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METUCHEN — “We gather together dedicated to the mission of teaching,” said Father Timothy A. Christy to the scores of both new and seasoned Catholic school teachers, staff and administrators filling the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Aug. 30 for the Mass for the Opening of Schools. “The mission of Catholic education is to form students intellectually, spiritually, socially and mentally, the whole child in the context of our faith.”

SOMERVILLE — When Pope Francis released his second encyclical, “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home,” in 2015, he set into motion a conceptual blueprint as to how all of humanity might come together to respond to the global climate crisis, urgently issuing an appeal to begin a new dialogue about shaping the future of the planet. 

September 11 is an emotional day for us all, as it always reminds us of the horrific terroristic attacks in our country that changed and took the lives of too many innocent people. We continue to pray for the victims and their families and all of us affected by that day’s tragic events. Gratefully, this year, we had a celebration that gives us a reason to offer thanks as our diocesan community gathered with Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski at our beautiful Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi for a Mass of thanksgiving for his special milestone of 25 years of episcopal service. Indeed, we have much to be grateful for as 20 of those 25 years have been spent serving the faithful of this wonderful Church of Metuchen.

NORTH BRUNSWICK — On July 16, two years after 20-year-old Daniel Anderl died protecting his mother and father from a gunman, 1,100 runners gathered at the North Brunswick Community Park to celebrate his life and create a legacy in his name at the second and final Daniel Anderl “Love is Light” 5K run.

​​​​​​​GLEN GARDNER — After a hiatus of two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Four Day Walking Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, Pa., returned. The pilgrims’ journey began Aug. 4, at Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Great Meadows, and ended at the shrine on Aug. 7. The shrine contains a reproduction of the Black Madonna of Jasna Góra, who has a special place in the lives of Catholics of Polish descent and is Poland’s most revered icon.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Amidst the slower pace and extra rest the summer provides, I had two beautiful experiences earlier this month that I want to share with you.

NEW BRUNSWICK — Boxing gym owners Dionne Roberts-Thompson and her husband, John (JT) Thompson want to help young people in more ways than one with their Pillars of Success Program. The couple have owned Brunswick Boxing Stars for about 11 years.

MIDDLESEX — When Father David V. Skoblow began his journey as a newly-ordained priest and parochial vicar at Our Lady of Peace Parish, Fords, in 2015, he told a reporter that his primary responsibility was the salvation of souls, which, pursuant to canon law, is “the supreme law of the Church.” Seven years later, it remains the focus of his ministry as he assumed the office of pastor of Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish.

NEW BRUNSWICK — In the same house of worship where he served as a transitional deacon 30 years ago, Father Thomas F. Ryan was elevated to pastor of Holy Family Parish at a Mass of Installation May 29. Holy Family includes the former Sacred Heart Church, now a worship site.

HILLSBOROUGH — From a young age, Msgr. Joseph Curry knew he wanted to serve God and others. His parents and grandparents shared their strong faith with their young boy who would become a priest. From them, he learned that God always had to be significant in his life. It is a lesson he heard again when Bishop James F. Checchio installed him as pastor of Mary, Mother of God Parish.

The final report of the diocesan phase of the Synod has been released, reported Bishop James F. Checchio to the people of the diocese. As a result of the months-long interview and recording process, he said, “our diocese has experienced a process that allowed for authentic listening to one another and to the Holy Spirit… Therefore this report is not a strategic plan but a summary of recurring themes for us to reflect on and learn from as we continue our journey as a diocese.”

Peter G. Kane, who has extensive experience in the financial services industry and Catholic education leadership, was recently appointed by Bishop James F. Checchio as the next president of St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison.

METUCHEN — A trio of speakers shared their insights on the Holy Trinity June 4 following the annual Pentecost Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi.

METUCHEN — His irrepressible smile illuminating the sanctuary, Ronal Romario Vega Pastrana joined the ranks of the clergy of the diocese June 11 at a joyous celebration of his priestly ordination.

(Editor’s note: The following is the homily given by Bishop James F. Checchio at a Mass, during which he ordained Father Ronal Vega Pastrana to the priesthood for the diocese, at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, June 11.)

This Sunday, this Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, begins a multi-year mission called for by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to reassure us of the living presence of Jesus Christ — Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity — among us in the Eucharist. Our world is surely filled with troubles, frustrations, sins — but we are reassured that even among the very many real difficulties that weigh us down, the Living, Loving God is always among us, always lifting us closer to his Divine Majesty. This is very much in line with the Church’s traditions. In fact, it was to foster reverence for the Eucharist and revitalize Catholic belief in the Real Presence, that Pope Urban IV originally instituted the Feast of Corpus Christi in 1264. Each year this feast affords us the privileged opportunity to revere and give thanks for the Eucharist, “the source and summit of the Christian life” (Lumen Gentium, 11).

Years ago, when pursuing my undergraduate studies, I was introduced to a movement called the Social Gospel movement. The young voices in our class, a mix of Protestants and Catholics, were overjoyed to hear about the social implications of the Synoptic Gospels as well as the Gospel of St. John. As we explored the topic over several weeks, it became crystal clear that the Christian principles being put forth to bring the social order into conformity with Christianity were already quite apparent in the Catholic Church. Put another way, although bringing good works and faith together was something unacceptable to Protestant reformers like John Calvin in the 16th century, it was something we Catholics were already actively engaged in from the beginning when the Church was founded by Jesus Christ.

Ever since he was a 14-year-old attending the minor seminary of the Salesian Missions in the Dominican Republic, Ubaldo Valdez has contemplated serving God in some capacity.

Days after his ordination to the permanent diaconate for the diocese, Deacon Jose Miguel Suarez Aular reflected on the future of his ministry.

With the ordination of Pedro B. Sanchez Duval to the diaconate for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, New Brunswick, known as a national Hispanic Parish, now has a deacon to whom parishioners can easily relate.