News - February 2022 RSS Feed

The word “chastity” suggests the notion of someone being “as pure as the driven snow.” What exactly does this mean? The Catechism makes it crystal clear: “Chastity means the successful integration of sexuality within the person and thus the inner unity of a person in his or her bodily and spiritual being…The virtue of chastity therefore involves the integrity of the person and the integrality of the gift” (ccc 2337).

PERTH AMBOY – Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, one of the largest nonprofit social service providers in New Jersey, was recently awarded a $200,741 grant to help aid unmet and long-term needs resulting from Hurricane Ida, which quickly blew through the state last September.

WATCHUNG — Mount Saint Mary Academy has earned the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science A (CSA) and AP Computer Science Principles (CSP). Schools honored with the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have expanded girls’ access to AP computer science courses.

After losing most of 2020 because of COVID-19 or the coronavirus pandemic, the Brotherhood of Hope ministry is back evangelizing students at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.

BASKING RIDGE — The best sermon Deacon Thomas H. Klaas preached was expressed through his life, his son, Paul, said, despite it being cut short by illness.

For Sacred Heart Brother Gary Humes, the phrase “Life begins at 40” might aptly apply to his religious life.

“Today, the hardest thing to do for people is to think of making a lifetime commitment,” observed Felician Sister Donna Marie Trukowski. “The human race needs direction and guidance.”

Whether reflecting upon her term as an inner-city elementary school principal, or recalling years spent teaching mathematics to suburban-bred students, Mercy Sister Irene Nebus uses the same, heartfelt phrase to describe her 60 years of religious service -- “I loved every minute of it.”

After 70 years as a member of her order, Mercy Sister Marlene Fritz is grateful for the multitude of exciting experiences she has had as a religious. “I think I wouldn’t have met the people that I met, and done the things that I did, if I weren’t a religious,” she said in a recent phone interview.

When Mercy Sister Monica Jacques reflects on her 75 years in the religious community, she said what comes to mind is “a lot of gratitude because I think the Lord provided a wonderful life for me.”

MONROE TOWNSHIP — The faithful filled Nativity of Our Lord Church to welcome Father Ethiege Nalaka Silva as pastor of Nativity of Our Lord Parish at a Mass of Installation presided by Bishop James F. Checchio Jan. 25.

METUCHEN — Possessing spiritual résumés the envy of any Christian decades older, the 42 young men and women seated in the front pews of the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Jan. 26 represented the 2022 class of St. Timothy Award winners from the diocese.

METUCHEN — “Thank God for those who work so hard for life,” said Bishop James F. Checchio to a congregation of pro-life advocates at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Jan. 14. “We see the effects of the brokenness of the world in so many ways: the immigrant, the hungry, the poor, the unborn. We see it in the women who contemplate abortion.”

From 1980-1982, I was in graduate school at the University of New Mexico, pursuing a Master of Arts degree in French literature. When I tell you the reading list for the comps was long, I am simplifying the situation. In addition to what was required for each course, from Medieval through 20th century French works, there were novels, plays and poems that were required in preparation for the exams. These two years were exciting. I was teaching Intermediate French to undergraduates six hours per week, conversational French, an hour a week and religion at a nearby Catholic elementary school in the North Valley of Albuquerque. Given my course load, usually 12 graduate hours per semester, I often found myself reading two to three written works per week. I loved the feel of the books in my hands. I reveled in highlighting what I believed to be important. I enjoyed both the smell of the paper and turning of each page.  Yes, my book bills were high, however, how many priests have had the opportunity to spend two years reading the greatest works of French literature? I consider myself blessed.

TRENTON — Gov. Phil Murphy signed the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act Jan. 12, two days after the legislation was passed. In light of that, the 2022 New Jersey Rally and March for Life that occurred two days later appeared to take on an increased spirit of urgency and commitment amongst the participants.

It seems providential that Pope Francis invited the global Catholic Church to participate in a Synod — to walk together and to listen to one another but above all to the Holy Spirit — the same year that our local Church of Metuchen is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of our Diocese. During this important moment for our local and universal Church, we are offered an opportunity to reflect on where we have been and, more importantly, to journey together in communion, participation, and mission, looking forward to where we are going and opening ourselves more fully to listen to the Spirit.