaves. Again, the Lord met the physical needs of the people ant the were more than satisfied. But Father Vega-Pastrana said Jesus knew that the bread of life he would give to his apostles at the Last Supper and that he offers every day would be the spiritual nourishment anyone would need to be united as his followers.
Although a number of people told him afterwards that he appeared very calm delivering the homily Father Vega-Pastrana admitted that in reality, “while I was grateful for the opportunity my heart was pumping very hard at that time.”
After Communion, the “Procesion de las Advocaciones Marianas,” a procession of images of the many national patronesses of the various nations represented at the Mass, commenced. As the images were carried to the front of the altar the congregation prayed the Litany of the Blessed Virgin.
In his closing remarks, Deacon Edgar Chavez, co-director, diocesan Office of Hispanic Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry, thanked Bishop Checchio on behalf of the Hispanic community for being with them and celebrating the Mass.
“It means a great deal to this community to have our bishop taking part in this Mass,” he said.
Before the Final Blessing, Bishop Checchio expressed his love for the members of the Hispanic community, “especially your love of the Eucharist and your love of Our Blessed Mother, the patroness of our diocese.”
Deacon Cline exercises his ministry at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater.
