Youth lead way to recommit Church to missionary activity

METUCHEN — “You [youth] are heralds to the Gospel. You are today’s new missionaries,” said Father John G. Hillier at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Oct. 23.

Bishop James F. Checchio presided at the Mass on the next to last Sunday in October, World Mission Sunday, the day when the faithful recommit to the Church’s missionary activity. The bishop was assisted by Father Hillier, director, diocesan Office of Pontifical Mission Societies, and priests who have ministered to missionary populations worldwide.

Before the Mass, students from Catholic schools in the diocese exhibited their missionary spirit through recitation of the rosary and walking a mile. They left from the parish’s Catholic Youth Organization building following a large banner that proclaimed, “Called to be Missionaries – Heralds of the Gospel.”

They also carried painted crosses and photos of children from around the world, as they processed to the front steps of the Cathedral where they were met by Bishop Checchio, who joined them in prayer.

In his homily, Father Hillier told the children seated before him that one was never too young to have a missionary spirit, saying, “When you join your prayers, it becomes much more special and beautiful than just a gift. It is life-giving, not only for another person, but for God.”

He noted this year marked the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith by a French teenager, Blessed Pauline Jaricot.

“This was the first group founded to help missionaries,” Father Hillier said, “and it inspired others to make a sacrifice, join her in prayer and contribute money… Back then, the U.S. was mission territory, so it helped build churches here. Pauline was beatified last May and given the name ‘blessed.’ She is a great example for all of us.”

Reflecting the fact missionaries come in all ages and also serve locally, children of the diocese were bestowed awards for their works and prayer.

Ava Viola, an eighth-grader at St. Bartholomew School, East Brunswick, was recognized for her artistic talents by Bishop Checchio. Viola’s watercolor and marker-drawn portrayal of the Magi’s journey to see the newborn Christ Child was recognized nationwide as one of the 24 winners of the 2021-2022 Missionary Child Association Christmas Artwork Contest, the only such winner in the diocese.

“The story of the Three Wise Men following the star to Bethlehem has always been one of my favorites,” Viola said.

Discovering her artwork will be available as shareable digital greetings through the MCA beginning the first week of Advent, Viola continued, “I was shocked and a little overwhelmed to learn so many people will see my picture. It’s an honor.”

Bishop Checchio presented the Pontifical Mission Societies’ Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) Awards for outstanding commitment, generosity and sacrifice to the Church’s missionary activity. The schools of St. Helena, Edison; St. Matthew, Edison, and St. Stanislaus Kostka, Sayreville, were honored for their contributions, as were the religious education programs of St. Elizabeth-St. Brigid, Peapack; Our Lady of Fatima, Piscataway, and Holy Trinity, Helmetta.