Teens recognized as disciples of Christ at St. Timothy Award ceremony

If the 47 teens seated in the pews of the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen Feb. 3 are any indication, the future of the Diocese of Metuchen is in good hands.

“You are such good role models,” said Bishop James F. Checchio to the youth during the 2024 St. Timothy and St. Teresa Awards ceremony sponsored by the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Addressing the congregation of proud families and admiring friends, pastors and youth ministers, the Bishop continued, “They are so generous in willing to share their gifts and talents with others, their faith with others.”

The teens had been nominated for the awards by their pastors, principals, catechetical leaders and youth ministers for the ways they exhibited Christian leadership. Further, according to the office’s website, the teens were recognized for “setting a positive example for other youth, witnessing to their faith by exhibiting Catholic morals and integrity, and demonstrating Gospel values through service to others.”

During his homily, Bishop Checchio expounded upon those good deeds, sharing spiritual resumes which could rival those of Christians decades older.

“You have taken active roles in liturgy at your parishes and schools and with Youth Ministry, undertaken service projects, helped at summer Bible camps, started Bible studies at school, gone on service trips, assisted with retreats and served as teen ambassadors with Life Choices,” the Bishop enumerated. “You have shown yourself to be reliable and enthusiastic, and taken Pope Francis’ message to heart by reaching out to people on the fringes such as those with special needs, the elderly and homebound. You have aided the poor, initiated food drives, and immersed yourselves in prayer to fall more in love with the Lord Jesus.”

Reflecting upon the Gospel of Luke wherein Jesus charged 72 disciples to proclaim his Word, Bishop Checchio said, “The harvest is abundant, but laborers are few. There is a sense of urgency, a need for everyone to be involved with the work of the harvest, which is the mission of the Church. The harvest waits for no one.”

Though the magnitude of the work seems greater than the laborers can handle. Jesus is clear about what first action will be: pray.

“Turn to the Master of the harvest in prayer,” the Bishop concluded. “It doesn’t matter what we accomplish in life if it is not in accord with the Father’s will. You are Jesus’ disciples of 2024. Your task is to prepare the way for Jesus.”

Megan Callahan, director of the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, shared the Diocese of Metuchen’s goal for the awards as “twofold: we want to both affirm and encourage our young people – who like St. Timothy are giving daily "yesses" to live as disciples the Lord. We want to affirm them of the beautiful way that they are turning to the Lord in prayer, imitating Christ through their love and service, and bringing others to the Lord as well.”

Callahan continued, “It is meant to provide the encouragement that we all so often need to keep running the race and to persevere in the faith when the road gets tough. This day really is a celebration of our youth who bear a radiant witness to the goodness of God in a world that can sometimes feel a little dark.”

Six of the St. Timothy award winners were bestowed with an additional honor: the St. Teresa of Calcutta Award. The teens had been selected for adhering to the saint’s example by their good works of bringing comfort to the poor, the lonely, the sick, and the homeless. These award winners were Garrett Pribracha, Immaculata High School, Somerville; Matt Jones, Mary, Mother of God Parish, Hillsborough; Mary Kate Cummings, Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen; Ned Rossi III, St. Joseph High School, Metuchen; Katie Cusack, St. Joseph Parish, Hillsborough, and Emily Chavez, St. Matthias Parish, Somerset.

Students held aloft their crucifixes and Rosaries for the Bishop’s blessing, and he recognized the support and spiritual example of their proud parents, parish and school representatives, thanking them and noting, “Thank you for making it possible to do what they do and bringing them up with the heart of Christ.”


Saint Timothy Award Winners for 2024

Joshua Grzyb, Blessed Sacrament, Martinsville
Joseph  Hollywood, Blessed Sacrament, Martinsville
Helena Polk, Immaculata High School, Somerville
Garrett Priebracha, Immaculata High School, Somerville
Rita Ibraham, Jesus The King Coptic Catholic Church, Perth Amboy
Danica Agapay, Mary, Mother of God, Hillsborough
Matt Jones, Mary, Mother of God, Hillsborough
Theresa Morrison, Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung
Mikayla Sharif, Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung
Javier Matos, Our Lady of Fatima, Perth Amboy
Naomi Romero, Our Lady of Fatima, Perth Amboy
Rina Lee, Our Lady of Mercy, South Bound Brook
Seo Jin Park, Our Lady of Mercy, South Bound Brook
Daniel Adams, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bernardsville
Brendan Lobo, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bernardsville
Kelly Nichols, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Bridgewater
Mathew Strauss, St. Catherine of Siena, Pittstown
Ryan Holmes, St. Edward the Confessor, Milford
Andrew Devine, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Three Bridges
Ashley Green, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Three Bridges
Mary Kate Cummings, St. Francis Cathedral, Metuchen
Johnny Risley, St. Francis Cathedral, Metuchen
Casey Decker, St. Helena, Edison
Nick Zranchev, St. Helena, Edison
Mary Agugliaro, St. James, Basking Ridge
Kevin Taylor, St. James, Basking Ridge
Luke Vazquez, St. James, Woodbridge
John Whelan, St. John the Evangelist, Lambertville
Evan Chin, St. John Vianney, Colonia
Richard Michael Karabinchak, St. Joseph High School, Metuchen
Nereo Rossi III, St. Joseph High School, Metuchen
Jasiel Amigon, St. Joseph, Carteret
Jaclynn Valente, St. Joseph, Carteret
Katie Cusack, St. Joseph, Hillsborough
Jess Lew, St. Joseph, Hillsborough
Jake Bacino , St. Magdalen de Pazzi, Flemington
Claudia Benke , St. Magdalen de Pazzi, Flemington
Christian Pettinelli, St. Mary, Alpha
Julianne Talijan, St. Mary, Alpha
Avery Booth, St. Mary, South Amboy
Emily Herrera, St. Mary, South Amboy
Emily Chavez, St. Matthias, Somerset
Adriana Liberti, St. Matthias, Somerset
James Nonaillada, St. Matthias, Somerset
Caroline Devlin, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison
Katie Farrar, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison
Kyle Giuliano, St. Thomas the Apostle, Old Bridge

Saint Teresa Award Winners for 2024

Garrett Priebracha, Immaculata High School, Somerville
Matt Jones, Mary, Mother of God, Hillsborough
Mary Kate Cummings, St. Francis Cathedral, Metuchen
Nereo Rossi III, St. Joseph High School, Metuchen
Katie Cusack, St. Joseph, Hillsborough
Emily Chavez, St. Matthias, Somerset