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As the coronavirus continues to affect our lives, it seems we are living in a new world each month. There has been a significant decline of COVID-19 related deaths and hospitalizations in our state yet increases in other states have left many of us to question when will there be normalcy again. Or is this the “new normal?”

A ministry formed to feed the needy in the diocese that ended in 2018 is still helping people through Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen (CCDOM).

EDISON — A UPS truck pulled into the parking lot of the Ozanam Family Shelter on July 24, hauling a delivery that was not ordered, but donated.  The donation included more than 500 individual personal care packages, face masks and nearly 1,000 bottles of shampoo. Employees from the UPS Edison division, with centers in Edison, Linden and Dayton, donated the items, which will benefit individuals and families served by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen (CCDOM). 

FLEMINGTON — Many people are familiar with the EWTN show, “Web of Faith 2.0” which Father Kenneth D. Brighenti and Father John Trigilio Jr., have been co-hosting for the past 10 years. Many more individuals, especially parishioners of St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, were introduced to a new version of the show during the pandemic.

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,  These days our lives seem like anything but normal. Our usual and planned vacations this summer have been cancelled or disrupted by restricted travel. Most summer camps and vacation Bible schools are either not opened or have been scaled back. Even simple family barbeques are not held.

The diocesan Office of Human Life and Dignity received 165 poster entries from 15 Catholic Schools and 10 Religious Education Programs for its annual “Kids Look at Life” poster contest. Students from grades one to eight were asked to reflect on the theme: The U.S. Bishops invite us to be part of a Year of Service for Moms in Need from March 25, 2020 to March 25, 2021. Walking with Moms in Need. “How can you help Moms? Many pregnant and parenting moms struggle. Some feel alone, others have low-income jobs and many are overwhelmed with the daily tasks of raising their children. They need our support.” Posters were judged on grade level, creativity and visual appeal. Winning posters will be used to create a 2020-2021 Respect for Life Calendar and awarded to all poster winners.

As I write this article, it is June 13 and the Church is celebrating the feast of St. Anthony of Padua. In 1946, Pope Pius XII gave him the title “Doctor of the Church” for his knowledge of Scripture. He is also considered by many to be one of the great evangelizers in the history of the Church. Although, as one of our more popular saints, we know St. Anthony as the patron saint of lost and stolen articles. Thus, many of us often pray to him to find something for us.

For nearly three months this year, parishes in the diocese shuttered their churches and suspended meetings, events and gatherings to keep the faithful safe during the coronavirus pandemic. However, because of the determination and ingenuity of clergy, staff and volunteers, members of these spiritual homes have been skillfully navigating the turbulent waters of this isolation in order to maintain, even strengthen, the bonds of the community and tenets of faith.

Four years ago in Green, Ohio, Lynda Dodson was battling cancer. However, rather than focus on her own condition, Dodson and her younger sister, Cindy Rutherford, decided to find a way to help other women going through their own challenges. Her goal was to give women some basic necessities, but also some little “feel good” items that needy women might not normally be able to buy for themselves such as a nicer handbag and make up. And so, “Lynda’s Helping Handbags” was created.

As we continue to respond to the global pandemic of COVID-19 and its impact on our health and our economy, the social disease of racism in our country has also come to light in a compelling way. During this already difficult time, confusion, mistrust, anger and anxiety have all helped to bring to light an extremely contagious and dangerous outbreak of hate.

During this time of uncertainty, shut down and job loss, “The Catholic Spirit” took time to revisit the Catholic Charities food pantry that opened in Phillipsburg five years ago this month.

Join us in celebrating this year’s graduates! Display a personal message to your graduate in The Catholic Spirit’s JULY GRADUATION SUPPLEMENT!

PISCATAWAY – In the midst of a global pandemic, the Holy Spirit is moving in the Diocese of Metuchen. Inspired by the impacts and fruits of last year’s all-night Pentecost Vigil, which was part of the Year of Awakening in preparation for the Dec. 12, 2019 diocesan consecration to Jesus through Mary, under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the diocese will offer “A Church of Mission and Purpose: Pentecost Retreat Day,” beginning May 29 at 7 p.m. and concluding May 30 at 5 p.m. with a Vigil Mass of Pentecost celebrated by Bishop James F. Checchio.

PISCATAWAY — For many in the Diocese of Metuchen, Easter was different this year, but for some, the day was business as usual.

The very excitement of the Easter season is that God wants us to cultivate and understand that he is breaking into our hearts right now. He is walking with us through this journey we are all experiencing -   the impact of COVID-19 or coronavirus pandemic. These are days where we can find moments of real connection with others and the true value of what life really means comes alive in all of us.

May is the month many eagerly await because it is the time many children receive first holy Communion. Sadly, this year the coronavirus has made pastors postpone this momentous milestone in the spiritual lives of waiting first communicants.

The goal was $19,000 — a play off COVID-19 — so named for the coronavirus disease that emerged during late 2019 in China.

In our Gospel passages in these last weeks of Easter, we start to see a shift from the Resurrection appearances of Jesus, to meditations about the ongoing presence of the Risen Christ in the life of His Church through the Spirit. We hear Jesus promise the Apostles the Paraclete, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. This Gospel beckons us back to the Last Supper and Jesus’ last words with His disciples before being arrested and put on trial. How long Jesus must have thought about what He wanted to share with His dearest friends at this last chance to speak privately with them. He knew what was ahead for Himself with His crucifixion, and what was ahead for the disciples and their ministries. He must have wanted to reassure them that even though things might not appear to be so in the eyes of the world, all would work out well in God’s plan. As they watched His arrest, torture and crucifixion, the Apostles must have felt that evil did have the upper hand, but Jesus did not want them to believe this. 

Last month, as COVID-19 spread across New Jersey places like St. Joseph Senior Center, Woodbridge, where the most vulnerable were cared for, faced major challenges. Many of the staff and residents were infected with the coronavirus. To make matters worse, the center experienced a shortage of personal protection equipment (PPE), especially masks. Little did anyone know it would be a nun who would rally the faithful to help.

NEW BRUNSWICK – As rain fell May 8 at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, a small number of mourners clad in face masks – each of them strangers to the departed – gathered to remember the lives of the infants cradled in the casket before them.