News - March 2025 RSS Feed

On March 2, 2025, His Eminence, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, conferred the Ministry of Acolyte in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Pontifical North American College, Vatican City State, on 26 seminarians, including our Diocese of Metuchen seminarian, Bruce Cargill.

More than 130 catechumens from 46 parishes throughout the Diocese gathered March 9 to celebrate the Rite of Election, one of the final steps on their journeys to become Catholics.

The Diocese of Metuchen launched a project for Hispanic youth, and Claretian Father Gilles Njobam said it was no coincidence that the project – part of the 2025 Jubilee of Hope – began on the feast of St. John Bosco.

A joyous liturgy commemorating Black History Month was celebrated at St. Matthias Church, Somerset, Feb. 22. The processional entrance was led by a group of Kenyan dancers to the beat of rhythmic music by the Kenyan Community Choir of the Diocese of Metuchen. They also led the procession with the Word of God in the Liturgy of the Word and once again in the presentation of the gifts, which also included baskets of different offerings presented by the children and youth of the parish.

Almost 108 years ago, in July, 1917, something wonderful, yet fearful occurred in a small, out of the way town called Fatima, Portugal. Most of us know the story of Our Lady of Fatima appearing to three young children named Lucia and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco. In our own Diocese of Metuchen, the Blue Army Shrine in Washington, (dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima) provides ongoing opportunities for people to learn more about Fatima.

More than two dozen people gathered to learn how a ministry for seniors can help older parishioners grow spiritually as well as assist them with resources and companionship.

Teaching catechism to persons with disabilities is not so much about memorizing a long list of religious facts, but rather about nurturing relationships, asserted Charleen Katra, keynote speaker at the Feb. 22 Catechist Formation Day workshop held in the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway.

The Diocese of Metuchen will be hosting a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington D.C., Sept. 20 in celebration of Jubilee 2025, and in anticipation of the 45th anniversary of the Diocese in 2026.

More than 8,000 miles from New Jersey, friends and family had risen before 4 a.m. to watch Jan Armelson Magcawas ordained to the Order of Deacon at St. Joseph Church, North Plainfield.

Parochial leaders in the Diocese of Metuchen’s Hispanic community have strongly expressed the on-going need for formation materials in Spanish. In response to this need, the Franciscan at Home platform, with its many resources in Spanish, is available at no cost to the members of the Hispanic community in the Diocese through a diocesan partnership with Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Catechetical Institute.

Looking for a Lenten experience to enrich your faith and spiritual life? Metuchen Cursillo Movement is holding its annual Lenten Encounter with Christ, April 5, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Mary, Mother of God Church, Hillsborough.

Celebrating 100 years of service through world wars, the Great Depression, eight popes and five bishops in the Diocese of Metuchen, the Regina Coeli (“Queen of Heaven”) Court of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, based at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Dunellen, commemorated its history and its future with pride on Feb. 23. Originally a group of 38 women, the Court today has 68 members and is led by Regent Martha Pizzigoni.

A Sayreville parish youth choir recently joined voices to support a local cause.

We all know that the feast of St. Patrick is celebrated worldwide on March 17. But have we ever asked ourselves, “how did he do what he did in Ireland?” After all, Patrick, it is said, came from Great Britain or Gaul (present day France). He did not arrive on the Emerald Isle speaking fluent Gaelic. In fact, it is a miracle that he was not killed by the pagan Celts!

I have a weakness for puns. I am a writer, and writers play with words and puns are one form of wordplay. Alliteration is another: I have an addictive attraction to alliteration! With puns, it’s even worse. I trained myself to make puns, until the habit took over and became obsessive-compulsive. Then I had to de-program myself. Once I had the habit under control, I could let myself make puns to a reasonable degree.

“I just need a peaceful minute, Nanny.” The little voice spoke from a corner of the room amidst a spread of trucks, dinosaurs, and magnetic tiles, part of a fantasy land being built by my five-year-old grandson – a child who is in constant motion, constant thought, constant talk and with an endless supply of make-believe stories to share.

Lent is framed by well-known, heavily-attended liturgies. The season begins, of course, with Ash Wednesday, and near the tail end there is Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.

In announcing the Jubilee Year, Pope Francis instructed that it be celebrated, “with deep faith, lively hope and active charity.” It is a reminder that we are called to discover hope in current times and to be the instruments of hope for others. One tangible way to accomplish this is by giving to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. Through our shared support of our pastoral, educational and charitable ministries, we are assisting those most in need and spreading the message of hope in the Lord!