You will be my witnesses. Diocese’s ‘unsung heroes’ recognized for pro-life work

Though the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision was overturned, pro-life individuals must still testify to the value of life in all forms and at all stages, declared Bishop James F. Checchio at the annual diocesan Respect Life Mass held Jan. 21 in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen.

“St. John the Baptist’s whole life, even from the womb, was about witnessing, testifying to Jesus,” declared the Bishop in his homily. “My brothers and sisters, the only way the Church is going to be renewed in our day is this way: through the personal witness, the personal testimony, of Jesus’ faithful disciples. It’s our great privilege and it’s our responsibility. As Jesus told us, ‘You will be my witnesses.’”

Every year, on or near the anniversary of the legalization of abortion, the Diocese of Metuchen has recognized individuals who have significantly impacted the pro-life movement. In past years, two or three award recipients were chosen. In the wake of the Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade, the Bishop requested diocesan pastors to nominate those who have worked tirelessly for pro-life causes. 

This year a total of 44 honorees were selected to receive an award. In addition to the Bishop as principal celebrant and homilist, at the altar were Father Timothy A. Christy, rector of the Cathedral, and numerous priests of the diocese.

“Each of us is here because it was willed by God,” Bishop Checchio continued. “None of us is here on earth by mistake. No one. At our conception God breathed life into us. He created a soul for us so he could be with us throughout our lives here and forever in heaven. It’s incredible, isn’t it? The cooperation of God with our mothers and fathers?”

Jennifer A. Ruggiero, Secretary for the Diocese’s Secretariat for Family and Pastoral Life, enthusiastically welcomed the congregation and asked all past and present award recipients to stand at the reception in the Community Room following the Mass. 

“Whether it be walking with pregnant moms in need, visiting the homebound, reaching out to the frail elderly, tending to the sick and dying, working with those with disabilities or helping those struggling with addiction,” said Ruggiero, “efforts to build a culture of life and love are needed in our world more than ever before.”

Father Christy noted, “These unsung heroes who are day in day out doing this, they elevate the whole message for the whole Church. There is so much strength that we gain when we get to hear and experience their witness.”

One such witness was Former N.J. State Deputy for the Knights of Columbus, Robert F. Mate, who has been going to the pro-life marches with his family since they started in Washington.

“I think most people are confused with what took place when Roe v. Wade was overturned. What it did was give the states the responsibility to decide if abortion should be legal or illegal,” Mate said, expressing concern for states giving access to abortion “up to the very end,” including New Jersey.

Another long-time member of the Knights, Bill Smith, and his wife, Diane, were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Jennifer, in 1973, the year of the Roe v, Wade ruling. Every Friday night for eleven months the Knights and the Altar Rosary Society prayed at their home for the health of their daughter who had been born with three holes in her heart. When the date of her surgery neared, the doctors were astonished that her heart was in perfect condition. 

The doctors said, “’We can’t explain it. There are no holes in her heart, they healed.’ Our prayers were answered!”

Smith declared. In June, he will be bringing busloads down to Students for Life in D.C. to help ignite the new youth movement.

For years, award recipient Eileen King has prayed with others at abortion mills, taken people to church who cannot get there on their own, and has helped people with disabilities find jobs. “I got involved with pro-life through Anne D’Angiolillo,” said King, who attends St. Matthias Parish in Somerset. “She’s an outstanding leader in the whole Diocese.”

Bishop Checchio expressed his gratitude for the life centers and walk-ins for Moms, especially two that have opened in Warren and New Brunswick. He said it was so inspiring to see all the work that is being done, which is so urgent in our day. 

“There is a great commitment by our people to life in the Diocese, to assist with those that are struggling with life. God bless you,” he said. “Knights of Columbus, there are few organizations that do as much for pro-life.”

“I’m so proud and that’s why it is so nice today to be here with people like this. We have an uphill battle here in New Jersey on life issues, so I want to thank them and encourage them.”


Pro-Life Honorees January 2024

Carolyn Alaimo, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Bridgewater
Sharon Ambrose-Anuario, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Bridgewater
Karen Bebert, Sacred Heart, South Amboy
Peter Cantwell, St. Ambrose, Old Bridge
Donna Canvin, St. Augustine of Canterbury, Kendall Park
Michaele Casey, St. Magdalen de Pazzi, Flemington
Joan Conover, St. James the Less, Jamesburg
Annette Daszkiewicz, St. Mary of Ostrabrama, South River
Mauro Fanelli, Immaculate Conception, Annandale
Daniel Farago, St. Cecilia, Monmouth Jct.
Eileen Fisher, Holy Trinity, Bridgewater
Geraldine Flanagan, Transfiguration of the Lord, Highland Park
Ann Marie Fritton, St. Ann, Hampton
Marianne Genaro, St. Joseph, Hillsborough
Jessica Gibbons, St. James the Less, Jamesburg
Michael Gilligan, St. Joseph, Carteret
Carolina Gonzalez, St. Joseph, Carteret
Annette Gormly, St. Ann, Hampton
Timothy Haklar, St. James, Woodbridge
Rachelle Hanna, St. Joseph, Hillsborough
Emily Hayes, Most Holy Redeemer, Matawan
Mary Hozjan, St. James, Woodbridge
Rose Hozjan, St. James, Woodbridge
Bernadette Hunsicker, Our Lady of Victories, Baptistown
Harriette Jeffreys, St. Edward the Confessor, Milford
Eileen King, St. Matthias, Somerset
Marianne Kubiak, Our Lady of Mt. Virgin, Middlesex
Joan Lasota, Our Lady of Victories, Baptistown
Jean Mans, Blessed Sacrament, Martinsville
Robert Mate, St. Augustine of Canterbury, Kendall Park
Joanne McNamara, Our Lady of Peace, North Brunswick
Kristine Menard, St. Edward the Confessor, Milford
Rich Mirocco, St. Joseph, High Bridge
Patrick Murphy, St. Helena, Edison
Tara Murphy, St. Helena, Edison
Sr. Michaelita Popovice, Catholic Charities
Christine Riggio, Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen
Theresa  Rizzo, Transfiguration of the Lord, Highland Park
Bill Smith, St. Catherine of Siena, Pittstown
Pat Sommero, Our Lady of Mount Virgin, Middlesex
Anne Szatkowski, Sacred Heart, South Amboy
James Vargas, St. Magdalen de Pazzi, Flemington
Lorraine Vasilik, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Bridgewater
Colleen Wolters, Ss. Philip & James, Phillipsburg